Fall is in the air

Space to write, think, breathe, rest...

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August was a whirlwind! I’ve been meaning to write here the whole month but have been in a vortex of juggling a four week abyss between summer camp and preschool. Tony, my parents, and a cadre of babysitters have all shared the load, and my bestie Ursula came to visit from LA, but I’ve had a lot of days with a few hours in which to attempt to squeeze a whole work day, with mixed results. Mixed because I’m dong it! I’m surviving - parenting, working, still standing! But I feel like I’m falling short in every aspect of my life. My big work goals? Unloved, neglected. My writing dreams? Untouched. My mom patience? What mom patience?! I have none. I am a mom monster. My inbox? HAHA!

There was also a very sudden, tragic loss in my family in August that had me reeling. It still feels unreal. Please hug the ones you love extra tight, and remember that we just get this one, brief, wild, magical, insane, precious life.

And the sun is brilliant this morning.

And there’s a hint of fall chill in the air.

And I’m drinking a delicious matcha latte at a different coffee chop than usual, and nostalgic tunes are playing. (The Shins!)

And here we are, getting, slowly, back into the swing of things. Simone’s been loving her new school, where she bounds into pre-k each morning with her giant backpack bumping on her back looking like the big, confident girl she suddenly is. Julius starts back at his preschool on Monday, which cannot come soon enough.

And as he heads off for his first day, with his own backpack and all those big first day feelings of nerves and excitement, I’ll be in SWITZERLAND, where I’m spending four days learning about Gruyere.

When I got the invite, just a few weeks ago, my first thought was “that’s too bad I can’t go.” After all, it was Julius’s first week of school. It was just around the corner. It was the craziness that is September.

I am so grateful for my husband Tony, who is more optimistic than I am, and also super supportive, and said, “Well, let’s see what we can do. Let’s start with yes.”

Let’s start with yes!

My brain loves to start with no. It chimes in with why things are too hard or awkward or unlikely or impractical or or or…

And so often they are hard, maybe, but they’re also absolutely possible! Like going to Switzerland next week. Tony and my parents can pick up the childcare slack, Julius is returning to his class where he already knows and loves his teacher. And I’ll be back in four nights, anyway.

Hopefully inspired, informed, and full of Gruyere. Having seem a new part of the world, met new people, and with that Alpine glint in my eye.

Back for that amazing fall energy. I’ve always loved it. September is my birthday, the new school year—an ideal time for a fresh notebook and a planner whether or not a new school year applies to you in any way. The Jewish holidays. Sweater weather. Boots! Layers! Gorgeous leaves to peep! Crisp apples! Everything feels full of potential, possibility, and promise.

Speaking of possibility - now’s the perfect time to master the art and science of pitching. Pitching is so often the thing writers dread the most, and you don’t need to dread it. Hannah Selinger and I are back for another pitching intensive on September 16, and you can grab your tickets here.

This fall, I plan to be pitching more, taking more risks, and starting with more yeses.

xo,

Hannah

PS I had fun interviewing Sohla El-Waylly about cooking and mom life, and her favorite East Village eats.

PPS I wrote about an amazing Spanish olive oil producer.

PPPS And about picnic cheeses!

PPPPS And I took the kids to Digger Land! Here’s me and Julius on a digger. Simone went ALL BY HERSELF on a digger and then had a meltdown because she struggled to dig a hole (it’s really hard; I struggled, too). I also faced my fears and went on a super high zip line with Simone, who was not scared at all. I was scared.