Birthdays, ballots, and baby’s first NaNoWriMo

We need all the glimmers we can get ✨

If there were ever a month to feel grateful for life’s little pleasures, this was it. October began with the arrival of a major hurricane just weeks after another monster storm. In the span of a week, Billy and I were coordinating with North Carolina friends looking for electricity and running water in Helene’s aftermath, followed by Florida friends seeking safety before Milton made landfall. Atlanta, spared by both storms and located between some of the hardest-hit areas, became a temporary refuge. It was nice to help — to do something — but hard to not worry about whether this was the new normal for hurricane season.

Now, October is ending with spooky vibes — less from Halloween and more from the gloom and doom of Election Day. What will happen on November 5? I’m not sure. I’m trying to ride the line between hopeful but not too hopeful, accepting that whatever happens will happen, and remembering that there’s plenty of good in the world. Staying informed and calm is easier said than done, but I’m trying. If you’re also feeling pre-Election Day jitters, you’re not alone.

As a reminder, these posts are for paying subscribers. If you want to read about the glimmers I found this month — and I hope you do! — use this link for 20% off a subscription. Thanks, friends.