Sitting in my spot, on the edge of the concrete verandah facing the eastern morning sun, cuppa nearby, I took great joy in a massive unsubscribe blitz this week. It’s spring and so a spring clean for all and every element of life is naturally in order. My inbox tally was up to 6707 unread emails (funny because the number of times I check it each day would amount to addiction status) and so a re-set to a more manageable inflow certainly made me feel better. It gave me comfort but it was not that comfortable. I know about the prickle of the ‘unsubscribe’ from this newsletter. I treasure all my subscribers, especially those willing to pay money for our work and so, I also watch the inflow and outflow of subscribers like I watch my emails. Reaction to a particular piece or musing is fascinating to oversee and I’m eternally trying to add value, value, value to every newsie we send out. For any of those who are interested, of late, it’s been interesting to see billing failures as the primary reasons a paid subscriber quits their status. So on this particular morning, each ‘unsubscribe’ felt intensely unfaithful but still, I pushed on. My reflection is that due to the excess of information and entertainment surrounding us all the time, people in your corner are always watching and interested and for this reason, subscribers will naturally wax and wane and I’m comfortable with that. The people behind these creations wax and wane too - in creative output, subject matter and value. It’s not dismissing but I choose to believe that the unsubscribe is not forever; remain steadfast and you might just see them again.
Podcast Playlist
I bulk binged Avant Gardeners this week. Over a glass of wine two young women, who’re keen on gardening but have not much idea of what they are doing speak with female gardeners they admire. It’s laid back and in-depth and basically riiiiiight up my alley. This sort of education and wisdom sharing is exactly the same as what I’m trying to achieve in our Garden podcast. Thanks SH for the recommendation.
I had a sit in the car moment* as chef Josh Niland told his story to Richard Fidler on Conversations this week. *As a trainee ABC journalist, a ‘sit-in-the-car moment’ was the holy grail, it was what we were always aiming to achieve in storytelling.
Lay your eyes on these Instagram accounts
@thewoolrooms || @benmyhre || @september__studio
This pile of things to read
Gardening = Happiness. We’ve heard it before I know but this shows just how far back this has been practiced. Also this extract from Dr Sue Stuart Smith’s book, “A Well Gardened Mind’. Sue is coming to Sydney and Canberra in February 2024 and will certainly be going to see her speak. Tickets are here.
Was surprised by the minutiae of this mini-experiment banning multi-tasking - and its accompanying spreadsheet - so much so that I’ve asked Anne to record her experience for our Daily Routines podcast.
The dreams I have been having in the last fortnight - pwoah - full of friends, school and old work collegues doing things. I have always been intrigued by dreams. Up pops ‘Why adults still dream about school,’ via The Atlantic.
This list of classic novels that are less than 200 pages long.
New newsletters
The Seedling is a monthly online publication by UK based Willow Crossley for peeps who love flowers, interiors, style, ceramics, podcasts and fashion. So, basically all of you lovely readers!
And Cafe Anne by
is fun. “An exceedingly charming collection of NYC-based ruminations and observations.”Thank you for being here, I hope you put your feet up while scrolling through this edition. Enjoy the rest of your day and here’s for a happy week ahead and here’s a virtual bunch of blooms from the garden for you. Sxx
oh god, seeing unsubscribes to mine just breaks my heart!!! and, like you, I watch my Mailchimp backend like a hawk to see what's happening. Also: I haven't forgotten our interview!!! Just have to get round to transcribing it and getting it up!!!!X
Not going anywhere, best way to start a Sunday 😘