Hi! I am here because I loved your house tour on Cup of Jo. I also read your book, which reminded me of the tv show Better Things -- a compliment of the highest order!
I really enjoy "old internet blogging" - slice of life, first person type of work. Nothing that gets you fired or divorced, but just real life stuff.
I'm here because if there is a choice between a regular amount of Catherine Newman in my life or more Catherine Newman in my life, I will always pick more Catherine Newman in my life. xo
SAAAAME. That and there was a mention of perimenopause and I was like GOD SOMEONE PLEASE GUIDE ME THROUGH THIS MESS I'VE BARELY BEGUN. Your writing strikes that tough balance of funny and touching and it's great.
Same... and I love all of your content, particularly cats and indoor fun like puzzles, watercolors (just ordered a set after you shared about them in your newsletter), and board games
I too have followed you from the Ben & Birdy Baby Center blog days. I just love your voice. You are for reals and make me laugh constantly. (I love that headless ostrich!) We are close in age so I’m all about the different stage in life we’re entering into, from hormone issues to complicated relationships with alcohol to gummies to friendship and family relationships (When do you stop stressing about your kids’ future and let them really figure it out?) to tasty recipes. It’s all good.
why i'm here - i've been reading your work since ben & birdy were little ones or maybe even before birdy was born, when i was a panicky new mom myself (did you have an email newsletter in the late 90s/early 00s?). i love your writing, make your chickpea curry recipe at least once a week, and am convinced ben & my son would be fast friends if they met--but i promise i'm not a weird stalker, just that your writing always makes me laugh (when it's not making me tear up). Thanks for the joy and i'm sorry i can't afford to subscribe right now. what i'm looking for? whatever you want to share.
I’d really love to read your not-yet-written post about alcohol. Your writing is kind and funny and insightful; all things I could use right now as I evaluate alcohol’s place in my family’s life.
I discovered you near the end of the Ben & Birdy days and have been following you ever since because you have a great writing voice and I just generally think you are cool. I'm now a reader of your excellent novels. I too am a writer (former journalist now working on a novel) and we are in similar life stages. I like whatever you write but am extra interested in posts about empty nesting/parenting older kids, menopausing/aging, and writing. Also just anything real and honest. Would be very interested in the post about reducing alcohol since this is also on my mind right now.
Hi Catherine, I'm here because Cup of Jo sent me! I'm picking up what you're putting down, as I too have a Clothes Chair at home. I'm here for occasional random recipes and homemade games, slice-of-life kind of stuff! Thanks for having us.
I'm a member of the BabyCenter crowd. My first born is ~1 mo younger than your baby. I'm here for all the things, but especially for the feeling that you are virtually holding my hand through my own early crone days. I'm teetering on the brink of an empty nest, my marriage is shakier than I would like, and my mother is aged and more fragile than I care to admit. Your writing has grace; it has always made me laugh and cry (usually simultaneously) and feel less alone in this world. Whenever you are moved to write, whatever the subject, I want to read it: food, making stuff, games and gifting, cats, all of it, yes thank you.
I’m here because Real Simple just isn’t the same without with your warm wit when giving advice 😫 I die a little more inside every time I read it! I read one of your books and how you licked your children to see if they tasted medically salty and I felt a kindred spirit!
I'm here because of your essay, "Yes, parenting is hard. But it gets better," which is my favorite thing I've ever read about parenting (really!) I particularly love the author's notes at the end. The essay makes me laugh and provides solace in the thick of it (I'm not, anymore--my kids are in the sweet spot of elementary and early middle school, and are becoming more delightful...but I do still want to strangle them sometimes). I also recommended "We All Want Impossible Things" to two people dealing with loved ones having cancer or entering hospice this year ("Want to read something about hospice that'll make you laugh? No, I mean it").
I'm here because I have been following you since I was a teenager, I think I got to you via Luisa Weiss/Wednesday Chef at that time? I'm 33 now. I have a 3 year old boy and a 1 year old girl. I want to be the kind of mama that you are. I have big feelings and the world is really hard sometimes but you have made it more digestible for me. You have also helped me to operate with my heart a bit more often which is an influence I really need. Love your real life stuff and "old internet blogging" referenced below.
I'm also a longstanding groupie from the weekly Babycenter Waiting for Birdy column (2001 or 2002?) that I'd 'dial up internet' to read. We were living parallel lives then (my babies are 22 & 23) & I guess in a way, even though the details are different, we still are. I connect so much with what you write & love your sense of humor. I'd read anything you write!
I’m here because your Ben & Birdy blogs were solace when I was preggers and in the early childhood trenches (Birdy and my kid are almost exactly the same age). I’ve followed you wherever I could find you since, whether recipes, or parenting older kids, or advice columns, or menopause, or books (read We All Want… a few months after my mom died of cancer in hospice care). I love the gift guides too!!!!! Really, anything you want to write about is good by me.
I am here b/c I also found you through your house tour on Cup of Jo and then I read your book which I found deeply amusing and real. So far I have not been disappointed with any of the sandwiches I have been served on your Substack :-) Happy new year!
I'm here because I once got a dream job at Real Simple and the dreamiest part of it was being your editor. I miss it constantly. And now I will follow you truly anywhere because you are the best, and I love your writing and recipes and ideas and smile and self and soul!
Hi! I am here because I loved your house tour on Cup of Jo. I also read your book, which reminded me of the tv show Better Things -- a compliment of the highest order!
I really enjoy "old internet blogging" - slice of life, first person type of work. Nothing that gets you fired or divorced, but just real life stuff.
that is seriously high praise! xo
Yes!! Like more peaceful cozy Better Things vibes!!
I'm here because if there is a choice between a regular amount of Catherine Newman in my life or more Catherine Newman in my life, I will always pick more Catherine Newman in my life. xo
ha ha ha. hi, baby! xo
I am here because Samantha Irby said to subscribe. So I did.
Samantha Irby is the actual best.
SAAAAME. That and there was a mention of perimenopause and I was like GOD SOMEONE PLEASE GUIDE ME THROUGH THIS MESS I'VE BARELY BEGUN. Your writing strikes that tough balance of funny and touching and it's great.
This too.
100% SAME - I do everything Samantha Irby tells me to do
Samesies! Sam told me to, and so far her recs have been solid gold
samantha irby is the ultimate influencer. Same and also I really liked your book.
Same... and I love all of your content, particularly cats and indoor fun like puzzles, watercolors (just ordered a set after you shared about them in your newsletter), and board games
I too have followed you from the Ben & Birdy Baby Center blog days. I just love your voice. You are for reals and make me laugh constantly. (I love that headless ostrich!) We are close in age so I’m all about the different stage in life we’re entering into, from hormone issues to complicated relationships with alcohol to gummies to friendship and family relationships (When do you stop stressing about your kids’ future and let them really figure it out?) to tasty recipes. It’s all good.
why i'm here - i've been reading your work since ben & birdy were little ones or maybe even before birdy was born, when i was a panicky new mom myself (did you have an email newsletter in the late 90s/early 00s?). i love your writing, make your chickpea curry recipe at least once a week, and am convinced ben & my son would be fast friends if they met--but i promise i'm not a weird stalker, just that your writing always makes me laugh (when it's not making me tear up). Thanks for the joy and i'm sorry i can't afford to subscribe right now. what i'm looking for? whatever you want to share.
I’d really love to read your not-yet-written post about alcohol. Your writing is kind and funny and insightful; all things I could use right now as I evaluate alcohol’s place in my family’s life.
I discovered you near the end of the Ben & Birdy days and have been following you ever since because you have a great writing voice and I just generally think you are cool. I'm now a reader of your excellent novels. I too am a writer (former journalist now working on a novel) and we are in similar life stages. I like whatever you write but am extra interested in posts about empty nesting/parenting older kids, menopausing/aging, and writing. Also just anything real and honest. Would be very interested in the post about reducing alcohol since this is also on my mind right now.
Hi Catherine, I'm here because Cup of Jo sent me! I'm picking up what you're putting down, as I too have a Clothes Chair at home. I'm here for occasional random recipes and homemade games, slice-of-life kind of stuff! Thanks for having us.
I'm a member of the BabyCenter crowd. My first born is ~1 mo younger than your baby. I'm here for all the things, but especially for the feeling that you are virtually holding my hand through my own early crone days. I'm teetering on the brink of an empty nest, my marriage is shakier than I would like, and my mother is aged and more fragile than I care to admit. Your writing has grace; it has always made me laugh and cry (usually simultaneously) and feel less alone in this world. Whenever you are moved to write, whatever the subject, I want to read it: food, making stuff, games and gifting, cats, all of it, yes thank you.
P.S. I also really dig the crowd that follows you around the internet. They write clever comments and make me laugh all over again. Lovely people.
I’m here because Real Simple just isn’t the same without with your warm wit when giving advice 😫 I die a little more inside every time I read it! I read one of your books and how you licked your children to see if they tasted medically salty and I felt a kindred spirit!
This made Birdy and me actually lol. xo
I'm here because of your essay, "Yes, parenting is hard. But it gets better," which is my favorite thing I've ever read about parenting (really!) I particularly love the author's notes at the end. The essay makes me laugh and provides solace in the thick of it (I'm not, anymore--my kids are in the sweet spot of elementary and early middle school, and are becoming more delightful...but I do still want to strangle them sometimes). I also recommended "We All Want Impossible Things" to two people dealing with loved ones having cancer or entering hospice this year ("Want to read something about hospice that'll make you laugh? No, I mean it").
Oh, and I got your books, " What Can I Say?" and "How to Be A Person" for the aforementioned middle schooler.
I'm here because I have been following you since I was a teenager, I think I got to you via Luisa Weiss/Wednesday Chef at that time? I'm 33 now. I have a 3 year old boy and a 1 year old girl. I want to be the kind of mama that you are. I have big feelings and the world is really hard sometimes but you have made it more digestible for me. You have also helped me to operate with my heart a bit more often which is an influence I really need. Love your real life stuff and "old internet blogging" referenced below.
I'm also a longstanding groupie from the weekly Babycenter Waiting for Birdy column (2001 or 2002?) that I'd 'dial up internet' to read. We were living parallel lives then (my babies are 22 & 23) & I guess in a way, even though the details are different, we still are. I connect so much with what you write & love your sense of humor. I'd read anything you write!
I’m here because your Ben & Birdy blogs were solace when I was preggers and in the early childhood trenches (Birdy and my kid are almost exactly the same age). I’ve followed you wherever I could find you since, whether recipes, or parenting older kids, or advice columns, or menopause, or books (read We All Want… a few months after my mom died of cancer in hospice care). I love the gift guides too!!!!! Really, anything you want to write about is good by me.
Also I secretly believe we are friends IRL. We do have friends in common at least!
I am here b/c I also found you through your house tour on Cup of Jo and then I read your book which I found deeply amusing and real. So far I have not been disappointed with any of the sandwiches I have been served on your Substack :-) Happy new year!
I'm here because I once got a dream job at Real Simple and the dreamiest part of it was being your editor. I miss it constantly. And now I will follow you truly anywhere because you are the best, and I love your writing and recipes and ideas and smile and self and soul!
Ohhhhh, Anna. I miss it constantly too. But I'm so glad we get to stay connected in different places. xo