Dear Reader,

The past few weeks in the US have been exhausting. Perhaps not anymore than it always is, or perhaps just enough that the tides of change could be coming. Today I want to write to you about my little roadside stand. But I’m thinking about Renee Nicole Good, the same queer 37 years old as me, and how she should still be here. I’m thinking about Keith Porter and how he should still be here. I’m thinking about wanting to abolish ICE and that abolition is the only way. Mariame Kaba reminds us when we can’t think of an alternative to systems of oppression we are allowed to say “not this”. Opposition does not require solution.

I’m thinking about Palestine today and Israel’s continued violence across a ceasefire. I’m thinking about Cuba and Venezuela. I’m casting spells of protection on my beautiful trans family. I carry the grief deep in my heart.

And yet I remain to dream. I remain to dream about what possibilities might emerge on this small parcel of land I steward. I remain to dream about how my work can serve the people, mobilize my neighbors, and fill in the gaps where the tile doesn’t touch.

As those of you who have been readers for the last few years know, I have had a wild hair dream for an art gallery/zine shop/flower portal roadside stand. I have gone through all the hoops and gotten it permitted and built and Katy finished the inside to make it the most beautiful little shed building you’ve ever seen.

Tim, the old zoning administrator, told me I could sell anything I made on this property in the roadside stand. Christina, the new administrator, crushed my dreams and told me I could only sell what I grow. Twenty-seven cosmos, a few zinnias, one wild rhubarb plant, and a dozen raspberries doesn’t make for much of a shop.

I had already ordered the shed when Christina told me the difficult news so I had it delivered next to the house so that while I figured things out it could be a little Pilates studio. I’m happy to report I enjoy practicing with my little space heater on.

The space is just shy of 10 by 10 and I really need more space, which is why we bought another shed to eventually finish and turn into the Pilates Shed. I called Mid Michigan Barns a few days ago and asked if they would be able to move the shed down to the road and they said yes. Come Spring when the show melts the small beautiful shed will become the art shop dream roadside stand.

I found some work arounds to be able to do what I want to do. Including but not limited to : pay what you can pricing language (items are not “for sale”), gallery show room, showcase raffle quilts only, make a point that I grow natural dye flowers and use those in my quilts, and a few more other quips if Christina asks any questions.

Around the corner one of my neighbors has a whole antique shop in a camper by the road and seems to be just fine, cookies are sold up the street, honey in the meadow across the way. I trust that spirit will protect the little roadside stand from cranky administrators and my creative project will sing out to all of Solon Township.

I want to make flags and put garden beds around it and a little bench and a free library. It’s own rural mall. We’ve had a lot of conversations about if we’d put a pride flag or a trans flag by the road, considering in election season our road only had Trump signs and our neighbors don’t know we’re trans. For now I have ideas of making secret coded quilt flags that aren’t explicitly gay but if you’re gay you’ll probably know they’re gay.

Those are my dreams, more will be revealed. I’d love to know about YOUR favorite roadside stand. Where is it? What does it sell?

I also hope you’re hanging in there in the big sadness. Winter is upon us in the Northwoods and it’s easy to fall short of activity and patience. May your connection to activism, spirit, and joy be profound in these times.

→ Short essays about 2025 compiled by Sasha Frere-Jones. I felt less alone and more tethered after reading.

→ JOIN THE WAITLISTS : Registration opens this week for my twice yearly class Mapping Your Creative Business and my three month small business co-hort Fieldwork.

These offerings are everything I know about being self employed for the past thirteen years and how I map out time and resources in my business

→ One of my favorite textile artists and authors Katrina Rodabaugh has a very cool class coming up : ON THE MEND: A Visible Mending Course. An interactive, 5-week online class to patch, stitch, darn, and thoughtfully repair textiles. Jan 26- Feb 27.

→ I shout about email marketing and newsletters from every rooftop and this new episode of Off The Grid is great if you’re thinking about how to improve yours this year

→ This quilt by Bailey Raha

→ The Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Traverse City has an amazing event calendar if you’re looking for ways to plug in

→ It’s easy to feel helpless in these times (all times) and sometimes calling your representative helps ease the pain and put pressure on. Here is a script I adapted from the newsletter Chop Wood, Carry Water

Call Your House Rep (find yours here)

Hi, I’m a constituent calling from [zip]. My name is _______.

First, I know the Senate just voted on a bipartisan basis to advance a measure to limit any US military campaign in Venezuela. Good! I expect the House to immediately pass a similar measure and stop this out-of-control President. Americans do not want another forever war—especially not over oil. Pass a War Powers resolution now!

Second, I’m furious that the ICE officer who murdered Renee Nicole Good hasn’t been arrested. Anyone who watches that video can clearly see that this was an execution. We must have justice. Also, ICE needs to be reined in and abolished. It’s Congress’s job to fix this immediately. Thanks.

Nature retreats that teach backcountry & earth skills while indulging in the sensory luxuries of nature and deepening in relationship. Created with the astrological season.

An intimate quilting retreat in France—design and stitch a circle quilt with garden-to-table meals and views of the Pyrenees.

The Rise of The Embodied Artist: A 3-day, free event to sharpen your creative vision & design your creative practice - so you can finally birth that idea.

Don’t do admin alone. Try Artist Admin Hour — a nighttime co-working session for artists and night owls with day jobs. Free session on Jan 28.

FOUNDATIONS: An online series exploring the nervous system through an unshaming lens with teaching, yoga, inquiry, and integration. CODY40

Want to book a classified ad for January 26? Click here

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→ info@codycookparrott.com
→ Pre-Order The Practice of Attention and get The Attention Audit Workbook and seven day No Signal : Digital Detox email course
→ www.codycookparrott.com
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