End-of-semester list

1. Our Christmas tree smells so delicious that I want to eat it. That's probably a sign of iron deficiency, as in when you crave ice. My teeth cringed just thinking about it.

2. The semester is done and I want to sloth on the couch all break with books, movies, a blanket, some popcorn, my family.

3. I want to get my brain back into writing shape. It's in commenting shape, critiquing shape, lecturing shape. I have filled a few notebooks about the different energy needed to teach vs. write.

4. We survived a semester of full-time daycare for two kids. I'm not quite sure how, especially while potty-training the older and breastfeeding the younger. The morning routine was...not pretty. Two nights a week, Dada picked them up, cooked dinner, and put them to bed solo while I taught. Some nights, I'm told, were...not pretty.

5. The kids did great. They love their school. I've missed them terribly.

6. I've enjoyed working and thinking. Teaching new books and learning new things. Trips to the library to write and research in peace.

7. My winter break babyproofing today involved a metal file, a roll of wire, and some all-purpose snips. This business is no joke.

8. I have about a hundred things rattling around in my head right now, like fill out the forms for the pediatric dentist and reply to the email from the department head. Finish your beverage and put away the Goldfish. Go to bed and get the rest you've been promising yourself.

9. OK. OK. OK. OK.

10. New fiction about Indianapolis, in the Mythic Indy series at Punchnel's, called Carpe Lucem. Those from my 'hood might recognize the Monon Trail, Mama Carolla's, Joe V. from Yats in a cameo as the piano store owner.

11. Boy howdy do I love a head-clearing list. This one only scratched the surface. But sometimes that's as deep as the itch goes.