The airmail piece! Loved what she said about the best ideas happen when humans stop, collaborate and listen!! Yesss! I also feel like the creative process is such a metaphor… whatever I struggle with/jive with in that process, is probably definitely what I’m struggling with/jiving with irl. I hate the idea of losing that personal litmus test bc it can’t be monetized or outsourced for efficiency. It all has a place, and I suppose I need to balance myself and make peace with this highway we’re on… right?? I can’t imagine how much you must bump up against this with your work!! So curious how you think about it!
We attended a May Day festival. Looking across the grassy fields full of grown people and little people dressed in long, flowing things and flower crowns with a maypole of rainbow ribbons in the center, it was like stepping back in time! There was something very “ohhh yeah, this” about it. Anywhoooo hugs to you all!
oh Kathleen you have no idea how much we wrestle with this in our work. like all the time, which I too hate because it's such a fine line between living our life and then like you said, what can or can't be monetized and then based on that rational, determining what's worth our time or not. I hate that line of thinking and I want to try and get past that, especially if and when social media starts dying down. I take it day by day but yes, definitely wrestle with it. I loved the Airmail piece too. it really, really put into words what I have been feeling for a long time now.
Hi Hun, I get the feeling of real thought in this, your writing is so clear and I love. When I was a small child, 50 odd years ago I remember learning to dance round a maypole with the ribbons making the convoluted patterns, thank you sweet for reminding me of those happy times, love xx
Hi both, I'm so pleased that you had a wonderful time in Cancun, from the pictures you have published it looks absolutely amazing! I would really love to go there. I'm so looking forward to hearing about it next week!
This week I've seen lots of friends that I haven't seen for a while which has been amazing! A really sweet friend has invited me to his ordination as a priest in Oxford in July which will be amazing! Especially with regards to his hard work and sacrifices to do it.
I feel really lucky to be one of your 20,000 subscribers. I enjoy being part of this lovely group and through you have made a brilliant new friend!! Your newsletter is one of the highlights of my week Thomas. Keep on keeping on! Sending love and hugs xx
sounds like you had a lovely week! good for your friend and his ordination! so fun. and Julie, WE are the lucky ones to have YOU! seriously. thank you for being here.
lastly, I suppose heavy cream would be like whipping cream or double cream in the UK? we also call it heavy whipping cream here in the US! do you guys have that there?
The glimpses of Cancun made it look like a good time was had! I love that PJ’s airport miscalculations put him in a good mood to kick it off. 💙
We’re currently celebrating our 31st wedding anniversary on Jekyll Island, GA. It is historic (as much as the US gets anyway) and beautiful. I look forward to early retirement and more travel, though I’m sure home will also often call us back. 😉
This week’s post was peak “vacation glow,” which honestly felt very relatable 😄
It really sounds like you guys needed that Cancun escape. Sometimes those “just us” trips hit differently in the best possible way. Although now I mostly wish you’d come up to New Hampshire and take over my wardrobe decisions permanently because somehow I completely missed the “effortlessly cool vacation person” gene. I dress like a man who lost his luggage at the airport and rebuilt an identity entirely from the resort gift shop.
Also Thomas… I think I saw somewhere recently (assuming Substack hasn’t once again served me a post from 2024 like it’s breaking news) that you were working on bringing your cholesterol down. SAME. My mother is first-generation Italian and apparently my genetics took that as a competitive sport. I’ve been doing all the testing lately trying to determine whether I officially won the family cholesterol lottery. I’ve managed it with diet/exercise for years, but aging has entered the chat and suddenly my body’s acting like olive oil and pasta are acts of betrayal. I’m still trying to avoid medication if possible, but I’m reluctantly realizing science may end up winning this argument. So yes… solidarity on the bloodwork, the needles, and the general emotional fatigue of trying to be “healthy” while still wanting to enjoy being alive.
Widow’s Bay sounds exactly like something I’d love. Foggy coastal New England dysfunction with secrets and emotional instability? That’s basically our regional tourism slogan. I haven’t started it yet because Tim and I are currently in high-level diplomatic negotiations over what qualifies as “our show” versus “independent viewing rights.” Talks remain tense.
And the songwriting section fascinated me way more than it probably should have. The idea of Taylor Swift meticulously thinking through letter flow between words while I’m over here sending messages powered almost entirely by caffeine and momentum was humbling.
Also… the pesto pasta looked fantastic. Rao’s pesto remains one of those “I know homemade is probably better but I’m emotionally attached to convenience” situations for me.
ugh YES, I feel like I am always working on bringing my cholesterol down haha. which it has gone down every year since I originally said that, I am happy to report! I will find out this week the status of it and let you know. hugs to you as always!
GOODLUCK with those diplomatic negotiations, EJ! I love how your caffeinated moment feels like I’m having an energizing conversation. It’s like talking with my favorite resort gift shop tour guide who accidentally has 8374749274 scholarly degrees. Iconic!!
Have you already explored Chinese or Ayurvedic medicine?
So grateful to be along for the writing ride! xxx
The airmail piece! Loved what she said about the best ideas happen when humans stop, collaborate and listen!! Yesss! I also feel like the creative process is such a metaphor… whatever I struggle with/jive with in that process, is probably definitely what I’m struggling with/jiving with irl. I hate the idea of losing that personal litmus test bc it can’t be monetized or outsourced for efficiency. It all has a place, and I suppose I need to balance myself and make peace with this highway we’re on… right?? I can’t imagine how much you must bump up against this with your work!! So curious how you think about it!
We attended a May Day festival. Looking across the grassy fields full of grown people and little people dressed in long, flowing things and flower crowns with a maypole of rainbow ribbons in the center, it was like stepping back in time! There was something very “ohhh yeah, this” about it. Anywhoooo hugs to you all!
oh Kathleen you have no idea how much we wrestle with this in our work. like all the time, which I too hate because it's such a fine line between living our life and then like you said, what can or can't be monetized and then based on that rational, determining what's worth our time or not. I hate that line of thinking and I want to try and get past that, especially if and when social media starts dying down. I take it day by day but yes, definitely wrestle with it. I loved the Airmail piece too. it really, really put into words what I have been feeling for a long time now.
Hi Hun, I get the feeling of real thought in this, your writing is so clear and I love. When I was a small child, 50 odd years ago I remember learning to dance round a maypole with the ribbons making the convoluted patterns, thank you sweet for reminding me of those happy times, love xx
Hi both, I'm so pleased that you had a wonderful time in Cancun, from the pictures you have published it looks absolutely amazing! I would really love to go there. I'm so looking forward to hearing about it next week!
This week I've seen lots of friends that I haven't seen for a while which has been amazing! A really sweet friend has invited me to his ordination as a priest in Oxford in July which will be amazing! Especially with regards to his hard work and sacrifices to do it.
I feel really lucky to be one of your 20,000 subscribers. I enjoy being part of this lovely group and through you have made a brilliant new friend!! Your newsletter is one of the highlights of my week Thomas. Keep on keeping on! Sending love and hugs xx
Ps - what is heavy cream?? X
sounds like you had a lovely week! good for your friend and his ordination! so fun. and Julie, WE are the lucky ones to have YOU! seriously. thank you for being here.
lastly, I suppose heavy cream would be like whipping cream or double cream in the UK? we also call it heavy whipping cream here in the US! do you guys have that there?
Thank you for your lovely comment 😊 . We have double cream and double whipping cream so I guess that's the same xx
The glimpses of Cancun made it look like a good time was had! I love that PJ’s airport miscalculations put him in a good mood to kick it off. 💙
We’re currently celebrating our 31st wedding anniversary on Jekyll Island, GA. It is historic (as much as the US gets anyway) and beautiful. I look forward to early retirement and more travel, though I’m sure home will also often call us back. 😉
haha you caught that on IG stories!!! I kind of loved that, too. also happy anniversary!!! 31 years is INCREDIBLE!!
Thank you!☺️
Rao’s a great brand and I’m obsessed with Pesto and so is one of my daughters.
we LOVE Rao's!! if you have to do store-bought, always do Rao's
Carbone is really good too!
Costco’s is delicious, as well!
This week’s post was peak “vacation glow,” which honestly felt very relatable 😄
It really sounds like you guys needed that Cancun escape. Sometimes those “just us” trips hit differently in the best possible way. Although now I mostly wish you’d come up to New Hampshire and take over my wardrobe decisions permanently because somehow I completely missed the “effortlessly cool vacation person” gene. I dress like a man who lost his luggage at the airport and rebuilt an identity entirely from the resort gift shop.
Also Thomas… I think I saw somewhere recently (assuming Substack hasn’t once again served me a post from 2024 like it’s breaking news) that you were working on bringing your cholesterol down. SAME. My mother is first-generation Italian and apparently my genetics took that as a competitive sport. I’ve been doing all the testing lately trying to determine whether I officially won the family cholesterol lottery. I’ve managed it with diet/exercise for years, but aging has entered the chat and suddenly my body’s acting like olive oil and pasta are acts of betrayal. I’m still trying to avoid medication if possible, but I’m reluctantly realizing science may end up winning this argument. So yes… solidarity on the bloodwork, the needles, and the general emotional fatigue of trying to be “healthy” while still wanting to enjoy being alive.
Widow’s Bay sounds exactly like something I’d love. Foggy coastal New England dysfunction with secrets and emotional instability? That’s basically our regional tourism slogan. I haven’t started it yet because Tim and I are currently in high-level diplomatic negotiations over what qualifies as “our show” versus “independent viewing rights.” Talks remain tense.
And the songwriting section fascinated me way more than it probably should have. The idea of Taylor Swift meticulously thinking through letter flow between words while I’m over here sending messages powered almost entirely by caffeine and momentum was humbling.
Also… the pesto pasta looked fantastic. Rao’s pesto remains one of those “I know homemade is probably better but I’m emotionally attached to convenience” situations for me.
Anyway, this was a very strong week of content👏
ugh YES, I feel like I am always working on bringing my cholesterol down haha. which it has gone down every year since I originally said that, I am happy to report! I will find out this week the status of it and let you know. hugs to you as always!
GOODLUCK with those diplomatic negotiations, EJ! I love how your caffeinated moment feels like I’m having an energizing conversation. It’s like talking with my favorite resort gift shop tour guide who accidentally has 8374749274 scholarly degrees. Iconic!!
Have you already explored Chinese or Ayurvedic medicine?
I’m so happy you two got to enjoy each other! You deserve it!❤️. And thanks for the Heated Rivalry read! I’m in love! 🥰
thank you Kym!!!! isn't it so good???
Aww you guys are matching,I think that’s cute I see that a lot.
we always unintentionally match it's so crazy lol
I also started watching Widows Bay. I'm excited to see where it goes.
right?! same. it's so good! that last episode gave us chills because it was so freaky but also we were cackling. superb television!
I love PJs crossbody bag! And viva Mexico 🇲🇽
Hope you guys had lots of fun. 😍
ahhh I do, too! it's from Parker Clay- our favorite!