In all frankness, I really shouldn't be here. But I'm avoiding cleaning my fish tank (yes, the snails are still alive & thriving without the slightest shadow of a guilty conscience) and it's astonishing how productive one can be when avoiding a dreaded task. Already this morning I've

• called the clinic to cancel an appointment (usually an undertaking that takes me half the day to psych up for);
• called my supervisor to announce that after all I can work on October 8th and can we please swap back work days (yay for medical systems that schedule two appointments for the same thing back to back because apparently clinics don't talk);
• applied for a federal dental care plan (which I've been meaning to do for months);
• and rebranded my newsletter—more on that in a minute.

If I had been a little quicker about writing this, I could have told you that our new cat was napping on my windowsill again (I really underestimated how much cats slept before meeting this li'l' guy). He's since moved on to another napping place, but I'll share a picture regardless:

He loves to sit there and watch all the birds outside. He blends into the window somewhat and so often when people come in here they don't see him for a while, even if they're looking for him. I also underestimated how quiet cats were. I really don't understand why he loves sleeping on the floor though. I'm perpetually convinced I will step on him someday.

And now about the rebranding. I'm not sure that graphic will stay, but I rather like the new name. I want to rebrand this letter as being for my super fans who actually want to hear from me (what a radical idea!) and I've derived this new name from one of my favourite books:

[Rose] had also begged from an old aunt at Beverly Farms a couple of droll little armchairs in white painted wood, with covers of antique needle-work. One had “Chit” embroidered on the middle of its cushion; the other, “Chat.” These stood suggestively at the corners of the hearth.

“Now, Katy,” said Rose, seating herself in “Chit,” “pull up ‘Chat’ and let us begin.”

~What Katy Did Next, Susan Coolidge

The idea is that you and I just hang out together and chit-chat about whatever important and unimportant stuff goes on behind the scenes in my life, and get to know each other! I hope you feel comfortable replying with whatever you feel like sharing or discussing, and that we can create a cozy, cheerful little space here together. 🫶🏻

It is now 11:53 12:21, and after lunch I have to do some beta-reading and clean my room, so I believe I've been successful at avoiding the fish tank until tomorrow. I should be ashamed of myself, which I am, but I'm also elated, so there's that. I'm trying to cram in all the stuff I can into today and tomorrow, because I start school again on Monday—virtually, this time, because I HATE HIGH SCHOOL (yes, that deserved all the caps and italics and boldness). The good news is, I get to be with my favourite teacher for a while more...

Autumn—and school—is a depressive season for me, so I'm doing all I can to rebrand the time as fun/relaxing. That is, I meant to, but I haven't gotten around to it yet, along with my long master list of everything I need to do. So I should probably do that once I log off this, if there's still time before lunch. If y'all have any cozifying ideas to share (beyond sweaters, tea, socks, and coffee), I would love to hear... and in the meantime, I'd love to share about Lightward Joy. It's the sweetest, coziest little blog, full of inspiration and rest, and I highly recommend it. 🫶🏻

Oh! I should also try to make more dried apple rings. They're delightful, and I can use the apples I picked from our apple tree. #socountryfied

I shall leave you before I come up with more items for my to-do list with this final quote by Laura Ingalls Wilder that I've found really encouraging:

The true way to live is to enjoy every moment as it passes, and surely it is in the everyday things around us that the beauty of life lies.

With love, Katja

|| News ||

Most importantly, t he 10th annual FFF blog party is coming soon! I’ve heard that we have over 20 bloggers this time… plus, I have VERY exciting news to share. 😁 And I might have a sale you’re interested in… 😜

Yes, my novel will be free for the first time ever!!! There will be lots of other freebies and sales as well, and six days' worth of book recommendations in specific categories, and just lots of bookish vibes and fangirling and celebration, so definitely pop by my blog on Monday the 22nd to join the party.

~ I did my August wrap-up, so if you'd like to see more pictures of the cat (and discover his name), as well as hear about the snailpocalypse and see a fun teaser, check out the post here.

~ I had a dream of an interview with Stephanie @ Books Less Travelled, discussing—among other things—my book covers and my favourite part of the writing process, a question I've wanted to answer for years. Also my biggest complaint about the writing world, which I never expected to make public!

~ And finally, I shared a paper I wrote for my English exam, titled Libraries Are Still Relevant in the Digital Era, and two guest posts: Why Did I Write Single Characters? (by me) and Real Life vs. Books: Names of Characters (by Hanna Kraft).

|| A Thought ||

I've been rereading Louisa May Alcott's Eight Cousins, and came across this excellent quote the other day: “But as a wise old fellow once said, ‘It is necessary to do right; it is not necessary to be happy.’” I find it particularly encouraging because the reality is, doing the right thing does make you happy. As Lucy Maud Montgomery put it, “She ... looked her duty courageously in the face and found it a friend—as duty ever is when we meet it frankly.” 💕

Feel free to reply to this email and tell me about your day, your month, or your last favourite quote!