The Bare Necessities
I’ve been sick with latest strain of the plague this past week (not The Plague, just to be clear!), so this newsletter will be a bit shorter than usual. It has been very un-fun, but thankfully more inconvenient that wrecking any trips or major life plans. For someone as type A-get-it-done as myself, being sick is especially annoying, but it has also offered an opportunity to step back and reflect in the commercial breaks between movies on Amazon Prime and ads on Duolingo when I finish a lesson (how is an ad a reward for my hard work learning another language?!)
While I wouldn’t wish covid on anyone, in some ways, it’s come at the right time. Fall doesn’t start officially until September 22 (looking at you, Pumpkin Spice Latte), but we are in “the turning” right now. Someone once told me how you leave a season determines how you enter the next one. I’m going to choose to take this week as a gift, wheezy lungs and all. In this transition into fall, having limited energy has forced me yet again to determine what is just busyness and what is essential.
I’ve been reminded that community is essential. Friends and family been the ones texting to check on my husband and I, dropping off food and sending encouraging words over Marco Polo or voice messages while we’re cloistered in the house for a few more days. As messy as it can be living in the same small town all your life, I’m so thankful for my little community. Boredom is also essential. After an embarrassing amount of screentime, I’ve become more attuned to what kinds of content feels good or sparks creative energy (even if all I can do right now is click the save banner on Instagram) and what is just noise. Even doomscrolling gets too boring eventually, so I’ve started thinking through some creative problems I’m having with Homer + Trudy content at the moment. The last thing I’ve noticed is the turning of the season itself. The crickets’ song in the evening and how it settles like a blanket on my withering garden. The rainstorms followed by vibrant rainbows in golden evening light, followed by even more vibrant sunsets. The earth is winding down all the exuberant joy of summer’s wild colors as it turns toward the amber drowsiness of fall and eventually, the silver essentialism of winter.
I want to enter this next season strengthening ties with those around me and more mindful content consumption. How will you enter this next season?
Xo + Stay well!
Kaitlyn
P.S. Favorite Southernism from this week: “Madder than a box of frogs in a rainstorm.”
I’m Watching
Muchelle B is one of my favorite Youtubers, and I especially enjoyed her “Comfy Chair” exercise. While I haven’t been able to do the things I’ve thought about, being stuck on the couch has given me time to think about what I’d really like to be doing (hint: not watching more Netflix!)
I’m Reading
How have we conflated busyness with productivity? (And why do we care?) This Psychology Today article looks at how this societal badge of “honor” is manifesting on a whole new way. tl/dr: check out the last three paragraphs.
Upcoming Event!
The Lesterloot Backyard Market is coming Sept 28-29. This backyard market boasts a beautiful setting, live music, delicious food options and tons of high-quality handmade and curated vintage/thrifted goods. I’m thrilled to be a vendor again, and I’ll be bringing tons of vintage homewares for you to shop both days! Let me know what you’d like to see me bring by leaving a comment below (color, time period, type of item, price-point etc.)!
About me
Kaitlyn Townsend is a third generation vintage reseller. Her shop, is inspired by her maternal grandparents, Homer and Trudy. When she's not at auctions, Kaitlyn is pursuing a career as a professional singer. You can follow her music account on Instagram @kaitlyn.townsend.sings and her vintage account @homerandtrudy. Shop Homer + Trudy on Etsy.