Gillian

 

So Long, Summer

My new year intention of regularly returning to this blog didn't go as planned. I did have a few posts saved in my drafts but never got around to publishing anything. So it goes! 

Here we are now, at summer's end. It was a great few months with just enough camps, down time, pool time, and vacations. Our final summer send off was a glorious week visiting family in Michigan. Lake Michigan will absolutely take your breath away (partly from the beauty, partly because the water is arctic-level cold.) But man, is it stunning. The trip was a perfect reset before the back to school routine kicked in.

I wish I could say I felt better about the state of *gestures broadly* things. We continue to be bombarded with devastating news each day. The overwhelm and the sadness I feel for the future of this planet my kids will inherit runs deep. However, I have the late, great Wendell Berry in my ear: Be joyful though you have considered all the facts. I'll certainly try.

Here are some internet findings that I've collected over these past few months. A blend of fact finding and joy finding. That's life, right?

+ I adored this Wendell Berry tribute written by Barbara Kingsolver.

+ Rosie Spinks has been one of the best Substack discoveries. I appreciate her approach to writing and deeply align with her perspective on the world. 

+ I was cackling by the end of this.

+ New mantra thanks to Bertrand Russell: Learn something. Help someone. Feel it all. 

+ On repeat.

+ Love to putter!

+ Finally watched the Mary O documentary last night. It was everything I hoped that it would be. So grateful to have seen her speak when I lived in Wyoming. 

+ RIP to the singular, Dolly Parton. This made me smile. 

+ 10 year old Ashely especially loved this rendition.

+ Almost time to bake these again!

+ Has anyone else made the switch from Goodreads to Storygraph?

+ Still Life was my favorite book I read this summer. 

+ Great ep on the doomscroll backlash. Love to see it!

It Is A Time To Become Immense

Hilma af Klint

Here are some links, words, songs, and articles that are leaving me feeling restored and understood during these insane times. 

A wounded world is feeding us. Really appreciated Lisa's words on generosity, too. 

Courtney Martin nails it every time. I also want to remind us all—myself included—that the engaged moral life is not defined only by the cinematic moments. It is also largely made-up of the mundane and the unseen. Who are you when the local news crews aren’t there? When there is nothing to put on your college applications? When things feel downright dull? Who are you when the runny-nosed kids need care and someone doesn’t smell great and needs some hot soup?

LOVED this podcast episode on gathering. 

Also enjoyed this conversation on mattering. Can't wait to read Jennifer B. Wallace's book!

I'll never tire of reading about The Long Dark. It's getting me through. Thank you, Francis Weller. 

Finally watched Springsteen. This performance will forever be burned in my brain. 

A beautiful quote by Grace Paley: The world has no need to be represented: there it is, all around us, all the time. What it needs is to be loved better. Or maybe, what we need is to be reminded to love it and to be shown how, because sometimes, busy as we get trying to stay alive, loving the world slips our mind. 

The Olympics are back! 

2026 goals: Stay offline by doing things so engaging that it wouldn’t occur to you to drift online in the first place.

On repeat.

This too.

Other life saving measures for the moment: movement, coffee dates with friends, skiing, kitchen dance parties, cooking, shoveling snow.

In Like A Lion

Giants: Art from the Dean Collection of Swizz Beatz and Alicia Keys

The start of 2026 has been anything but gentle. The latest news is relentless, leaving many of us exhausted and angry. I'm reminded of the quote from Roshi Joan Halifax: soft front, hard back. Now more than ever, we need conviction AND compassion. 

Here are few findings from the week:

+ Writing is helpful in times like these. Speaking of journaling, I could not love Jen Garner more!

+ My first movie of 2026 did not disappoint.

+ Our go-to banana bread recipe that makes two loaves. One for you, one for your neighbor. 

+ I will never tire of hearing Patti Smith interviewed. 

+ Our attention is worth fighting for.

+ Lo-fi tune in a hi-fi world. 

+ Million dollar question: how much protein do women need? 

+ The prettiest little Etsy shop.

Year of the Horse

Blackwater Falls, West Virginia, January 2026

The fire horse to be exact! This sign is associated with freedom, movement, resilience, and independence. In Chinese astrology, the horse is spirited, intuitive, elegant, and deeply loyal — a symbol of progress. It’s about choosing direction over speed, trusting instinct, and having the courage to keep going, even when the path isn’t perfectly mapped out. 

Here for ALL of that in 2026. 

I’m also here for making better use of this blog—channeling creative energy and sharing things I find online that feel useful or meaningful. Because even with my love-hate relationship with parts of the internet, there are still some really good corners. I’ve had this space for nearly two decades. I’m ready to bring it back to life with more consistency while giving the middle finger to algorithms, content slop, and doomscrolling.

What this blog will not be: a place that tells you what you need, what to buy, what to wear, or what trends to follow, etc. etc. etc.

What this blog will be: a place to share book/movie/podcast recommendations, resonant articles and quotes, recipes I’m trying out, new music I’m listening to, and various other bits and bobs along the way. 

Knock yourselves out:

+ A Case for Beauty In A Fleeting World – oh how I loved this book and film!

+ We have to enjoy this, too. A great mantra for the uncertain and chaotic times we live in. 

+ Plant, Baby, Plant: Raise a Garden, Raise a Ruckus. Join the movement.

+ Appreciated these quotes by Bertrand Russell.

+ A simple chicken tortilla soup recipe for you to repeat all winter.

+ Can't get enough of this new tune. 

+ Seeing the Light In Each Other: a good podcast for the new year.

+ And another! Love that Robby Hoffman is getting the attention she deserves.

+ Be More Better. 

+ Completely absorbed in the monks and their Walk for Peace. Hoping to catch them in RVA next month!

This quote from Tara Brach really resonated: whatever you practice regularly will get stronger. Here’s to living into—and practicing—adventure, connection, joy, presence, time in nature, good health, abundant grace, and even more love.

Prayer for Cruel Times

Always grateful for Courtney E. Martin's words and thoughts.

Summer Hits

My first milkweed!

I've tried posting on here a dozen times since April but have either lost steam or been unable to concentrate. Lately, this is generally how I feel: tired and distracted. I yearn for simpler and slower times. 

Like many of us, I've been sucked into screens, news, and social media. (I know, I know!) It all feels so grim and scary. I'm desperately trying to find some kind of balance, but it feels impossible. I keep reading about how we aren't wired or made to ingest the constant onslaught of this much media and news on a daily basis. We all need a collective nervous system reset. And fast!

I've been tending to my literal and figurative garden where I can touch (a la Jack Kornfield). My vocation and flowers are two good things that bring me both joy and purpose. Reading, on the other hand, has been tough. I've started and stopped MANY books and so easily lose interest. One practice I've managed to stick with the past few months is journaling. This is in large part thanks to Suleika Jaouad's, The Book of Alchemy. I've so enjoyed starting my day using her prompts as inspiration to write.

On a lighter note, it's officially summer in our house. Millie and Rowe already had one week of art camp and another week in Richmond with my parents. We've been spending gobs of time at our beloved pool where the girls can swim, play volleyball and pickleball, eat ice pops, and generally roam free. It is childhood at its absolute finest.

Ok, now for a smattering of links that have been helpful, informative, or uplifting. Much love!

+ 5 ways to stay democratic when you're afraid.

+ These burger bowls were a huge hit in our house last week!

+ RIP Brian Wilson. This is my all time favorite Beach Boys song.

+ RIP Sly. This documentary was excellent.

+ Loved her sentiments on gardening. I wholeheartedly agree.

+ Highly recommend this conversation on finding faith in our future with the great Krista Tippett and Elise Loehnen.

+ New (old) purchase. Excited to go back in time. 

+ I think about this scene from Conclave often.

+ Poetry has offered a refuge from the chaos of our times. Here are a few poems for you: Joy Harjo, Mary Oliver, RWT, Jane Hirshfield, Kate Baer.

+ Summer playlist.

+ I really want to see the documentary, Between the Mountains and the Sky.

+ I'm participating in On Being's series on hope. Another great excuse to journal and think!

+ My next read is Sleep by Honor Jones. Some other pool mommas are reading it together and will discuss it (poolside) at the end of June.