Mix Tape

I Won a “Major” Award!

Well, not really, but I love that line from A Christmas Story, so it’s useful. Yesterday, I received a work chat that I was randomly chosen to join our library directors for a possible lunch (getting details) with middle grade author Gordon Korman at our annual library conference. “Reply by the end of the day if you want to join us, or we’ll choose someone else.”

It was 6:48 p.m. Although I don’t like to check email at home, I checked email at home and saw 4 chat notifications. Huh. I worked online all day catching up on back end tasks requiring a computer in addition to checking books out to steady streams of students who came in for more books. How did I miss them?

My internet wasn’t connecting well. It happens on cloudy days on top of the fact that the kids’ devices and non-allowed phones suck up bandwidth. I reply anyway hoping the end of the day means later than the end of the workday.

This morning, I received details. Two of us were selected to join our directors. I don’t know how many other people are invited, but I’m in! I get to have lunch with Gordon Korman at the end of the month. What a fantastic surprise. With over 100 books published, there is no way I can read them all before the big day, but I have a soft spot for Schooled.

Tuesday, March 10, 2026

Lemme Introduce Ya

"Well, hello, Little Lady," Spring announces
with the tip of a hat,
"did ya notice me?"

Well, yes, it's warmer than usual,
so I felt it
Didn't see it until the scent caught me,
a lasso pulled taut,
making me back-step a few paces
until yes,
I noticed

Already?
I knew they were coming,
but already?

Dermatophyllum secundiflorum

Rich purple bloom clusters
hang like oversized
Christmas ornaments on short,
shrubby trees

Inhaling her sweet scent isn't necessary
she's everywhere
even if you aren't standing near her

Texas mountain laurel

she's like lilac,
but instead of dainty heels,
she wears boots
with spurs

she's like lilac,
but with attitude
don't mess with her 
like ya don't mess with Texas

Don't underestimate her strength
underneath all her beauty
she snaps spring to attention
drawing honeybees
into her presence
her signature scent 
announcing

Here I am!

Monday, March 9, 2026

Sunday, March 8, 2026

Dear Slicers,

Thank you for reading my posts. Year 7 is one I almost skipped. I’m glad I didn’t. This is a challengeiing task, but its all of you who keep me coming back each year. New Slicers, I hope you enjoy being here as much as I do.

I considered writing all of my posts in letter form. However, it’s more time consuming gatheriing my stationery (I’m not an early prepper-I fly by the seat of my pants), scanning, & uploading said letter, and then inevitably I’d falter and maybe even quit. In the grand scheme of things, it doesn’t matter, but I also didn’t want to rush through the process.

Lately, I’ve reserved my Sundays for slowing down. Since I started the Sunday Letter Project (I wrote about it last week), I loof forward to writing Sunday letters. I’m penning this letter with a jazz playlist swaying in the background while teen girl mixes up a batch of chocolate-chocolate chip cookie mix for boyfriend’s birthday tomorrow. It’s an overcast day with drizzle willing itself to stay locked int the clouds while we recuperate from the lost hour of precious time.

How are your slices going? I find myself writing mini-slices as comments sometimes. I’ll either save these posts or take screenshots. I may or may. not revisit them for the inevitable writer’s block. Shout out to Cindy of mschiubookawrites whose deftly drafted comments tie in with the post. If you haven’t already done so, check out the inspirational posts each day, but also those highlighted by other writers. Writer’s block is ALWAYS an appropriate slice and definitely “counts.”

Spring break is next week for me, so I plan to read more posts. I’m also saving some for later. Some possible slice topics:

  • my late uncle’s 18 wheeler based on a comment another slicer’s post (I need to look for it)
  • “Information is disposable”-from a discussion with 8th graders
  • Amelia Earhart, Helen Keller, and a Bessie Coleman Barbie-8th graders again
  • Isn’t everyone “a creative” from a crafter I follow online
  • What’s in my analog bag

Eight days down, twenty three more reps to go. Hang in there. Have a fabulous week. I’ll attempt to wrangle the rest of this day and tell it to SLOW DOWN!

Sincerely,

Alice

P.S. I recently finished Twice: A Novel by Mitch Albom. It’s about time travel. What are you reading?

P.S.S. Is anyone interested in receiving a Sunday letter in the mail?

Saturday, March 8, 2026

Change of Plans

I might be upset to change my plans this weekend, but I didn’t have any. A tough week reinforced my decision to putter around and do something. Or not. An even rougher night almost yielded a 3:30 a.m. draft, but I was able to course-correct and get back into snooze mode.

My morning walk didn’t happen either and I don’t plan to take one later. It’s a cool springy type of rainy day, allowing me to leave the back door open until the cool breeze becomes a little too much and S. exclaims that it’s just too cold! I enjoy inviting in the sound of soft rainfall, especially since there isn’t warm humid air to accompany it. That won’t be the case in a few weeks. I’ll take all I can now.

S. made her own brunch. I had coffee and cinnamon toast. Hubby is working. Cooking likely won’t happen today. We’re at the grab and go stage of life since being together for a meal is tricky.

#lifewithateen

A massage is scheduled this afternoon. Maybe I can slow down enough to catch my breath. I’m almost at the stage of life where I can care about not caring. Groceries, laundry, and piles of a busy week that needs tidying are patient enough to wait for another day.

S. walks down the stairs announcing, “I’ve decided to go ahead and get ready to start the day.”

You and me both, Chica!

Saturday, March 7, 2026

Last One to Slice

…is a rotten egg!

I almost feel like a rotten egg. It has been one of those life is gonna make you earn your Friday type of weeks and I’m glad it’s over.

I’d crawl into bed already if my sheets weren’t in the dryer. I’m down to only one set of sheets and I haven’t bought a new back up set. I didn’t expect the fitted sheet from the other set to rip. They’re that old, I suppose. Sheet sets aren’t the kinds of things I buy frequently. The Costco run I’ve been putting off to buy said sheets must happen. Tomorrow.

The towels I added to the washer with the sheets will get tossed on the couch, adding more to my weekend catch-up list.

This rotten egg is ready to snooze.

Friday, March 6, 2026

Small Parts

She struts on stage with small quick steps, wearing a snug black long sleeve shirt, high-waisted turquoise and navy polka dot capris that zip up the back, black kitten heels, and bobby socks. Another girl accompanies her, stage giggles and conversations over a menu summon empty red drink glasses from a waiter. They take their drinks and move from a table to a diner counter, backs to the audience, continuing their conversation.

The plot continues across the stage until the end. Cast members, hand in hand, take center stage. Bow. Applause.

We stop for ice cream on the way home.

A late night for a Thursday. Time to decompress. The dog sniffed us all, reassured of our presence. She’s gone her way. Myth Busters keeps my husband company. I’m tapping away at my laptop. Her backpack sits in her chair at the kitchen table.

Strewn across the table, a yellow envelope holds notes of encouraging words from her directors. Yes, I read them. Two white long-stemmed roses rest next to a long plastic nose.

Cyrano ’26 is written on one side of the nose, Sophie on the other.

I take the roses, sniff their scent, and fill a white bud vase with water.

Thursday, March 5, 2026

What’s in Your Analog Bag?

What’s in your wallet analog bag?

There was once a credit card company commercial asking what’s in your wallet. Today’s answer isn’t a specific credit card, it’s a phone and in that phone there’s a “wallet.”

Have you heard of the craze? My son, along with people I watch in thirty second blips while doomscrolling, introduced me to the term. An analog bag is a tote, backpack, basket, messenger bag, or any other type of portable container for storing items one can reach for instead of those little devices that are so much more than phones.

My son’s bag contains an MP3 player, wired headphones (they sound so much better, Mom!), a journal, a sketchbook, an actual book (he stopped reading for funsies in high school), pencils, a pen, a vintage Polaroid camera, and his Nintendo DS. There are still electronic devices, but said electronic devices can’t access the internet. The camera can only snap photos. The MP3 player only plays music. The DS only allows playing solo games.

The trend is popular among many Gen Z’ers. I’m hopeful the trend will trickle down and gain popularity among middle and high schoolers. I’ve gotta give my boy credit, along with everyone else doing this, for recognizing the need to slow down. I believe people are at a breaking point with the negative effects of device and social media overuse. People are exhausted from noticing how much time is spent online.

Gone are the days of surfing the net. We’re now drowning in the abyss of information and misinformation and short form video and endless subscriptions to everything we could ever want and everything we don’t need.

I’ve noticed many social media accounts run by those who became accidental influencers become silent, change, or disappear altogether. Some people behind said accounts announce they either stepped away or will be closing them in favor of getting back in touch with themselves. It must be exhausting putting your life online all day every day.

I may have laughed at the idea of an analog bag because it seems so logical. Grab a bag, put your favorite stuff in it and take it with you. However, Gen Z is accustomed to taking everything in one tiny pocket sized device. Seeing someone reading a book, knitting a scarf, writing in a journal, playing solitaire, or doing anything other than being on a phone is a great conversation starter. People are wanting more in-person connection.

If it’s analog bags that get us there, then I’m all for it. I hope it isn’t a short-lived trend.

Wednesday, March 4, 2026

Midterms

Waited in line an hour and a half
small talk about
middle schoolers
bubbly volleyball girls
giggle over who knows what 
on their phones
slipping out of their slides
into their court shoes
more chats
about precincts
changes
gasping "oh no!" 
as a voter is led
to a QR code
which reveals
where her vote
will count
"all that time in line..."
an attendant
reminds everyone to make 
sure they're
in the right
place
"stand behind the blue line, please"
almost there
"three more people"
and another set of lines
"should've voted early
but it always sneaks up on me
then I wind up
voting on
election day"
I.D. is ready
verbally confirm the address
"paper"
and the printer needs a refill
one ballot is printed
for curbside
mine is next
until it isn't
printer insists it's out of paper
when it's clearly full
I want to kick it
the next printout 
*fingers crossed*
is mine
bubble in, like in school
just don't get a detention
"I only went to the principal's office once
do you know why?"
I keep bubbling
"I wrote love letters to my French teacher!"
another line?
not for me
paper ballot is a fast pass
to the feeder
grab my sticker
"thank you"
I Voted

Tuesday, March 3, 2026

Radio Caller

I’m one of those people who sometimes gets up early and winds up running late. It happened today. This morning, I beat my alarm by fifteen minutes after trying to recapture lost sleep when my daughter loudly pokes around my bathroom stealing more of my makeup wipes. She forgot to take off last night’s makeup. Again.

After getting dressed, I pack a proper lunch rather than flinging random items into my bag. There is time for toasting a slice of cranberry walnut bread without burning it. I slather it with butter. My coffee doesn’t get left on the counter.

Today, I’ll have the computers and lights on before the line forms outside the library doors. I’m in a great mood because I’m not rushing.

On the radio, the host discusses books. Audio, e-books, or physical? I’m stuck at the tail end of a car line waiting to go. She announces the phone number. Should I try to call? It’s hard to get through. Nah…

I call.

Thank you for calling, all lines are… I try again. Nope. One last time and someone, a human, picks up. I give the screener my information and hold on the line. In all of my years of life, this is the first time I’ve made it through. Twelve year old me is flipping out as if my letter made it on Casey Kasem’s long distance dedication.

I have plenty of time as I settle in for my commute. I’m ready. But there’s another caller in front of me. I listen intently so I don’t repeat anything. Next caller. I’m nearing my school as I turn off the highway. 7:25. 20 more minutes before my official start time and I’m almost there. I should leave at this time every day.

The next caller is on. I turn toward my campus. They’re discussing book fairs and scrolling on e-readers and annotating and listening only to fiction audiobooks rather nonfiction because one must take notes. Another caller discusses purchasing only the classics and noticing how the books one reads as a kid often shows up as a career. Yes! I agree with you, but I can’t say anything because it isn’t my turn.

How long do I need to wait? Patience is not my thing. I snag my favorite parking spot. 7:35 and I’m still waiting. I have 10 minutes. This guy keeps going, but I want to rush him off the line because I need to get to work. I debate hanging up. I’m still waiting, you can hold out! I decide to end the call if there is someone else after this one.

Hi, Alice from Texas!

Finally. I almost have a Cindy Brady TV quiz show moment where she freezes when the camera light signals they’re on the air. I share how I avoided chores as a teen because I hate stopping in the middle of a chapter. Thirty seconds of fame. I figure I’m the last caller for the segment since the host commented, thanked me, and my phone gives me the call ended beep.

I gather my bags, loop my badge around my neck, and head toward the building. 7:47. Two minutes late and there’s already a line of kids waiting. All of the waiting to talk about books.

Monday, March 2, 2026