I remembered and forgot Pregnancy and Infant Loss Day. Or maybe I remembered internally and didn’t remember externally is more accurate. I thought about lighting a candle, and then I didn’t light a candle. My corner of social media felt quiet about the day. I’m glad some people wrote about it.

Once upon a time, it was very important to me. I think it’s okay for people to change; for things that were once important to grow less important. I’m noting it because I surprised myself. If you had asked me ten years ago, I would have said that I would always light the candle.

Sending light and love out into the world for all who remembered this week.

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Stop procrastinating. Go make your backups. Don’t have regrets.

Seriously. Stop what you’re doing for a moment. It will take you fifteen minutes, tops. But you will have peace of mind for days and days. It’s the gift to yourself that keeps on giving.

As always, add any new thoughts to the Friday Backup post and peruse new comments to find out about methods, plug-ins, and devices that help you quickly back up your data and accounts.

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And now the blogs…

But first, second helpings of the posts that appeared in the open comment thread last week. To read the description before clicking over, please return to the open thread:

• “Childless, Alone? What’s Your Emergency Plan?” (Childless by Marriage)
• “The Unknown Life” (Stirrup Queens) — thanks, Jess!

Okay, now my choices this week.

It’s Inconceivable writes about baby loss awareness week. This made me weepy: “Wherever you are in the world, my candle will shine brightly for you, your baby or babies and for those children you held only within your hearts.” Thank you. I am glad there are people like Bamberlamb in the world.

Not a Wasted Word asks why everything is so hard right now. She’s not alone in this sentiment: “This fall has been a tough one. Everything feels really hard. At the very least, everything is taking a lot of time.” Maybe something is in the air because I think many people feel this, too.

Lastly, Lavender Luz has sad and happy news. A terrible loss. A new book is being born. Many projects are happening in the adoption world. Abide with her as she remembers her nephew.

The roundup to the Roundup: Pregnancy and Infant Loss Awareness Day. Your weekly backup nudge. And lots of great posts to read. So what did you find this week? Please use a permalink to the blog post (written between October 14 – October 21) and not the blog’s main URL. Not understanding why I’m asking you what you found this week? Read the original open thread post here.

As I say every month, I’m shamelessly stealing this idea from Jessica Lahey. She has a recurring monthly date where she reviews all the books she read that month. Book reviews are important for authors, and I want to get better about doing this.

So. I’m going to review them here and also online, but I’m going to do it a little differently. I’m only going to review the stuff I really liked. I don’t see a reason to spend my time writing about something I didn’t love; it’s just using up more of my energy. So only positive reviews.

These are the books I liked (or mostly liked) from September.

Murder Before Evensong (Richard Coles): Did I have any business buying this book? That was the question I asked myself as I stood in the bookstore. I’m not Christian, so I was nervous it would be over my head, but Coles did a lovely job making the reading experience inclusive of everyone – British or American, Christian or not. This book felt like the love child of Thursday Murder Club (writing style) and Louise Penny (town building). It was such a quiet, pleasurable read. I’ve made a note to get the next book when it comes out.

Less (Andrew Sean Greer): I cannot believe I waited this long to read this book. I’ve owned it in e-book and paper form for years. By delaying it, all I did was miss out on having this beautiful story in my brain for more time. I laughed. I got teary. It was a perfect ending.

Fairy Tale (Stephen King): I have very complicated feelings about this book. I started out loving it. I kept telling Josh that it was a masterclass in storytelling. And I was excited because if I liked it this much above ground, how much more would I love it when he entered the magical world? But… I didn’t. By the time I decided that I wasn’t enjoying it, I was 57% of the way through and thought I should stick it out because maybe it improved. It didn’t for me, but a lot of people love it, so your mileage may vary. So… complicated… because I loved the first third.

What did you read last month?

Eater had an article recommending that you become a temporary regular when you go on vacation somewhere. Instead of trying as many new places as possible, go deep with one place. They pose it as a way to cut down on decision fatigue — find one place you like and stick with it — and build deeper relationships with staff that may recognize you if you keep returning.

This is always my impulse when we travel. Back in graduate school, when I went on trips, I would find a cafe or bar, and return there every afternoon. My friend and I would choose one restaurant and eat there every night. Josh likes to try new things, so we do a blend of both. Many times at one restaurant and a single time at many different restaurants.

I like my way better. I may miss out on other things I would have loved, but I like being a regular and deeply knowing one place. Which way to do travel?

Not sure what #MicroblogMondays is? Read the inaugural post which explains the idea and how you can participate too.

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This is the coolest tool. (I know I say that a lot but technology is amazing.) Let’s say there is a long video, and you’re not sure you want to watch it because you don’t know what it’s about. You could scroll around and see what you can glean, or you can put the video through this tool and it will pop out a summary.

So, for instance, I found this video of someone driving around Chincoteague.

It returned: “The Chincoteague Island Scenic Drive is a beautiful drive that takes you along the island’s coastline. You’ll see beautiful views of the water, the island’s wildlife, and the Historic District. The drive is perfect for those who want to experience the beauty of the island. The video is a 4K travelogue of the scenic drive on Chincoteague Island, Virginia, narrated by a foreign tourist. The tourist enjoys the scenery and sounds of the island, including the wild horses.”

Isn’t that brilliant?

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Are you also doing #MicroblogMondays? Add your link below. The list will be open until Tuesday morning. Link to the post itself, not your blog URL. (Don’t know what that means? Please read the three rules on this post to understand the difference between a permalink to a post and a blog’s main URL.) Only personal blogs can be added to the list. I will remove any posts that are connected to businesses or are sponsored post.

Would you start doing something if you knew definitively that you would be the worst at it? Not for a short period of time as you’re learning, but for the entire duration of the time you do it? For instance, would you dedicate hours of time attempting to become an itamae if the sushi you’d make would always be described as inedible? Or would you train for 10Ks if you knew that you’d come in last 100% of the time?

I was thinking about how I tend to try things that I believe I could potentially become good at — at least, not terrible at — but avoid things that I know without a doubt I will always be the worst one in the pack no matter how long I stick with it. Which makes sense when you know something definitively. No matter how many hours I practice, I will not be able to achieve great things on the basketball court. Or even make a basket unless everyone stops moving. And gives me unlimited throws. And even then, it may not be enough.

Do you dedicate yourself to things you know you will never be able to do moderately well? So what does it mean if you do try something? That deep down in your soul you sense that you do have the potential to do well enough one day, correct? Think about that one.