Issue 24: The hands of the legs
Using our feet more effectively, cheering on baby birds, and trying new snacks
Every so often, Ashley will share her expertise as a movement educator in a series we’re calling Movement Snacks. Each video gives you a handful of exercises to counteract some of the ways parenting can challenge your body. Check out previous Movement Snacks on the pelvis and core, upper back, and glutes.
Ashley is enjoying some well-deserved time OOO this week, but before she left on her alpine adventure, she approved us posting a video of her feet on the internet. Take ten minutes and regain your foot dexterity and awareness with her!
What We’re Reading
[Genevieve] - I’ve recommended The Rot before, but this recent post “You Can Compost That?!” feels particularly well-timed, as spring brings our gardens top of mind again. Teaser: three of the items on the list come from your own body. [Ed. note: if you’re not as adept at composting as G, the compost nuts at Bootstrap will help you out with their door-to-door service!]
[Maddie] - I’m head-over-heels for this book a few chapters in, but ever since I made a premature comment about a Graham Greene novel in a lit class, I’m hesitant to give a whole-hearted recommendation this early.1 So in the meantime, I’m forwarding this essay to every parent I know. Sorting and managing children’s clothes is unending, thankless, and weirdly emotional, and Samantha Darby captures that feeling so well. (And if you’re in a similar spot, our clothing swap on 4/13 can hopefully alleviate some of that burden!)
We’re missing Ashley today, and we’re hoping to get your reads in the comments! What are you enjoying?
Our Picks
[Genevieve] - The Big Bear Bald Eagle (Babies!) Live Nest Cam from Friends of Big Bear Valley (FOBBV). FOBBV hosts chats on the livestream YouTube page to answer questions about the eagles. Keep the volume on for the most glorious San Bernardino Mountains white noise machine you’ll ever experience, or turn it off while you work in a separate window to have the eagle babies to visit during your day (CMD-TAB Club).
[Maddie] - You could say I’m a grocery shopping hobbyist (thank you to the friends who waited patiently for me in every yogurt aisle in Iceland). I especially appreciate the novelty of a new-to-me snack, and Martie has been a helpful alternative for discovery when I can’t make it to one of my favorite stores.2 Martie consolidates brands’ surplus inventory and sells it at a significant discount, so I can give coconut bacon, guava crackers, or yuzu sparkling water a try while reducing food waste.
Same as with our reads, we’re curious about what’s making life better for you these days. Let us know in the comments and Ashley will be back next week.
Working Together
This Saturday, April 5th, is a nationwide day of action - you can find your nearest anti-billionaire-in-politics protest here. We especially love this Reddit thread for advice on attending a protest with kids and other ways to make an impact if rallies aren’t your particular form of activism.
In the Neighborhood
We live in the Mid-Hudson Valley and we’re keeping tabs on these (mostly family-friendly) events near us. If there’s another event you’d like us to share, please send it our way!
Daily Until Sunday, April 13 - Hudson Valley Restaurant Week, Various
Mondays - Wiggles and Words (for 0-6 months) at the Red Hook Library, Red Hook
Mondays - Songs & Stories at Ulster Public Library, Ulster
Mondays and Fridays - Tunes and Tales at the Red Hook Library, Red Hook
Wednesdays - Runs with Return Run Club, Hudson
Thursdays - Music & Movement Storytime at the Hudson Area Library, Hudson
Fridays - Preschool Story Time at Ulster Public Library, Ulster
Saturdays until late April - Hudson Indoor Winter Market, Hudson
Saturdays until June - Children’s Workshops (5+) at Art Omi, Ghent
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Thursday, April 3 - Educator Appreciation Night at Oblong Books, Rhinebeck
Friday, April 4 - Nikki Chasin, Intentionally Blank, Shaina Mote, and Loup NYC Warehouse Sale, Hudson
Friday, April 4 - First Friday, Catskill
Friday, April 4 - Noodle Soup Pop-Up at Left Bank Ciders, Catskill
Saturday, April 5 - Hands Off Mass Mobilization, multiple locations including Kingston and Albany
Saturday, April 5 - Chili Bowl Fest Fundraiser, Rosendale
Saturday, April 5 - Wiggle & Groove at Yogamat, Tivoli
Saturday, April 5 - New Parents Gallery Tour at The Clark, Williamstown
Saturday, April 5 - Patchwork tulip pop-up at Left Bank Cider, Catskill
Saturday, April 5 - Queer Honky Tonk at Unicorn Bar, Kingston ^
Saturday, April 5 - Yogapalooza at Assembly, Kingston
Saturday, April 5 - Sueños Pop-Up at Sunshine Colony, Livingston Manor
Saturday, April 5 - Sunday April 6 - Easter Baskets at Via Ravioli, Coxsackie
Sunday April 6 - Art Omi: Writers Reading, Hudson ^
Sunday April 6 - Kids’ Story Hour with Jason Vance, Kingston
Starting the week of April 6 - Catskill Mountain Music Together music classes, multiple locations *
Wednesday, April 9 - Feria de Abril at Isola Wine Bar, Kinderhook * ^
Saturday, April 12 - Lava Yoga in the Return Taproom, Hudson
Saturday, April 12 - Clothing Swap and Stitch at Maison Après, Kingston
Saturday, April 12 - Spring Egg Hunt at Forsyth Park, Kingston
Saturday, April 12 and Sunday, April 13 - Quinnie's Passover Seder, Hudson
Sunday, April 13 - 🌼 Spring Swap with The Soft Spot and The Spark of Hudson 🌼, Hudson
Sunday, April 13 - Earth Fest at The Ashokan Center, Olivebridge
Friday, April 18 - Spring Botanical Imprints workshop at Rose Hill Farm, Red Hook
Saturday, April 19 - Hop ‘Til We Drop Egg Hunt Party, Great Barrington
Sunday, April 20 - Egg Hunt at Stissing House, Pine Plains
Sunday, April 20 - Spring Egg Hunt at Rose Hill Farm, Red Hook
Thursday, April 24 - Saturday, April 26 - Ever After Consignment Sale, Chatham
Saturday, April 26 - Blossom & Bloom - UHPP benefit dinner at Foreland, Catskill * ^
Saturday, April 26 - Independent Bookstore Day celebration at Oblong Books, Rhinebeck and Millerton
Saturday, April 26 - Ash Bark Basket Making Workshop, Hudson ^
Saturday, April 26 - Dutchess County Libraries Science Fair, Hopewell Junction
Sunday, April 27 - Psychedelics in Perspective at Spark of Hudson, Hudson
Starting May 7 - Baby/Toddler & Me Yoga Series with A Tree Told Me, Chatham *
Friday, May 9 - Butterfly Mug workshop at Rose Hill Farm, Red Hook
Thursday, May 22 - Community Clean-Up with Greater Hudson Promise Neighborhood, Hudson
Friday, June 20 - Sunday, June 22 - Mountain Jam Festival, Highmount
^ = for adults
* = will likely sell out, so book soon
Who knew the last chapter of The End of the Affair would take a real turn?!
My top 5 worth-a-drive grocery stores: Honest Weight (Albany), Guido’s (Great Barrington), Adams Fairacre (Lake Katrine), Hawthorne Valley Farm Store (Ghent), Sunflower (Woodstock)