I’m definitely in a melancholy space. I’ve been running around like mad doing last minute things before the move – a physical, a haircut, getting prescriptions filled, then getting the stomach flu – not fun! Of course, we’re taking loads of things – books to the used bookstores, clothes to Goodwill – out of the garage since we won’t have a garage in our next place. After a dazzling set of sunny September days (during which some of my Ohio family and friends were without water, electricity, or internet because of hurricane-wind-storms!) the rain and grey skies have returned to Seattle. And all the goodbyes to friends are a little hard. I hate goodbyes.

Oh yes, a shameless plea: my dear Seattle-area friends, if you’re free on the 25th, we’d love some help loading up our truck! Pizza and love to all who apply 🙂

And a little good news – on September 22nd, the autumnal equinox, Seattle NPR affiliate KUOW will re-broadcast the show “The Beat” that features me reading Becoming the Villainess at Open Books. So tune in if you missed it the first time!

I’m also re-reading Rachel Zucker’s Bad Wife Handbook and Beth Ann Fennelly’s Unmentionables for an upcoming essay. And, I’m still trying to figure out the ins and outs of the software used by the college where I’ll start teaching in two weeks.

I’ve had so little poetry news, either electronic or snail mail, lately…although the stack of “to review” poetry books on my office shelf – now to be packed up until goodness knows when – makes me a little depressed. I can’t review the books as fast as they’re coming in! It’s madness, I tell you! Seriously, there are a lot of good books on the shelf. But they’ll just have to wait til after the move.

I can’t believe in a week we’ll be on our way to San Diego! We’re renting a little one-bedroom in a northern suburb, about two miles in from the ocean. Hope there won’t be any wildfires this year. Crazy sunshine, here we come?