November 17, 2017

I’ve been sewing so much this week! For a long time I resented the ironing, tedious pinning, and other prep, because I just wanted to get to the best part – feeding fabric smoothly under the needle. I’ve come to appreciate all the steps in the process, but there’s still nothing like watching that steady march of stitches across your work. Here’s a few things I found online this week:

1. A Brief for the Defense, Jack Gilbert. “We must risk delight. We can do without pleasure, / but not delight. Not enjoyment. We must have / the stubbornness to accept our gladness in the ruthless / furnace of this world.”
2. Light the Dark: Writers on Creativity, Inspiration, and the Artistic Process. I really enjoyed this collection of short essays, writers talking about lines in poetry and prose that inspired them. My favorites were the Sherman Alexie essay “The Reservation of My Mind,” and the Edwidge Danticat, “All Immigrants are Artists.” 
3. 13 Weight Loss Myths You Should Stop Believing Yesterday, Buzzfeed. “I’ve known plenty of clients over the years who are perpetually ‘five pounds over their goal weight.’ Even as they get closer to their arbitrary ideal, the goal changes. It’s like weight loss purgatory — a state in which their body is a constant disappointment.” Oh boy. 
4. Learning the Ropes: How Freshmen Conduct Course Research Once They Enter College, Alison J. Head. This was so helpful to read this month as I reflect on my students and how I relate to them, and what the library might do to both support the adaptive strategies they’ve developed to survive college (like Googling confusing terms), but also introducing them to habits that will over time reduce stress and produce better grades. 
5. Weirdest Office Food Stories: Potluck Mishaps and Other Times Food at Work Went Wrong, Ask a Manager. The stories are all in the comments, and some are kinda gross, fair warning. A few made my jaw drop, a few made me laugh aloud, and of course there was a lot to relate to.

Have a good weekend!