Good morning! I’m immersed in some crazy freelance writing and speaking deadlines for the next couple of weeks, but I wanted to take time out to express my gratitude to all of you.
Thank you for reading my newsletters, for sharing them and for supporting my work as a paid subscriber.
Thank you for commenting and continuing the conversation.
You all lift my spirits and remind me that words matter, that our stories make a difference, that we can support and hold each other in difficult times. That kindness lives on, love continues to move us and sharing wonder opens our hearts.
Thank you for being part of this community. I am grateful that you are here!
To my Substack cohort
A special shout-out to my cohort here on Substack for recommending me to your readers. Check out these newsletters:
Thyme, Place & Story from Susan Albert - A master class in how to integrate what might seem like divergent interests: wide-ranging herbal knowledge, living on the land, and serialized short stories from a best-selling author of cozy mysteries and women’s fiction.
Street Smart Naturalist from David Williams - Always fascinating explorations of nature in urban places, plus some pretty wild ones—who knew there were so many stories in buildings and sidewalks and tunnels?
Death & Birds from Chloe Hope - Heart-open and vulnerable and wise writing on what really matters in life. Oh, and elegant too.
A Dryad’s Tale from Carmine Hazelwood - Lyrical explorations of earth and soul and seasons and spirit.
Susan's deep knowledge of the natural world and beautiful insights on practicing gratitude and love for the earth inspire me anew every week.
—Carmine Hazelwood
Juliana Swanson’s Astral Harmony - Rich and real cosmic insights from a vedic astrologer
A Thin Space from Emily Conway - Deeply intimate and beautiful explorations of our relationship with self and nature.
We’re all Getting Older from Lou Blaser - Wise, funny and always a good read.
In an inbox filled with great newsletters, Practicing Terraphilia is one of my must-reads. Susan's reflections always resonate with me and often stay with me long after I've read it. —Lou Blaser
Ranger Dave Writes from Dave Van Manen - A retired non-profit leader writing about the outdoors and learning new rhythms. His post on “rewirement” inspired my essay.
Especially for writers
And if you’re a writer, here are a couple more to pay attention to:
Rhizosphere (for writers) from Janisse Ray- Insights into writing and charting a rewarding path in the crazy world of publishing today. If you haven’t read her memoir, Ecology of a Cracker Childhood, do. It’ll open your eyes to a world you didn’t know.
Writerly Things by Brooke Warner - Brooke is the brilliant publisher of She Writes Press, a woman-centered hybrid publisher that publishes beautiful books, inside and out. Books that win awards. Most of my 13 books are traditionally published, but the one time I went outside that world, it was to She Writes because I believe in what Brooke and her team are doing. It was worth it.
Okay, I have to get back to meeting deadlines. Blessings and gratitude to you all!
I am grateful for your thoughts, and you are so right: words do matter, our stories do make a difference, and we can support and hold each other in difficult times. Also, sharing wonder certainly does open our hearts and provide an inner joy. [I borrowed some of your phrases because they say what I want to say.]
I love your writing! Thank you!