Dear dears,

Welcome to June. This is the month that makes me yearn for the beach, eating outside, visiting friends, bonfires, porch beers, and naps. Though to be fair I am always yearning for naps, which I urge all of us to enjoy freely and without guilt. Here’s to more rest!

We held our first Arthur Street Market last weekend. We set up a few tables at the end of the driveway and people came by! We sold Nate’s homemade bread & muffins, Patrick’s homemade CHONK, Alisa’s crocheted hacky sacks (went like hotcakes), N&D’s homemade bookmarks and flowers. I even sold a few zines — first published 27 years ago. Does that make them vintage?

We spent time giving away notebooks & stickers & rings to kids, signing folks up for our neighborhood listserv, and discussing poems, music, tattoos, and trees. It was such a lovely time to meet neighbors and chat with friends. We are planning our next one for mid-July. We will definitely have to plan how to provide free samples of CHONK without them melting.

BRIEF WTF

School is almost done for the year and then I will have a junior who will be learning to drive this summer.

WIDOW’S BAY APPRECIATION RANT

Please watch this show. It is so funny and smart and scary. Every single horror trope is thrown on its head and it’s beautiful. Plus it features Matthew Rhys, Stephen Root, and Kate O’Flynn. Fall in love with Patricia. I heart her dance moves:

Widows Bay Tv Show GIF - Widows bay Tv show Patricia - Discover & Share GIFs

Click to view the GIF

Side note: The exterior of the haunted inn (episode 2) is a house in our town. I love how we were spooky enough to make it into this show.

JUNE EVENTS

First up, tonight we’re hosting Keith S. Wilson and Callie Siskel at The Notebooks Collective. I’m excited to learn more about the visual aspect to Keith’s poetry.

On Saturday, local friends should go buy some used books and support the library. I’ll be cashiering in the afternoon - come say hi!

On Sunday, June 14, I am going to be in conversation with Lisa for the launch of her book, It’s What I’ve Got Left. I’m so excited to discuss her work and how it intersects with mine. Please come! It’s free and online and I would love your support.

On the 24th, The Notebooks Collective is hosting a reading in memory of poet Jennifer Martelli. We’re raising funds for EMA and abortion access, a cause that Jenn fiercely advocated for. Please join us!

MAYBE YOU NOTICED

but I couldn’t really manage any news in this letter. It’s too heavy and awful. Like in this Seth Meyers clip where he does a brief rundown of the news that happened over his 2 week break:

All I can say is that I am counting down the days until IT happens. Here’s an excerpt of “When It happens” a piece by Luke O’Neil:

It’s going to happen this year. You know what I mean. God’s will. Naturally of course. No need to come knocking on my door. I’m chilling at home and will be chilling at home when it happens. Before I go running out into the streets that is…

What will you do when it happens? Let me know. It’s your writing prompt for this month.

xoxo

Becca