New Words #30: Seasons

More complicated than they sound

Depending on whether you go by the astronomical or the meteorological seasons, winter is either right around the corner or already well underway in my part of the world. But there are many other ways to divide the year into seasons, depending on climate, history, or tradition.

In Ireland, for example, the astronomical and meteorological seasons are the same as they are here in North America … but you might also choose to go by the traditional calendar, which incorporates elements of pre-Christian Celtic religious festivals. Winter, for example, is considered to last from November 1 (Samhain, marking the end of the harvest) through the end of January. Spring begins on February 1, the date of both the Gaelic festival of Imbolc and the feast day of Brigid, one of Ireland’s patron saints.

Do people find this mishmash of calendar systems confusing? If this Reddit post is any indication, yes, they do.

Whatever you choose to call these last few months, it’s been a busy season for me. I’m wrapping up my first semester in a new teaching job, and I moved last month (no great distance—still on the same side of town—but it was my first experience moving with pets, which upped my stress level more than I would have imagined). All these changes are for the better, but it’s a lot of newness all at once, and some things (like the once-or-twice-a-month schedule of this newsletter) had to take a back seat.

So while I’m not usually inclined to put much emphasis on January 1, this year I’ll be using my holiday break to unpack those last few boxes and make sure my writing routine is in good shape before the start of a new semester. However you’re planning to spend these next few weeks, I wish you a season of peace and good health.

A Humble Suggestion

In each newsletter, I offer at least one recommendation for your reading, watching, or listening pleasure.

The Allusionist is a great podcast for anyone interested in language(s), and I especially recommend the recent two-part episode “Lexicat,” in which host Helen Zaltzman talks with people who have trained their cats and/or dogs to communicate using buttons programmed with human language. A highlight for me was a cat who expresses displeasure by pressing the button for “litter box”!

Even if you aren’t inclined to make resolutions, you might find January 1 to be as good a time as any to start a new habit—preferably one that isn’t terribly time-consuming on a daily basis. I’ve really enjoyed using a five-year journal (like this one or this one). Each page is divided into five sections, each with just enough room to write a couple of sentences about your day (and, in subsequent years, check in with your past self).

Self-Promotion Corner

My short story “We Were the Ambers” appears in the new print issue of the North American Review. This story went through a bunch of drafts, got me admitted to selective workshops, and received dozens of rejections before landing in NAR, which is an absolute thrill. (Now I can say that Edith Wharton and I have been published by the same magazine!) To commemorate the sixtieth anniversary of NAR’s current home at the University of Northern Iowa, this issue contains visual art by eighteen Iowa-based artists and was accompanied by a gallery show of their work. Take a look at this short documentary about the issue and the history of the magazine.

I was delighted to be recognized on the shortlist for this year’s Granum Foundation Translation Prize. Congratulations to the winner, Tony Hao!

Finally, many thanks to editor Jeff Bogle at Stanchion for nominating my story “The Day the Bank Isn’t Robbed” for the 2025 edition of Best Small Fictions!

Here, Look at My Cats

Looking for something to bring your blood pressure down a notch? This is what I’ve got to offer.

New home. Old blanket. Happy kitties.

Wishing you a joyous holiday season and a beautiful new year ahead.

Laura