Dear family, friends, and Internet strangers,
Back in December, I wrote,
For 2024, I’m giving myself the option to be less strict about when the posts go out, or whether. This year I wrote some great pieces, but during months where I didn’t have as much to say, I still felt the need to send something.
Sometimes a roundup of other people’s writing, art, etc. is exactly the thing to send out, but other months, I might want a break (if I’m traveling, sick, or otherwise busy).
Well, I’ve now hit the point where I want a break. I spent hours trying to write a normal letter for this month, and it kept turning into a rant, which isn’t the flavor I’m aiming for here. I lack the time and attention to turn it into a proper letter for August. I don’t have a pile of links to share in roundup format, and frankly, I think I need to spend next month’s letter-writing time on my neglected novel.
We’ve also begun a long-desired bathroom renovation. We hired a good contractor—it’s nothing like the overwhelm of DIY—but it still involves oversight and decisions. I spent hours last week trying to finalize certain design details. (I believe the way I make big decisions, trying to consider every detail and every angle, is exhausting to everyone involved. I tend to like the results of those decisions, though, so I expect to keep it up.)
I also started an unrelated project that I didn’t finish when I had hoped to, which has taken over my office and which I now have to deal with, somehow.
Also, also, also…
All that to say, I have little to say this month and I do not plan to send a letter for September.
If you find yourself disappointed, thanks for enjoying these enough to miss them! I suggest checking out the archive of Letters from Rae Botsford End and finding a letter you haven’t read before, or a letter you remember enjoying in the past:
https://raebotsfordend.substack.com/archive
If you’re relieved by this news because your summer has been similarly busy, and you have a backlog of unread emails, you’re welcome.
That’s it for this August AND September. Thanks for reading, and I truly intend to have something interesting, useful, or beautiful to share in October.
To truth, love, and adventure,
Rae
These Letters are 100% organic human writing—no AI involved.
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Disclaimer: All the views I express within this publication and on social media are my own, and do not necessarily match the views of any person or institution associated with me.