recent observations, week 4.

forty, fireflies, toes in water.

Stairs into water are for standing on. 

Salt water on bare toes is a tonic.

Rockweed in a gentle tide is a meditation.

One good way to stop moping is to feel shore wind in your ears as you bike by the beach. 

Afternoon rosa rugosa smell the sweetest.

The best way to bike in a too-long skirt is to tuck the hem into the waist band.

Visible undies are nobody’s business.

Mint chip ice cream. Peanut butter sauce and hot fudge. Whipped cream. A solo birthday sundae is a very good plan.

Balding forty-somethings in Connecticut still ride out their crises in brand-new luxury convertibles.

How silly when a three-speed red bicycle does the trick.

My mom’s supposed to be forty, so it’s strange that I am.

Reading a novel in bed is a birthday requirement.

Fireflies on July nights are proof of magic.

I’m proof of magic.

You, too.

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I turned forty yesterday, which means it’s been fifteen years of celebrating birthdays and sharing bits and pieces of my life and words on the internet. It’s been just over a year since moving my writing to a newsletter format and nearly as long since taking a leap and adopting a paid subscription model. I’m so grateful for the opportunity to tease musings from the messy cobwebs of my mind in this place. I’m so glad to be in supportive community with all you chiming in with your own bits of genius and creativity and goodwill from so many corners of the globe.

In celebration of forty, here’s a perpetual $40/year (or $4/month) rate for TEA NOTES.

If you’re not already a paid subscriber, I hope you’ll consider joining us. If you are already a paid subscriber and a discounted rate would mean being able to stick around for longer, you can unsubscribe and resubscribe to take advantage of the sale. I know there’s a big crowded world of worthy letters out there. I’m so grateful for everyone who has chosen to support this one.