New Press to Me

The January-February 2010 issue of the Utne Reader arrived in our mailbox today. I look forward to having a little more time to sit down and read the longer articles. I know I'm busier than I want to be when I check to see how long something is before I start reading it... One of the things I like about the magazine is how it introduces me to so many other magazines, journals, websites, etc., which I would never find on my own. One story that grabbed my attention in this new issue was excerpted from Calyx, "a feminist literary journal published by the press of the same name, both of which nurture women's creativity." What's not to like about that, right? The Calyx website doesn't grant too much access to the content of its journal - fair enough, they've got to pay the bills somehow. I'm intrigued enough to look for it the next time I find myself next to a magazine rack that goes on forever. I'm not sure the Barnes & Noble here in Bozeman carries it. We'll see. What are some of the new, or new-to-you websites, journals, etc. that are sources of inspiration in these short days and dark nights of December?

On not losing heart...

I can see from the "Live Traffic Feed" below that my friend Heather in Peoria doesn't lose heart too easily. The whole box, as of this writing, is full with her checking to see if I've come up with anything interesting to say. Or anything to say at all, for that matter. Heather: you are an inspiration! My lack of postings for the last two months has little to do with my having nothing to say, and much to do with a completely unreliable internet connection at home. Hopefully that will be changing soon, as we're under contract on a house, plan to close next week, and will be all moved in (and all moved out of our current abode) by the end of March. Wahoo!! I can't wait to actually have people over! In the meantime, life keeps trucking right along, busy as ever. Funny how even only working "half-time" we manage to stay as busy as we do. Husband/colleague and I have just embarked on a new schedule, one that will hopefully prevent us from overworking every single week: now we're each going to be in the office for three days a week, plus Sundays. Today's my day to be in the office solo. We'll both be here tomorrow and Thursday. Then I get this Friday off and the man will be in the office on his own. I think I could get to like this schedule. I also, am working on not losing heart. I joined the big local gym 13 days ago, after a physical and corresponding lab reports that didn't really hold any surprises. Needless to say, I'm sore in places I forgot I had! I signed up for "8 weeks to fitness," joining in the fun and pain half-way through the 8 weeks of group training (at 6am twice a week, I really am crazy!) So while my new workout buddies are lifting way more weight than I am, I just keep reminding myself that I'm healthier today than I was yesterday, and tomorrow will be even better. And walking, climbing stairs, and lifting your arms above your head are really overrated. :)