Hello from the other side of a potent new moon in Virgo weekend.

Let’s get right to it: Like everyone else in the f*king world I’m getting tired of the way social media has rewired my brain. It’s a great tool for social connection and staying informed, but it also sucks the soul out of life, turns us all into performative drones, Big Tech is an evil incarnate, etc etc. Spending time there has been feeling pretty hollow and generally bad. So here I sit, shrugging my shoulders, wondering what’s next and starting a “newsletter”.

I’m trying to deepen into the experience of being really alive on this earth—in an intimate, embodied, hands in the dirt kind of way. I’d like to keep my brain from calcifying, and my wrists from getting smartphone induced carpal tunnel. When I go on a walk, I don’t want to think about how I want to take a picture of a nice flower that I’m looking at to post on my instagram story. I just want to be with that nice flower. I’m not necessarily leaving social media, but I think a lot about a quote from one of my favorite herbalists, Liz Migliorelli, when describing her decision to leave Instagram on the Off the Grid podcast: “I don’t want to perform my job. I want to be rooted in my work.” Amen sister.

I feel a little more rooted when I go slower and practice paying attention, so that’s what I’m hoping to do here. Plus, I’m tragically bad at texting, so I’m hoping this newsletter acts as a way for me to stay in touch with folks when I disappear for weeks or months at a time. I’m calling it NETTLE HEAD (iykyk). Nettle is one of my first ever plant allies. She is potent, strong, generous, wild, and roots us into inner safety and presence. She’s also one of the most punk rock plants, imo. Have you ever harvested nettle bare handed? It’s hardcore.

Nettle Head will contain multitudes…musings on whatever I’d like, really. Reflections on herbs, art, music, travel, local happenings, and who knows what else.

Today I’m going to start with something I’m calling the Bliss List. This is a list of people, places, and things that are currently helping me bliss out and sink into the psychedelic experience of living my one wild and precious life during the fall of the American empire  :-) 

Bliss List

1. Clementine tomatoes at Eastern Market, specifically from Country Valley Farm. Holy crap these are good. They’re like sun golds but with a thicker skin, which personally I’m a fan of, because the tomato holds together better and doesn’t gush out when you slice it with a knife (essential to do before sprinkling with flaky salt and eating). Bonus: the farmer, Adam, is the father of one of my middle school pals, Zenah. Cute!

2. Moving in silence. I’m a big podcast/music person, but lately I’ve been enjoying turning down the volume and existing in silence. This was kicked off some time I recently spent in Big Sur at Deetjen’s, a time capsule of an inn that lacks both wifi and cell phone service. Without being in a constant state of reception (I mean this in a network sense as well as an audible intake sense), I felt a clarity I’ve been craving for a long while. Time relaxed back into the gooey, gelatinous form it used to take on when I was a child on summer vacation, before the hum of the digital realm brought an edginess to my days. It was sublime. Since I got home, I’ve been attempting to reduce my passive listening as much as possible—showering, driving, doing the dishes, and walking in silence. It feels really nice.

   

3. Speaking of California…I graduated from my (California based) herbalism program! Yay! For the past two years, I’ve been studying plant spirit medicine, folk herbalism, and holistic healing in the School of the Sacred Wild. Earlier this month, I took a pilgrimage out west for my graduation. California is a deep spiritual home for me. My time there is always transformative. I could write an entire Bliss List about just this trip, but much of it feels quite personal, so I’m keeping it close to the chest for now. What I will say is that I’m so grateful for the School of the Sacred Wild. I signed up for my first year spontaneously, following a spark of curiosity, and it has become an anchor in my life. My herbalism work thus far has been largely internal—a personal and devotional practice. Whether this will eventually become public, externally facing work somehow is tbd. For now, just know that if you want to talk about herbs, earth connection, intentional community building, speaking to plants, or living ritually with the wheel of the year, I’m always down. If you’re interested, you can view a selection of my classmates' final projects in this video. Mine is featured at 3:13 🧙‍♀️ 

   

4. Barn parties. My friends Corey and Lana recently converted their pole barn into a combination speakeasy (for hosting friends)/playspace (for their two young children). It is absolutely stunning. They host elaborate theme parties at their pastoral home under the alias “Coco’s Club”, which historically have included a custom cocktail menu, delicious food and gigantic hand drawn crossword puzzles.  Now these shindigs will be held in a decked out pole barn. Plus there’s a giant net hanging from the ceiling that you can dangle in (this is technically for their daughters, but I find it a benefit to all). This past weekend I attended the inaugural Coco’s Club barn opening—Rhinestone Saloon: The Big Iron Honky Tonk. It delivered on every level, and they sent me home the next morning with a cup of fresh blackberries from their garden. I love to be inspired by the generosity, imagination, and abilities of my friends. 

   

5. The older couple picking up trash together while on a Saturday morning walk at Belle Isle. They made my whole day. May we all aspire to be more like them. 

6. Circe by Madeline Miller. Just about every person in my life has been telling me to read this book for years. Unfortunately I don’t like being told what to do lol. I come to you now with my tail between my legs, because you all were right. This book rules.

7. My new “I Got A Kick Out of Hollywood” upside down foot ashtray. Jake just picked this up for me in Kingston, NY while on a quick Bonny Doon run out east. This thing is crazy, and the longer you examine it, the weirder it gets. Why are there two holes on the bottom? Is it actually a soap holder? Why is the foot upside down, so the toe nails are on the underside side of the ashtray, and the text is nestled in the arch of the foot, yet that’s the top of the dish? These are questions we may never know the answer to. To compliment the new ashtray, Jake also picked me up a vintage book of essays on feminist mysticism. Grateful to have a life partner who knows me so well. 

   

That’s all for now folks. Stay blissed. 

Anna 🤎

[Publisher’s note: After sending this out, I’ve realized that the term Bliss List is already being utilized by the newsletter GOATs, Blackbird Spyplane. Whoops! This was probably unintentionally inspired by reading their work at some point. Credit where credit is due!!!]