Good Morning Everyone! Or, Good afternoon…Good Evening….Good Middle of the Night because you can’t sleep so you’re looking at your phone…..
Whenever you’re reading this, I hope it finds you well.
My week has been B-U-S-Y, in all the right kinds of ways. I was on the go go go, accomplishing a lot of things that felt worth doing.
Including, a little housekeeping. Not the mop and broom kind, but on this newsletter. I revamped the homepage — something I’ve been meaning to get around to for quite a while. I added sections in the menu bar for all the different features. Rabbit Holes, Thursday Bouquets and Sunday Musings. I’ll add one for ‘Stack it Sunday’s when I get a big enough archive of them.
I was inspired to tidy up my newsletter because Substack launched a new feature this week called “Notes” and it has serious potential for audience building. I want everything to be well organized and inviting when new subscribers show up.
Of course, I’m keeping things fresh and kept up for all of the loyal readers who’ve been with me since the beginning too. Along with all of you who’ve joined us along the way. I’m eternally grateful for each and every one of you!
Have you spent any time with the new Notes feature yet? I’ve been enjoying it. Notes is a social media-esque feed where writers can share little tidbits of information, recommend newsletters they like, post pictures, or promote their own work.
It took me a few days, but I finally worked up the courage to post my first note and the response has been so gratifying. Everyone’s support is positively encouraging! I’ve commented on other writer’s notes too and I have to admit, I was over the moon when some of my favorite writers wrote back. I’m beyond thrilled to communicate directly and personally with people I admire.
If you have some extra time, check it out!
In the meantime, here are a few newsletters I enjoyed lately. I think you’ll enjoy them too.
CRAFT TALK - Let’s Only Make Good Art
This piece spoke to me. I chose an ambitious schedule for this newsletter and sometimes I feel overwhelmed. Jami Attenburg reminded me why I do it, and renewed my dedication, with this inspiring essay.
And we should really be trying to make it the best that we can. Not cutting any corners. Giving it our time and love and affection. Doing whatever we need to do. The research, the reading, the thoughtfulness, the rigorousness, the showing up every day, the touching it, the considering it, the daydreaming about it, the asking for help when you need it. That’s how you make good art.
In With The Old - We All Need Hobbies and Aunt Bobbes
“In With The Old” is a sweet little substack that’s quickly becoming one of my favorites. This issue is a great example of why. Hilary Hattenbach writes about her Aunt Bobbe with such fondness and good humor, I wished I could’ve known her. She sounds like the best kind of character.
I couldn't help but think of my Grandma’s sisters. Ida and Mabel were older than Grandma and they were both total characters. Ida had a brash voice and habit of yelling “OH GAD” when something scandalized her. She laughed easy and often. Mabel was a retired schoolteacher. She could, and would, recite a seemingly endless library of poems from memory.
Reading about Aunt Bobbe brought both of these women, who added so much color to my childhood, back to life for me.
It’s a lovely, heartwarming little essay and it’s just one of many wonderful offerings from Hilary’s excellent newsletter “In With the Old”
Cafe Anne - Book Quest Impossible: Visiting Every Bookstore in NYC
Well, you already know I’m a sucker for anything and everything involving books. This fun issue of Anne Cadet’s NYC newsletter was a no brainer for me. I was completely on board after reading the title alone. I mean….that’s my kind of quest!!
I love book stores almost as much as I love libraries. The idea of dedicating a full year of one’s life to visiting a gazillion of them is very exciting.
Reading this issue of Cafe Anne made me want to go a on a few quests of my own…
Go to NYC and visit some of these quirky little bookshops
Do better when I go on vacation. I always find one book store to visit. I’m going to hunt down way more on my next trip. Sorry in advance to my family.
Read the Substack newsletter written by the guy visiting all the bookstores! It sounds lovely. Here’s a Link to “Bookstore Quest 2021”
BONUS : The BEST Alaska reference is nestled in this issue. Go find it! Most satisfying and hilarious little Easter egg ever.
Happy Reading!
We’ll be back Thursday with a Bouquet full of good things. Until then…find yourself a bookstore or two to support. Go in and pet the resident animal (my favorite local has a dog), chat up the person behind the counter (often the owner) and purchase something good to read.
Jenn!! Thank you so much, for the kind words and the share. You made my day. ❤️ It warms my heart that my little recollection of Aunt Bobbe brought back fond memories of your gran's sisters, Ida and Mabel. They sound like tons of fun. My grandma also had two sisters and, Shirley and Janice and the three of them together were a hoot and a half. And how good were the names from that era? I'm a big fan of your Substack and I meant to tell you, I read "The Dry" and Could. Not. Put. It. Down. So happy to have connected here. You've now inspired me to brave Notes. Hope you have a wonderful Sunday.