Mel, thank *you* for the blessing of your comment -- I'm so glad to hear you enjoyed being able to read all the posts in one place. Since Dandelion Seeds is still so new, it's been a lot of fun figuring out what our publishing rhythms will be and hearing what resonates with people, and know that I'm definitely excited to keep sharing the full version of each illustrated essay once all the installments have gone out. Thank you again :)
Thank you for your simple and heartfelt journey home, which brought me back to my own home. I am quietly contemplating my life and the meaning of home as I reach for my journal and colored pencils in the early morning light.
Dear Sheila, thank you so much for taking the time to read and say hello this weekend. I was especially moved by what you wrote here: "I am quietly contemplating my life and the meaning of home as I reach for my journal and colored pencils in the early morning light." That sounds like such a beautiful and grounding way to begin your day, and I'm honored that Dandelion Seeds was a part of your morning rituals as well 🤍
Dear Candace, I too love teas just like you. For me, the teas I have collected from the countries I have travelled to are the repository of my memories. I have a small cabinet just for them. They are like friends to me. I take out a tea bag put it into a cup and pour boiling water over it, add honey or brown sugar and my place of happiness and peace start with the aroma emerging from it.
Lakshmi, thank you so much for such a lovely comment -- it's wodnerful to connect with a fellow tea lover! I especially loved hearing about your cabinet full of teas that you've collected from around the world, and I completely relate to each tea feeling like a friend, each one holding its own unique memories and stories for you. Thank you again for taking the time to say hello, and I look forward to sharing more stories with you soon 🤍
Chevanne, I can't thank you enough for your kind words, it's such an honor to hear that this story resonated with you. And whenever someone mentions my handwriting, I always love sharing that my dad was a trained artist who specialized in commercial lettering (and designed and hand-lettered newspaper ads in a world before computers!), so I'm very grateful to have inherited his love for lettering :)
Mike, this comment means the world to me (this pretty much sums up my face right now: 😭). If it weren't for you, it never would have occurred to me to bring Dandelion Seeds and illustrated essays together, and for that, I will always be grateful. Sending the biggest of thanks and a lovely cuppa your way this morning!
Thank you so much, Taegan! I'm thrilled that you found your way here via Substack Reads -- it was such an honor and surprise to be featured there this weekend. I so appreciate you taking the time to say hello, and I look forward to sharing more stories with you soon.
Quite beautiful , loved your illustrations and the text: I’m from Sri Lanka which has its own intense tea culture. I really love Masala chai, it appeals to my spice laden taste buds. The real deal, as you said , about coming home, is a state of mind. So glad you found Jorge and Uruguay, and that tea chest: a return, coming back full circle.
Thank you so much for your comment, Prasanna -- it's wonderful to hear from you and to connect with a fellow chai lover :) What you shared here especially resonates with me: "The real deal about coming home, is a state of mind." I couldn't agree more, and I look forward to sharing more stories with you soon.
Thank you so much for your comment and kind words, Liz -- and thank you especially for the tip about Greek mountain tea! I'd never come across it before, but I just looked it up and loved reading about it. I definitely can't wait to try some the next time I'm in Greece :)
Thank you so much for your kind words, Marisa, and I'm so glad you loved the tea chest! I'll always be grateful for the way it helped me make sense of all the homes I've found in the world, and I love that it resonated with you too 🤍
What a delightful memoir! How fitting that I got to the end with a big mug of Russian Caravan -- my go-to after years of Lapsang Souchong -- the morning after returning from a tour of the UK (a nation with its own thoughts on tea). Thank you for this introduction. I look forward to getting to know you better through your words and watercolors.
Thank you so much for your wonderful comment, Michael -- and I especially love that you read this with a cup of tea in hand :) A couple of years ago, I wrote a little book on tea and loved learning how Russian Caravan tea came about (as well as the origin story of Lapsang Souchong, they both have such fascinating histories...). Thank you again, and I look forward to sharing more stories with you soon!
I’m dying for a cup of tea after reading this and also lonesome for my mother an avid fan of Lipton. But just the thought of her makes me feel at home. And you inspired me to continue writing. Thanks to Dreamwakers, who led you to me.
Ahh thank you for sharing that, Jen -- it's so moving to hear that this made you think of your mom, and I hope you'll have a cup of tea in her honor today 🤍 Sending love!
My eyes are misty. I loved that you posted all the stories together. Reading this post is a blessing on a Palm Sunday evening. Thank you.
Mel, thank *you* for the blessing of your comment -- I'm so glad to hear you enjoyed being able to read all the posts in one place. Since Dandelion Seeds is still so new, it's been a lot of fun figuring out what our publishing rhythms will be and hearing what resonates with people, and know that I'm definitely excited to keep sharing the full version of each illustrated essay once all the installments have gone out. Thank you again :)
Loved reading your story. Beautifully presented with great sketches - thanks for sharing!
Thank you so much for reading and saying hello, Val -- I'm so happy to hear you enjoyed this story!
Thank you for your simple and heartfelt journey home, which brought me back to my own home. I am quietly contemplating my life and the meaning of home as I reach for my journal and colored pencils in the early morning light.
Dear Sheila, thank you so much for taking the time to read and say hello this weekend. I was especially moved by what you wrote here: "I am quietly contemplating my life and the meaning of home as I reach for my journal and colored pencils in the early morning light." That sounds like such a beautiful and grounding way to begin your day, and I'm honored that Dandelion Seeds was a part of your morning rituals as well 🤍
Dear Candace, I too love teas just like you. For me, the teas I have collected from the countries I have travelled to are the repository of my memories. I have a small cabinet just for them. They are like friends to me. I take out a tea bag put it into a cup and pour boiling water over it, add honey or brown sugar and my place of happiness and peace start with the aroma emerging from it.
Lakshmi, thank you so much for such a lovely comment -- it's wodnerful to connect with a fellow tea lover! I especially loved hearing about your cabinet full of teas that you've collected from around the world, and I completely relate to each tea feeling like a friend, each one holding its own unique memories and stories for you. Thank you again for taking the time to say hello, and I look forward to sharing more stories with you soon 🤍
I’m blown away by your work. The illustrations and even your handwriting are gorgeous.
Chevanne, I can't thank you enough for your kind words, it's such an honor to hear that this story resonated with you. And whenever someone mentions my handwriting, I always love sharing that my dad was a trained artist who specialized in commercial lettering (and designed and hand-lettered newspaper ads in a world before computers!), so I'm very grateful to have inherited his love for lettering :)
Bless him, his work echoes through time.
The entire thing is that rarest of things: Something New. I am so, so glad you're doing these. You're so good at this.
Mike, this comment means the world to me (this pretty much sums up my face right now: 😭). If it weren't for you, it never would have occurred to me to bring Dandelion Seeds and illustrated essays together, and for that, I will always be grateful. Sending the biggest of thanks and a lovely cuppa your way this morning!
Candice! This is incredible. Found you through the Substack Feature and really enjoyed this unique approach to memoir
Thank you so much, Taegan! I'm thrilled that you found your way here via Substack Reads -- it was such an honor and surprise to be featured there this weekend. I so appreciate you taking the time to say hello, and I look forward to sharing more stories with you soon.
Just lovely— thank you! Delighted that I’ve “discovered” you …and you reminded me of my canister of mate’! Enjoying now. Slante’ 😉
Thank you for your kind words, Suzanne! I'm so happy to hear you enjoyed this, especially with some mate in hand :)
Beautiful!
Thank you, Diana!!
Quite beautiful , loved your illustrations and the text: I’m from Sri Lanka which has its own intense tea culture. I really love Masala chai, it appeals to my spice laden taste buds. The real deal, as you said , about coming home, is a state of mind. So glad you found Jorge and Uruguay, and that tea chest: a return, coming back full circle.
Thank you so much for your comment, Prasanna -- it's wonderful to hear from you and to connect with a fellow chai lover :) What you shared here especially resonates with me: "The real deal about coming home, is a state of mind." I couldn't agree more, and I look forward to sharing more stories with you soon.
A beautiful story, beautifully illustrated! Perhaps you'll go to Greece one day and discover Mountain Tea!
Thank you so much for your comment and kind words, Liz -- and thank you especially for the tip about Greek mountain tea! I'd never come across it before, but I just looked it up and loved reading about it. I definitely can't wait to try some the next time I'm in Greece :)
I remember when you first posted these -- and I loved re-walking the memories with you. And the tea chest! How lovely and fitting <3
Thank you so much for your kind words, Marisa, and I'm so glad you loved the tea chest! I'll always be grateful for the way it helped me make sense of all the homes I've found in the world, and I love that it resonated with you too 🤍
What a delightful memoir! How fitting that I got to the end with a big mug of Russian Caravan -- my go-to after years of Lapsang Souchong -- the morning after returning from a tour of the UK (a nation with its own thoughts on tea). Thank you for this introduction. I look forward to getting to know you better through your words and watercolors.
Thank you so much for your wonderful comment, Michael -- and I especially love that you read this with a cup of tea in hand :) A couple of years ago, I wrote a little book on tea and loved learning how Russian Caravan tea came about (as well as the origin story of Lapsang Souchong, they both have such fascinating histories...). Thank you again, and I look forward to sharing more stories with you soon!
I’m dying for a cup of tea after reading this and also lonesome for my mother an avid fan of Lipton. But just the thought of her makes me feel at home. And you inspired me to continue writing. Thanks to Dreamwakers, who led you to me.
Ahh thank you for sharing that, Jen -- it's so moving to hear that this made you think of your mom, and I hope you'll have a cup of tea in her honor today 🤍 Sending love!
I was also inspired to have a tea party with my grandkids. They said it was the best tea party they ever had.
Love this so much! As a fellow chai lover and big fan of personal essays, this warmed my heart. Keep going x
Thank you so much for your kind words! I'm so happy you enjoyed this, and it's always wonderful to connect with a fellow chai lover :) ☕🙏
Your story with it’s beautiful illustrations went straight to my heart. Thank you for this perfect jewel.
Thank you so very much for your kind words -- please know how much they mean, and how glad I am that this resonated with you!