It was a beautiful morning for late July, a gift really, so I decided to spend some time outside in the garden to do some weeding and trimming. It’s the time of year when I usually get tired of the maintenance, and it’s too hot to enjoy being outside, but this week has been a treat. I know we’ll still have hot, sticky days in August, but they are easier to tolerate when we have some cooler weather sprinkled in.
Here are my four things for this week: A novel I enjoyed, Murder 101, fresh-cut flowers, and interviews, photoshoots & painting.
what I’m reading
I haven’t read any books this week that blew my hair back, but I finished A Girl Called Samson a couple of weeks ago, and it’s still hanging with me. It’s beautifully written, and I fell in love with Deborah, John, and others in the book. It’s heartbreaking and inspiring. I’m already looking forward to reading it again at some point in the future. If you like stories of real historical figures fleshed out with some imagination, this is a great read.
what I’m watching
On a whim, Jeff and I watched Murder 101 on Amazon Prime, and it was excellent. It’s a documentary that follows a sociology class as they work on a string of connected cold murder cases. First of all, the teacher is amazing. His enthusiasm is inspiring, and they are learning so many valuable real-world skills as they navigate the assignments. They learn their rights to information from the government through FOIA requests, how to make professional phone calls and leave messages, and how to think outside of the box and present their ideas to others. In the process, they aren’t treated as “just teenagers”. They are treated as capable, and their opinions and thoughts aren’t dismissed, even by law enforcement brought in to speak with them about their work.
Most importantly, the students are learning empathy for the victims they are researching. The victims were young, high-risk women (prostitutes, drug addicts, runaways) who can often be overlooked. The students learn to care deeply for them instead of judging their choices and see some of their parents, neighbors, and friends with more compassion. It’s really a great watch. I wish there were teachers like this in every classroom.
what I’m loving
I love being able to cut bouquets from my garden. I always wanted to have an abundance of flowering bushes to clip from, and now I do. I relish it.
what I’m working on
I’ve been working on interviews for my 2028 book and cleaning my studio for a photoshoot/freelance article.
Of course, I’ve been at the easel as well. I’m working on commissioned paintings as well as some works for licensing and an upcoming art sale.
What have you been reading, watching, loving, and working on?
6 Responses
Just finished A Girl Named Samson. Wonderful story and writing. I started Horse by Geraldine Brooks, so far so good. Also read her book March that you might enjoy, historical fiction about the Civil War. Enjoy your cool weather, here in Austin it’s beautiful and hot…100 degrees!
Beautiful new paintings! That sweet dog’s expression is so soulful.
I recently read All the Forgivenesses by Elizabeth Hardinger. Such a good book and available for free download on Kindle Unlimited.
I also watched Murder 101 and wish there were more teachers like this one. Elizabethton, the town where this school is, is just up the highway, so we’d heard about it on the local news. These students are receiving a special education in so many life lessons.
I have seen several recommendations for that book, so it’s on my list. I don’t typically watch murder shows, but I like the view point of the students. I believe all high school students should learn communication and life skills. That should be a requirement. My oldest always said he didn’t like “confrontation” which was really just making a simple phone call. He learned so much in scouts and while earning his eagle. We’ve had a couple of pleasant days after a storm went through earlier in the week. On the hot ones, I’m trying to work thru my sewing stack.
We watched Murder 101 also, and were really impressed with the teacher. I have kept JUSTICEFORTRACYSUE.COM on my phone so I can check it from time to time.
Love that image of your studio! I’d love to see more of it in future posts! Such an inspiring place to work!
Like Linda, I loved Horse too and the meshing of historical and current day and the similarities and differences was fascinating. I switched to almost all flowers from veg several years ago. I love my tulips and peonies in the spring to Dahlias (My new love and obsession), zinnias and cosmos in the summer to fall. Currently have about 5 flower bouquets in the house and I’m getting ready to start delivering them to the neighbors (who kindly gift me with nectarines and such). Been taking Ali Kay’s Fresh Paint classes and have been trying to paint. Just traded for a nice easel so I can stand up and paint.