Hey there,

In the midst of watching the debates (!!!), keeping up with the news, and doing my best to juggle my work, I come up for air with literal air: meaning, I like to go outside and walk, garden, and be. It restores my sanity. The downside to that this week is that I contracted a killer case of poison ivy rash.

I’ve never had this before, to my knowledge, and if you have I don’t need to tell you what a doozy it is. Apparently, some of us are more sensitive than others 🙋‍♀️, and it’s taken over my week. It started with my arms so swollen I couldn’t bend them, and three prescriptions + three OTCs later, I’m happy to report my arms are at least back to normal size. Still covered with an itchy rash I wouldn’t wish on my worst enemy, but alas, I’ll get through it. Super thankful for modern medicine.

Green hills covered with Riverina Bluebells in Koorawatha, Australia. #

5 Quick Things ☕️

1. This week I’ve shared four things I’ve been learning in 2020 about working well. They’re true all the time, but they feel especially more true right now.

2. “'Reclamation' infers that there is something that needs to be brought back under cultivation. ...Reclamation takes active work. It also implies that we have a right to something that’s always been ours. And we do.”

3. Today on the pod I’m sharing an idea I think is so important it could change our discourse and our communities, both online and off. A small but significant thing.

4. “Using their imagination isn’t just a way for [kids] to pass the time; it’s a spiritual survival strategy. And it might help us survive, too.” I loved this piece.

5. We’re not sure yet what we’ll do for October 31 this year, but here are five alternatives to trick-or-treating if you’re searching for an idea.

Quotable 💬

“The only way we will love our neighbor as ourselves is by getting to know our neighbors, even in the midst of our differences. And the only way to truly know someone is by being with them.”

― Eric Overby #

Time Machine ⏰

Seven years ago I first wrote about the chocolate industry, and it’s still true. Let’s care about this, even in fall 2020.

Elsewhere 📍

Tsh Oxenreider @tsh

Here’s my evening how was yours?

3:33 AM ∙ Sep 27, 2020

Have a good weekend,

xo, Tsh

p.s. Advent Countdown: 59 days! Head here to order Shadow & Light.