Bear Cubs, Tiny Museums, and Why This Newsletter Has a New Name
Things You'll Love (v.31)
Hi, I’m Monica. Things You’ll Love is where I share what I’m collecting: books, music, recipes, slow rituals, and minor wonders. Think of it as my kitchen table. You’re always welcome here.
Hey everyone!
Last issue, I spoke briefly about my family chaos over the past 9 months.
Today, I wanted to touch on the other factor that led to pausing this newsletter.
The name: Things I’m Loving.
When I first started this several years ago, it was prompted by a conversation with a friend. She’d spoken of always saving whatever I sent their way: the things I was loving in the moment. But over time, the focus on me in the name of the newsletter fell flat.
Things I’m Loving has always come together because I know so many interesting people with diverse interests and opinions. And, the whole idea of the commons and keeping everything not paywalled, supported by those who are able to financially contribute, is again, not just about me. It’s about community and gathering.
So, today, I want to share with you the new name: Things You’ll Love. This name re-orients the newsletter to both the individual ‘you’ and the plural /communal ‘you’ (English is such a useless language in this way, compared to the Romance languages, which have a plural you. I think the closest we have is something akin to ‘y’all). I can’t promise that you’ll love every thing I share, but my hope is that at least one of the things in each issue adds to your week.
And with that, let’s dive into this week’s finds, which are Instagram-focused again (next issue we’ll be back to a broader net of sources).
˜ With love and delight, Monica
Something to brighten your week.
Generally, I hate all the cameras we have around. However, I’m grateful in this instance for a home’s backyard camera that captured the specificity of this playtime between a mama bear and her cubs. Hope you enjoy it too!
Something to make you smile
Two grown men following the dance moves of children? Yes please. Never fails to make me smile.
Some news to make your day
Did you know that there was a woman who ran the Boston Marathon before the first woman to run it as a participant?
I love how this story demonstrates a couple things:
the layers of change-making that occur before a new norm is possible. Bobbie Gibbs ran the marathon in 1966 but wasn’t an official participant (like Katherine Switzer was in 1967).
the multi-dimensionalness of a person where we get to see both athleticism and creativity/artistic skill and talent
Something to inspire creativity
Artists amaze me. What a functional and beautiful table to have in your home.
Something to delight you
This traveling museum of “tiny, lost, and forgotten things” is full of whimsy and joy: the sounds of people touching different items, the colors and attention to detail. I really hope this museum comes through Maryland at some point so I can check it out.
Which item caught your attention??
Wildcard: Something to bring joy
Stephen Colbert will be missed. And, this sequence was really incredible. I’m not as familiar with ‘Jump Up’, so it meant very little. But the second half, where they’re all singing ‘Hello Goodbye’ had me crying by the end. The mixture of joy and grief and celebration and loss. It’s what life’s really all about, isn’t it?
Clearly I had a LOT to share when I was putting this one together. I hope that y’all found something that tickled your fancy or made you pause or dance or smile or sing.
Which of today’s delights was your favorite? Tell me below!
˜M
If this little collection of things brought you a moment of joy, consider subscribing — free or paid. Paid support helps me keep this table set and the pantry stocked. Either way, I’m glad you’re here.