Abigail Laura's Blog

First the update! As I am more seriously pursuing writing, I decided to build a website and start blogging over there. I would love it if you would follow me to the new site! I’ll continue to share about my life, books, writing updates, and more poetry. I am so excited for this change! If you would like to follow along, you can go HERE (www.abigail-laura.com).

And now the thank you! I have been blogging for several years now and it has brought me so much joy to share my love of books and my life with all of you. Your follows, likes and comments mean so much to me. I’m incredibly excited to continue my writing journey and I really hope you will continue to follow along!

Wishing you the best and hope to see you on my other site!

Best, Abbey

Sometimes it’s easy to get caught up in toxic people’s games. If you have ever been there, or are there now, I hope this helps you in a small way. You are never alone, nor is your experience. And you certainly are not bound to play anyone’s game. Love to you all! Best, Abbey

Into the Mire

Pulled back into the mire

Because I wasn’t centering

You

I was living my own life

Carrying on

Flying on another plain

Never a thought or a care towards

You

No good

Bring out the

Net, the

Lasso, the

Trap

Make yourself

Present

Center

Everything can’t exist otherwise

Grasp for attention

By telling lies

Hide your inadequacy

By projecting on me

I’ll take the bait

It’s my own weakness

But you’ve miscalculated

Because you see

I know the truth

I know my worth

Your mess is somewhere

I can’t access

It doesn’t touch me

All your games will only be played by

You

Because

You are your own center

Not mine.

Back in May when George Flyod was brutally murdered, I was faced with the harsh reality of my privilege. I realized that I treated race with the washed out whiteness of ‘love’ and ‘faith.’ I loved everyone, so everyone was the same. If only this beautiful, religious bubble were true. Everyone is not treated the same, especially not in America. My privilege of choosing blindness to color, literally blinded me from the truth. But as the proverbial scales fell from my eyes, I could not return to my blindness any more than I could return to thinking that all people were treated the same. Racism permeates every level of society. It is shoved so close to our faces that we miss it until we miraculously catch a glimpse. We are seeped in it from the day we are born to the day we die. And it is literally deadly. I studied history and was disgusted by the ‘antiquated’ views and ‘outdated’ treatment from the dawn of our country to the Civil Rights movement and I was grateful that our country had outgrown that way of thinking. You can see how my privilege completely masked the reality of the world I was living in. Not only do those ‘antiquated’ thoughts and actions continue to exist, but they exist to an overwhelming degree. I have been reading and acting and changing since that day in May because, for me, I could never go back to ignorance or tolerance or silence. I wrote the poem below that very first day I connected the dots. Now hearing the devastating news of Breonna Taylor’s complete lack of justice, it seems just as relevant. We need to change, the systems need to change, and we need to stop the senseless violence and hate that’s taught to us from our infancy generation after generation. It starts with us and it continues with educating, speaking out, and voting. Let us do our part to grow and change – many precious lives depend on it.

What do I say? by Abigail Laura

What do I say to my boys

As they watch me digest the news

The news that is engulfing our lives

Ripping us apart

Showing our weaknesses

Taking over our thoughts

I say the truth:

I’m not doing enough

This is wrong

We must change

We’ll start right now

By starting, we’ll take one day at a time

One moment of realization at a time

Reading

Talking

Donating

Educating

Setting an example

To change the next generation

As they grow

We’ll start with us

We won’t forget in a week

We will change

Slowly and surely

Because once you see things as they are

You can’t stay silent

And you can’t stay the same.

Pictured above are my two sons with one of the many books I have gotten to teach lessons of race, kindness, bravery, and love.

When Grandma Gives You A Lemon Tree by Jamie L. B. Deenihan – Author Visit

Last April, Frog, Toad and I had the pleasure to attend an author visit for the book, “When Grandma Gives You a Lemon Tree.” This event was held at our favorite Indie Bookstore, Riverbend Books and it was just delightful. To begin with, Jamie is one of the sweetest people I’ve met and her book is filled with goodness! Seriously, every child should have this book on their shelf. It is all about changing your perspective to see something positive and about being grateful. The little girl in the book wants all the gadgets for her birthday! So when her grandmother gives her a lemon tree she is quite skeptical. As the book progresses though, she is guided by the narrator in how to take care of her lemon tree and eventually, how to use the lemons to make lemonade. It’s adorable, heartwarming and sweet.

We all loved this book and meeting Jamie. Since last year, Jamie has come out with a companion book, “When Grandpa Gives You a Toolbox,” which is on my list to get! It looks equally cute and if it’s anything like the Lemon Tree book, it will be fabulous. She has a few other adorable books as well!

Have you read anything by Jamie?!

Summing it up: Jamie is a beautiful person and I feel so lucky that we got to meet her. I highly recommend “When Grandma Gives You a Lemon Tree” and can’t wait to read more of her books!

Best, Abbey

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                          The Travelling Cat Chronicles by Hiro Arikawa                          translated by Philip Gabriel

I read “The Travelling Cat Chronicles” about a year ago and it has stayed with me ever since. This book moved me so deeply. I am a cat person through and through (if you follow me on Instagram, you already know this). My cat, Penny, saved my life. I got her when I was in the throws of depression and she was my life line. I adopted her when she was about 3 years old. She was scared and unsure, but it didn’t take long for her to trust me. Over the years (it’s been four now) she’s been my constant companion and my snuggle buddy. I’m so grateful for her and for the special bond that can form with animals. Because of this, “The Travelling Cat Chronicles” was especially moving and beautiful. It is the story of how one man and one cat form an inseparable bond. It starts when the young man sees an injured stray and takes him in. From that point on they live their lives together until the young man decides to go on a trip. He takes the cat with him and they visit friend after friend with the intention of the cat living with one of them. Each time however the young man cannot leave the cat behind. By the end you realize the reason for the trip and watch the bond between cat and man strengthen. It’s heartbreakingly beautiful. I ugly cried (in the best way) by the end. The entire book is narrated by the cat, which was perfect. I loved how the story unfolded from his perspective. The story moves and flows which I have to attribute to the translator. The writing is stunning. Every aspect of this book is thoughtful, deep, and moving.

Summing it up: I just loved this book. It deeply affected me in the best way. I would say to read this book with a box of tissues, especially if you are an animal person. I highly recommend this beautiful, beautiful book!

All the best, Abbey

Dinosaur State Park Adventure

Today I’m wrapping up my summer adventure series. It’s been really fun reminiscing since this summer has been so different.  So. for my final post I’m talking about someplace I’d wanted to go for ages and was able to last year: Dinosaur State Park!

As much as I love traveling, I also love exploring locally. I think sometimes it’s easy to forget what’s close by, so periodically I like to look around and plan some adventures closer to home. I had known about Dinosaur State Park for a while and decided that it was time to go check it out. As you may (or may not) know, I love dinosaurs! I love reading about them, learning about them, and seeing them (in fossil form!). I had no idea what was really in store for us when we went to the park, so I was in for a great surprise. This park was built around actual dinosaur tracks and they have been preserved (see top left photo). There are hands-on activities for kids and miles of paths around the building for walking in nature. It’s beautiful. We saw butterflies and loved enjoying the trails. Obviously things are so different right now, but I would highly recommend checking it out. I personally cannot wait to go back. As the kids get older I think they’ll have more appreciation for the fossils and we can always enjoy the nature trails. 

Summing it up: There is something so special about exploring locally. I often think that I need to do it more, because it’s always wonderful. I think it’s a great idea if you have kids, or not! Do you have a favorite local place where you live? Tell me about it in the comments!

Best, Abbey

August 2020 Wrap Up

August was a challenging month. I was anxious about making a decision for school (happily, the boys are e-learning and so far things are going well). I think I was also reaching my limit on doing the same thing and seeing the same thing. August felt like the longest month. I had a wave of reading, but most of the month I felt pretty unmotivated. I read some really great books this month, including a few that were translated! I’m grateful that August has come to an end and I am very excited for September. It is brining with it, structure, a new schedule, and a fresh fall feeling! I have to say, I would recommend all of these books, except Gingerbread (unless you enjoy surrealistic books!). I don’t review every book I read, but I added links to the couple I’ve fully reviewed. I do, however, do mini reviews on Instagram of every book I read!

Abigail by Magda Szabó, translated by Len Rix

I have been enjoying reading translated literature for a little while now. I’ve always loved learning about other cultures and translated literature has opened up a new door to explore and learn. I love that I can read a perspective of someone who speaks another langue and lives in another country. I’m also grateful that these books have been translated, so that I can get a glimpse into another world that I wouldn’t be able to have otherwise. At some point my dream is to learn a language well enough to read books without translation, but as I cannot do that with every language, I will treasure my translated books!

I picked up “Abigail” for two reasons: first, it is a translated book and second, my name is the title. : ) Consequently, it was a really easy choice to buy it! I decided to dive into it now because of an Instagram challenge: #readthroughtheworld21. I’m so glad the timing worked out like it did because “Abigail” was one of the best books I’ve read. From the language to the plot to the characters, it’s just an incredible book. I loved every second and found myself completely absorbed in the story.

“Abigail” is translated from Hungarian and the story takes place in WWII Hungary. It follows a young girl named Gina who is sent to a religious boarding school as the war begins. She has a very close relationship to her father and is devastated when he takes her away and leaves her completely closed off to family and friends. Gina’s time at boarding school is extremely difficult for her because of this. Her one potential comfort is a mysterious figure named Abigail who is rumored to help the girls when they are in trouble. There is a statue in the school garden where the girls can leave notes to Abigail and then some how, some way they are helped. There is so much more to this book that I cannot talk about without giving things away!

Summing it up: I highly recommend “Abigail.” There are many twists and turns and you will not want to put it down. Do you like to read translated literature too? Let me know in the comments – and if you have any translated recommendations for me to add to my list!

Best, Abbey

Connecticut Trolley Museum – Summer 2018

Two summers ago I started adventuring with my two boys, Frog & Toad (their online nicknames). I was recently separated and looking for ways to get out, explore, and also connect with them. It was a difficult season, but these moments were perfect and I will always remember them fondly. On this particular trip, we visited the Connecticut Trolley Museum in East Hartford. It is wonderful! There are countless antique trolleys, a wooden playground shaped like a trolley and an actual working trolley! The staff was so friendly and helpful in directing us to what we could see and when we could take a trolly ride. When we first arrived, we entered the main building and walked back to a giant garage/hanger and we got to look at antique trolleys. They were fascinating. There were one or two that we could sit in, but the rest were just for looking. Behind that was another building FULL of antique fire fighting equipment from trucks to suits to other odds and ends. That part was not as interesting for the kids, but there was a lot to take in that they couldn’t touch! After looking around, we waited outside and played on the trolly playground while we waited for the trolley. The excitement built until the trolley arrived and we went for a great ride. It was so much fun! The windows were all open, so a breeze came through. The trip was about a half hour down the rail and back and it was just lovely. When we got back, we were ready to go home (after a stop at the gift shop!). This is yet another spot I would love to return to.

If you enjoyed this adventure, check out my other posts in this series HERE & HERE!

Summing it up: There is nothing like spending time with my family. I loved visiting the Connecticut Trolley Museum and getting to ride on an antique trolley. Have you ever been on a trolley?

Best, Abbey

Summer Reflections – 2020

Summer 2020. It’s been a unique one, that’s for sure. There have been things that I have missed terribly, but there’s been so much that’s been wonderful. I think that sums up life in a global pandemic – highs and lows. When summer first dawned, it was with relief. We had finished about 3 months of scrambled e-learning and were flagging. A break from school came at just the right time. We plunged into lazing around, watching movies, reading books, playing games, swimming and binging on video games (Frog, Toad and I all have Animal Crossing now). It’s been pure joy to snuggle and talk and have so much time with my kids. It’s felt like a luxury. I’ve missed adventuring and going to parks, zoos, aquariums, and play dates. It’s been very hard and I have felt ‘stuck’ at times. Before covid, we really did a lot of traveling and going all around to see new things, so having wide open weekends as a strange adjustment. However, that’s also what’s made this summer so wonderful! We have had no plans, no pressure, no need to do anything or be anywhere and it has been so freeing. It’s made me think that when I am comfortable adventuring again, I will want to hold back a bit and give our schedules room to breathe. In a way, I’m grateful for the change, even though it has come with difficulties.

Each summer, my ex and I get one full week with our kids for vacation. The week my kids are away is always really difficult. I miss them terribly. This year, I knew it was going to be hard, so I made sure that I had lots of self-care planned. After the first few days, the sadness lightened and I fell into a routine. I absolutely love time alone, so I worked on reminding myself of this fact and indulging in just being by myself. I’m an introvert (even though I love being with people), so time alone is so nourishing. It was helpful to redirect my focus and it allowed the week to pass by with a lot of good memories!

On the flip-side, my week with the kids was amazing. There is nothing like chunks of time with them, and our week was no exception. Since we didn’t have a lot of adventuring options, we mainly relaxed and snuggled together. The one activity we decided to go on was kayaking! It was a perfect, safe, socially distancing adventure. We happened to go on the most beautiful day and found a quiet lake to be on, which was reassuring with the kids. Toad paddled with me while Josh and Frog had their own kayaks. Toad and I took turns paddling, which was lovely! : ) At one point, we brought our kayaks together, held on, and just floated all together like we were on a raft. It was peaceful and perfect.

This week is our last week of summer vacation. I am a mix of all the emotions. Sad that the summer is at an end, excited for a new, more structured schedule (theoretically), and hopeful. Autumn is my favorite time of year, so I am always excited when it returns. We are beginning the year with e-learning, which gives me so much peace. I’m grateful we can do e-learning as I feel like it’s the safest option for our family. We are going to fill this week with lots of fun and a little structure to ease into next week when we are back to school – 1st and 3rd grade!!

How was your summer? Was it a mix of highs and lows as well? Or more of one than another? I hope the end is peaceful and beautiful for you!

Best, Abbey