gentlepeople, start up your beans... another watch.listen.snack. freebie because I love you
find a child to hang with + give your neighbors some cookies ++ more diversions
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Dear Ones,
In this season of deep anxiety, where the future seems to be hanging by a thread, I am sending you love.
The only thing I can predict is stress. I have a small patch of election-shingles on my butt. I’m sure you’ve got weird stuff too (insomnia, rashes, a sudden love of THE GREAT BRITISH BAKING SHOW, a tin of gummies by your side…).
Today I’ll do some phone banking, make a big pot of soupy beans, a pan of enchiladas, maybe a Basque Cheesecake. I need to keep my hands busy. I’m going to listen to a novel while I pace, fold laundry, walk the dog, plant bulbs… just anything to keep me away from the news.
Voila! A mash up of watch.listen.snack. diversions for you:
I know this isn’t a diversion from the election, but maybe it will feel good? There is still time to PHONE BANK! I’m scheduled today.
Music:
This poem, HOLDING VIGIL, by Alison Luterman which begins:
My cousin asks if I can describe this moment,
the heaviness of it, like sitting outside
the operating room while someone you love
is in surgery and you’re on those awful plastic chairs
eating flaming Doritos from the vending machine
which is the only thing that seems appealing to you, dinner-wise,
This beautiful story from
and about intergenerational friendship and how we can still find one another and hold each other up.Giving you a crude warning, but/and Tiffany Haddish on CONAN O’BRIEN NEEDS A FRIEND made me laugh so hard!
Do you knit? I love this website for projects: Wool and the Gang
Before checking the rest of the list, maybe hit the ❤️ button at the top left or bottom left of this newsletter? It means more to me than you know. xoNatalie
Last Saturday SNL had some great skits:
Here are three great and absorbing novels to listen to:
TOMORROW, AND TOMORROW, AND TOMORROW, by Gabrielle Zevin
LET THE GREAT WORLD SPIN, by Colum McCann
GREAT CIRCLE, by Maggie Shipstead
I was so lucky to be invited to spend time with my cousin’s beautiful family last week. If you have a small child in your life, go hang out with them. You’ll be offering the parents a break and giving your heart some balm.
hug a child Are you looking for a book to cuddle up with on the sofa? I've made a read.write.eat. Bookshop Store, where you will find many of the books I've recommended.
Bake these cookies for your neighbors:
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I guess what I really want to say is buckle up. We are in for a week. We might be in it for a long haul. The last time we were here, in 2016, I researched organizations to whom I’d be giving monthly donations:
Supporting the people and world we care about is action we can take.
Do you have any mental health tips for the week(s) to come? Asking for a friend!
Stanley, sending love!
If you aren't on my mailing list, you can subscribe below. And, if you'd like to buy my books, you can do so here and here. If you'd like to support the newsletter, please upgrade to paid. Also, when you comment, and like, and share with your funny and fun friends, I get an endorphin buzz.
Remember to tell your people you love them, and take good care of your skin.
xN