Let's Start Chatting!

I'm turning on Chat for paid subscribers

First of all I'm absolutely blown away by the response to this Substack. I’m so grateful to you for subscribing and I can't wait to watch our community grow. This is going to be fun!

And now, onto the news — I’m turning on the Chat!

This will be a feature for my paid subscribers, and you’ll be able to talk to me, talk to each other, and help me shape the direction of this Substack.

For example — do you want me doing close readings of my work? Do you want me doing close readings of other people’s work? Do you want me showing you as I write my work in progress? Do you want a book club? Come talk to me and let me know.

My plan is to be live in the Chat a couple times a month (and I will give you all plenty of notice, so you’ll know when you can catch me in real time). But meanwhile, drop me a line, ask me a question — I will answer!

And, while I have your attention, here are three things I can highly recommend!

1. @yooon_ie’s account on Facebook and Instagram

I don’t know why Instagram decided to show me content about a young woman finding neglected, stained and scuffed-up Coach bags in thrift stores and restoring them to their brand-new glory, but I’m so glad that it did. There is something so pure about this young woman’s delight when she finds a bag in a thrift store, and something wonderfully Zen and soothing about watching her washing and massaging the bags, trimming loose threads, scrubbing out stains, and making them look brand-new again.

2. Peonies

The peonies are in season, and they are so pink and so pretty!

3. Teaching A Kid To Ride A Bike

I’m volunteering with Girls in Gear this spring, working with 10 and 11-year-old girls. All of them were supposed to know how to ride a bike…but I think maybe some of them only sort of knew how, or knew how theoretically. We’ve been helping them learn how to balance and showing them how to glide. And last week, after hours of determined practicing, and a not-inconsiderable amount of falling, I watched one of the girls pedal for the first time. You guys, the smile that she smiled! It was magical. 10/10 would recommend.

And speaking of cycling, Mother’s Day is coming. Here is a piece I wrote about my mom, Fran, and how riding my bike got me through the pain of losing her.