I recently wrote about the importance of knowing people’s favorite cake. 🎂 It is with these small touchstones that we can find our way through dark times.
Mine is probably cheesecake too. Though I do love a good, Victoria Sponge as well. My husband loves lemon cake with cream cheese frosting. One of my resolutions this year is make birthday cakes for my friends on their birthdays because who gets homemade cakes anymore? Especially women? When they tell me their favorite cake, I put it in the Contacts on my phone. It's been a really magical experience so far. I call the project, 'Let Them Eat Cake'. Here's the post about the project. https://laurakbray.substack.com/p/let-them-eat-cake Also, I just discovered Basque cheesecake and am eager to try my hand at baking one.
Just came to say I'm sorry for whatever you're going through that you can't write about. Although I hope maybe you can at least journal about it to get it partially out of your head.
Interested in your comment about “…like sitting through a Unitarian Universalist sermon…” and wondered how you are familiar with these? I have been involved with the Main Line Unitarian church in Devon, PA - sent your excerpt related to that to our minister.
I used to regularly go to the UU here in Portland, but when the minister I adored left, my visits dwindled. I just felt that the quote was so true and generous and kind of how I want to be in the world. Yes, we are not always open and aware to those around us, and their burdens. Artie (in the novel) is. I'm so glad you shared! xN
Love this, as always. I too have a sadness I cannot discuss. Referencing yours made me wonder how many others of us have this too. Thank you for saying it. Xo
Thank you for one of my first gifts this morning: “kindness has longer arms!” I do experience that to be true. Another gift was a hummingbird at my window yesterday (the way I believe my recently deceased brother-in-law is coming to me). Also the baby bunny in our yard, walking barefoot across the grass and feeling how soft and grounding that was, the brilliant orange sunset, my executive director offering me PTO for calling hours even though I only work very part-time, dinner made by my husband, sweet family times in the midst of immense grief and missing, and finding an easy flow in a very full day. Thanks for asking. When I choose to notice the truth of all of this, my experience of life changes.
And my gift is this beautiful comment from you. I’m sorry to read of your brother-in-law’s death. I’m glad you feel his presence in the humming birds. They are fierce! Wishing you solace and grace. xN
I recently wrote about the importance of knowing people’s favorite cake. 🎂 It is with these small touchstones that we can find our way through dark times.
I adore that! My husband’s is carrot cake, mine basque cheesecake. Yours?
Mine is probably cheesecake too. Though I do love a good, Victoria Sponge as well. My husband loves lemon cake with cream cheese frosting. One of my resolutions this year is make birthday cakes for my friends on their birthdays because who gets homemade cakes anymore? Especially women? When they tell me their favorite cake, I put it in the Contacts on my phone. It's been a really magical experience so far. I call the project, 'Let Them Eat Cake'. Here's the post about the project. https://laurakbray.substack.com/p/let-them-eat-cake Also, I just discovered Basque cheesecake and am eager to try my hand at baking one.
You are an A+++ friend!
Thank you thank you, thank you Natalie !
Thank you x 4! xN
Just came to say I'm sorry for whatever you're going through that you can't write about. Although I hope maybe you can at least journal about it to get it partially out of your head.
Thank you, Leslie. You are a bright light! 💡
I also loved your column today. Thank you!
Thank you for reading and letting me know! Means so much to me. xN
Love this, Natalie!
Thank you! For reading and letting me know. xN
Another collection of gems to ponder and explore further throughout - so very much appreciate your honesty, curiosity, joie d’vivre and inclusiveness!
I appreciate hearing from you, Dana. I hope you are well! xN
Interested in your comment about “…like sitting through a Unitarian Universalist sermon…” and wondered how you are familiar with these? I have been involved with the Main Line Unitarian church in Devon, PA - sent your excerpt related to that to our minister.
I used to regularly go to the UU here in Portland, but when the minister I adored left, my visits dwindled. I just felt that the quote was so true and generous and kind of how I want to be in the world. Yes, we are not always open and aware to those around us, and their burdens. Artie (in the novel) is. I'm so glad you shared! xN
Love this, as always. I too have a sadness I cannot discuss. Referencing yours made me wonder how many others of us have this too. Thank you for saying it. Xo
I’m so sorry, Bonnie. I think there are a lot of us. 🧡
You are always a gift! and so glad you’re escaping the heat 🥵
As are you, friend!
Escaping the heat and eating halibut!
I love that coast so much
New subscriber here, and absolutely loved this!
Thank you! for reading, subscribing, and for letting me know! What a lovely start to my day! xN
Thank you for one of my first gifts this morning: “kindness has longer arms!” I do experience that to be true. Another gift was a hummingbird at my window yesterday (the way I believe my recently deceased brother-in-law is coming to me). Also the baby bunny in our yard, walking barefoot across the grass and feeling how soft and grounding that was, the brilliant orange sunset, my executive director offering me PTO for calling hours even though I only work very part-time, dinner made by my husband, sweet family times in the midst of immense grief and missing, and finding an easy flow in a very full day. Thanks for asking. When I choose to notice the truth of all of this, my experience of life changes.
And my gift is this beautiful comment from you. I’m sorry to read of your brother-in-law’s death. I’m glad you feel his presence in the humming birds. They are fierce! Wishing you solace and grace. xN