Z is for Zzzz

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Is there anyone crossing the finish line of the A to Z Challenge who is not ready for a good long nap? I know I am. It’s been quite a marathon. Or is it 26 consecutive sprints? Whatever it is, I’m exhausted. And exhilarated.  Glad that it’s over, really glad I did it, and really, really glad we are not talking Cyrillic alphabet here.

Before I retire, some shout-outs to:

  • Claire, who encouraged me to take the Challenge (I will take this up with you privately later, Claire!)
  • The Write On Mamas and my two small writing groups, always encouraging, gracious, and generous
  • The Challenge hosts and their minions, who put in huge efforts to make it all work
  • My family, who accepted very casual dining (not to mention spotty housekeeping and spottier attentiveness) with good cheer
  • My fellow bloggers, who provided inspiration and camaraderie
  • My readers, who made it all worthwhile
  • My commenters, who erased that dreadful feeling of writing into a black hole, and who really keep me going.

Now, to catch some Zzzz’s.

Except that I can’t.

For one thing, there’s all that catch-up from a month of neglect: Bills to pay, correspondence to respond to, laundry to fold, groceries to buy, Facebook to scroll through, the New York Times to read. (On the other hand, in my Challenge-hazed world, Freddie Gray is still alive and Baltimore and Nepal are still standing, so perhaps falling behind has its advantages.)

For another thing, as a post-menopausal woman, I never sleep well, even when I am good about shutting down those electronic devices early and limiting my caffeine consumption. Long-time readers of Shrinkrapped may remember my Holy-Grail-like quest for a new mattress. Alas, third time’s not been the charm.

And finally, how can I possibly sleep when alphabet visions keep dancing through my head? For more than a month my brain has been exploding with letters and corresponding ideas, and I can’t stop obsessing! Whatever happened to L is for Lucky Charm? Or N is for Narcissism? Or R is for Recycling/Repurposing? Or S is for Serendipity? Or W is for Weight Watchers; Writing About One’s Children; Write On Mamas; Wikipedia (where would we be without it)?

WTF! That’s a lot of W’s! Well, there’s always next year!

So thanks, and good night! Sweet dreams . . .

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 What did you think of the A to Z Blogging Challenge? Any favorites?

16 thoughts on “Z is for Zzzz

  1. Congratulations! Glad to get to read your posts and comment on most. Would have done more but alas am in the midst of unpacking chaos!

  2. Congratulations on finishing. I’ve met so many new bloggers and this was what I wanted to achieve in doing this challenge. No time for pausing, having to get back to writing, but at least I won’t have to think about the alphabet!

    • I know what you mean. My 26-year-old daughter read my “Z” post in which I spoke of housework and meals being neglected while blogging. “Your gender-norms need examining,” she said. A good idea, especially if she and my husband would examine their gender-normed expectations that I am the provider of most meals and domestic accomplishments! So glad to have met you during the A-Z!

  3. I’m really glad I did the challenge and found some new blogs to follow during the course of it. Like you I was glad to get comments from new visitors to prove that I was reaching an audience and not just blogging to myself. I think it’s both a sprint and a marathon now for some cooling down time :)

    • Yes, that’s how I feel, too. Writing into the black hole fills me with despair. If I wanted to do that, I’d stick with journaling. One of my writing friends says, “Medium.com is the place to put your writing when you’re sad that nobody reads your blog.” But then I couldn’t really figure out how to do anything besides register for Medium.com. Enjoy your cool-down time!

  4. Congrats on meeting the challenge head-on! I think you’ve earned a respite from the blog. But I wouldn’t recommend reading the news. Perhaps read a book or two or ten, instead. Cheers!

    • Thanks, Jilanne. Trouble is, I always feel like I’m derelict in my duty of citizenship not reading the news. But your point is a good one. Am now reading two novels, one audio and one hardcover. It’s indeed a treat.

  5. Congratulations Lorrie! It has been a pleasure journeying through the alphabet with you. You did all the work and I had all the fun! Hope you can get some Z’s.

  6. I’m glad I discovered your blog during this A to Z Challenge! We’re of similar ages, similar parental stages, and similar worldviews, and most importantly, you make me laugh! Enjoy your well-earned nap.

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