Five Things - April 6, 2026

Welcome to my blog titled ‘Five Things’ where you can expect just that - five random musings or reflections from the previous week or so. I’ll also share a quote I find meaningful as a point of focus for the week. For photos of my books, kids, pets, and miscellaneous things I find interesting, you can follow me on Instagram @tabithalord.

So here are this week’s five things, starting with the quote of the week…

1. "Never think that war, no matter how necessary nor how justified, is not a crime. Ask the infantry and ask the dead." — Ernest Hemingway

2. Sunday, we hosted our kids, their significant others, and my sister and brother-in-law at our new place in Pasadena. In Rhode Island, we regularly entertained, using any excuse to host a party, but it’s been a while since we’ve been able to gather in our own space. We ate, drank, went swimming under the gorgeous SoCal sun, and made quite merry. I can barely keep my eyes open today, but it was worth!

3. As we wind up the spring semester, I’ve had the opportunity to study a little bit of screenwriting, which is so exciting. I’ve wanted to translate some of my novels and short fiction work into screenplays but didn’t know where to begin. After a few great conversations with one of our sons who is a screenwriter and more with a good friend who is also in the industry, I think I’ve found a place to start. I drafted an opening scene for a class project today, and it was so much fun. I really look forward to playing with this new (to me) form!

4. Ray and I went to the Huntington Garden for a couple of hours on Friday. We’re members now, but I was the only one who’d visited so far when I took an out-of-town friend. This time, I wanted to check out the rose garden in particular, and it did not disappoint! The blooms were gorgeous. It’s truly magical! I have to remind myself that it would make a great place to bring a blanket and my laptop to enjoy the beauty and inspiration sometimes only nature can provide.

5. I am currently reading my classmates’ theses projects. All of them are full-length novels, and all of them are just so good. It will take me awhile to get through them, but we are all trying to read each other’s work as a show of support. I am humbled and inspired by the incredible talent in my cohort!

Five Things - December 22, 2025

Welcome to my blog titled ‘Five Things’ where you can expect just that - five random musings or reflections from the previous week or so. I’ll also share a quote I find meaningful as a point of focus for the week. For a photo gallery of our life on the road, our pets, and miscellaneous things I find interesting, you can follow me on Instagram @tabithalord.

So here are this week’s five things, starting with the quote of the week…

1. "Muscles are fleeting. Bodies give out. But integrity, honor? The confidence to be oneself, to follow one's heart? The compassionate drive to help others, even at great risk? That's strength." - Marjorie Liu

2. On Friday I turned in my thesis draft to my mentor! At 112k words, it’s the longest book I’ve ever written. As always, the manuscript will need to be edited, but that’s work for next semester. For now, I’m taking a break, reflecting on the past year’s professional accomplishments, of which I include anything school related, and thinking about my intentions for 2026. Change is in the air for next year, and I’m trying to meet it with equanimity by staying present, embracing gratitude, and taking each day as it comes.

3. One big change for 2026 is that Ray and I will be nomads no more! As I’ve mentioned previously, we’re moving into a place in Pasadena, and we’re currently working to turn it into a home. We have literally no furniture, so it’s both fun and daunting to start building back from scratch. I’m really excited to find a local community, and I’m equally as excited to have a place our friends and family can come visit.

4. Next semester, in addition to editing my thesis, my course load will include classes on the business of writing and on pedagogy, or teaching teachers to teach, lol, so the focus for this last full semester is a little different, but I’m really interested in everything. I just got my pile of textbooks. I look forward to studying them, of course, and also putting them on the bookshelf in my new office!

5. We are currently in Indio, just outside of Palm Springs, for the holiday. Our kids will be arriving this week, but unfortunately my mom and dad are sick and won’t be joining us. It seems like this year, everyone’s a little worn out, so our plan is to simply eat, rest, play games, chill, and recharge. The nice thing about the desert in the wintertime is we’ll probably be able to chill and recharge by the pool. Wishing all of you a peaceful, restful holiday!