☀️It all started with Taylor...
On album reimagining, lots of Christmas, and a case for ridiculous fun
Hi Friends,
If you follow me over on the sosh meeds (and I hope that you do!), you might have noticed I’m on an interesting album discovery.
It all started with Taylor, which might be my memoir title for 2020-2021. (I know, I know, I can hear you on the other side of the screen. Here she goes again with her cottage core Taylor Swift bandwagon jumping story. Stay with me.) *Everyone* was excited about the re-release of Red (Taylor’s Version) and so I was, too. You know how I love getting caught up in a moment.
Friday, November 12, “Red day” arrives. Maybe true Swifties stayed up until the midnight release but this grandma Swiftie still values sleep over music. So, first thing that morning, after pouring the cereal and peanut buttering the waffles, I opened my music app and typed “Red” on the search bar. Two searches came up with two different images, which surprised me actually. I think I imagined the re-release of an album would bring more of a mirror effect from original to new version. Taylor’s release of Fearless was slightly changed different but still showcased the same flowy hair, neutral colored hues from the original. I liked the original album cover of Red, how her lipstick stands out, eyes shielded by shadow. But this new one, with its muted hues and entirely different scene and angle, wasn’t what I expected.
And yet, the more I listened to the music, especially the new songs and, hello, 10 minute version, say no more, I became obsessed with the album cover. What I am learning about the genius that is Taylor is everything is done with incredible intention. There was a reason she chose this cover. I didn’t yet know what it was, but I wanted to explore this. The creative process of taking the first sprinkles of an idea and turning it into a realized dream you can hold in your hand—that creative life dazzled me. Maybe it was because Taylor’s music has been the soundtrack to my life in the last year or maybe it was because I was bored in my creative life lately or maybe it was because my day was filled with Costco runs and bus stop visits when what I really wanted to do was be in the room with Taylor and ask her everything about her creative process. It’s a creative journey entirely different than any I’ve ever explored, because why would I? Or…
Maybe the better question was why COULDN’T I?
So after handing off another snack to keep the three year old busy, I went hunting for a red hat, a fancy ring, and my fake eyelashes because this 39 year old needed a little help pretending she has the makeup artist of a Grammy award winner. And then just before heading to Costco, with my three year old buckled in the backseat, I pulled out my phone and took about 25 different shots until I thought I got the look, the angle, and open mouth pout just right. Then, after musing over her music all day, I jotted down a few words and released Red (Rachel’s Version) into the world.
It wasn’t the creative plan I had for myself that day. I had writing deadlines ahead of me, a tornado of a house to tend to, and countless other tasks with which I could have filled my day. But this was fun. And goodness it felt good to have fun. It was the kind of fun that lingers on my mind long after. The kind that makes me want to do it again.
And so I did, the next week when Adele came along with her new album 30. And once you’ve done something two weeks in a row, it becomes a thing. Naturally Olivia and Sour needed to be a part of this journey, mostly because I couldn’t resist the joy of slapping stickers all over my face and sticking my tongue out at the camera.
Sometime on Friday as I finally figure out how to balance my camera just right inside a coffee cup, set my timer to 10 seconds, and then stuck my tongue out at the camera while I stuck four little stickers spelling out S-O-U-R, drool running down my chin because it’s tricky to have your mouth open that long, Leo came running in from the other room.
“What are you doing mommy?”
“I’m working,” I said although it came out sounding more like “Ahh erking” because I still had tiny letters on my tongue. He looked at my sticker covered face, puzzled his eyes up for a bit, and then shrugged “ok” and walked away.
I tried to get back to my photo, but his question caused me to pause. Wait, what AM I doing? I’m standing here looking ridiculous all for a silly photo on the ‘gram. Aren’t there more purposeful ways I can be using my creativity? With all the painful new stories circling our world these days, should I be spending all this energy on something that’s just…fun?
Or…what if fun was exactly what my creative life needed?
This fall I took two different Writing Critique courses. With the support of accountability, I chose to focus my writing at that time on essays that felt the hardest to write. These were stories that were important to me but also kept me at the center of pain and grief. Pair that with some deep work in therapy and it’s been an emotionally exhausting few months. Writing has always been an important way for me to process emotions. But I also believe my creative life as a whole requires more than just pain. This life also needs joy, freedom, and the expression of these feelings. I need to smile, be silly, laugh. I NEED fun. It’s what makes me feel whole.
Taylor Swift once commented on her song “Shake it Off” by saying “People will find anything about you and twist it to where it's weird or wrong or annoying or strange. You have to not only live your life in spite of people who don't understand you—you have to have more fun than they do.”
I’m not cool enough to have any haters. My only critic is the one inside my head, Janice is her name. And while she attempts to whisper shout to me that these silly Instagram posts mean nothing amongst the more serious writers doing the REAL work, I’ve got words for her.
“Stop, Janice. Just stop. This is fun. You should try it sometime.”
If there is something silly, something fun, something ridiculous on your mind, and you wonder if you should do it, I say yes. Try it. Reach for joy. It just might be exactly what you need.
Cheers!
Rachel
SPEAKING OF…
a series where I string together all the things I’ve been meaning to tell you.
Speaking of Music…
The weekend after Taylor released Red and I found myself enjoying country music for the first time in a long time, a dear friend of mine came into town and invited me to the George Strait concert. This alone was epic. But what was more memorable for me was the opener—Chris Stapleton. Here we go again with another artist I should have been obsessed with, but as we determined, I’m late to the music scene these days.
Either way, I’m all in. I could not keep my eyes off that stage. And no, it was not Chris I was looking at. It was his wife.
“Who is that woman?” I asked my friend, as at that moment, I was still unaware of much about Chris and his music.
A quick google search later, and we discovered it was his wife. And I wasn’t the only one staring at her. Chris was too, for practically the entire performance. This is apparently his thing. There was an article all about it too. Needless to say, I’ve fallen head over heels for this duo. I am devouring his music and Chris might be making a showing in my album discovery. Just wait.
Speaking of Devouring…
Soup season continues and this lentil soup was fantastic. I used green split peas in place of the lentils and yellow split peas and sweet potatoes in place of the squash, as that was what my kitchen had at the time, and it was still fantastic. It made a giant batch that we were able to eat leftovers and save in the freezer.
For date night we made this Corn Polenta and Spicy Shrimp and both agreed it was just as tasty with a tiny percentage of the work as risotto.
I’ve been snacking on this grain free and sugar free granola from Seven Sundays. I found it at Costco but you can also find it at Target, I think. They are a local company for us, so it might not be available everywhere. Worth it though if you love granola but want to cut out the sugar. I still can’t believe it was grain and sugar free.
My water intake is crap, but the dry winters are begging me for hydration. I finally succumb to the Nuun trap and I might not go back. I use half as much as it says and still love the difference it makes to the taste of my water. ALSO when I was recovering from my booster shot I really wanted something warm so I heated up some nuun dissolved water in a mug and it was FANTASTIC! Hot Tip! Literally.
Speaking of Tasty Drinks…
Have you purchased your Christmas Wassail yet? It was one of my favorite things to have around the house last holiday season. It makes a great Christmas Mule, but also tasty warmed with spirit of choice. I even throw a splash in hot tea or sparkling water if I want just a little bit of flavor but less sugar. This last option is great for kids too who want a fun drink at Christmas.
Also, I am making my Grenadine for the holiday and winter season. It makes a great gift, and so do the rest of these cocktail items in this post.
Speaking of Gifts…
Gift guides are a favorite creative endeavor I have so much fun with every year. My first Gift Guide is already up and it includes A Giveaway! If you aren’t registered yet, be sure to come to this post by 7 PM CST on December 5 TONIGHT for all the details (PS you are already halfway there if you are signed up for this email!)
Speaking of Christmas…
Christmas content is actually some of my favorite writings over the years and you can find all the posts of Christmas Past in this Christmas Collective.
One post that still feels very relevant is this post on Simple Christmas Intentions for the Weary Soul which includes a link to these remote switches that I still take great joy in every morning year after year.
I’ve already started my Christmas reading material for both me and the kids. Up first for me was the third Dash and Lily book, which I was sadly meh about. But I am now on to We Met in December and it is hitting just the right notes. Mike and I are both enjoying rereading through this advent devotional Watch for the Light. With a collection of great writers like Madeleine L’Engel, Katherine Norris, Annie Dillard, C.S. Lewis, and Dietrich Boenhoffer you can’t go wrong.
As far as the kids, we are already into our Advent Book season with some new ones this year including this one that made me cry and this one that was such a cool Native American adaptation of the Night Before Christmas. Also my kids complained my Christmas books are too cheesy so I threw in this one with underwear and this one with monsters, in hopes that it lightens the mood a bit for them.
Speaking of Books…
I’m on a memoir kick lately and I finished both Lots of Candles, Plenty of Cake by Anna Quindlen and Truth & Beauty by Ann Patchett in very quick succession. Highly recommend both. The first was more light hearted and perfect to gift to your mom (which I might be doing but only if she is not reading this email) and the last broke my heart. Both were just what I needed in the moment.
Speaking of Words you Need…
“See it through. This becomes my launching point—an opportunity to practice hope any time I feel afraid of something the future might hold. When a worst-case scenario enters my mind, I ask myself what I believe to be true about God and make sure I’m firm in the answers.” I remember reading this quote from Kelly Corrigan and it stopping me in my tracks. Molly captured it in a moment gorgeously.
“Can I be grateful for the advent of hope, / newly born?” This poem by Erin isn’t about advent, but it very much is.
“I wonder if, instead of thinking of this month and this desk as something to clear off and finish up, I can try to treat it as the center of things.” I’ve been thinking about these words by Melissa every time I pass the messy piles in my home, and I’m grateful for her shift.
Mike shared this podcast with me, an interview of Kiese Laymon by Tressie McMillan Cottom. He reads part of this long form poem from Vanity Fair, Day 9, and my mind was blown. I was particularly compelled by the conversation regarding revision, not just in writing but in life. It was astounding for anyone to listen to but especially writers.
Speaking of writing…
A few words from me this month:
#deSTRONGber. Are you participating? Join me! It’s fun! I promise! It’s never too late to start!
Speaking of starting something…
It’s no secret I’m an LMM fan. This article was so good I practically read aloud the entire thing to Mike (he loves it when I do that.) We watched Tick, Tick…Boom last night (which is a big deal because I have a strict Christmas content only rule in December. I break rules for LMM.) and I’m still thinking about this exchange which will be our final word today…
Susan: Do you have any ideas?
Johnathon: Only questions.
Susan: That seems like a great place to start.
And also a great place to end. Until next time friends…
