A Daylight Saved is a Daylight Earned.
Hi Friends,
How’s your week been?
Welcome to March, the month of change. In like a lion, out like a lamb, etc. As I write this, the wind is blowing in Boston and all the little daffodil buds that poked their way free of the soil this week are holding onto their hats. I’m loving the additional daylight in the evening post clock change, but I can never quite forgive losing an hour of my weekend. Why can’t that hour come out of the middle of a Monday instead?
Personally, my week is also in flux because I’m teaching the final sessions of my three winter classes. I’m looking forward to having a couple weeks to concentrate on my own writing (and spring cleaning!), before a new round of classes begin. But of course, it’s always bittersweet to have to say goodbye to the previous classes.
(Speaking of new classes, if you’re located in the Boston area, scroll down for information on upcoming Arlington Community Ed classes.)
This Week I’m:
Reading: The Man Who Died Twice by Richard Osman. This is the second in the Thursday Murder Club series – such a fun group of books. In addition to reading the books, I’ve been enjoying listening to Richard Osman on the podcast The Rest is Entertainment. It’s a must listen for the ThursdayMurderHeads
Watching: Anyone but You. This was a much more direct retelling of Much Ado About Nothing than I was expecting! Some of the dialogue was even directly lifted from the play. I understand why the marketing dept went with “hot people in swimsuits” instead of “Sweeney and Powell do Shakespeare,” but I do think the ads undersold what a solid rewatchable movie it is. The trailer showed all the snarky moments, but the movie itself was a lot gentler and had a great supporting cast. Definitely strong 10 Things I Hate about You vibes.
Also Watching: Dune 2. If you’re into this sort of thing, I recommend seeing it on the biggest screen you can find. Zendaya was terrific, though I could’ve done with a pinch less Nazi architecture.
Eating: Welch’s Jelly Beans, my preferred Easter season jelly bean.
Listening to: Kacey Musgraves
Take a Class with Me:
The Spring classes are up now for Arlington Community Education, with registration opening March 19th. Take a peek now, before classes have a chance to fill up. This session I’ll be teaching:
Writing Fiction from Real Life
Flannery O’Connor said that anyone who survived childhood had enough material to write for the rest of their life. While that may be true, it still takes some effort to turn those experiences into fiction. We’ll read published stories and complete in-class writing and brainstorming assignments to mine personal experience, current events, and history for new short stories or novels. You will have a chance to workshop one or two you’ve written and receive feedback from the instructor and classmates. This class is appropriate for new and experienced writers. Everyone has a story to tell—let’s find out what yours is!
Tuesdays beginning April 23. 7-9pm
https://arlington.ce.eleyo.com/course/4962/spring-2024/writing-fiction-from-real-life%E2%80%941
Life in Five Senses: Beyond the Book
Awaken your senses and get inspired by happiness researcher Gretchen Rubin’s book Life in Five Senses. She explores the science behind our five senses and how simple attention practices can make your life richer. We’ll read the book together and bring it to life through creative weekly sensory experiments. Along the way you’ll discover your neglected sense(s), create a vivid five-senses portrait of yourself or a loved one, and develop a toolbox of methods to make yourself happier by consciously engaging with what you see, hear, smell, taste, and touch.
Wednesdays beginning April 24. 7-8:30pm
https://arlington.ce.eleyo.com/course/4946/spring-2024/life-in-five-senses-beyond-the-book
Both classes meet in person in Arlington, MA. I hope you can join me!
Thanks for reading,
Kayleigh