of unexpected possibility

potluck philosophy and my peony postscript

hi friends,

This week, one year ago, I began offering a paid subscriber option for narrative threads, and words can’t begin to express how much your support of my writing and honoring this process has meant to me.

I'm thrilled to share that I’ve been brainstorming ways to develop this newsletter further. Now seems like the perfect time to share, so let's dive in!

First, whether you are a paid or free subscriber, you will still receive the same newsletter in your inbox twice a month (and sometimes more). I remain committed to making my writing available to everyone—that will not change. I am considering putting my writing behind a paywall after it has circulated in the public domain for one month, but not today.

While in the past, choosing to become a paid subscriber was primarily an option to exercise your generosity, going forward, as a thank you, I am sharing a few additional perks and lowering the monthly and yearly subscription rates, so if you’ve ever thought about becoming a paid subscriber, this is a great time to consider

Going forward, a monthly subscription will be $5, and the yearly rate will be $50. If you are already a paid subscriber, your subscription should renew at the new rate, but if it doesn’t, please let me know so we can settle the issue.

Becoming a paid member will help me sustain time for writing and will also allow me to pay the people I interview, which is important to me. I would love to know if there are ideas you would like to explore so that we can continue to grow these conversations together!

I’m also excited to announce that I will offer a once-yearly virtual writing and meditation retreat (think Monhegan online) free to all paid subscribers. More about this is coming soon!

And, as an extra special thank you, founding members will always receive discounted pricing for my retreats on Monhegan!

Speaking of Monhegan, if it’s still calling you, this is your opportunity:

A last-minute cancellation has opened one additional space, and I’d love for you to join us this fall!

The Faraway Nearby:

stillness, story, sea

September 18-22, 2024

For the fourth year, I invite you to join me for an intimate retreat on Monhegan and experience the possibilities for yourself. As always, our program is an embodied book group—to write our own stories shaped by the muse of another. This year, we will journey and journal through the words of Rebecca Solnit’s poetic memoir The Faraway Nearby, a beautiful and profound book of essayistic reflection on memory, family, grief, travel, and storytelling.¹ As much as the book is a memoir, it is a book about place and the places that hold our stories, the ones that soothe and stir, and always the ways one story is the entrance to another. I can’t imagine a more beautiful book to become lost and found off the coast of Maine.

2023 retreat highlights • all the details • have more questions?

Don’t miss out on this extraordinary opportunity!!

In other news, we went to a fantastic BBQ on the fourth. All the guests brought a dish to pass, which is really one of my favorite ways to host a gathering. When I asked my friend if she had a preference for savory or sweet, I got the best response and food for thought:

I truly don’t manage what people bring. If we end up with 25 pans of brownies, then we eat a lot of brownies, and we will laugh about it.

Now, really, is there any better way to approach life? I think not! This sentiment holds it all—boundaries, humor, and trust in the process of living. Tattoo it upon your heart and carry on!

So I brought what I’ve been bringing to potlucks for the past twenty year

Cashew-Sesame Noodles! This recipe is everything: it’s quick, foolproof, and can withstand the heat of a summer’s day. It’s infinitely adaptable; you can serve it hot or cold, and it’s accidentally vegan to boot. You probably already have all the ingredients in your house, and if we end up at the same potluck with the same dish, we can have a good chuckle (and wouldn’t that be fun?).

cashew sesame noodles

For sauce

2 large garlic cloves, chopped

3 tablespoons soy sauce

1 1/2 tablespoons rice vinegar

1/4 cup Asian sesame oil

3/4 teaspoon dried hot red pepper flakes, or to taste

1 teaspoon sugar

1/2 cup salted roasted cashews (plus more for garnish)

1/3 cup water

1 pound spaghetti

1 1/2 cups fresh cilantro (or scallion greens)

Preparation:
In a blender, blend sauce ingredients with salt and pepper to taste until smooth. The sauce may be made three days ahead and chilled, covered. Bring it to room temperature and stir before using.

Cook the pasta until al dente. Drain well, then toss with sauce and chopped cilantro or scallions or both or neither and top with more cashews.

make it your own: add a protein (rotisserie chicken or shrimp would be yummy), or turn up the heat with more crushed red pepper. you could toss it with almost any veggie: thinly sliced orange or red peppers, carrots or radishes, or sauteed zucchini would be nice too.

and finally, a peony postscript:

I mean, it definitely was not what I imagined, but perhaps I watched the wrong YouTube how-to video, or maybe five weeks is too long to hold a bloom? Oh well, there’s always next year.

wishing you a wonderful weekend ~ xosew

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Thanks for being here. I’m grateful for your readership. Before you go, would you click the ♥️ or share this post with a friend? You may also restack, leave a comment, or reply via email because it helps others find this newsletter. If you want to join in our island adventures, you can also follow me on Instagram, but most importantly, I love knowing what resonates with you.

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1. The Millions