first day of work in the new place. my study is under the eves -- which seems a place Jo March would relish as well -- and i had been anxious that it would feel claustrophobic. but instead it feels right. i spent the morning reading newish louisa may alcott scholarship, even though i should have been finishing the section of the chapter about her father. i keep having to remind myself of what john mcgowan told me -- that reading is the worst enemy of writing -- but i suspect that's an easier temptation to avoid after you've written five books and could care less what anyone else thinks of your work.

it's funny the way this project works (and works me). yesterday i moaned to a friend that i didn't want to write it, not at all, that i should stop right now, move to a lovely place, and content myself with teaching the children. but today it felt possible again (though, to be frank, still not probable), and i actually enjoyed working through the morning's scholarship. for the sake of my work, i just need more days like today and less like yesterday. unfortunately, what's good for my work often feels at odds with my other desires. but alas, that's life.