If you don’t know who Jenny Lawson is (are you living under a rock? I kid, I kid…) she is also known as The Bloggess. She is an international best-selling author. She just released a new book, that’s hitting the top of the charts. She hob-knobs with the likes of Neil Gaiman. Her schtick is that she writes about her mental and physical ailments, and her daily life, with colorful humor. She’s great at it. She’s gotten rich off of it. She is loved for it.

I sit here and look at my screen and my life. She’s married, with a kid and pets and money, so I guess that helps. It wasn’t always like that for her. She grew up in the middle of East-of-Jesus Texas and was dirt poor.

I can be funny. I am often told that I’m funny when I’m not even meaning to be. (I can’t tell a joke to save my life, nor can I do practical jokes. I’m not that kind of funny.) I can sometimes sling a sentence together. But I can’t even get up the energy or desire to write here on my puny little blog, let alone to write something insightfully pithy. Sigh. Yes, I’m having a pity party over here.

I woke up exhausted even though I slept fine. I’ve had to start taking drugs for anxiety recently. That’s a new one. I just got an email notification about my next oncology appointment, and I’ve been avoiding even thinking about that stuff because of other “more pressing” matters going on in my life. After I woke up, exhausted, I ran some errands in the rain, and all I could think about is “I have no joy in my life. None. There’s none anywhere in sight.” I guess maybe that is why I can’t write the gently uplifting things Jenny can.

I bought a plant for my depressing apartment. I have a brown thumb. Say a little prayer for my little plant, it can use the encouragement. Poor little thing. Maybe a little bit of green in my environment can make me feel a little better— that’s a pretty high expectation to stick on an innocent little ivy. (I think that’s what it is… it has green and yellow leaves and right now the yellow is supposed to be there and not a symptom of me killing it.)

20 minutes later: Ah, I just looked it up, it is a pothos (theoretically hard to kill) or devil’s ivy. My little guy is smaller than this.

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17 Comments

    1. She’s worth a look. Both the blog and her books. It isn’t deep, heavy literature, but instead short observational work. She’s really kind of wacky in her sense of humor, and I can see where she’s not everyone’s “thing.” Pretty sure her books have been translated to Italian. She often makes humorous posts about how titles, subtitles and jacket blurbs get translated into various languages. 🙂

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  2. Not everyone loves Jenny. When I first heard of her, it was through book club. I enjoyed Furiously Happy but was the only one. Our librarian and all the other attendees were meh. You’re better than Jenny, in my opinion.

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    1. Yeah, I get how her humor isn’t for everyone, and she can be a bit out there. One of my long-distance friends and I used to read aloud over the Internet to each other. (I miss that so much.) I read from one of Jenny’s books. He laughed and laughed and did enjoy it, but he also said that she kind of made him nervous.

      That’s a huge compliment you just paid me, and I’m at a loss of what to say, other than “Thank you.” And I’m dumbfounded. ♥

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        1. Oh my gawd. Yes, you too! I totally zoned out that it is a holiday! geez… And a hard to remember one, too, if one just looks at the calendar! “I see today is July 4. Hmmm. That rings a bell about something. What was that? Why does July 4 sound familiar?” Yes, welcome to my brain! 🙂 And hope you get to have all kinds of fun with actual people and actual food and stuff. 🙂

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  3. Not easy being supportive from a distance, but never compare yourself to anyone else (you know that already, but still…) – and no matter the appearances, the digital world still distorts – we only show the world what we want them to see.
    And, you are a great writer (with a sense of humor similar to mine).

    Be well.

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    1. Yeah… I hear you. I almost went down a Myers-Briggs road here with my comment to you, my fellow INTP. We get misunderstood a lot, no? And thank you for your compliment. Again, as I mentioned above, I don’t really know how to respond to such words and kindnesses other than to say, “Thank you” and get all awkward on this side of the monitor.

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  4. Don’t sell yourself short comparing yourself to others.  I follow you because you write well with an obvious sense of humor.  That particular plant is easy to grow!  Good luck!☺️

    Sent from Yahoo Mail for iPad

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    1. Yeah, like Carol was saying on the comparisons. I see how that post came out like that, how people read it like that. I dunno, it was more like, “I know it CAN be done, to write about serious, un-funny things like health (mental or physical or even spiritual), because Jenny can do it.” No one wants to hear whining and bitching and moaning, including me. I know it can be done. I just can’t seem to find the place to do it now.

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  5. I think you are naturally a good writer and funny (when you want to be) and I really enjoy reading your posts. I just wish there was a way I could add some real joy and happiness to your life. It’s not easy to do from this far away. Hmmm… 🤔

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    1. You did add some … smiles and warm fuzzies to me. Truly. I smiled broadly at your comment. I felt the virtual hug. Thank you. And thank you for the compliment. See above about not knowing how to respond other than “Thank you” and to get really awkward over in front of my monitor. I wasn’t posting for compliments, and you and the others just… too kind.

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      1. If I could, I would honestly give you a REAL BIG HUG. I try my best to bring joy and happiness to other people’s lives via my blog and genuinely enjoy reading your posts. (I’d add here a suitable icon, but they probably haven’t created that one yet!)

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      2. P.S. You are the first in the blogosphere to hear (well, read) this, but I have some big news imminent. We’re moving back to the UK 😲 but, shush, don’t tell anyone… 🤐 There will however still be some mountain moments. 😊

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        1. I didn’t get notice from WP of these last two comments of yours, so I *just* saw them. :::shakes virtual fist at WP:::

          Your blog always brings a smile to my face. You know I get my vicarious travel bug out through you.

          As to your moving news… !!!! I don’t know if I should be congratulating you or commiserating with you or… That’s another big change. I’m sending out warm hugs and mugs of good coffee (and/or beer) that the move goes smoothly, without a hitch. I’ve moved often in my life, but it has always been contained within the USA. International moves are daunting! (I briefly have considered moving to either Canada or Ireland, but got too scared to do it on my own.) ♥

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          1. WP obviously has it’s moments but I’m glad it worked out in the end… Ireland would certainly be a big move, but probably well worth the effort. It’s a wonderful place. I still plan to blog about walks and mountains so no worries there. 😊

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