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Find yourself a baby to cuddle. By the lovely Grace Farris.
P.S. Stuff I just love and November plans.
Gentle Things
May We Suggest…
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I have a newborn daughter, Eloise, who is an excellent cuddle partner. I’ve been holding her extra close since the election results, but also since we learned she could have cystic fibrosis. She’s been perfectly healthy, it doesn’t run in our families that we know of, and yet here we are—bewildered, heartbroken, terrified. This week really decided to BE A WEEK. But I am so grateful to land here in this community for posts like this. Sending virtual baby coos and finger clutches.
Sending a warm hug to you and Eloise <3
I have a friend from high school who has cystic fibrosis. She is now in her 30s and married with her own ballet studio. It has been incredible to watch the life expectancy continue to extend over the course of our lifetimes, but even more incredible to see the beautiful and meaningful life she has built. Sending love to you and your little one.
If a 20-month-old counts as a baby, then I’ve snuggled. I’ve been watching my niece, and she’s been very clingy to me. She fell asleep on me earlier, and I didn’t want to let her go.
I’m not a dog person, but my daughter is… so I dutifully take her to the bi-weekly “read to a therapy dog” time at our beloved library. Fortuitously, we had a scheduled spot this past Wednesday, and this non-dog-lover had never appreciated and been buoyed by doggie snuggles more in my life with the grief after the election results.
My plush gray blanket. Sunset over the snow capped mountains. Gut busting laughter remembering a funny memory. Biting into a crisp fall apple. Hot coffee in the pot that someone else made in the morning. Long ,uninterrupted reading time in bed on a Saturday morning.
A sweet post, thank you! I had the double whammy of an election and my first layoff this week. I will definitely be snuggling my baby this weekend and counting many of the blessings in my life.
So sorry, Stacey. Something better is coming! Your baby the best thing of all!
Yes, there are many positive things that we all have in our lives. It’s important to practice gratitude and stay joyful when we can.
However, as a white woman, we have work to do. The call is coming from inside the house.
I volunteer at The Rabbit Hole, a museum/explorastorium that lets kids and their adults immerse themselves in favorite children’s books. It was packed this morning, and it gave me so much pleasure watching people enjoy the experience, especially when I would catch a glimpse of toddlers standing entranced in front of the Anatole exhibit, watching him ride his bicycle through the Paris night. And then I saw two Bald Eagles in my neighborhood on my way home!!
The Kansas City The Rabbit Hole???!! Amazing spot in the prettiest city that spans two states! Sending a hug from a KC turned Minnesota midwesterner :)
Allison, yes! The Rabbit Hole in NKC. Hugs back from a KC resident born and raised in Wisconsin!!
Yes, and if you want, here is a list of providers who will perform tubal ligation- and if you want an IUD get one before January, or replace the one you have https://www.reddit.com/r/TwoXChromosomes/comments/vsx3yp/here_is_a_list_of_1000_gynecologists_who_will/
What bread do you think makes the best toast?
While visiting my daughter in CA, I had the pleasure of
toasted Tartine Country Bread, but I don’t think that’s available
outside of the west coast.
Trader Joes sliced sourdough, and Essential Baking Co. Rosemary Bread.
Challah bread makes excellent toast. It a rustic sourdough
Or a rustic sourdough*
For grocery store brands, I think Dave’s PowerSeed bread makes wonderful toast- it’s the one with the red label and we eat it almost every day in our house. It’s also the least sweet of their multigrain breads.
If you’re in the Philly area, Ursa bakery or Malvern Buttery are our favorites. Not much beats Tartine, though, in my opinion- when you can get to SF!
Love to you all from New Zealand. We had the amazing Jacinda Ardern as our leader and we didn’t take good enough care of her and lost her. You’re not alone in your ups and downs. You guys are lovely and kind and strong. You’ll rise again.
Your comment made me smile. <3 Thanks, Jen. Appreciate the encouragement!
I’m camping with my dad and sister, and the top of the tent is mesh and we can see the stars from our sleeping bags. I’ll remember the view, the cold, the company all my life.
I’m grateful for you all, and I’ll fight beside and for you.
Listening to two tunes on repeat that have both soothed and rallied the spirits, and sharing in case they have a similar effect for other soul-battered folks:
1.) open.spotify.com/track/0CTNLJMN9dMG4cl5qgsZSv
2.) open.spotify.com/track/6684GUHy1jpyhJVzpz5OFr
So much gratitude to Jo and the Cup of Jo community!
This weekend, I’m attending an author fest at my local library – the focus is on local authors so I’m excited to meet like-minded folks.
I’m also taking steps to make a professional change – sticking with my field, but hopefully changing my employer in the coming months.
Our golden retriever had 10 puppies yesterday!!!! It’s literal puppy cuddles and sweet puppy noises. Also saw a double rainbow after our most recent rain storm – amazingness 🌈 🐶 Glimmers!!!
Omg the dream! I hope my dog lives forever, but if he doesn’t, I want a golden next!
Last week, perhaps presciently, I ordered myself a bouquet of heirloom mums from Harmony Harvest Farms to arrive today. After hydrating them overnight, I’ll arrange them tomorrow which is one of my favorite gentle hobbies. I’m disabled but still love creating beautiful things, and after this week, I think that’s exactly what I need.
Love this Coco!
Catching up with friends after the devastating news on Tuesday. We are crying, comforting each other and researching ways to help and fight back. Really looking forward to having lunch with a friend this week and getting to her beautiful baby boy. We all still need joy and cuddles.
Took my students outside today to admire the leaves and feel the sun on our faces.
I’m trying to figure out some type of long-term (4 years?) project and/or projects that I can focus on. I live in a 100+ year old house that needs lots of cosmetic work — so that might well be my focus. I live near the local library so that’s a great place to visit, too. Try new recipes? At any rate, I’m making my list. I’ll spend the rest of this month in limbo … I’m giving myself the luxury to do nothing or sulk if I want. Then I’ll focus on positive things!
I think there’s a lot of value in a time-limited wallow!
All in. 🙏
Today, an anonymous gift giver dropped off some farm fresh eggs wrapped up in a colorful bag tied with a ribbon on our porch this morning. After this tough week, it was a very nice lift. This weekend I’ll bake some cookies using the eggs to drop off to friends and neighbors and pass on the love.
Love all of this, Dawn. <3
Nothing better than cuddles!
Just dropped of chocolate croissants and held a baby for over an hour. Exactly what I needed today. Sending that out to everyone. Also a reminder that Bad Sisters season 2 is coming out soon and I am looking forward to cozy, but murdery vibes.
I’m holding my first baby safe and warm in my belly and trying to figure out how to parent him in this world
Elizabeth, congratulations! Also, I feel you. My dear friend sent me a pic of election night 2016, when our 2-year-olds were decked out in patriotic paraphernalia ready to celebrate our first female present. I cried because I can’t believe we’re back here?!?!?! But also, I marveled at how we somehow survived and our now10-year-olds are growing into compassionate, kind, principled people who want to make the world a better place. The silver lining of parenting in the Trump era is that we have had to verbalize our family values, and really talk about we believe in. This next four years, my kids will see their parents protest and dissent and stand up for those without a voice.
Good luck, Elizabeth. I have three boys and they are absolutely my favorite humans and the best part of my life. I am always trying to parent them to be the good in this toxic world. On Wednesday morning I woke them up for school and broke the news to them that we had lost the election. My five-year-old said, “Don’t worry, Mama, Jesus will make it okay because Jesus is more powerful than Trump” and then spent the entire time we were all eating exclaiming, “More Jesus, less Trump! More Jesus, less Trump!” Ha ha. While I don’t have the same innocent optimism and faith he does, I am so grateful to him and his brothers for being the lights they are in the world for me and everyone who knows them.
In case it might be helpful…Dr. Becky Kennedy of Good Inside has written some very reassuring, comforting things for parents this week on IG and in her newsletter.
@Kimberly – more Jesus less Trump is the energy I need today. I am pro-faith anti-nationalism and need to be reminded today that there are others who love Jesus and our LGTBQ neighbors and our brown neighbors and women more than Trump.
Thank you all. It feels scary to be pregnant right now. I’m really grateful for the support in my life including a loving and caring husband who will be a good male role model for our son and for the wisdom of this community. Most of my friends are not yet parents or do not want children, so the advice and perspectives here are so helpful and reassuring
At yesterday’s PTC, my 9-year-old’s teacher told me that he restored her faith in humanity when he saw her looking low and said, “We have to keep working. Even if Kamala had won, the work never stops. We are in this together!” I know it feels dark and difficult – he was only 1 when you-know-who was elected the first time. But it is such important work that we are doing. These kids are the future and they give me such hope!
Read while eating toast with the good bread!
Sunlight on your face on an autumn day… Followed the sunbeams all day yesterday moving my porch rocker to capture just this. While I read The Shred Sisters by Betsy Lerner. Trying to soak up all the sun. Hope all of you find some sunbeams this weekend. <3
Grateful for Grace, grateful for this community.
hugs.for.all. 🫂
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