Words by Allyson

Last week, I went to see Penelope at the Signature Theatre in Shirlington. The show is an imagining of Penelope, Odysseus's wife, as she waits for her husband's return after 20 years at war. It was largely a one-woman show and a small band in a theatre with less than 100 seats. I loved every minute, and I haven't stopped thinking about it since.

Penelope tells of her husband's long absence, and the suitors in her home who ask her to leave Odysseus behind. She agrees to move on, but not until she finishes her weaving, and so she weaves all day and unravels her progress every night. The possibility of something new, something else and yet not quite able to or wanting to reach for it.

"I can weave whatever I want. Go wherever I want, as long as I never finish. As long as I always come back." 

The show perfectly articulated the hope and hopelessness of waiting. The optimisim and the frustration and the opportunity and the dignity and the isolation. Waiting because you have no choice. Waiting because you want to wait. Waiting with no end in sight.

"I could wait forever if I knew what forever was for."

On a whim a few days after New Years, I ordered a needlepoint canvas and watched a thousand tutorials on various stitches and started working on it. It took me about a week to finish (the canvas was very small) and I stopped into my local needlepoint shop a couple of weekends ago to buy my second project. I love having something to do at the end of the night while I listen to my audiobook that keeps my phone out of my hands. We'll see how long the enthusiasm for this hobby lasts but so far, I'm very much enjoying it.

My book club is reading Symphony of Secrets by Brendan Slocumb for our February book. I've finished it and really enjoyed it! It was definitely a page turner!

Early this week, I arrived at the office for work and realized that I had somehow forgotten to put on any jewelry. I basically always wear earrings and a ring and often a necklace or two. Consequently, I felt completely underdressed all day. The first I thing I did when I got home was put on pajamas and a pair of earrings.

Today, I ran a mile without stopping. I had fallen off running at the end of last year, and I've been doing run walks since Christmastime. But today, I made myself run the whole mile without stopping before any walking. It took me more than sixteen minutes, but I did it. And I'm very proud of myself.

2023 was an interesting reading year for me. I met my goal of reading 50 books, but I had fewer standouts than in previous years. Nevertheless, here are the best books I read in 2023.

Divine Rivals by Rebecca Ross. Since I'm not much of a fantasy reader, I worried if I would like this or not, but it turns out this is right up my street. I'd say it has fantasy elements more than it's a fantasy book and I absolutely devoured it. Also, the sequel came out about 2 weeks ago and I've already fiinished it too - just as good as this one.

 Last Christmas in Paris by Hazel Gaynor and Heather Webb. An epistolary novel about WWI - this was fabulous. I read it at Christmas which I think helped too, but it's one I would reread because I loved it so much.

A Single Shard by Linda Sue Park. I went through a series of children's and middle grade books last spring and early summer and this was one of them. I listened to it on a car ride and immediately called my parents to tell them they should read it to (and for good reason - it was Dad's favorite book of the year!).

The Labors of Hercules Beale by Gary D. Schmidt. It seems Gary D. Schmidt has got my number and this book was no exception. I listened to this on a road trip and had to pull over at one point because I was crying so much, so you've been warned. But it was worth every tear!

Project Hail Mary by Andy Weir. My book club read this and even though it was a reread for me, I enjoyed it just as much the second time through. Such an inventive and fast-paced story - I loved revisiting it this year.

Garlic and Sapphires: The Secret Life of a Critic in Disguise by Ruth Reichl. I discovered several years ago that I really enjoy food writing so reading this book was a delight! Reichl had wild stories about her time as the NY Times restaurant critic and the most lush and fabulous descriptions of the meals she ate. It includes recipes and some of the reviews that she wrote. I read her book Save Me the Plums last year and will certainly read her others soon.

I'm watching Gilmore Girls for the first time. I watched several episodes when I was in high school and didn't love it. This go around, I'm about halfway through and I'm really enjoying it.

I mean, it is a lot. 

Lorelai's clothes are truly heinous, but I'm growing a soft spot for her. Sookie gives me anxiety every moment she's on screen. The set is the same one from Hart of Dixie, so there's a weird feeling when I think it's Bluebell, and not Stars Hollow. Also, Stars Hollow is such a TV show name for a town. I absolutely love Kirk; he's maybe the best part of the show.

But it's fun and clever and cozy.

And that's what I need right now.

I know this is dumb, but I simply cannot understand how anyone could not like olives. They're perfect. Salty and briny. There's so much flavor in such a small package. Everyone should like them. Anyone who doesn't is simply wrong.

I don't, but if I did have an extra $125 and nothing better to spend it on, I'd buy this book. And if I had another extra $125, I'd buy this jacket.

You should watch Love at First Sight, but be sure to have tissues. You should also watch A Haunting in Venice, but it is very jumpy so be prepared.

I got a new library card this week for a neighboring county. When I went to the branch to pick it up, the librarian at the desk asked me what color card I wanted. He proceeded to pull out a sheet full of colors that you could select. So, I now own a bright pink library card that makes me smile every time I look at my keys!

image via

Last weekend, I went to a bridal shower for one of my dear friends. 

At the beginning of the event, the bride went around the room to introduce everyone. About halfway around the circle, she paused. Her eyes filled with tears, and she got choked up, and eventually she said, "I just really love you guys."

We all could feel it - just how precious each of us were to her. And just how grateful she was to have a room full of people near and dear to her.

I hope that I make my family and friends feel like that. That they know how much I love them and how much I'm grateful that they're a part of my life.