What's in my NOW? — Betsy Craske
What's in my NOW? — Betsy Craske
issue #193
I live in the mountains with my husband, daughter, and dog, and I find joy in every season - riding bikes, finding good swimming holes, growing flowers, skiing, reading books, baking, sewing & knitting, and spending time with my family and friends. I'm always up for an adventure or a chat over a glass of natural wine. I am coming up on my year anniversary of You Get-sy, a newsletter I created to share recommendations of things I'm enjoying and things others are loving— a way to connect readers to people doing great things and share the love in this small corner of the internet. I am a connector at my core, and I love connecting people with other people/things/ideas, so this newsletter is my outlet for that. — Betsy Craske
PHYSICAL
Pickleball Paddle - A childhood friend of mine from our summer camp days started a pickleball company and creates stylish pickleball gear that is quality and well made. When my book club created an offshoot pickleball club this summer, I immediately began to use Nettie's. We meet once or twice a week on local outdoor courts, and in addition to often forgetting the score, laughing until we have tears in our eyes, and catching up, we also have steadily becoming more skilled and are having a blast learning a new sport together.
Mairin Handknit Wool Sweater - As summer turns to fall here in Montana, the mornings and evenings are chilly enough that you need a warmer layer than during the sunny daytime. Here is where Mairin's beautiful sweater enters the chat. This sweater is hand knit with high Andean wool, has a great shape and style, is undyed, and a work of art. I can't wait to not only wear this while drinking coffee on the back porch, but also during winter ski adventures, cozying up by a fire after a long day of skiing, and wearing out to a special dinner or two. The opportunities are endless, and her other wool garments are just as good.
Seasonal Flowers - Field Five Flowers here in Western Montana grows and creates the most stunning flowers and floral arrangements you can imagine, and the folks that run it are generous and community oriented. Almost weekly when flowers are in bloom, they gift bouquets to people who have been nominated by friends for a myriad of reasons, bringing blooms to those who might be having a hard time and need a pick me up or those who could add some color to celebrate their wins. You can also do U-pick flowers out at their beautiful farm as well as buy a flower subscription or a bouquet at the farmer's market.
DIGITAL
The Lucky Sweater App - Lucky Sweater is an app dedicated to growing a community of people interested in sustainable clothing and more. Once you join the app you're able to list clothes, craft supplies, and outdoor gear to trade with other people around the world. The communal knowledge sharing helps you learn a lot about clothing, production, new cities, and more. I love that this app promotes a sustainable way to give a new life to clothing that you might be done with, and it helps you try new to you clothing as well. Plus, the people on the app are so great!!
Google Keep - I use Google Keep (a notes app) to organize just about everything in my life. I have a note for each day of the week to which I add my to-do list for that day, I have a grocery shopping note that is shared with my husband, a list of gift ideas for friends and family, inspirational quotes, things on my wishlist, meal planning, bucket lists, and more. This app is super intuitive, easy to share with others, and helps keep me organized and on track during my days and weeks.
INVISIBLE
"Rarely, if ever, are any of us healed in isolation. Healing is an act of communion" — bell hooks
Being in community with one another is really important to me. This can look many different ways, but being able to both share experiences and have shared experiences with others is pivotal to fostering resilient communities. I spend a lot of time thinking about and working on how I can foster and build community in my hometown here in Montana and also how I can build community further afield. With all of our differing opinions, life experiences, and ways of being, communing with one another will help us to promote well being in our various communities and continue on.