HAVE YOU HEARD...

It’s officially Virgo Season! Oh — and I moved this month too. In all seriousness, despite it almost being my birth month, I am learning some new astrological knowledge about this horoscope sign — as well as its corresponding “centering" time of year — from my good friend Victoria Andrews, a Meridian Yoga and holistic wellness expert (who also has a flair for sustainable fashion). Although I may not know much about “reading the stars,” I am sensitive to the type of energy that places and people often emanate. And so far, my new house is full of GOOD VIBES. I am currently sitting on the back patio just after sunset, steps away from the fire pit, on the almost half acre of land (house included) that I now own.

Of course, moving almost always is a momentous task. My recent one was definitely no different. I am also finding out that being a homeowner can significantly lengthen a ‘to do’ list within the first few weeks — and well into the foreseeable future. Although I have no regrets atm because my pleasure of having this hard-earned dream become REAL is pretty immense! An emotional high which has only intensified since it was publicly announced that the national organization We Need Diverse Books selected me to be one of the 2025 mentors for aspiring kidlit authors.

I am also REALLY looking forward to co-MC’ing the Writers of Color and Indigenous Writers Student Reading this Wednesday evening at The Loft Literary Center. Helping to create welcoming, safe spaces for writers who identify as a part of the global majority to be in fellowship and share their work is an important endeavor. Not all creatives have regular access to such environments. Hence, this new class for adult writers with ADHD is equally long overdue for those who are neurodivergent. The writerly genius behind it is Paulette Perhach (a fellow teaching artist and author whose articles have appeared in Elle, Cosmo, Glamour, The New York Times, Yoga Journal…just to name drop a few). Use the code ‘RACHEL’ to activate a $50 discount if interested in registering.

With so much happening — plus on the horizon — I have had much less time for cooking and product testing lately. Luckily, Bumpin Blends cubes shrinks the amount of prep and clean-up involved when making smoothies (an item I have for breakfast several times a week). Another foodie solution to being ‘short on time’ is this Collard Green Wrap recipe I created for the current issue of Edible Madison. Which I really need to find a quiet moment to read cover-to-cover after I’ve finished Shauna Robinson’s OG fiction book “Must Love Books” (*Spoiler alert: If you’re an author, editor and/or have ever worked in the publishing industry in any capacity, be prepared for some “low key” deja vu.)

En route to the nearest library or bookstore to pick up a copy, be sure to blast my 2024 SUMMER playlist…because FALL is just around the corner. —Rachel