A newsletter of sorts

Happy Thanksgiving if you celebrate it here in the U.S., ignore this part if you don’t, and Fight the Power if you actively protest its heinous colonizer roots, or are boycotting shopping this year to send a message that the folks in charge will undoubtedly ignore, or otherwise take from it the wrong message.

I’m mostly option two nowadays, so it’s Chinese takeout for the win.

Aside from all the football on television, I’ve never been a huge fan of Turkey Day, so I’m content to skipping it for a change. And especially this year, as I’ve been caretaking Wifey after her ticker got zapped by heart surgeons. (I casually worked in the lyrics to Bon Jovi’s You Give Love a Bad Name in conversation during Erin’s postop recovery, which compelled her to roll her eyes at me, but she still laughed despite her best efforts not to.)

So yeah, I’ve been pretty busy, tending to Wifey’s post-surgery needs. Last week, she got a cardio ablation to tame a few wonky heartbeats. I’m being glib, but the procedure is quite invasive, excessively medical, and not for the squeamish, so I’ll spare you the details. (Hi, it’s me. I’m the squeamish.)

It’s been challenging and scary for both of us, but I’m relieved to report that Erin is in full recovery, and with the doctor’s blessing – and against my worrying nature – she is planning a road trip with her bestie this holiday-extended weekend.

Huh. Go figure. Just last week, it felt like I was fighting uphill just to support her recovery. This week feels like I’m fighting uphill just to keep her inside the house and sane, so I guess I’d call that an improvement!

Obviously, as she’s my heart & soul (see what I did there?) I will continue to worry about Erin’s health. But she’s got most of her swag and vigor back, and her life is her own, so I will let go, and let her do her thang as I try to figure out my own path. Which means once again I’ll be wrestling with how to get this confounded chapbook accepted for global distribution so I can advertise it and get it the hell out of my life so I can focus on the next thing, whatever the hell that may be.

Why did I want to become a writer again?

The home-selling has been placed on hold until Erin’s in full recovery, which has encouraged the short-sell vultures who can smell the free money hemorrhaging from a “weak selling position” to spam my phone with a bunch of, “I see you’ve taken your home off the market! How can we help ourselves into your pockets?” type of rhetoric. Filtering those calls from the actual headhunters and job interview calls that I’m looking for has been frustrating as hell.

This world is a toilet.

Sorry about that. I got sidetracked with… you know… *gestures wildly* …all of this.

Where was I again? Oh yeah… the book thing again…

The State of  jagged remnants of you

I approved my latest proof early this week. As of now, the status of my paperback is still pending, but the eBook is already approved, so… progress? The only certainty thus far is that I’m reevaluating my publishing options for my next project. I’ve not been impressed by Lulu’s customer service and communication.

Sadly, if you’re still waiting on my book to be made available outside of Lulu’s storefront, the wait continues. I’m sorry. I’ll keep you in the loop as soon as I learn more.

For My Substack Homies

That was quite the falloff, wasn’t it? I went from posting and reposting multiple notes daily to… *crickets*.

You guys still get my newest poems, but I haven’t had much time these days to really think about how I feel long enough to scribble even rudimental drafts. And so, I write less.  

What can I say, except I’ve been pretty stressed? I’ll try to find my way back to the fun interaction that kept me engaged, and I hope to find you there as well. Thanks for your patience and understanding.

For my Medium Homies

I learned how to use the publisher’s scheduling feature for more regular posting to create the illusion of presence, but yeah, I’ve been mostly away cleaning house, making meals, and keeping Erin properly medicated and stimulated (Imagine being an extrovert and being stuck in the house for twenty-four hours a day with only me as your companion. We’re both doing our best, but it’s been dicey at times.)

So if you’re wondering why my posts have increased while my comment correspondence has taken a nosedive, now you know why. But I hope to visit your timelines very soon.

For my WordPress Homies

Whelp… here we are again. I still don’t know what the future holds for this site, but judging by your kind comments, some of you welcome these newsletters, so I will do my best to keep at it. Thanks again for putting up with me.

Final Thoughts

I dunno man. Just do your best. A recurring theme, I know, but it’s all I have to offer.

Be kind to yourself at all times and be kind to others as much as they’ll allow it. With all that’s going on in the world, we’re collectively in a dark place, so do what you can to be the light you need to see in others.

And I’ll also leave the light on for us.

Take Care,

Barry

© BJ Dawson — 2025

Barry’s new chapbook, jagged remnants of you, is available on Lulu in paperback and eBook, and will be available for global distribution someday soon, we can only hope.

Tips are always welcome.

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The Extemporaneous – Draft 1