Stairs by my house. Attempting to climb them in heels is not for the weak.

August kicked off the last of this year's major transitions. This was my last week as a nanny, today is my last day. Suffice it to say, I've cried a lot the last couple of weeks. I'm hoping September ushers in cooler weather and great job leads.

Read and Reading:

The end of a trilogy or series is bittersweet. We are compelled to know how it ends, while not wanting to let go of characters we love, on top of hoping the author "gets it right." The Book of Life is the last of the All Souls trilogy and Deborah Harkness certainly got it right. I loved the world she created and the way all the threads came together, even while opening a door to future stories. I didn't want to turn the last page. Matthew and Diana live on in my heart.

Last month Jessica at the Quirky Bookworm told me I needed to read The Grisha trilogy (Bardugo). I wasn't sure about the description but I trust her recommendations so I picked Shadow and Bone up from the library and by page 50, I was requesting the next 2 books, which I proceeded to tear through last weekend. Bardugo created a fascinating world and I loved how I wasn't quite sure which direction our heroine would go. The interplay between good and evil has insights for us all.

We'll be discussing Overdressed (Cline) next month on The Red Couch. My introductory post will be up next week. Hope you'll join us!

You can see all the books I've read at Goodreads. 

Currently reading: The Brothers K (Duncan), Amazing Grace (Norris), New and Selected Poems: Volume 1 (Oliver), Our Great Big American God (Turner), Bachelor Girl (Israel)

(I read 11 books this month.)

TV:

Must-see TV: So You Think You Can Dance, The Real Housewives of Orange County, Real Housewives of New Jersey, Jersey Belle, Project Runway

Several years ago a friend gave me Outlander and told me I needed to read it. I did and was swept away by the whole series. (It's killing me that I haven't read book 8 yet since it came out in June. It's on deck.) It's now a show on STARZ and let me tell you: it is perfection. The cinematography is stunning and there's palpable chemistry between the actors playing Jamie and Claire. The network has already renewed season 2. They're pretty faithful to the book, which can be very graphic at times. This is not family friendly viewing and there's a situation towards the end that I am very nervous about watching. But the storytelling is top-notch. Also, I wish a real-life Jamie would waltz into my life.

Movie

Kelley and I went to see Step Up: All In, mostly so we could see how many SYTYCD alumni we could spot. The Step Up movies have become progressively less about the story and more about the dancing. This was very predictable but the dancing was amazing. Also fun to see Jaja make an appearance- she was one of my favorite auditioners in this season of SYTYCD and I was stunned when she didn't make it into the Top 20.

Music:

New discoveries: Wild Cub

Listen to the What I'm Into 2014 playlist.

Town Hall Meeting:

Thursday 8/21 Mt. Zion Baptist Church hosted a town hall meeting with the police chief, police commanders, and other local leaders to discuss Ferguson and what our response would be if it happened here, as well as how to prevent it from happening. The church was packed and I ended up sitting in the basement/overflow room. You can look up #NashvilleUnites to see what was said. Everyone who wanted to ask a question had a chance to do so and people did not hold back. Questions ranged from militarization of Nashville police to respectability politics to racial profiling. I've never been to a town hall meeting before- so not my comfort zone but this was a discussion not to be missed. I hate the existence of systemic racism and I want to do my part in ending it. Beyond examining my own heart and motivations, the first step is showing up. Bishop Joseph Walker has a vision for what Nashville Unites could be and I hope we are able to come together and be a force for positive change in the coming weeks and months.

Tea:

I just ran out of SereneTeaz Irish Morning and will be moving on to their Anniversary Blend. I was running precariously low on breakfast tea options so I picked up Numi Aged Earl Grey and Stash Chai Spice. Both are doing the trick. For herbal, I'm quite addicted to Harney and Sons Ginger.

It's unusual to drink hot beverages in this heat and humidity but I can't quit a comforting ritual.

Things I Love:

• Two events happened after I wrote July's post. First, I went to a Stitch Fix event at Pinewood Social. It was so great meeting Cotille and Margaret, as well as hanging out with other Nashvillians, some of whom I've known only online. I don't need much of an excuse to dress up and many of us wore clothes we've gotten through Stitch Fix. Plus, I drank a gin-based cocktail with Earl Grey in it. Delicious. If you haven't tried Stitch Fix yet, what are you waiting for?

• Second, I went to the Dream Year Pitch Night in support of Ben Arment's new book Dream Year. Several people made pitches about their endeavors and it was inspiring to hear them.

• Trader Joe's coconut milk chocolate ice cream

• Co-hosting a Sip & See for my nephew-in-love

• Silly Goose with Julie

• Lots of hang time with Amanda

• Star Bagel breakfast with Tracy, Anna, and Isaiah
• Finally participating in the SheLoves editors meeting- I've always had something previously scheduled til now. Such a rich discussion. It made me proud to be a part of the team.
• Everything Travis Wall is doing on SYTYCD

• After a rough week, friends sent me "bury the body" flowers. That's a Brene Brown reference for those of you who are unfamiliar with the term.

Favorite Instagram:

I sure did drive home from work wearing my tiara. #everydayimnannying

(If you want to follow me on Instagram, my user name is leighkramer.)

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Once upon a time there was a graduate student. She worked very hard. When she wasn't in class or at fieldwork, she was studying or at work. In the summer, she worked full-time but she also had more margin for fun. She loved summer.

One weekend her best friend invited her to a friend's graduation party. It was held on the R's family farm and there was the promise of a cookout, live band, kegs, and camping. She couldn't say yes fast enough.

She and her best friend happily joined the festivities. She knew about a handful of people there and enjoyed meeting R's friends and family. She also enjoyed meeting the hot single guys in attendance. Let's be honest.

The afternoon gave way to evening and the cover band began to play. Mostly 80s songs. Everyone danced. Sheer perfection.

It grew chilly so she slipped away to the tent and grabbed her sweatshirt. She didn't want to miss out on 867-5309 or Jesse's Girl so she hurried back to the band and began dancing again.

Within seconds, a guy came over and yelled, "I-L-L."

She looked at him in puzzlement. What song was the band playing? Was this the same thing as yelling "salt" during Margaritaville or "so good" in Sweet Caroline?

"What," she yelled back.

"I-L-L," he yelled again, intent on gaining some sort of response.

Ill, she mused. Well, this made no sense. Why would he yell about being sick?

"I-L-L," he yelled again.

This was getting weird.

"I don't know what you're saying," she yelled back. She was irritated because he was interfering with her dancing time. Nobody put this baby in a corner.

Finally, a friend whispered loudly in her ear, "you're supposed to yell back I-N-I."

"And this matters because...?"

"You're wearing a University of Illinois sweatshirt."

Ah, yes. The sweatshirt she'd adorned to stave off the chill. The same sweatshirt she'd "long-term borrowed" from her friend Clay months ago. He went to U of I. She did not.

But the yelling guy was intrigued by the young woman in the U of I sweatshirt who knew nothing of school chants or mascots.

They began dancing and talking and later, while they sat around a bonfire, he asked her out.

There were many factors against this pairing. It was not meant to be.

But she never forgot the time this most unsexy of apparel landed her a date.

The end.