the friday love list returns
re-upping a classic
I haven’t written a Friday Love List since last fall, but with the astro-weather (and my schedule) clearing, I want to think again of noble and dangerous things (as Mary Oliver wrote) — and Beauty is certainly both of those.
Friday is Venus’s day. A day for connection, for beauty, for joy. For sharing what is bringing us joy, and what we’ve loved.
As ever, the Friday Love List is in honor of and offering to Venus, in gratitude for all the ways Creativity and Beauty seed my life!, and as an opportunity to connect with y’all about what Art and Lovely Things are making your life bright and winsome.
Things I’ve loved lately
The Mercies by Kiran Milwood Hargrave
I’m about halfway through this gorgeous and SAPPHIC work of historical fiction, based on the True Story of a remote Arctic island that lost all of its men to a deadly storm in the 17th century. It’s got everything: moving prose, historical rigor, understated lesbian desire, religious trauma, and witch hunts.
Also, there’s a hyper-religious male character who low-key reminds me of my [abusive] ex-husband. While that has slowed the pace of my reading down a bit (especially since ~historically speaking~ I know what’s coming), Hargrave’s storytelling is just so good that I keep coming back. Definitely my favorite #amreading right now.
Never Stop Blowing Up at Dropout.tv
My wife and I are longtime Dropout watchers, but with my attention span really ~suffering~ this year, I haven’t had the energy to watch the newest TTRPG Dimension 20 seasons. BUT we both have wanted something whimsical and fun to watch, and let me tell you, Never Stop Blowing Up delivers.
It’s especially delicious if you’re familiar with the Dropout cast and appreciate the layers of Izzy being pregnant. Also, sidebar, this isn’t traditional D&D — it’s a half-homebrew of the Kids on Bikes system, which is so fun.
tl;dr I haven’t laughed this hard since the goddamn inauguration. I have, every night we watched an episode, laughed so hard my stomach hurt. And lord I forget how physiologically important that is!
Quince Cashmere
Believe the hype. While Quince can be hit and miss (I have a tote from them that’s aggressively fine but not like, worth writing home about), I lived in this duster this last winter and also, now that A/C is hitting New York, am using it once again as my Favored Layer.
It feels like wearing a favorite blankie. It is so soft. So comforting. Goes with everything. I tore a small hole in mine recently and am distraught at the prospect of replacing a piece of clothing with so much love worn into it.
Come work/write with me!
🎨 NEW MINI-READING! “Unsticking Your Personal Brand(ing),” for working artists, writers, and anyone in need of a “platform,” is now open for bookings.
✍️ Need some accountability? Show up to the work with other writers this spring! We’ll write together 3 days a week, 2 hours a day, for 6 weeks. Recommit to your project(s)! Open genre, any length. Registration closes May 5th, our first co-writing session is May 6th.
mend the sweater!!!!! forever!!!!! til not an original thread is left!!!!!!