No. 14: MD's Newsletter
Can I speak to the architect?
I started riding horses last fall. (This is not going to be a post about how a woman rediscovers herself through a new hobby, although it could be.)
I signed up for weekly lessons at a nearby ranch to give myself something outside of the house to do. Working from home with a small kiddo in the rural desert means that the main places I spend my time are their gym, the grocery store and a few local restaurant. Plus, what better way to see the desert landscape than on horseback?
From the first day, I started learning essentials. Like how horses don’t like to be approached from behind. They prefer to see you coming from the side so they can see you. And I’ve learned the hard way to be careful where you place your feet when grooming (thank goodness for thick, pointed leather boots). Essentially, you have to be aware of your body and positioning at all times — before you climb onto the saddle and most definitely when you’re riding. If you’re too stiff, too loose, too jittery or too frozen, the horse will know and the horse will not comply.
I’ve tried to take this self-awareness and presence into other areas of my life. Am I too jittery for this phone call right now? Am I too distracted to rock my child to sleep? This kind of check-in, but it’s also teaching me how to make better decisions in the present that serve me. I took several calls “camera off” this week, a ridiculous description that I can’t even believe is a deviation from the norm. Why do we need to see everyone’s offices?!?! In another example, I made some meals these week using frozen vegetables after running out of produce, because I didn't have time or capacity to do hit the grocery. And Iast night I went to bed early while my husband handled getting a very jazzed and amped baby calm enough to sleep. All I had to do was recognize I needed a break — and ask.
Perhaps I would’ve come up with these little mini-boundaries for myself even if I wasn’t learning how to handle horses. But the clarity of mind and confidence of body that you have to posses to be a quality rider — and stay safe in the presence of giants — are proving to be important skills outside of the arena, too.
Onto the links.
Branching out
Part of the reason it’s taken me so long to get a newsletter out is because writing full-time is…a lot? Especially when you’re sleep deprieved? That said, I’m quite proud of the stories on the e-commerce beat I’ve been writing this year. I’m trying to take a more authentic approach to my communications with sources & their reps, and that can have mixed results — of course I always want to stay professional and cordial, but as I learn more about the industry I am able to be more frank in my interviews. Like asking about profit directly, or trying to get more details about why a strategy failed. Here’s a few recent pieces I’ve published that may resonate behind the core audience of retailers & makers:
(I also had the excellent experience of attending my first-ever Shoptalk. I’ve never been to a trade show of that scale and it was definitely an experience. My coverage is here, many thanks to the brands who spoke with me!)
Bringing it back home
I’m excited that next month will mark my official return to the pages of CV Independent! I have a deep respect for Jimmy Boegle and the local journalism he cultivates, and I’m thrilled to be a part of it. I’ll be writing about businesses in the hi-desert in a new column, and taking the reins at Civic Solutions (where Maria Sesito did a beautiful job as I settled into mom life). Here’s what we’ve got so far:
I spoke with Liz Lapp, the indelible owner of Hi-Desert Times who is making print cool again
Palm Springs has a new small business center called the Caravan SBDC focused on Latino entrepreneurs.
Nostalgia-fueled entertainment
s I entered the world of parenting, there’s SO many opinions about what you should or didn’t do in terms of “screen time.” But folks, I’m all in on entertainment, and I don’t want to hide it. Nico and I have taken to have an afternoon watch session where we watch a little bit of cartoons, YouTube or a movie. “The Eras Tour” was a BIG hit; this kid is captivated by stagecraft, especially when there’s a guitar in someone’s hand. We’re currently making our way through the live action versions of Disney classics that I wasn’t at the right age for when they came out — and as silly as it sounds, it’s bring a lot of joy to my life to sing “Circle of Life” or “Friend Like Me” with my kiddo. And on the kiddo side, a very cute & rather philosophical series from Sanrio called “Gudetama” has captivated our whole family.
On the music front, I adore the new Kacey Musgrave album, “Deeper Well.” I think it’s some of her finest songwriting. I wish I could find a way to say this that doesn’t sound like dissing I am dissing powerful women songwriters, but “The Architect” is a a great Jason Isbell song the way that “The Last Great American Dynasty” is a great Billy Joel song. You know what I mean? Vibes.
I’ve also been devouring the much-anticipated release of “Cowboy Carter,” and oh my goodness it is SO divine. PLEASE GIVE THIS WOMAN A GRAMMY FOR AOTY. Never forget that in addition to prolific writing and aesthetic mastery, this woman brings so many other artists, especially Black musicians, up with her and it is SO admirable.
In both cases, I’ve been listening to these artists work for a long time, and I love witnessing their artistic growth. I’d like to say the same for me, too.
Til next time,