Happy? New! Year.

What a year it was, what a year it is.

I write this to you on Sunday morning. It’s the end of two weeks I carved out for myself for time off. Instead, it was time very much on. Beginning the afternoon of the day I was going to be part of a group reading Kevin Killian’s work at Poetic Research Bureau—December 12th—until today, January 4th, my days have mostly been composed of cleaning (before the tamale party), cleaning (after the tamale party), and all the administration and attendant worries that come with moving my mother from her house, where she’d been living independently, to a skilled nursing rehabilitation facility, to a residential board and care. The days I had off from running back and forth from the San Fernando Valley also contained phone calls, emails, and other support to facilitate this huge transition. I’m extremely grateful for the support of my partner, who also, thankfully, had two weeks “off” that were very much on. She saw me through a few breakdowns, freak-outs, and we also laughed often, sometimes to the point of tears.

My writing life paused during this time. Aside from the daily journal writing, I got nothing. No transcription. Some reading. This is the first time since before December 12th that I’ve sat down with the intention of creating something other than a list. (Speaking of lists, here’s my list of books read in 2025 that went out last week.)

I’m in my office, and I have the latest diary I intend to continue transcribing from, and a couple hours to do so. There’s a breath here and I’m taking it.

I wish you and yours peace, ease, and luxurious breaths.

Thanks for reading. Wishing you all the reading time you desire in the new year!

by the way:

my books are waiting to be read by you