Are we having fun (read: feeling spooky) yet?
Are we having fun (read: feeling spooky) yet?
yes, we can have nice things // 12
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If you’re new here, welcome—and if you’re not, welcome back! This week’s edition of Cosmic Kudos is part of a twice-monthly “running list” of reasons why we humans can have nice things. A space of both positivity and the reframing of things that may not at first seem positive, it features poems, stories, art, podcast episodes, articles or (good) news items, ritual practices, signs from the Universe, submissions from readers, and more.
Hi my loves,
Our most recent onslaught of Mercury rx-induced fuckery is finally, officially over!
Though I am fully feeling the effects of the other planets still very much retrograde; it’s like wading through molasses trying to get the simplest of everyday tasks done— can you relate, cosmic ones? I did say I’ve been wanting to embrace slower living, however, so I guess it’s not all that surprising that the Universe has delivered. (Ha. Not exactly what I had in mind, spirit team…)
Before we jump in, a reminder that if you’re interested in sharing a submission to nice things. please email yours to kimiawrites@gmail.com to potentially be featured. You can also drop shorter submissions in the comments. I’m happy to cite you by name and link out to your Substack or other email newsletter if you have one. Rather be anonymous? Just let me know.
1. Now, I’m a spooky girl—by all accounts and purposes, an October creature. Most of you know this, and if you’re new here, hello. Hi. Welcome to the creature of the night club. It’s lovely and witchy and we have tarot cards, long taper candles, and glittering pumpkin bath bombs.
So it’s with some trepidation that I must admit: it’s mid-September (!) and still, somehow, part of me has been attempting to hold onto the last dregs of summer, which was one of the best of my life. For another thing, it remains radiantly sunny in the Bay Area, the skies an ever-softening blue and temperature mild, near to the point of obnoxiousness. Late September afternoons in California are usually when it really gets good— and by “good” I mean we feel the barest wisp of a chill.
But. Regardless of these impediments, your girl is now ready and down for the crepuscular get-down. (Okay, I’ll stop.) Thank you, new Hozier album.
And I gleefully look forward to actually needing the sweater I’ve insisted on donning during daytime hours.
2. More on that new Hozier album: Another glorious thing! I must have listened to it five times over in the past week or so in efforts to get myself into the autumnal mood. Is there anything quintessentially more so? More graveyard dirt and incantations, more curled up with mug of steaming hot tea in hand, gaze on the rain gracing the window panes, than a Hozier album?
The TikTok girlies might fight me on this one, in their efforts to claim Twilight for the throne, but we know better.
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3. Another music reco: After I waxed poetic about experiencing the ethereal sounds of the Kora for the first time in Portugal, my friend
suggested I check out Seckou Keita’s albums with harpist Catrin Finch—and I’m so glad she did. Highly recommend listening while relaxing, writing, or otherwise stretching that creative muscle 🙃4. I found Francesca May’s Wild and Wicked Things to be a delightfully witchy and gothic Great Gatsby-style fantasy, perfect for seasonal reading. It’s very, very slow burn, and not for everyone, but unlikable characters can be my thing sometimes. And they’re not hatefully so, except for the protagonist’s childhood best friend, who frankly never grew on me. Recommending it regardless.
5. I’m on a fairytale kick lately. Well, what else is new! My sister and I saw the play Peter Pan Goes Wrong in downtown LA, and if there’s one good thing that’s come of the SAG/AFTRA & WGA strikes it may be… plays in downtown LA? I’m not exaggerating when I say that I laughed until I cried during this meta comedy, all about how every single thing that can go wrong does indeed go awry during a community production of J.M. Barrie’s original. Apparently Murphy’s law applies even to Peter Pan.
6. Speaking of downtown LA, my friend Edel recommended checking out the famous Last Bookstore there, and I fell a little bit (or a lot bit) in love with the space:
What a wonderful way to spend a Saturday afternoon.
7. I’ve actually been on quite the tear with Peter Pan retellings.1 Wendy, Darling is a dark reimagining told through Wendy’s POV. It alternates between her stay in a mental asylum circa 1920s, after she and her brothers returned from their pixie dust-laden jaunt with the boy who never has to grow up, and “present day”, when her young daughter Jane is kidnapped by Peter years later and stolen away to a Neverland that is no longer what it once was. Wendy must return as an adult to rescue her. Spine-tingling adventures ensue.
8. Back off to LA tomorrow. Happy to keep it moving.
9. I’d seen Rea Earth’s meditations floating around on TikTok before, but didn’t realize there’s an extensive library on their YouTube channel (and website). All creds to
for this find— via her newsletter, The Fox Trails.10. I’ve just finished Hanya Yanagihara’s A Little Life, an utterly monstrous tome that my friend Christian loaned to me. (It’s 800+ pages, and I managed to zoom all the way through in a matter of days…) I’ve never before hated a book as intensely as I’ve loved it— that is, loved certain parts of it. I still can’t make up my mind about the entirety of the thing. What I do know is: the character work is something to behold. And the writing! Painfully evocative. When I say painfully, though, I mean it. I’ve got to insert a trigger warning here; if intense descriptions of physical harm and suicidal behavior will trigger you, you should not pick this up.
Which means that it’s maybe not the nicest thing, but my need to discuss this not-so-little book is very real. Let me know if you, too, were personally victimized by it so that we can start a support group.
11. “In a bookshop you can travel the world whilst sitting still…” Ah, I thoroughly enjoyed this sweet little bookshop tour featuring actress Rosamund Pike for the Dior Book Tote Club. And her!
12. Came across this poem on Instagram and found it utterly captivating in both its truthful simplicity and subject matter. Enjoy!
13. It’s about that time for an autumnal simmer pot. Just in time for the equinox, here’s the recipe for one of my favorites— feel free to add or subtract as you wish:
Cinnamon sticks
Star anise
Cloves
Rosemary
Lavender
Apple slices
Orange slices
Juice of a lemon (or sliced)
Vanilla essential oil (or another of your preference)
You can also add rose petals, both for light fragrance and aesthetic purposes.
If you enjoyed reading this week’s newsletter, I hope you’ll consider forwarding it along to a friend. If you’re reading this on Substack, I’d love if you shared or restacked it. This helps new readers find my work!
xx,
Kimia
Remind me to tell you all sometime about the first draft of my MFA thesis, which was essentially glorified Peter Pan fanfiction…