Hello, Fantastic Forest Dweller,
The world has been loud lately. And while I’ve been pretty good at not browsing social media first thing in the morning (thank you, Becca Syme, for that advice), my attention and my energy are still being tugged in too many directions. So I’ve allowed myself more time with things that make me happy.
Here are a few things that helped me this month. Maybe they’ll do the same for you:
🎵 Listen
• FIVE — “Keep On Moving”
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FbWJVult-9M
I can’t sit still when this plays, and it always leaves me smiling.
• Anything by Avi Kaplan
https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLPsPKCQjGabnwAoJATQ4tYxLgwOkcdV8J
Avi’s voice has a wonderfully calming effect. (I’m a sucker for deep bass voices.)
📺 Watch
• Patience
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KvB1QHjVjVI
A detective inspector forms an alliance with a brilliant, self-taught autistic criminologist working in the criminal records department of the City of York police. I binge-watched both series. Wonderful autistic rep.
• Heated Rivalry
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ADi1iextoUM
I haven’t read the books yet, but I absolutely loved it. We so need more of this.
• Maestro
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yI_1bfU32h0
A Dutch competition show where celebrities conduct an orchestra through classical pieces. One singer/musical actor/presenter is such a natural, such a joy to watch, that even the judges seem to forget they’re meant to judge his performances! (The final airs this weekend and I can’t wait.)
📚 Read
• Gregory Ashe — Last Picks (series)
https://www.gregoryashe.com/the-last-picks/
Queer mystery romcom. I supported this on Kickstarter, read a few last year, and then binge-read the rest this month (I’m about to finish the penultimate book). It’s a bit over-the-top, but very funny and lighthearted, despite the more serious moments.
💖 Bonus joy
• SNOW!
I always hope for snow on my birthday (22 December), and while we didn’t get that… we’ve had snow twice this month!!
[Photo: Street in Zutphen, covered in snow]
I guess that’s more than a few…
Happy clicking. And if you’ve got anything that’s making you happy lately, hit reply—I’m hoarding recs like a dragon.
I hope these make your week a little brighter.
Until next week,
Blaine
P.S.: Tech Prince Troubles is now available wide .
If you buy it at my Payhip shop, you get a $2 discount with this coupon: TPT26WIDE
password: forest
You’re receiving this email because you opted in via my website, a giveaway, or the back of one of my books.
Copyright © 2026 Blaine D. Arden - Cayendi Press, All rights reserved.
Read Blaine's Privacy Policy
0 comments