This and That

I was talking about this and that to the woman who’s been helping me with publicity for the book, and I told her how much fun I was having with this rollout. On a deeper level, I told her, I’ve realized that I have friends. I have loving family. People who support me. I even have unknown readers who are showing up at the book signings. My writing is liked, enjoyed. I am grateful.

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I’m talking with Lauren Rhoades at the Rooted Bottom Reader Book Club, and we’re discussing absurdism in the book, and I’m listening to myself, and I’m thinking, Ellen, you’re talking about Godzilla. Godzilla. In my convo about the book. Then, before I know it, we’re talking about how the oddest facts are true, and I’m relaying the story about going to the HeartBreak Hotel at Graceland for my 2nd anniversary and the cookie jar in the gift shop that, when you lifted the lid, sang, “How Great Thou Art.” I thought, Ellen….I can’t hear that song in church without thinking about the cookie jar.

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When I shared that business about the Mississippi Press Association recognizing Ida B. Wells in its Hall of Fame, my friends came out of the woodwork, again. I can’t step out in courage without support and, I’m ashamed to say, approval. In that sense, my support groups are part of the energy that allows things to happen. You know who you are.

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In a continuation of the “Infested” theme, our porch steps have rotted. We hired the people who built the porch. They used indoor untreated wood. For a screened porch. You think people know what they are doing. You trust them not to cut corners. Sometimes, you are wrong.

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My computer has taken the spinning wheel of death to extreme. I can hardly work on it. I type, it freezes up. It can’t open a website, can’t delete an email, can’t type these words on this blog. It’s driving me bonkers. I’m going to have to find a repair shop. I hate when technology goes sideways, especially when this computer is so new.

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I went to see the tall ships. The ships are with Sail250 on a tour for the country’s 250th anniversary. They started the tour of the country here, in New Orleans. So fitting. Such a basic adjective—tall ships—to be so accurate. They were magnificent. Not one ship. Twelve ships. Lined up down the wharf, one after another. From different countries, some of them playing raucous music, making the wharf jump. It was divine.

I’m going to leave you with that, so fine.

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