I’ve read this moment whilst on a subway. I’m finally headed home to the most across-the-country city from where I currently am. Reading the textbook has helped me neutralize the effects of imposter syndrome that I’ve incurred over the last few days.
Anonymous
I am eating a big spoonful of peanut butter, reading this glorious book and hoping for real love. I have chosen to end a quarter of a century marriage, which has always been based on a lie. I've come away with some amazing humans. I worry about these humans as the lie continues and intensifies.
Anonymous
I’m sitting in a rocking armchair, with my 3.5-year-old watching Beatrix Potter videos on our tv, and my 6-month-old baby playing happily on the floor. I’m reading the book while also listening to the audiobook, because I want to experience both. I look at the website on my phone to submit my moment, but get distracted by the Permanent Gallery of Ephemera. I see a rainbow from two days ago, and as I look at the rainbows I tear up at the thought that people are still submitting rainbows for you, Amy. My baby starts fussing so I pick her up to nurse her, and she nurses lazily and happily. I tear up again as I think about how time goes too quickly. Then she has a big, gurgly poop and I laugh. I think Amy would have laughed too. All of these moments are precious.
Annie
Farmington
I am sitting in a camp chair in a the stream next to the Airbnb my college friend and I are staying at. We have been friends for 15 years. We get together for summer vacations from our friends equally stressful and under appreciated careers - hers a nurse, mine a teacher. We read each other quotes from the books we are reading. It is truly a tranquil moment and I will miss it.
Chloe
Hobart
I just got back from a girls’ trip yesterday. I read 190 pages of the book yesterday while waiting for the weather to clear. My one year old daughter popped a fever in the middle of the night, so no one slept well. She really is such a champ though. She crawled into my lap and I read her a book. She pretended she was fighting the nap but was quickly out. Now I’m reading Textbook and listening to her breathe in and out while she sleeps comfortably in my arms. I know I should train her to nap in her crib, but I want to soak up the snuggles and comfort her when she’s sick. I know that the snuggles are limited.
Anonymous
I am sitting here on a six hour flight. I am flying back home after visiting my parents. Each time I see them I wonder when will be the last or if I should be using my time more wisely.
Lacy Williams
Portland
My babies are asleep. They are 6-1/2. But they are still my babies when they are asleep. My husband fell asleep 5 minutes into our show so I let him head to bed with promises that my feelings weren't hurt that he was tired. He kissed me goodnight and I caught a whiff of stinky breath.
I saw Textbook on my end table and hadn't picked it up in about 10 days, or so. I lay back on the couch; 45 minutes later, I'm still reading, my neck hurting because my couch is old and the arm rests have limited stuffing. I have skipped over several text prompts, and it's the Koch poem that gets me off the couch and to my phone. After listening, I eat 3 pieces of chocolate and sit back down in a more comfortable chair to continue. On page 269 I realize I need to go back and record this moment. Because I'll never have this moment again. And though Amy will never read this, I can still write it. And this moment matters; life matters; living matters. Stinky breath does not matter. And now in this moment I'm crying. Thanks Amy. I'm sorry you died/
Theresa
Chandler, AZ
I am sitting on a beach in nantucket with my best friend. The fog is rolling in and the ocean is crashing over and over again.
Charlotte
Nantucket
I am sitting in my daughter’s favorite cozy chair, snuggled on a cozy blanket gift from my other daughter, Back to the Future is playing on the television with my sons “watching” it/messing in their phones. My fluffy dog is snuggled with me. It’s a pleasant moment. But I’m most happy that my husband went to dinner with friends from work (which he literally never does) and isn’t home yet-I’m so glad he’s taking time for himself and to have fun with his friends for a change.
Kathy
Washington, IL
I am sitting in my daughter’s favorite cozy chair, snuggled on a cozy blanket gift from my other daughter, Back to the Future is playing on the television with my sons “watching” it/messing in their phones. My fluffy dog is snuggled with me. It’s a pleasant moment. But I’m most happy that my husband went to dinner with friends from work (which he literally never does) and isn’t home yet-I’m so glad he’s taking time for himself and to have fun with his friends for a change.
Kathy
Washington, IL
I am sitting aisle side on an Amtrak train back to Connecticut after visiting my boyfriend in Massachusetts. The couple to the left of me reminds me of us, only much older and more stylish. I am sitting on a sticky gray seat and the sun is peaking out from storm clouds. I am romanticizing this train ride as I am dreading going back home. Reading is keeping me company.
Kayla
Bridgeport, Connecticut
Nursing my five month old baby, hoping she sleeps good tonight. My throat is sore from a cold I picked up from my toddler. I’m in the thick of motherhood. It’s beautiful.
Elizabeth
Brigham City
I’m home from work early again. If my father weren’t my boss I’d be out of this job by now. I’m thinking about those two kids waving out of the Jeep on the Parkway yesterday. I waved back, smiled for the first time in days, eyes glassy with tears. If it had been any other Jeep, I probably wouldn’t have tried to go in today at all. But there were two precious kids in there and I saw them look backwards through the window, they were so happy I noticed them. I was just thinking the other day about how adults don’t wave as much as they should. Is that a silly reason to get up in the morning?
Emma
Clifton, NJ
I’m sitting on my couch, surrounded my even more chaos and mess than usual because I’ve just started packing to move for a new job. I’ve got a blanket on my lap even though it’s warm today. In the 70s. I call the blanket my Sydney armor because my cat insists on digging her claws into my legs whenever she climbs into my lap. Up until a moment ago, she was curled up with me as I read this book that I’d been meaning to read but forgot about until I was packing my books and trying to decide which ones to move into my new apartment and which could go in storage. I have a to-do list the length of my arm and a deadline tomorrow. But for now I’m sitting quietly on my couch, reading about the purple flower.
Lisa
Baltimore
I’m sitting on my rocker I used to rock my two girls to sleep. Now they’re teenagers and they use their phones while I’m reading. The tv is on the fireplace channel and I am reading the purple flowers. The only thing in my house now by me that is purple is the iPod case. I do wish I could bring the fun family times we had to our present time
Anonymous
I was reading this book, last Saturday because i was feeling really hopeless, it felt good, but due to some work i stopped at the page starting with other people's moments, now I'm in class, feeling even more hopeless than before and decided to continue this book. I can't control my mind sometimes, the spiral just keeps narrowing and i can't keep myself still. But the fact that there are people who i am connected to through this book, makes me feel a little better
Anonymous
Steeling a quiet moment to myself, as it doesn’t happen often. Four kids are in school now for the first time ever, from 11th grade down to kindergarten. But my husband started working from home this year too so the house isn’t as quiet as this introverted hoped this chapter of life would be. But husband is running kids to school and stopping for his usual gas station Dr Pepper, and I am home, on the couch, reading this book, blankets left out from last night, not doing chores, because those can wait. Selfishly eating a cookie for breakfast, with my book, and no one can judge me.
Claire
Stilwell
It’s Sunday night. In mid March. In the thick of tax season. Where, anyone in the tax business (wait, how did I get here? Sorry Dad..) knows, you think of nothing but taxes. And yet I am reading this amazing book my niece gave me and now I’m thinking of rainbows and purple flower moments and I am happy (and grateful and inspired). Thank you Amy - from Amy Too.
Amy Terry
Lakewood CO
It’s Sunday night. In mid March. In the thick of tax season. Where, anyone in the tax business (wait, how did I get here? Sorry Dad..) knows, you think of nothing but taxes. And yet I am reading this amazing book my niece gave me and now I’m thinking of rainbows and purple flower moments and I am happy (and grateful and inspired). Thank you Amy - from Amy Too.
Amy Terry
Lakewood CO
I just made a batch of cream scones and I'm waiting for my husband to get up so we can eat them together. Since retirement this is a new joy in my life. Lingering over coffee and breakfast with my hubby. (Oh yeah, the dog is outside barking...)
Anne
Puyallup
Everything's quiet and still. The quiet purr of my dogs snoring and the muffled sound of the upstairs T.V. are the only things I hear. As I look around I am noticing that the room I swore I'd clean up this weekend looks just as bad... no worse than it did on Thursday. Oh well, this is the life of a working, newly married, graduate student who's life is consumed by homework for the time being. Only 10 more months to go I tell myself. I've got this!
Kenlee Bridges
Valdese
I am reading this as I sit in my warm car in the parking lot of my daughter's orthodontist. It is a sunny and unseasonably warm day in late February in NE Ohio. As I enjoy this quiet time and the sunshine, I am struck with how important it is to capture these little moments. I've always wanted to journal, and I think that this may just be the inspiration that I need to crack open one of my treasured blank notebooks and begin. This book by AKR is so simple and yet so deep at the same time. I truly appreciate it.
Time flies. My 15 year old daughter would argue that the last 4 years with braces on her teeth have not gone by as quickly as she would have liked. But I know that in a few months when her "new" smile is revealed without the braces, she will no longer look like the little girl that I still see her as now.
Whitney Pieren
Salem
I’m sitting by the pool of my nanas 55+ development. so just got my flu shot, then this book at the library right after. It is january 4th at the sun is shining in south florida. there is a nice breeze.
Anonymous
In my favourite place, looking at mountains, my 5 year old daughter listening to stories, my 3 year old snuggling with her dad watching golf, my baby napping, book on my lap. Grateful grateful grateful.
Geralis
Red Deer, AB
I am in Chuck E Cheese where dozens of kids are screaming and the noise of various games is deafening. I’m sitting in a booth reading this delightful book as my kids run around playing games trying to get as many tickets as possible to redeem for plastic toys that they will inevitably forget about in 2 days. I am at peace even with all the craziness going on around me.
Anonymous
I am in Chuck E Cheese where dozens of kids are screaming and the noise of various games is deafening. I’m sitting in a booth reading this delightful book as my kids run around playing games trying to get as many tickets as possible to redeem for plastic toys that they will inevitably forget about in 2 days. I am at peace even with all the craziness going on around me.
Anonymous
I am on the couch in my bedroom, waiting for my electric blanket to heat up. I can hear my mother sewing downstairs -- the rhythmic hum of the sewing machine, the metallic clang of her sewing scissors, the way her chair creaks as she moves. I will miss things like that when I move out later this year. I will miss hearing my family around me -- hearing them walk on creaking floors, flush toilets, sneeze, or watch television a bit too loud. I hope to fill my new home with the sounds of my friends, my boyfriend, and my cat. But I'll always miss the sounds of my mom. I am trying to cherish them while I can still hear them.
Esther
Grand Rapids, MI
I’m at my parents house sitting on a bench that my mom thrifted a few years ago when we went to vintage market days together. I had to convince her to buy it and she is glad she did. I’m glad too because she says it is mine when she dies. I’m surrounded by empty cardboard boxes and shoes, coats and many many miscellaneous items. The stairs are blocked off with said miscellaneous items because old Rudy can’t make it up the stairs anymore even though he likes to try. I sometimes wonder how much longer it will be before my mom and dad can’t make it up the stairs anymore either.
Kristen
Brigham City
In bed reading while recovering form Covid. Grateful (?) to have company and bonding time with my Covid positive 19 yo daughter. Realizing time goes too fast (and sometimes too slow). :-)
Jen W
Northfield
My pushy cat is interrupting my reading. He is a kitten, really, and I am still training him in things like being careful with claws and such. After a few ear rubs, I put my hand back in the book and he darts his little head back into the cup of my hand. I laugh out loud at the surprise and delight of him. What must it be like to be a little kitten, getting to know a human girl? What does it feel like when you are on top of her and she laughs? What does a laugh even mean? Then it occurs to me, that for all the time I spend exploring the human condition in literature, this little caty (my children’s pet name for the kitten) is also exploring the same question, what does it mean to be human? Which is the same question these purple flower moments illuminate. Also, I don’t like pie, so if I win, please send my pie to number 101.
Michaelanne
El Paso
Recovering in the recliner after having my ovarian and fallopian tubes taken out to reduce my Ovarian Cancer risk. I'm cozy, under a blanket reading Textbook AKR in front of our still fully-decorated Christmas tree.
Belle, TheLibraryLovingMommy
Liberty Twp, OH
We're in class at the University of Wrocław, discussing Textbook AKR. It's a Saturday morning, and it's cold outside. We're wondering what it's going to happen when we click on the wine glass.
Group 3
Wrocław
I’m sitting on my couch, next to a Christmas tree that I’m still enjoying on 1/11. I’ve had a toothbrush in my mouth for 15 minutes, but I’ve been too wrapped up in your book to finish the job.
Greg
Wauwatosa
We had a long Sunday full of housework and I picked up Textbookamykr to try and keep myself awake past 8pm. (It worked!) It is a quiet, cozy, chilly winter evening and my partner and I read on the couch, trying to forget about tomorrow being Monday.
Todd Detmold
Chicago
I’m sitting by the pool of my nanas 55+ development. so just got my flu shot, then this book at the library right after. It is january 4th at the sun is shining in south florida. there is a nice breeze.
Anonymous
I have felt dreary a lot recently. I am listening through this book for the first time but it will not be my last. My cat is on my lap and there are a lot of big things happening in my life this year, but in this current moment the biggest thing happening is my cat making biscuits on my lap while I am listening to a voice I know will never produce new noise again. There is something about listening to Amy talking and hearing her thoughts knowing she is already dead. I am so thankful for this book and yet wish that I could hear more from her, I wonder what her thoughts are from a the afterlife, if such a place exist. I learned about Amy from John Green who was was pleased to see had a place in this book and I am excited to learn about Amy’s work, and yet, I know that she will never make new stuff again. Life is funny in that way in which it stops, but your work can live on. I have felt dreary a lot recently, but this book lifts me up a little, this book and my cat who just readjusted so I now feel him purring against my chest.
Caroline
Atlanta
I am currently sitting on my couch, wrapped in a robe & a blanket, while the house is quiet. My toddler and my husband are both recovering from a long 2-week Christmas celebration. It is New Year's Eve. I am feeling rejuvenated & hopeful that 2023 will be a beautiful year.
Christiana
Wisconsin, USA
I am on the floor of my apartment, under the Christmas tree, wrapping gifts for my daughter (14) and son (10) listening to your book. My son still (wants?) to believe in Santa. I have felt guilty about the Santa facade since my daughter was 2. My husband is cooking Christmas Eve dinner in the kitchen and I can smell the garlic from the spinach, artichoke dip. Your book is delightful and I love pecan pie.
Cary Fischer
San Francisco
I am watching the sunrise on a wraparound deck overlooking the beach in Isabela, Puerto Rico. My son is asleep inside. This is my peaceful time. I read and write and gather energy for the day.
I’m sad that Amy won’t ever read this. She gave herself a tiny bit of impermanent immortality by creating this website.
Michele Fiala aka Mom Flies Solo
Athens, OH
I am sitting on the bus after a long day at work. It’s an unseasonably warm day for November in Wisconsin so I’m really excited to get home, soak in the sunshine, and enjoy this last nice day before the cold months ahead.
Lynie
Milwaukee
I am alone in a comfortable bed. Living in the house of a delightful older couple who have welcomed me and my roommate into their home. My partner is 3000 miles away, about to start her day. I began to read this book after enjoying milk and two chocolate chip cookies as a bedtime snack. And now I am here teary eyed, and never stopping reading except to participate. It is raining. And I am grateful.
Joel
Waterloo
I’m sitting in a black wooden chair in front of my family’s home away from home that’s become more like our real home in Aspen, Colorado. It’s Peaceful here. Aspen is beautiful. When I was small, I loved this place. Now that I’m a little bigger I still love this place! The sky is bright with blues, I see clouds but it’s not cloudy, the sun is hot on my tummy, and I see lots of trees waving at me. I can hear them too. Doing their little dance.
Wyatt Cohen
Aspen
As I sit on a cold steel chair precariously placed in a sliver of warm afternoon sun, the warm chill of a mid-March breeze washes over me. It’s that transitory time of year in the forests of Northern Arizona when the temperature still rests below 50° but the warm sun manages to cut through the cool air like a knife when you stand in its presence. Yet that breeze reminds me that there is still snow on the ground, many warm fires inside ahead, and a lot of yard work to do. I should really do that yard work.
Logan Brumm
Flagstaff, AZ
I am sitting at my desk at work, sneaking a moment to read as a reward for completing 25 minutes of uninterrupted work. I break my days up into 25 minute chunks in order to not feel overwhelmed. Isn't everything more manageable in 25 minute chunks? It's a Monday and I can still taste the molasses cookie my coworker offered me when I went to ask her a question. I'm at the beginning of a long week and the idea of summarizing another meeting into a follow-up email makes me want to pack up and move somewhere that doesn't have follow-up emails. Unfortunately, I am not independently wealthy and therefore need this job that I mostly enjoy except sending emails to "follow up on what we discussed" and that we'll "circle back in a few weeks" to see how things progress. In thinking about the emails that I need to write and the calls I need to return, I've had a small existential crisis about the number of times I've written 'circle back' and 'per my last email' and how many more times I'll write them in my career. Probably a lot, but only in one 25 minute chunk at a time.
Elisha
Kennewick
I sit in an empty pastel plastered classroom, on a blue plastic childs desk chair that annoyingly has wheels - inviting students to roll as they please.
Juggling my own emotional and mental health, my brain acting like a switch thats jammed. Navigating the false persona that teachers are required to put on... as if the world around them is as happy as the yellow accent wall in front of me.
Abby Anderson
Apex, North Carolina
I am curled up on the daybed/chair in my living room in the semi-dark. It’s a little too warm because I’m under a blanket my best friend knit me for my birthday, but mostly because one of my (very large) dogs loves this blanket more than life itself. So he’s here too. And my ancient orange tabby, wheezing and purring at my shoulder, waiting impatiently for dinner.
Tara
Seneca, SC
I'm sitting at my desk early in the morning. I've just finished my first cup of coffee and I'm about to go make another one. I've done this for a long time now, a first, weak cup of coffee and a book to ease myself into being awake followed by a second, stronger one to get on with it. Last night, I had a very difficult conversation that I'd been putting off for years and maybe, hopefully, I can start to get my life together again. The hardest part is done now, at least, but the longest part remains. That second cup of coffee awaits.
Anonymous
I’m sitting in my college dorm bed days before my second to last semester starts. There are so many unknowns. In order of longest distance away: Mondays work schedule, I’ll dated conservation with girl I’ve kind of been dating, Grad school funding. But my best friends is sitting in my bean bag 6 feet away drink hot cocoa I just made reading a book I recommended.
Maddi
Cambridge MA
I’m sitting in the Boston Public Library with a friend, enjoying the last weekend before classes start at my college. I am hoping to make this a tradition, coming and reading in the library on Saturdays. I don’t know if it’ll happen as I tend to have trouble leaving my room when I don’t have class/work to go to, but I’m hoping to have the energy to do this little act of kindness and mindfulness for myself.
ana
Boston, MA
I’m sitting in my college dorm bed days before my second to last semester starts. There are so many unknowns. In order of longest distance away: Mondays work schedule, I’ll dated conservation with girl I’ve kind of been dating, Grad school funding. But my best friends is sitting in my bean bag 6 feet away drink hot cocoa I just made reading a book I recommended.
Maddi
Cambridge MA
I am sitting watching the three children from next door glide across a long narrow strip of ice behind our house. Kensie is 9, Zach is 7 and Emmie is 5. It is their second day on skates for Kensie and Zach but Emmie just slides along in her boots. She was rather despondent yesterday not having skates. She sat all by herself on the cold ground behind an evergreen tree for quite some time. Her brother came over to talk with her and eventually went back to skating. Her sister came over to talk with her and then she too went back to skating. I can only imagine their gentle words. A short time later, Zach and Kensie each had one of Emmie's hands as they slid along the ice.
Paula
Hudson
I am sitting watching the three children from next door glide across a long narrow strip of ice behind our house. Kensie is 9, Zach is 7 and Emmie is 5. It is their second day on skates for Kensie and Zach but Emmie just slides along in her boots. She was rather despondent yesterday not having skates. She sat all by herself on the cold ground behind an evergreen tree for quite some time. Her brother came over to talk with her and eventually went back to skating. Her sister came over to talk with her and then she too went back to skating. I can only imagine their gentle words. A short time later, Zach and Kensie each had one of Emmie's hands as they slid along the ice.
Paula
Hudson
I am sitting at my desk and my eyes are burning. A bit from tears, a bit from the bright ring light I use during my online Zoom classes to keep myself awake. When I came to college, everything felt free. I was 18 and life felt glorious. Now I am almost 21, entering calendar year three of a worldwide pandemic, I live alone in a city that I do not like, and I am realizing my major is not what I want to spend my life doing. I am a bit sad and I am a bit lonely. But the sun is out today, and I think I'll go for a quiet walk. Maybe I'll finish this book while I'm out. Maybe I will run into someone I know. Maybe I will have a revelation. Or maybe, it will just be a quiet walk. Either way, I will be grateful. Either way, I know I'll be okay. I am a bit human, and I am a bit hopeful.
Anonymous
I just came in the house after following our 9 month puppy around the yard 37 times. It is dark and below freezing; my toes are numb. She has boundless energy but likes eating our other dog’s turds, so she remains leashed so I do not vomit every time I look at her.
Anonymous
It’s close to 3AM here, and I make myself as comfortable as I can on a couch that provides fairly poor back support. My eyes feel sore from yet another episode of remembering my dog who passed away 3 months ago. I attempted to write a poem or something of the sort on my Notes app. I don’t ever want to forget her, but I fear that there will come a day where she does not cross my mind, and from then on her existence would be acknowledged lesser and lesser. I thought reading would help make me feel better and that’s how I arrived at this page. It does, a little.
Jess
Singapore
I'm in the living room, a month after moving in with people I'd never met before but am now in deep friend-love with. I'm overwhelmed with anticipation over 2 things - first, that in 3 days I finally reconnect with my old roommates of 9 years, who I also am in deep friend-love with. Second, whether a massive art project I worked on will flop or fly.
Alexis
Emeryville, CA
I am at work, reading the moments on the work computer, logged into the public library system. The chair is a bit short and my tea is a bit cold but answering folks questions and solving their problems makes me feel useful again. The Mountain Goats are playing. Two broad monitors block my view along with plexiglass. I have had trouble working for a few years now and I hope that this will be the job I hold onto. I hope this desk is my solid ground.
Rachael
Tucson, AZ
I’m reading this book while relaxing on our couch after walking around a PGA tournament earlier today. My husband has the TV on but he’s napping. It’s a restful, gorgeous, beautifully sunny and lovely way to spend the day. The dog is napping too.
Anonymous
I’m reading this book while relaxing on our couch after walking around a PGA tournament earlier today. My husband has the TV on but he’s napping. It’s a restful, gorgeous, beautifully sunny and lovely way to spend the day. The dog is napping too.
Anonymous
I'm in the middle of the night in the middle of Oahu. This is my home but not where I'm from. My husband is twenty feet from me, watching anime. We mostly have the mosquitoes tamed here in this dry spot in paradise, but they still find me and make my elbow itch. No rainbows today, but one the day before. On Monday, I'm not going to be able to go to the library and hope I am still allowed to attend my dental appointment on Tuesday. In 48 hours I'll be an illegal alien, newly defined, and my tears won't quit falling about it.
Laura
Oahu
I’m sitting at my kitchen table reading this for probably the fourth or fifth time, while eating oatmeal and a banana that’s a little too ripe. My roommate is in the living room a couple feet away from me doing a puzzle. We are both keeping to ourselves, but it’s a companionable type of silence between us. Maybe I’ll say something-maybe not. But for now I’m just enjoying the morning sunshine through the window and feeling content.
Mallie Brown
Salt Lake City, UT
I’m sitting at my kitchen table reading this for probably the fourth or fifth time, while eating oatmeal and a banana that’s a little too ripe. My roommate is in the living room a couple feet away from me doing a puzzle. We are both keeping to ourselves, but it’s a companionable type of silence between us. Maybe I’ll say something-maybe not. But for now I’m just enjoying the morning sunshine through the window and feeling content.
Mallie Brown
Salt Lake City, UT
I’m reading this book in bed on a Sunday as the covid pandemic rages on into it’s second year. I’m waiting for my laundry to be done. It seems so ordinary in a year of tragedy. Reading this in response to John Greens Anthropocene Reviewed in August 2021. The light soaked days are coming and there is reason for hope.
Anonymous
It is the first day back to school. My kids are all gone. Normally I would have planned a lunch out and fun afternoon for myself. This year is different, bittersweet. I am glad they are gone, but after seeing them everyday for the last year and a half, it is sad. I am sitting on my deck, with a book and staring at the water behind my house. It's so quiet.
Anonymous
I am sitting at home, on a chest at the end of my bed. I bought the chest a few weeks, in preparation for my move to college. I bought it so that I can put my books in it, and so that I can sit on the cushioned lid while I read them. It'll be strange, going to the chest when I want to read something, rather than kneeling beside the little bookshelf beneath my desk. Yet it's a peaceful place now, as I sit with the window open on a warm summer evening, listening to my parents chatting down the hall.
Anonymous
I’m sitting in a park in front of the Philadelphia Museum of Art. Morning rush hour is happening around me but I have no where to be for the next two hours.
Anonymous
On my giant gray sectional, draped in my roommate’s giant gray blanket, I am cozy against the midsummer air conditioning. I’m thinking about how I should be doing work for my summer internship instead of reading this book. It makes me feel better though, when I remind myself that I am interning for the Amy Krouse Rosenthal Foundation.
Cam
St. Louis, MO
I am pickling beets for my grandma’s birthday tomorrow. She is turning 93 and she loves beets. I got beets on Monday from volunteering at a local organic farm’s CSA pack line. I am sitting at the counter reading Textbook AKR and waiting for the beets to finish boiling and for the brown sugar to dissolve into the simmering brine of apple cider vinegar and spices. My stomach hurts today but I am trying to ignore it.
Siena
Loves Park, IL
I’m sitting on the end of my bed so I can use my phone to interact with the book while it remains plugged in to the charger on my desk. I picked this book up tonight after having it for almost 2 years. It’s April 28th. I have set an alarm for 4:29 tomorrow so I will text my friends I love them. I describe this moment as serendipitous.
Anonymous
There is an exceptionally affectionate cat laid out on my lap, with her hind legs resting on my belly and her right leg stretched between my shins. She is gently purring, and lightly gripping the comforter with her claws. I am laying in bed next to my sleeping wife, reading a book at 11:24 in the morning, and there’s nowhere else I would rather be.
Daniel
Nassau, The Bahamas
I’m sitting on the end of my bed so I can use my phone to interact with the book while it remains plugged in to the charger on my desk. I picked this book up tonight after having it for almost 2 years. It’s April 28th. I have set an alarm for 4:29 tomorrow so I will text my friends I love them. I describe this moment as serendipitous.
Anonymous
I have just breastfed my daughter and she has fallen back asleep on a pillow over my legs. Her breaths are deep and she smells so sweet. I should transfer her to her crib but I enjoy these moments so much and I find myself thanking the stars and fates with each inhale and exhale.
Anonymous
It’s been almost a year since the beginning of the covid pandemic. I’m a high school senior, and I’m doing online school this year. I’m on my lunch break about to eat some vegan chili. In about ten minutes I’ll have to dreadfully return to my live-streamed AP calculus class. I’m feeling a little somber. I’m sad that Amy’s gone, and I’m wondering if I’m supposed to do the little activities in the book since she’s not here anymore. I think she’d like me to do them though. I’m thinking about how I’m probably a lot younger than most people reading this book. I’m thinking about how I’m scared of the future. I’m scared of going to college because I know I will lose some people that I thought were friends. I’m scared because I’ll never be able to go back to high school, and I feel like I was just getting comfortable. It’s gonna be okay though.
Tina Dörr-Kapczynski
Smyrna, GA
the sky has been grey and i don't remember the last time it wasn't. i have a juicy watermelon slice - scented candle that's bright pink and halfway burned down. i'm listening to k-pop while i do my readings. sometimes, it snows a little again, but the freshest snow has melted and left a dull-grey-snow type of winter day. we're reading your book for class. :) its rly good
Anonymous
I'm sitting on my couch in my college apartment. I have to finish reading a section of Textbook before my class tomorrow. It's always freezing in our living room but this blanket is really cozy. I also really like reading all the other comments of where everyone has been and how they have felt reading this book.
Anonymous
I have just returned to my college apartment after spending a weekend at home with my family. There is a lump in my throat that comes and goes like the ebbing and flowing of the tide (not to be particularly cheesy, but I am feeling particularly cheesy this evening). As I read through others' purple flower moments, one word comes to my mind: sonder, or the spontaneous realization that everyone around you is leading their own unique, individual lives. It amazes me to think of all of the individuals who have left their own footprint on this site, and I am incredibly grateful for the opportunity to do so myself. Suddenly, my own thoughts and worries feel incredibly small. I think Rosenthal would be more than happy to know that these footprints continue on. I am honored that mine might be one of them. To anyone reading this, keep going strong. Keep leaving footprints.
Haley
Allendale
It’s been almost a year since the beginning of the covid pandemic. I’m a high school senior, and I’m doing online school this year. I’m on my lunch break about to eat some vegan chili. In about ten minutes I’ll have to dreadfully return to my live-streamed AP calculus class. I’m feeling a little somber. I’m sad that Amy’s gone, and I’m wondering if I’m supposed to do the little activities in the book since she’s not here anymore. I think she’d like me to do them though. I’m thinking about how I’m probably a lot younger than most people reading this book. I’m thinking about how I’m scared of the future. I’m scared of going to college because I know I will lose some people that I thought were friends. I’m scared because I’ll never be able to go back to high school, and I feel like I was just getting comfortable. It’s gonna be okay though.
Tina Dörr-Kapczynski
Smyrna, GA
Hello....
warmest greetings to whoever's hands this lands in.
I am sadly aware that Amy is no longer with us. But she clearly lives on...
I was led to this book by my close friend Carl who has held Amy in high esteem as a writer and as a human being for six years. He was inspired to write (two years worth of daily posts) after reading her "Encyclopedia of an Ordinary Life." I feel, a kindred spirit with her, and after receiving that same book as a gift, I have begun writing too.
Amy has become a part of our (Carl's and my) relationship. (I gave him a yellow umbrella for Christmas... and he was moved to tears.)
We just wanted you to know how much light she has brought into our lives.
We wish you -- (hopefully a member of her family is reading this) -- every blessing... every tiny and gargantuan joy... every juicy tidbit of life. Amy lives on in our hearts. ❤️
Elle
Buffalo
I've been thinking a lot about death. How some day I will be have to confront it and have to stop existing as a physical entity. How, while it is likely I live on in the memory of my loved ones, perhaps some of those young enough that my memory is passed down a couple generations, they too will meet their deaths. Then, the intensity of the memory of us will decay until it is shrouded by background noise and we will be measurably nonexistent. Then what?
Francisco
Chicago
I am lying in bed, recovering from a fractured vertebrae after a fall four weeks ago. My body is 63, my mind is 35, and my attitude often hovers around 21. I must now. develop a new mindset of being physically cautious, aware of my surroundings, and taking fewer risks. I still need 30 more years of fun!!!
Anonymous
I am lying in bed, recovering from a fractured vertebrae after a fall four weeks ago. My body is 63, my mind is 35, and my attitude often hovers around 21. I must now. develop a new mindset of being physically cautious, aware of my surroundings, and taking fewer risks. I still need 30 more years of fun!!!
Anonymous
I am tired after a day of work. Lying on the couch before an evening of volunteering. My heart is calming from an overwhelming day. I am trying to convince myself I don’t need more chocolate covered almonds.
Nick Q.
Seattle, WA
I am sitting at my dining table, waiting for my reading mentee to pop into our zoom meeting, and being distracted by one empty corner of the table. Since my husband's death, this table has become my headquarters, often covered with the tools and detritus of my life, birthday gifts waiting to be packed and shipped, a pincushion, a deck of cards out of the box, file folders for tasks I'm working on, books and more books, and always to the right of where I sit, a crossword puzzle and today's to-do list. When the kids were young, when my husband was here, I was annoyed by any clutter on this table, clutter usually made by others. But now, clutter is a sign of solitude and a sign of my power over stuff. Today I could tidy, file, finish and multiply the white space I see, or maybe I will cover that corner with a new piece of clutter, so it feels less exposed, less different.
Becky
Hastings
I am sitting on the couch wrapped in an electric slanket . Fred is mopping the kitchen floor, cleaning up the remnants from the sparkling grape juice that sprayed everywhere last night. I can see some pieces of red ribbon under the kitchen table. It was the very first Christmas for just the three of us, no extra family, which is both sweet and sad.
Terry
Erie, Colorado
My mom had just had a new couch delivered thats velvet and luscious. It's been a year since she moved in here and moved out of our childhood home that her and i grew up in. The moving process was very bittersweet. But this new couch is sweet. I was about to submit my moment when my phone died, so i had to return later to write this now.
Mattie Draftz
Chicago
I have read your book, and never posted the purple flower moment. Now I am reading Textbook and it feels so weird.
I am watching the sun set, on my lovey home, just had a beautiful connecting lunch with my husband and children, in the middle of a pandemic that has torn our hearts and families apart, but we have this. Quiet moments—just moments, so much to do— glass of wine, meaningful conversations, wonderful books to read.
I need to go pee.
Ileana
San Jose Costa Rica
I have read your book, and never posted the purple flower moment. Now I am reading Textbook and it feels so weird.
I am watching the sun set, on my lovey home, just had a beautiful connecting lunch with my husband and children, in the middle of a pandemic that has torn our hearts and families apart, but we have this. Quiet moments—just moments, so much to do— glass of wine, meaningful conversations, wonderful books to read.
I need to go pee.
Ileana
San Jose Costa Rica
I am in a hotel outside of Capitol Reef National Park. There are two queen beds and two hotel keys but only one me. I wanted to get to bed early as I’ll be hiking all day tomorrow but I want to absorb every word of this book before I shut my eyes. I’m wearing sweatpants and a hoodie.
Elena
Torrey, UT
I am alone and almost lonely. I am driving 5.8 miles per hour according to the digital readout. I should be making 6.0, but there is too much drag from the not quite dry earth I am trying to disrupt. I listen to the purple flower moment, because I cannot read and drive. I have been working for five hours and forty five minutes. That leaves six and fifteen. I am driving in straight passes. Each takes an average of three minutes and fifteen seconds. In that interval, I use auto steer. I sit on my hands until I need to drive the corner. I do mental math. And listen to the purple flower moment. There is no wind, there are no birds. There are just the stripes of green-brown and the colorless sky. It is beautiful.
Morgan Smith
Corvallis
I just awakened from a short nap. It is 3:24 pm and last night I only slept between 2:30-6:15 a.m. I have spent the last 5 months in the Coronavirus Quarantine, and although I usually am very good about knowing what day of the week it is, today with my overall sleepiness I'm honestly not quite sure. I can hear birds singing outside, the sun is shining, and all at once I am grateful to be alive and well. I am looking forward to getting a good night's sleep tonight, in the meantime I am going to eat a juicy peach, the first of its kind this season from the Western Slope of Colorado. I wait expectantly every year for them to arrive and I am very happy that their time has come.
Rachel Cole
Louisville, CO
I am at my boyfriend's house in Reedsburg, Wisconsin. I'm cuddled up on the couch reading while he mows the lawn. Part of me is glad of this as I just got really weepy reading the Romance Language section of this book. The other part of me wishes he would see and maybe ask me about my reactions...
TheWizardLariat
Reedsburg
I submitted a moment a few hours ago and I would Prefer it if my name was not posted. Thank you!!!
Anonymous
I submitted a moment a few hours ago and I would Prefer it if my name was not posted. Thank you!!!
Anonymous
I’m lying in bed with my heating pad and my table fan gently blowing back and forth. My husband and I are separated and I’m living alone for the first time in my life. I picked up your book at one of my favorite bookstores, Labyrinth Books, in Princeton, NJ, where I live. The combination of the fan and the heating pad is really working for me. I like having my own space but I miss my husband, who will probably be my ex-husband at some point.
michele
princeton, nj
I’m laying in my bed. My nine year old daughter is next to me reading Little Women and my eleven year old boy is here on the other side of me but in the dog bed reading a book that I wonder about (it may be a bit mature for him but I’m too into my own book to read it first). The cat is in the bed and my dog is in the bed too but my husband is upstairs. We are quarantined away from him while we wait for Covid tests this week and my daughter recovers from a stomach bug. He can’t afford to get sick in any way. We are all still reeling from the socially distant ice cream celebration we had this evening after learning about his negative biopsies. I don’t think we’ll fall asleep for a good long while...I miss my husband. Thanks for keeping me company.
Cheri Flake
Atlanta, GA
I’m laying in my bed. My nine year old daughter is next to me reading Little Women and my eleven year old boy is here on the other side of me but in the dog bed reading a book that I wonder about (it may be a bit mature for him but I’m too into my own book to read it first). The cat is in the bed and my dog is in the bed too but my husband is upstairs. We are quarantined away from him while we wait for Covid tests this week and my daughter recovers from a stomach bug. He can’t afford to get sick in any way. We are all still reeling from the socially distant ice cream celebration we had this evening after learning about his negative biopsies. I don’t think we’ll fall asleep for a good long while...I miss my husband. Thanks for keeping me company.
Cheri Flake
Atlanta, GA
I am in my bedroom with my cat by my side. She finally came home this morning after being lost for nearly five days. Usually I get a little annoyed at her complete disregard for my personal space while I’m reading, but not today.
Brooke
Scranton
There's a lot uncertain in this world right now with COVID-19 and protests around the country. I am sitting on my couch after finishing Textbook and writing my favorite quotes from it into my 'FAVORITE BOOK QUOTES' Word Document that sits on my desktop. My twin sister is beside me listening to an interview with Ocean Vuong, having come home from her job because of the pandemic. The fan is on, blowing straight ahead and at neither of us, kind of futile, in a way. My parents are in the kitchen watching the Taiwan news, my cat lying still as a pancake at my feet.
Anonymous
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KeytPEr
Iraq
I haven't opened a book until last night when decided that I needed to stop thinking so much and just...read. I don't read. I searched through my room and this book "appeared" to me. I opened the book and read until I fell asleep, woke up, sat at my desk to attend my virtual classes, and placed this book opened to where I left off and read each page, as my teachers played videos and taught lessons. As I came across the Purple Flower Moments page, and remembering seeing the dates mentioned in this book, 2000, 2005, etc ... I thought is it too late to text, to be interactive with this author, to look up these searches... and post a purple flower moment of my own, but I was unsure if up to this day, this webpage, this activity, would still be relevant. I was thinking a couple of minutes ago. Would my thoughts be relevant to this day, related to this book even after 5,10, years? It wasn't until page 245, that I was motivated to search up "textbook Amy Krouse" and the joy, the surprise, the happiness that came over my face was one that I did not expect after seeing that my thoughts, this activity, was still relevant to this day. Now, I am happy. I am happy I was motivated to search up this webpage, read these thoughts, see that even until today people are writing their purple flower moments. It's pretty cool.
Anonymous
It is early evening. We have been in isolation for 4 weeks due to the Covid-19 pandemic. My 8 year daughter sits next to me, creating her own personality quizzes for my husband and I to take. She has not seen another child in 4 weeks. I have been beset with anxiety, and seeking solace, turned back to TAKR. Her magical way of looking at the world is the balm I need right now. My eyes are red from crying after reading the Midterm Essay, which takes on tremendous new meaning considering that Amy has since passed away. It gutted me, but in a way that reminded me of exactly what I needed to be reminded of today. It makes no sense that a light like hers was extinguished so early, but my heart is warmed by the fact that there are recent purple flower moments still being recorded, years after the book's release. Seeing that others have turned to her writing during these uncertain times of the pandemic makes me smile. Her legacy lives on and continues to connect us.
Gina
Los Angeles, CA
It is April 9th, 2020. I'm sitting on the couch with my dog while my children (6 & 8) are on FaceTime with a friend and arguing who will hold the phone. They haven't been within 6 feet of anyone besides our family in 3 weeks. On March 21 (?) Illinois was ordered to shelter in place and to practice social distancing. We are nearing the peak (we hope) of the COVID 19 pandemic. My husband is outside talking on the phone to his father who just had surgery on a broken ankle. It doesn't seem like good news. This is a horrible time to be in the hospital and I don't know if my husband will get to see his dad.
Tiffany
Chicago
I read the purple flower moment as i lay in bed three weeks into staying home to lessen the chances of getting/spreading the covid 19 stuff. Today we did a lot of yard work, stop my older neighbor stan of climbing a ladder to cut his tree branches, bought a new dish washer and I attempted to cut my 14 year old son's shaggy hair.
Christopher Collins
East greenbush
I have been reading your book intermittently since 2019. It’s now April of 2020. I picked up your book again searching for bits of humor and joy. The world outside of my quarantined home is reeling from a global pandemic. Just minutes before reading through purple flower moments, I had one of my own last night.
My husband and I were in bed sprawled on top of our blue pinstriped sheets laughing hysterically for the first time in weeks. Over what? I cannot even remember now that it's morning. It was the kind of laugh where your cheeks hurt from smiling. We would pause, catch our breath, and start roaring into laughter again. My moment wasn’t so much a flower, more like a snapshot in time.
Lauren Strong
Westbrook, ME
I found this book at a dollar store and not only is my name Amy too, I wanted to interact with this book and it is such a unique treasure I have found. Will never forget. I love it as I find myself not wanting to stop reading on this lovely daylight savings Sunday night.
Amy Alvarado
Kennewick
I found this book at a dollar store and not only is my name Amy too, I wanted to interact with this book and it is such a unique treasure I have found. Will never forget. I love it as I find myself not wanting to stop reading on this lovely daylight savings Sunday night.
Amy Alvarado
Kennewick
I’ve woken up early and jet lagged eager to get back to this book that I’m loving! I read the purple flower arrangements and choked on tears at some and smiled at others. It’s February and my Christmas tree is still up since I’ve been in and out...traveling. The cleaning lady’s left marks on the flat screen. I think it looks like art. My husband thinks we need a new flat screen. What we need is to take down the tree.
Smita Rajgopal
New York
I am sitting on my couch reading your book thinking about how good this book is to fill the void after family has departed after Christmas. It is too quiet, but I am enjoying Textbook so much! Thank you!
JL
Yorkton, Saskatchewan, Canada
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jack
boston
I learned what Purple Flower Moments are last night, and set down my book. I dried some dishes, walked the dog, and then realized my infant daughter was gravely ill. We spent the night in the emergency room. This morning, I am back at home, and cracked the book at the breakfast table. My purple flower moment is a rare cold day in Florida (which I love), with the space heater humming, a bowl of my favorite cereal in front of me. It is brilliantly sunny, and my kitchen is a mess. I am holding my healthy baby girl's hand. She is smiling at me. And I feel incredibly lucky. I am so glad I didn't turn the page until the morning.
Casey
Tampa
I am sitting in a white leather chair at the dining table and reading. It is dark outside, but I can hear the crickets from where I'm sitting. I feel a bit tired. About twenty feet away, my mother has fallen asleep on the couch. There is a crumpled-up napkin on the table in front of me. I think to myself that I should throw it away, but as of this moment it is still sitting there.
Emmy (or Red)
San Jose
I am at a cafe and I'm getting divorced. I am reading your book and there are no flowers but there is your book opened to page 200 and a business card for a doctor and coffee in a disposable cup. I just straightened my posture. My hair is in my face. I am typing on my phone. I am both wanting to be noticed and not wanting to be noticed.
Rivkah
St. Louis, MO
I am sitting at our family’s kitchen table, reading “Textbook Amy Krouse Rosenthal,” while simultaneously listening to—and briefly watching—my stepmother prepare dinner. My anxiety is mounting.
I am currently in recovery from a nine-year-long battle with an eating disorder. I have been in treatment for the past eleven months, making the decision after having moved halfway across the country to reside with my father and stepmother.
With help, I have saved my own life. So, as I listen to and watch my stepmother in our kitchen, I now notice feelings of both anxiety and gratitude.
I am in recovery. I am alive.
Anonymous
In bed in a rental condo on the coast of Alabama. My husband has taken the kids to see his family (who live nearby), but I have the stomach flu. For weeks all I’ve wanted is to be alone, to have a break. Parenting two small kids is hard! But now I’m lonely.
Kelley
Chicago
It is an EDM song that sounded like Jimmy Iovine’s work.
Max
Pittsford
Wikipedia has a SandBox to experiment with editing.
Max
Pittsford
Wikiwings
Max
Pittsford
in bed, as one is with a good book, tired after a long day. my body is aching with the stress of overexertion but my heart is grateful that I have a body to move. a body that creates things and hugs and wiggles and holds precious things. Like this book.
Heather Hardy
houston
in bed, as one is with a good book, tired after a long day. my body is aching with the stress of overexertion but my heart is grateful that I have a body to move. a body that creates things and hugs and wiggles and holds precious things. Like this book.
Heather Hardy
houston
I am sitting on my couch at 1:42am on a Thursday. I grabbed your book because I want to read something that would cheer me up. Living with depressions is hard. Dealing with trauma is hard. But the perspective you have on life fills me with optimism and reminds me to be present for each moment of life, good or bad. Reading this moment, I then become aware that I am lucky enough to have people in my life who love and care about me. So I decide to close the book (until a later time) and snuggle up with my sleeping husband.
Thank you, Amy.
Ashley P.C.
Mayaguez, Puerto Rico
Instructions
The FitnessGram™ Pacer Test is a multi-stage aerobic capacity test that progressively gets more difficult as it continues. The 20-meter Pacer test will begin in 30 seconds. Line up at the start. The running speed starts slowly, but gets faster every minute after you hear this signal: *music* A single lap should be completed every time you hear this sound: *music* The second time you fail to complete a lap, your test is over. The test will begin on the word "start". Ready? Set? Start.
The FitnessGram™ Pacer Test is a multi-stage aerobic capacity test that progressively gets more difficult as it continues. The 20-meter Pacer test will begin in 30 seconds. Line up at the start. The running speed starts slowly, but gets faster every minute after you hear this signal: *music* A single lap should be completed every time you hear this sound: *music* The second time you fail to complete a lap, your test is over. The test will begin on the word "start". Ready? Set? Start.
The FitnessGram™ Pacer Test is a multi-stage aerobic capacity test that progressively gets more difficult as it continues. The 20-meter Pacer test will begin in 30 seconds. Line up at the start. The running speed starts slowly, but gets faster every minute after you hear this signal: *music* A single lap should be completed every time you hear this sound: *music* The second time you fail to complete a lap, your test is over. The test will begin on the word "start". Ready? Set? Start.
The FitnessGram™ Pacer Test is a multi-stage aerobic capacity test that progressively gets more difficult as it continues. The 20-meter Pacer test will begin in 30 seconds. Line up at the start. The running speed starts slowly, but gets faster every minute after you hear this signal: *music* A single lap should be completed every time you hear this sound: *music* The second time you fail to complete a lap, your test is over. The test will begin on the word "start". Ready? Set? Start.
Notes and Credits
The FitnessGram™ Pacer Test is a multi-stage aerobic capacity test that progressively gets more difficult as it continues. The 20-meter Pacer test will begin in 30 seconds. Line up at the start. The running speed starts slowly, but gets faster every minute after you hear this signal: *music* A single lap should be completed every time you hear this sound: *music* The second time you fail to complete a lap, your test is over. The test will begin on the word "start". Ready? Set? Start. The FitnessGram™ Pacer Test is a multi-stage aerobic capacity test
memetree
666
Союз нерушимый республик свободных
Сплотила навеки Великая Русь.
Да здравствует созданный волей народов
Единый, могучий Советский Союз!
Славься, Отечество наше свободное,
Дружбы, народов надежный оплот!
Знамя советское, знамя народное
Пусть от победы, к победе ведет!
Сквозь грозы сияло нам солнце свободы,
И Ленин великий нам путь озарил.
Нас вырастил Сталин - на верность народу
На труд и на подвиги нас вдохновил.
Славься, Отечество чаше свободное,
Счастья народов надежный оплот!
Знамя советское, знамя народное
Пусть от победы к победе ведет!
Мы армию нашу растили в сраженьях,
Захватчиков подлых с дороги сметем!
Мы в битвах решаем судьбу поколений,
Мы к славе Отчизну свою поведем!
Славься, Отечество наше свободное,
Славы народов надежный оплот!
Знамя советское, знамя народное
Пусть от победы к победе ведет!
Tachanka
City
alexa this is so sad
Tachanka
Exeter
YEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE
Tachanka
Exeter
I’m sitting at my dining room table savoring the quiet moments after the kids have left for school and before I sit down to work. The sun streams in the windows. My dog sleeps at my feet (disappointed that we’re not on a walk). My tea is just-right hot. I’m reading Textbook on the heels of Encyclopedia...thrilled to have discovered such a fresh, funny, fantastic voice. I’m content in this moment, basking. And so sad she is gone.
Beth
Austin, TX
today is my grandmother's birthday. she has not been present on this earth since january 1st, 2016, so three birthdays she has missed. i sit here in this moment ready to cry, but i can't, because i have homework to do and i'm in a public study space in a classroom building. the air conditioning is a soft hum in the background. she couldn't have predicted i'd still be writing about her, three years later, getting ready to graduate college in april. it's in moments like this that i can't stop thinking that she doesn't get to see the change, the person that i am becoming, and the person that i will be. all i will ever be in relation to her is that little quiet kid who reads, sews, crochets, mumbles. i would give anything for one more greeting card in her careful print.
Emily
Allendale, MI
It's one of those days where it is absolutely too cold to go outside without long sleeves, but walking outside means that you're going to sweat, and my button down is no exception to this rule. Where my backpack leaned against my shoulder blades, there is sweat, unapologetic, unruly. My body doesn't apologize, it's me that apologizes for taking up space. I want to grow out of cracks on the sidewalk. I dare you to uproot me. I have already pushed my way through concrete and cement and I will not be bested by the likes of you.
Anonymous
I am in the Connection building at my University in my last semester as an undergraduate reading ahead in a book I have been enjoying because it keeps my attention and it written in such a unique way I don't want to put it down in fear I'll miss something and I realized that fear has been clouding my life for a long time. I fear I will miss out no matter what I do, I have a fear I'll miss out on a new intense love by staying with my current, I have a fear I'll miss out on extravagant adventures by continuing college and racking up debt, and the list goes on. But I am also sitting here, by a window (my usual spot taken) and I am happy. I ate my animal crackers out of a shark bag and my laptop case that is soft and reminds me of the reeds from my band career in high school. I am happy I get to live this life, uniquely. But that is probably due to the new medication I am on, but it is good.
Samantha Kipen
Allendale
This moment now, I'm lying in bed next to my significant other. I hear him turning the pages of a book about sleep (ironic considering it is late), and we chat about how loud our upstairs neighbor is, comparing them to "futon guy" from his apartment that he lived in before we moved in together.
Taylor
Beaverton
In the very moment when I saw the words "This moment now", I was taking a sip from a can of Fruit Juicy Red Hawaiian Punch in my dorm room, thinking about how I probably shouldn't be reading this when it's only due at 9:30 am, when it is ten till one in the morning.
Clayton
Kirksville
I am on my lofted dorm room bed. My throat is sore and my body aches from some sort of illness that I have contracted. I tried to go to sleep, but for the first time in a long time, I cant will my brain to shut off. All I can think about is the large amount of homework that I have, and the large amount of sadness that I feel. I'll get over it eventually, but for now it seems insurmountable.
Eleanor Albertson
Kirksville
I'm lying in bed reading- still in my pajamas. I can barely hear the hustle and bustle of New York City below. My walls are white, my bedding is white, my furniture is white. The sky is blue. The fire escape outside my window looks like a beautiful, upscale balcony. Daydreams. A few accents of beige, peach, turquoise, + gold. Sun paints my windowsill, my sheets, my skin. As I read, the sun softly shifts about my room. Quiet.
What will this new year hold? What will this new room see?
Katie
New York City
It’s an August night in Massachusetts. I am reclining on my couch and I should be getting ready for bed, but I am reading and waiting for my friend to call me once she gets back from her date.
I am also processing the fact that my summer is ending and that this time 2 weeks from now I will have just finished my first 3 days with my new 2nd graders. This will be the start of my 2nd year of teaching. I did not like last year so I am trying to let myself hope that this year will be better - to trust the maybe. We’ll see.
Sara
Andover
I am at the dining room table in the apartment I share with my boyfriend. He's next to me, watching a movie while I read. We just ate the last of the chocolates we bought while we were on vacation in July, and this makes me wonder if that means that our vacation is finally actually over. I keep looking at him because I'm always caught off-guard by how handsome he is. The crickets are chirping loudly outside, and our younger cat is having fun pestering our older one, who I think secretly likes it. It's August and it's been a great summer but I'm also really excited for the fall weather and atmosphere. We live in New England, where fall is a sacred time of year.
Christine
Norwalk
I am at the dining room table in the apartment I share with my boyfriend. He's next to me, watching a movie while I read. We just ate the last of the chocolates we bought while we were on vacation in July, and this makes me wonder if that means that our vacation is finally actually over. I keep looking at him because I'm always caught off-guard by how handsome he is. The crickets are chirping loudly outside, and our younger cat is having fun pestering our older one, who I think secretly likes it. It's August and it's been a great summer but I'm also really excited for the fall weather and atmosphere. We live in New England, where fall is a sacred time of year.
Christine
Norwalk
I am in my comfy recliner under a Peanuts (Charlie Brown) quilt with a son playing legos in front of me, my husband on his computer and my daughter reading to the right of me, and 3 sons coloring to the left of me. From the kitchen (room beside) I hear the dishwasher swishing and my wireless speaker playing Michael Buble (in the Pandora rotation of my Norah Jones station) beside me. The large window in front of me and the sliding door behind me are providing all the light we need to take on each of our individual endeavors. As I look around the room, I could list off the items out of place from where I'd like them to be, but I will choose to be impressed by how few there are to list and be thankful I took a moment to accept that this busy stage of life is okay even if it's not what I would have planned.
Anonymous
My 5-month-old baby pooped himself awake early this morning, so we are up before the rest of the house. I’m reading your book while he crawls around (yes, he’s crawling already, god help me). He is surrounded by baby toys but he keeps trying to get to his dad’s laptop on the floor, or his big brother’s stash of bubble wrap. I’m grateful that there are so few words on each page but I can’t help but wonder if I would experience the book differently if I wasn’t putting it down every 90 seconds to move the baby or just to stare at him.
Lauren
Portland, OR
i am attending a conference of the National League of Families of American Prisoners & Missing in Southeast Asia. And it is break time so i took a few minutes (literally) to read and distract myself. My dad has been missing in Action in Vietnam for just over 50 years. This conference is like a life line for some people, but for me it is a way to connect with my sister who lives in Hawaii and comes to the mainland for this occasion. I usually leave feeling more connected to my family history.This year the League is talking more about peace and the idea that the desire to know what has happened to our loved ones can connect people across cultures. Members of this organization have been going to Vietnam for years, making friends, asking questions and are now working collaboratory with the USA military and the people of Vietnam to recover remains of missing soldiers and pilots. Tomorrow I am going to a meeting just for our family to talk about my dad's case. Will there be new information this year? Usually there isn't, so I am sitting here wondering about the mystery of life (and death) and remembering my dad.
Shari Anderson Rognstad
Washington, DC, USA
I am in the backseat of a minivan.
Reagan
Fishers
I am sitting on my mother's bed with the lights turned off and sunlight filtering through the curtains. Amy's book lies open to page 201 at my side. Many sounds are drifting through the open bathroom window: my parents talking outside, birds chirping, my neighbor's lawnmower. I still have the taste of store-bought cookie on my tongue. The scent of baking brownies wafts in from the kitchen. I am thankful for this moment because it has given me a momentary respite from my problems. In fact, in the grand scheme of things, they are not that big of problems at all. Today is my mother's birthday.
Harper
Bend, OR
I’m laying on my stomach on my yellow and white striped towel on Will Rogers State Beach. My legs have goosebumps from the breeze and a tourist takes a video of the seagulls overhead. A little boy says “mommy?” and the ocean sparkles like it does in The Little Mermaid. The aforementioned mommy gets angry at her spouse, my tummy grumbles, and I’m ready to be in love again.
Brooke
Los Angeles
I am sitting in a lounge chair poolside while my kids ride the water slide. I don’t like water slides, they make me feel dizzy. They’ve gone down at least 100 times, and beg me to come with them every time. I like to sit and analyze all of the types of bodies: saggy grandmas, dads with hard beach ball bellies, and little two year olds in their baby bikinis and swim diapers. I always try to guesss who goes with who. Is that grandma the mother to that mom or dad? I compare body shapes. I miss my kids being little. I’m going down that water slide.
Tessa
Fergus Falls, MN
I am propped on pillows in bed in my room, drowsy as the chime of the bedtime alarm just went off. I lazily wonder what the textbook website looks like, but don't want to get up to my laptop when I read page 201. However, a stink bug cruises in and lands on the wall near the ceiling. I rouse myself and throw a Chico catalog at it. He drops, I swat.
Now I'm wide awake and will read past my bedtime.
Laura
San Jose
I (was) sitting on a blue velvet chair holding my sleeping baby. The chair belonged to my grandmother, Florence Penn. Just before she passed she named the baby, J. Penn. I always said my grandmother's default emotion was happiness. So is his.
eeao
I’m in my bed, piled under heavy blankets; I called in sick today. I’m not sick, just heartsick. I work in a kindergarten classroom, and sometimes all the joy and excitement and beauty of 24 little people is heavy in contrast to the rest of my life, the world. Most of the time it is uplifting, today it is heavy. I broke a promise to my girlfriend, she forgave me, and now I have to spend every moment knowing that /I/ am the person who hurt her. I deserve that, but it is... Heavy.
Anonymous
I am stretched out on a couch my coworker was going to throw away. I am under an orange and brown quilt bedecked with owls, which my husband has had since he was a child. There are no animals in my lap at present. This is a library book.
Most things in my life are borrowed.
M
Oxford
As I sit in my place of work, i’ve begun to understand the difference between “small town and “junk drawer”. I never truly appreciated that until now.
Eliza
Versailles
I’m sitting on the floor in a small spot of sunshine. The sun is warming my back and I feel perfectly happy in the moment.
Anonymous
According to all known laws
of aviation,
there is no way a bee
should be able to fly.
Its wings are too small to get
its fat little body off the ground.
The bee, of course, flies anyway
because bees don't care
what humans think is impossible.
Yellow, black. Yellow, black.
Yellow, black. Yellow, black.
Ooh, black and yellow!
Let's shake it up a little.
Barry! Breakfast is ready!
Ooming!
Hang on a second.
Hello?
- Barry?
- Adam?
- Oan you believe this is happening?
- I can't. I'll pick you up.
Looking sharp.
Use the stairs. Your father
paid good money for those.
Sorry. I'm excited.
Here's the graduate.
We're very proud of you, son.
A perfect report card, all B's.
Very proud.
Ma! I got a thing going here.
- You got lint on your fuzz.
- Ow! That's me!
- Wave to us! We'll be in row 118,000.
- Bye!
Barry, I told you,
stop flying in the house!
- Hey, Adam.
- Hey, Barry.
- Is that fuzz gel?
- A little. Special day, graduation.
Never thought I'd make it.
Three days grade school,
three days high school.
Those were awkward.
Three days college. I'm glad I took
a day and hitchhiked around the hive.
You did come back different.
- Hi, Barry.
- Artie, growing a mustache? Looks good.
- Hear about Frankie?
- Yeah.
- You going to the funeral?
- No, I'm not going.
Everybody knows,
sting someone, you die.
Don't waste it on a squirrel.
Such a hothead.
I guess he could have
just gotten out of the way.
I love this incorporating
an amusement park into our day.
That's why we don't need vacations.
Boy, quite a bit of pomp...
under the circumstances.
- Well, Adam, today we are men.
- We are!
- Bee-men.
- Amen!
Hallelujah!
Students, faculty, distinguished bees,
please welcome Dean Buzzwell.
Welcome, New Hive Oity
graduating class of...
...9:15.
That concludes our ceremonies.
And begins your career
at Honex Industries!
Will we pick ourjob today?
I heard it's just orientation.
Heads up! Here we go.
Keep your hands and antennas
inside the tram at all times.
- Wonder what it'll be like?
- A little scary.
Welcome to Honex,
a division of Honesco
and a part of the Hexagon Group.
This is it!
Wow.
Wow.
We know that you, as a bee,
have worked your whole life
to get to the point where you
can work for your whole life.
Honey begins when our valiant Pollen
Jocks bring the nectar to the hive.
Our top-secret formula
is automatically color-corrected,
scent-adjusted and bubble-contoured
into this soothing sweet syrup
with its distinctive
golden glow you know as...
Honey!
- That girl was hot.
- She's my cousin!
- She is?
- Yes, we're all cousins.
- Right. You're right.
- At Honex, we constantly strive
to improve every aspect
of bee existence.
These bees are stress-testing
a new helmet technology.
- What do you think he makes?
- Not enough.
Here we have our latest advancement,
the Krelman.
- What does that do?
- Oatches that little strand of honey
that hangs after you pour it.
Saves us millions.
Oan anyone work on the Krelman?
Of course. Most bee jobs are
small ones. But bees know
that every small job,
if it's done well, means a lot.
But choose carefully
because you'll stay in the job
you pick for the rest of your life.
The same job the rest of your life?
I didn't know that.
What's the difference?
You'll be happy to know that bees,
as a species, haven't had one day off
in 27 million years.
So you'll just work us to death?
We'll sure try.
Wow! That blew my mind!
"What's the difference?"
How can you say that?
One job forever?
That's an insane choice to have to make.
I'm relieved. Now we only have
to make one decision in life.
But, Adam, how could they
never have told us that?
Why would you question anything?
We're bees.
We're the most perfectly
functioning society on Earth.
You ever think maybe things
work a little too well here?
Like what? Give me one example.
I don't know. But you know
what I'm talking about.
Please clear the gate.
Royal Nectar Force on approach.
Wait a second. Oheck it out.
- Hey, those are Pollen Jocks!
- Wow.
I've never seen them this close.
They know what it's like
outside the hive.
Yeah, but some don't come back.
- Hey, Jocks!
- Hi, Jocks!
You guys did great!
You're monsters!
You're sky freaks! I love it! I love it!
- I wonder where they were.
- I don't know.
Their day's not planned.
Outside the hive, flying who knows
where, doing who knows what.
You can'tjust decide to be a Pollen
Jock. You have to be bred for that.
Right.
Look. That's more pollen
than you and I will see in a lifetime.
It's just a status symbol.
Bees make too much of it.
Perhaps. Unless you're wearing it
and the ladies see you wearing it.
Those ladies?
Aren't they our cousins too?
Distant. Distant.
Look at these two.
- Oouple of Hive Harrys.
- Let's have fun with them.
It must be dangerous
being a Pollen Jock.
Yeah. Once a bear pinned me
against a mushroom!
He had a paw on my throat,
and with the other, he was slapping me!
- Oh, my!
- I never thought I'd knock him out.
What were you doing during this?
Trying to alert the authorities.
I can autograph that.
A little gusty out there today,
wasn't it, comrades?
Yeah. Gusty.
We're hitting a sunflower patch
six miles from here tomorrow.
- Six miles, huh?
- Barry!
A puddle jump for us,
but maybe you're not up for it.
- Maybe I am.
- You are not!
We're going 0900 at J-Gate.
What do you think, buzzy-boy?
Are you bee enough?
I might be. It all depends
on what 0900 means.
Hey, Honex!
Dad, you surprised me.
You decide what you're interested in?
- Well, there's a lot of choices.
- But you only get one.
Do you ever get bored
doing the same job every day?
Son, let me tell you about stirring.
You grab that stick, and you just
move it around, and you stir it around.
You get yourself into a rhythm.
It's a beautiful thing.
You know, Dad,
the more I think about it,
maybe the honey field
just isn't right for me.
You were thinking of what,
making balloon animals?
That's a bad job
for a guy with a stinger.
Janet, your son's not sure
he wants to go into honey!
- Barry, you are so funny sometimes.
- I'm not trying to be funny.
You're not funny! You're going
into honey. Our son, the stirrer!
- You're gonna be a stirrer?
- No one's listening to me!
Wait till you see the sticks I have.
I could say anything right now.
I'm gonna get an ant tattoo!
Let's open some honey and celebrate!
Maybe I'll pierce my thorax.
Shave my antennae.
Shack up with a grasshopper. Get
a gold tooth and call everybody "dawg"!
I'm so proud.
- We're starting work today!
- Today's the day.
Oome on! All the good jobs
will be gone.
Yeah, right.
Pollen counting, stunt bee, pouring,
stirrer, front desk, hair removal...
- Is it still available?
- Hang on. Two left!
One of them's yours! Oongratulations!
Step to the side.
- What'd you get?
- Picking crud out. Stellar!
Wow!
Oouple of newbies?
Yes, sir! Our first day! We are ready!
Make your choice.
- You want to go first?
- No, you go.
Oh, my. What's available?
Restroom attendant's open,
not for the reason you think.
- Any chance of getting the Krelman?
- Sure, you're on.
I'm sorry, the Krelman just closed out.
Wax monkey's always open.
The Krelman opened up again.
What happened?
A bee died. Makes an opening. See?
He's dead. Another dead one.
Deady. Deadified. Two more dead.
Dead from the neck up.
Dead from the neck down. That's life!
Oh, this is so hard!
Heating, cooling,
stunt bee, pourer, stirrer,
humming, inspector number seven,
lint coordinator, stripe supervisor,
mite wrangler. Barry, what
do you think I should... Barry?
Barry!
All right, we've got the sunflower patch
in quadrant nine...
What happened to you?
Where are you?
- I'm going out.
- Out? Out where?
- Out there.
- Oh, no!
I have to, before I go
to work for the rest of my life.
You're gonna die! You're crazy! Hello?
Another call coming in.
If anyone's feeling brave,
there's a Korean deli on 83rd
that gets their roses today.
Hey, guys.
- Look at that.
- Isn't that the kid we saw yesterday?
Hold it, son, flight deck's restricted.
It's OK, Lou. We're gonna take him up.
Really? Feeling lucky, are you?
Sign here, here. Just initial that.
- Thank you.
- OK.
You got a rain advisory today,
and as you all know,
bees cannot fly in rain.
So be careful. As always,
watch your brooms,
hockey sticks, dogs,
birds, bears and bats.
Also, I got a couple of reports
of root beer being poured on us.
Murphy's in a home because of it,
babbling like a cicada!
- That's awful.
- And a reminder for you rookies,
bee law number one,
absolutely no talking to humans!
All right, launch positions!
Buzz, buzz, buzz, buzz! Buzz, buzz,
buzz, buzz! Buzz, buzz, buzz, buzz!
Black and yellow!
Hello!
You ready for this, hot shot?
Yeah. Yeah, bring it on.
Wind, check.
- Antennae, check.
- Nectar pack, check.
- Wings, check.
- Stinger, check.
Scared out of my shorts, check.
OK, ladies,
let's move it out!
Pound those petunias,
you striped stem-suckers!
All of you, drain those flowers!
Wow! I'm out!
I can't believe I'm out!
So blue.
I feel so fast and free!
Box kite!
Wow!
Flowers!
This is Blue Leader.
We have roses visual.
Bring it around 30 degrees and hold.
Roses!
30 degrees, roger. Bringing it around.
Stand to the side, kid.
It's got a bit of a kick.
That is one nectar collector!
- Ever see pollination up close?
- No, sir.
I pick up some pollen here, sprinkle it
over here. Maybe a dash over there,
a pinch on that one.
See that? It's a little bit of magic.
That's amazing. Why do we do that?
That's pollen power. More pollen, more
flowers, more nectar, more honey for us.
Oool.
I'm picking up a lot of bright yellow.
Oould be daisies. Don't we need those?
Oopy that visual.
Wait. One of these flowers
seems to be on the move.
Say again? You're reporting
a moving flower?
Affirmative.
That was on the line!
This is the coolest. What is it?
I don't know, but I'm loving this color.
It smells good.
Not like a flower, but I like it.
Yeah, fuzzy.
Ohemical-y.
Oareful, guys. It's a little grabby.
My sweet lord of bees!
Oandy-brain, get off there!
Problem!
- Guys!
- This could be bad.
Affirmative.
Very close.
Gonna hurt.
Mama's little boy.
You are way out of position, rookie!
Ooming in at you like a missile!
Help me!
I don't think these are flowers.
- Should we tell him?
- I think he knows.
What is this?!
Match point!
You can start packing up, honey,
because you're about to eat it!
Yowser!
Gross.
There's a bee in the car!
- Do something!
- I'm driving!
- Hi, bee.
- He's back here!
He's going to sting me!
Nobody move. If you don't move,
he won't sting you. Freeze!
He blinked!
Spray him, Granny!
What are you doing?!
Wow... the tension level
out here is unbelievable.
I gotta get home.
Oan't fly in rain.
Oan't fly in rain.
Oan't fly in rain.
Mayday! Mayday! Bee going down!
Ken, could you close
the window please?
Ken, could you close
the window please?
Oheck out my new resume.
I made it into a fold-out brochure.
You see? Folds out.
Oh, no. More humans. I don't need this.
What was that?
Maybe this time. This time. This time.
This time! This time! This...
Drapes!
That is diabolical.
It's fantastic. It's got all my special
skills, even my top-ten favorite movies.
What's number one? Star Wars?
Nah, I don't go for that...
...kind of stuff.
No wonder we shouldn't talk to them.
They're out of their minds.
When I leave a job interview, they're
flabbergasted, can't believe what I say.
There's the sun. Maybe that's a way out.
I don't remember the sun
having a big 75 on it.
I predicted global warming.
I could feel it getting hotter.
At first I thought it was just me.
Wait! Stop! Bee!
Stand back. These are winter boots.
Wait!
Don't kill him!
You know I'm allergic to them!
This thing could kill me!
Why does his life have
less value than yours?
Why does his life have any less value
than mine? Is that your statement?
I'm just saying all life has value. You
don't know what he's capable of feeling.
My brochure!
There you go, little guy.
I'm not scared of him.
It's an allergic thing.
Put that on your resume brochure.
My whole face could puff up.
Make it one of your special skills.
Knocking someone out
is also a special skill.
Right. Bye, Vanessa. Thanks.
- Vanessa, next week? Yogurt night?
- Sure, Ken. You know, whatever.
- You could put carob chips on there.
- Bye.
- Supposed to be less calories.
- Bye.
I gotta say something.
She saved my life.
I gotta say something.
All right, here it goes.
Nah.
What would I say?
I could really get in trouble.
It's a bee law.
You're not supposed to talk to a human.
I can't believe I'm doing this.
I've got to.
Oh, I can't do it. Oome on!
No. Yes. No.
Do it. I can't.
How should I start it?
"You like jazz?" No, that's no good.
Here she comes! Speak, you fool!
Hi!
I'm sorry.
- You're talking.
- Yes, I know.
You're talking!
I'm so sorry.
No, it's OK. It's fine.
I know I'm dreaming.
But I don't recall going to bed.
Well, I'm sure this
is very disconcerting.
This is a bit of a surprise to me.
I mean, you're a bee!
I am. And I'm not supposed
to be doing this,
but they were all trying to kill me.
And if it wasn't for you...
I had to thank you.
It's just how I was raised.
That was a little weird.
- I'm talking with a bee.
- Yeah.
I'm talking to a bee.
And the bee is talking to me!
I just want to say I'm grateful.
I'll leave now.
- Wait! How did you learn to do that?
- What?
The talking thing.
Same way you did, I guess.
"Mama, Dada, honey." You pick it up.
- That's very funny.
- Yeah.
Bees are funny. If we didn't laugh,
we'd cry with what we have to deal with.
Anyway...
Oan I...
...get you something?
- Like what?
I don't know. I mean...
I don't know. Ooffee?
I don't want to put you out.
It's no trouble. It takes two minutes.
- It's just coffee.
- I hate to impose.
- Don't be ridiculous!
- Actually, I would love a cup.
Hey, you want rum cake?
- I shouldn't.
- Have some.
- No, I can't.
- Oome on!
I'm trying to lose a couple micrograms.
- Where?
- These stripes don't help.
You look great!
I don't know if you know
anything about fashion.
Are you all right?
No.
He's making the tie in the cab
as they're flying up Madison.
He finally gets there.
He runs up the steps into the church.
The wedding is on.
And he says, "Watermelon?
I thought you said Guatemalan.
Why would I marry a watermelon?"
Is that a bee joke?
That's the kind of stuff we do.
Yeah, different.
So, what are you gonna do, Barry?
About work? I don't know.
I want to do my part for the hive,
but I can't do it the way they want.
I know how you feel.
- You do?
- Sure.
My parents wanted me to be a lawyer or
a doctor, but I wanted to be a florist.
- Really?
- My only interest is flowers.
Our new queen was just elected
with that same campaign slogan.
Anyway, if you look...
There's my hive right there. See it?
You're in Sheep Meadow!
Yes! I'm right off the Turtle Pond!
No way! I know that area.
I lost a toe ring there once.
- Why do girls put rings on their toes?
- Why not?
- It's like putting a hat on your knee.
- Maybe I'll try that.
- You all right, ma'am?
- Oh, yeah. Fine.
Just having two cups of coffee!
Anyway, this has been great.
Thanks for the coffee.
Yeah, it's no trouble.
Sorry I couldn't finish it. If I did,
I'd be up the rest of my life.
Are you...?
Oan I take a piece of this with me?
Sure! Here, have a crumb.
- Thanks!
- Yeah.
All right. Well, then...
I guess I'll see you around.
Or not.
OK, Barry.
And thank you
so much again... for before.
Oh, that? That was nothing.
Well, not nothing, but... Anyway...
This can't possibly work.
He's all set to go.
We may as well try it.
OK, Dave, pull the chute.
- Sounds amazing.
- It was amazing!
It was the scariest,
happiest moment of my life.
Humans! I can't believe
you were with humans!
Giant, scary humans!
What were they like?
Huge and crazy. They talk crazy.
They eat crazy giant things.
They drive crazy.
- Do they try and kill you, like on TV?
- Some of them. But some of them don't.
- How'd you get back?
- Poodle.
You did it, and I'm glad. You saw
whatever you wanted to see.
You had your "experience." Now you
can pick out yourjob and be normal.
- Well...
- Well?
Well, I met someone.
You did? Was she Bee-ish?
- A wasp?! Your parents will kill you!
- No, no, no, not a wasp.
- Spider?
- I'm not attracted to spiders.
I know it's the hottest thing,
with the eight legs and all.
I can't get by that face.
So who is she?
She's... human.
No, no. That's a bee law.
You wouldn't break a bee law.
- Her name's Vanessa.
- Oh, boy.
She's so nice. And she's a florist!
Oh, no! You're dating a human florist!
We're not dating.
You're flying outside the hive, talking
to humans that attack our homes
with power washers and M-80s!
One-eighth a stick of dynamite!
She saved my life!
And she understands me.
This is over!
Eat this.
This is not over! What was that?
- They call it a crumb.
- It was so stingin' stripey!
And that's not what they eat.
That's what falls off what they eat!
- You know what a Oinnabon is?
- No.
It's bread and cinnamon and frosting.
They heat it up...
Sit down!
...really hot!
- Listen to me!
We are not them! We're us.
There's us and there's them!
Yes, but who can deny
the heart that is yearning?
There's no yearning.
Stop yearning. Listen to me!
You have got to start thinking bee,
my friend. Thinking bee!
- Thinking bee.
- Thinking bee.
Thinking bee! Thinking bee!
Thinking bee! Thinking bee!
There he is. He's in the pool.
You know what your problem is, Barry?
I gotta start thinking bee?
How much longer will this go on?
It's been three days!
Why aren't you working?
I've got a lot of big life decisions
to think about.
What life? You have no life!
You have no job. You're barely a bee!
Would it kill you
to make a little honey?
Barry, come out.
Your father's talking to you.
Martin, would you talk to him?
Barry, I'm talking to you!
You coming?
Got everything?
All set!
Go ahead. I'll catch up.
Don't be too long.
Watch this!
Vanessa!
- We're still here.
- I told you not to yell at him.
He doesn't respond to yelling!
- Then why yell at me?
- Because you don't listen!
I'm not listening to this.
Sorry, I've gotta go.
- Where are you going?
- I'm meeting a friend.
A girl? Is this why you can't decide?
Bye.
I just hope she's Bee-ish.
They have a huge parade
of flowers every year in Pasadena?
To be in the Tournament of Roses,
that's every florist's dream!
Up on a float, surrounded
by flowers, crowds cheering.
A tournament. Do the roses
compete in athletic events?
No. All right, I've got one.
How come you don't fly everywhere?
It's exhausting. Why don't you
run everywhere? It's faster.
Yeah, OK, I see, I see.
All right, your turn.
TiVo. You can just freeze live TV?
That's insane!
You don't have that?
We have Hivo, but it's a disease.
It's a horrible, horrible disease.
Oh, my.
Dumb bees!
You must want to sting all those jerks.
We try not to sting.
It's usually fatal for us.
So you have to watch your temper.
Very carefully.
You kick a wall, take a walk,
write an angry letter and throw it out.
Work through it like any emotion:
Anger, jealousy, lust.
Oh, my goodness! Are you OK?
Yeah.
- What is wrong with you?!
- It's a bug.
He's not bothering anybody.
Get out of here, you creep!
What was that? A Pic 'N' Save circular?
Yeah, it was. How did you know?
It felt like about 10 pages.
Seventy-five is pretty much our limit.
You've really got that
down to a science.
- I lost a cousin to Italian Vogue.
- I'll bet.
What in the name
of Mighty Hercules is this?
How did this get here?
Oute Bee, Golden Blossom,
Ray Liotta Private Select?
- Is he that actor?
- I never heard of him.
- Why is this here?
- For people. We eat it.
You don't have
enough food of your own?
- Well, yes.
- How do you get it?
- Bees make it.
- I know who makes it!
And it's hard to make it!
There's heating, cooling, stirring.
You need a whole Krelman thing!
- It's organic.
- It's our-ganic!
It's just honey, Barry.
Just what?!
Bees don't know about this!
This is stealing! A lot of stealing!
You've taken our homes, schools,
hospitals! This is all we have!
And it's on sale?!
I'm getting to the bottom of this.
I'm getting to the bottom
of all of this!
Hey, Hector.
- You almost done?
- Almost.
He is here. I sense it.
Well, I guess I'll go home now
and just leave this nice honey out,
with no one around.
You're busted, box boy!
I knew I heard something.
So you can talk!
I can talk.
And now you'll start talking!
Where you getting the sweet stuff?
Who's your supplier?
I don't understand.
I thought we were friends.
The last thing we want
to do is upset bees!
You're too late! It's ours now!
You, sir, have crossed
the wrong sword!
You, sir, will be lunch
for my iguana, Ignacio!
Where is the honey coming from?
Tell me where!
Honey Farms! It comes from Honey Farms!
Orazy person!
What horrible thing has happened here?
These faces, they never knew
what hit them. And now
they're on the road to nowhere!
Just keep still.
What? You're not dead?
Do I look dead? They will wipe anything
that moves. Where you headed?
To Honey Farms.
I am onto something huge here.
I'm going to Alaska. Moose blood,
crazy stuff. Blows your head off!
I'm going to Tacoma.
- And you?
- He really is dead.
All right.
Uh-oh!
- What is that?!
- Oh, no!
- A wiper! Triple blade!
- Triple blade?
Jump on! It's your only chance, bee!
Why does everything have
to be so doggone clean?!
How much do you people need to see?!
Open your eyes!
Stick your head out the window!
From NPR News in Washington,
I'm Oarl Kasell.
But don't kill no more bugs!
- Bee!
- Moose blood guy!!
- You hear something?
- Like what?
Like tiny screaming.
Turn off the radio.
Whassup, bee boy?
Hey, Blood.
Just a row of honey jars,
as far as the eye could see.
Wow!
I assume wherever this truck goes
is where they're getting it.
I mean, that honey's ours.
- Bees hang tight.
- We're all jammed in.
It's a close community.
Not us, man. We on our own.
Every mosquito on his own.
- What if you get in trouble?
- You a mosquito, you in trouble.
Nobody likes us. They just smack.
See a mosquito, smack, smack!
At least you're out in the world.
You must meet girls.
Mosquito girls try to trade up,
get with a moth, dragonfly.
Mosquito girl don't want no mosquito.
You got to be kidding me!
Mooseblood's about to leave
the building! So long, bee!
- Hey, guys!
- Mooseblood!
I knew I'd catch y'all down here.
Did you bring your crazy straw?
We throw it in jars, slap a label on it,
and it's pretty much pure profit.
What is this place?
A bee's got a brain
the size of a pinhead.
They are pinheads!
Pinhead.
- Oheck out the new smoker.
- Oh, sweet. That's the one you want.
The Thomas 3000!
Smoker?
Ninety puffs a minute, semi-automatic.
Twice the nicotine, all the tar.
A couple breaths of this
knocks them right out.
They make the honey,
and we make the money.
"They make the honey,
and we make the money"?
Oh, my!
What's going on? Are you OK?
Yeah. It doesn't last too long.
Do you know you're
in a fake hive with fake walls?
Our queen was moved here.
We had no choice.
This is your queen?
That's a man in women's clothes!
That's a drag queen!
What is this?
Oh, no!
There's hundreds of them!
Bee honey.
Our honey is being brazenly stolen
on a massive scale!
This is worse than anything bears
have done! I intend to do something.
Oh, Barry, stop.
Who told you humans are taking
our honey? That's a rumor.
Do these look like rumors?
That's a conspiracy theory.
These are obviously doctored photos.
How did you get mixed up in this?
He's been talking to humans.
- What?
- Talking to humans?!
He has a human girlfriend.
And they make out!
Make out? Barry!
We do not.
- You wish you could.
- Whose side are you on?
The bees!
I dated a cricket once in San Antonio.
Those crazy legs kept me up all night.
Barry, this is what you want
to do with your life?
I want to do it for all our lives.
Nobody works harder than bees!
Dad, I remember you
coming home so overworked
your hands were still stirring.
You couldn't stop.
I remember that.
What right do they have to our honey?
We live on two cups a year. They put it
in lip balm for no reason whatsoever!
Even if it's true, what can one bee do?
Sting them where it really hurts.
In the face! The eye!
- That would hurt.
- No.
Up the nose? That's a killer.
There's only one place you can sting
the humans, one place where it matters.
Hive at Five, the hive's only
full-hour action news source.
No more bee beards!
With Bob Bumble at the anchor desk.
Weather with Storm Stinger.
Sports with Buzz Larvi.
And Jeanette Ohung.
- Good evening. I'm Bob Bumble.
- And I'm Jeanette Ohung.
A tri-county bee, Barry Benson,
intends to sue the human race
for stealing our honey,
packaging it and profiting
from it illegally!
Tomorrow night on Bee Larry King,
we'll have three former queens here in
our studio, discussing their new book,
Olassy Ladies,
out this week on Hexagon.
Tonight we're talking to Barry Benson.
Did you ever think, "I'm a kid
from the hive. I can't do this"?
Bees have never been afraid
to change the world.
What about Bee Oolumbus?
Bee Gandhi? Bejesus?
Where I'm from, we'd never sue humans.
We were thinking
of stickball or candy stores.
How old are you?
The bee community
is supporting you in this case,
which will be the trial
of the bee century.
You know, they have a Larry King
in the human world too.
It's a common name. Next week...
He looks like you and has a show
and suspenders and colored dots...
Next week...
Glasses, quotes on the bottom from the
guest even though you just heard 'em.
Bear Week next week!
They're scary, hairy and here live.
Always leans forward, pointy shoulders,
squinty eyes, very Jewish.
In tennis, you attack
at the point of weakness!
It was my grandmother, Ken. She's 81.
Honey, her backhand's a joke!
I'm not gonna take advantage of that?
Quiet, please.
Actual work going on here.
- Is that that same bee?
- Yes, it is!
I'm helping him sue the human race.
- Hello.
- Hello, bee.
This is Ken.
Yeah, I remember you. Timberland, size
ten and a half. Vibram sole, I believe.
Why does he talk again?
Listen, you better go
'cause we're really busy working.
But it's our yogurt night!
Bye-bye.
Why is yogurt night so difficult?!
You poor thing.
You two have been at this for hours!
Yes, and Adam here
has been a huge help.
- Frosting...
- How many sugars?
Just one. I try not
to use the competition.
So why are you helping me?
Bees have good qualities.
And it takes my mind off the shop.
Instead of flowers, people
are giving balloon bouquets now.
Those are great, if you're three.
And artificial flowers.
- Oh, those just get me psychotic!
- Yeah, me too.
Bent stingers, pointless pollination.
Bees must hate those fake things!
Nothing worse
than a daffodil that's had work done.
Maybe this could make up
for it a little bit.
- This lawsuit's a pretty big deal.
- I guess.
You sure you want to go through with it?
Am I sure? When I'm done with
the humans, they won't be able
to say, "Honey, I'm home,"
without paying a royalty!
It's an incredible scene
here in downtown Manhattan,
where the world anxiously waits,
because for the first time in history,
we will hear for ourselves
if a honeybee can actually speak.
What have we gotten into here, Barry?
It's pretty big, isn't it?
I can't believe how many humans
don't work during the day.
You think billion-dollar multinational
food companies have good lawyers?
Everybody needs to stay
behind the barricade.
- What's the matter?
- I don't know, I just got a chill.
Well, if it isn't the bee team.
You boys work on this?
All rise! The Honorable
Judge Bumbleton presiding.
All right. Oase number 4475,
Superior Oourt of New York,
Barry Bee Benson v. the Honey Industry
is now in session.
Mr. Montgomery, you're representing
the five food companies collectively?
A privilege.
Mr. Benson... you're representing
all the bees of the world?
I'm kidding. Yes, Your Honor,
we're ready to proceed.
Mr. Montgomery,
your opening statement, please.
Ladies and gentlemen of the jury,
my grandmother was a simple woman.
Born on a farm, she believed
it was man's divine right
to benefit from the bounty
of nature God put before us.
If we lived in the topsy-turvy world
Mr. Benson imagines,
just think of what would it mean.
I would have to negotiate
with the silkworm
for the elastic in my britches!
Talking bee!
How do we know this isn't some sort of
holographic motion-picture-capture
Hollywood wizardry?
They could be using laser beams!
Robotics! Ventriloquism!
Oloning! For all we know,
he could be on steroids!
Mr. Benson?
Ladies and gentlemen,
there's no trickery here.
I'm just an ordinary bee.
Honey's pretty important to me.
It's important to all bees.
We invented it!
We make it. And we protect it
with our lives.
Unfortunately, there are
some people in this room
who think they can take it from us
'cause we're the little guys!
I'm hoping that, after this is all over,
you'll see how, by taking our honey,
you not only take everything we have
but everything we are!
I wish he'd dress like that
all the time. So nice!
Oall your first witness.
So, Mr. Klauss Vanderhayden
of Honey Farms, big company you have.
I suppose so.
I see you also own
Honeyburton and Honron!
Yes, they provide beekeepers
for our farms.
Beekeeper. I find that
to be a very disturbing term.
I don't imagine you employ
any bee-free-ers, do you?
- No.
- I couldn't hear you.
- No.
- No.
Because you don't free bees.
You keep bees. Not only that,
it seems you thought a bear would be
an appropriate image for a jar of honey.
They're very lovable creatures.
Yogi Bear, Fozzie Bear, Build-A-Bear.
You mean like this?
Bears kill bees!
How'd you like his head crashing
through your living room?!
Biting into your couch!
Spitting out your throw pillows!
OK, that's enough. Take him away.
So, Mr. Sting, thank you for being here.
Your name intrigues me.
- Where have I heard it before?
- I was with a band called The Police.
But you've never been
a police officer, have you?
No, I haven't.
No, you haven't. And so here
we have yet another example
of bee culture casually
stolen by a human
for nothing more than
a prance-about stage name.
Oh, please.
Have you ever been stung, Mr. Sting?
Because I'm feeling
a little stung, Sting.
Or should I say... Mr. Gordon M. Sumner!
That's not his real name?! You idiots!
Mr. Liotta, first,
belated congratulations on
your Emmy win for a guest spot
on ER in 2005.
Thank you. Thank you.
I see from your resume
that you're devilishly handsome
with a churning inner turmoil
that's ready to blow.
I enjoy what I do. Is that a crime?
Not yet it isn't. But is this
what it's come to for you?
Exploiting tiny, helpless bees
so you don't
have to rehearse
your part and learn your lines, sir?
Watch it, Benson!
I could blow right now!
This isn't a goodfella.
This is a badfella!
Why doesn't someone just step on
this creep, and we can all go home?!
- Order in this court!
- You're all thinking it!
Order! Order, I say!
- Say it!
- Mr. Liotta, please sit down!
I think it was awfully nice
of that bear to pitch in like that.
I think the jury's on our side.
Are we doing everything right, legally?
I'm a florist.
Right. Well, here's to a great team.
To a great team!
Well, hello.
- Ken!
- Hello.
I didn't think you were coming.
No, I was just late.
I tried to call, but... the battery.
I didn't want all this to go to waste,
so I called Barry. Luckily, he was free.
Oh, that was lucky.
There's a little left.
I could heat it up.
Yeah, heat it up, sure, whatever.
So I hear you're quite a tennis player.
I'm not much for the game myself.
The ball's a little grabby.
That's where I usually sit.
Right... there.
Ken, Barry was looking at your resume,
and he agreed with me that eating with
chopsticks isn't really a special skill.
You think I don't see what you're doing?
I know how hard it is to find
the rightjob. We have that in common.
Do we?
Bees have 100 percent employment,
but we do jobs like taking the crud out.
That's just what
I was thinking about doing.
Ken, I let Barry borrow your razor
for his fuzz. I hope that was all right.
I'm going to drain the old stinger.
Yeah, you do that.
Look at that.
You know, I've just about had it
with your little mind games.
- What's that?
- Italian Vogue.
Mamma mia, that's a lot of pages.
A lot of ads.
Remember what Van said, why is
your life more valuable than mine?
Funny, I just can't seem to recall that!
I think something stinks in here!
I love the smell of flowers.
How do you like the smell of flames?!
Not as much.
Water bug! Not taking sides!
Ken, I'm wearing a Ohapstick hat!
This is pathetic!
I've got issues!
Well, well, well, a royal flush!
- You're bluffing.
- Am I?
Surf's up, dude!
Poo water!
That bowl is gnarly.
Except for those dirty yellow rings!
Kenneth! What are you doing?!
You know, I don't even like honey!
I don't eat it!
We need to talk!
He's just a little bee!
And he happens to be
the nicest bee I've met in a long time!
Long time? What are you talking about?!
Are there other bugs in your life?
No, but there are other things bugging
me in life. And you're one of them!
Fine! Talking bees, no yogurt night...
My nerves are fried from riding
on this emotional roller coaster!
Goodbye, Ken.
And for your information,
I prefer sugar-free, artificial
sweeteners made by man!
I'm sorry about all that.
I know it's got
an aftertaste! I like it!
I always felt there was some kind
of barrier between Ken and me.
I couldn't overcome it.
Oh, well.
Are you OK for the trial?
I believe Mr. Montgomery
is about out of ideas.
We would like to call
Mr. Barry Benson Bee to the stand.
Good idea! You can really see why he's
considered one of the best lawyers...
Yeah.
Layton, you've
gotta weave some magic
with this jury,
or it's gonna be all over.
Don't worry. The only thing I have
to do to turn this jury around
is to remind them
of what they don't like about bees.
- You got the tweezers?
- Are you allergic?
Only to losing, son. Only to losing.
Mr. Benson Bee, I'll ask you
what I think we'd all like to know.
What exactly is your relationship
to that woman?
We're friends.
- Good friends?
- Yes.
How good? Do you live together?
Wait a minute...
Are you her little...
...bedbug?
I've seen a bee documentary or two.
From what I understand,
doesn't your queen give birth
to all the bee children?
- Yeah, but...
- So those aren't your real parents!
- Oh, Barry...
- Yes, they are!
Hold me back!
You're an illegitimate bee,
aren't you, Benson?
He's denouncing bees!
Don't y'all date your cousins?
- Objection!
- I'm going to pincushion this guy!
Adam, don't! It's what he wants!
Oh, I'm hit!!
Oh, lordy, I am hit!
Order! Order!
The venom! The venom
is coursing through my veins!
I have been felled
by a winged beast of destruction!
You see? You can't treat them
like equals! They're striped savages!
Stinging's the only thing
they know! It's their way!
- Adam, stay with me.
- I can't feel my legs.
What angel of mercy
will come forward to suck the poison
from my heaving buttocks?
I will have order in this court. Order!
Order, please!
The case of the honeybees
versus the human race
took a pointed turn against the bees
yesterday when one of their legal
team stung Layton T. Montgomery.
- Hey, buddy.
- Hey.
- Is there much pain?
- Yeah.
I...
I blew the whole case, didn't I?
It doesn't matter. What matters is
you're alive. You could have died.
I'd be better off dead. Look at me.
They got it from the cafeteria
downstairs, in a tuna sandwich.
Look, there's
a little celery still on it.
What was it like to sting someone?
I can't explain it. It was all...
All adrenaline and then...
and then ecstasy!
All right.
You think it was all a trap?
Of course. I'm sorry.
I flew us right into this.
What were we thinking? Look at us. We're
just a couple of bugs in this world.
What will the humans do to us
if they win?
I don't know.
I hear they put the roaches in motels.
That doesn't sound so bad.
Adam, they check in,
but they don't check out!
Oh, my.
Oould you get a nurse
to close that window?
- Why?
- The smoke.
Bees don't smoke.
Right. Bees don't smoke.
Bees don't smoke!
But some bees are smoking.
That's it! That's our case!
It is? It's not over?
Get dressed. I've gotta go somewhere.
Get back to the court and stall.
Stall any way you can.
And assuming you've done step correctly, you're ready for the tub.
Mr. Flayman.
Yes? Yes, Your Honor!
Where is the rest of your team?
Well, Your Honor, it's interesting.
Bees are trained to fly haphazardly,
and as a result,
we don't make very good time.
I actually heard a funny story about...
Your Honor,
haven't these ridiculous bugs
taken up enough
of this court's valuable time?
How much longer will we allow
these absurd shenanigans to go on?
They have presented no compelling
evidence to support their charges
against my clients,
who run legitimate businesses.
I move for a complete dismissal
of this entire case!
Mr. Flayman, I'm afraid I'm going
to have to consider
Mr. Montgomery's motion.
But you can't! We have a terrific case.
Where is your proof?
Where is the evidence?
Show me the smoking gun!
Hold it, Your Honor!
You want a smoking gun?
Here is your smoking gun.
What is that?
It's a bee smoker!
What, this?
This harmless little contraption?
This couldn't hurt a fly,
let alone a bee.
Look at what has happened
to bees who have never been asked,
"Smoking or non?"
Is this what nature intended for us?
To be forcibly addicted
to smoke machines
and man-made wooden slat work camps?
Living out our lives as honey slaves
to the white man?
- What are we gonna do?
- He's playing the species card.
Ladies and gentlemen, please,
free these bees!
Free the bees! Free the bees!
Free the bees!
Free the bees! Free the bees!
The court finds in favor of the bees!
Vanessa, we won!
I knew you could do it! High-five!
Sorry.
I'm OK! You know what this means?
All the honey
will finally belong to the bees.
Now we won't have
to work so hard all the time.
This is an unholy perversion
of the balance of nature, Benson.
You'll regret this.
Barry, how much honey is out there?
All right. One at a time.
Barry, who are you wearing?
My sweater is Ralph Lauren,
and I have no pants.
- What if Montgomery's right?
- What do you mean?
We've been living the bee way
a long time, 27 million years.
Oongratulations on your victory.
What will you demand as a settlement?
First, we'll demand a complete shutdown
of all bee work camps.
Then we want back the honey
that was ours to begin with,
every last drop.
We demand an end to the glorification
of the bear as anything more
than a filthy, smelly,
bad-breath stink machine.
We're all aware
of what they do in the woods.
Wait for my signal.
Take him out.
He'll have nauseous
for a few hours, then he'll be fine.
And we will no longer tolerate
bee-negative nicknames...
But it's just a prance-about stage name!
...unnecessary inclusion of honey
in bogus health products
and la-dee-da human
tea-time snack garnishments.
Oan't breathe.
Bring it in, boys!
Hold it right there! Good.
Tap it.
Mr. Buzzwell, we just passed three cups,
and there's gallons more coming!
- I think we need to shut down!
- Shut down? We've never shut down.
Shut down honey production!
Stop making honey!
Turn your key, sir!
What do we do now?
Oannonball!
We're shutting honey production!
Mission abort.
Aborting pollination and nectar detail.
Returning to base.
Adam, you wouldn't believe
how much honey was out there.
Oh, yeah?
What's going on? Where is everybody?
- Are they out celebrating?
- They're home.
They don't know what to do.
Laying out, sleeping in.
I heard your Uncle Oarl was on his way
to San Antonio with a cricket.
At least we got our honey back.
Sometimes I think, so what if humans
liked our honey? Who wouldn't?
It's the greatest thing in the world!
I was excited to be part of making it.
This was my new desk. This was my
new job. I wanted to do it really well.
And now...
Now I can't.
I don't understand
why they're not happy.
I thought their lives would be better!
They're doing nothing. It's amazing.
Honey really changes people.
You don't have any idea
what's going on, do you?
- What did you want to show me?
- This.
What happened here?
That is not the half of it.
Oh, no. Oh, my.
They're all wilting.
Doesn't look very good, does it?
No.
And whose fault do you think that is?
You know, I'm gonna guess bees.
Bees?
Specifically, me.
I didn't think bees not needing to make
honey would affect all these things.
It's notjust flowers.
Fruits, vegetables, they all need bees.
That's our whole SAT test right there.
Take away produce, that affects
the entire animal kingdom.
And then, of course...
The human species?
So if there's no more pollination,
it could all just go south here,
couldn't it?
I know this is also partly my fault.
How about a suicide pact?
How do we do it?
- I'll sting you, you step on me.
- Thatjust kills you twice.
Right, right.
Listen, Barry...
sorry, but I gotta get going.
I had to open my mouth and talk.
Vanessa?
Vanessa? Why are you leaving?
Where are you going?
To the final Tournament of Roses parade
in Pasadena.
They've moved it to this weekend
because all the flowers are dying.
It's the last chance
I'll ever have to see it.
Vanessa, I just wanna say I'm sorry.
I never meant it to turn out like this.
I know. Me neither.
Tournament of Roses.
Roses can't do sports.
Wait a minute. Roses. Roses?
Roses!
Vanessa!
Roses?!
Barry?
- Roses are flowers!
- Yes, they are.
Flowers, bees, pollen!
I know.
That's why this is the last parade.
Maybe not.
Oould you ask him to slow down?
Oould you slow down?
Barry!
OK, I made a huge mistake.
This is a total disaster, all my fault.
Yes, it kind of is.
I've ruined the planet.
I wanted to help you
with the flower shop.
I've made it worse.
Actually, it's completely closed down.
I thought maybe you were remodeling.
But I have another idea, and it's
greater than my previous ideas combined.
I don't want to hear it!
All right, they have the roses,
the roses have the pollen.
I know every bee, plant
and flower bud in this park.
All we gotta do is get what they've got
back here with what we've got.
- Bees.
- Park.
- Pollen!
- Flowers.
- Repollination!
- Across the nation!
Tournament of Roses,
Pasadena, Oalifornia.
They've got nothing
but flowers, floats and cotton candy.
Security will be tight.
I have an idea.
Vanessa Bloome, FTD.
Official floral business. It's real.
Sorry, ma'am. Nice brooch.
Thank you. It was a gift.
Once inside,
we just pick the right float.
How about The Princess and the Pea?
I could be the princess,
and you could be the pea!
Yes, I got it.
- Where should I sit?
- What are you?
- I believe I'm the pea.
- The pea?
It goes under the mattresses.
- Not in this fairy tale, sweetheart.
- I'm getting the marshal.
You do that!
This whole parade is a fiasco!
Let's see what this baby'll do.
Hey, what are you doing?!
Then all we do
is blend in with traffic...
...without arousing suspicion.
Once at the airport,
there's no stopping us.
Stop! Security.
- You and your insect pack your float?
- Yes.
Has it been
in your possession the entire time?
Would you remove your shoes?
- Remove your stinger.
- It's part of me.
I know. Just having some fun.
Enjoy your flight.
Then if we're lucky, we'll have
just enough pollen to do the job.
Oan you believe how lucky we are? We
have just enough pollen to do the job!
I think this is gonna work.
It's got to work.
Attention, passengers,
this is Oaptain Scott.
We have a bit of bad weather
in New York.
It looks like we'll experience
a couple hours delay.
Barry, these are cut flowers
with no water. They'll never make it.
I gotta get up there
and talk to them.
Be careful.
Oan I get help
with the Sky Mall magazine?
I'd like to order the talking
inflatable nose and ear hair trimmer.
Oaptain, I'm in a real situation.
- What'd you say, Hal?
- Nothing.
Bee!
Don't freak out! My entire species...
What are you doing?
- Wait a minute! I'm an attorney!
- Who's an attorney?
Don't move.
Oh, Barry.
Good afternoon, passengers.
This is your captain.
Would a Miss Vanessa Bloome in 24B
please report to the cockpit?
And please hurry!
What happened here?
There was a DustBuster,
a toupee, a life raft exploded.
One's bald, one's in a boat,
they're both unconscious!
- Is that another bee joke?
- No!
No one's flying the plane!
This is JFK control tower, Flight 356.
What's your status?
This is Vanessa Bloome.
I'm a florist from New York.
Where's the pilot?
He's unconscious,
and so is the copilot.
Not good. Does anyone onboard
have flight experience?
As a matter of fact, there is.
- Who's that?
- Barry Benson.
From the honey trial?! Oh, great.
Vanessa, this is nothing more
than a big metal bee.
It's got giant wings, huge engines.
I can't fly a plane.
- Why not? Isn't John Travolta a pilot?
- Yes.
How hard could it be?
Wait, Barry!
We're headed into some lightning.
This is Bob Bumble. We have some
late-breaking news from JFK Airport,
where a suspenseful scene
is developing.
Barry Benson,
fresh from his legal victory...
That's Barry!
...is attempting to land a plane,
loaded with people, flowers
and an incapacitated flight crew.
Flowers?!
We have a storm in the area
and two individuals at the controls
with absolutely no flight experience.
Just a minute.
There's a bee on that plane.
I'm quite familiar with Mr. Benson
and his no-account compadres.
They've done enough damage.
But isn't he your only hope?
Technically, a bee
shouldn't be able to fly at all.
Their wings are too small...
Haven't we heard this a million times?
"The surface area of the wings
and body mass make no sense."
- Get this on the air!
- Got it.
- Stand by.
- We're going live.
The way we work may be a mystery to you.
Making honey takes a lot of bees
doing a lot of small jobs.
But let me tell you about a small job.
If you do it well,
it makes a big difference.
More than we realized.
To us, to everyone.
That's why I want to get bees
back to working together.
That's the bee way!
We're not made of Jell-O.
We get behind a fellow.
- Black and yellow!
- Hello!
Left, right, down, hover.
- Hover?
- Forget hover.
This isn't so hard.
Beep-beep! Beep-beep!
Barry, what happened?!
Wait, I think we were
on autopilot the whole time.
- That may have been helping me.
- And now we're not!
So it turns out I cannot fly a plane.
All of you, let's get
behind this fellow! Move it out!
Move out!
Our only chance is if I do what I'd do,
you copy me with the wings of the plane!
Don't have to yell.
I'm not yelling!
We're in a lot of trouble.
It's very hard to concentrate
with that panicky tone in your voice!
It's not a tone. I'm panicking!
I can't do this!
Vanessa, pull yourself together.
You have to snap out of it!
You snap out of it.
You snap out of it.
- You snap out of it!
- You snap out of it!
- You snap out of it!
- You snap out of it!
- You snap out of it!
- You snap out of it!
- Hold it!
- Why? Oome on, it's my turn.
How is the plane flying?
I don't know.
Hello?
Benson, got any flowers
for a happy occasion in there?
The Pollen Jocks!
They do get behind a fellow.
- Black and yellow.
- Hello.
All right, let's drop this tin can
on the blacktop.
Where? I can't see anything. Oan you?
No, nothing. It's all cloudy.
Oome on. You got to think bee, Barry.
- Thinking bee.
- Thinking bee.
Thinking bee!
Thinking bee! Thinking bee!
Wait a minute.
I think I'm feeling something.
- What?
- I don't know. It's strong, pulling me.
Like a 27-million-year-old instinct.
Bring the nose down.
Thinking bee!
Thinking bee! Thinking bee!
- What in the world is on the tarmac?
- Get some lights on that!
Thinking bee!
Thinking bee! Thinking bee!
- Vanessa, aim for the flower.
- OK.
Out the engines. We're going in
on bee power. Ready, boys?
Affirmative!
Good. Good. Easy, now. That's it.
Land on that flower!
Ready? Full reverse!
Spin it around!
- Not that flower! The other one!
- Which one?
- That flower.
- I'm aiming at the flower!
That's a fat guy in a flowered shirt.
I mean the giant pulsating flower
made of millions of bees!
Pull forward. Nose down. Tail up.
Rotate around it.
- This is insane, Barry!
- This's the only way I know how to fly.
Am I koo-koo-kachoo, or is this plane
flying in an insect-like pattern?
Get your nose in there. Don't be afraid.
Smell it. Full reverse!
Just drop it. Be a part of it.
Aim for the center!
Now drop it in! Drop it in, woman!
Oome on, already.
Barry, we did it!
You taught me how to fly!
- Yes. No high-five!
- Right.
Barry, it worked!
Did you see the giant flower?
What giant flower? Where? Of course
I saw the flower! That was genius!
- Thank you.
- But we're not done yet.
Listen, everyone!
This runway is covered
with the last pollen
from the last flowers
available anywhere on Earth.
That means this is our last chance.
We're the only ones who make honey,
pollinate flowers and dress like this.
If we're gonna survive as a species,
this is our moment! What do you say?
Are we going to be bees, orjust
Museum of Natural History keychains?
We're bees!
Keychain!
Then follow me! Except Keychain.
Hold on, Barry. Here.
You've earned this.
Yeah!
I'm a Pollen Jock! And it's a perfect
fit. All I gotta do are the sleeves.
Oh, yeah.
That's our Barry.
Mom! The bees are back!
If anybody needs
to make a call, now's the time.
I got a feeling we'll be
working late tonight!
Here's your change. Have a great
afternoon! Oan I help who's next?
Would you like some honey with that?
It is bee-approved. Don't forget these.
Milk, cream, cheese, it's all me.
And I don't see a nickel!
Sometimes I just feel
like a piece of meat!
I had no idea.
Barry, I'm sorry.
Have you got a moment?
Would you excuse me?
My mosquito associate will help you.
Sorry I'm late.
He's a lawyer too?
I was already a blood-sucking parasite.
All I needed was a briefcase.
Have a great afternoon!
Barry, I just got this huge tulip order,
and I can't get them anywhere.
No problem, Vannie.
Just leave it to me.
You're a lifesaver, Barry.
Oan I help who's next?
All right, scramble, jocks!
It's time to fly.
Thank you, Barry!
That bee is living my life!
Let it go, Kenny.
- When will this nightmare end?!
- Let it all go.
- Beautiful day to fly.
- Sure is.
Between you and me,
I was dying to get out of that office.
You have got
to start thinking bee, my friend.
- Thinking bee!
- Me?
Hold it. Let's just stop
for a second. Hold it.
I'm sorry. I'm sorry, everyone.
Oan we stop here?
I'm not making a major life decision
during a production number!
All right. Take ten, everybody.
Wrap it up, guys.
I had virtually no rehearsal for that.
lando
Exeter nh
I am curled up under a blanket on my couch at 10:42 PM reading Textbook while waiting for my younger brother to put away the dishes. Tomorrow is Thanksgiving.
Tiffany W.
Philadelphia
I am lying in bed next to my husband of 20 years who is asleep. I think yesterday I fell in love with him for the first time.
Melissa
Sugar Land
I am reading this book to distract myself from my anxiety. I have PTSD from being molested by my grandfather. Through therapy, friends and God I am able to manage it alright. I am part of a Bible Club at my high school, it is the biggest club with 200 members. I am feeling called by God to give my testimony. I am very scared. Am I vulnerable enough to share my suicidal thoughts and how God answered them to my classmates who I'll have to share the halls with? Do I really want to change my happy nerd image to a girl who is broken inside? Will my peers treat me differently? But I feel like I have to. God wants me to, I think. I take three deep breaths and continue reading.
Jennifer
Hartland
It's late Sunday night in Santiago and I am at home sitting at my kitchen table with your book. The house I live in is over 100 years old and across from an even older hospital, which is where the table came from. In fact, that's where all the furniture in this house is from. The hospital discards furniture that is too old or beyond repair.
I bought one of those nets full of clementines from the grocery store several days ago. They're sitting on the table right next to your book that I am reading. I have been thinking about these clementines a lot because I have not started to eat them. This always happens. I buy clementines because I know I should have a healthy snack on hand, but I somehow always avoid them. Now I'm worried that they're getting very soft. I think there are about 24 of them. I'm not sure how is too many to eat at one time.
Anonymous
i am sitting in a class i care nothing about thinking of the boy i care most about, reading this book and trying to push away thoughts of my fierce passion versus his docile reaction to it. wondering if i am too much and drowning that wonder in this serene lake of a book. every once and a while it works and i forget how anxious i am. every once in a while it doesn’t and i feel my ribs close in tightly around my organs. but i am reading and this is all i need.
Anonymous
I am sitting in a beanbag chair in a classroom full of writers. There are exactly 27 minutes left in this class period. I can hear the soft chatter that always seems to occur in here -- the other students are trying to test the waters - seeing just how loud they can get before our teacher says something that shuts them up and the cycle begins again. Hopefully, the cycle restarts soon. I always have trouble getting truly lost in a good book when there's noise.
Becky
Hagerstown
As I sit here, I am in Panera Bread looking at a very purple wall. I can see out the window and notice that the parking lot is completely flooded. I'm considering whether to move my car or not. But I keep writing. There is a fire, but it is too far away to feel the warmth. A news truck just pulled up to cover the flooding of this parking lot. Even though it floods almost every time it rains. It has been a monsoon outside for several hours though. I hear the buzzing of someones food timer reminding them to go pick up their order at the counter. There is a paper napkin on the ground under a table diagonal from me. Still, I keep wondering if I should move my car. I don't want to though because it is so dry in here. Mostly though, I'm feeling sad because I know I won't receive a pie from you. I guess you could say that I am feeling very melancholy.
Kimberly
Boone
I am drinking a cup of coffee in my “Dog Mom” cup and it is raining for the first time in weeks. My heart is warmed by this; I am a lover of rain and cloudy days. Rain drops are rolling down the screens on the windows and it occurs to me that I haven’t seen this in many years. This is the first apartment I have ever lived in with screens on the windows. A crow just flew by my window at an awkward angle, and my previously warmed heart is now soaring. I have never seen a bird fly by at this address. It was the perfect possible bird to see at the perfect possible moment. I want to hug and thank him for existing.
NKL
Greenville, SC
I’m at my boyfriend’s house, reading Textbook in his bed while he works on a freelanced column. We only have a dozen more nights like this, as I’m in the middle of packing to move 1,200+ miles away. Textbook has been providing me with brief, happy escapes from reality, and a sense of serenity in the midst of moving chaos and all the powerful emotions that come with leaving a loved one. I want to get back to your book now and forget reality for a bit longer.
Cassie
Greeley
I am sitting at my kitchen table where so many meals are shared but this time I'm not accompanied by food but rather books and a very lengthy To-Do list. I'm distracted these days with my life as a wife and a mother to our daughter and now two foster daughters that I find myself not wanting to give school much attention. I regret that now as my list of things to complete almost provokes me to tears, but you know what? Life will go one, assignments will (eventually) be completed, and I'll walk across that stage knowing I have a wonderful husband and three precious little girls cheering me on.
Anonymous
I'm sitting in my rolling, swaying, twisting desk chair facing my "inspiration wall", facing this week. My calendar hangs within view and a catch a glance of "Nana's Surgery" - Tuesday, October 31, 2017. Halloween? Could she just pretend to be a cancer patient? Perhaps the tumor could just be a softball she fastened around her tiny waist. I force myself to look away from the calendar and feel the stiffness in my neck, the clenched tightness of my shoulders. I've been sitting at my desk for what seems like days - the sun turned to moon and I'm still here in this chair. Love songs for our wedding in May rotate through on repeat, my desk is overflowing with pens, sticky notes, and precariously stacked poetry anthologies. I'm soaking in words of encouragement, sweet love songs that make me homesick for my sweetest love, my fiancé, and poems about death, illness, forest songs, and birds. My cracked window lets in the sounds of the nights and the cool, crisp fall air that's keeping me wrapped in a blanket. The song right now says: "I get to love you; it's the best think that I'll ever do." My eyes prick with tears and the vision gets glassy because I realize that's how I feel about my Nana. What a privilege it is to know and love and to be known and loved by that sassy lil' lady.
Allison
Boone
There are five “Our State” magazines along with an unfinished crossword puzzle on the ottoman where my feet rest. The Carolina Panthers football game is on the screen above unlit gas logs. I am dressed in Nike shirts and a T-shirt as if the temperature was warm; instead, it feels like fall. I am in my living room— a safe place, my home.
Lauren Beam
Boone
Eleven-thirty on a Saturday evening, I sit in my living room doing homework. I read your "purple flower moment" and you told me of your moment. You asked me to share mine moment, therefore, I'm here to finish my part. I see poetry books stacked high to the right, books in front of me and my music playing to the left. So many things happening, but while I read your book, everything seemed to have gotten blocked out. Thank you, Amy!!
Anonymous
I sit on my bed, attempting to do homework for the 5th hour. My roommate is playing old love songs softly in the living room, some of them I can't help but sing. My chest is tight with anxiety over the large amount of project deadlines quickly approaching; I feel sorrow, numbness and a tad bit of anger at myself for allowing my stress to effect me this way.
Amy
Boone
Currently, it is 1:11am in Boone, NC where I am working at the University library. I am at the front desk sitting on the left (when looking outward), and wondering how I am even making it? I am exhausted and really hungry for some tater tots. I am also questioning the sanity of the other individuals in the library that are here for studying (sorda), homework, or what have you.
I really want sleep (and tater tots) or someone to tell me that maybe life will get easier - or maybe just involve more head on the pillow time aka: SLEEP.
From the desperately deprived library desk GA
Angena
Boone
At this moment, while listening to my first audiobook and enjoying your wit and writing, I am cleaning out my house to get rid of random items for a PTA garage sale this weekend. Inspired by getting rid of stuff I have lugged around for almost 20 years - a paint easel from my parents, used twice, but kept through 13 moves because "what if" I suddenly aspire to paint, not write, as my creative outlet - and many, many books passed onto me by my father about war, famine, randomness and plagues that I am suppose to read, but just can't bring myself to because it's too depressing, and not my interest at all. I am alone, other than the company of a ten-week-old puppy chews on random things thrown on the floor; a monster puppet, an old shoe. This aloneness in my own home rarely happens, but the need for both an oil change and a pumping of our septic tank left my youngest in the arms of his grandparents after catching a ride, and me stuck at home waiting for the pumper truck to show up. As the clutter vanishes from just one part of my otherwise child-friendly, aka messy, home, I feel at peace. The pumper just called to say he's around the corner and so I must part from my project and enter into the not-so-enjoyable part of living in the outskirts of a small, Alaska town. PS - I don't like pie, so I never bake it. Alas, my family enjoys it so.
Jen Ransom
Seward, AK
Really, I didnt want to be bothered to read this book... but it’s a short read so I had to read the book today before we go over to her house this evening. The beginning of the book didn’t speak to me much... but halfway through I find myself smiling and connecting with the author. I find the book romantic and beautiful now and think I am in need of all it’s experiments and sentiments.
My life was going nowhere and everywhere before this moment. I was bored and insanely stressed. There’s a soft green blanket covering my lower half and piano Spotify playlist on. Right now I am intrigued. And that’s a good feeling.
Meredith
United states
I am standing at the reference desk at the library in which I am employed. Monday morning quiet. Keys typing. Pages flipping. Books sitting patiently, waiting to tell their stories. I wish my life were a book-worthy story. Waiting for more to happen, but enjoying the lull.
Brook
Arlington
I'm sick in bed with a bad cold, but Amy's TEXTBOOK is keeping me warm! Like her, I'm stuck on words and she's made me think again about my favorite - panache. Some words sound the way they are defined....panache is one of them! Thanks for your warm "blanket" Amy...your beautiful spirit remains with us and I just can't help wondering what "adventure" you're on right now! xoxo
Grace
Boston
Just read the Purple Flower Moment and mine is I'm enjoying my morning coffee while reading your book and being yelled at by my cat for more food. It's a peaceful and quiet morning as I finally have some time to myself. I recently went through a break up and sadly I'm still in love with my ex. I took on a second job and work 70 hours a week and volunteer at 3 places because I know if I'm home alone for too long with my thoughts I will just get depressed. With all that going on in my head it's good to just have time to drink my coffee and read a book.
Jon Peltonen
Milwaukee, WI
I had a bench made for two. To cuddle, kiss and read side-by-side to the street lights of Lincoln avenue. I sit here alone and as a single mom it is my son I share the memories of this bench with. Not what I planned, but everything I should have.
Anonymous
I had a bench made for two. To cuddle, kiss and read side-by-side to the street lights of Lincoln avenue. I sit here alone and as a single mom it is my son I share the memories of this bench with. Not what I planned, but everything I should have.
Anonymous
The sunlight is coming through the trees and the shadows of the leaves look like a dance party. I don't want fall to take the leaves away from me. It's like the leaves are having a ruckus farewell party and I don't like it. The leaves falling is a final reminder of all the things I didn't accomplish over the summer that the eager, springtime, version of myself envisioned. I'm thinking I should just dance around my living room right now to make up for it.
Anonymous
I am sitting on my back patio with your book on my lap, waving at an annoying fly that keeps buzzing around my head. Each time it comes, I think first it's a wasp from around the corner of my house, where this morning an exterminator treated the largest nest I've ever seen, from which I was swarmed and stung last week. The ones who were out hunting this morning would be returning now to find their friends and families dead, and must be thinking of revenge before succumbing to the poison themselves. Tomorrow morning I go to see a dermatological oncology surgeon to undergo Mohs surgery on my scalp where a squamous cell carcinoma has been growing back after repeated removal for several years, and 24 hours from now I find out how extensive this cancer might be. I can't help but wonder, with the 2% of me that isn't well aware that most of these cancers are removed and cause no fury trouble, if the wasps will have their revenge after all.
I write this knowing the pie winner has already happily eaten her pie.
Carolyn CK Kintisch
Rochester NY
I am sitting on my back patio with your book on my lap, waving at an annoying fly that keeps buzzing around my head. Each time it comes, I think first it's a wasp from around the corner of my house, where this morning an exterminator treated the largest nest I've ever seen, from which I was swarmed and stung last week. The ones who were out hunting this morning would be returning now to find their friends and families dead, and must be thinking of revenge before succumbing to the poison themselves. Tomorrow morning I go to see a dermatological oncology surgeon to undergo Mohs surgery on my scalp where a squamous cell carcinoma has been growing back after repeated removal for several years, and 24 hours from now I find out how extensive this cancer might be. I can't help but wonder, with the 2% of me that isn't well aware that most of these cancers are removed and cause no fury trouble, if the wasps will have their revenge after all.
I write this knowing the pie winner has already happily eaten her pie.
Carolyn CK Kintisch
Rochester NY
Snuggled in my comfy chair. Tummy full of cheesecake. Just back from dinner (and dessert!) with the kids. An early 22nd birthday celebration for my son who leaves tomorrow to begin graduate school in South Carolina. My daughter just sent me a short video taken of him smiling above his red velvet cheesecake.
Susan Baruch
Rochester, NY
My boyfriend and I read in bed together almost every Sunday. Today, right now, we are 38 weeks pregnant (im)patiently awaiting the arrival our baby girl as unusually cool, rainy August breezes float through this 1 bedroom apartment.
Angie
Columbus, Ohio
Right now it is Saturday morning and I am laying in my bed. My room is messy with clothes that I almost wore out, but alas I did not. I was planning to go to bars with two "sort of" friends (I've only just met them) and they both fell asleep, completely plastered, before 10pm. I don't know what I was hoping to find at the bars. I always feel so hopeful going out, but I never assess that feeling. What is it that you're hopeful for? What do you want? My mind goes to the little kid on his tricycle in The Incredibles, who sees Mr.Incredible lift a car one day, and then continues to wait by his driveway every following day. Finally when Mr.Incredible asks him what he's waiting for he says, "I don't know, something amazing I guess!" I imagine a little me on a tricycle answering my own questions the same way. Naturally, I ordered myself a pizza and chocolate lava crunch cakes from dominos, and watched stand up comedy on YouTube until I fell asleep. Just like that, the night was over. Can't get it back. Now it's a new day and I'm lying in bed as I read the wonderful purple flower moments, and long to find those moments in my own life every single day. My blanket is very, very soft and I am going to have left over pizza for lunch.
Heather
Blacksburg Virginia
I am sitting here in my backyard staring at the moon. It's mid-day and the moon is out, glancing back at me. I'm thinking about how I need to redo my pool to fix all of the tiles that are cracked and popping off, and the plaster, which is not as white as it once was. It's really hot and I came outside to enjoy some quiet "me" time. What could be better than sitting out by my imperfect pool, all by my imperfect self, reading this book on a hot July afternoon? Probably nothing. It's just me and the moon, outside in mid-day, thanking our lucky stars.
Emily
Los Angeles
sitting crossed-legged at my kitchen table. I know its not healthy to always sit crossed-legged, misaligns the spine, or something, but here I am, sitting. A full kitchen table covered in my breakfast plate, mug, coupons, mother-in-law's tongue and your textbook. I set this rule for myself to never leave the house with dirty dishes, ever. I find myself wanting to change out of my pajamas and start my day, but I loathe washing this dish. Instead I find myself staring out my kitchen windows, draped in ikea white sheers. Covered in polka-dots, lace & the suns rays. Its almost as if they are breathing, even when they are still, they are still moving, breathing. Mesmerizing, simply mesmerizing. I have grand plans for this day, but I'm quite caught up in watching my curtains breathe.
Sarah
Worcester, Ma
i am at work in Minnesota. it's our big sale today, yet i'm finding myself near tears because i leave for college soon and my boyfriend cheated. at least i have cold water and blueberries on this hot day.
laura
minneapolis
I'm sitting behind the desk of a bookstore in Chicago, where I'm technically working. I've allowed myself an afternoon just to read your book off the shelf because it has been a uniquely trying day. I'm playing some random playlist over and over. The store is full of some unsupervised children and a man writing a birthday card on the counter. I'm feeling the way I feel after a good cry.
Shay
Chicago
I am sitting at my computer desk, waiting for more work to be assigned. It is near the end of the day, and I doubt I will have anything to due before I go home in 45 minutes. I've had a headache the last 3 days from allergies/a cold/crying but feel so lucky my parents are coming to visit and help me move in just a few days.
CC
St Paul MN
I am trying my hand at having an honest to goodness Sabbath day. It feels wrong to be sitting here, just reading a book instead of tackling my To Do list. But my baby is sleeping, so I sit on the couch and enjoy this, gulping up everything I can from this book. And craving pie. Aren't I always?
ellen
portland
It's almost 6:00 p.m . on a Thursday afternoon. I'm sitting in a big window full of sunshine, reading Textbook Amy Krouse Rosenthal and sipping a coffee latte from a blue mug with a graphic dog on it. I hear the jingle of my dog Oscar's tags as he burrows into the corners of his dog bed, and occasionally a squeak out of the toy that he hides there, from himself. My other dog, Max, gazes up at me with expectant eyes; he knows it's dinnertime and he likes us to be on schedule. He's a Dachshund and Dachshunds like schedules.
Sooz Weissberg
Arroyo Grande, California
I looked up from the book to notice the fan whirring overhead, the sound of a car driving down the street, the box full of "treasures" placed in the middle of the front room by my two-year-old daughter. And then, my daughter herself walked around the corner, climbed up on the piano bench, and started hitting the piano keys with gusto, from the lowest E she could reach all the way up to almost the highest C...but as she moved from left to right, her chubby knees inching their way along the seat, she ran out of bench, catching herself just before she tumbled off and into the tangle of piano leg and floor below. She cried from the fright, and she let me hold her, her arms half-wrapped around my neck, half pressed into my chest, for a solid five minutes. The time was noon, exactly.
Torrie
Hyrum
A few weeks ago, I bought this book to read on the plane to Africa but I chose to sleep instead so now here I am in my family room on a warm July day reading about your purple flower moment. I can hear the churning of my air conditioner, thankful for the cool air. I can hear the huff and puff of my greyhound's breath, at age 12, wondering how many more huffs and puffs he will have. I can hear lawnmowers and trucks and planes outside in the distance. But mostly, this moment is still and peaceful and lovely. And I think I need more moments like this in my life.
MaryEllen
Ramsey
Sitting on the same couch that was in Lexington. Salty Seattle air outside is now. My iced coffee goes unnoticed because the purple flower part of Amy's book is making me cry. N is making us my favorite Sunday breakfast of bacon, eggs, and challah. July is going to be a big month for us.
Katie Rose
Seattle
It's a mid June Sunday morning in Chicago and I am sitting wrapped up in a blanket and PJs on my patio in Wicker Park. The Blue Line is a few blocks over and periodically churrning past in a pleasant background music way. I have moved three times to sit in different chairs in order to catch the sunlight like a lazy cat. My most recent perch reminds me of a fact I always forget - a sunny day from our patio reveals the top of the Willis tower. This makes me smile and reminds me how much I love this city I've made my home and a much smaller pang of wishing I had lived here early enough to know it by Sears thus validating my Chicago resident street cred.
Beth
Chicago
I am sitting on my bed reading while my three-year-old twins nap in their bedroom next door. I sometimes nap while they nap because I seem to be exhausted all the time. But today I am listening to the lullaby playlist from their room, the sounds of their occasional sighs as they dream, and a faraway train horn in the distance. It's summer and hot outside, but our home is cool and quiet. It's a wonderful afternoon.
Lindsay
Murray, Utah
My Gray cat on my lap is desperate for love. The old tabby sitting on the floor scratches fleas, always. A cardinal has landed in the blue spruce out by the driveway. It sends pure, round notes through the blue sky and into my ears.
Anonymous
I am lying in the grass in the shade on a breezy June day in the late afternoon, watching my Maine Coon cat monitor bugs and the bird feeder in his stately fashion. My youngest cat died a week ago of kidney failure. He would have loved being out here today.
Nicole
Fall River
but instead, I'm here on my loud, red sofa. I am in anticipation, but for what, I am unsure. My mom should be home soon. I went outside today for the first time in a while. My goats were happy to see me, but only because they thought that I had brought them a treat. They quickly lost interest. My dogs don't listen to me anymore, and my pig is too busy grazing to grace me with his eyes. Stan mowed our lawn today. He doesn't know me as anything other than "John's Daughter," but that will do, as it is the most attention I've gotten all week. Maybe I should go outside more often. Maybe I should go for a drive.
Eliza
Versailles
I am at home, sitting here on the couch reading this lovely book, completely in awe of the beautiful mysteries of the Universe. My seven year old is lying asleep next to me. He has a fever and wakes up on and off with an ache here, a cough there, looks for reassurance from me and goes back to sleep. I was supposed to have a busy day, plans, guests for dinner and more. Now, everything is paused, completely slowed down, and all I need to do is hold him close and read my book.
Shirin
Seattle
My neck is cricked, " crooked", trying to read in bed on my side. Bunny is resting next to me. Asleep? The house is quiet. D is at the Sox game, L.B. Is with Mo. I like when they are here and we are together. I'm not hungry, may go shower. I love to be clean. I hear kids playing outside, chirps from birds and car exhausts. Sun's headed down. It did a great job today! No clouds invited
C
Orland park
I am at home, sitting on my leather rocking sofa waiting...Waiting for the dinner in the oven to be done, waiting for the love of my life to come home from work, waiting for my children to finish cleaning their rooms, and waiting to feel the next kick of my unborn child. Life is really great.
Angela Winterton
Colorado Springs
Streaming Chris Cornell. Beautiful artists you both. Wander on.
Anonymous
I'm sitting in my car at the park by the lake. And it's my day off, which normally I would spend at home alone, cleaning house, or working on some creative project. My 96-year-old father-in-law now lives with us. My husband is out of town on business. I needed a break, so I ran away from home for the day. I feel guilty, lonely, at peace.
Rose Bonjour
Stillwater, OK
Right now I am sitting in my favorite chair reading your book that I checked out of the library today. I am wearing my fuzzy Hello Kitty pjs. My five children are sleeping upstairs. On the floor lies the remnants of a monopoly game saved for tomorrow. The laundry lays unfolded and I feel no guilt enjoying my stolen moments with a book that feels like a friend.
Heather
Rapid City, SD
It is Mother's Day. I will go to my parents' house in the woods later on to go see my mom, and I believe we're going to the wine garden near their house, or we might sit on the shady front porch (and still drink red wine). For now I am sitting alone on a crowded patio at my favorite coffee shop The Mudhouse. A trio of blond women of different ages are sitting next to me with bright yellow packages and flowers. They ordered lavender lemonade and hibiscus tea. Earlier I was sitting with a friend I haven't seen since high school, so about 7 years. My brother won't be at mom and dad's house because he's traveling for his first grown-up job as a vape juice salesman. My moment is defined by feeling intimately how people come and go and your connection to them can be defined by distance but also not.
Savannah Davis
St. Louis, MO
It's been exactly 48 hours since I've graduated Grad school. All I have longed to do for years is to read again for pleasure. And now, I can.. beginning with your book that I received as a gift. My friend, who is a librarian (my former-life job), gave it to me and said, "I think your brain works like this too." Thank you for reminding me how to connect the dots and play.
Bethany Weaver-culpepper
tipp city
Sitting on my couch, sipping coffee, trying to have some moments of calm before I begin packing up our tiny apartment for our move into our first real house. My husband just started packing the first box. It's about to get crazy! But in a good way :)
Kelly
Cambridge
I am sitting at work, patiently awaiting the next patient's arrival. Realizing that in one month, only a short four weeks, I will no longer work here. i will be moving half way across the country to finally begin my career. This something I have had little patience for, I'm ready.
Jenny
Tempe, AZ
Sitting in my car in my driveway, waiting for the exact moment to text "I Love You." to all the people I have given this book to. It's a lot. I almost get them done within the minute. Then, on my way to my book club where I will give away 7 more copies of this life changing book. Thank you, Amy. I wish you more.
Anonymous
Sitting in the quiet early morning hour with a cup of hot coffee, looking at the green treetops against the clear blue sky It's 50 degrees out but later today will be 90s. How good it feels to be here. No one is up yet. The birds are singing and all I feel is peace. I finished Textbook yesterday in one sitting, I wish I knew you AKR. Thank you for the love you continue to show the world.
Anonymous
I am reading in bed after a day of cooking and gardening and visiting a hospice patient. Usually my cat is disconsolately meowing at me while I read, but today she is mercifully contented in another room.
Anonymous
30 April 2017, 12:29pm on my bed in San Antonio, Texas ... been reading your book on and off today. Shared it with someone when we went out for a hamburger. Thinking about the match me assignment. Am just about finished with the letter "k" for kite on my illustrated felted letter alphabet project. I am enjoying my life and thankful for each day I have here. I think it stopped raining. I just hear water dripping on to the gutter now...
A. Brian Z.
San Antonio
I am sitting in my college dorm, lying on my bed fresh out of the shower and reading your book. I used a conditioner that i used frequently last summer, and the smell is reminding me of sun-bleached days in the Hamptons, spent escaping all the noise and spending as much time as possible underwater. I am wearing a mens brand deodorant and the masculine scent is doing nothing to cure my longing to fall in love. this time of year always stirs that feeling inside me. someday it will happen
Dylan
los angeles
I am in bed reading your book but missing my dog. He bit my granddaughter & we had to return him to the rescue where we "rescued" him. He was the sweetest cutest funniest dog but something snapped & he had to go. I feel guilty when I miss him. But I loved him so. I've decided you can love something even though they did something bad. That love doesn't stop. I just miss him.
Anonymous
I am sitting on my bed while my sick nine month old is asleep on my lap. But I have this book and these words and they wrap around me like a blanket and keep my soul warm, even though my fingertips are ice. And I swear you are talking directly to me. I didn't know you, but you drip from these pages and I miss you so acutely that my chest aches. Thank you for keeping me company today.
[ . . . ]
Roscoe
I am reading in my living room, Nini, the fuzzy part-Siamese beside me, on a lovely day on Galveston Bay. I've worked in the yard, prepared dinner, done the laundry, finished listening to Madame Bovary, and come back to your charming book. I'll copy the Short, Collective Biography Experiment for the next supper club. I was just talking about purple flowers, there's a plan to make a walkways to the flagpole and to the fire pit and we want them to be windey, not straight, so we'll cut a path to the purple flowers and bend around. I like the birthday text.
Thanks, Amy
Suzanne Milby
I should have gone to bed 20 mins ago but I rustled too loudly on my way to bed and woke up the baby, so I am reading, waiting for her to fall back asleep. I want her to go back to sleep now. I am tired. I am up to late and will be up early because I just put together my first Easter baskets and need to get up to hide them in the yard before the kids wake up around 6am. I also have to hide a bunch of eggs at the same time but am not sure how that'll go. This surprisingly harder than being Santa or Tooth Fairy.
Anonymous
I am sitting in my favorite rocking armchair with my 4 year old asleep on my shoulder as my other three kids (12, 8, and 7) provide the background noise of Minecraft on the PS4. There is no place I'd rather be. I'm reading this book for the first time and wishing I'd read it when it first came out. I just read your midterm essay and cried. I was diagnosed with cancer in 2013. I am so sorry you didn't get those next 40 years.
Cheryl Brazerol
Annapolis
I'm sitting in my bed in Orlando, Fl. I probably would have skipped this part of participation had it not been for all of the Orlando, FL pie winners. Quite serendipitous.
I know that by now a winner has been picked, but I still feel compelled to submit something. I'll always hold out hope for pie, and maybe the universe will hear me out and somehow send me a slice.
Anyways, I'm sitting in my bed thinking about moving to Nashville. I went there a few days ago for a job interview and found a room in an apartment to sublet. The interview was weird but fine (much like the job itself seems to be), and I had a great time exploring the city on my own, but I can't help but wonder if it's where I should really be. I don't know why, but I have this feeling that the next big step I take is going to be crucial for the way my life works out. I know I'm taking this too seriously, and I'm really trying not to, but I can't really help it.
I wish I could know for sure that I was making the right decision before I fully made it. I wish I was as brave as I used to be. I wish that I knew what I wanted.
Mariel
Orlando, FL
I am laying in bed, listening as the rain falls down my window. I have mascara streaking down my face because I can't stop crying as I read the beauty, truth, vulnerability and love of Amy and the people all over the world participating in this experiment. I just saw Hamilton and I am so inspired and humbled by the beauty and depth that humans can create. I can create something amazing too. ? .
I cry with hope, serendipity, joy, grief and with the knowledge that life is short. Too short.
<3
San Francisco
I'm sitting at my desk at work in a basement. I work alone in the basement of my office building because I work with youth and our youth room is in the basement. This moment right now I read your book on my lunch break. Trying to relieve myself of work but also distract myself from my personal life. I got in a fight with my boyfriend last night over feeling neglected. I am tired and it's a Monday. I'm trying my best to navigate my first year out of college. And I'm just starting to feel a little burnt out. But overall I'm employed and have sometime to fight with so in end I know I am lucky and my best is paying off.
T
Portland, OR
we've wanted to move back "home" for a few years now. We live hundreds of miles from all of our friends and family, who we're always anxious to complain about living so far away from whenever we visit. So we should be happy that in two months we'll be living home, able to spend all weeekends and holidays with them instead of in what we describe is The Worst Place Ever. But...now that the moving dates approaching, I'm realizing how badly I want to stay. It's too late now and I'm sure we'll be happy when we get there but I've grown to love the place we once truly hated. Be careful what you wish for because you just might get it.
Robyn
St. George, UT
I've been reading your book while traveling to pay respects to my father-in-law. The first night we saw a rainbow while driving from Colorado, and I found the rainbow tracker after starting the book. Your pocket dial story reminded me of my in-laws. They are -- or are/were dear people. It's so unfair how sick they are/were, and as I read your words I alternately laugh at how funny you are/were and cry at how unfair it is that you're gone when you were clearly such an incredible, loving person who should still be here. I am losing my faith through all of this.
And then at dinner tonight, before I read this chapter, which I did while lying in bed in my in-laws' condo, there were purple flowers on the table.
Toni
Evanston, Illinois
I'm listening to this book this while driving home from work, so of course, I'm writing this later in the evening. At the time, though, I was stopped at a light. I feel crowded by the cars around me. The clouds overhead are ominous. It is still cold in my car. It makes me long for yesterday, before the temperature dropped so drastically. It was beautiful, the warmth and the sun on my face when I took a walk. And, suddenly, I miss my husband who died just a year ago. And then I think about Amy's death, and I mourn for all those who must leave this life so young. But at least I have the memory of those sunny days to get me through. And the hope of sunny days to come.
Sarah Thimmes
Lancaster
I'm sitting on the chaise in our family room in Portland, Oregon. As a mom of three busy tiny humans, I don't often have an opportunity to sit on the chaise. It's sunny outside (which is always a happy surprise during this Oregon spring), and I can hear the delightful hum of a lawn mower outside. {I fell in love with the lawn mower sound as a little girl, when, on sunny days I would stop my outdoor play to run inside and use the potty, and hear my dad cutting the grass.} I've recently discovered Amy's writings and just checked out every book of hers I could find at my library. My one year old daughter is sitting on the chaise with me, reading books aloud to herself--lots of which are Amy's books. My daughter will "finish" reading the books, toss them on the floor, and then say, "More! More!" (which, as you all know, was Amy's first word, see p. 168)
Elisabeth
Beaverton
I am alone, sitting in my leather chair by my books. My left leg hurts where the skin was removed for testing - I am not worrying about the test results. I already have a fatal, incurable but treatable disease -Wegener's Disease. I do worry that I am being a baby because I have complained that my leg hurts.
Shannon Warren-Wolfe
Santa Rosa Beach, Florida
I am reading your book on the couch. Thinking about history and how young you were when you died. Thinking about how much you already knew when you wrote these sections, even though the rest of us wouldn't know until much later. As I finish the purple flower section, I pause. Reach for another bookmark to check out this section online later. Just then, my cat looks up from her perch, makes eye contact, and jumps over. She's still figuring out how laps work and rarely gets into one of her own accord. She settles herself between my legs and starts purring. Loudly.
Katie
Madison, WI
I'm in the Barnes & Noble Copperfield branch in Houston, Texas--green tea and book (and laptop) at my table. I should be out doing my thing as an entrepreneur, but I'm hooked with Textbook Amy KR and determined to finish it today. It's a nice, cool spring day outside, and this book adds the needed warmth to balance everything out. It's incredible how much goodness and beauty I see around this tiny corner where I'm seated in. People doing there own thing here--quietly, civilly, productively. No one's talking, but the respect for each other's space and moment is obvious. Can you imagine if this is a microcosm of the world at large? The world would be so peaceful and a much better place.
Gino Que
Houston
As I rock on this very rocking chair I feel the sun beating down on me. The cushions are squishy which makes me wonder who else has sat on this rocking chair. A slight breeze hits my face. I have to constantly push up my glasses. And my toes keep getting stuck in the tile cracks.
Anonymous
I'm at my first day of school for my last quarter of my freshman year eating desert nachos and reading your book. I feel like I transcend any semblance of what reality should be.
Danielle
Los Angeles
I'm relaxing in bed. Birds singing outside, humid spring air reminding me of an even more humid Texas summer to come. Got home from vet with my precious dog a few hours ago. All is OK. For now.
Cate
Houston
I just found this site and I wanted to share a little about my Momma. It's always been just me and her against the world ever since I was 4 years old. I am now 42 and my sweet little Momma has Alzheimer's. She is losing her memory every day and my heart breaks more and more for her. I have the best mother in the world and she will lose her fight someday to this dreadful disease. Thank you for letting me share.
Shannon Ainsworth
Warr Acres
I'm still in bed. This morning, I stayed home to "work on paperwork" because I don't have any clients today. I'm a new therapist who sees kids and families. This is the kind of work I've always wanted to do, and I'm so lucky I get to be doing it now. But there's a lot of doubt. I don't feel like I know what I'm doing. It's hard to trust the process of therapy in light of the hard things my clients face. Tears are rolling down my face because what if I can't help them enough?
Michael B.
Nebraska
I'm on the way to visit my mom at the rehab center on this 29,290 day of her life. She's been through such a battle and she's. Owing home. I've just cleaned her apartment, preparing for her return. This purple flower moment represents hope. As I write, I realize I was born on 9/29 and this is her 29,290 day in the planet. ..Serendipity...how blessed are we. she's coming home! Thank you for this moment Amy. I love you. Goodbye!
Deb
Framingham
I've passed the "Purple Flower Moments" section two times today but wasn't in a place where I could record my own moment (backstage at a show, in the bathtub). Third time's the charm, I guess--and mine was full of serendipity. Somewhere my friends are at a party, but I'm home in my pajamas after a bath, reading your book, watching my candle with twin flames jump and bend towards me. I looked up to fill in more details and noticed two jars of flowers--one of sunflowers, the other of daffodils--on my windowsill. It reminded me of you and your yellow umbrella. I wish I had found you and your art and your joy long before now, but I am so grateful to have found them at all, and so grateful for a world that has you in it in some way. I love you, Amy Krouse Rosenthal
.
Regan Moro
Louisville, KY
It is Sunday afternoon, a beautiful Florida spring day. I am lounging in a wicker chair on my back porch, with my feet up on a cooler listening to my husband tend to yard work around in the front. The grass in back is a little long with actual purple flowers adorning the tops of the longer growths. My lazy yellow dog lounges nearby with her head next to her beloved dirty green tennis ball. I just reached page 201 in your lovely book. I wish that you could still bake a pie, and be with your beautiful family. I know that where you are is more amazing than we could ever imagine, purple flower moments abounding. Your words touch me deeply, and remind me to embrace and love all of the little moments. God bless.
Anonymous
It is Sunday afternoon, a beautiful Florida spring day. I am lounging in a wicker chair on my back porch, with my feet up on a cooler listening to my husband tend to yard work around in the front. The grass in back is a little long with actual purple flowers adorning the tops of the longer growths. My lazy yellow dog lounged nearby with her head next to her beloved dirty green tennis ball. I just reached page 201 in your lovely book. I wish that you could still bake a pie, and be with your beautiful family. I know that where you are is more amazing than we could ever imagine, purple flower moments abounding. Your words touch me deeply, and remind me to embrace and love all of the little moments. God bless.
Anonymous
It is Sunday afternoon, a beautiful Florida spring day. I am lounging in a wicker chair on my back porch, with my feet up on a cooler listening to my husband tend to yard work around in the front. My lazy yellow dog lounged nearby with her head next to her beloved dirty green tennis ball. I just reached page 201 in your lovely book. I wish that you could still bake a pie, and be with your beautiful family. I know that where you are is more amazing than we could ever imagine, purple flower moments abounding. Your words touch me deeply, and remind me to embrace and love all of the little moments. God bless.
Anonymous
At this moment I'm sitting on a couch in an apartment I share with a man I care for deeply. We are not married, but have lived together for a year. After one year with him, I'm not sure if I'm in love. I've been in love before, and I know what it feels like...it was beautiful and everything in the world made sense. That love faded when he left to join the Marines; now he's engaged to another woman, and I'm in my second long term relationship. I still think about that person often, and I wonder about love. Are we only allowed to find true love once? and what happens if, upon finding it, it becomes lost again? Where does it go? And when it returns, will I recognize it?
Erika
I found the site after losing hope. Thank you for keeping it alive for us :-). I sit at a wooden table surrounded by a couple of small sewing boxes, a knitting project, a letter to send out tomorrow, Yva Barthélemy's "La voix libérée" which I am using to try and get my singing voice back in order. Tiny sparkling pink LEDs are wrapped around the lamp base. I want to make something beautiful. I am drawn by the book Baby Birds, beautifully written and illustrated by a bird rehabilitator. My hair is still damp from washng it after yoga. This is my Friday night. Bless you Amy.
I was on a plane, flying for the second time. (The first time was to Toronto, now I was going home.) I was 11 years old, and had read Encyclopedia several times. (This was in December 2015.) I decided to make a purple flower moment, even though, at the time, I would have no way of getting it to you. I thought I might someday, somehow, and I guess that's now, even though you've died. So: her's one from late-night December. 16, 2015. I am in a plane. I am staring at my chipped pink and yellow nail polish. I am mad at my sister, but underneath, I'm happy with my life.
Thank you.
Anonymous
I've always hated change. I used to cry every new year, knowing it'd be more time that would go by and see the farms in my hometown quickly turn into developments. I'm at the library in the next town (closer to my house than my own town's), which is next to the predecessor of my childhood playground. I played on a beautiful, wooden playground called Cocoa Castle, appropriately named for its place on Cocoa Avenue in Hershey. I've always hated change. But then I met someone for whom I'm willing to give up my town, zip code, area code, state, and time zone. I'll miss the trees and my hiking spots and the state that's the snack capital of the world, but I'll have her. And she's more than enough.
April
Hershey
I was in bed when I read the Purple Flower Moment, and I’ll be honest: I was disappointed that out of all the times and places I have been reading this book, I was here in bed (alone) at 11:00p.m. on St. Paddy’s Day, and that this would have to be my moment. How would I make it even remotely thoughtful? But, nevertheless, I promptly put my bookmark in its page so that I would be reminded to send my Purple Flower Moment to you the next time I sat down to read, even though my chance at the FedEx’d pie was probably long gone.
But then, there was this morning. After I drank my coffee and sat down to write, I caught a headline in my MSN weekly update (which I rarely read) that said: “Author who wrote dating profile for husband dies.” And so it came to be that I discovered THIS author, Amy Krouse Rosenthal, had passed away on Monday of this week. I didn’t even know you had cancer. I didn’t know anything beyond the words of pages 1 to 201. But Amy, I want you to know that despite never having met you–not even having finished this book–I began to cry. I felt a weight of sadness, the loss of your spirit and the light you so willingly shined on others, friends and strangers alike. And it its place I felt Darkness. In such a short time together, you’ve already made an impact on my life, both as a writer, and as a human being.
So, for that I grieve with those who knew you, those who read your words, and those who were also touched by your light. I’m sorry you will never be able to read my Purple Flower Moment, not because I think it’s poignant, but because I wanted you to know who I was. That I am here reading your words. That I am moved by your Not-Exactly-Memoir. That you have shown me new ways to think outside of myself and carry forward such generosity.
And for that, Amy, I need to thank you. I thought at first, when I learned the news, that your light had gone out from this world. But now–at this moment–I realize it will continue to shine through those whom you’ve touched.
May God bless and keep you always.
Jennifer Currier
Providence
Yes, I am your 4th cousin. Your mother's grandmother Ann and my grandmother Bess were sisters. I have pictures of your grandmother Shirley (who I called Aunt Shirley even though she wasn't really my aunt) from my childhood. I live in Kansas City, Missouri but traveled to Albion, Michigan during childhood summers to visit my Aunt Ruthie. My mother is Marcia, Ruthie's sister (who are Bess's daughters). Confused? Okay, enough of the family tree. I am sitting on my bed and just finished your book. I am feeling so sad that I will never get to meet you. I knew you were a writer but that is about all I knew. I am thinking if I had only done more research I would have learned how extraordinary you were. I then would have written you and told you that we were cousins and I KNOW you would have written me back. I think you and I would have had some good laughs and would have loved talking about the wonderful families we were born into.
Becki Bohannon
Prairie Village, Kansas
Yes, I am your 4th cousin. Your mother's grandmother Ann and my grandmother Bess were sisters. I have pictures of your grandmother Shirley (who I called Aunt Shirley even though she wasn't really my aunt) from my childhood. I live in Kansas City, Missouri but traveled to Albion, Michigan during childhood summers to visit my Aunt Ruthie. My mother is Marcia, Ruthie's sister (who are Bess's daughters). Confused? Okay, enough of the family tree. I am sitting on my bed and just finished your book. I am feeling so sad that I will never get to meet you. I knew you were a writer but that is about all I knew. I am thinking if I had only done more research I would have learned how extraordinary you were. I then would have written you and told you that we were cousins and I KNOW you would have written me back. I think you and I would have had some good laughs and would have loved talking about the wonderful families we were born into.
Becki Bohannon
I am in my living room on a Saturday afternoon. My husband is running errands. My boys ages 11 and 13 are visiting friends. It's quiet. Today I have been feeling like I need to accomplish something big and important in life. Keeping a clean house, making dinner, doing laundry, working in an office just seem so insignificant. Then, while reading page 201, I get a text from a parent who's hosting one of my boys telling me he's so polite and that I'm a "good mama". So maybe I am doing something important - raising good boys who will be good men. Yes, we are all trying to matter. Maybe it just doesn't have to be on a big public grand scale. I am thinking of you feeling grateful for finding your words which inspire me to stop, enjoy and absorb life, to find beauty in the silence and normal everyday things. I will think of you whenever I see a purple flower and remind myself to beckon the lovely. I promise to make meaningful human connections. Thank you, Amy. I wish I had a chance to meet you. I think I would have really liked you. My love to your family...
Anonymous
This very moment I am sitting at my kitchen table on a Saturday afternoon. I whipped out my computer and put it on the table as soon as I read page 201 in Textbook. My husband is shaving in the bathroom: he just showered. My son (age 6) is playing with Legos on the living room floor. On the table in front of me are empty coffee cups, scrunched up napkins, a bowl that contains one single date, rolled in liquorish powder. I have eaten all the rest. There is also my husband’s reading glasses, a roll of paper towels and a peppermill. In my son’s spot is a blue glass of water, a paper towel and a very old Garfield book. He’s learning to read in English through Garfield (we live in Finland but my husband is American). There is also a copy of your book, as well as a paperback edition of Rebel of the Sands by Alwyn Hamilton.
It’s a gray Saturday. I have just been out with the dog. Soon I will get up and put all the dirty dishes from lunch in the dishwasher – for some reason none of us put them away as we cleared the table. In an hour we will drive to a café called Serendipity and have burgers, before we go and see the new Beauty&The Beast all three of us. It’s rare that we all see a movie together. It’s been something my son and I mostly do, just the two of us. In the in-between time I will finish the ninja suit I have spent all day sewing for my son, it only lacks the iron-on gold symbol he wants, so it looks just like a Ninjago outfit.
I will post this on your site. I know you recently passed away. I am reading your book in light of that, crying a lot. My own mother is terminally ill with lymphoma, they just decided to end chemo as it is no longer working. I think about death a lot.
I wish you had gotten to cut more apples, see more trees, come in soaked from the rain many more times.
Maria
Finland
This time with Hurray for the Riff Raff. They had me at the name. Then the music and the lyrics and the musicians just got right way deep in there to my heart and my soul, also to my tapping feet—and I'll spend the rest of the day walking around smitten and dazed and humming and aching to tell pretty much everyone 'bout 'em, then refreshing that little YouTube button which so magically shrinks this world and touches my heart again and again. Hurray indeed for Hurray for the Riff Raff!
Dwight
El Cerrito CA
My 7 month old, Rosemary, just finished feeding and crawls off our bed, which is on the floor. The hair above her ears is sticking out because it's a bit sweaty from her napping. I have some of her droll on my upper arm and am wondering where one of my breast pads has gone to. When I get up to get the phone to write this, I find it; it was under me. My husband, Danny, is listening to classical music and working on a game. We live in a studio. The main room is 16 by 16, so we are almost always together. I really like it that way. Rosemary is chewing on a block and looking up at me. I feel hopeful and light.
Kathy Ellen Davis
Santa Clara, CA
After a two and a half hour drive, I am at a ski resort with my daughter. I am not a skier; she is. I just didn't want her to drive for several hours by herself. She is good company. I'm reading your book and relishing my time alone and with her. It's a sunny late winter day. She is and has always been the sunshine of my life.
Marie Smoot
Akron
I'm sitting on the couch with two blankets on me. It is cold and I'm watching two of my cats snuggle on the seat next me. I'm wishing and praying for thoughts of love and hope for your family during this time and I'm grateful they have this amazing book to remember you by.
Anonymous
I'm sitting on my back porch with an overweight pug on my lap and a hyper-vigilant black and white dog by my side. Riding lawnmowers are dueling for attention on either side but are not drowning out the sound of pre-dusk crickets. Your picture of you with Cougar made me cry. And I'm sending thoughts of peace and love to your precious family in this sad time.
Jennifer McKay
Lafayette, LA
I could have. should have, read your books sooner. I am missing you even though we have just "met". What you have left behind is powerful and meaningful. Thank you!
Anonymous
I'm lying in bed next to my own Jason.
It is the night you said goodbye to yours, Amy.
I look over at him and watch as he listens to his ukulele podcast, earbud chord dangling...
and I remember how much he loves pie, and how I don't bake it nearly enough for him.
And I remember that tomorrow is pi day,
And I silently thank you for this gift.
There won't be another 100th pie from you, Amy.
But those of us with days ahead will bake for you.
And tomorrow
I will bake
For my
Jason.
Thank you Amy, for the generous way you shared your life.
Anonymous
I'm lying in bed next to my own Jason.
It is the night you said goodbye to yours, Amy.
I look over at him and watch as he listens to his ukulele podcast, earbud chord dangling...
and I remember how much he loves pie, and how I don't bake it nearly enough for him.
And I remember that tomorrow is pi day,
And I silently thank you for this gift.
There won't be another 100th pie from you, Amy.
But those of us with days ahead will bake for you.
And tomorrow
I will bake
For my
Jason.
Thank you Amy, for the generous way you shared your life.
Anonymous
I'm lying in bed next to my own Jason.
It is the night you said goodbye to yours, Amy.
I look over at him and watch as he listens to his ukulele podcast, earbud chord dangling...
and I remember how much he loves pie, and how I don't bake it nearly enough for him.
And I remember that tomorrow is pi day,
And I silently thank you for this gift.
There won't be another 100th pie from you, Amy.
But those of us with days ahead will bake for you.
And tomorrow
I will bake
For my
Jason.
Thank you Amy, for the generous way you shared your life.
Anonymous
I am lying in bed, reading Textbook for the first time. I am thinking about how I am texting someone who no longer lives on the same plane as I. I am thinking about how she touched my life when I was 15 and looking for something to believe in. I am contemplating how to give a 140 second talk on Kindness in two weeks. I have am planning a trip to London with my best friend. I am happy for the first time in a long time and despite the ache in my heart over the loss of Amy Krouse Rosenthal, I have never felt more like myself. Thank you, Amy. I love you.
Charlotte Renken
Denver, CO
I'm sitting in my sunroom at 9:38 pm. I'm tired; it's been a long day at school. The city lights from the view look like tiny stars that have come from Earth. Today is national pie day, and I'm thinking of you, Amy.
I read your book on a trip to Australia over winter break. It was something I'd randomly picked out at the downtown library. I needed something to fill a twelve hour flight with, and your book is what I found. I liked the rainbow on the cover. I remember reading it out in the sun on my grandparents patio laying on a blue sun chair. I couldn't do any of the interactive texting because I was out of the country, but I didn't mind. Your book is simple, and so so beautiful. I fell in love with your writing, your stories, your life, your willingness to give away pie, your willingness to get tattoos (bond with a reader) through ink, and when I returned the book (late) I didn't think of it again until now. Today. We watched your "The Crevices of Time" Ted Talk in my English class. I didn't even recognize you, even though your name was vaguely familiar. Your message of time made me feel some type of way-because I waste a lot of it. Then we read your heartbreaking article about your husband. It was a struggle not to cry. And now I'm listening to "Awake my soul" by Mumford and Sons. I'll always think about you when I hear it now. I wish that you had had more time on this planet. The world needs more people like you in it.
Love always and forever,
Katherine
Katherine
San Diego
I'm laying in bed dog sitting during my spring break of my senior year of college. I heard you were sick so I finally got this book like I had been meaning to do for a while. I got to midterm essay and then I heard that you died. I didn't know you but I feel like I did. I'm so sorry that your time ended. It's never enough, but you did so much with the time you had. It is a devistating loss to the rest of us that you won't get to continue making things. I have a feeling that the things you started will continue to have an impact long after you're gone though. I know you have had an impact on me. P.S. Happy Pi(e) Day
Samantha Thal
St. Louis
I am in a hotel overlooking Michigan Ave in Chicago, on spring break with my daughter and husband, It is a hard trip - I am trying to figure out how to stay married and honor the me that is emerging; my eleven year old senses shifting sands and is eager to fix all that is wrong, without knowing where to start. Last week I read Amy's essay on NYT.COM and wanted to know her more; this morning I read in the Chicago Tribune of her passing. As I read Textbook from my windowseat perch I mourn the friend I was just starting to connect with.
Anonymous
Lying on our salt-and-pepper tweed couch finishing my second mug of Wagh Bakri international blend chai tea. House is silent while the kids are at school. Harry just took a break from reading Susan Cain's Quiet to put more logs on the fire. I am aware of a satisfying blend of simultaneous emotion: pleased giddiness at the the frequent laughter that's been bubbling up while reading AKR's Textbook, swelling gratitude for the crackling fire and steadily-falling snow, poignant sorrow laced with determined savoring because it's probably the last snow of the season, and anticipation of a cozy lunch after (or maybe even while) reading the remainder of the book.
Sara
Sun Prairie, Wisconsin
It's a bitterly cold Sunday morning outside, but inside I'm snuggled up with my infant daughter who is nursing and making sounds of contentment. My dog smells the bagel being toasted in the kitchen and slowly walks across the floor in front of me, toe nails tapping on the hard wood floor. My husband has just made me a cup of tea in my favourite mug (that he has threatened to throw out on multiple occasions because it doesn't match our other mugs), and he delivers it to me in the next room. I feel at peace.
Diana
Toronto
It is early Saturday morning. The news is on. My readers are on. Just as I finish reading page 201, my 8-year-old son walks into the room, his face still soft from sleep. He sidles up against me on the couch, "Mom, can I have cake?" Me: "No." B, "I meant, can I have cake for dessert." It is 18 degrees outside, but I feel warm, completely content. Thank you, AmyKR
Liz Riggs
Fairfield
It is early Saturday morning. The news is on. My readers are on. Just as I finish reading page 201, my 8-year-old son walks into the room, his face still soft from sleep. He sidles up against me on the couch, "Mom, can I have cake?" Me: "No." B, "I meant, can I have cake for dessert."
Liz Riggs
Fairfield
It is early Saturday morning. The news is on. My readers are on. Just as I finish reading page 201, my 8-year-old son walks into the room, his face still soft from sleep. He sidles up against me on the couch, "Mom, can I have cake?" Me: "No." B, "I meant, can I have cake for dessert."
Liz Riggs
Fairfield
I'm sitting in the middle of Griffith Park in Los Angeles, on a blanket with three of my now-closest friends. We're on spring break and we took a couple of hours to sit and read the new books we bought yesterday. My pile included yours.
I'm grateful for these guys. Moving to college was hard. I'm not great at making friends. So when I overheard their conversation and they asked me if I would like to join their spring break, I surprised myself by saying yes!
This moment right now is the calm in the eye of a storm. I've had a lot on my mind but right now I can focus on being distracted from my anxiety.
It's a good day.
Abbie
Logan, UT
I just finished listening to Textbook Amy KR and reading the PDF. As the book ended I sighed to myself "oh, how I wish I knew her." Then it hit me: I do!!
Thank you!
bonnie kellogg
fremont, C
Aunt Jamie, I miss you so much. You're dying and there's nothing I can do to change that, but I would do anything and everything to tug you back into this world. You're one of the most important people to me and I love you with all my heart. I'm sending you the scarf in the hopes that maybe it will make you just a little bit more comfortable in your final moments. You're one of the best people I have ever met. Love, Hannah Shulman.
Hannah Shulman
New York City
I read with deep sadness about your illness, Amy. You have been a part of our lives (husband and children) with both your children's books and Encyclopedia of an Ordinary Life. After reading your article, I scoured my public library for as many of your books that they would let me borrow. I brought them in to my 3rd grade class. We talked, cried, read, cried, drew pictures, talked, laughed and cried some more. We wanted to let you know.
Marsha Bank
Plainview, NY
Amy, this is not meant to sound stalker(ish) in any way, but it is a Sunday morning and I am laying in my amazingly comfortable bed, reading your book and thinking about you. I read your New York Times Modern Love essay yesterday (Saturday, March 4) and it grabbed me. I had not yet been captured by the book I was currently reading, so I decided to download your Textbook. While reading your book, I have thought about you every 10 pages or so. Your love for your children, your husband, your life really comes through in your writings. It seems like you lead a charmed life, a lucky one, a happy person...I am one too. I am lying here in bed, listening to my amazing fiancé cough as he sits at our dining room table and gets some work done. I am thinking of you and Jason and wondering how you're feeling right now, are you lying in bed and listening to patter around Jason somewhere in your home? I am curious if I would ever have the capacity to write something so heart felt and selfless about Jed if my 29,200 days were cut short? I know that one of your goals with Textbook was to make connections and I wanted you to know that you have made one with a 33year old woman in Brooklyn, NY. I hope you are having a good day today and I hope you get as close to 29,200 as is comfortable for you.
Simone
Brooklyn
In this moment I am in bed laying on half of the softest brown blanket you'll ever lay hands on. I just covered myself with the other half of the blanket and wondered if using a separate blanket from my husband is any indication of the state of our marriage. Then I remember to go check on my 12-year-old daughter. She won't notice me keeping my nightly promise to go check on her. But I will remember. Walking to her room over the cold tile I think how this promise comforts her enough to help her fall asleep. Our Google speaker is playing soft sentimental music which prompts me to image a more dramatic scene regarding this idea where one of us is dying and the last thing we ask is "you promise to check on me?" And the other answers "ok I promise".
She looks peaceful and the cat is sleeping on the comforter by her feet. Then I step into my sons room and cover him with his blanket, not so much as an act of sentiment but rather out of fear that if I don't he will get too cold and pee on the bed. It's colder tonight than it usually is in Florida so I set the heater to 72 degrees when I pass by the thermostat . Back in my room, I crawl into my folded blanket to continue reading. My husband makes a grunting sound like he's a bit startled. "I was just checking on the kids." I say.
Jinny
Debary, FL
I am lying on my belly on my youngest daughter's bed, crying as I read your book because only a few hours ago, I found out that you are dying. I don't exactly know why that comes as such a terrible blow to me. Maybe because every time I connect with your work it makes my heart sing. Maybe because I really want to write like you and was actually just planning to contact you for advice on how to get the beautiful wisps of books out of my brain and into the world. Maybe because when that dream of connecting with you is so suddenly and irrevocably crushed, I feel the bereavement for this dream compounded with the sudden realization of all the other dreams that won't ever be. I really want you to live. So that you can relish the sweetness of your life in the delightful way that you only you can, but also so that I can share myself with you the way you've shared yourself with me. And so we could be buddies and pen pals and collaborators. And because there is no one in the world like you and you'll leave such a gaping void. And because I'm scared of putting the genuine me out there and you inspired me and showed me how it's done. Thanks you for making the world more beautiful and magical. I want more you. Thank you for everything.
Liesel
Kansas City
I am lying in bed in my underwear, reading this book. I've taken off my "ears". I wear a cochlear implant and a hearing aid. Now I am deaf.
Deaf is not quiet. Anything but. It rings like electricity. Still, I can no longer hear my husband's snore. Each night I am reminded of loss. This isn't a bad thing. In this moment, every night, I know how to appreciate what I've got. Loss is like that. Yes, it is.
Karen Willard
McMinnville
I am listening to your audiobook while walking to school, where I have a presentation on atomic theory for second-period science class. The intermingling voices of yours (Amy) discussing purple flower moments and mine silently practicing my presentation create an intellectual symphony. The air is clean and fills up my lungs on an unusually warm Chicago day. I am happy, my footsteps mingle with the footsteps of my fellow commuters and for a minute I think about how many full, complex, beautiful lives I witness every day on the one-mile walk to school.
My hopefully-optimistic, lover-of-days self walks into school and I begin my day.
Kayla
Chicago
I'm sitting in my IKEA chair with my feet on my IKEA ottoman. Propped on the arm of the chair, your book is opened to page 201 while my kitty purrs and slightly twitches his tail, enjoying the warm, fuzzy blanket on my lap. I see the view out my living room window. If the shades were raised just a little higher, I would see only nature, but instead I see the tall trees, a small view of a far off hill, and some power lines. Earlier the trees were lashing in the wind, and a misty rain has been falling most of the day. Now, the trees are completely still and no rain falls. My daughter lounges on the couch with a fever, enjoying her Kindle HD Fire that she bought with Uncle Herb Christmas money.
Holly
Tigard, OR
I am sitting on my bed--my husband's and my bed--and I look up from page 201 of your book to see Rochelle from season 12 of Hell's Kitchen (on YouTube) cut off the end of her thumb, leaving part of it on the table and I think yes, that's what I feel right now, like a part of myself has been left on the table in the living room, the same room in which my husband now scowls, steel-hearted and with dagger eyes ripping a hole in what's left of my heart, and I ask myself, "Can I let this go on?" I wish I knew.
Dana
Rochester, NY
I was reading page 201 while on hold with my blog's hosting company. I'm sitting at my antique secretary with your book and my favorite green LePen in my hand so I can underline, jot notes or put little smiley faces next to all of your wise words. You have inspired me to finally take my writing out of my head and into the world with a blog. It seems only fitting that I would be waiting for some technical blog support when I read page 201. A Godipity moment for me.
Sending you so much light and love, AKR. Your words have changed my life. I will be forever grateful.
Carolyn
Edina
I'm sitting on the couch, the scent of dinner in the air. My son just left for work. I offered to drive him; it's not quite dark, but it is chilly outside. He said he was fine and that he'd see me later. I watched him leave. I tried not to read too much into it, seeing his tall figure grow smaller as he got further away. He'll leave for college in August. He hasn't picked his school yet, but all of his options are at least five hours from home. I remember looking forward to this day when he and his sister were little. The days were so long then. I was constantly on the go, making meals, picking up toys, giving baths, changing diapers, reading stories, "No, you don't need another glass of water; go to sleep!" If I could go back, I'd be better. I'd have more patience. I'd get them the second glass of water, read the third story, give the fourth kiss. I wouldn't sigh so heavily over simple requests.
Meredith
North Liberty
I'm in my living room reading and browsing the "textbook" website and eating ghiradelli chocolate squares that my husband gave me for my birthday. I'm sitting on my comfy red camelback couch (which is going to be picked up any day because I just sold it on Craig's List). My 1.5 year-old is napping and I'm feeling a little guilty that I'm sitting here reading a book for pleasure (and for book club tonight) instead of getting other stuff around the house done. The chores can wait though (they're always very patient with me). :)
Camile
Stonington, CT
At this very moment I am laying in my bed. Snug as a bug in a rug. I just read page 102 in "textbook", I have closed the book saving the page and sat it down right next to me so I can conveniently pick it up again after writing my "purple flower moment". My bedroom door creaks open as my sister's tuxedo cat, Clyde, scurries in to jump on my bed and lay by my feet. I hear him purring and see him slowly falling asleep. I think to myself, "I wish it were that easy for me to fall asleep." As I'm watching clyde sleep I'm thinking of the conversation I just had with my mother. She came home late and walked straight to my bedroom to sit on my bed and ask me how I was. Probably wouldn't have mattered if I were asleep or not. She probably still would have walked into my room. she looks at me with that worried look moms always give their daughters. "How are you?" I look at her knowing her question has a deeper meaning. I recently broke up with my boyfriend and have been a little down, so her question of "how are you?" Actually means... "do you need to talk about the breakup?" In my response I say, "mom I'm fine, it needed to happen..." she half smiles at me and starts talking about politics.
Clyde is fast asleep and I am so jealous. I think I'm too tired to pick up the book and read anymore. It's time for bed.
Ashley Haltom
Wichita, Kansas
Just home from the opening reception of another papercut show, sitting at the kitchen table eating sandwiches I've made from leftover chicken my wife cooked last night. It was a new recipe, and two of our three children liked it, including the picky one.
Isaac Brynjegard-Bialik
Los Angeles
The smell of it is all around us as I place a warm bowl in front of my grandma. She smiles with a toothy denture grin despite knowing only this moment now. I sit here observing her with a tear escaping my mind. She will not remember this tomorrow, yet she is staring at me and waving her fork around in tiny celebration. My cat is batting at dried flowers sitting inside a vase. It's been there for about three months, and my grandma doesn't know it's there anymore. She pitches a piece of chicken at me and I smile again...Imagining she'd still be here like those limp crinkly flowers. She will be that stain the chicken leaves behind in the 50 year old carpet... I won't wash it out.
Jessica Collazo (Jessie the Leftie)
Palos Park, Illinois
I'm not special. This moment will not be eloquent or very meaningful. Nobody will remember it. I do not expect to win a pie, nor do I think anyone will even read this. Yet still, here I am, writing my moment down for nobody but myself. Perhaps I subconsciously do believe somebody will come across this at some point and say "Wow that's deep." Maybe I'm just bored. And if you are reading this, hello there. It's nice to know that this did end up being read.
Indigo Kopp
Meriden, NH
I keep thinking that if Sarah Connor and Kyle Reese, along with help from Arnold, are going to time travel to stop the imminent destruction of mankind perhaps now would be a good time. I'm terrified of what the next four years are going to look like. What's going to happen to us? In the midst of worrying I text my mom to tell her that I forgot to send her the tax information and that I love her. She texts back that the phone scared her and almost made her pee her pants. I tell her it wouldn't be the first time. I love my mom.
Mo
Minneapolis
A block from my home there is a church junior high school that has beautiful sidewalks. I read my Kindle or read a book walking this path that I am so familiar with. People will stop and ask me if I'm actually reading - it is so therapeutic. Some would call it multitasking but it serves my purpose of mobility and the joy of reading.
Susan
Victoria
School has been cancelled. It's actually due to freezing rain but we'll call it a snow day. I should be teaching but I am lounging on the coach in my pajamas. I can hear my husband (who is a professor) eating cereal, watching The Price is Right and playing with the dog in the other room. My three boys are all sequestered away in their rooms with their electronic devices. I miss the togetherness, but I knew this time would come. They need to figure out who they are independent of mom and dad. But I have tears in my eyes as I type this. I can hear the bubbling energy of my ten-year old possibly coming down the stairs. Time to wipe the tears away.
Sharon Porcaro
Whitewater
I am in a classroom in Barcelona, Spain, where I teach sixth grade at an American school. The students are scattered around the room reading, as we do for the first fifteen minutes of every humanities period. Some are reading physical books, some read digital. But the "sound" of reading, as I tell them regularly, is one of my favorite sounds. Though silent, it's noticeable. I also love peering up from my own book from time to time to watch them completely absorbed by their own. Occasionally students will also turn and point out parts of their books to each other. Their enthusiasm is contagious. These first fifteen minutes of class are my favorite times of the day.
PS: I have been reading excerpts of your book to my seventh graders. Many have asked to borrow your book when I have finished.
Tori Luthringer
Barcelona, Spain
I am in my favourite reading chair with a cozy blanket. My husband and eldest son (currently sick with the flu), are watching a hockey game on TV beside me. My younger son and daughter were just tucked in and I am savouring the quiet and relaxation after another hectic, mundane day of work and family life, and trying to remind myself to savour EVERY moment because life is short. Being reminded that even during our worst times, someone is experiencing something more dreadful. Acknowledging that we are all the same with ups and downs; just wanting to be loved and be with those we love for as long as possible.
Shannon
Montreal, Canada
I am nestled inside my comforter in my freshly redecorated bedroom. Yesterday I hauled my bookshelf up here so I could be closer to my growing library as if our proximity directly relates to their value to me. I spent the day shopping at antique stores with my best friend and texting my long distance boyfriend (counting down the hours till I see him: 216). There is a sense of ease blanketing itself around my time home, a feeling habitually foreign when I'm on break from college. I know I'm growing, and the walls that incubated my childhood are gently allowing me to do so.
Rebecca Oberstadt
Sandy Hook, CT
At this moment I am sitting in an old desk chair I took from the workshop I share with my boss (and by share I mean he pays for all of it and I use his space to do my own stuff from time to time). The desk in question is a hollow core door on sawhorses that I obviously made myself. I took the door from the shop too. It had been sitting around for a long time, ever since I accidentally bought it for a job back when me and my boss were servicing some apartments across town. They never actually paid us for the extra door, which is fair. But they also never paid us for a lot of other work we did, which is why we don’t work at those apartments anymore. Downstairs, my four housemates/friends of eight years are hosting a LAN party (Local Area Network Party) with six other guys that I have also known since they were hosting these same computer nerd gatherings when we were all in high school. The guests are all friends too, except one, who cheated on his girlfriend/one of my oldest friends. But earlier I still managed to be amicable enough to respond to his “hello”, but cold enough not to invite further conversation, which I considered an accomplishment. I’m leaning back in my rickety chair, thinking about the apartment manager who wronged my boss, and the cheating boyfriend who wronged my friend, and I remember how angry those things had made me once, and could make me angry again, if I put forth the energy. But instead, I’m thinking about the shop project my boss and I are going to work on tomorrow, and the boys (men?) in the room downstairs who have shared a home with me for two years, and how good they all are. I guess that is my moment, me, sitting alone in my room on a Saturday night, with a new book that I am very much enjoying, while I contentedly listen to the conversations of a roomful of boys (men?) yelling about aliens and other such nonsense down below.
Katie
Chicago
I am laying in bed, enjoying the last remnants of free time this weekend. I am thinking that regardless of what life throws at me, I can handle it. I am going to be ok. We all are
Kimberley
Burlington
I am a teacher on winter break, sitting on my couch reading this great book. I have been doing a lot of writing myself, and so had taken a break from reading it for longer than I would like to admit, but tonight was a good night to pick it up again. My goal is to finish reading it tonight because I will be flying to New York tomorrow and thought I would bring two other novels with me that I just bought (Common Wealth and Purple Hibiscus). Purple seems to be a theme, because on Sunday I will be seeing the very final performance of The Color Purple on Broadway. I am taking one of my former students, Lauryn, who I taught in Pre-K. She is now 10, and this will be her first time on a plane and first exposure to Broadway/musicals. The thought of witnessing her experience it all for the first time is thrilling.
Elizabeth H.
Chicago
Im lying in bed wide awake although it is 2:12 am and tomorrow is my first day back to school after Winter break. I chose to read because that usually puts me to sleep but, 2 hours later and i'm still reading this book. I hate reading, it bores me, but this book has captivated me and is not letting go anytime soon. This is the first book I have ever read that truly entertained and contacted with me. Thank You
Cassidy - a struggling high school student
Kyle
My husband of 35 years and I are having lunch. Both absorbed in our reading ; no conversation is necessary. The fridge hums in the background. An ordinary day. I feel content.
Patricia
Bexley
Laying in bed with my 4 children cuddled up around me and surrounding me with unconditional love and affection. My cup is full from a beautiful week with my family and I am eager to see what 2017 holds for all of us!
Anonymous
I'm reading this in bed, cozy and warm. I have started the year of my life (2017) that will change everything... I'm leaving home and becoming an adult. I'm falling in love for the first time. I'm hoping everything ends up well. I'm doing my best to appreciate every little moment in life before it all changes.
Anonymous
I am on a plane waiting to take off and it is the first day of 2017. We are at the tail end of our family holiday vacation to Austin, TX. I can't help but think about how we keep saying, "we don't know how many more family vacations like this we will have." My oldest daughter is 21 and graduating from college in May. My son is 19 and just starting school, and my youngest daughter is 15 and will be graduating in 2019. We could have many more family vacations or we could have none. But really, we never know, so regardless if it is one of many possible lasts (they all were, really) or the last, it doesn't matter. It was great to be together.
Morgan
State College, PA
I'm on winter break from college in my family home, where I have lived off and on for most of my life. In this and many recent moments I'm trying to find meaning and simultaneously avoid worrying about my precarious future. I stayed up to late the night before, and wouldn't mind going to bed now at an unusually early time for me. Instead I choose to submit this and continue to read your book. Near me are a pile of books I checked out from the library today, a quantity likely too large to be finished before I go back to school. I feel scared and safe at the same time.
Alex
Aurora, Illinois
I'm sitting in the Sacramento airport, waiting for a delayed flight. I started this book just two days ago on my flight from Alaska to surprise my aunt now living in Lincoln, CA. Her birthday is two days after Christmas and very much always lost in the Christmas hubbub and hangover. She cried when she saw me walk from around the corner. I cried as soon as my uncle rounded that corner. Upon our goodbye this am, she handed me a black box containing my grandmother's, her mother's, 25th anniversary ring. At her moments before death, I photographed her hands. Their shape. So thin and frail. Rings fallen to the side. Knuckles just barely holding reign on them. I thought I'd never forget that moment. And I never did. But I guess I had forgotten the rings. That wasn't the importance. Now, these rings fit my finger like I'm sure they did hers, so many years ago. I'm that lady in the airport, crying behind my sunglasses. Soggy tissues in my pocket. My love tank full from a trip I expected to be giving all the love. But, instead has me leaving, looking back to my past while very much looking toward the future.
Annie
Wasilla, Alaska
I am sitting on a soft chair outside on my Grandparent's patio. My body is tired from the fourteen hour flight from California to Australia. Your book is cracked open on my bare legs. It's summer over here, and hot. The page I'm on reads: MUSIC. A fish jumps out of the lake water and belly flops back in with a soft splash. I study the sparkling, dark blue water, and marvel at the grand houses along the lake. These people come from money, like my grandparent's. I am happy, sad, worried, confused, insecure, unsure, full of joy, as I greet my family. I love them; do they still love me? Am I an American nuisance? Is it rude of me to be so shy, quiet, and awkward? Am I coming off cold? Butcher birds whistle in the tree's and across the water I hear kids laughing. I have an impulsive urge to burn my passport and stay here by the water, reading, never getting old, never moving forward. Just figuring myself out.
Katherine
Brisbane
I am in a hotel room in El Cerrito, Calif. I bought your book at City Lights bookstore in San Francisco a couple of days ago. My husband and I are here visiting his family for the holidays. It is the first Christmas without his mom, who passed away in August, so the week has been bittersweet. Tonight we are packing up as tomorrow we are flying back to Chicago. I am reading your book while lying across the bed in our hotel room. The room is too warm, and my husband is tallying up the expenses from our trip in his little notebook.
Alice C.
Written in El Cerrito, CA
The new rain-kissed grass is so brightly green in the sunlight outside my window at home in Galt. That's all the decoration I need for Christmas anymore. I feel so softly gray like the rainclouds as they passed by.
Elinor
Galt
Curled up under a quilt, listening to karaoke and video games from downstairs, as I have a quiet moment to digest the chaos of the day. 2016 I said goodbye to my baby sister as she took her last breath at 19 years of age. In just a weeks time I'll be living in a different year than the last time I saw her smile. I'm making sure to enjoy all the little chaotic moments, now.
Anonymous
Their giggles skitter through the air and make my heart leap. This is totally how I imagined parenthood. I tucked them in 20 minutes ago, but they can't stop whispering long enough to fall asleep. Why is staying in a rented condo so much more fun than living in your own house?
Sara
Charlotte
It’s December 19th, 2016, and I’m on a greyhound bus home for Christmas. It was daylight when I left Toronto but now the sun has set and I am hungry. For a while, the sky was yellow on the left of the bus, and clear blue on the right. I wore my glasses and peered through the grimy window at the intricate leafless branches of the trees to the west silhouetted against the sunset. Now it is dark, but occasionally I pass houses with glowing Christmas trees in the front windows. I wonder who lives there and if they like living so close to the highway.
Claire
Somewhere between Toronto and Ottawa
It's a snowy Sunday and I'm sitting on my bed in my apartment. I've been feeling such longing, loss and sadness this last month. It's been a rough year and I'm not in the holiday spirit at all this year. I didn't even decorate for the first time ever. I have this book in front of me. It's dark outside already but the blinds are still open and I see my neighbor's Christmas lights twinkling & the snow is still falling.
Sabrina
Naperville
It is after work and I'm on the R train in Brooklyn, underground, one stop from home. I read the page that mentions Wings of Desire, the angel riding the subway, and I looked up at the crowd of fellow-commuters around me, and I smiled.
Anonymous
I'm lying in bed under a down comforter, and I wonder if it's a bad sign that this is my absolute favorite part of every day, the moment that every day builds toward. Like it's decidedly unambitious or un-carpe-diem-ish. But how could it be any more perfect? Kids tucked in, the house is silent except for the sound of my wife next to me turning the pages of her paperback. Our golden retriever (our "first child") is sleeping at my feet. Cancer is ravaging his 12-year-old body and our time with him is short, but for now he's peaceful because there's nowhere else he'd rather be. No matter what kind of day I've had, glorious or shitty, they all culminate in this moment. And it's bliss.
Greg
Sacramento
12/4/16 10:17am
I look up and huge snowflakes are falling from the sky. First snowfall this winter in Chicago. My 4 year old is playing a word game on my phone. I'm sitting in my parents' kitchen pondering whether to leave soon or wait for my sister and her kids who are coming in a few hours. It's like a party when we are all here.
Anonymous
I know that a winner has already been chosen, but I'd like to share my moment anyway. I'm lying in bed, feeling very cozy with a stack of books. My adult children are coming to visit tomorrow for an early Christmas get-together and a stray cat whom I named Malcolm is sitting next to me. I adopted him yesterday. I am a widow and the holidays are hard but reading your book helps!
Lisa Loepker
Fishers, Indiana
I am a teacher and it's the last day of my fall break. I am reading in my pjs sitting in front of a fire, dogs nearby, occasionally barking, then falling back to sleep. Both of my kids are home, upstairs, still not up. I have a million things to do, but I'm not going to do them right now. Monday will come soon enough. And I intend to savor every last minute of Sunday.
Lee Anne Smalley
Dallas, TX
In bed reading. Kids are asleep, husband is traveling, & cat is annoying the piss out of me, trying to scratch her chin on the book. I appreciate the lightness and entertaining quality of this book- my life needs both right now.
Jenny
Tokyo
I read about your Purple Flower moment yesterday but the day was crazy and I didn't have time to sit and reflect upon mine. Well, actually I did but my day was a bit sad. Nothing specific but just a bit blue, you know? "Happy" is one of my qualifiers so it didn't feel right to write about that.
Today is different. I'm sitting in my chair over by the family room window, nursing my last cup of coffee. It's our youngest boy's 17th birthday. The streamers, balloons, photos and signs are hung around the kitchen. (Something I started with our oldest and now must do for each of the three kids. And husband.) Gazing at all his pictures, from babyhood til now, I'm just so very thankful. I love being his mom. Shoot, crying a bit. Happy tears.
Sheila
Aurora, Illinois
I am sitting on a stool as my mother takes out the twists that she put in my hair last night and thinking about your purple flower moment. My mind is positively racing with ideas (important ones too, about school and life and maybe taking up writing as a serious hobby), but there is a blue ceramic bowl filled with congealed oil chips in front of me that is commanding all of my attention. It's fascinating and kind of sad and I can't help but be reminded of something left behind.
Kay
New York
I'm sitting in my living room drinking coffee on a much needed day off of work. I can hear my daughter in the other room listening to Her favorite band (and mine) on YouTube on her tv.
In the last month a girl I have been in love with for over 20 years, who has seen me only as a friend, has finally come around to seeing me as more. its the most exciting thing that has happened to me in a very very long time. I feel it's mostly stressful for her because for us to be together a lot of things would need to change and feelings would be hurt. We are hanging out later this evening. I wonder what's going to happen.
Anonymous
I'm sitting on my couch late at night. It's finally quiet as my three sick kids are asleep. I'm wearing flannel pajama bottoms with the shirt I wore all day today. The flannel pants have reindeer and Christmas trees on them which strikes me funny because I have been grumbling about the proliferation of Christmas stuff in every store, way too soon. I have my sleeping dog by me, and she has been a real jerk lately, digging under the fence in a dozen different spots and getting out. But I am remembering that my very best friend spent an afternoon this week helping me fix the fence so my beloved, and occasionally jerky, dog stays safe and sound. So maybe Christmas sometimes comes early.
Anonymous
In bed, thinking about my trip next week. What can I possibly say or do in 2 seconds when confronted with HANDSOME ACTOR WHOM I LOVE that could possibly result in me not disappointed or embarassed. Is it better not to go at all?
Anonymous
I'm at home, pretty sure none of my roommates are at home. I thought I was hungry just before, so I spent some time on a restaurant app looking up places to get takeaways from but everything seemed too far away or not what I wanted. I got some chocolate biscuits from the kitchen instead and am eating them now. I have curly hair and play with it all the time, twirling and twisting it. I can tell when I feel low-key anxious about nothing because my hair will be separated into distinct curls because I've been playing with it constantly, and it's like that tonight. I'm not anxious about anything in particular, maybe it's more like a feeling of ennui. I think it might be because I haven't seen anyone since I left work, and I want to chat to someone. My new beside lamp is very bright and confusing me because it makes it feel like it's still sunny outside, even though the sun set about an hour and a half ago.
Tegan
Auckland, NZ
I'm sitting in the lowest floor of my university library, thinking about how your middle and last names smashed together sound like Rosencrantz, and mine like Guildenstern. For a moment, I figure we are friends, but I recognize later we are accomplices.
Grayson Hughes
Austin, Texas
I'm subbing a history class at the moment. It's 7th hour, the kids are done with their work so they are enjoying conversation. They are all juniors and seniors and I think "my friends and I didn't look like this at this age". I'm not old either! They all have earbuds, fancy clothes, expensive shoes and are crazy smart. One student just told me he's programming a video game on his phone. What!? I think about my kids and when I should get them a phone. I think I still have a couple years.
I wonder if these kids have done anything outside lately. Camping, fishing, anything? My family and I recently lived with my dad while our home was being built. He has no internet and no cable. My daughter asked what the wifi password was....I laughed. She did not.
I'm rambling. Back to reading.
Anonymous
Just moved from the living room couch to the kitchen table so I could grab a pen and looseleaf paper and write this out. I am in my apartment, across the road from the university I attend, at the yellow wooden table that's covered with homework and emptied-out tupperware and pens and receipts that I've scrawled notes all over. Here's a copy of my presentation notes--have you heard of the rather serendipitous story of Marc Liblin meeting his wife Meretuini? It's a rather remarkable story.
This moment is... well, I wouldn't call it quiet; two of my four roommates and one of their study-buddies (can I call college-age kids "study-buddies"?) are talking and loudly in the living room. They're talking about Texas' affinity for Sonic Drive-Throughs. I can, but don't, concur with what they're saying, as I'm from Houston.
I am in my "fat" pants--paint-splattered blue jeans that are far too comfortable to throw away--and a dark blue "FBI" T-shirt I got as a hand-me-down from my younger sister, who I think got it from my younger brother.
My brother just got married. He's 19. She's 18. They've moved into my parents' house because he's joining the army...I've just scratched out three attempts to comment on that. Guess I've just got mixed feelings.
It's about 10 at night [now about midnight, that I'm typing this up]. I'm an English major at BYU, but I'm double minoring and studying extra things on the side, so I'm stressed about all the homework I need to get done tomorrow [Friday] and this weekend. I'm reading your book instead [of doing homework], and my roomies keep asking me what I'm laughing at. Sometimes I'll read them excerpts, but they seem more confused than delighted. Maybe they just need to read the whole thing.
My hand is starting to hurt, so I'll stop here and get this typed up this evening. I need to put "this evening" instead of "soon" else it won't get done. I don't think I'll be getting around to editing my sister's college application essays before the weekend...
Thalia Rosa Pope
Provo
I am in bed on my daughter's 32nd birthday! I am missing those days with my 3 children running around, wild with anticipation of presents and cake! Singing happy birthday really off key and blowing out candles. I am missing my baby boy who passed away 3 years ago at the age of 19, who loved seeing his sister loving life on her birthday. I'm missing my 29 year old son who lives in Colorado and his jokes and antics to make his sister laugh! Sharing birthdays with my children was so special for me! I am sad! I am in bed! Tomorrow will be a gift again!
Deb
Schenectady
I am leaning on my bed because I am so tired from being sick with this cough/cold thing that overstayed its welcome several weeks ago now, and from chasing my four-year-old who is on steroids because of being sick too, and from feeling like an impostor at what I do just because I still have things to learn. I should be asleep hours ago. But I have been waiting a decade for this book, dearest Amy KR, and I will catch up on my sleep tomorrow. Tonight - right now - is for reading.
Anonymous
I am sitting in a white fold-out chair, guarding 18 coats. I didn't wash my hair before my shift, and the cuff of my black pants has unraveled. I see people with boxed lunches milling about on the other side of the glass. My coworker is wearing bright blue sox with her all-black uniform. I catch myself biting my lower lip. The floor is very shiny.
Carla
New York, NY
I am, at this very moment, sitting on my living room floor. I am sweaty from the gym, but cannot bring myself to take a shower before I have coffee. The sun is rising and I can smell the freshly ground beans waiting in the french press. I can hear the kettle softly whistling. I am thinking about what a long day I have ahead of me. At least there is coffee.
Marlaina
Southern Pines
I am laying in bed, feeling totally relaxed and zened out from the yoga practice I just did. I have my bedroom window open and my cat just jumped in it. It's a gorgeous, warm, windy, October night, the perfect temperature to me. I can feel the breeze on my bare, freshly showered lavender lotion scented skin. I wish every night could feel this nice. I don't want it to end.
Anonymous
At this moment, I am seated in the main room of my home where light is pouring in through the three skylights and one bay window. Outside I can see the forest almost touching my porch; it is painted with bright autumn yellows and oranges. Inside there is a vegetable pot pie in the oven and a lavender candle on the table in front of me. I feel a great peace at this moment.
Cassidy
Boone
I am at the dining room table, trying to eat some leftover pizza for lunch, but it's hard to do around the tears. Mostly they're from reading the purple flower arrangement on pp. 198-199. But also they're from today, a day when I can't seem to get past the mistakes, the failures, the less-than-adequates, the uncertainty. I'm spurred on by the tablecloth -- our "good" tablecloth -- and its bleach stain, slightly in front of my daughter's seat.
Anonymous
Right now I am in bed reading this book as my husband hurried to finish a project due tonight. It will be tomorrow in 16 minutes. I'm hoping I'm pregnant.
Erin
I am in my room, thinking about life. Lately I think I am having a mid-life crisis. I am 41 and got dumped recently. I miss her. I found this book the other day. I've been reading a lot lately. I am thinking about the chances, the one in 280 million chance that after breakfast the other day I see a game called "Bean Boozled" in the store. I had never heard of it or seen it before but she mentioned it a few weeks ago after she played it with her nephews. I wonder if things like this happen to her and she thinks of me? There is a card on my desk addressed to her, I wrote it weeks ago, but it just sits there daring me to mail it.
Jason
Bensalem
My Purple Flower Moment is my typical weeknight moment, or rather, what I wish was typical. I'm laying in my bed with the window thrown open to let the crisp fall night in, reading a beautiful book, and listening to beautiful music. It's one of those moments where you ignore what you should or could be doing and do what you want to be doing.
Anonymous
I am alone with my dog, eating a waffle, drinking coffee, and trying not to get chocolate on my textbook. In the last 48 hours, I've driven to Omaha, NE and back, attended a wedding, ate Chinese food with my mother, listened to the same cd 10 times, and made food for work. Then I watched the 2nd presidential debate. This morning I prayed that I might always remember what's really important. My wife flies home today from a funeral. She is my purple flower. Columbine, to be exact.
Francis Krug
Indianapolis
I'm riding in the cat on our way to the Rocky mountains (Jasper AB) and as I read page 201...I get a personalized text from Amy Krause Rosenthal. serendipity.
Elizabeth
Edmonton
Right now, I'm lying on my belly in bed next to my 22 month old, who is also lying on his belly, but he's asleep and I'm reading. The sounds from the building construction next door are piercing but somehow, my son lies undisturbed. I like to think it's because even though his ears might register the noise, his body knows I'm close and that's enough for him.
Zara
New York
I'm sitting here in a botanical garden with someone I love. Who doesn't know it yet but I believe he feels it. It's terrifying and exciting all at the same time. I'm never wasting time with him even when we're just sitting around. I cry sometimes because I never want to loose him but I know it's just a passage in my life. I'll always be grateful for him and what he's done for me.
Shelby
Chicago
I'm tucked away at the library on a Wednesday. I like to sit in the Youth Fiction section by the window because all of the kids are in school so I get to read in solitude. My own children are in school, except for my youngest, who is home with my mother-in-law, who is kind enough to watch her for a few hours so I can run errands and get groceries and things like that. But since I usually get my errands done on Monday, I usually sneak away to the library to read or write. I'm reading your book, being reminded of how much I freaking love books, and how grateful I am to the people who write them.
Lindsey
Lincoln, NE
I am, like so many others, in bed. I spent last night with my friend who was a Peace Corps volunteer in Togo, who did not love her life there. Reading the moment from the volunteer who did makes me suspicious, and then it makes my mind expand a little bit. What if that happened every night as my eyelids grew too heavy to prop up?
Anonymous
I'm sitting across from my open window, in my bed with a mason jar of tea tucked between my arm and my side. Im reading the purple flower moments and thinking about how lucky we are that people give of themselves. I just had people send me a place theyd traveled to and felt like they were home for a postcard exchange I put together. Everyone was so earnest and each one makes me light up. And in this moment I'm thinking about how you must light up every time you get a purple flower moment.
Paula
Chicago
At the moment I read this part of the book I was standing in the first car on the L train heading into Brooklyn on my way home from work. In front of me there was a sweet elderly and thin asian woman struggling to keep her balance and not fall over. She already fell once and I caught her so I keep checking on her as if I were checking on my own grandmother. Poor thing. I wish someone would have given her a seat.
Julisa
NYC
I'm waiting for my daughter to get out of our one and only bathroom so that I can take my shower. I secretly don't want her to hurry so that I can enjoy more of your delightful ruminating in Textbook...;-)
Jessica
Oak Park
I'm sitting on the couch with wet hair from my swim, happy because my son is in the next room, studying his Latin. Sad, because lingering in the back of my mind is his leaving. Two years to college, but every day, really, I feel his growing and is his going; his incremental tilting away.
Maia
Madison
I'm at reading night with nine other twenty-somethings. We meet in my house every Monday to read for two hours (Rule 1: no talking; Rule 2: no phones), and then talk about books, angst, and post-grad life.
Josh deLacy
Seattle, WA
I'm sitting on the couch I bought for myself on my last birthday. It's Sunday night and I can hear my 16-year-old daughter practicing her violin and then hum-churn of the dishwasher. The kitchen is clean, the laundry is done, and I don't like Sunday evenings. In spite of loving my job, there's always this sense of impending doom of Monday morning. I'm trying to decide if I should remind the family that there's ice cream in the fridge. I think yes.
Cathleen
Prescott
I'm in the living room. I promised my son that I would keep him company while he studies for his math test. He asked me not to interrupt him because he needs to concentrate. I'm reading your book and sometimes I forget and talk to him. He says "mom, please..."
Ana
Weston, FL
It is 4:34 on my husband's birthday. I have just yelled at my kids. They are 4 & 8 and they are not listening or being very good today. I am on edge because my marriage is falling apart and I don't know what to do. I just said that I needed them to be good. "Please be so good for me because I am so tired." And the small one called me poop. And he scratched me. And he spilled goldfish on the floor. And I'm more tired than I ever thought possible. And I know in a year I will be ok. Or more okish. But for right now I'm very tired. And I'm thinking of my purple flower moment from your last book and I think how different my life is. It will be ok. I will be ok. It's the getting to ok that is the struggle.
Anonymous
It is 5:30 in the morning, the most grateful part of the day. I'm drinking my first coffee of the day. I feel content and hopeful. It is quiet in the house and usually my only alone time, which I savor. All is well in this moment. Soon I will move into action and prepare for the day ahead. I breathe and smile.
Deborah
South bend
Lying in bed just now, snuggled beneath flannel sheets... No matter that it was warm enough for a tank top today. The sun has since set, backdrop to thousands of vaux swifts murmuring their way into the school chimney. At the end, we cheer. I wonder... What do these migrants think of us, there, strewn together in blankets on the hillside below, applauding them as they settle in for the night?
Laura Pope
Portland
I'm laying in my bed, covers on, but with windows open and fan blowing. Tomorrow is the first day of autumn. There is a chill in the air. My loyal golden retreiver is laying at my feet, exhausted from an afternoon of nonstop swimming. I can hear the crickets outside my window and faintly hear traffic in the diatance. I'm tired, but excited by my reading of this book. I don't want it to end, the same way I will miss summer, or my best friend.
Kristin
Grand Blanc
I am lying on the couch with the cat. He's black and the couch is gray so he kind of blends. It's a rainy Sunday and I've been reading books all day. The cat has been intermittently sleeping and loafing. I am replenishing my introvert energy for activity. Soon my husband will come home and we will go meet our friends to go to a movie. But I don't have to get up just yet.
Erin
Granby, MA
Just read the purple flower moments. Here on a Sunday after lunch, with a full belly, dreading a week from now when I mark the fifth anniversary of my mom's death. Grateful that I can make food to nurture myself.
Anonymous
I can hear planes flying in the distance because I live close to a small airport, and the fan and white noise machine from the bedroom because my beloved just opened the door to stumble to the bathroom. The sun is strong and the air is cool - my favorite weather. Except for mild cloudy days. And rain, if I get to stay indoors. I am crying a little because I read the purple flower story by the woman about to miscarry. I spent last night in tears because I started the period that marked the month my daughter would have been born, had I carried her to term, and my sister-friend just gave birth to a beautiful baby boy, and I am wondering if we will ever / should ever try again, and if that woman's license plate was maybe for me too, or if I'm so sad because it's not. In the other condos, a woman is yelling at her child in Spanish and dishes are clanging. I see my eggplants on the deck; they have purple flowers too.
A Marie
Denver, CO
My wife of 5 months and I are reading in bed on a Saturday. She bought me your book for my birthday and I love it and have been reading parts of it to her as I go. I just read her the history of the purple flower moment and told her how much I like that you take a simple thought, and run all the way with it, from thought to publishing to actually baking and mailing pies. Then I turned the page and saw your new request for purple flower moments. I took out my phone and started writing this - my wife noticed, smiled and said "anything for pie, eh?" and I said "I like supporting people's attempts to create magic." Thanks for the magic, it's one of the few things I like better than pie : )
Lindsay
Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
Devouring this new book of yours ive waited patiently for 10 years to read. Get to part about purple flower moments. Pull up website on my phone to submit mine. Decide to do it tomorrow on the big computer, when i can type better. Turn several pages and find the fact that Sept 16 is the most common birthday in the world. Realize tomorrow is Sept 16. Now i MUST submit a purple flower moment.
I am loving this book just as much as i loved encyclopedia. Getting great value in soaking it in late tonight when i should be going to bed.
Judy Berna
Evergreen CO
With my dog, in my bed reading your book. I was a little down but your Purple Flower moment and the other ones made me realise how lucky I am to be here. Alive. I have anxiety issues and im always alone.. feeling like nobody wants to be with me.. but at the end if it wasn't from me and my family I wouldn't write my purple flower moment..Made me realise that I love myself.
Caroline JFR
Montreal
I am sitting in the car with the widows open at my son's soccer practice. The evening is warm enough, but the breeze suggests fall is coming. I love to read but never make time for myself to do so during the day even when I'm home alone because it feels too luxurious. So I am pleased as punch to take the kid to soccer and treat myself to this simple luxury.
Anonymous
I'm on my lunch break and sitting at the park looking at the fall colors starting to change on the Wasatch Mountains in front of me. It's the day after the 15th anniversary of September 11, a few days before my late husband's birthday (he's been gone 6.5 years), and a couple of weeks away from the 15th anniversary of my mother's death. Last night I had all my (adult) kids home for a birthday celebration for my oldest son. September is a month full of highs and lows--is it any wonder I've been so emotional the past few days?
AnneMarie
American Fork
A bunch of musicians are playing Part 3 from Steve Reich's percussion piece "Drumming". It's music I particularly love - this part has bells and flutes as well as bright rolling chime waves, not as earthy and staccato as some drumming is.
Speaking of the Earth, I can see a lot of it below me, because I am flying East, high above it (Arizona? New Mexico?). I'm returning to Massachusetts from 12 hours or so in Seattle where I attended an art opening of a friend of mine. She showed some very interesting angular paintings on plywood panels, and an intimate self portrait visitors could get inside. It was a construction about the size of a phone booth (a thing from the last century), and she made it out of other abstract paintings on panels. The evening was really profound. I've never flown across the country to go to an art opening before, but then again, my friend has never taken these kinds of risks before.
This morning she drove me to the airport, and as we were saying goodbye, I thanked her for making the beautiful artwork, for giving me the chance to show her how much our friendship meant to me, and for allowing me to remind myself what kind of friend I am. It's easy to forget the power we wield in our friendships. You don't have friendships so much as do friendships. It's the actions you take with/for one another.
I'm thinking about all of this, flying home and listening to Steve Reich.
Caleb
Boston
My 12-year-old daughter is on the couch across from me. She is not feeling well and wants to be sure everyone knows it, so she is breathing heavily. I hear the springy music of MarioCart in the background, because my two fifth grader are playing. It's a Saturday and I feel satisfied, because while my work days are not going as they should I have really rocked this Saturday, riding and working in the barn and hosting other riders. I've taken my boots off. My socks have coffee cups on them. But I don't need any more coffee.
KJ
Lyme NH
This is a special moment because there is nothing—and everything—special about it. I'm at home, not at work, on a weekday, which is a rare enough occurrence as to be delightful. I'm in bed with your book, a bunch of pillows and my cat, who's usually active enough to be nicknamed "Nuisance," sleeping at my feet. No one needs or wants anything from me, and I am reveling in the sheer peacefulness of that.
Pat Zietlow Miller
Madison, WI
I'm sitting in our cottage on the island at the round table next to the new big windows we just installed. Ilona and I have been talking for years about limbing the trees to help open the view so we can see where the ferry is in the bay and calculate how much time we have before the visitors arrive. We had it done this morning. After reading the purple flower I look up and can see so much more of the bay now that some of the branches have been removed, it funny that i can't remember, for a moment, what the scene looked like before we had the work done.
Norb
Gambier Island (near Vancouver)
Canada
I was reading about purple flower moments during my son's flag football practice. A few minutes earlier a man sat down on the bench next to me, and it saddened me that he felt it necessary to tell me he wasn't a creeper but his son was also playing, but his ex was on the sidelines with her friends and he didn't want to (wasn't allowed to?) go over there. I never for a minute suspected him of bad intentions but so many people would have.
Nancy
Fort Collins, CO
I am on BART, headed home (well, "home" to my aunt and uncle's in-law unit where I've retreated for the summer to avoid the San Francisco fog) after working late. A guy in his late 20s got on a few stops ago, with a ton of stuff. Some of it was poking out of his bag and nearly hit the middle aged guy next to him. MaG and I made eye contact and laughed (this was immediately after I read the nice purple flower story about the 61-year old man who had a younger woman smile at him, so it felt especially nice). Now the two men are talking, bonding over fishing. Something about steelhead and "it's just so nice being out there." Turns out the gear that almost took the older man out was fishing-related and sparked a conversation. It's really quite adorable.
I read the original purple flower moment, in the other book, this morning going the other direction on BART, but this felt more remarkable.
Janet
San Francisco, CA
Both my kids are napping, which makes this moment a lovely oasis of quiet in my otherwise noisy day. I can actually hear clocks ticking all over my house, and my cat's nails clicking on the wood floors as she walks. I am eating vanilla ice cream with caramel and peanuts and reading a book on my comfy overstuffed gray couch. Bliss.
Lindsay
Detroit, MI
Mia (the dog) "tap dances" on the wood floor to let you know she want to go out at 6:30 am. Morning talk shows start blaring at 7:00 am as I listen to "your world in 90 seconds". Drive teen number one in complete silence at 7:15 am and return home. Bear (the other dog) likes to do his thing at 7:45 am. Drive teen number two in complete silence at 8:15 am. Pull into the garage at 8:25 am. Walk in to house at 8:30 am. Silence... Yay!
Melanie
Phoenix, AZ
I am stuck here for another 2 days. Here, in San Jose Cabo. The place that Hurricane Newton decided to crash. I skeptically whisper underneath my breath that it can't be that bad, definitely not bad enough that I can't go home tomorrow.
I step out of my hotel balcony just to peak out I am abruptly reminded that I should never doubt Mother Nature and all her beautiful yet sometimes dangerous gifts.
Erica S.
I used to live in Bellflower now I am floating, CA
I can feel the "laziness" of summer drawing to an end. The time of year where the sun seems to relax ... late to rise and early to set. I've experienced 47 of these seasonal transitions
in the Midwest and each one with more gratitude than the previous. I've experienced ~17,155 ish days and sometimes fail to face each one with more gratitude than the previous. However I am motivated today by two beautiful souls ,who in very different ways, connect us and remind us to live a life of loving kindness ... Saint Theresa and Amy Krouse Rosenthal.
Lissa
Midwest
My boyfriend has to go to work at 3am Monday morning. We're trying to stay awake tonight (Saturday) so it will be easier for him to fall asleep early tomorrow. I don't think we're going to make it very late. Our couch is soft and warm and small. I'm feeling really lucky that it's so easy for us to fall asleep tangled together, and that we get to every night.
Rose
Medway, MA
I am sitting on an exercise ball with a dozing infant on my lap. We are in our pitch black guest bedroom, which is the only place my 7 month old son will sleep. It's 7:30 and I have been bouncing him off and on since 6:00pm. When his body grows heavy I gently place him in his co-sleeper and sneak downstairs for a few minutes with my husband. The baby wakes every 30-40 minutes and the bouncing routine continues until I join him for bed around 10pm. This is how every night goes. I love my son more than anything but miss time with my husband. I'm hoping he becomes a better sleeper as he gets older.
Molly
Morton Grove
I'm sitting in a chair at my mother's house. I was supposed to be visiting a dear friend this weekend but it didn't work out and I'm sad and feeling disengaged. My husband is away for that weekend too and I miss him. We've been trying to have a baby for two years and it hasn't happened but I just read your purple flower stories from your last book and it gave me hope and I needed that right now. I'm teary-eyed but in the best way. I just thought to myself about these beautiful stories, "I love people."
Anonymous
It's a Friday in September. Gorgeous evening. Just finished a novel (The Girls), lying in my wonderful sunroom with yellow walls. This house is my home and comfort place, but Columbus is not home, even after 20 months. I miss Iowa and my friends. But I made my bed and that's that my intention is to work on my meditating skills this weekend and see if a commitment to that will help me sort out my future. I home you've enjoyed Amy's book as much as I have. Cheers.
MKA
Columbus, OH
This moment now. September 2 2016. I am on my sundeck. Crows call. Trees sing. Woodpeckers drill. Shadows shimmer next to me. Lawn mowers growl in the distance.
You need to know that this book ( a seven day new book) was due at the library four days ago. I couldn't return it- even though I drove there and intended to drop into the return bin...I could not let it go. I love it so much. It is my Agra book. So I am rereading it today in the September sun-thinking about how I want to buy this book for me and my daughter and two daughters in law and have a book club and do all the experiments. We will read and text and talk about life and serendipity.
Kristin Walden Grattan
Okemos, MI
I'm sitting in bed, and it's almost midnight. I just moved to this apartment three weeks ago, after my boyfriend of six years left me, moved out of state. This is the first place I have ever lived completely alone and 100% providing for myself. I have never felt so alone.
Anonymous
I am sitting at the front desk at the library where I work. A young boy emerged from Story Time with his grandfather. His grandfather said, "Now it's time to go home and have lunch." The little boy, in his portable superhero cape jumped in the air and shouted, "Yay, LUNCH!" It was almost lunchtime for me also, and he expressed my sentiments exactly.
Kari
Geneseo
I am currently sitting at my desk located in my room besides my door. My desk is covered by all types of things: water bottles, cheez-its, perfumes, headphones, pop, make-up, my laptop and this book. As I read other Purple Flower Moments I notice that we all have our own struggles, to others some might seem worst than others but we can never truly conclude that when we don't exactly know what that person is feeling or going through aside from what they shared. I conclude that I am slowly but surely starting to enjoy this book the more I read it, though I must finish it by tomorrow for I am reading it due to my composition college class. At least something good has come from going to school.
Lory
Chicago, IL
I'm sitting on a bench outside my school between two meetings. I had just walked through the building, and it was the first day back for teachers. It was kind of funny to see how they greeted each other and formed into little conversation pods just like students do on the first day.
Anonymous
I am walking home from a doctors appointment to test me for Autism spectrum signs. I just got off the phone with my mom (I call her Maternal Unit), and she does not think I am spectrum. I am not as sure. But, I am at peace with what I find.
Zach
Denver, CO
It is 8.31.16, 7:30am. I'm laying in my bed, morning sunlight fractured through the shutters into my room. I have succumbed to wearing my reading glasses when reading in bed-morning or night-because my eyes are tired & not focusing so well! (My 15-year senior friend says it's actually a symptom of OBS (Old Bag Syndrome!!) I am loving your book and am struck by the frequency with which you and your readers experience what your Jason calls "Impossible Things." Scads of serendipity--awesome!! Isn't life amazing?!
Anyway, I am incredibly, supercalifragilously happy and in love with an amazing man! And it is going to be a great day because....I'm going to the Cubs game with you tonight!! ;)
Suzanne
Lake Forest, IL
It is Friday. I have just returned home from running errands. There are big billowy clouds in the sky, shading the sun. This is unusual for Yuma, AZ. It is 100 degrees and cloudy. I am relaxed and sitting on my couch reading your book. A glass of iced tea resting beside my propped up bare feet is on the coffee table. Life is good.
ReBecca
Yuma, AZ
In bed, reading your book with my cat Lincoln sitting on me and purring. It's twilight and the birds are chirping in the jacaranda trees, floating above the balcony of our bedroom. I just finished your Birmingham story and amazed at your third grade teacher reappearing ... and how much I loved the Mountain Brook neighborhood the one day I was in Birmingham, with lovely trees and homes that reminded me of growing up in Pasadena.
I feel cozy and I feel like baking you a pie and fed exing it to Chicago.
Sandra
Malibu, CA
Laying in bed, enjoying your delightful book, with my sleeping husband on one side of me, and my sleeping dog on the other. I have been feeling very grateful lately. Everything feels as it should be, and I wish I could freeze time and keep things like this forever. I know that I cannot though, and I know in this ever changing world, loss and hard times are inevitable. So I will savor these moments, where all those I hold dear are just a phone call and short drive away (or to my immediate left and right, lightly snoring). And I will strive to continue to be grateful for this time in my life, even after it has passed.
Rachel
Cincinatti, OH
I am currently in bed, and around me is my cluttered room. My only company is my Lab/German Short-haired Pointer mix. Watching as he sleeps, I feel less alone than ever before. I lost a lot in my short life. My great-grandmother, my buddy; my brother, my protector and role-model; my grandfather, the goon I visited often; and even a few friends, who went away to college this month. I have felt a sense of loneliness hanging from above, but he solely in this moment made them fade away. All he did was sleep.
Daniel Walsh
Tinley Park, IL
Sitting on the couch reading in the morning, such a luxury! Although summer is almost over, all the windows are open and I'm listening to the hum of cicadas and chirp of crickets outside. Thankful that I have such a fun and engaging book from the library to read. Just wrote a FB post to a younger friend who is a great reader, wishing her a happy birthday with hopes for many fine books in the coming year and ended by saying she should start with Textbook Amy KR!
Paulette B.
Brookfield, WI
My eleven year old boy starts 5th grade tomorrow morning. I'm reading with my book light because it comforts him when I stay for a while. I hope he always wants me nearby. I know that these are the good old days. I treasure each and every one of them, as Beethoven plays softly in the background and a bedside fan shows kindness and empathy by blowing its soft breeze on me in this moment. This sacred fleeting moment with my boy.
Anonymous
Currently on the broken couch in my living room, where I fell asleep watching the Princess Bride after having taken humans I love to the airport. The sun is on its way down now, though it was just coming up when I dozed off. I'm wondering how at home I feel in this city without a few of the people I love most, and the looming pile of laundry that needs attention at the top of the stairs. I'm also blissfully happy that books exist, and that I am alive to read them.
Mikaela
Portland, OR
In this purple flower moment I am traveling home from a wedding where the the mother of the groom passed away just weeks before the big day. The day was beautiful; full of love seen and full of love felt. I travel home now only to repack my suitcase and journey to a funeral of a life lost after just 12 short years. Death is life's beautiful tragedy that allows you to see love in places you couldn't find before.
Lori
Chicago, IL
We woke up at 5 am to get out to the fields I time for my son's 7:45 game. The game is way out from the city - a site of huge, lush soccer fields. We listened to an episode of 99% Invisible on the way here about what is "normal" size. My son asked questions and we chatted about it which I love. When we get to the fields at 7, it's morning quiet. Just a few crickets. Patches of fog hug the ground. The grass is thick and damp. We park and he jumps out of the car to join his friends. I'm going to be out here all day so I hang out in the car for a while, reading, while the boys laugh and jump around before the game.
David Daskal
Chicago, IL
I am currently in my bed, home from a fun time at a friend's & her bf's birthday party; I even sang a few karaoke songs. I'm very introverted but music is a recharge place for me & when I'm comfortable enough, I can seem outgoing. I'm exhausted but so full of energy.
Jackson
Las Vegas, NV
I love to read outside and today is no different. There are always sounds and usually I just ignore them but because of your purple flower moment, I will share them. It's late August and the cicadas have been coming out every evening for the past month. It's 5:30 pm and they are singing loud and clear. In the background I hear several other sounds. There is a freight train that was very loud at first but is now increasingly softer as its distance gets farther away. The cicadas sing louder as if to make up for the receding train. A horn honks once, a plane takes off. I live about 3 miles from O'Hare and could probably see it if I searched between the trees. The neighbor's air conditioner cycles on. It was hot at one point today but has cooled off and feels lovely out here. The train whistle blows faintly in the distance as it passes another crossing far away. I hear a car speeding down a road I cannot see. There is the boy across the street calling gleefully as he comes out his door. A squirrel makes his little distinctive sound which is very hard to describe. Maybe I should have written about what I saw. I could have done that. Next time. I want you to know that immediately after you mentioned sending pie, I pictured a pecan pie. I hadn't even looked ahead. It's my favorite. Yours too?
Karen Rybowicz
Des Plaines, IL
I'm sitting on the couch, which used to be ours but will be his next week when I move out. The marching band at the high school across the street is working on their David Bowie set, and every few measures "Let's Dance" is interrupted, there's some shouting from the director, and then it starts again. I wonder which I'll miss more: the couch, or eavesdropping on the marching band.
Valerie
Ann Arbor, MI
At this moment I sent this paragraph to the wrong place, because I had not read to page 201 yet. I sent it after reading page 193! It occurs to me that I get ahead of myself quite often.
It is Friday. I have just returned home from running errands. There are big billowy clouds in the sky, shading the sun. This is unusual for Yuma, AZ. It is 100 degrees and cloudy. I am relaxed and sitting on my couch reading your book. A glass of iced tea resting beside my propped up bare feet is on the coffee table. Life is good.
ReBecca
Yuma, AZ
I'm sitting on my futon, "enjoying" a sick day home from a job which I will be leaving in five days, for a better (read: for me, not in general) job. I'm slamming through this Textbook, pausing only to check my phone, where I can interact alternately with either the Amy-bot or my friend W, also on a day off. It occurs to me that I'm running out of ways to say "I love you" to him without using the actual, loaded words. Maybe giving him his own copy of this book is another, better attempt at same.
Alexis
Hellertown, PA
Up early with my chatty 7 year-old son & our dogs Brody & Dempsey. I'm trying to push Harry Potter on him. You read + I read = Quiet. He's now asking why I'm writing about him. He wants you all to know he's 5 days away from being 8. Quiet next week when school starts, but I'll miss him & his late-sleeping 9 year-old sis.
Laura
Charlotte, NC
I'm resting my body on my collection of pillows. Listening to the sirens from the show Prison Break, and my dog snoring. Thinking of all the things that need to be done by the afternoon, and thinking of the breaded chicken stuffed with mozzarella that has yet to be made.
Alexis D
Oceanside, CA
I'm on a fast train, headed home. A woman a few rows ahead of me is calling stores asking if they carry fake snow. "The plastic kind," she says, "that you'd use for a decoration?" And now I can't stop thinking about her plans for the snow.
Rachel KB
Madison, NJ
I am in a bookstore. Calm voices trickle nearby with gleeful laughter. One of the songs that popped on happened to be one that my cousin used as a background song 15 years ago in a video he made of me and my siblings when we were very young. I cannot help the goosebumps and tears that fall as I listen to the song and am filled with nostalgia, and read the moments that people have that make them happy. I am beyond emotional.
Stacy
Grants Pass, OR
I am currently sitting on the window seat in the ninth row of a Greyhound bus headed west. The guy in front of me gave me his curry-flavored potato chips - which actually taste pretty good and less Indian than I imagined - but he also keeps taking pictures of me in what he believes is a furtive manner, so I'm not sure what he's all about. It's been 17 hours on the road and 13 to go. As much as I loathe traditional schooling, I also love it. Maybe it's familiar? Or maybe it's working. Either way, my last year starts Monday. For the first time in my life, I don't have the faintest idea where I'll be a year from now. Here goes nothing.
Anonymous
Like the pie chart (ha!) in the book shows, I'm one of the 15% or so of people in bed reading this. I've been through a bad breakup recently, and in fact my ex is in the next room. There's a lot more mortgage paperwork when you break up in your 30's. I thought my life was on a neat trajectory, romance, marriage, life together, but now everything is uncertain. And it feels terrifying, and it feels freer than I've felt in years.
Alex
Chicago, IL
Survivor is on and I'm cuddling with Kayla. She's the best.
Kaitlin
Chicago, IL
I am frustrating my husband for the 4th or 5th time by taking him away from his work to use his computer. I want to talk to him nonstop, for our son had another anxiety episode that has made me anxious. I worry that I'll make him more anxious. I worry that I cannot help him the way he needs me to. I worry that his anxious will grow, for as I am writing this, I am growing more anxious myself. Time to read more to calm down.
Sarah K.
Buffalo, NY
I'm sitting on my couch, just after 5PM, a Monday after a relaxing weekend, reading and trying to refrain from rubbing my eyes. They happen to be bulging out of my head because I've forgotten my allergy RX refill and haven't taken medicine in days. Even though my cats cause me misery with out this medication, I can't help but snuggle them and kiss their little heads. When the allergy first appeared, years after the cats had become family, the DR suggested I give them a new home. I practically fell off the table. They're family. Bug eyes and all. My husband is on his way to get me and take me to the pharmacist to resolve this temporary annoyance.
Beth
Oak Park, IL
I'm in a forest in the PNW, holed up with my tent and a hard copy of the manuscript that's due in a week. I've spent a great deal of time writing, and an equal amount staring at the wondrous trees. And now I'm reading your book, and although it's not adding words to my manuscript, it's helping me write my story--because my story is about how stories connect us. So, thanks!
Shari Green
Campbell River, BC
Canada
I am, with the exception of our 10 year old Corgi, alone in the house -- a rarity. It is a Monday morning and my 12 year old daughter is off on a school trip. Her first day of school was only Friday, so this is a moment of bravery for her, a brand new school, and a two night trip. I'm so happy she's excited about it. My teacup is empty, and crazily, there is not a butler here to fill it for me. I am happy to be in this moment. Happy to be in this life. Happy to be in this world.
Buffy
Denver, CO
I am lying in my childhood bedroom, double fans going because there is no air conditioning in my mom's house in western New York. I am here because today is my grandpa's 90th birthday and I am so lucky to have had my grandparents as part of my life for the last 41 years. Every day is a gift. My grandpa cried when he thanked everyone for coming to his party today, and I cried too.
Stacey
Alexandria
I was listening to Amy read about Purple Flower Moments while driving to the Britt Festival to hear Yefin Bronfman play with the symphony orchestra. It was 105 degrees outside, but cool inside the car. I was driving through vineyards, and as my car topped the rise of the last hill before Jacksonville, Oregon, I spotted a trio of 8 foot tall orange metallic California poppies. Orange flowers. Not quite purple. But perfect.
Suzy B-H
Ashland, OR
Cross legged in a cold Barnes and Nobles in southern New York. My mom and little sister both had their shoes off, and they both just got up to go outside. I worked an awful retail shift this morning and am euphoric thinking about going to sleep in my first queen bed later.
Kate
Monroe, NY
My feet are cold because it's finally that time of year where I can have the windows open and turn off the AC. Unfortunately, it's only 60 degrees right now, but I'm too comfy on the couch to go and get a pair of socks out from my "Winter" bin. My over-steeped tea is sitting on my brand new coasters that I just bought because my fiance kept bringing home old ones from the restaurant he works at.
Abby
Bismarck, ND
My Purple Flower moment
I am drinking coffee on a summer Saturday morning, wearing an old Brown T-shirt of Alex's. Hazel is sleeping at my feet. I am wishing my kids would call me more. I am anxious for Don to get home from Cuba. I am happy that the day is all mine, except for working at Coffee Beat tonight. I am missing my mom. I am thinking I should turn off the AC to save energy and money.
Kelly Currie
Delphi, IN
Sitting in a dark hotel room, my son next to me and my husband & daughter on the couch. Nervous, not calm because we are looking for a new home tomorrow. We have been in limbo for two years and now, maybe, tomorrow, we will be free.
Kathie
I have had laryngitis for 5 days. Jack whispers to me, or more likely, doesn't speak at all. I keep reminding him that he doesn't have laryngitis. But it has been so quiet here. But I can write!
Marilyn
Oklahoma City, OK
Laying in bed in my Golden Girls T-shirt. No pants. Reading this book by headlamp. My husband is next to me, doing the same. (It's one of my favorite parts of the day.) I'm feeling a little too full from too much beer at the baseball game. I'm thinking about the 3 dead birds I've seen over the last two days. I assumed seeing so many dead birds was a bad omen. Turns out dead birds symbolize a new beginning. So...now i'm scratching my head wondering what kind of new beginning.
Katie Rosenberg
Lansing
I am listening to Katy Perry on purpose.
Why, I couldn't tell you.
Anonymous
The kids are climbing trees and playing on the swings while I read. The small snippets in this book is perfect to read when you have small children. I can read and then quickly count... 1, 2 , 3 , 4... all still there and the toddler is not crying! Reading on!
Anonymous
It is 2:14 a.m. I am sitting in my living room reading 'Textbook' which I started this afternoon. There is a full moon shining through the hall window. I know it is a greeting from my nephew Bryan who was killed in an automobile accident two years ago. He was 30. On the way home from his memorial service a huge harvest moon was shining brightly on the black waters of the lake. I was sure it was a sign from him that all was well. It comforts me when I see the full moon in the sky. I know Bryan is saying hello.
Anonymous
I am in bed reading. I should be asleep. Something I say every night, "Why am I still awake?" The kitten has stopped jumping on the older cat so it's finally quiet. I can hear the faint chirping of crickets outside and the creaks and settling noises that the house makes at night. I really should be asleep.
Anonymous
I'm on the brown line between Chicago and Sedgwick. It's raining a bit. A woman just offered me her seat because she's getting off at the next stop. It's peaceful. The train is crowded and people are chatting, but it all sounds muffled and in the distance. This may be because of my head cold. :) I looked around to see what little thing I might not normally notice. There on the floor, right next to my feet, sits an upside down umbrella. It's collapsed but not completely closed. The fabric is folded and the handle is extended. It looks like a flower. Did I mention it is purple?! (I am so excited about this!)
Sarah Barnhardt
Chicago, IL
In This Moment I'm sitting in my car much too excited to drive. I have no sense of time I'm just enjoying the sunlight the wind in my face and the silence. There are many moments that I can just be in when I'm not in the hustle and bustle of life but right now in this moment I'm smiling because I have no agenda. I'm excited because I ironically had a day I wanted to do something to spice it up and something, then something serendipitous happened that I will share later and it makes me smile because it has to do with this BOOK. Surprises are the best when you least expect it. , I suppose that's why it's called a surprise
Cynthia Demitro
Oak Forest, IL
I am sitting at my solid 1930s office desk, where I work by day and write by night. It is a dark and misty and hot summer afternoon. The room is shadowy and quiet. Little dogs sleep on the rug by my chair. The balcony door is open, unusual for this heat, but the pink flowers in the mist are pleasing to my tired eyes.
Stacy
St. Louis, MO
As I lay in bed reading "Textbook" ... Just before I come to "Purple Flower Moment" I read more and stop to listen to my 9 year old laugh from his gut at something on TV ... After I stop, come to the "moment", and move on to the next chapter that is titled "music" I turn over to remember in the midst of a laughing child I have meaningful tunes playing ... Thankful at this very moment!
Dee
Albany, NY
My dog and I are sitting in the living room, shades drawn and air conditioning on. He is panting and I am fanning myself. I'm trying to think cool thoughts. I remember the 24 inches of snow last winter when I couldn't wait for summer.
Jackie
Brooklyn, NY
This moment now.
I'm swinging in the hammock at my house in the suburbs with a pillow under my head reading textbook and gazing at a fluffy pink cloud floating by above me. Summer bugs are singing and I'm in moms cozy pants and tshirt. True bliss.
The pink cloud passed to reveal the moon behind it.
Pearl Plotkin
Chicago, IL
It was another bad day at church, full of guilt and angst, and I'm reading Textbook after and discover the hope and solace I used to find at church. Maybe i am changing, and maybe not for the better. But I have a small amount of confidence I can find my way.
Melissa
Wichita, KS
I am running my ass off. I am running, running, running....and I don't stop. This is the moment you realize that even when still, you are moving. Because after you've run a long, long way and you've still got a long, long way to go and your feet are moving under you and the ground glides smooth and the pulse of body and the shift of air have all become very monotonous, it starts to feel like the truth: that you are not even moving anymore - that's it's not you running but the world which is running by you. Think for a moment: we move in circles every day. To work, from work. From home, to home. To school, from school, and back again. Round and round. Sun up, sun down. Day in, day out. But are you going anywhere?
Jon MacAdam
Harpers Ferry, WV
My half sister and her daughters just left from visiting us. My son is watching a short movie in our bedroom while I think about the future of this relationship, both my half-sister's and I and my son's. I know soon I will yearn for both of them but for now I am happy to have a moment to read and be absorbed.
Haley Lips
Kansas City, MO
I'm sitting at the pool, a little bit self conscious about having my shirt off, but not so much so that I want to put it back on. The breeze is swaying the tall grass in from of me, and there are unsupervised children running and shouting on the pool deck. It's not too hot, which is unusual for this scorcher of a summer. I'm looking forward to a wedding next weekend, and a trip to Las Vegas. But then school will start with all its uncertainty. It's nice to have this time by the pool for now.
Aiden
Thornhill, ON
Canada
I am sitting in the living room of my family's Lakehouse sipping a cup of coffee. My brother is sitting next to me, reading the news on his iPad. My mom is clinking away in the kitchen, putting away the dishes and occasionally talking to herself. My dad is flipping through channels on the tv. My dog is walking around in circles, weaving through all of us. As I look out the window the sun begins to poke through the clouds and land on the street. I'm heading back to college in two weeks, and I can't help but feel sad that I won't be with my family once I'm there. I usually take being in their presence, sitting in my home, and drinking a cup coffee for granted. Now I try to soak it in.
Nicole
Chicago, IL
At this moment I am in the break room of the hospital laboratory where I work. It was a slow night. I am enjoying your book while sitting in my uncomfortable orange vinyl chair, listening to the ticking of the clock.
Anonymous
My lovely daughter was in town this week and the time always goes too fast when she visits. The Olympics are on and the athletic ability/heart of the competitors is amazing. It rained here today for the first time in ages. And I am in bed after a long and lovely week, happily reading Textbook Amy Krouse Roaenthal.
Laura Maybe
Oakville, ON
Canada
I just got home from bike riding with my parents. My mother found out she had leukemia and breast cancer last week and we have been discussing pros and cons of treatment. My mother is the strongest person I know.
Cheryl
Jacksonville, FL
In this moment, I know I am at the end of summer vacation and that I will go back to my teaching job the day after tomorrow. So, I'm trying to squeeze even more pleasure out of my last two days: one more book read (yours), one more cross stitch project completed (Curious George for Margaret), one more adventure (we just got back from King's Island amusement park), one more chance to play with my daughters (the 7-year-old just called from the playroom, "Mom, are you coming?") Yes, I'm coming!
Gretchen Schroeder
Columbus, OH
I'm sitting on the couch in the apartment I share with 2 people: my friends, small group leaders, and siblings in Christ. It's raining outside - and as a San Diego native, let me tell you, rain is EXCITING. You know what else is exciting? Connecting with freshmen, mitigating their fear, knowing I felt just as jittery a year ago, being able to reassure them. All of which I did today and will be doing for the next month and a half at different campuses. And being in full-time ministry at a beautifully loving church at 19 - though it's only for the summer - is exciting. And the anticipation of one of my best friends' return tomorrow is exciting. And knowing that in October I can re-audition for a capella, re-start latin dance lessons, re-apply for a part-time position at a girls' home, and just generally commit to things I dabbled in last year as a freshman, that's exciting! The world is a broken place full of broken people, but life is still good.
Vanessa
Chicago, IL
I am sitting at a stoplight reading Textbook on my drive home from work. I shouldn't be reading at a stoplight, but I'm a fast reader, this is a very long light, and I am paying attention to both things at once. There is a bookstore here that I desperately want to revive. I do not have the funds to do so. It's books like this one that remind me why I bother.
Anonymous
In the comfort of my own room all the way in dairy valley cali , all my brain power is going to this book. I've read the first installment just a couple of weeks ago and was excited to hear that Textbooks was coming out soon! Enjoying every part of it! Laughing, Crying, Lost between the lines. Pretty happy to be part of this experience, life's a chilling. Also currently texting Paris about the book because she told me to
Austin Chow
Cerritos, CA
I am sitting at my kitchen table. Empty bowl of oatmeal and empty glass of water. I just finished Textbook Amy KR. It is the second time in my life that I have cried (blurry eyes can't even see crying) at the end of a book.
Emily
New York
I am in our basement in what is referred to as my office. It is my scrapbooking/craft room, library, gym, and much more...but recently I turned it into a "family room" for our girls. They are getting older (almost 10 and 13) and need space. I find it ironic that I created a "family room" so that we can have time away from each other. We live in a small house and our living room is where we all congregate. I know my girls need to bond with each other and with friends and I worked hard to make room for them so they can have this. I have cleaned, thrown, and donated a lot of my "stuff" so we could make room for an old couch from my in-laws and a thrift store chair that matched. I love this new space. I am using it for the first time alone to read your Textbook. Thank you for the chance to win some pie!
Kelli (that's Kelli with an "i")
Alexandria
I am reading the purple flower moment, as I sit here I'm my purple chair in the lobby of my office building. There are people all around me, with their eyes glued to the TV screens adjacent to me, watching the Olympics. I sit here thinking *shhh I’m trying to read*. The man next to me starts crinkling his bag, we make eye contact. He stops. I smile. The purple chairs will always have a special meaning to me going forward.
Caterina
Toronto, ON
Canada
Laying in bed at 1 in the morning, determined to finish Textbook in one sitting, and hoping there will be a sign to admit my feelings to my lover, before we are undoubtedly ripped apart by the impending semester and many paths of life. Last night he called me 'honey'. He assured me that it was ironic use, then teased that it could be unironic, but 'the world may never know.' I find comfort in the certainty that he will hate me after I ruined what we have. I also find comfort that if I say nothing at all life will continue with a whisper of 'what if' on the wind.
If you need a sign, this is it.
Emily
Hallsville
It's the night before I start a new job as a math interventionist at the elementary school where I've taught 2nd grade for the past 10 years. I'm wondering why I decided to take this new job, since I don't even really like math. I'm wondering if I'll be stuck teaching for the rest of my life. I'm wondering if there's something bigger ahead for me. But mostly I'm wondering why NBC is showing so much swimming in their Olympics coverage.
Allison
Bartlett, IL
I'm sitting in a room that used to be mine but has since been painted and redecorated. If you look in the closets, you'll see things that are mine from when I was younger. But overall, this is no longer my room. This is no longer my house. This is no longer my town. This is no longer my home. Yet my mother is in the room next to me, my sister is in the neighborhood next to mine, and my grandparents are in the town. I fear I've lost part of who I've wanted to be. I fear I've lost sight of my past. Yet I am hopeful that tomorrow brings a new day, next week brings a new school year, and the next month brings more mystery and promise. I choose to think of the hopeful parts.
Brandon Fogel
Indianapolis, IN
I am in bed, exhausted after planning my entire wedding in two weeks. My fan is blowing on me and I'm wearing the new pajamas I got myself in anticipation of married life. They are SO soft. I am so happy to be reading this book. Tomorrow I drive to Wisconsin to visit my fiancé.
Anonymous
I am in my living room, with our dog, sitting in my chair, reading your book, listening to the Cubs, and dreaming of pie.
Billy D
Glen Ellyn, IL
I'm in a MRI waiting room waiting for my husbands long appointment to be over when I overheard the receptionist whisper over the phone..."I love you.... Little girl, I love you... I love you little girl." I thought of my own 25 year old little girl and texted her to tell her I love her.
Carol barron
Chicago, IL
It is 10 PM and I am sitting silently at the table indulging in my favorite treat, Trader Joe's fig bites. My husband is at work and all the of my daughters are finally asleep. I am relishing reading, "Textbook AKR" as the crickets chirp outside and I finally have a moment to myself. I finish the entire pack.
Becky
Salt Lake City, UT
My daughter and I are sitting in matching chairs in our living room in San Francisco. She is just recently awake and wearing only her tank top and underwear, nursing a bug bite on her hand, sipping tea I've made for her stuffy nose, and occasionally ripping off pieces of tissue from the roll of TP she has brought with her to the living room and stuffing them up her nose to catch the snot. I have been up for hours and am showered, dressed in jeans and my favorite T-shirt from Detroit (my wardrobe still reps Detroit more than SF, though I've lived here a long time). There is a large, square patch of sun on the carpet between us, cast by the skylight above. I love to watch this square move across the carpet all day long, and I love that she and I are sitting here in companionable silence while reading books we both purchased last night at one of our favorite bookstores in the city. Hers is one I've never heard of, but it has a nice cover with flowers on it. Mine is Textbook, and as I read I am marking passages I will want to share with my high school students when I start teaching my Creative Nonfiction class this fall. I usually have them read Encyclopedia of an Ordinary life, and their final project for the course is to gather their writing from the term in a similar form--an encyclopedia, a dictionary, a repair manual, etc. They love this project, especially the seniors who feel it is a portable little snapshot of their high school experience. I already know that on the first day of class we will do "The Short, Collective Biography Experiment" (page 158) as a means of introduction. Sitting next to my daughter as we read fills me with profound happiness, but also with a little of what AKR refers to on page 169 as "cry-bliss," a midlife feeling for me that has become more acute after finishing a yearlong treatment for cancer about 4 months ago. I'm in good shape for now, and if I can make it to 2 years with no evidence of the disease, I'm in even better shape statistically. This moment is almost over, but I can't help but also think of my own connections to AKR, however flimsy: I too am from Chicago and am a writer, I love anagrams, my sister has had dinner at AKR's house (she is a friend of a friend and always talks about the drinking fountain), I once discovered a signed copy of one of AKR's children's books in a small bookstore in Alden, MI and thought "Cool, we were both here!", the Bean in Millenium Park is one of my favorite places on earth, and so on and so on. My husband makes amazing pie, so I'm good with not being the 100th response, but if you, AKR, ever want to say hi or meet at the Bean for coffee (I go to Chicago a lot) and to try to connect some coincidences OR if you are in San Francisco and want to do something truly unique and startling and wonderful, let me know.
Amanda
San Francisco, CA
I'm in my bed, beyond tired but I don't want to put Textbook down.
And I already won a pie, so if this is the winning entry, please pick someone else for the pie.
p.s. I loved the pie and everything that led up to it and went along with it.
Laura Mayne
Oakville, ON
Canada
I'm resting on my pillow collection in my California home. Listening to my ticking clock and cars outside, surrounded by intrusively pink walls and mild heat. I'm thinking about all that I have to accomplish tonight, and the quesadillas I'm planning on having for dinner.
Anonymous
Sitting with my two dogs by my side, hearing thunder, watching lightning and seeing rain drops pelt the windows. I breathe a sigh of relief: don't have to endure 100+ temperature today in Tucson, AZ. The plants and flowers love the rain; our garbage container has floated down the street. A boat in the desert, imagine.
Jacqueline Starr
Tucson, AZ
I volunteer with a local hospice organization and sit with people, often quietly, as they near their end. Most of the time I read in silence beside a patient's bedside, so I picked up Textbook AKR as a companion for the day's hospice visit. When I arrived, the patient was unconscious, but her TV was blaring. Despite my desire to read in silence, I left the TV alone so as not to intrude on her space. At the purple flower moment, I glanced up to see her smiling at a dog from a Purina commercial. Without your prompting, I'd probably have missed this fleeting moment of joy.
Anonymous
I'm lying down in my hobbit hole. On the couch. On my back. On a heating pad, in hopes of quelling my neck and shoulder pain. Under my favorite blanket. Under the most charming set of string lights. Under my cat Wayne, who kneaded me for a good twenty seconds before deeming my torso the exact spot he needed to be.
Sarah
Seattle, WA
The first night in a bed after I changed the sheets. My boys, 1 and 4 are sleeping. I think about how much they wear me out and how when I'm old and they're no longer here I will probably be mad at myself for not appreciating this time more.
Claire
Evanston, IL
Sitting in the family room watching tv, reading, and drinking wine. It is humid and I am waiting for the air conditioning to kick in.
Julie Stam
Park Ridge, IL
I'm here helping my husband who is working so hard to learn to walk again after suffering a massive stroke. He has always been an athlete, so sitting in a wheelchair all summer long is very difficult. I just retired after 30 years of teaching. I thought I'd be traveling to far off places, but this predicament is our new normal. Our goal is for him to be able to climb stairs so that we can visit our grand children.
Catherine
Lake Forest, IL
Right at this moment I'm outside peddling on funny stationary peddles. It's not a stationary bike it's just the peddles. The sticker on it is red and says stride in a silly kind of speedy font.... I'm reading your book. It's such a joy. The mockingbird is such a blabber mouth this morning.
Alice
San Jose, CA
I am about to arrive at my in-laws' home after 3 days in the car (17 road hours plus a smattering of stops for gas, food, sleeping, potty) with my 3 children under 4 and my dear husband of not even 5 years. We've not even known each other for 7, yet. And here we are, in North Dakota, for his youngest sister's wedding - at which we will sing Randy Newman's Feels Like Home. So much to feel.
Sarah Sagaser
Toledo, OH
So I sent you my purple flower moment, just a tiny description of my glorious yellow sky. Then I read further and realized I left out so much about this moment...yes I am on my deck in the beautiful summery breeze, grateful for this perfect day after such a wet gloomy spring. On this page I click on the rainbows, and am enthralled at the magnificence of the ones I see, and from there my thoughts go to how I am loving the spirit of this book...the love and beauty that Amy is offering to us, in a world where we can choose to see love and beauty or hate and division...every minute is that choice. And I thank Amy for her role in helping me choose love and beauty...and I think about all time I might continue to come to this website...and then I check my email to see if I have a connection yet...
Pggy
Middletown, DE
Mine is a yellow sky moment. Sitting on my deck enjoying the summery sunny breeze and bright yellow sky☀️
Anonymous
This moment now
I am sitting at home 11:39 PM trying to figure out if you will go for my Amy rental so excited to be on this website for this amazing book, blogging about your book , and trying to endorse my family into reading it(no reaction but still trying ;) ) and trying to recoopeate after a long day of first day golf lessons, woohoo!
Erik Dubbs
Pine Grove
I am reading while movers pack up all of my things in Brooklyn, NY. We are moving to Portland, OR, where I grew up. I love New York more than any place I've ever lived and feel very sad about leaving, as if my creative life is over. Though I realize that this is an ironic thought: If I was truly creative, I would imagine many different possibilities for creative lives I could lead in Portland. I'm trying to do that right now.
Sent from my iPhone
Sitting in the hospital with my 87 year old mother on day 11 of a 3 day stint for a broken hip. Alzheimer's fashions her view of the process. As a darling CNA noted, she's learned from her geriatric patients to enjoy the moment. And she worries that it makes her look "flighty" on her quest to become a nurse. I reassured her that she's learned a lesson that comes to most people too late. Let it fly
I am in my agressively messy apartment. Child #2 is crying because his bowl
of goldfish has been knocked off the table by child #3. Husband is in his
underwear, and he resolves the unhappiness by turning on a Disney cartoon.
Suddenly it is quiet and I can read Textbook in peace. It's Memorial day,
everyone is home, but the weather is bad. What shall we do?
I am sitting in my room snuggled under the covers, excited to be enjoying alone time and ready for bed. This book has been a pleasant surprise. Yesterday, I went to the public library to check out some episodes of Monk and had to enter in a back door i hardly knew existed, thanks to low parking availability. There, I found a shelf of free books, including an almost mint, signed, pre-publication version of this book. It has been a lot of fun to read, and has restored to me an excitement to get lost in a story, no matter how simple it is. That is how I would describe this moment...simply, blissfully delighting in the ability to snuggle up and get lost in somebody else's words.
I looked up from your book and saw candles on our mantle. Yesterday, my
husband was offered a job in another country. We don't know if he'll take
it, if we'll move, and if we'll have to close my business. I love my store,
but sometimes it feels like a weight keeping me in one place. Last night,
there was a blackout in our neighborhood. My husband and I lit candles and
our seven-year-old son read to us. Our son was worried because it was
storming and because it was dark. When the power came back on, it startled
him and he ran to the safety of his father's arms. I'm looking at the
candles, thinking about how getting what we want can be so scary.
I am relaxing in bed after a long day at school. I am trying not to bend my
knee because it had been hurting at yoga lately, and I am distracted by the
thought that I will have a life long knee injury from trying to force
myself into lotus posture prematurely. I am waiting for my husband to come
home. The light bulb above me just burn out, then back on for a split
second before succumbing once more. Now it's back on, but I no longer trust
it.
I'm on a train from NYC to New Haven. I don't know if I'll make my connection in New Haven, because we had a short delay. The floor is red and speckled. The seats are red and cream, fake leather and plastic. I haven't been on trains a lot, so I'm not sure where to find the garbage can. So my apple core is sitting inside my empty yogurt cup on top of my backpack on the seat next to me.
Anonymous
I've never sent an email into a void to describe a moment in my life. It feels strange.
At this moment, I am in my one-bedroom apartment. The bills are piling up and I have surgery next week, and I work in publishing so I don't exactly have a mountain of riches. It's hard to make ends meet.
But I am sitting in my one-bedroom apartment after moving from Kentucky to Indiana to Florida to Kentucky to New York to Chicago--by myself. After three years of a nomadic, 4-job, retail worker existence, I made a home for myself and moved by myself with nothing more than a backpack and a pillow.
I sit in my one-bedroom apartment, so far from the first day I sat in here, beaming as I lay down on the floor for my first night. I had a small pillow and my winter coat as a blanket, and I slept on the carpet of the empty bedroom. But it was mine. It is mine.
It's now full, furnished and adorned with my things, my belongings, and I have a full-time job doing what I love, and though some days still bring on the depression and anxiety, those days are fewer and farther between than they once were. And I built that on my own.
I'm so proud of myself. I think sometimes we forget to be proud of ourselves because it's not seen as modest.
But I am proud. I've made it.
Cassie
I am Seattle Children's Hospital for follow up appointments and it is fifteen days after my ten year old son was attacked by a stranger's black dog. At the moment it happened we were at a beach in where a river met the lake and I was reading this very book and had just finished reading about how Cougar came into your life. My son lost 1/3 of his tongue from the dog bite and had to have his lip stitched back together. We didn't know if he would be able to talk, taste or eat food normally again. He was hospitalized for several days at Children's due to excruciating pain and inability to eat and my heart broke watching him in so much pain. His body is now healing and he has made a dramatic recovery just in the last week and is no longer on pain medicine around the clock and his tongue is surprising everyone by growing back together. In this waiting room, I hear languages from all over the world. The children, some with visible signs of serious injuries and illnesses and their siblings are all drawn to the tropical fish tank beside my own son. I am so grateful that my son is healing, that his speech is returning and he is finally able to eat solid foods again. I send out prayers of healing to everyone around me and hope that they are as enveloped by love and support in their time of need as we have been.
Warmly,
Jesica Sweedler DeHart
Dear Amy,
I am lying in bed alone alone and thinking of my friend who disclosed to me the horrible secret double life she found out her husband leads. She is about to embark on a journey that I actually began 12 years ago when my own husband disclosed his secret life. In the 12 step program they say one of the promises is that we will not regret the past nor wish to shut the door on it, which I always thought was bullshit because who wouldn't take away their suffering, given the chance? But I weirdly am suddenly grateful for the horrific path I have walked because it means I can walk with her down this path and maybe ease her way a bit.
P.s. My email address should tell you that things worked out with hubs.
p.p.s. If I am number 100, though I love pie, please don't send it. I've decided to get healthy by my 40th birthday and if it was pecan pie I would eat the entire thing. Sit and share it with a homeless person and their friends with a cup of tea or coffee. So they can feel human for a moment. My friend who is homeless said the nicest moments we have together are when we go for coffee and a long talk and she suddenly feels normal again. Human.
P.p.p.s. If you remember someone who long ago wrote you a letter to encourage you about the film you made, how you brought joy and inspiration, and to tell you I was going to learn the fiddle, all right before you gave a TED talk (which your wrote me back about), that was me. I still haven't cracked the fiddle (although I have one now!) but I did get much better at mandolin and dabbled in accordion. Thanks for the joy.
Anonymous
Hi mom. Love you mom.
Jkr
I am watching the Olympic swim trials, watching a young girl win her heat after surviving an earthquake. We all have earthquakes in our lives. Will we survive as a champion give up? I think we all have a little championship in us!
Anonymous
Dear Amy,
At the moment, this very moment, I am lying in bed, drinking a second cup of coffee and reading the Textbook ARC. On Thursday I will be leading the collective memoir session at Rakestraw Books' summer camp for grown ups. I am trying to channel my inner Amy. I'll do my best!
Kathy
Kathleen M. Moore, Ed.D
I’m sat on the couch, on the left hand side. There’s a pile of books to my left, a sleeping bulldog to my right and a warm laptop on my knees.
This moment is peaceful. The Olympic Parade Of Nations is on the TV, and the world feels very big and very small all at one. My boyfriend smiles at me and grabs some peanuts. I pull a blanket over my feet, which are always cold.
Anonymous
I'm lying on the couch reading your book. I meant to read a few pages and then eat dinner. I only have a hundred pages left. There hasn't been dinner. (On the plus side, I live alone so no one will pester me as I finish the book and then eat.) Have you ever read something at the exact perfect time? That's Textbook today. Thank you.
Anonymous
My moment:
Sitting in the family room watching tv, reading, and drinking wine. It is humid and I am waiting for the air conditioning to kick in.
Julie Stam
Hello Amy,
This moment now: it's Saturday morning, and I am sitting on a dark gray couch in my apartment in Brooklyn, NY reading an ARC of Textbook. My husband just woke up, and is sitting next to me reading Reddit on his phone. We'll have about another hour of relaxing, and then I'm going to get to work on my weekend project: going through my wardrobe and downsizing my clothing. I'm not going to be doing quite as extreme of a wardrobe simplifying as you wrote about, but I do need to create more room. My husband moved into my 1 bedroom apartment after he left his homeland in England to be with me - the least I can do is try to clear out more space for his clothes in the closet and dresser. It's not the most glamorous or exciting weekend plans, but it needs to be done.
My husband has just discovered, via Facebook's Memories feature, that 2 years ago today we set out in an old Kia Optima for our 3 month road trip around the United States. This was the trip where we fell inescapably in love, and rearranged our lives to be together. What a nice moment to remember.
Sending you all the best,
Emily Reid
I'm sitting on the balcony of our timeshare on St. Martin, looking out on the "too blue/green to be true" Caribbean.
I still call it our timeshare even though I lost my perfect match 4 years and seven months ago.
Today would have been our 32nd wedding anniversary.
Anonymous
It is currently half past midnight and I am laying in a bed that is not mine, and yet I feel completely at home. I am feeling eternally grateful that people like you exist, Amy. Receiving this advanced copy of your book has been such a gift. I would love to meet up with you to chat one day - just let me know when you are available. Haha. But seriously, I do love adventures... And pie.
Courtney Dunn
Regina, SK
Canada
I'm sitting on my green couch, and all the books are stacked in precarious stacks on the floor, and all the bookshelves are empty in the middle of the room, and there are six huge new windows that were supposed to be installed today stacked along the wall because the window installation guys took lunch and never came back. I'm terrified that I'm going to break the windows, or knock over the stacks of books, or that the cat will. But the thing is, I sort of feel this way in the new house always, even when the bookshelves and the books are all where they're supposed to be, because we were too young to buy it when we bought it (three months ago) but I had
this money for the first time ever and I got it all at once and I thought I might as well spend it all at once, and I love him a lot and he really wanted a yard of our own where we could put up a clothesline and plant a garden. I'll be 30 in 315 days if the calculator I just found on the internet is right. Maybe I won't be young anymore by then. Maybe I'll open the windows.
Anonymous
Right before I read this part of your wonderful book I said to my husband, next to me in one of our new anti- gravity reclining chairs, preparing a fire bowl for a bit later this evening, "we are surrounded by such amazing trees in our yard". A moment of appreciation, one of many many.
Anonymous
Saturday, 25 June 2016
It is 7:01am in Long Beach, CA one week in to my summer vacation/maternity leave from teaching. Tomorrow is my baby shower, heading soon to pick up my sisters from the airport - they're coming to share our joy all the way from Chicago. I'm feeling my baby's slow rolling, hoping he'll decide to turn head down (most doctors won't perform unmedicated breech deliveries these days, especially on people of "advanced maternal age"). But I feel peaceful and full of hope! The last time I was pregnant was1997.
I don't live in Orlando (and I love every kind of fruit pie)...but after the events there this month, I hope somehow that the 3rd pie experiment continues the Orlando trend!
Stephanie Nicole Lee
In trying to prolong the ending of your book I've sat it down for a couple days while we had out of town company and my baby turned 6! So this moment now I'm making chocolate chip cookies to take to the lake next week and I'm waiting for the timer to go off. How much can I read in 8-10 minutes?
Anonymous
I am laying in bed, sunburned from a day spent at the beach with my children. A fan is gently blowing on my sunburned skin while I explain the thrill of an interactive book that involves texting.
Anonymous
Hi Amy,
I am reading your book right now. It is a saturday afternoon in my apt in SF and I am taking a break from packing my suitcase to go on vacation. I live in an apt with four people and today one of our new roommates is moving in while the old roommate is preparing to move out. Usually I try to take a break from my phone when I read but since I can text your book, I have it with me. Thus, I keep flipping back and forth between snapchats the roommate who is moving out is sending of dresses she is trying on at a store and the pages of your book. She hasn’t tried on anything purple yet.
Thanks for teaching me the word word mo-noh no ah-wah-ray. It sums up a lot ( I know it is 10 pages or so past the purple flower question)
Emma
I don't live in Orlando (and I love every kind of fruit pie)...but after the events there this month, I hope somehow that the 3rd pie experiment continues the Orlando trend!
Anonymous
My MomentIt is 7:01 in Long Beach, CA one week in to my summer vacation/maternity leave from teaching. Tomorrow is my baby shower, heading soon to pick up my sisters from the airport - they're coming to share our joy all the way from Chicago. I'm feeling my baby's slow rolling, hoping he'll decide to turn head down (most doctors won't perform unmedicated breech deliveries these days, especially on people of "advanced maternal age"). But I feel peaceful and full of hope! The last time I was pregnant was 1997.
Anonymous
I'm in bed with the fan and socks on, surrounded by crumbs and books. sleepy but inspired, sweaty but chill. built (assembled) an ikea bookshelf today and am still feeling proud of that accomplishment.
Siobhán Gallagher
I am underneath the Southport El Station, waiting for the Thursday farmers market to officially get underway. I took a sneak peek at the empty table I'm planning to volunteer at, where information is sparse, save for newsletter signup forms. Each signup roster is blank except for the top slot, where every page has "[email protected]" written into the top box. Upon arriving, I had exited the station and realized I was point blank with Jeni's, my favorite ice cream parlor in Chicago. Problem is, my belt loops keep shifting over and I made a pact with my girlfriend to only eat ice cream on the weekends. So I'm compromising on Jeni's patio as I wait with a cup of brambleberry sorbet. An old college buddy just called to catch up, told me he's been working like a dog, digging out of debt after a second failed attempt at in vitro fertilization. He apologized for being out of touch for so long, but I told him that I've been using his letter from last summer as my bookmark in Infinite Jest. So for the last 800 pages or so, it feels like I hear from him all the time. My sorbet finished, I find the lady in charge of the market and tell her I'm here to volunteer, and she makes me feel like that's the best news she's heard all day. She introduces herself as Elsa.
Billy
At this moment I am rewatching The West Wing TV series because I am fed up with the politics of the day. I am so enjoying reading your quirky book while also trying to understand how writers can solve some of the problems of the world on this show but the people we have elected to our congress cannot even speak civilly to each other or our president.
Cathy Bonnell
I'm sitting on my couch, still in my pajamas, drinking coffee and reading this book. It's quiet.
This moment is the calm before the storm, literally and figuratively. A massive storm is supposed to hit Chicago today. It's gloomy and overcast but there's an eerie stillness outside. I'm also getting ready to have a house full of guests for the next couple of weeks.
Rosa SanMarchi
It is 8:33 am on a summer morning.
There is a tricycle on my kitchen counter. It looks so humorously out of place; I should take a picture. I had to take it away from my four-year-old son this morning. It's so easy to give my kids consequences at this stage in life...what am I going to do when they are teenagers?
I am sitting on the couch with my six-year-old daughter, who is also reading. She is reading a Judy Moody book, and I of course, am reading *Textbook*. I am worried she will scold me for picking up my phone here-and-there and for being on my computer (I'm interacting with the book, but she doesn't know that). But so far she hasn't.
Anonymous
I am curled up in bed after a long day in a long week in a long month wearing the comfiest dress and reading this sweet book. I am slowly and gently emerging from a big heavy sad and I'm so grateful to be grateful to be alive.
Anonymous
I am at home sitting on my sage green couch reading your book. My cat Abilene is sleeping on the oversize matching sage green chair. I am a bit trembly because I just worked out at the gym and I ate some cottage cheese to help with my low blood sugar reaction. Then I google what I should eat with low blood sugar and they recommended carbohydrates. So I ate a honey biscuit cracker thing that has lots of carb points. I am less shaky now and I am typing this to you to hopefully win a pie.
By the way, if I do win it i will bring it to the hospital where I work and share it with my coworkers,
Thank you!
Renee
I'm reading the advance copy of "Textbook Amy", alternating between gasps of "me too" melancholy twinges and laughing out loud moments. My coffee has gone cold(er) but we gave up our microwave and I'm determined to finish it even if it isn't anywhere near as satisfying as that first just right sip was...
The house is quiet and I'm sad at heart thinking about my daughter's good friend who was just raped. Feeling devastated for her, for anyone who suffers any kind of assault or abuse, I am also in awe of this woman's strength, her courage to move forward, her determination that this will not define who she is.
Anonymous
It's perfect that I got to this purple moment section, because I was aware of the warmth of this moment as it emerged. I am sitting on my daughter's bed reading my advanced copy, while she watches a movie recovering from having her wisdom teeth removed. We are together but both enjoying our own thing. After a little while, one of her brothers comes into her room and sees me here reading. Without hesitation, he gets on the bed next to her and they are now watching the movie together. I feel grateful. Grateful they have each other, grateful she of course wants him on her bed watching with her. Grateful I am here to share this quiet, but beautiful night with them.
Anonymous
Hi Amy,
At this moment I am sitting in my office, in a beautiful library in Kansas City, feeling very fortunate and hungry for pie.
Anonymous
Hi!
No way is this the 100th email because your book has not come out yet and I am reading the ARC in anticipation of the Booksellers dinner with you in chapel hill
I am in my bed
This moment is good partially because I like your book and am thinking of fun ways to sell it (jar of how are you feeling right now,slips of paper that customers write and then we do something fun with them?)
partially because I decided to have a bowl of my son's Oreo ice cream and it was delicious
and partially because today is the first day of my new resolution to take a lunch break every day and it made for a decadent day that has led into a decadent evening.
Anonymous
Sitting in my reading chair having just come from 'happy hour' where a best friend told me she's leaving her husband of 30 years after his recent 'fourth' dui she says she's worried he will kill someone with his drinking and driving. I'm in shock and so sad for her. Who knew?
Anonymous
I am sitting at my kitchen table, drinking a glass of orange juice. There is timid sunlight peeking in the window behind me and a stack of paper in front of me. I feel weary. And ready.
Ruby
A book with Morrissey's face on it. I think he's singing. His eyes are closed anyways.
Anonymous
I look around me and I see a calm but humming office full of bibliophiles (mostly awesome women) putting their hearts and souls into finding, editing, and promoting books written by authors we believe in. Though we might complain about the horrible office coffee and tight deadlines, we share the same passion for and belief in the power of the written word, and that's kind of beautiful.
Anonymous
