Gosh, it’s been a month or more since I’ve posted on here. That’s because it’s now been five months that I have been taking care of the baby like a full-time daycare :). I am dropping down to part-time in a week (also :)) because he’s getting heavy for me, and I need to catch up on stuff.
Before I’m back to blogging regularly, I thought you might enjoy hearing me read a two-minute flash memoir story on Guerrilla Podcast. There are two other writers reading as well, Ethan Goffman and John Stanizzi. My story is in between theirs. Hope you like them all!
https://thesongis.blogspot.com/2024/07/podcasts-bite-sized-nutrition-for-mind.html
In case you’re in doubt of where to go, once you click the link you should see this view (my screen shot). The podcast is right below the titles of the stories and the author names.
The image is from a later era than my story, but it’s the same park as in the story. About ten years after the events of this story occurred, Kalamazoo was hit with a tornado that took out a lot of the gorgeous old trees that had been there in Lincoln’s day. Since this photo was taken at a date after the tornado, you can’t see how thick the trees were “back in my day.”
The trees look pretty thick in that image 🙂 I am (and will always be) amazed at many publications you’ve had since you’ve been babysitting full-time. I look forward to listening to the podcast!
This is why I write flash and poetry! But I haven’t written much during this period of babysitting. Or done much art. I want to work on Hudson’s junk journal, too :). Emailing you, btw.
Glad to see you out of the nursery. I went to the link but could not listen to the podcast. There was no link once on the site. I tried clicking on the kitty photo but that only gave me a kitty photo.
Hah, thanks, John. I just added a screen shot above so you could see what it should look like when you use the link. I hope that helps!
When I go there there is nothing.
That is so weird!!! Does this work? https://drive.google.com/file/d/1znRzviSnpppIx_0PV4Bn5gi4jimDtbDb/view
That did work. Thank you, Luanne. Your poem is wonderful.
Your early days with your grandchild will always be special!
I know he won’t remember it but I know it’s been good for him. At the very least, he hasn’t been around other babies’ germs up til this point. And I’ve enjoyed being there watching him learn. I still will because I will still be babysitting two full days a week. But that leaves me days to get stuff done and a tiny bit of rest.
Two days a week is perfect!
Fabulous, Luanne! We’ve all missed you! 💖
Thanks, Colleen! I feel very isolated here with the baby haha!
Two days a week much better! I salute you for your full time service – how in the world are you even making coherent sentences?? I hope the Gardener has been a good backup for you!!
I was able to hear the podcast and loved your story about the park sanctuary! Made me want one of your hamburgers, too…
Take care, rest, your deserve a break today.
I’m not sure I’m making coherent sentences when I speak!!!! Hahah. The gardener is helpful to a point, but he has very bad wrists (it’s an extreme form of arthritis called SLAK) so he can’t hold the baby for very long as it’s not safe (for the baby) and hurts the gardener. I’m glad you loved the story! Michigan is famous for its olive burgers!!! I did take a nap today. YAY!!!!! Hope all is well with you and T and that the littles are as cute as ever!
Loved the podcast and pic though I was picturing Bronson Park as I listened before I saw the pic. Olive burger indeed!
I’m trying to remember your chronology. Did you ever see the park pre-tornado? Nothing says Michigan quite like an olive burger!
No, not pre-tornado. But before the fountain was dismantled.
Yeah, but that was more recently, I think? There used to be used old gorgeous trees all over the park.
I moved to Kzoo 3 years after the tornado and did not realize for another 2 or 3 years that the park had been devastated. The fountain was dismantled in 2018. All of that notwithstanding, I was imagining the park in your story to be Bronson Park.
I like that last sentence!
I’m congratulating myself when we keep our 4 year old for a full 10 days….and you have been doing it for 5 months. I am duly impressed. And I loved the reading. Perfect for the tiny length.
Hi Ellen! Haha, well, a 4 year old is a very busy person! But this baby has been tiring, and especially now that he moves his body a bit violently (hah, he wants to crawl so bad) and weighs 18 pounds. I haven’t gotten much writing or art accomplished for the past five months, I’ll tell you that. Or reading or watching TV unless you can count Ronnie on youtube who sings the “I love Grandma” song.
Somehow I missed this one! I enjoyed your story, such a sweet and innocent encounter.
Aw thanks, Liz!
You’re welcome, Luanne!
Luanne, I couldn’t get the podcasts to play either on my desktop or my iPad. I was disappointed to miss your story.
Your daughter is really lucky to have you as day care! 🙂
He’s my son’s son, actually, although my daughter acts like he’s hers too ;). Yes, they have been very lucky for five months :)! Did you try this one I gave John? https://drive.google.com/file/d/1znRzviSnpppIx_0PV4Bn5gi4jimDtbDb/view