I follow Laura McKowen on Instagram and Substack. She writes about sobriety but also about life and its challenges (and sometimes its wonderful moments). I think many of you would like this post on friendship. https://lauramckowen.substack.com/p/i-have-a-lot-of-regrets-about-that
Also Oldster - a great basically online magazine where all kinds of people, including celebs and lots of writers (Neko Case, Cheryl Strayed, etc.), answer questions about the aging process. It's for people of any age and I find inspiration there as someone closer to 50 than 40. You can also submit your answers to their Oldster questionnaire - I'd love to see Busy and Caissie take it! https://oldster.substack.com/
Catching up on podcasts and I laughed because the Raya part and then the next week about meeting people. I mean being mid 40s I don’t know anyone who doesn’t want to meet someone in a normal way, but what is that normal way? Especially if not invited to parties, award shows, friends of friends, and events, but as a mom solo parenting three kids? I mean nonissue meeting people at 23, the last time I dated but omg meeting people online and the texting thing is the worst - to me- and also meeting men who are my age and older it’s not exactly like a college dorm!
Walk it Off with Isaac Fitzgerald may be the only thing that makes me miss living in New York. Vocabulary School is on the newish side and each edition has, so far, been funny and smart and a veritable fountain of book recommendations!
Isolation Journals with Suleika Jaouad. Just started a 30 day art of journaling project with her/that group and so far it’s been very therapeutic. You can follow prompts she offers or just take a few minutes each day to write/draw.
Just one of those weeks here in Pittsburgh. My magnolias are just about to bloom, so I'm sure we're once again just about ready for that "rare late frost" that seems to do those blossoms in every year. The good news is, my lawn maintenance guys have started me on a program where they treat my plants with some kind of natural substance that deters deer from eating all my expensive plants and it seems to be working so far and even seems to discourage the squirrels from hanging around the plant beds digging holes. Also, while they were spendy, I finally found bird feeders that are making happy, better fed birds instead of fat squirrels and chipmunks. On a safety note, this is a holiday week and often we get distracted which can lead to accidents. Yesterday at the grocery store, I ran down a person who had backed their car out of a parking space and was driving off with their trunk lid wide open. How did this happen? My theory is we've all lost some situational awareness since we stopped looking in mirrors or contorting our bodies to look out the back window when we back up and rely more and more on cameras mounted on the back of our vehicle. So be careful out there people. It just takes a second to be safe. As to SubStacks, I only read one other one. It's called Breathing Space and is treasure of little known facts about the Pittsburgh area. When I moved here in 2004, some friends of mine told me about a bunch of public TV programs that WQED put out on the area by a person named Rick Sebak that gave me a great introduction to the Pittsburgh area, which can be kind of quirky. The Breathing Space substack continues that education as I continue my trek to true Yinzer status. In other news, starting next Wednesday, I hope to start an Art History class at the Carnegie Museums. I've been trying to do this for a while, but they only offer it every four or five years and the last time I got close to being able to sign up, a whole pandemic got in the way. So I'm hoping that this time, I'll be able to actually take it. It's like the plaque on the statue in the movie "Animal House" says: "Knowledge is Good". I'll let you know if I'm successful. I did take an art history class back a million years ago when I attended NMSU and they made all us engineering types take the "Intro electives". Art History, Music History, Drama, and I filled in the 4th year with Greek Mythology, anything to try and make us Nerds into well rounded people who could carry on a conversation with "normal people" at a cocktail party. Keep doing your best everyone and be nice to each other. It just takes a second and often you get to smile for the rest of the day!
I know he was a guest on the pod, so you may already have this one, but Josh Gondelman’s That’s Marvelous is delightful. I have a lot I’ve subbed at the free level, including Culture Study mentioned above, Suzan Colón (she did morning meditations at an online knitting event I’ve attended, and hers is new but uplifting), and the amazing poet Andrea Gibson’s Things That Don’t Suck.
Take care of yourself, Caissie. We all love you too.
Hi Caissie! I hope you feel better soon! I don’t have Instagram or Facebook so I’m so glad you have the Substack! This is my only Substack ◡̈ I look forward to ever post and podcast episode. I’ll enjoy the recommendations other provide as well.
P.s. Caissie! I feel you on the having hard times. I feel the same. Sometimes it’s just nice to know you’re not the only one, thank you for sharing!! I never want to be a downer either. I normally write it in my notebook for my next therapy session and hope that helps me 📓 (and use glitter pens ✨).
I follow Laura McKowen on Instagram and Substack. She writes about sobriety but also about life and its challenges (and sometimes its wonderful moments). I think many of you would like this post on friendship. https://lauramckowen.substack.com/p/i-have-a-lot-of-regrets-about-that
Also Oldster - a great basically online magazine where all kinds of people, including celebs and lots of writers (Neko Case, Cheryl Strayed, etc.), answer questions about the aging process. It's for people of any age and I find inspiration there as someone closer to 50 than 40. You can also submit your answers to their Oldster questionnaire - I'd love to see Busy and Caissie take it! https://oldster.substack.com/
Thank you so much for this, Caissie 🙏✨🤗
Sending love to you, Caissie, and everyone here!
The Substack The Department of Salad has revolutionized the role of salad in my life. Check it out!
I love these and would have happily listened to you navigating the hard sticky stuff too!
Catching up on podcasts and I laughed because the Raya part and then the next week about meeting people. I mean being mid 40s I don’t know anyone who doesn’t want to meet someone in a normal way, but what is that normal way? Especially if not invited to parties, award shows, friends of friends, and events, but as a mom solo parenting three kids? I mean nonissue meeting people at 23, the last time I dated but omg meeting people online and the texting thing is the worst - to me- and also meeting men who are my age and older it’s not exactly like a college dorm!
https://www.aliciakennedy.news/
Alicia Kennedy has a refreshing voice in food writing but I'm also a fan of her social commentary.
Thanks Caissie💜
Walk it Off with Isaac Fitzgerald may be the only thing that makes me miss living in New York. Vocabulary School is on the newish side and each edition has, so far, been funny and smart and a veritable fountain of book recommendations!
Wishing you, Caissie, and all the Besties nothing but kindness and ease as we do our best with all the hard things. We can do hard things!
Isolation Journals with Suleika Jaouad. Just started a 30 day art of journaling project with her/that group and so far it’s been very therapeutic. You can follow prompts she offers or just take a few minutes each day to write/draw.
Sorry to hear you are on the struggle bus.
If sharing helps, this is a great bunch who loves you.
Are you having a podcast this week or should we look forward to next week?
Sending you and all those struggling Love !!! ❤️ I am enjoying Kelly Oxford's substack !!
Just one of those weeks here in Pittsburgh. My magnolias are just about to bloom, so I'm sure we're once again just about ready for that "rare late frost" that seems to do those blossoms in every year. The good news is, my lawn maintenance guys have started me on a program where they treat my plants with some kind of natural substance that deters deer from eating all my expensive plants and it seems to be working so far and even seems to discourage the squirrels from hanging around the plant beds digging holes. Also, while they were spendy, I finally found bird feeders that are making happy, better fed birds instead of fat squirrels and chipmunks. On a safety note, this is a holiday week and often we get distracted which can lead to accidents. Yesterday at the grocery store, I ran down a person who had backed their car out of a parking space and was driving off with their trunk lid wide open. How did this happen? My theory is we've all lost some situational awareness since we stopped looking in mirrors or contorting our bodies to look out the back window when we back up and rely more and more on cameras mounted on the back of our vehicle. So be careful out there people. It just takes a second to be safe. As to SubStacks, I only read one other one. It's called Breathing Space and is treasure of little known facts about the Pittsburgh area. When I moved here in 2004, some friends of mine told me about a bunch of public TV programs that WQED put out on the area by a person named Rick Sebak that gave me a great introduction to the Pittsburgh area, which can be kind of quirky. The Breathing Space substack continues that education as I continue my trek to true Yinzer status. In other news, starting next Wednesday, I hope to start an Art History class at the Carnegie Museums. I've been trying to do this for a while, but they only offer it every four or five years and the last time I got close to being able to sign up, a whole pandemic got in the way. So I'm hoping that this time, I'll be able to actually take it. It's like the plaque on the statue in the movie "Animal House" says: "Knowledge is Good". I'll let you know if I'm successful. I did take an art history class back a million years ago when I attended NMSU and they made all us engineering types take the "Intro electives". Art History, Music History, Drama, and I filled in the 4th year with Greek Mythology, anything to try and make us Nerds into well rounded people who could carry on a conversation with "normal people" at a cocktail party. Keep doing your best everyone and be nice to each other. It just takes a second and often you get to smile for the rest of the day!
I know he was a guest on the pod, so you may already have this one, but Josh Gondelman’s That’s Marvelous is delightful. I have a lot I’ve subbed at the free level, including Culture Study mentioned above, Suzan Colón (she did morning meditations at an online knitting event I’ve attended, and hers is new but uplifting), and the amazing poet Andrea Gibson’s Things That Don’t Suck.
Take care of yourself, Caissie. We all love you too.
Hi Caissie! I hope you feel better soon! I don’t have Instagram or Facebook so I’m so glad you have the Substack! This is my only Substack ◡̈ I look forward to ever post and podcast episode. I’ll enjoy the recommendations other provide as well.
P.s. Caissie! I feel you on the having hard times. I feel the same. Sometimes it’s just nice to know you’re not the only one, thank you for sharing!! I never want to be a downer either. I normally write it in my notebook for my next therapy session and hope that helps me 📓 (and use glitter pens ✨).