🌿 Keep rosemary by your garden gate 🐇
P.S. “Every day, once a day, give yourself a present. Don't plan it, don't wait for it. Just let it happen.”
Dear Friend,
I’ve been so busy trying to finish up the Winter mailings for Snail Mail Club, but I want to touch base because… the news has been horrific and exhausting, and I’m sure you are feeling it, too. Even if you aren’t directly affected by a traumatic event, you may know someone who is affected more directly. Also, because we are all connected, seeing terrible things happen to people, whether it’s locally, nationally, or around the world, still influences how we feel.
Not to mention the dissonance created for each of us when we then have to go about our regularly scheduled routines while all of this is happening.
I don’t have anything new to add or brilliant to say here. I just want to acknowledge that you may be feeling this way and to let you know that I am, too.
My request is to please be kind to yourself! And, if you have the capacity, please do what you can to help. If you ever have a cause or organization you would like for me to highlight in this space, please hit reply and send it my way.
Current Projects
Snail Mail Club updates.
WINTER. Winter cards will be going out soon! I have all of the designs done and I’m so excited about how they turned out. I hope they will be brightening your mailbox in the next couple of weeks. (And the recent subject lines of the newsletters may or may not be previews of Practical Magic-related items that will be in your envelopes.)
Thank you to everyone whose dogs have joined our coven! There’s still room for a few more if you’d like your dog to be included in the illustration. Just reply to this email with some photos of your dog or a link to an online album if your dog would like to join. I am starting on those now (with the intention of putting together another movie trailer over the next month).
What is Snail Mail Club? SMC members receive unique handmade cards four times per year that are inspired by the seasons. Additional items are included in every release such as stickers, bookmarks, and other surprises. If you aren’t already a member, you can sign up through Ko-fi HERE!
New journal entries.
My blog has something to tell you. After seeing the news about the passing of David Lynch yesterday, I decided to create a journal post about the Twin Peaks card I created in 2022. In the post, I discuss why I chose Twin Peaks, point out the TP references I included, and talk about the process of making the card.
This was also the first appearance of the “stamp” stickers that I try to include with the Snail Mail Club packets.
Luna.
Luna is doing well, but she has her annual veterinary check up tomorrow. Please send lots of love her way, because going to the vet sends her anxiety through the roof!
Recent Inspirations.
Watching.
Doctor Who episode “Joy to the World” (2024). I finally watched the Doctor Who Christmas special, and, yes, the scene pictured above had me bawling like a baby.
Reading.
Dune Messiah (1969). I finished Frank Herbert’s next book in the Dune series. I liked that it was a smaller, more-focused story than the original book, and that the characters were dealing with consequences of what took place in Dune. Some wild stuff happens, and I thought it was an enjoyable read.
Also, I now have a theory that this book influenced David Lynch, specifically relating to Twin Peaks. Message me if you want to discuss!
In conclusion.
As always, while so much horror is going on in the world, I recommend that you find little things that bring you comfort. Not as a way to ignore what’s happening, but as a way to be kind to yourself. Cook the comfort food, watch Twilight or Practical Magic or whatever for the 634th time, doodle or color in a coloring book, buy the cute little keychain that makes you smile when you look at it — find your comfort activities and keep them handy.
Speaking of comfort food, I made Japanese curry from scratch for the first time last week. Previously, I’d only made it from the little sauce mix blocks (like Vermont Curry or Golden Curry). The smell of Japanese curry brings to mind dinners at my grandma’s house, and my mom used to make it, too. When I was a kid, I thought it was the most disgusting smell, and I’m not sure when, but at some point, I finally tried it and realized it’s delicious.
My Grandma Chizuko has been gone almost 15 years, but I can still find some form of connection with her through the process of cooking and eating this comforting meal. I wanted to share about the curry to point out that doing things to bring yourself comfort isn’t selfish, and it also doesn’t need to be that deep. Comfort activities! Just do something nice for yourself!
See you in your mailbox soon,
💖 Becky H
💚 Dear Chizuko
