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Small Wonders
This newsletter is thanks to the wonderful Carman Curton, who shared her gratitude list with me, a concept so wonderful I greedily asked for more—from Carman and you. Thank you for answering.
Yesterday I finished the grunt work on my masters degree. I now have more brain space for lots of things (including my dissertation), but also this newsletter. So let me know how you're doing; how these newsletters are doing for you. It's important to me so I'd love to hear from you (Spark's Ko-fi would too). — Atlin
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The Small Things
By Carman Curton
—fresh espresso
I started a Gratitude List the day after the governor of the State of Michigan enacted Executive Order 2020-21, a “temporary requirement to suspend activities that are not necessary to sustain life.”
I wondered: What, exactly, sustains life? I had the thought that the next few weeks or months might be hard. Very hard, even. I’m generally not what you’d call a cheery person. But I have a lot to be grateful for. Even now. Especially now. Time, I thought, to remind myself of that. So I started a list. One thing a day that I was grateful for.
—hot tea
—my sunny office
By day twelve, I’d specified: Atlin’s stories. If you’re reading this, you don’t need an explanation. You know why. They are improbable, joyous, and more than occasionally porn-arrific (that’s a word I invented especially for her, in a story of my own).
A few days later, I decided to share my list with Atlin, since She-who-spreads-boundless-happiness-and-gratitude is clearly her middle name. Or her official Ethereal Title. Or both.
—homemade bread
—Sunday morning pancakes
And of course, now she’s sharing it with you. And my list, it’s even longer now. Days have passed and continue to pass. And I add to it each morning. When Miss Merrick asked me if she could share this list in Spark, I immediately said yes. Who would deny her anything? I didn’t even panic. I thought maybe I should include some explanation, though: What, exactly, is Taco Bell Quarterly? Why espresso and tea? Is it embarrassing that caffeine comes before my best friend? Twice? Are the items on the list too insignificant? Do they reveal what a shallow hedonist I am? But I decided to let it stand. It is what it is.
—my son’s sense of humor
And what it is: is the small things. And I am so lucky. I have some of the big things in life: a good job, a sturdy house, a humble yet satisfying writing career, but it is the small wonders of family and friends and everyday miracles that sustain my life.
—my husband’s laugh
I’m going to keep adding to this list, even when it no longer seems necessary. Because that’s the thing I didn’t know until now. It is always necessary. And now I am adding: you. Thank you.
Carman C Curton consumes caffeine while writing microstories called QuickFics, which she leaves in random places for people to find. Find her on Twitter.
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Cheshire Cat
By Jamie Ashbird
Two weeks ago, on a Zoom chat with some colleagues, something happened we all noticed. When we got to talking about how everyone was coping being stuck at home, two of us were grinning ear to ear, clearly loving life right now.
What, you may wonder, is it about this objectively awful global situation that is giving me a case of the Cheshire cats?
First, this is truly a devastating time. People have lost love ones, their income, are living in fear and uncertainty.
Second, I acknowledge how utterly privileged I am. I have a job, a safe home, a garden. I am lucky to live in a wealthy country with excellent health care that has managed to contain the virus well so far. I’m fully conscious of my extreme privileges in all this, so it has been with guilt at times that I’ve been loving lockdown.
I love that—trite as these words are—we are all in this together.
I love there is no traffic, and the air is clear.
I love walking around, getting to know my neighbourhood. I love that everyone I pass veers off, respectful of distance as we acknowledge the situation with a smile and a hello.
I love the teddy bears and rainbows in windows, and sometimes sweet messages for passers by.
I love the sense of kindness in the air.
I love that, despite still having to work, I’ve had the time and energy to work on old art and craft projects.
I love seeing the art and music being created all over the world.
I have seen and heard three bird species I’ve never seen in my backyard before. I love that nature can take back what is hers so fast! And that thought gives me hope for the future.
My little nerdy heart loves that so much can be learned from this—about disease and vaccine development, about epidemiology and social behaviours, about art during crises, capitalism, the environment. About how we can truly work as one at the drop of an N95 mask to save ourselves from something that is a blip compared to the dangers we face from climate change. That gives me hope that we, as a species, can save ourselves!
I love waking up with nowhere to go, no social mazes to traverse.
I love that I’ve not woken up tense or sick to my stomach for weeks. I’m not in pain because of the muscle tension that hurts my back. My chronic cough has slowly but noticeably got better as I’m not anxiously dry retching every morning.
The world is suddenly smaller, contained. And much like the pokey small-roomed cottage of my dreams, everything is a whole lot cosier too. Comfortable. Comforting. Safe.
Look, I know it’s weird. It’s decidedly unsafe, that’s the reason for all this. But there it is.
I’ve never felt better.
At the heart of it, that statement is quite sad but I choose to see the positive in it.
This time will soon end but I choose to enjoy this little bit of freedom from the things that make my jaw clench and my stomach heave. I choose to be grateful for the time to reflect. I choose to hope the world will come out of this changed for the better, if not collectively traumatised. For as long as this lasts—and as long as I feel safe—I will be grateful for being part of these Interesting Times.
Writer, scientist, and polymath, Jamie's glorious book A Question of Time, richly illustrated by Janet Anderton, follows Holmes and Watson through the millennia.
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Big Pictures, Small
By K. Caine
I’m a big-picture person, a “my week is pretty much set in stone by Monday” person, a “let’s plan 2020 all at once” person, a “five year life plan” person. It, uh, doesn’t work that great in a global pandemic.
But you know what has been working?
Small wonders.
Small wonders have been working really well, now that I’m training myself to look for them. (And, for somebody that’s a big-picture person? It’s taking some Effort, let me tell you.) So here are some small wonders which have recently brought me joy:
- One of my friends found a really nice recipe for poundcake that’s extremely tolerant of modifications! It’ll take frozen fruit! It’ll take egg replacer! It’ll take frozen fruit and egg replacer at the same time! (It’ll also take inaccurate measurements if you happen to have an imprecise helper.)
- There’s just as much fun that can be had in failing an art project (paper marbling) as there is in succeeding at an art project (Zentangles).
- Just Dance is pretty great cardio in the absence of a gym, and you can play it with your cell phone, no motion-capture camera for your console required.
- The seasons are continuing to change, and the snow is almost melted up here.
- The saying “this, too, shall pass” is a small wonder that also feels like a big wonder.
- Clean countertops (that’s it, that’s the wonder).
- I have a great set of slippers I wear at all times except when I’m sleeping.
- There’s an entire six (!) more hours of daylight per day than there was in December.
- I have a massive stack of books to be read.
- (Just kidding, there’s no way I’m making it through all those books-—and that's a wonder in and of itself)
So, those are the most recent small wonders over here. Now, if you’ll excuse me, there are a lot of different ways to marble paper, and one of them has gotta work out for me.
K. Caine is a queer writer currently based in Canada. She can be found on Twitter or her website, discussing her IP book A Study in Velvet and Leather.
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What small wonders you're experiencing each day amidst all this uncertainty?
ACNH Sparky @sparkysheep
I’m taking piano classes online and I’m doing really well! I’ve been playing violin since I was small but never really learned to read music and I’m learning now and I get so pleased every time I learn a piece by reading rather than by ear!
Angela C.B.
What’s going right for me right now.. I’m curled up cozy and warm on my couch, a quiet light & fresh breeze through the window. I’ve eaten well, had water, a chocolate snack & I've watched a nostalgic TV show. I’m *feeling* warm, safe, relaxed in my body & while it sounds funny, my body is pulsing like a jellyfish looks. That’s what I feel like when I feel good. My best from Nova Scotia.
Anke Eissmann @khorazir
Finding joy and inspiration in nature while cycling or running in the countryside, paying more attention to small things such as insects or spring flowers in the garden, having a little more time for art and writing than usual.
Bird tea bee @bee_berty
Taking the time to re-read some favourite books that I’ve been wanting to pick up again for months and months.
Carman Curton
D's wit, D's humor, being married, hot water, a solid house, stories, books, good health,
a running car, movie quotes, Taco Bell Quarterly, Atlin's stories, Devils Lake, Bob's laugh, Sunday morning pancakes, fresh espresso, hot tea with sugar, my sunny office, fresh air, fresh bread, sunshine, Kathy
Caroline @carrie7177
How jealous I'm capable of being at my neighbours who snag an online supermarket delivery spot.
Cello @altocello
Watching the plants in my garden wake from their winter nap; the haze of bright spring green coalescing into leaves, the flowers nodding in the sun. We've been gifted w/an uncommonly sunny spell w/ beautiful sunsets too, & a glorious Heure Bleu afterwards
Former fetus 4 choice, she/her/hers @godfree_kd
Any bright sunny days.
Good Omens Astronomy @AstroOmens
I have many wildflowers in my back yard so taking pictures of them everyday and posting on FB has been fabulous.
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John Clark @ghost36hop9
Listening to birds squabble over nesting rights, seeing more peacock butterflies, smelling the cherry blossoms, feeling the benign presence of bees. This on an allotment plot as I live in a no garden inner city flat.
Kizzia @Kizzia30
Bluebells in the woods. The Robins nesting in the ivy. The Blackbirds nesting in the shrubbery. My fingers slowly growing stronger and finding the chords more surely with every 20 minutes of uke practice. The ping of WhatsApp which signifies a friend sharing something with me.
KJ Charles @kj_charles
My daughter discovered that these random white bluebells all over the garden are actually three-cornered leeks. Completely edible, even the flowers! We have tasty things!
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MASHFanficChick @MASHFanficChick
I have a new fandom! And it’s very silly & fun, and forces me out of my comfort zone (because it’s VERY heavy on actor-fan interaction, whereas I am from the fan generation of “Only At Cons, And Even Then, Don’t Say The Word Fanfic, Let Alone Slash”), and it’s so active.
Mollydot @mollydot
Plantses.
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Mon221B is Mon de Plume @Mon221B
I birthed 780 words today, despite having no time alone. Any day words are born is a good day.
Natalie Conyer @natalieconyer
The small wonders I’m experiencing aren’t anything special. They’re things that were there all along, things I’ve taken for granted and now see with new, sharper eyes. The beauty of the beach where I walk or swim. The daily virtual chats with family, friends (and some surprising pop-ups from the past); the most companionable cat in the world. Knitting and Netflix. There is one new wonder, though. It’s a feeling, when I'm ‘outside,' of camaraderie, of being in this together. People smile in supermarkets, or shrug, and swing their trolleys 1.5 metres round me. Cars usher me in, and I do the same. In queues, people step aside to let the elderly go first. Miraculous.
NiiBeth (Oh, they hate that ship!) @Kortesku
My kids are building a tower from small flower pots behind my back, and I have accidentally closed all my tabs and don't know exactly what to do now. Small wonders—birds around the house. Yesterday I noticed a blue tit among great tits.
OnWallsJCFWrites @JcfWrites
The wonder of online noise generators to mimic the sound of the coffee shop, which is where most of my writing happens. And how much of a comfort my cat is when he cuddles with me.
Red ! @redpenrevlution
The weather is nice where I am so I've been going outside on my lunches and napping in the grass.
ReynardinePttr @ReynardinePttr
My houseplants are liking the bookshelf instead of the dim and gloomy office, and are doing really well!
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Rox @rox712
Watching as much theatre as when I'm in London, listening to the kids rant about too much homework while feeling so proud of them for all their work, enjoying internet meetings with family and my internet lovelies, sewing masks and gifting them, cooking for the family every day.
RudbeckiaSunflower @RudbeckiaSun
I love bluebells but there don’t seem to be any in the local park. Resorted to drawing them instead. Even got the colouring pencils out. Mainly as a diversion between now and lunchtime. I will write later.
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Sabrina M. Phynn @sabrinaphynn
Watching the wonders of the ocean floor mapping. Profoundly calming. https://oceanexplorer.noaa.gov has several YouTube channels where you can livestream as they use a remote camera and map the ocean floor in various parts of the world. Scientists geek out as they navigate the ocean floor.
Stephen Johnson, author of Tugga's Mob
Watching families reconnect in my Auckland bubble has been one of the positives from the past month. The park outside of my window in Glendowie has been filled every day with parents and children - walking, running, playing, laughing, enjoying the time together. It's been wonderful to see family bonds strengthen. We have been lucky with a warm mostly dry autumn, which has allowed families to exercise outdoors. I'm sure it has made the lockdown slightly easier to manage.
TRoS Survivor @KimberMullen
My 11 year-old’s BOUNDLESS imagination. Hand-writing letters to friends. Finally getting a sourdough starter to work. An afternoon cuppa.
Vulgarweed @vulgarweed
There is probably a pair of nesting ospreys somewhere nearby. I thought I was seeing one osprey a LOT, and then, one day I saw two together. They're magnificent birds.
What is fresh air @theMrsScience
Giggle tickle fights with my four year old in the middle of the work day.
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Play a Game With Me
By Aless Nox
Question & answer memes are hardly new, but the quarantine is, so I added a couple of fandom questions to an already circulating quarantine meme to make what you see below: the Quarantmeme!
As we shelter in place, we are separate in location but together in spirit, and I would love to hear about how you are doing! Answer the questions as you wish, and feel free to add a question of your own. Nothing would make me happier than to hear how you are doing.
What does your current situation/location look like?
I live in a rural area, so my nearest neighbor is a bit of a walk away, so isolation isn't a problem for us, but country plumbing, and constant home repair needs are. I also have this haunted feeling that with all this space I should technically be able to garden or grow chickens despite coyotes and my definitely-not green thumb. But overall, I feel very fortunate in my location.
Are you an essential worker? No, but I have transitioned to work entirely online.
How many drinks have you had since the quarantine started? No alcohol. Bucketloads of tea though.
If you have kids...are they driving you nuts? No. We are getting along great. Everyone has transitioned to be up at completely different times of the day. We never fight for the shower.
What new hobby have you taken up during this? Gardening. Baking bread.
How many grocery runs have you done? A few tense ones near the beginning. Now we order ahead and do pickup.
Are you keeping your housework done? As much as ever, which is almost on the point of chaos.
What movie have you watched during this quarantine? Lots of experimental films my husband rented, plus Breaking Bad.
What's your go-to quarantine meal? Thai Curry.
Is this whole situation making you paranoid? I was already paranoid. Now the world understands me.
Has your internet gone out on you during This time? Yes. And my Power.
What month do you predict this all ends? November for the main quarantine, followed by two two-week minis. Staggered worldwide.
First thing you’re gonna do when you get off quarantine? Go to a restaurant, if it is open.
Where do you wish you were right now? Here, now, with my family.
What things have you wanted to do with this time, but haven’t. What is stopping you? I wanted to do more writing and finish my Works in Progress, but the muse ain't talking. I also have been trying to launch an anatomy podcast since 2013. Maybe this will finally be the year, but I still have work, and finding quiet time in a household of 5 is a challenge.
What free-from-quarantine activity are you missing the most? Driving.
Do you have enough food to last a month? No. Not comfortably, thus the gardening.
What fandom things have you done during this time? Finished a Fandom Trumps Hate video and entered in the ConSolation vid festival. Went to the 221b consolation event before the power went out. Wrote a piece for the Fic Journal of the plague year on AO3. Added a podcast and went over my free space limit on Podomatic.
What would like to see happen after this all passes? People working together to combat global warming, less greed, and a renewed appreciation of science.
Hope you enjoyed hearing my story. If you feel comfortable, please forward your own answers to Atlin's Tumblr and maybe she’ll post them so I can hear about your joys and challenges. Stay safe, and happy quarantining!
Aless Nox is a podficcer, vidder and writer of fanfiction, mostly Sherlock. She’s on Pillowfort, Tumblr, and can be contacted on Dreamwidth.
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Get Nudged
Weekly picture prompts to
get you writing!
Start right here.
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A Flaming Extrovert's Brief Perspective
By Atlin Merrick
I thought quarantine would set my hair on fire. I thought it would make my brain dribble out my ears. I thought I'd weep latte tears, missing my favourite cafe 'offices.'
And all of that happened.
Except.
Not really, not by half. I think that's because we're in lockdown for the best reason: to help save lives. I also think it's because of small wonders.
College is one for me. Pursuing a masters is the hardest mental work I've done in my 56 years and d'ya know what? Quarantine's made it harder but also…more personal? And yesterday my last project (minus the dissertation) was finally submitted, so I have time for another wonder:
Improbable Press. As editor I get to work with editors, proofreaders, artists, and the glorious @lindycameron1, High Commander of Clan Destine Press, Improbable's mother company. Most small presses are run by people with day jobs, but as of yesterday's last project and until quarantine ends, Improbable is my day job and what a wonder that is!
This virus is hell for so many, and we who have only the burden of quarantine, well I know it can be hard but we're lucky. Let's keep enjoying the small wonders.
And to all flaming extroverts? Keep shouting in ALL CAPS with your extrovert friends on Skype, discussing when you'll be together again to wave arms while passionately making a point, accidentally thumping strangers in the thorax. (MWA @daggyvamp!)
Speaking of shouty: Atlin Merrick says SEND YOUR BOOK to Improbable while you have this time to bolster your bravery. Here are the books we'd love to get. If yours fits, SEND IT!
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Great Reasons to Never Make Money as a Writer
Not everyone wants to sell their stories. Not everyone dreams of their own book in their hands. Why do you write but love keeping things just where they are? Tell me why you love that writing's purely for pleasure. Send 20-120 words or 250-600 please by 16 May 2020.
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