energy 🥎⚽️🏀!!
doe normaal, generative writing, + free prompts for everyone!
hey-ho,
I know! Twice in one week, what gives? Well, I felt a little bad about missing you last week, and I wanted to share another recipe.
First, we have to talk about Doe Normaal.
On my flight to Calgary I had a terrific seat mate who was in love with all things Dutch. In flat Amsterdam, his favorite city, everyone is everywhere! Unlike mountainous countries in which people are sequestered in nooks and crannies over hard to traverse terrain, in Amsterdam people are out and about on bikes, on foot, in each other’s business. This, he posited, is why the philosophy of the Dutch is “doe normaal.” No proud nails! Don’t call attention to yourself, it’s hard enough to exist living below sea level! Just be normal, it’s crazy enough.
What I love about this philosophy is that it takes a ton of pressure off. We don’t have to be special, exemplary, particularly wealthy or beautiful or smart or successful. We just have to co-exist in this messed up and beautiful world. So my friends, I say to you with great love, “Doe normaal!
read:
I’m usually reading multiple books and the one I’m reading alongside Liz Moore’s GOD OF THE WOODS, is BEST AMERICAN FOOD WRITING, 2022. The collection is a bit uneven, though there are terrific pieces included. I particularly like essays that come from Bon Appetit. Did you know the magazine has a strong personal essay game in the culture section? Check these: ONE, TWO, THREE. If anyone knows the editors, tell them thank you! If you write about food and life, consider submitting. I have an essay I’d like to submit. 😉 Now we just have to dig up a contact…
For our next r.w.e. book group we will be reading and discussing GOD OF THE WOODS, by Liz Moore, described as “…riveting .. an epic mystery, a family saga and a survival guide.” I’m in! If you’ve not read any Liz Moore, do check it out. Also check HEFT, which I loved. We meet on Zoom, 18 August from 9:30 - 11a PT.
The book group is a perk for paid subscribers and let me tell you we are a lively bunch! Do consider joining us. A paid subscription is a mere $1.25 per week! Far less than the cost of one coffee. Go ahead, upgrade to paid and let me know if you’re in. I hope so!
Check my read.write.eat. Bookshop Store, where you will find many of the books I've recommended in the newsletter. Buying books from my shop is a way you can be a friend to the newsletter.
write:
My generative summer writing class, four packed and easy-going sessions of writing and enjoying together, is off to a great start. So much so that I’m inspired to offer a fall version. If writing in community, responding to short readings, to fun prompts, and having the opportunity to share your work sounds like your jam, drop me a note and I’ll add you to the list. Meanwhile, I’m gifting everyone 3 quick prompts below!
NOTE: I have openings in my editorial schedule for early autumn. If you have a project that would benefit from fresh eyes (and who doesn’t?), if you need developmental support, line edits, thoughts about the arc of your story/memoir/essays, I would love to talk with you. Shoot me a note and let’s figure out if I can help!
prompt:
In a way these are also little energy balls (see below) to get your hands flying across the page.
What do you think about when you aren’t thinking? (This is from a class I’m currently taking… 6 weeks 6 essays. Talk about hands flying!)
You can’t expect to stay in love if you don’t have a __________________. (Consider a concrete thing here… a toaster? a dog? a coffeemaker?)
Write about brushing your teeth, but through the lens of 3 different moods.
Just fired for something you didn’t do.
The morning after the best date of your life.
After a hard loss.
eat:
Because I am eating less animal protein and I’m “a woman of a certain age” if you will, I struggle to get enough protein in my body. When I friend suggested these no bake morsels, I danced a little jig!
The origin recipe is on the back of Trader Joe’s ground flax. Of course I’ve messed around and made it better.
Energy Balls
1c rolled oats
1/3 - 1/2c mini chocolate chips, because why not?
1/2c ground flax meal
1/2c almond butter (or any nut butter you prefer)
1/3c sunflower seeds, toasted and salted
1/4c maple syrup (more or less depending upon your sweet tooth)
1t vanilla
Put all the ingredients in a bowl and mix like crazy. Using wet hands, roll them into small balls, about 1 - 2 inches. Crucial that you FREEZE them. And then, eat as needed!
Nope, not Stanley. Me! Pre-hike, post energy ball, goofing around in our hotel room!! Look at those mountains….
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Remember to tell your people you love them, and take good care of your skin.
xN
As a Dutch person who has now spent most of her life living elsewhere I was so surprised to see Doe Normaal in your title line and then even more surprised to read your interpretation of it - it's completely different from how I experienced it as a teenager growing up in Holland but a really positive take. Growing up I always heard it as a put down "you're nothing special, stop showing off, just be average" and as someone with so many feelings inside of me of wanting big things and big places and big dreams, I always felt it was such an energy squasher of an attitude. I'm kind of amazed that I never considered it from another angle where it's freeing, taking off the pressure. I am literally sitting here reeling - but loving this so much more.
you always have the best reading suggestions. I can't keep up with you! :) Can't wait to check out the bon appetit essays!