Top 10 Tuesday

1. The Haunting of Hill House--I don't sit and binge-watch shows too often. TV is typically something I put on to zone out or go to sleep. But when I noticed this series premier on Netflix, I immediately went into nerd-mode. I had a reason to finally sit down and read Shirley Jackson's novel The Haunting of Hill House. When reading the novel, I already knew that the show would barely reference the novel, but the show--in my opinion--stood on its own as a wonderful, haunted drama. A spooky "This Is Us", dead parent and all. There were several--sometimes tear-jerking--nods to the novel, though. For instance, both the novel and drama revolve around the very sensitive character Eleanor, a character whose life is a part of the house just as much as its closed doors and ghosts that "walk alone" (or together!). There's the "cup of stars", the Dudleys, the doctor, the spiral staircase that haunts your nightmares, the labyrinthine home, the "in the dark, in the night...", Theodora, "whose hand was I holding?", the cold spot, and many more. In the more cerebral novel, ghosts are not seen as it is Eleanor who becomes the terrible fright, the bump in the dark, the nightmare.

2. This quote from a Lucille Clifton poem that I saw in a different poem in a different poetry journal:

Today we are possible.

3. Denny's Beer Barrel Pub--Brian had been wanting to take me to Denny's for a long time. His best friend came to visit us for the weekend, so we took the scenic drive through the game lands to get there. I read some poetry in the back seat until my head couldn't take it anymore, so I sang Radiohead's "Creep" to the passing, turning trees. Denny's is known for their two-pound burger challenge (a friend of Brian's completed it several years ago), but they also make even bigger burgers. I wanted something hot and spicy, as usual, so I got the Spicy Bourbon Burger. It was definitely yummy but not the best burger I've ever had. Good times, (great oldies).

4. "The Art at the End of the World" by Heidi Julavits--I read this personal essay the other day in which the author packs up her family and flies from Maine to Utah to see The Spiral Jetty in Utah's Great Salt Lake. The Spiral Jetty is a form of "earth art" created by Robert Smithson. It spirals out into the lake and it is a matter of chance whether or not you would be able to see it if you took the trek to get there. If you like travel, art, post-apocalyptic musing, or cultural essays, give this essay a read. I can't help but want to walk along the spiral jetty myself when I go to Utah next year.

5. Book Haul--My local library had their book sale this past weekend, so of course I went. And of course I saw books that used to be mine, my little initials written on the backs of covers. I was very excited with this year's haul, though. The books I took home are rare, but not highly desired. They're written by local naturalists and nature enthusiasts. I love almanacs and guides, no matter how dated they may be. I got books on coal and the ice age in Pennsylvania. I also got two books written by Marcia Bonta. This past summer, I discovered a little trail off route 453 near Tyrone. Silas and I discovered it while hoping to find a way up the "mountain" next to 99. I spent years driving past that mountain, wondering if there was a way to the top, and we found it. What looks like a road up a mountain is also a hiking trail revered by local naturalist Marcia Bonta. The road is actually a driveway to her property where--I believe or was told--her son or someone in her family now lives. I'm very excited to give these books a read.

6. My Basement--I think it's infested with black mold but I'm turning it into a place where I can make art again. I used to paint and make little creations here and there but I don't have the space to do it in my apartment. Because of my pups and the fact that I'm not the only human inhabiting a space, I can't just leave an easel up just anywhere I want or leave tubes of paint or scraps of paper everywhere. I packed a lot of it away last year before Brian moved in. By no means am I complaining, but making those things is part of who I am and what I love to do and I haven't made the effort to create a space for myself. So, let's see how this goes. But first, I need to look up symptoms of black mold exposure...or how to get rid of it.

7. This. Moth. Drinking. The tears. Of a bird.

8. Speaking of birds--I want to wear this poem--with all its little haiku gems--around my wrist. I do so love birds--and punctuation!

9. Vote--Election day is next Tuesday, 11/6/18. If you live in PA, click here to learn more about the candidates.

10. "The Year We Fell in Love & the Forest Happened Around It" by Topaz Winters--This is a re-telling of Sleeping Beauty by the lovely Topaz Winters--one of my favorite young writers/bloggers.