—IS YOUR BED MADE? IS YOUR SWEATER ON?

  

…Do you ever wake up cranky for no reason? Probably not. But I do. Like this morning, for instance.

 

…But then I look at the lake and everything settles in between the ripples, slowly seeking the shore. If it’s raining, like right now, it’s especially soothing. What a gift to be surrounded by water and books.

 

…“It’s relatability that moves us to empathize.” Lisa Taddeo

 

…Seems like a heady metaphor when you’re told you have a very weak heart, especially when the person telling you this knows what they’re talking about and says it in a grave voice. 

 

…In a drawer, right behind my left shoulder, I have every graded story I ever wrote in college, all of them typed up on rice paper like artifacts in a museum.

 

…Sometimes I have to remind myself that I’m actually a good person.

 

…I’m warming up to the idea of death. I’ve never been very great at ignoring threats, and besides, what’s really going to change anything?

 

…Toast tastes better when someone else makes it for you. That’s just a fact.

 

…French toast, for me anyway, is like pornography on a plate.

 

…Don’t kill the messenger.

 

…For the longest time, back when I worked, I used to hate being recognized. Now, if it’s the right person, it’s one of my favorite things.

 

…If you’re looking for a Lifetime movie, you’ve come to the wrong 

channel.

 

…Sometimes we pretend to want things we don’t want so no one can see us not getting the things we need.

 

…Most of the time it all boils down to fear. 

 

…On my desk I have an engraved pendant of Lucy’s likeness that someone gave me. It’s incredible how much it looks like her.

 

…Some people live their lives as if they’re certain they’re going to get another one. And maybe they will.

 

…Sometimes there’s nothing better on earth than someone asking you the right question.

 

…I stand corrected. On a lot of things, I do.

 

…When you’re not a morning person you never wish you were.

 

--“Yes, I have a question. You seem like such an upbeat person, so why do you write such dark stuff?”

--“Well, for one, you’ve never met my mother.” 

 

…A lot of time I’m stuck between the concrete blocks trying to find the window.

 

…But hey, being late to the party means you still got there.

 

…Maybe I’m wrong, but every time a person says, “Y’all” it sounds as if they’re only doing it for show.

 

…“There are a lot of angry dogs around here.”

 

…Oh, Mr. Rayhilt…

 

…A benefit of waking up at 2:30 am or 4 is that you’re more likely to remember your dreams, and depending upon what surreal scenarios were playing out in your head, that can either be a good thing, or a bad one.

 

…Last night I was a groundskeeper for two different summer camps and there were all kinds of cats running in between the sloping lawns—huge, fat cats that seemed as if they were going to attack at any second. My favorites were the kittens, so needy and lonely, clawing on my pant cuff, just wanting to be seen.

 

…What has that got to do with my mother? Oh. 

 

…Over time, parts wear out. That’s what I keep reminding myself anyway.

 

…There should be a stronger word than appalled. 

 

…Does it matter who’s fault it is?

 

…Most people are never where they really want to be. Have you noticed?

 

…There’s always something we take for granted.

 

… You’re not the only one trying to keep it all together.

 

…There’s nothing safer than wanting nothing, yet that’s a pretty pathetic position to take.

 

… It’s easier for you when you’re an extrovert. You can always talk it out.

 

…Sometimes all you want is someone who’ll pay attention to you, like really pay attention, because it’s you and so they want to.

 

…“Often, quite often, he found himself confronting the idea that being a man only required pretending to be a man. He had no idea how to accomplish it otherwise.” Hot Springs Drive, Lindsay Hunter

 

…If I sound defensive, well, maybe I am.

 

…So far I’ve outlived the average life expectancy for an anorexic, so there’s another bit of good fortune.

 

…Sometimes the best moments in life are happening when they seem like they’re the very worst moments.

 

…Sometimes no matter what you do, memories don’t cooperate.

 

--“Hey, Uncle Len.

--“Yeah?

--“When you die, I will totally buy this house.” 

--“Ha. Really?”

--“Totally.”  Grace, age 4 

 

…A person can be relatively happy and still write about things that aren’t. Look at Phoebe Bridgers or Stephen King. And anyway, aren’t the very best songs the sad ones?

 

…You only get one of those.

 

…Some people lean on therapy. I have this.

 

…Something I dislike is when you’re at a restaurant and after finishing your meal the waiter comes by and says, “Well, I guess you didn’t like that very much, huh?” As if you’re not supposed to eat all of your food. As if you’re a glutton for having done so.

 

…It feels pretty good to be sober. Most of the time it does.

 

…We never see the ending first, and maybe that’s okay.

 

…When it’s good, it’s good. Right?