5/12 to Now: Struggling Through Time

Time got out of hand, and health issues have tripped me up - it has been as difficult to sit as it has been to concentrate. This is another attempt at catching up, of which I have been doing far too much of this year. 

5/12: Relapsing, Losing Time, Muncie Happenings, Southern Indiana Democrat News 

Missed Matins (and then Vespers), piddled with email and blog posts, made a run to the grocery, was late for a lecture at Minnetrista, and ended the night trying to control pain. I think I started Legends on Netflix (which I will recommend).

I got the last 45 minutes or so of Tea & Talk: Dr. Lara Kuykendall— Constance Coleman Richardson and Other Unforgettable Indiana Artists. What I heard most of was about Ms. Richardson. The slides impressed me for not being kitsch landscapes that we see so often in Indiana. The lecturer mentioned her best paintings have a darkness in them. That I saw and it touched a nerve for me. It is what I am trying to do - get at the darkness here rather than perpetuate the sunny naive innocence propaganda of a virtuous rural life. We call that conservatism. Or is it the fodder for our conservatism that makes life here more precarious, more restrained than even in surrounding states, by saying look at how "those" people live, it is so much better here with our green corn fields that "they" ridicule? That we are not being conned into taking less because we are more virtuous than those living in the big cities? One painting had a ruined shed or farmhouse. It recalled the Romantics love of ruins. That is a sign that not all is well with the land. A comment was made about the dominance of skyscapes. That is how it is here in the flatlands. It reminded me of a sentence in Sinclair Lewis's Main Street about the oppresiveness of the wide skyline. As late as I was, it was a good time.

And then a night of trying to cope with the pain and discomfort. 

 Some notable readings:

Farmers Market Returns to Minnetrista With New Features for 2026 (The Muncie Journal) - a wonderful experience, one of the best things about Muncie at one of the best places to visit in Muncie.

Huh? Muncie fashion show puts self-expression in the spotlight (Star Press). This I might check out, even though I am absolutely not fashionable!

GROW WIWO will present its third annual fashion show, "Defined, By Design," on May 29 in downtown Muncie.

The event will be from 5 to 9 p.m. at Canan Commons, according to a community announcement.

This year’s theme highlights individuality and the role of fashion as a form of self-expression. The fashion show will feature five categories, each showcasing the latest spring trends and innovative designs. Attendees will see a range of styles, from ready-to-wear outfits to bold statement pieces, reflecting the diverse fashion scene in Muncie.

Up north here, we often forget there is life further south: Indiana Primary: What southern Indiana Democrats are facing Republican incumbents this November

 5/13: Writer's Group, Emails, Not Much Else

The writer's group still likes what I am reading of "Scenes from a Small Indiana Factory Town." The reading was a bit tough; the pain throbbing was a distraction.

I got supplies at payless. Forgot to go to the bank to check on a transaction.

One thing I will put into another post is my listening to Salman Rushdie and Orhan Pamuk videos on writing.

5/14: Published, Email under Control, Miserable Afternoon and Evening

 I have already published the news about getting "Going For The Kid" published. Corresponded with KH and talked to him. Off to Payless for meds. The evening and night spent going between bed and bath. Nothing good to say about anything.

5/15: So Far, Not So Much

Up around 5 AM and have not accomplished much in the past 3 hours or so of work. Two, three, other posts cleaned up and set to be published after this. 

Group session later, and still have not gotten my notes on here.

 Consdering a road trip only I cannot get myself together to get ready for it.

CT scan later this afternoon, maybe find out what has been causing my problems.

Mostly, I am just tired and wanted to sleep. 

 sch