AnneArchy March 2026
It's March already! Time, it just flies. This morning I woke up to 57F, which is definitely warmer than typical here, but with a light rain and the smell of the garden starting to wake up, it's really nice. So many birds are chirping this morning: cardinal, robin, house sparrow, starling, and of course the very loudmouth blue jay. Meanwhile I'm thinking of the tornado(s) last night in southern Michigan, which left tragedy in their wake and are also a reminder of the increasingly erratic and severe weather we can expect to intensify due to the ways humans have messed with the climate. Ah, life! Always so many things happening at once.
Recommended read: Joke Farming by Elliott Kalan. This is a book about how to write jokes, or even more specifically, how to have a joke writing practice. Kalan is one of my favorite podcasters, but also has a ton of experience as a writer (of jokes in particular and of larger works that almost certainly contain jokes). I've read quite a few 'how to write' books (I was an english major in undergrad, after all) and while this one is focused on comedy writing specifically, a lot of the techniques and strategies here serve writing generally speaking. Plus, it's funny! Kalan includes a lot of examples of jokes that work and, if, like me, you like getting a closer look at the sausage-making process, you'll probably laugh out loud while reading.
Recently the amazing and wonderful hosts of The Worst Bestsellers got in touch with me again to do a commission based on one of their recent reads. If you're not already familiar, on this podcast Kait, Renata, and a guest talk about popular books that are maybe not contenders for best-written. It's hilarious and like sitting down with some friends for a fun and funny chat - if you haven't listened yet, they have TONS of great book discussions to choose from, in a wide range of genres. They recently read The Collector by Nora Roberts, in which a man bakes one (1) muffin for his paramour. Have you ever! One. Muffin. So, now you can get your very own sticker (or other printable-on-demand item) of this singular blueberry muffin (drawn and hand lettered by me):
In other making-stuff news, I picked up knitting needles again for the first time in years! I had to take a break due to carpal tunnel and tendonitis, but through PT and exercises, I seem to have gotten back to a point where I can handle knitting again. I work with my arms supported by throw pillows, which seems to help me keep a better arm/hand/wrist posture. So far I have completed one (1) sock:
I'm delighted to find that the muscle memory of knitting is still there. I didn't have any issues with tension or gauge, which feels like a gift. Of course, I neglected to check how much yardage was needed for each sock and realized partway through this one that I'd need another hank. And of course the colorway I chose originally is now out of stock. So I chose a hopefully complimentary color and decided this will just be a mismatched pair. Likely I'll be the only one who notices anyway!
book recommendation 2: Hole In the Sky by Daniel H. Wilson. This sci-fi novel is sort of a first contact story, but is a lot more than that and with a perspective that isn't as well-represented (yet - publishers, keep 'em coming) as it should be in sci-fi. Wilson, citizen of the Cherokee Nation, incorporates cultural knowledge deftly in this story of impending contact with intelligent life coming from outer space. I previously read Wilson's authorized sequel to The Andromeda Strain, The Andromeda Evolution, which was written very convincingly in Crichton's page-turning style. He's a good writer!
Thank you as always to the lovely folks who support me on patreon, and to anyone who is reading this!