Notices by Andra Watkins (andrawatkins@mastodon.social)

I swear, the very earth blooms hallelujah in Wales. I always get fired up to do some serious gardening when I go home, only to kill everything due to black thumb x different climate.

So I go on walks and snap pictures to keep the hallelujah in my hand.

#smallstories

The Korean version of Not Without My Father will be published this year. It’s also coming in Italian.

As a writer, it’s weird to have my words available via stories I can’t read.

Also, Dad’s voice is untranslatable. Some of his essence will be lost.

BUT AT LEAST HE’S STILL HERE.

#smallstories

I imagine her name: Sophie. A Christmas doll from her Quebecois grandparents. She dropped her facedown, distracted by the bounty of the food cart.

We rescued this lonely soul and sent her back to her furry-booted owner, all blonde hair and high-pitched squeals and promised to never leave her behind again.

Her father holds the doll now.

#smallstories

I walked past Leonard Cohen’s house, feet slicked with Montreal sludge and buffeted gutted frozen by minus 36 degree breezes. Did the very air make Cohen a storyteller? Did it imbue his words with their glitter coolness truth?

Milky winter light. Nose hairs frosted. My every exhale ice crystallized mist. A park bench where he sat with his shopping and poked fun at himself. Cars plowing face-first into arctic breath.

And I heard him whisper Hallelujah.

#smallstories

MTM and I are headed to Montreal. Dad is eating and will be sent from ICU to a regular hospital room tomorrow.

Dad had a hematoma of unknown origin. Neurologists said it should’ve disabled him several years ago. It started leaking last week, causing motor issues. What should’ve destroyed much of his life was resolved in a 30 minute procedure.

Because we need Christmas miracles.

#smallstories