Issue #39: Attention TLC

This past month was a LOT. There’s really no other way to put it. 

So many of us have felt helpless as entire communities and institutions have literally and figuratively burned. And as we scramble to pick up the pieces and find our footing in this new reality, it’s easy (and completely understandable) to feel overwhelmed and exhausted by the flow of information coming in like a firehose.

That’s why I’ve decided to be careful about tending to my attention. While I strive to be informed, I can’t “sit” with media content all day. Even if it means that I need to delete certain social media apps and limit the time I spend reading the news, my attention is what I can control, and where I place it does make all the difference.

With that said, I wrote a little poem to try to process and find my way through it.

Hold Steady 
In the storm of chaos
Our true North can get lost
in all the dust.
But once it settles--
and it will--
we’ll rouse from our stillness
test the ground,
take slow steps,
and soldier on.
Because as much as some may pull,
going backward 
was never an option.
We’ll immerse ourselves in stories
connect with our shared humanity
linked by our losses and hopes.
Use our hands to create something
anything 
instead of scrolling.
Let go of the weight of the past year
declutter our self-doubts
cultivate curiosity
become friends with our senses
curate joy in the tiniest moments
plant dreams and 
water them with possibility.
We’ll always punch back 
with sharp laughter,
savor our delicious secrets,
point our toes forward, 
keeping our eyes on what could be,
dance to the music in our heads,
because moving will keep us steady on this shaky ground. 

Navigating all of *gestures wildy* this…is hard. So remember to take breaks. Unplug often. Most importantly, breathe. 

If you can, care for someone else. And don’t forget to care for yourself.

Writing Updates: 
We’re gearing up for a few more events:

1/31: A Special School Visit/Workshop at Lowell Elementary

3/28-3/30: For those who aren’t familiar, Wondercon is like San Diego Comic-Con’s little brother. We’ve officially registered for our badges and will have a table. Yay!

If you don’t have a copy of Three Bee Honey, you can purchase it here on our website. 

Connect with us on our socials:
IG: @st.amantstories
TikTok: @stamantstories 
YouTube: @MisterSaintAmant (Jon's art tutorials)

Recent Reads: A First Time for Everything, by Dan Santat

A coming-of-age graphic novel? Yes, please! The truth is that I got A First Time for Everything for one of my sons, but the story caught my eye. So I dove into the book as soon as I had a chance. 

Santat recounts his first international trip, one he takes with a ton of trepidation…and without his parents. During his trip, he experiences many firsts along with plenty of mistakes and pleasant surprises. Throughout the pages, Santat captures the wonder and angst of becoming a teenager. This was such a relatable story of exploration and discovery, one that reminded me of how valuable it is for young people to travel to other countries. It really alters your perspective on the world and rewires your brain in all the best ways. Clearly, Dan Santat was profoundly changed for the better because of his travels. He reminds all of us that our precious little lives are short: stay open to opportunities for adventure that come our way.  

​Pet Pics:

​Amelie getting a dose of vitamin D. 

Lilo helping me get some work done. 

Sanity Corner:
This past month, we finally decided to invest in raising chickens. We’d always thrown the idea around, but then we’d get busy with life and forget. But not this time, with egg prices being what they are. We thought we’d get our first chicks around February/March, giving us a chance to research. To our surprise, our local pet and feed store notified us that the chicks were ready sooner. So here they are:

(From bottom left clockwise: Suzanne Banana, Doris Donut, Shirley Omelette, and Margie Muffin)

These gals are already growing so fast! While caring for them at this stage is a lot of work, they are super cute and have distinct personalities. For instance, Margie is more shy, and Shirley is the confident leader of the pack. 

​Finn guarding the chicks, trying his best to feign innocence. Take it easy there, pal. 

That’s all for January. Thank you for reading! :) 

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Take care,
Desi