Welcome back, Leigh.

There has been so much. I don't even know if it's worth it at this point to try and write it all down.

Nutshell: I'm single, looking for work, looking for help and support, drawing, playing guitar, writing less now than I was a year ago, reading more than I was a year ago. I'm still home schooling (both sisters now).

I've cut a couple of people out of my life recently and gained back a couple of old connections. I'm happy for those reincarnated connections. Both teachers in their respective ways. Though, I suppose everyone is a teacher if you look at them in the right light or have your mind open to any lessons life throws at you.

It has required (is requiring) a lot of growth from me and I appreciate that mostly. A lot of the growth is difficult and painful though and I don't always know how to handle it. I'm sure someone has said something wise about that and I could quote you something if I looked hard enough for someone elses words to use but I don't want to do that.

Actually, there is one quote that can pretty much sum up how I've felt for the past few weeks.

"I like things to be story-shaped. Reality, however, is not story-shaped, and the eruptions of the odd into our lives are not story-shaped either. They do not end in entirely satisfactory ways."
-Neil Gaiman "The Flints of Memory Lane" Fragile Things

I finished my book, just need to edit it at this point.

...and the South keeps calling me back like some old song I want to forget but can't push out of my head.

I don't want it to be a part of my identity. I couldn't tell you why either. We are a nice people for the most part.

I've been journaling a lot over the past couple of years. Even now, completely out of habit, my journal is less than an arm's length away. I think it was necessary for me to write what I needed to write in a place where no one else would see it.

I'm back now though. It might take me a while to fall back into the swing of things again but I want to start writing here again.