Holly, I'm so moved by your shout-out to my book! "Still True" only came out a little over a week ago so I'm used to its readers being people I personally know, ha. To have a lovely stranger include it here in this wonderful round-up is absolutely surreal for me. I appreciate it so much and I'm so thrilled that you liked my book. <3
And in reading the rest of this, I'm reminded of my absolute favorite cold-weather comfort stew (and I'm up here in Wisconsin, so we know from cold). I can't remember how I stumbled upon it but it is so good and I make a batch weekly in the winter time.
I’ll be sure to leave reviews in all the places (Amazon, Bookshop, Goodreads). It really is a well-written book with a great plot. Charlie is a bit precocious, but that was the only thing that gave me pause me while reading. I’m no critic, but I know good writing when I read it!
Thank you for the lentil soup recipe. I only recently started cooking lentils, so I don’t have many recipes. But I do just happen to have some brown lentils in my pantry and we are set to finally have nighttime lows in the upper 40s next week. We may have to break out our jeans down here!🤣
So funny, my editor initially mentioned that Charlie was maybe a bit precocious as well, but the character of Charlie was drawn from a mix of two little boys that I know and love in real life. Many things he says came straight out of their mouths! But that's the problem I find with fiction, the bar for believability is almost higher than reality. Truth is stranger than fiction, and all that. THANK YOU for leaving reviews! That is so important in helping the book get seen. <3
I read Cameron's The Artist's Way a long time ago. Every now and then I try to get into that morning pages habit, but I find it so difficult. I'd always rather start writing whatever it is I'm working on. So, I just go with that.
However, I love Cameron's other recommendation: the artist's date. The idea is just to take yourself somewhere that nourishes your artistic spirit (a library, a museum, a waterfront, a cool cafe...)
Though I haven't read it yet, I've heard about the artist's date. And I am 100% on board with that!
I typically write from my mind's ruminations, so I think in a way the morning pages fuel my writing. Mark Mean (aka "MarkFyve" here on Substack) recently wrote a post about his writing habits, and he confessed that he couldn't get into "journaling." And I think I get it--he writes fiction (I'll be reading his Kindle Novella soon--The T.E.M.P. Agency), so how does journaling help that? For now, it works for me. Ask me in a couple of months...
I love 'The Artist's Way', too! I did morning pages for months - and took myself on several artist's dates - but then I ground to a halt because I was putting myself under too much pressure. Now I simply aim to fit my writing into my everyday life, and I treat myself to artist's dates now and again simply by default. Thanks, Julia Cameron!
So many things in this newsletter! I didn't know one could set up an affiliate shop at Bookshop.org! I'm so glad they allow that because I often recommend books in my newsletter.
British accents - my husband is British so my life is one long delightful earful (mostly cursing, haha). He's from Yorkshire, which has a very different sound to it than the southern lilt. Over the years I've picked up a variety of sayings (and cursing) which I'm sure amuse others.
Food - my husband is also the cook here, and he often buys spices online because they're so hard to get locally. That Hungarian paprika is not something one can substitute! One of his favorite recipe sites is http://www.ecurry.com/blog/. I often share links to the recipes he's been using in my newsletter.
Morning rituals - my ritual is to make note of the previous days weather (temperature high/low/avg.) from my weather station. I keep a running chart of my data compared to the official Seattle data. I've been doing it long enough now that I can compare previous years. Pretty fascinating! Lately I'm also doing a little bit of art some mornings, and/or I read favorite newsletters. I do a little bit of journaling, but haven't ever tried the morning pages technique. I've heard so much about it.
I'm really loving your newsletter, thank you for writing!
Oh my goodness! If I lived with someone with a British accent, I would become British by osmosis. Ha! For a good portion of my college years, most of my friends were Cypriots. They taught me all the curse words (sometimes without my knowledge), and I found myself using a lot of their phrases. I still have the Greek dictionary they gave me.
That website looks fantastic--we absolutely love Indian cuisine but have to drive an hour for it. I may be inspired to try "Indian night in."
And I love your weather ritual. I have "diaries" that my grandfather kept, which contain nothing but weather data! I also spend some time in the mornings reading newsletters. Unfortunately, there are not nearly enough hours in the day for me to consume all that I'd like.
Welcome, Anne (I think you subscribed last week). So glad to have you reading here!
I think I read The Artist's Way as well. "A long, long time ago." I love the idea of Morning pages and since I have an obsession with a certain notebook that TJMaxx and Marshalls really needs to stop carrying and need to start filling them!
Thank you for sharing your dishes as well. I made a Banana Cake yesterday as well as Salmon Croquettes. Today, smothered cabbage with smoked turkey. Delicious!
So, so happy you enjoyed Still True. I'm biased, but I ALSO think it's a pretty amazing book. (And I love it when my real life and my internet life come together in some way...)
I think “The Artists Way” may be responsible for generating more guilt on the part of people who found they couldn’t follow through than any book in human history, haha!
Curious what you’ve found to be beneficial in handwriting rather than clattering away at the keyboard. I’ve tried both but always return to typing as I can’t write fast enough to keep up with the flow of thoughts.
One morning practice I’ve done for years is writing my own long prayers and then repeating every morning until it’s time for a new one.
One more note on this topic, Anne. This week I used my pretty persimmon notebook in the afternoon some instead of the morning (in an act of direct defiance of “Morning” Pages, of course), and I found it quite helpful to get me through some parts of a post that just weren’t coming together on the laptop monitor. I did find that my brain was working faster than my hand could write, but I got the thoughts down and ended up using that as part of that post (landing this morning, in fact). I think I’ll try that again. I may be starting a revolution.
“Afternoon Pages: because words don’t always flow over a good cup of joe”
I think what I'm loving about handwriting is that this type of writing is more ambling in nature, rather than the quick keystrokes working toward a goal. It's reminding me of a tried-and-true method of therapy: write down all the stuff that you don't want anyone else to read. So far, I've managed a couple of hours of good therapy, working out those thoughts that plague me. I wonder if I should pay myself. Hmmm.
I have gone through periods of writing my prayers, and I do enjoy that. And sometimes when I "journal," I like to think I'm writing my thoughts to God because who the heck else is listening?!
Obviously, think this is all fantastic. I’m kind of motivated to try the sauerkraut recipe as an Octoberfest Homage. However, I am going to dig out my recipe for butternut squash soup--it has curry powder and it was a big hit at Thanksgiving last year.
Mike’s first duty station in the Navy was in Italy, so that one is definitely on our bucket list! Looking forward to reading about your time there. (And now I’m really not sorry!)
On the walk into work from the employee lot, I always used to listen to music, a podcast, etc. Now I just listen to what's going on around me. For being 4 AM ish, it's a lot "louder" than one might think.
I have an issue with listening to anything while I’m walking (except on treadmill). I’m always afraid I’ll miss something important (like a car barreling at me!). I can imagine your walk to the office never gets quiet--no matter the time of day!😂
Morning rituals...yes, I have them too, and they are not that far from yours. I begin my day between 5:30 and 6 and after making a coffee, I spend about 15 minutes reading something spiritual - to help me build any necessary defense forces against the inevitable arrival of self-doubt and resistance. I follow up with a 20-minute meditation practice and usually some yoga - to keep my brain muscles and physical muscles alive and pliable. Writing in my journal is the next step...and I thoroughly enjoy the conversation I have with myself - although it is often too critical and harsh. These things help me prepare for the day and keep me grounded...and I love starting this way...except when I'm on holiday and all my routines and behaviors change.
The Artist's Way sounds interesting...it also reminds me of a particular favorite of mine The War of Art by Steven Pressfield.
And thanks for the mention in your wonderful Collection - an honor indeed!
I’m looking forward to diving into those recipes, Jack, and we’re actually excited about trying to cut more meat from our menus!
I’ve been trying to stretch each morning (that pliability plight!) with some yoga poses. I once was very good about a yoga routine, but rupture a disc last year and have slowly been easing back into it. I also finally broke down and got a treadmill this year. I’d rather walk outside, but 1) it’s hot, hot, hot! here in the Summer, and 2) my pace outside isn’t conducive for getting the heart rate up--I get too distracted with all the things I see or people I bump into. The treadmill at least faces the window.
I love your 'Collection' posts, Holly - so much to get stuck into! And that foooooood.....
I'm so grateful to my neighbour for popping over with that wonderful parcel from Mississippi!
Don't you pop? That's really interesting! We Brits 'pop' everywhere. We pop out for a minute - or for an afternoon. We pop in on friends. We pop to the kitchen to make a cup of tea. I've just popped my cup of tea down on the worktop so I could wipe up the milk I've just spilt.
Have you seen the film 'The King's Speech'? Queen Elizabeth (consort to George VI, and also known as the Queen Mother) seeks language therapist Lionel Logue's help for her husband. Logue hasn't recognised who she is, and asks her to just tell her husband to 'pop in' to see him himself. He is told in no uncertain terms who the husband actually is, followed by 'WE do not "pop"!'
I don't know that we Americans do much "popping"--at least not here in the Southern States. As youngsters, we finally had a neighbor from the North, and we were completely confused when he asked if we wanted a "pop." And we certainly didn't "pop over" for one. :)
Holly, I'm so moved by your shout-out to my book! "Still True" only came out a little over a week ago so I'm used to its readers being people I personally know, ha. To have a lovely stranger include it here in this wonderful round-up is absolutely surreal for me. I appreciate it so much and I'm so thrilled that you liked my book. <3
And in reading the rest of this, I'm reminded of my absolute favorite cold-weather comfort stew (and I'm up here in Wisconsin, so we know from cold). I can't remember how I stumbled upon it but it is so good and I make a batch weekly in the winter time.
https://pipingpotcurry.com/brown-lentil-soup-pressure-cooker/
I’ll be sure to leave reviews in all the places (Amazon, Bookshop, Goodreads). It really is a well-written book with a great plot. Charlie is a bit precocious, but that was the only thing that gave me pause me while reading. I’m no critic, but I know good writing when I read it!
Thank you for the lentil soup recipe. I only recently started cooking lentils, so I don’t have many recipes. But I do just happen to have some brown lentils in my pantry and we are set to finally have nighttime lows in the upper 40s next week. We may have to break out our jeans down here!🤣
So funny, my editor initially mentioned that Charlie was maybe a bit precocious as well, but the character of Charlie was drawn from a mix of two little boys that I know and love in real life. Many things he says came straight out of their mouths! But that's the problem I find with fiction, the bar for believability is almost higher than reality. Truth is stranger than fiction, and all that. THANK YOU for leaving reviews! That is so important in helping the book get seen. <3
Good luck with your jeans weather! :) :) :)
I read Cameron's The Artist's Way a long time ago. Every now and then I try to get into that morning pages habit, but I find it so difficult. I'd always rather start writing whatever it is I'm working on. So, I just go with that.
However, I love Cameron's other recommendation: the artist's date. The idea is just to take yourself somewhere that nourishes your artistic spirit (a library, a museum, a waterfront, a cool cafe...)
Though I haven't read it yet, I've heard about the artist's date. And I am 100% on board with that!
I typically write from my mind's ruminations, so I think in a way the morning pages fuel my writing. Mark Mean (aka "MarkFyve" here on Substack) recently wrote a post about his writing habits, and he confessed that he couldn't get into "journaling." And I think I get it--he writes fiction (I'll be reading his Kindle Novella soon--The T.E.M.P. Agency), so how does journaling help that? For now, it works for me. Ask me in a couple of months...
I love 'The Artist's Way', too! I did morning pages for months - and took myself on several artist's dates - but then I ground to a halt because I was putting myself under too much pressure. Now I simply aim to fit my writing into my everyday life, and I treat myself to artist's dates now and again simply by default. Thanks, Julia Cameron!
I completely relate to feeling overwhelmed by Cameron’s schedule. Love it in theory. In practice, I’m happy to fit it in when I can.
So many things in this newsletter! I didn't know one could set up an affiliate shop at Bookshop.org! I'm so glad they allow that because I often recommend books in my newsletter.
British accents - my husband is British so my life is one long delightful earful (mostly cursing, haha). He's from Yorkshire, which has a very different sound to it than the southern lilt. Over the years I've picked up a variety of sayings (and cursing) which I'm sure amuse others.
Food - my husband is also the cook here, and he often buys spices online because they're so hard to get locally. That Hungarian paprika is not something one can substitute! One of his favorite recipe sites is http://www.ecurry.com/blog/. I often share links to the recipes he's been using in my newsletter.
Morning rituals - my ritual is to make note of the previous days weather (temperature high/low/avg.) from my weather station. I keep a running chart of my data compared to the official Seattle data. I've been doing it long enough now that I can compare previous years. Pretty fascinating! Lately I'm also doing a little bit of art some mornings, and/or I read favorite newsletters. I do a little bit of journaling, but haven't ever tried the morning pages technique. I've heard so much about it.
I'm really loving your newsletter, thank you for writing!
Oh my goodness! If I lived with someone with a British accent, I would become British by osmosis. Ha! For a good portion of my college years, most of my friends were Cypriots. They taught me all the curse words (sometimes without my knowledge), and I found myself using a lot of their phrases. I still have the Greek dictionary they gave me.
That website looks fantastic--we absolutely love Indian cuisine but have to drive an hour for it. I may be inspired to try "Indian night in."
And I love your weather ritual. I have "diaries" that my grandfather kept, which contain nothing but weather data! I also spend some time in the mornings reading newsletters. Unfortunately, there are not nearly enough hours in the day for me to consume all that I'd like.
Welcome, Anne (I think you subscribed last week). So glad to have you reading here!
I must have that orange notebook! 🥺
Confession: I love it so much I ordered the other colors.
https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/orange-baxter-notebook-studio-oh/1140941280?ean=0846307083212
I think I read The Artist's Way as well. "A long, long time ago." I love the idea of Morning pages and since I have an obsession with a certain notebook that TJMaxx and Marshalls really needs to stop carrying and need to start filling them!
Thank you for sharing your dishes as well. I made a Banana Cake yesterday as well as Salmon Croquettes. Today, smothered cabbage with smoked turkey. Delicious!
Banana cake sounds sooooo good! I don’t think I’ve ever made a salmon croquette.
So, so happy you enjoyed Still True. I'm biased, but I ALSO think it's a pretty amazing book. (And I love it when my real life and my internet life come together in some way...)
I think “The Artists Way” may be responsible for generating more guilt on the part of people who found they couldn’t follow through than any book in human history, haha!
Curious what you’ve found to be beneficial in handwriting rather than clattering away at the keyboard. I’ve tried both but always return to typing as I can’t write fast enough to keep up with the flow of thoughts.
One morning practice I’ve done for years is writing my own long prayers and then repeating every morning until it’s time for a new one.
One more note on this topic, Anne. This week I used my pretty persimmon notebook in the afternoon some instead of the morning (in an act of direct defiance of “Morning” Pages, of course), and I found it quite helpful to get me through some parts of a post that just weren’t coming together on the laptop monitor. I did find that my brain was working faster than my hand could write, but I got the thoughts down and ended up using that as part of that post (landing this morning, in fact). I think I’ll try that again. I may be starting a revolution.
“Afternoon Pages: because words don’t always flow over a good cup of joe”
Whoa this could be huge!
Ah, the guilt! Perhaps I won't read it...ha!
I think what I'm loving about handwriting is that this type of writing is more ambling in nature, rather than the quick keystrokes working toward a goal. It's reminding me of a tried-and-true method of therapy: write down all the stuff that you don't want anyone else to read. So far, I've managed a couple of hours of good therapy, working out those thoughts that plague me. I wonder if I should pay myself. Hmmm.
I have gone through periods of writing my prayers, and I do enjoy that. And sometimes when I "journal," I like to think I'm writing my thoughts to God because who the heck else is listening?!
Oh I do that too! Write my journal to God. It's very helpful!
Obviously, think this is all fantastic. I’m kind of motivated to try the sauerkraut recipe as an Octoberfest Homage. However, I am going to dig out my recipe for butternut squash soup--it has curry powder and it was a big hit at Thanksgiving last year.
Please send me that recipe! I have tried two or three different versions of butternut squash soup and they didn’t stick the landing.
Now I'm starving while riding a train. Thanks for that! 😂😂
Sorry?😂
Well, I'm in Italy, so it's not that bad...
Mike’s first duty station in the Navy was in Italy, so that one is definitely on our bucket list! Looking forward to reading about your time there. (And now I’m really not sorry!)
😂😂😂 #fair
On the walk into work from the employee lot, I always used to listen to music, a podcast, etc. Now I just listen to what's going on around me. For being 4 AM ish, it's a lot "louder" than one might think.
I have an issue with listening to anything while I’m walking (except on treadmill). I’m always afraid I’ll miss something important (like a car barreling at me!). I can imagine your walk to the office never gets quiet--no matter the time of day!😂
Lol. This is true. There's always some sort of white noise.
Morning rituals...yes, I have them too, and they are not that far from yours. I begin my day between 5:30 and 6 and after making a coffee, I spend about 15 minutes reading something spiritual - to help me build any necessary defense forces against the inevitable arrival of self-doubt and resistance. I follow up with a 20-minute meditation practice and usually some yoga - to keep my brain muscles and physical muscles alive and pliable. Writing in my journal is the next step...and I thoroughly enjoy the conversation I have with myself - although it is often too critical and harsh. These things help me prepare for the day and keep me grounded...and I love starting this way...except when I'm on holiday and all my routines and behaviors change.
The Artist's Way sounds interesting...it also reminds me of a particular favorite of mine The War of Art by Steven Pressfield.
And thanks for the mention in your wonderful Collection - an honor indeed!
I’m looking forward to diving into those recipes, Jack, and we’re actually excited about trying to cut more meat from our menus!
I’ve been trying to stretch each morning (that pliability plight!) with some yoga poses. I once was very good about a yoga routine, but rupture a disc last year and have slowly been easing back into it. I also finally broke down and got a treadmill this year. I’d rather walk outside, but 1) it’s hot, hot, hot! here in the Summer, and 2) my pace outside isn’t conducive for getting the heart rate up--I get too distracted with all the things I see or people I bump into. The treadmill at least faces the window.
Thanks for sharing your morning rituals!
I love your 'Collection' posts, Holly - so much to get stuck into! And that foooooood.....
I'm so grateful to my neighbour for popping over with that wonderful parcel from Mississippi!
Don't you pop? That's really interesting! We Brits 'pop' everywhere. We pop out for a minute - or for an afternoon. We pop in on friends. We pop to the kitchen to make a cup of tea. I've just popped my cup of tea down on the worktop so I could wipe up the milk I've just spilt.
Have you seen the film 'The King's Speech'? Queen Elizabeth (consort to George VI, and also known as the Queen Mother) seeks language therapist Lionel Logue's help for her husband. Logue hasn't recognised who she is, and asks her to just tell her husband to 'pop in' to see him himself. He is told in no uncertain terms who the husband actually is, followed by 'WE do not "pop"!'
:D
Hahahaha! I love that movie!
I don't know that we Americans do much "popping"--at least not here in the Southern States. As youngsters, we finally had a neighbor from the North, and we were completely confused when he asked if we wanted a "pop." And we certainly didn't "pop over" for one. :)
Holly!! Thanks for the shout out! Jarvis is an amazing fellow!
My pleasure! I enjoy reading How About This (and can't wait to get to Friday's links that I haven't had time to read yet).