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Y’all. My work involves the community of Uvalde and I was there yesterday. PLEASE DO NOT send donated items! Funds only. I had to give words to local leaders to help them be able to say NO to the burden of donated items. Donating THINGS requires a capacity the community does not have right now. Pray, call your elected officials or donate money/blood. Thank you. That is all.

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Hello to my secret society of kind internet friends! It’s been a staggeringly difficult time. I move S L O W L Y through grief and process things in batches of time (if that makes sense), but I told myself this is the week I take actionable steps, I do the things, write the emails, make the calls. Here’s my additional stream of consciousness takes for Life Right Now:

1. My family attended 2 independent, fundamental, legalistic Baptist churches (definitely to the point of being a cult-like experience) when I was 11-15, and it was by far the most damaging influence on my mom’s parenting EVER. Such an awful experience during those tender, formative years. This report breaks my heart and pisses me off, and my initial reaction was honestly “Of course.” Ugh. I have met so many other women who grew up in a similar situation.

2. I’m in the process of job searching (I am currently employed, thanks be to God, but the company sold off most of its brands so YIKES and the writing is on the wall for the brands I work for) and I just had a killer interview last week that I am desperately hoping and praying will result in a sparkly shiny brand new job! So ts and ps, y’all.

3. We won’t be venturing too far from home this summer (gas prices 😳😩🤬🤮) but I’m actually super pumped about the small trips we have planned locally and can’t wait to check some state parks off our bucket list. Sometimes exploring your own backyard (so to speak) is The Best.

Well, that’ll do. Love and peace to all.

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Hello all. This week has just knocked me out. I grew up Baptist (don't know the exact branch) and that report is sickening.

I've sent my senators (Iowa, Lord be near) emails. I also highly recommend writing letters to voters with Vote Forward. Set up a profile, adopt voters, and write!

Treasures have been rare this week, but I have started exercising again and am actually enjoying myself. Bike riding is therapeutic as well as yoga. My irises are blooming and have a longer bloom time this year. I have also deleted IG for a while and already feel lighter. Will I go back? TBD. Crossword puzzles from the paper have also been grounding and have provided a connection for me and my grandma. I have also been using the Calm app. The morning and afternoon stretches, along with the Panic SOS are relaxing for me.

Be kind to yourselves, y'all! Love, peace, virtual cobblers and cookie cakes for all.

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I just can't with the SBC. The reasoning for Ronnie Floyd, et al was that doing literally anything about sexual abuse would distract from evangelism. Do you know what else will distract from evangelism, RONALD? Mother of pearl.

I've contacted my reps (thanks for your tips on ResistBot), but I have not been able to sit down to write to our governor because where do I even start? Say what you want about Beto O'Rourke, but at least he gives a damn, whereas Greg Abbott very clearly does not. Like, he simply does not care if the people he was elected to govern die, whether from Covid or extreme weather or gunshot wounds.

PSA that signs in public areas about keeping your dog on a leash are there for everyone's safety and if your dog does not have excellent recall they should not be off-leash. I sympathize! My dog's recall is terrible. Therefore she stays on her leash. This message brought to you by the lady who did not have her dog on a leash despite signs at every entrance saying otherwise and me being very nearly caught in the middle of a dogfight. It is an actual miracle no one got hurt. Yes, I did tell her off about it.

Treasures:

- One of the...stereotypes? accusations? frequently lobbed at vets/staff is that all we do is cuddle puppies and kittens all day. This is obviously not true, except now that I have a job where I don't deal with sick animals that often I have to admit that the percentage of my workday spent cuddling cute animals has increased.

- I have an opossum family in my yard. It's very exciting.

- I made this over the weekend, and it was SO good. The associated pesto recipe makes a lot more than is called for, but it was so good that I'll probably just keep making this chicken salad until I use it up. https://thealmondeater.com/sun-dried-tomato-chicken-salad-sandwich/

- https://twitter.com/buitengebieden/status/1529720084373155841?cxt=HHwWgsC9rfuT1LoqAAAA

- Star Trek: Strange New Worlds is here, and it's a delight.

- Notes from the Bob Dylan hole (still here, it's a whole situation): Oh Mercy is an excellent album for these times, IMO. It answers the question - am I the only one who sees how crazy all of this is? No, no you are not. I also started reading his memoir, and while it's not entirely factually correct by the author's own admission, there is, unsurprisingly, some stunning writing. I never write in books and I want to take a highlighter to it (I can't though, it's a library copy). "Folk songs are evasive - the truth about life, and life is more or less a lie, but then again that's exactly the way we want it to be. We wouldn't be comfortable with it any other way." I mean.

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Self care hot tip from an artist: pull out a piece of paper and whatever medium you have (crayons, paints, colored pencils, a crusty pen from the bottom of your purse), and you just go to town with whatever marks you wanna make. Think about what color your feelings would be, what would they look like? Get that down on paper and then be so so kind to yourself ❤️❤️❤️❤️

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May 27, 2022Liked by Erin H Moon

Thanks (as always) for this, Erin! Just deleted socials off my phone for the weekend and currently listening to Harry 💕

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I can’t manage more than the stream of consciousness response in a normal week so this one is especially impossible. Abuse, murder, and pandemics have converged as my 13-year-old brought home Covid as an end of the year prize for our family. We were so close. We tried so hard. 😩 We are missing my nephew’s graduation festivities and my in-laws from the Midwest, who pulled up to our house from their two day trip right as I had gotten out a Covid test. I had to ask them to stay in the car in the rain while I tested her and then came outside to tell them it had been nice to see them perhaps we will see them this summer. Was to be an opportunity for grandma to get a photo with all her grandchildren in one spot but no, no, we were plagued. Just as well, I suppose, as we may have ended up in a fistfight with other family and attendees over differences in how to address the abuse and murder. 😑 It is not lost on me that the only ones of us who have avoided and masked and generally made a big deal to avoid Covid are the ones missing this party because of Covid and I am right salty about it. So these treasures are welcome.

1) I’ve never had the type of family photos I wished I had but I hate any photo with myself in it so I guess that’s not fair. I hope these turn out incredibly for you, Erin!

2)I do not remember ever having a Mexican pizza. I was always a nachos bel grande person when I made a run for the border. Well, and also pintos and cheese extra sauce will cure a hangover one way or another so keep that in your pocket for emergency use.

3) Diet Dr. Piper cracks me up and I couldn’t name a single think John Piper has said but I could name a dozen millenials who invoke him in every testimony.

4)laughed way too hard at Emeril Steaks. Anybody else start singing “Hot Patootie, Bless my soul! Etc etc” from RHPS? Just me? Ok.

5) someone made a pancake drawing of Meg and had scallions in it and called it Meghan Thee Scallion. What Bible tale is she in leave your answer in the box below. 😂

6) that description of Skete and Hillary is so accurate I am done

My one actual treasure is that before she brought Covid into the house, 13-yo dropped that she was watching something called “Good Omens” and was cosplaying as something called Crowley. I am pleased to report that Good Omens is the best show I’ve seen this year and that I am wildly looking forward to season 2 and David Tenant as a demon with a heart of gold and love for Queen is now my sexuality.

Thank you for coming to my stream of consciousness sharing.

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May 27, 2022Liked by Erin H Moon

Hello all. I will re-introduce myself. I’m Riley. I’m 18. I like to call myself the Lil’est Swipe. I used to comment all the time, but life got weird and I’ve been gone for a while. V happy to be back to my community of weird and lovely internet aunties. Here’s my thoughts:

🏫 I am so sad. So angry. I have so many feelings and I feel really trapped bc I live in a house that is so against gun reform. Something has to be done. Thank you for giving me space to feel the feelings.

🏳️‍🌈 My little sibling came out to me this week! Non-binary, biromantic, and asexual. Lots and lots to process. Our parents are VERY homophobic. It’s a heartbreaking situation. If you’re the praying type, we could use it.

🎉 I move to college in 90 days!! Started the first closet clean out! It’s so thrilling!! I graduate in 10 days. I finished school a week ago. It’s so thrilling!!

☀️ I’ll be a camp counselor for our local board of disabilities this summer! I’m so psyched!!

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Love you all, thankful for this community always but especially when the days are hard.

The Diet Dr. Piper tweet had me rolling! I've been escaping in the new Sonali Dev novel The Emma Project, listening to Secret Life of Addie LaRue and eating lots of ice cream this week. Small joys.

I hope everyone is able to find some ways to rest and care for yourself over the weekend. ❤

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I am overwhelmed by two giant work deadlines and house projects and an injured dog, so I have barely had time to feel my feelings over the last 2 weeks. I can't burst into tears in meetings or rage at anyone. I have to be sweet and reasonable. I work 10-12 hour days. Take care of dogs. Order contact paper. Pay the painter. I play solitaire instead of candy crush, and I read. I couldn't even go to book club last night. Just thinking about being on a zoom with kind people... I would have just lost it. So I thought of you all, but went on a walk with the dogs. Lord have mercy. In 2 weeks I should be able to move into my house. Then I can have a full on breakdown. (Or maybe a mini spiral). You all are the treasure. And Trader Joe's frozen food. Amen

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We had a bout of a gnarly stomach bug in our family this week, so that combined with all the heavy news, I am feeling empty physically, emotionally, mentally, and spiritually. I think I am going to delete my socials for the weekend and rest my head.

I did write to my senators for the first time ever, and it felt good and overdue.

A quick list of flickers of light from the week:

🌸 peonies in bloom

👶🏼 crawling babies

👨‍⚕️5 year old showing some mad nursing skills while mom and brothers were sick

🧼 FIL who showed up to bleach all the things while I was sick

🤢 husband who dealt with the sick kids when I was sick, too

📖 cheesy romance books to escape for a bit

🥰 snuggles with my 9 year old 😭 which also made me sob.

Okay, all, take care of yourselves with gentleness and kindness this weekend. ❤️

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I deleted my twitter account for mental health reasons so Erin YOU are doing the work of the Lord by sharing the good ones here.

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Thank you for writing today, Erin! Haven't commented in a few weeks but I really do always look forward to this space on Fridays. Intertwined turds and treasures:

- I used Jamie's script to call my senators - I live in Arkansas so it kinda felt like shouting into the void, but I'm proud of myself for looking up bills and doing a thing instead of continuing down the Twitter rabbit hole. My mom is a kindergarten teacher...I'm just really glad school is out now for her.

- I'm doing some more fun work things these days! I'm in a coaching role at the moment where I get to troubleshoot + hype up some people I'm supervising, and it feels like a sweet spot for my strengths.

- My two best friends (a married couple) moved away last week. Big sad. But on our last night together, we had dinner and then watched the AUA and laughed a lot. It was a real gift! Also I asked a question for the first time and the crew answered it, so that was v exciting.

Hoping you all find a moment of light and hope this weekend...even if just a moment. <3

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May 27, 2022Liked by Erin H Moon

Hey friends, coming in to say if you’re staying in the sad and angry Paul Zach’s new sad church song album (literally released last Friday, what amazing and terrible timing) Sorrow’s Got a Hold on Me is a beautiful balm for your soul. It’s been a great comfort for me this week to be able to lament through this moving album.

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wishing life was easier and more fun every day.

I leave to go camping tomorrow. I had an IUD inserted yesterday. None of this will be fun.

struggling to find the treasures these days. there just seem to be so few.

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May 27, 2022Liked by Erin H Moon

What a week, man. I have an extended family member that lives in Uvalde and posted the report of a shooter pretty early on Tuesday... and down the rabbit hole I went. I am really trying to distance myself from reading more - I find I can become obsessive in times like this and more news is not really helping.

I have a first grader that told me Monday that they practiced active shooter drills and how scary it was. I just... can’t. I can’t see why we keep beating our heads against the wall asking “why does this keep happening?” when we know why. I’ve contacted both of my Texas senators (who are attending the NRA convention here in Houston today 🙄) using Jamie’s script and will continue to do so. Also reading Taylor Schumann’s “When Thoughts and Prayers Aren’t Enough” which I’ve heard great things about.

We’re seeing Top Gun tonight and I am welcoming the distraction of shirtless men and fighter jets!

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