July 2, 2013 | 3:00pm Learning about Jesus and about Ballet as a child. Comes a time when […]
Author: michellejunot.com
On a plane in November, I found myself without a journal or an ink pen. Or maybe I […]
Day 262 | August 30 You opened your eyes today. Or rather, your eyes were opened for you. […]
The Making of An Appendix of Illustrations
One more day to win one of these!
In May 2014, I published and the floor was always lava as a part of my final fulfillment […]
Hey People, Normally I reserve Mondays for updates, but I reserved this past Monday for being bitter about […]
Day 271
LeeLoo, the family dog, is missing. Well actually, she’s not the family’s dog. She’s your brother’s dog, but she’s been your brother’s dog for about 11 years now. So really, if we’re all being honest, your weird, furry sister is missing for three days now.
You feel the familiar feelings of dead and unretreivable pets. You feel the familiar feelings of being so very far away and unable to contribute anything meaningful besides a few encouraging texts and lies of “I’m sure she’s fine, having the time of her life!” You feel the familiar feelings of God telling you that you are so not in control. Of anything.
But ultimately, this isn’t really about you. It’s about you’re brother. And his dog. And the way the world feels like an upturned snow globe today.
Tranlsation: Twenty-five is briefly living upside down with fake snow pouring down and then back up around you before you can ever get your footing. (Oh, it’s also living in a hard plastic dome that you don’t see until you bang your head into it. So, you know, be careful.)
___
Hello Friends,
Here are some Monday morning updates:
- I wrote a piece this week in honor of my father’s 60th birthday. A lot of people seemed to like it. You should give it a go if you haven’t already: 60 Thoughts on Your Birthday: A Letter to My Father
- and the floor was always lava is in its second printing. The printer has the files, and soon, I’ll have a whole new batch of books! In the meantime, you can actually pre-order your signed copy in order to receive free shipping (plus, the book is now only $10)!
- The next two dates for Writers & Words (formerly Whiskey & Words) have been set:Tuesday, Nov. 11 & Tuesday, Dec. 9 at 7:30pm
Artifact Coffee
More information will be available early next week! We have 8 amazing writers that we can’t wait to announce!
–M
Hey Dad,
So listen. I was going to surprise you and fly to Lafayette, but Ashlie beat me to it. And what’s worse, she brought an adorable grandkid. I can’t top that. (Although, if I came home with a grandkid, you would be surprised.)
Then I thought I’d make you a book and mail one page at a time for 60 days. That seemed grand. Except, I started calculating the postage and it added up. It’s not that you’re not worth $29.40, it’s just that I also don’t have 60 envelopes.
After that, there wasn’t much time because I’d put all my thought into the buying a plane ticket and the piecemealed book idea. And The Walking Dead is back on, so that ate up some time (pun intended).
I decided, that maybe I wasn’t playing to my strengths. My strength is writing (yes, and eating. Thanks. That’s hilarious, Dad.). I considered writing something sweet along side my favorite picture of us on Facebook, but then I remembered you don’t have Facebook (which I still completely support by the way).
So then what? A card? That seems too simple. Not your style. And also, I should have mailed it days ago. So here we are. And while this may not be the most private of ways to wish you a happy birthday, I think it can only increase your fan club after Rinse the Damn Dish (from and the floor was always lava, on sale now!).
People will be like, wait, is that the same Dad that had all those rules in your book? And I’ll be like, yeah, Dude, I only have one Dad. And then they’ll be like, so is your book still for sale? And I’ll be like yeah, in both paperback and ebook formats via all major online retailers (on sale this holiday season).
So here we are, Dad. You with your brand new renewed license and me with too much time on my hands. Today, on your 60th birthday, I hope this brings you joy, laughter, and slight discomfort. For that is the Junot way.
* * *
One. I loved hearing all the stories about the women you dated including Betty Crocker. I loved hearing how you proposed to Mom. I loved the way you reenacted it in front of all of us without her even knowing. I loved that we have always had a part in your love story.
Two. I hate when you try to flirt with Mom in front of us. It makes me nauseous.
Three. Do you remember the morning we were running late for camp or school or something of that nature, but you insisted we eat breakfast? You made a table out of a cardboard box with holes for our legs to slide under and rings for our cups of chocolate milk so we could eat in the car. It was not a time-saver in the least, but it was my favorite day.