I love this list and it’s a reminder that all the things that seem “small” are in fact incredibly essential and huge 😍 and now I am going to go preorder your book from my local bookstore!
I thank you for being someone who can create something of a plan. I am inert, sad, fatigued, and my plan seems tiny (cancel NY Times, less FB scrolling, absolutely no more Mainstream news), and ...gulp...I'm starting a Substack. It's called Open Tuning. It can be a place where we can gather around music, songwriting, secrets of a radio DJ, books, nature, and free associate without fear (I hope).
I LOVE this idea for a substack. I'm inert, sad, and fatigued as well, but, as Annie Lamott says: left foot, right foot. Take a rest. Then: left foot, right foot.
I canceled NYT, Washington Post, the Guardian, and Huffington Post. I still have New Yorker and New York Review of Books. No news apps. I'm done. And yes, start of substack. I did as well. Good for you, Binnie, taking care of you.
I love your list, Elissa. It brings a bit of hope to the situation — or if it’s too soon for hope, it recommends action, which is almost always preferable to worrying.
There’s overlap with my own list. Our household does not have cable, so we mainly watch PBS offerings. When my love and I married, we combined our separate sustaining donations to our PBS station into a big one. (This may have to change as we venture further into the place where ends no longer meet.)
I love your plan to visit National Parks. That was my wish as things were changing in 2016, but pandemic with a soupçon of cancer put that plan on hold. Terry Tempest Williams’s book is among my favorites.
I’m hoping to kick into gear the monthly dinner idea. We have a sweet, funky neighborhood, but many folks disappear from view in the winter months.
Thank you from my heart. There’s nothing to lose by practicing a little kindness. 💚
I’d also like to recommend “When Women Were Birds” also by Terry Tempest Williams. My copy is full of post-it notes. It’s wise, magical, and beautifully designed.
There couldn’t be a better time to read this memoir.
“If I wanted more vitriol, I’d move back in with my mother. “ completely agree with your sentiment here. Our same path this week, a huge improvement in our lives…
Please plan a book visit to Portland! There is Powells, of course and the women-owned bookstore Broadway Books is wonderful but smaller. And I love your list and just followed you on BlueSky!
pre-ordering now, Elissa! This is the book I've always been waiting for, and from the person who's words have long inspired me. (I know pre-orders are vital for all of us authors so please let me know how I can help you spread the word!)
Just hit with a big dental bill, but I will subscribe (again) when the way clears. I know you understand! Meanwhile, glad to see one of my favorites on the sky of blue, and gladder yet to know that you--with all of us--are still standing. xo
I'm thrilled. and did I admit that I also bought two pieces of pottery from Cultiverre because made an end of life decision and needed consoling? You lifted my spirits today in more than one way.
Another yes to all of the above! Elissa, thank you for this grounding, compassionate post, so necessary right now. I hope you’ll be having a book event at Book Passages in CA, preferably at their first store in Corte Madera, the SF ferry building site is much smaller. But I’ll go to either one. And while you’re here you can visit Muir Woods and we’re just a 3 hour drive from Yosemite.
I am canceling my NYT and WaPo subscriptions, might keep the Guardian for a different perspective. Yes to NPR and the Wisconsin affiliate and PBS. I think I'm leaving Facebook entirely except for two private groups attached to a class and a volunteer gig. Nothing in my feed except junk and spam most days and most of the writers and independent thinkers I choose to follow can be found on Substack without all the noise. Yes to regular gatherings with friends and neighbors with good food and lively conversations. And to independent booksellers and other small businesses. Daily movement and meditation. I'm thinking about getting a dog again, after five years without one.
Brilliant list! Thank you Elissa. The Olympic National Park is a cathedral of trees and damp moss. Congrats on your new book, can't wait to read it. You should come to Seattle, just across the bay from the magnificence of the Olympic Range.
I love this list and it’s a reminder that all the things that seem “small” are in fact incredibly essential and huge 😍 and now I am going to go preorder your book from my local bookstore!
Ah, thank you --x
I thank you for being someone who can create something of a plan. I am inert, sad, fatigued, and my plan seems tiny (cancel NY Times, less FB scrolling, absolutely no more Mainstream news), and ...gulp...I'm starting a Substack. It's called Open Tuning. It can be a place where we can gather around music, songwriting, secrets of a radio DJ, books, nature, and free associate without fear (I hope).
I LOVE this idea for a substack. I'm inert, sad, and fatigued as well, but, as Annie Lamott says: left foot, right foot. Take a rest. Then: left foot, right foot.
I canceled NYT, Washington Post, the Guardian, and Huffington Post. I still have New Yorker and New York Review of Books. No news apps. I'm done. And yes, start of substack. I did as well. Good for you, Binnie, taking care of you.
I love your list, Elissa. It brings a bit of hope to the situation — or if it’s too soon for hope, it recommends action, which is almost always preferable to worrying.
There’s overlap with my own list. Our household does not have cable, so we mainly watch PBS offerings. When my love and I married, we combined our separate sustaining donations to our PBS station into a big one. (This may have to change as we venture further into the place where ends no longer meet.)
I love your plan to visit National Parks. That was my wish as things were changing in 2016, but pandemic with a soupçon of cancer put that plan on hold. Terry Tempest Williams’s book is among my favorites.
I’m hoping to kick into gear the monthly dinner idea. We have a sweet, funky neighborhood, but many folks disappear from view in the winter months.
Thank you from my heart. There’s nothing to lose by practicing a little kindness. 💚
I’d also like to recommend “When Women Were Birds” also by Terry Tempest Williams. My copy is full of post-it notes. It’s wise, magical, and beautifully designed.
There couldn’t be a better time to read this memoir.
That is one of my favorite books. I have a copy in almost every room in the house so that when someone picks it up, I can send it home with them.
What a wonderful idea!! I must appropriate that. 💚🩵💙
Thank you for the book recommendation. I ordered.
“If I wanted more vitriol, I’d move back in with my mother. “ completely agree with your sentiment here. Our same path this week, a huge improvement in our lives…
Please plan a book visit to Portland! There is Powells, of course and the women-owned bookstore Broadway Books is wonderful but smaller. And I love your list and just followed you on BlueSky!
I’d love that. I adore Powells. xox
Consider Politics and Prose in Washington, DC as well. Best indie bookstore in the metro area.
Politics and Prose is my first tour spot! Date TK!
Me too! Excited to see you in person!
Hi fellow Portlander Lisa! I suggested Broadway Books too! Fingers crossed we get to meet at a reading...
Hi Eve, hope our book paths cross in Portland!
Love this, Elissa. Thank you. If your tour brings you through MPLS, I'll be there.
Thanks so much! I'd love to meet you!
Pre-ordered Permission!
Thanks for showing us what self-permission looks like when we exit the mainstream scream of vitriol.
Thank you!
pre-ordering now, Elissa! This is the book I've always been waiting for, and from the person who's words have long inspired me. (I know pre-orders are vital for all of us authors so please let me know how I can help you spread the word!)
Thank you Sarah!
Just hit with a big dental bill, but I will subscribe (again) when the way clears. I know you understand! Meanwhile, glad to see one of my favorites on the sky of blue, and gladder yet to know that you--with all of us--are still standing. xo
thank you Linda!
I preordered! And love your list of favorite shops. And just thank you for this week's newsletter. Hopeful.
Thanks Anita!
I'm thrilled. and did I admit that I also bought two pieces of pottery from Cultiverre because made an end of life decision and needed consoling? You lifted my spirits today in more than one way.
🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻
Another yes to all of the above! Elissa, thank you for this grounding, compassionate post, so necessary right now. I hope you’ll be having a book event at Book Passages in CA, preferably at their first store in Corte Madera, the SF ferry building site is much smaller. But I’ll go to either one. And while you’re here you can visit Muir Woods and we’re just a 3 hour drive from Yosemite.
Books I bought today because self-care:
Permission
Elissa Altman
Grief Is the Thing with Feathers: A Novel
by Max Porter
When Women Were Birds: Fifty-four Variations on Voice
by Terry Tempest Williams
Song of My Softening
by Omotara James
I am canceling my NYT and WaPo subscriptions, might keep the Guardian for a different perspective. Yes to NPR and the Wisconsin affiliate and PBS. I think I'm leaving Facebook entirely except for two private groups attached to a class and a volunteer gig. Nothing in my feed except junk and spam most days and most of the writers and independent thinkers I choose to follow can be found on Substack without all the noise. Yes to regular gatherings with friends and neighbors with good food and lively conversations. And to independent booksellers and other small businesses. Daily movement and meditation. I'm thinking about getting a dog again, after five years without one.
I cancelled NYT, WAPO, Guardian, but kept NYT Cooking and the New Yorker. Thinking also about subscribing to NYRB.
Yes to all of this. And for myself to continue writing about aging out in America.
Brilliant list! Thank you Elissa. The Olympic National Park is a cathedral of trees and damp moss. Congrats on your new book, can't wait to read it. You should come to Seattle, just across the bay from the magnificence of the Olympic Range.
Loved this post — preordered!