🥱 Rest, Hibernation, and Puzzles
Plus a wild story from the set of Titanic
Thanks for being here! In this week’s episode of my podcast Wanna Hear Something Weird?, Tom tells me about a man who thought he was going to have a chill night sleeping in a tree (as a safety measure against mountain lions, of course). Instead, a UFO showed up and changed his life forever. Next week, I'll tell Tom about a very curious (and true!) story that takes us to old Hollywood. Subscribe to get the show in your feed on Wednesday! Now, to some fun and interesting things that have consumed my brain this week:
📖 I’ve been thinking a lot about a book I read a few years ago, Wintering: The Power of Rest and Retreat in Difficult Times by Katherine May. The book itself is a balm for my anxious soul, reminding me of the importance of resting and hibernating in my own way. It serves as a good reminder in a world that demands so much of us, so much of the time, that we, too, need to slow down and replenish.
🎧 I listened to the new show Very Special Episodes this week. (I do feel a little silly including a show that only has one episode out so far, but I enjoyed it so much that I feel compelled to include it.) The concept of the show is “Stranger-than-fiction tales about normal people in extraordinary situations.” Say less. The first episode is about one of my favorite pieces of film lore: how some of the cast and crew of Titanic ate chowder laced with PCP, and all hell broke loose.
🧩 This last recommendation is just a general shout-out to puzzles. I spent a restful weekend away with friends and we did a 1000-piece puzzle in a single day. Every time I do a puzzle I think “I should do more puzzles” so writing it down here makes it feel like my lazy attempt at manifesting that idea into reality. There is something so absorbing and meditative about it. Plus, it’s a fantastic way to take a break from screens. Puzzles are fun to do with other people but also very peaceful to do alone. More puzzles in 2024!
🐶 Ginger of the Week:
In the spirit of alleviating burnout, I’m going to be sending this email every other week for the foreseeable future. In the meantime, tell me what you’re reading, listening to, and watching!
Thanks,
Laura