2 Year Substack Anniversary!
Celebrating another milestone with you all
Good morning! Happy Friday :) I am writing to you from the Cafe Car on the Amtrak train to Washington, D.C., on my way to meet my mom and Tony for an event this evening at the Lincoln Theatre, celebrating Bread of Angels. I’m looking forward to seeing them and performing, to meeting my internet pal Wes Parker in person for the first time, to seeing Alexi Munoz from Donkeys & Scooters, who was my merch/souvenirs warrior at the Anthem back in November. I’m excited because today is the birthday of one of my dearest friends, William Wildblood, because today is the last new moon of 2025, and I’m especially excited because today is my 2 year anniversary of being on Substack with you all. It’s my own personal milestone anniversary, but really it’s an anniversary for us, and that makes it all the more special to me. <3
On December 19, 2023, I did my first Substack post, having been invited to join after writing an obituary on my mom’s publication for our much beloved Cairo.
In that first launch post, I wrote to you all:
I am looking forward to sharing more, to delving into and expanding more widely on topics and ideas than I’ve been able to on Instagram, and with the added ability to incorporate other mediums, too - and I look forward to learning from you also, to discovering new things together with each new day. I’m thankful to my mom for her suggestion that I start a Substack of my own, and I have a good feeling that I’ll really like being in this new space with you all.
It’s been two years now, and though it’s been completely life enhancing, such an honor and joy to evolve together, I do feel we have barely scratched the surface. There is so much more for us to do and share, and I am REALLY wanting 2026 to be a true turning point. Now that the foundation is laid out and the community is created and thriving, let’s see how much more we can do together!
Here is my post from this day last year, my 1 year anniversary. I love it because it includes beautiful words of encouragement written by some of you, pulled from the private survey I sent out, gathering your addresses for mailing your annual gift. (Again, please add your mailing address if you haven’t already!!! The gifts will be sent out to you soon!! :))
As you can see in this old post, my Substack goals haven’t changed, and are still awaiting my dedication and energy to turn them into reality. It’s energizing to read them now, and I REALLY so much want to do a Substack live or Zoom event with you all to close out 2025 and step boldly into 2026, the year of the fire horse. <3
HAPPY NEW MOON
Here is a nice article about today, the last new moon of 2025.
‘New Moons are always opportunities to start fresh, plant seeds, and set intentions for the future. As the final New Moon of 2025, it is a wonderful opportunity to set intentions for the year ahead and attune to the frequency we want to invite into our lives during 2026 and beyond. The last New Moon of 2025 is an invitation to renovate our beliefs about what is possible for us. As the calendar year comes to a close, we are being asked to take risks on ourselves, speak our truth, and follow the direction that calls us, even if we are scared. The New Moon in the sign of the Centaur is an invitation to dream boldly and trust that the path will reveal itself after we have taken the first steps. This event highlights the importance of following our inner guidance and trusting the whispers of our intuition.’
***This Sunday is also the Winter Solstice, taking place at exactly 10:03am. We will be having our annual event at the Elizabeth Street Garden if you are in NYC and would like to join us. This year in particular is going to be very special, as we’ve been put together an ‘Exquisite Solstice’ collective community poem, joining together the words of almost 80 voices which we will present in the garden, bundled up amongst the twinkle light enshrouded sculptures and trees.***
Paying a special tribute to our friend Lee Penman who said goodbye to his dear best friend Rico last night. We are with you Lee. <3
Rico <3 2011 - 2025
Happy Birthday to dearest William Wildblood - friend, collaborator, Hellion in arms!!!
Thank you all so very much for celebrating this day with me! I know this post is a bit of a hodge-podge scrapbook of memories and ideas. It’s just sort of the way the morning feels today. It was dark sky and torrential pouring rain here this morning on the way to the station, the station was packed with holiday travelers, my train was delayed due to mechanical problems, the cafe car is very bumpy, I’ve already nearly fallen off the stool about 6 times, and yet, I am so happy to be sharing this magical day with you all.
Please let me know in the comments how your day is, how you feel on this new moon, with 2025 coming to a close, and maybe what your favorite part about our time together this year has been. Thank you again so very much for everything. If I was at home I would light a candle in appreciation for you all, but instead I am sipping my coffee as a nod of gratitude, cheers-ing with each of you in mind. Thank you truly with all my heart, for everything.
Much love always.
Jesse <3
Finally getting to this, first of all Jesse, thank you so very much for your tribute to Rico, that would have meant the world to him. As I told you, I was playing Peaceable Kingdom to him as he passed beside me.
Today is a hard day for me. My apartment is his home more than mine. I have decided to leave his cage up as that is his space - though he never once sat inside it (all the perches are on the outside). It shall be a piece of modern art and a statue to his memory. I may even put his pic inside. Does that sound crazy?
Rico died at midnight, leaving space for the new day and the new era to begin. What will it hold? , Who knows? But today and forever, he will hold my heart.
Again, thank you for the tribute. He is smiling on the rainbow bridge.
Happy Anniversary to you, dear Jesse!! 🎉 And to all of us...your lucky subscribers. Thank you for bringing joy and warmth to our days with your interesting posts, enthusiasm and delicate presence. You're a beautiful flower. 🌷🌹🌻🪷🌺 Thank U 🥰