Escape Hatch

Hello friends,

Raise your hand if you’re (already) ready for 2024 to be over. I don’t think anyone was expecting it to be peachy, but we’re only on day four and earthquakes both literal and figurative have me feeling a little shook.

Still, before 2024 barged in, we had a very nice holiday. Michaela turned nine on the solstice and we celebrated with three of her friends who are in her class at school. We took the kids to an escape room, which has long been a goal of Michaela’s. (It did not disappoint.) Afterward we returned to our house for dinner and cake, and Michaela and her friends spent a big chunk of time playing “family,” a game they usually play at recess. My curiosity about the game was amply sated as I eavesdropped on their play, which took place in nearly every room of our house. I learned that “family” is as it sounds: each of the kids adopts a familial role and proceeds to act it out. I’m glad that nine isn’t too old for pretend play. This was the first time Michaela has had a birthday when I felt like I could step away and just let the kids do their thing. It was awesome.

The rest of the holiday break was very chill. We have all been battling colds for weeks, so it was nice not to have to travel. On New Year’s Eve my Aunt Anna came to see Wonka with us and afterward we went back to our house for charades, borscht, and Dixit (an engaging family game). We were in bed by ten PM and I think I may have been the last one to fall asleep to the sporadic bursts of local fireworks.

To be honest I am not just stressed about the state of the world but am also feeling the strain of having Michaela home for seventeen days straight. Aside from the interruptions I also feel unprepared for her seesawing emotions. Is this a normal part of being a “tween” or just the result of boredom? Either way I think we are both ready for school to start again.

Maybe the only real news I have to report this week is that I’m experimenting with a new, looser drawing style by just using a brush instead of a nib, except for text. What do you think? I like that it is a softer line than when I use a nib. Chad took one look and shook his head: “It just looks like a sketch.” But I have been struggling lately to get stuff done, and one reason is I get all hunched up and rigid when I draw. I will keep experimenting and hopefully learn to loosen up while making drawings that do not just, ahem, look like a sketch.

Love,

Claire

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PS: I hope that three comics doesn’t feel like too much—it seems like ages since I last wrote, so I wanted to give you a little more!