march madness
(five things to read, to cook, to notice)
hi friends,
This is not a normal newsletter, but I reckon we’re not living in normal times. In addition to Saturday’s No Kings protest, here are five things that keep me going:
Reading. Full stop. John and I got away for a stretch of sunny days in Tulum, and while I’m not exactly a resort girl, there’s something to be said about sitting poolside, eating guacamole, and reading book after book after book because when in difficulty, read a book.
This is the most gorgeous meditation on what it means to treat your life as a ceremony, to adorn yourself as though you were the beloved, and an inspiring reminder on why I go to India. pssst, there’s still one more spot to join… . ..
Is there anything better than coming home to a batch of chocolate chip cookies? No, there is not. Hands down, this is the best recipe, the only recipe, I will make going forward. Note: the baking time is key, so if you don’t know your oven, it may take a few tries to get it right, but once you do, you’ll never buy Wegman’s Ultimate Chocolate Cookies again.
And finally, the ultimate March Madness—HOOPS! The first weekend of play might be one of my favorite weekends of the year, and a long cry from the days when I bemoaned how the tourney meant As the World Turns was preempted. My bracket may be battered (Florida and Virgina you broke my heart), but it’s far from broken. Out of the 36 million registered, my current rank 1.51M. I’ll keep you posted.
And finally, I present a playlist heavily (but not entirely) inspired by Love Story: John F. Kennedy Jr. & Carolyn Bessette. Give it a spin, it’ll surely make you smile.
Stay safe out there, and as always, thanks for reading ~ xosew
Let me know what keeps you going!
only ONE spot remains ~
Yoga in the Temples of South India
with Vishali Varga, Vanessa Airey & Sarah Webb
June 25 – July 8th, 2026
Join me for this incredible opportunity to deeply immerse yourself in the five elements and the study of yatra, the yogic practice of pilgrimage to India's most sacred spaces, to receive ancient teachings, and reset the rhythm of your mind.
Over 15 days, we will journey to five Shiva Temples to inspire and deepen your understanding of the vastness of yoga from the inside out. Together, we will participate in the rituals of puja and darshan, write contemplations honoring each of the five elements of being - air, fire, earth, water, space - to carry home in our hearts, to remember that our daily lives are sacred, worthy of devotion, and that we are all inherently divine.
If you’ve ever desired to be dressed in a sari, to smash coconuts against ancient stones, or be blessed by an elephant, won’t you join us?
All you need is a tender heart, an open mind, and an adventurous spirit!
Curious to know more? Listen to this conversation between Vanessa and yours truly
When Women Were Birds: murmuration, memoir, meditation September 16 - 20, 2026
For the sixth year, I invite you to join me for an intimate retreat on Monhegan. Our program is an embodied book group, journeying and journaling through the words of Terry Tempest Williams’s poetic memoir When Women Were Birds: Fifty-four Variations on Voice with the seasons of the sea. The program is intended for women of all ages and stages of life—anyone who longs to learn or return to the practices of writing and meditation, to discover our stories through silence and speech.
Gather in Grace Writing Residency September 20 - 23, 2026
Monhegan, ME
Have you ever dreamed of extending your creative time on Monhegan ~ just a few more days of quiet and space before returning to the bustle of daily life? Time to nurture a project you’ve been working on or begin something new: something inspired by your time on retreat, or something that’s been calling you, patiently waiting to be explored, something you’re not ready yet to let go?
For years, I have longed to offer a mini-residency designed to facilitate deep work and creative breakthroughs, so for the first time, you are invited to Gather in Grace ~ to take the next step into your creativity.
Each program is its own stand-alone experience, or the two can be combined.
Don’t wait ~ only three remaining spots for either the retreat or the residency!
and every week… . ..
gathering (in grace) notes • writing circle
Every Monday from 7:30 to 8:30 a.m. ET, start your week in creativity and community. Whether you already have a project whispering to you or are simply seeking a little inspiration, let’s write together!
We begin by greeting one another in the sleepy moments of the morning, then sit for a moment in silence before we write. Not sure where to start? Don’t worry ~ I always offer a poem and a prompt (or two) as a portal into possibility and discovery.
This is a free offering for all; however, if you find you are attending regularly and wish to make a donation in support, you can always buy me a book. Register once, and the link is yours forever ✍🏻
I am in awe of Sarah’s selection of poetry that she reads to us and the prompts she inspires for written response. Through this practice, I’ve learned that poetry is alive and stirs life within. Poetry creates context for all those matters of being human, and I feel blessed every time I show up to be with this group ~ Kris L, New Hampshire
lingering line
The promise of spring, to me, is not that we will become something new, but that we might become quiet enough to notice what is already beginning. That we might pay attention to what is emerging—not by insisting, but by paying attention
Excellent playlist! And we are both thinking of books this week! 🤩
Fabulous, Sarah. YOU keep me going....Love, Peggy