Hi, Hey, Hello!
Goodness, I’m so happy to see you on this beautiful Autumn day! How the heck are you?!
What can I get started for you? I’m brewing up some black tea with milk and honey (obviously) but also have coffee or any herbal tea your heart could desire.
It’s a little chilly out and we’re forecasted for some solid rain later today, but the sun is shining through the golden leaves right now, so let’s have a seat on the porch before the clouds roll in.
Since our last catch up about the world at large, our personal world has offered up a bit of whiplash. I do believe (thoroughly hope) we’re on the other side of it all and will see some smooth sailing for a bit, so I thought I’d share some simple updates here as an intro to getting back in my blogging groove 🙂
Reading
As I mentioned last month, I dove back into The Winternight Trilogy by Katherine Arden and enjoyed the re-read so very much. It’s such a lovely tale of folk magic(k) with lovely world building and character development!
Upon completing the trilogy, I decided to listen to Piranesi by Susanna Clarke. I found it very interesting, but I feel like I missed the overall energy of it by listening to it instead of reading the physical book. This rarely happens to me, but always seems important to acknowledge. I will absolutely read the physical book at some point because I do want to fully get it, if you know what I mean.
I’m also, still, slowly making my way through THE END OF THE WORLD AS WE KNOW IT and enjoying every single short story, as haunting and gruesome as they all are.
What are you reading these days?
Creating
I have a problem…
A big problem.
There are too many things I want to do…
Too many crafts and journal spreads and projects.
My sister tells me I have all the time to do all the things and it will all come together (which I appreciate so much).
And yet 😉
It’s such a good problem to have, you know?
A new baby blanket to make for an earth bound babe, journal spreads floating in my head, embroidery learning calling to me from the corner and blog post ideas whispering to me while I do the dishes.
One step/stitch/stroke/word at a time.
Have you been creating anything recently? Have ideas brewing for the holidays ahead?
Family History
While I haven’t been actively researching my Family Tree recently, I saw that Ancestry has shifted how they’re reporting DNA journeys and ethnicity estimates. It seems they’re leaning into places of origin/regions instead of broader ethnicity boxes.
For example, instead of saying 38% Scottish, they’re saying 38% Celtic and Gaelic, as well as pinpointing more specific regions. I wonder if they are making changes to more align with how 23&Me reports since so many are nervous about the 23&Me sale?
I mentioned something on Bluesky and was told there is another anticipated update coming soon.
Alas, I know this isn’t interesting to everyone, but as a genetic genealogist, I find it very exciting!
Are you a Family Historian or keeper of the family history? Into the genetics aspect we have access to now?
That’s all Folks!
My daughter and I have a few fun activities this afternoon, so I’m off for now, but I so appreciate you sharing space and time with me today. Let’s do it again soon, OK?
As always, sending a big thank you to Natalie for offering up the virtual space to share space and time together each weekend! Pop on over to see what other bloggers have been up to.
Onward,
Melissa
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I always love the conversational style of these posts, Melissa!
I read Piranesi last year (physical book) and boy, was it weird. Fun, though, and so very dreamy and scary. Right now I am reading A Marvelous Light by Freya Marske and rereading Waiting for Godot (the Beckett play) as I am going to see Keanu Reeves and Alex Winter perform it next month (OMG)!
The note about Ancestry changes is interested. I have a profile, and messed around with it a lot a few years ago, but haven’t looked at it in a while. I’ll have to check it out.
Good luck with all of your creative projects!
Thank you, Jessica! Your description of Piranesi being fun, creamy, and scary is perfect! Glad that I’m not the only one to find it a bit weird, too 😉 Just did a quick search of A Marvelous Light and it seems like a great read that is the first of a trilogy! I’ll add them to my TBR! How AMAZING to get to see Keanu Reeves and Alex Winter in Waiting for Godot next month! That will be an absolute blast! Say HI to Keanu for me please 😉 Have a great weekend!
About Creating, I have too many ideas, too little time and limited space. Whenever I finish writing a blog post for the weekly link-up, I consider it a win 🙂 Thank you for your weekend coffee share. Have a wonderful weekend and week ahead!
I feel this, Natalie! Sometimes we just have to take a win as a win 🙂 Happy weekending!
I think it is wonderful that you have many creative ideas! Creativity and curiosity are both signs of intelligence, at least so I’ve heard 😉 My daughter who is very creative told me about a creative wall she like to make, a way of showcasing her drawings and crocheting projects. I think I am going to help her with that next, if she’d let me. There is probably going to be some kind of creative project for me as well, after I finished making the garden ready for winter. There’s much to do there, I’ll focus on that first. Thank you for an inspiring read!
Hi Maria! I have heard that said about creativity, too, so it must be correct 😉 I love your daughter’s wall idea! I trust it will all come together beautifully! This reminded me of a crochet artist I met and created with a few years ago named Stacey. She goes by @curioussleuth online. Thought I’d mention her in case she’s someone your daughter might like. I do hope your garden wrap up goes smoothly (I have so much to do in mine, too) and that you get in some creativity that makes your heart happy.
Creative energy abounds. It’s a great time of the year to create. I’ve been working on my cozy mystery-urban fantasy manuscript, puzzles, and baking. I’ve been considering attempting to journal again, but haven’t picked up my pen for that yet.
Happy Sunday, Melissa. Thanks for the virtual coffee.
Thanks so much for popping by, Shari! It sounds as though you are fully enjoying your creative spirit! I’m sure the pen will call you back to your journal when the time is right!
Hope your weekend rounds out lovely!
How I would love to join you for a cup of tea on your porch.
Sorry to read about the whiplash. Hope things settle down soon.
I am a huge Susanna Clarke fan. I think her work is too dense and symbolic (but rewarding) to listen to. Her books must be read. I really liked Piranesi.
I am reading The Marriage plot by Jeffrey Eugenidise (sp?). I think you have to be a true book nerd to enjoy this novel, but that’s exactly what I am. 😉
Thank you for your insights on Susanna Clarke and Piranesi. I will definitely read it again. I *did enjoy it, which is why I want to dive in again…I really want to fully get it.
The Marriage Plot sounds interesting! I’ll add it to my never-ending TBR 🙂 Thank you!
We were into genealogy a few years ago and my partner was really excited about the DNA aspects. I hope we circle back around to this project so we can take advantage of all the new things.
Oh, I so hope you dive back in at some point. If you enjoy such things, it’s so satisfying!
Actually struggling this morning with trying to fit it all in.. Things I have to do and things I want to do. Trying to balance. I did however, find the grave information of my birth grandmother recently, whom I’m also told is one of my guides. I look forward to visiting sometime soon.
Hi Kathleen! I do hope you found your groove over the weekend and got a few wants and needs accomplished! I am so happy you were able to find your grandma’s grave! It’s such a simple and profound detail, isn’t it? I do hope you get to visit her final resting place soon 🙂 I, too, am currently working with one of my grandmas as a spiritual guide. We’ve just begun but goodness, I am *excited! Especially with the thinning veil! Hope your week is wonderful!
Piranesi sounds really interesting. I’ve been reading a lot of non-fiction and self-help books. I need to change things up!
Very interesting, indeed! Reading for fun is such a balm for the soul, I hope you find something that offers you some joy!