Missing Vultures and Plushie Books
Hello, my friends!
Welcome to the Sunday newsletter #1
Let’s start with a poll:
Now that we’ve gotten to know each other, let’s get down to it. I’m excited to be here on Substack, and I hope you are also excited to be here, and also thanks to those of you who came over from Lifewhack! I’ve missed you! I’m grateful you have joined me here.
I also think for the time being I will keep everything unpaid and open to all readers; it just feels better that way. So here is my first listy newsletter that will surely evolve over the coming months!
Tiny Corn Town News
This week in my tiny corn town, I am missing the vultures. There is a giant sycamore tree a few blocks away in which reside a few dozen vultures. In warmer weather I walk my dog down there in the mornings to stare up at them; they silently shift and change branches, and by about 7:30 they have flown off in search of tasty treats. To say I am obsessed with them would be a fact. Also? I KNOW WHAT VULTURE POOP SMELLS LIKE AND I BET YOU DON’T. #flex
What I Learned This Week
I’ve been hearing more and more (or just paying attention more) to people who talk about the incredible healings they have had through sound work.
The latest was an interview on the Expanded podcast with Tess Palma-Martinez, a sound healer. She shared her incredible healing journey using Tibetan singing bowls. But I’ve heard so many stories like this! Why is there not time to learn about everything interesting?
What I Made
This Stuffed Animal Journal for kids! My son is 14 now, but just a few years ago, his plushies were literally everywhere, all the time. With their unique voices, moods, interactions - I fully felt each of their personalities. It was like having a family of 30 to 50 in the house at all times.
I created this book for all the kids like my son, who live and breathe their stuffed animals. Each spread is set up so kids can draw or add a photo of the plushie, then jot down essential information such as: name, favorite food, and what they do when the humans are sleeping. (vital information)
Inspired by
The Smartless Podcast. Under a rock I have been living. I didn’t know these fellas had a podcast, and I have been enjoying listening to it mightily. The Bill Hader, Kara Swisher, and John McEnroe episodes are super.
Want
I feel like I want to only wear ugly supportive shoes from now on. Give me all the Birkenstocks, and give them to me in all the colors and styles.
Consumed
Oh my freaking goodness. I whip up a batch of this cashew turmeric granola from time to time and then inhale it within 3 days. I have made it so very many times, and each time I get all sassy and switch it up a little bit. Also I hate cacao nibs, so I leave them out.
Working Through
I am in the middle of a divorce, and this is my kids’ first holiday season in this situation, so I am making sure to have regular conversations with them to explore thoughts and feelings. Urgh, I ache for my babies.
Acquired
A goddamn John McEnroe t-shirt from One 10 Threads. I just checked on my shipment, and it will be here Monday, and I am stupid-excited. Yes, I looked up cool McEnroe t-shirts after listening to the Smartless interview, hoping to find something hip and understated, and I was rewarded.
I remember watching McEnroe and Bjorn Borg battle it out in the ‘80’s and I think I had a little 10 year old girl crush on Borg and also did you know that McEnroe is the last person to win Wimbledon playing with a wooden racket? 🎾 Do you care? hahahha
Question for the Community
I am so curious. Do you follow other people on Substack? If so, who do you love here? And how are you feeling about social media these-a-days?
Yay! First Sunday Newsletter! I mis-spoke in my comment from yesterday.....although I have always followed "Lifewhack" I was referring to the private group "Life is Whack" from whence I came to here...and it is that group that has been quite quiet for quite awhile. Quite quiet quite! So are the vultures you see turkey vultures? Cuz we have lots of those here at our property. Circling, circling, looking for carrion. But I do not know what their poop smells like, so you are one up on me there. I used to listen to Smartless during covid. Loved it. Very fun and funny. I had my first experience with a Sound Bath this past summer and I LOVED IT. It transported me. I want to do it again very badly, but haven't remembered to search online for a practitioner near me. Your Stuffed Animal Journal is so fabulous. If my kids were still little I would totes get them one. (They are now 27, 24, 20, and 16 and I will be 54 in about a week and am loving this stage of my life, even with all the hot flashes) :-) I wish for you a smooth transition in your divorce journey. xo And lastly I follow Forrest Lybrand and Jenny Messerle on Substack. I have a love/hate relationship with social media. And I loved Instagram for 5 years and then it had to go the typical route of just wanting money all the time, so it's not so lovely these days, but i have made some lovely connections on there with lovely people, so i stay. And Iove the word lovely. Plus I need it for sharing my art. :-)