Dear Friend

Passing folded up moments.

Last year I did an intensive with

Jeannine Ouellette

about letters which was so much fun that I still think about it often. Then today in my Instagram feed was a reel from the BBC about the lost art of letter writing, which made nostalgic for a different time. My brain started churning and I thought about the last time I actually wrote a letter. I’m sad to say that I don’t remember, which means it’s been entirely way too long. When was the last time you wrote or received a letter?

My favorite past time in school was writing notes to my friends. I’d eagerly wait for the bell to ring so I could run into the hall to meet the friend I’d written to. We’d exchange notes to be read in the next class and do our best not to get caught. I found it helpful to unfold the note and hide it under class notes in my binder, so if the teacher passed by it looked like I was reading notes from the class. I had to learn how to control my facial expressions though because on more than one occasion I was asked if I was alright when nothing was happening in the classroom and my face was betraying me.

I lived for those folded up moments.

I thought about how sometimes this newsletter isn’t really a letter at all, just an essay about whatever I’m thinking of at the moment. So, today I decided to write you a note, as if we’re about to meet in the hallway and exchange a folded up sheet. Feel free to respond in the comments if you’d like! Hope you enjoy!

Photo by Immo Wegmann on Unsplash

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Hey you!

What’s up? How’s it going? Not too bad or much here, I’m just sitting on my couch listening to the fan blow. It’s 102 degrees outside and I refuse to go out in it. Unless it’s to go to a pool, then I might consider leaving this a/c infused bubble. I hope you’re keeping cool wherever you are.

Did I tell you? Of course I didn’t . Silly me! I’m thinking of doing a fun little project and making a fairy garden! I saw an easy way to do it without needing a backyard, since I live in an apartment and all. I just need a metal tub, some bits of styrofoam, plant dirt (perimenopause brain has made me forget the word - SOIL), small rocks, a few mushroom houses - scaled to fit the corners of the tub, and some little plants to grow in the mushroom homes “yards”, oh and some little fairies to sprinkle about. I’ll keep you updated on how it turns out! Are you working on anything fun lately?

Also, you should know that I decided to reread the Caraval series by Stephanie Garber, I know, I know it’s my fourth time through, but I just can’t help myself. The whimsy and the mystery and the love stories- just what this weary heart needs these days. Of course I know how it ends, but I don’t care. Have you read anything good recently or do you have a favorite book you’ve reread a million times?

I’m doing my best to focus on the little things these days. All of the big stuff is here and now and in my face and I see it all. I definitely see it all. So much of the time though, I feel overwhelmed. Which means I need to stay informed, but I can’t let it consume me all the time, otherwise I become paralyzed. Maybe you do too? And maybe when it’s all too much we can lean on each other?

At least I hope so.

Well, anyway, I hope you’re doing alright. I think about you often - just want you to know. Write back when you can.

Lots of love,

Me

*Now imagine I’ve just run up to you in the hall and slipped you the note and giggle whispered- okay, it’s your turn!*