Hi, Hey, Hello!
Goodness, I’m so happy you’re here! How the heck are you?!
It’s been a minute since we had a proper catch up so I figured it was time to put the kettle on and settle in for a proper chat! What can I get started for you? I’m brewing up some black tea but also have coffee or any herbal tea your heart could desire.
So much has happened since we last met (almost a month ago!) so I’ll do my best to stay on track 🙂
Visiting
Do you remember me mentioning that my surprise sister was going to visit us during her family’s Spring Break? Welp, they all did and it was so fantastic! I wrote about it here, so please click over if you’re interested in reading a few details 🙂
We only got one photo together and it’s been so interesting to hear people’s opinions about how we do and do not resemble each other. My bestie, who knew my mom, said, “Sisters! I see the Michael in both of you.” which is a great take because, before this DNA NPE was confirmed, she always said I looked just like my mom.
Genetics are wild, no? What do you think?
Speaking of my NPE story, the podcast I mentioned last time went live a few weeks ago! I was a little nervous because of the vulnerability of speaking to a larger audience about some pretty intense topics but am pleased with how it all turned out.
You can listen to it here or by clicking below:
I’d love to hear your thoughts if you listen and have any!
Reading
As the world continues to burn and the bad news is flung at us from every direction, I’ve taken more and more solace in books. I will never bury my head in the sand, but if all I do is look at the bad, I will burn out. So, what’ve I read since we last chatted?
I’m currently reading:
You may have noticed that I added a couple of widgets to my sidebar where I’m updating my recent reads regularly. The Currently Reading book cover will take you to my StoryGraph account if you want to learn more about the books or if you’d like to be friends over there 🙂
What have you been reading? Any new favorites or TBRs you’re especially excited about?
Writing
Whew, well…
I’ve been writing a lot in my efforts to keep up with the A to Z Challenge on my family history blog, Bold+Queer! Let me tell you, it has been a challenge! But I’m also enjoying it thoroughly and finding pride in keeping up with it all despite the pulls of every day life 🙂
With that challenge at hand and submitting the final version of the piece I wrote for the upcoming queer anthology, I haven’t kept up on the farm blog at all, nor have I been prolific here, but I trust it’ll all come back to center soon. I’m just happy to be writing consistently again 🙂
Have you been writing as much as you’d like to be? Any new projects or completions you’re proud of? I’d love to hear about it all!
There you have it!
I know you’re busy so I won’t keep you any longer but I’m so glad you popped by! I hope we can do this again very soon!
As always, big thanks to Natalie for hosting us for a cuppa and providing a platform for us to find each other 🙂
And another big thanks to Reader Buzz for their Sunday Salon link up as well as the Caffeinated Reviewer for their Sunday Post link up!
If you have a few extra minutes, please pop over to these wonderful hosts and see what others are up to, too!
Until next time, be well.
Onward,
Melissa
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Just a quick hello! In the throes of a cold. Yes, you look like sisters, especially the eyes. So lovely you are reunited.
Hi Laurie! Thank you for popping by! I hope you get some solid rest and are recovered in short order!
Recovering slowly. 🙁
Eyes, cheeks, mouth. Definitely sisters!
Thank you! So wild 🙂
So cool you got meet up with your surprise sister! And yes, I see the family similarity. You do look like sisters.
It’s been such an amazing journey for us both 🙂 Nature and nurture through the genetic lens is just wild!
I’m reading John Green’s book. It’s not exactly a break from the world, but I’m learning a lot.
Very true, but the flow is helpful in not drowning in the bleakness of some of the stats. As a New Mexican, I really enjoyed learning some of the NM facts I hadn’t heard before!
Nice catching up! I hope you are enjoying your weekend and that you have a wonderful week ahead.
Thank you so much, Trent! Right back at’cha!
Circling back an hour later to say that I really enjoyed listening to the podcast. Such a terrific story and lots of great advice for dealing with life’s traumas.
Oh yay! Thank you so much for giving it a listen <3
It’s amazing that you found your half-sister and that you get on so well together. I’m happy for you.
I, too, am finding solace in books these days.
Thank you! And yes, sometimes stepping into another world allows us to better exist in this one while fighting for the one we want to see in the future.
I think you do resemble each other. Same eyes and dimple smile. IT’s good to lose ourselves in another world by reading. You remind me I need to order some more books for my Kindle or at least go through the ones I haven’t read.
Thank you 🙂 Genetics are wild!
I hope you find some wonderful new-to-you books to dive into! Luckily we live in such abundant times!
That’s so nice you met up with your surprise sister. I see the resemblance. Even your tops have similar dark green colour so maybe you have similar favourite colour. You did great with your reading. Thank you for your weekend coffee share.
Thank you, Natalie! It’s been a wonderful few weeks 🙂
I think you do look like you could be sisters. Have a wonderful week ahead! 🙂
Thank you for popping by! Yes, genetics are so wild 🙂 I’m so glad we found each other!
I’m not great at seeing family resemblances between people but I do see just a few between you and your sister. I read Sunrise on the Reaping this past month too and I really enjoyed returning to the whole Hunger Games world.
Ah yes, those origin stories are really something, aren’t they?!
What a nice post. I most certainly see the resemblance. Uncanny, as they say. I, too, am taking refuge in books and writing during these crazy times. Trying to maintain some sanity.
Thank you, Silvia 🙂 I hope you’re taking good care of yourself and finding some hope in the pages you’re reading and writing.
It must’ve been a huge surprise to find out you had a sister! You two really do look alike and so much like your father! It’s wonderful that you not only gained a sister, but a friend as well.
The news stresses me out. I’m always shocked that I’m shocked all over again if I do read it! Books are a welcome distraction. I love the cover to The Honey Witch. I hope you enjoy all on your TBR! Have a wonderful week!
It was a massive surprise to find her (+ two more so far), but we’re so glad now that we have each other! We have our whole lives to catch up on!
The news is…something else. I am like you, continually surprised that I’m still surprised. It’s all just so unimaginable, except it’s not.
Hope you’re week is wrapping up nicely and the weekend ahead is wonderful!
Thanks for the catch up! I definitely see resemblances between you and your sister.
Love your booklist. I really enjoyed Sunrise on the Reaping and EITB as well (as you read last month!). Also reading Ocean Vuong’s On earth we’re briefly gorgeous (heartbreaking) and I just took Orbital out of the library on your recommendation, so that is up next.
Good luck with continuing to write. I’ve been feeling inspired to write more often, and then so exhausted from every writing session. It’s weird time, I guess. Happy Tuesday.
Hi Jessica! Thank you for stopping by! On Earth We’re Briefly Gorgeous sounds intense! But I am so intrigued by the title alone, I must look into it! I hope you enjoy Orbital, it is such a beautiful book. I hope you’re practicing some solid self care in between writing sessions! It can all be so invigorating and exhausting at the same time <3 Have a wonderful weekend ahead!
I really want to get round to The Honey Witch!
There is some likeness in that photo, for sure!
The Honey Witch is such an easy read, I hope you’ll like it as much as I have!
You and your sister have the same eyes and similar noses/mouths as well, but the eyes are clearly the give away of your sisterhood.
Hi Maria! Genetics are so wild. It’s been a trip to see myself reflected in so many strangers-turned-kin.
I can definitely see that you two are sisters.
“Everything is Tuberculosis” looks so interesting. “The Anthropocene Reviewed” has been on my TBR list for a loong time.
Everything is TB is such a quick and good book! I gained so many insights from it, I hope you’ll pick it up!
I think it’s in the eyes.. the similarity.
I really enjoyed the Reading List. It took a bit to get into it but then I really enjoyed it.
I don’t know if I want to read any more Hunger Games book. I was fine with where the series ended.. was disappointed by Ballads so will steer clear of this one.
Hi Hena! Prequels can be hit or miss for me. Origin stories are so powerful but can also muddy up our original thoughts and feelings about a storyline and our favorite (or most hated) characters. The two additions to the Hunger Games series have definitely complicated things for me.
As an only child, I have always wanted a sibling. I think is absolutely amazing that you found your sister. Same as you, I need a place to escape and books are perfect for that. Wonderful that you are keeping up with your writing. I am working on my storybook as well. Not as much as I should or would like to write, but trying to keep up as best as I can. Thanks so much for stopping by my website.
-Soma
Hi Soma! Thank you so much for popping by and for your kind words. I hope your storybook comes along smoothly! Every step, every word counts, no matter how slow the progress may seem in the moment. I have no doubt it’s already amazing 🙂