At the start of the month I scheduled a Zoom with a grad student in the UK…and forgot! Even after waking up early so I could run all my errands and be home in time for the call. Yesterday I thought my zoom was at 9:30 but it started at 9, and I would have missed my vaccine appointment today if the pharmacy hadn’t sent me a reminder text half an hour in advance. Brain fog! I used to think the pandemic made me forgetful (what day is it?) but now I’m pretty sure it’s menopause. I forgot to pack toothpaste for my trip to San Diego but I don’t think I forgot anything major. Amazon failed to deliver the books I’d ordered but we had enough on hand for Saturday’s event at the New Children’s Museum. What an amazing space for families! The Octavia Butler exhibit was colorful and creative—there was a bus kids could ride just like Octavia used to, a library, and a treehouse. Outside in the museum’s park there were mats for kids to sit on and cozy blankets, an art station where kids could color characters from my novel, and a dragon art kit to take home! As an author, I couldn’t have asked for a better gift—all I had to do was show up and read from my book and take questions. I signed some books afterwards and took photos; the kids were young but still engaged. The day before I got to present for two hundred fifth graders and talked for the first time about the 1919 Race Riot that rocked Chicago. The kids were shocked but I think I struck the right tone; I’m not going to sanitize history but I also don’t want them to feel afraid or cynical. The kids were also interested in my very first book, Bird, and I could tell some of them had family members who have experienced addiction and incarceration.

I came home tired and I’ve had a migraine every day this week. But when publishing fatigue sets in, nothing clears the fog and energizes me like talking to kids. When I knelt to take a photo with one little boy, he surprised me by throwing his arms around me! Which reminded me to stop fussing and see the day as the blessing it was. I chose the 14th because my favorite astrologer called it a day of abundance and it really was. I was given a tour of the museum by my wonderful host Megan and then I soaked up a little sun at the Seaport before heading to the airport to catch an afternoon flight to San Francisco. There I spent a few magical hours with friends I usually only see on Zoom before flying back to Chicago. On Friday after my school visit I went to the zoo and saw the pandas. I took a long walk through Balboa Park. I didn’t sleep a wink because my hotel was next to a nightclub that didn’t wind down till 4am, but that’s not what I’ll remember when I look back at the photos from this trip. I’m so grateful for the chance to connect with old friends and new fans.

On the plane I watched When Harry Met Sally—it’s the only movie that makes me think of fall! Now I’m listening to Billie Holiday singing “Autumn in New York.” We might hit 90 tomorrow (groan) but the equinox is this weekend and next week’s supposed to cool down. One more trip to Pittsburgh and then I can settle down and hopefully start to write again…