Smacksy Sunday Links

Photo Bob Rosenberg, Italy

Farewell Ozzy.

Walking my age.

Her secret to success.

Staying soft.

Results are merely a by-product.

La passeggiata.

99 Summer beach reads.

Ambient cafe noise.

The 5-4-3-2-1 grocery method.

Plug in your zip code to explore local trails.

Growing basil.

Greenland icebergs.

And bears in the pool.

Happy Sunday

Smacksy Sunday Links

Powerful life lessons from things that matter.

Notes from Ms. Morrison.

The power of small actions.

You are looking at life.

In honor of Andrea Gibson.

Pen pals still exist.

Sweden's secret to wellbeing.

This muse.

This salad.

And Monarch butterflies.

Happy Sunday

Smacksy Sunday Links

This is a heartbreaking account of the Texas flood. If you're up for it, he paints a vivid picture. Where the river took us. 

Stop counting sheep.

When you stop explaining yourself.

Embrace deep casual hosting.

Laurie Anderson and Lou Reed's rules for living.

Peace doesn't shout.

How not to get stopped by discouragement.

Some actions to supplement protesting and voting.

Why old books smell so good.

101 meals for summer.

The affogato is always my favorite.

And a hedgehog running to dinner.

Sunday Links

Smacksy Sunday Links

Texas Hill Country flooding - how to give and receive help.

Curation is the new IQ test.

The key to longevity is boring.

This music will change your day.

City guides.

Are you kidding me right now with this house?

Getting rid of sentimental clutter.

All of these desserts.

And more bears and bears.

Happy Sunday

Smacksy Sunday Links

 

Baseball Ted

Your non-negotiables.

Counter intelligence.

He traveled to every country in the world without flying.

I was a guest on the wonderful It's Pronounced Memwah podcast.

I love her.

Pack like a pro.

Mostly painless.

And this baby bun.

Sunday Links. 

Smacksy Sunday Links

 Humans need solitude.

The Spoon Theory.

Things to do while waiting.

That one sentence.

This cottage in Surrey.

And I especially love the bears.

Happy Sunday

A Graduation Letter

 

06-04-2025

Bob, I've written a list of things I think are important to keep in mind as you go forward.

Spend less than you earn.

Kindness.

Eat lots of plants. A burrito is not really a plant.

Save 20% of what you earn in an index fund or ETF, and keep an emergency fund equal to six months income in a high interest savings account and also max out your retirement accounts every year.

When in doubt, lead with love.

Fight fair.

Read more books.

Always take a breath and consider the consequences.

Hold on to a positive outlook, hold it close.

Know how to write a check.

Learn something new - often.

Vote.

Stay away from debt. Own it - don't owe it. 

Your gift is what comes easy to you that is hard for most.

Follow your creative heart. Your art is important. 

Complain less, be grateful for more.

Keep a list of your goals. Update it regularly.

Don't take directions from the lost. Seek out mentors.

Take time away from your phone. 

Celebrate everything, even and especially the small things.

Comparisons are the real devil's workshop.

Don't waste time longing for the future - enjoy the life you have right now. Like, this very moment.

Less stuff = more freedom. In your twenties, if you can fit all of your belongings in a compact car, that's a plus.

Failure is just your first attempt in learning. Mistakes are necessary. 

Have all the feelings. The heart grows in all directions.

Live with integrity.

Be gentle.

Help others.

Stand up for those who need it. You'll know.

Use a budget - written down. Don't ballpark it. 

Sensitivity is a strength. 

Accepting help? Also a strength.

Believe in yourself. (Know that we believe in yourself.)

Take care of your body physically and emotionally and spiritually. 

Feelings are not facts. 

Don't worry about things out of your control.

Go for a walk.

I'm grateful to you for teaching me about deep joy, unconditional love, the infield fly rule, and Emperor Palpatine the phantom menace ruler of the galaxy who manipulated the system of the Star Wars Galactic Republic,.

We are so proud of you and we will always welcome you home.

Love, Mom

Smacksy Sunday Links

Building a meaningful life.

Sly Stone.

Brian Wilson.

Barbara Kingsolver and her garden.

Declutter your kitchen.

The Turkish garbage collector public library.

And this guy and his audiences.

Happy Sunday.

Smacksy Sunday Links

 

Your weirdness is a virtue.

Plan out a summer semester.

Action for Happiness.

Create a more flexible mind.

Love this idea.

Grief travel.

The statue keepers.

The milky way.

And a baby seal.

Happy Sunday.

High School Graduation

 

Bob, I've written a list of things I think are important to keep in mind as you go forward.

Spend less than you earn.

Kindness.

Eat lots of plants. A burrito is not really a plant.

Save 20% of what you earn in an index fund or ETF, and keep an emergency fund equal to six months income in a high interest savings account and also max out your retirement accounts every year.

When in doubt, lead with love.

Fight fair.

Read more books.

Always take a breath and consider the consequences.

Hold on to a positive outlook, hold it close.

Know how to write a check.

Learn something new - often.

Vote.

Stay away from debt. Own it - don't owe it. 

Your gift is what comes easy to you that is hard for most.

Follow your creative heart. Your art is important. 

Complain less, be grateful for more.

Keep a list of your goals. Update it regularly.

Don't take directions from the lost. Seek out mentors.

Take time away from your phone. 

Celebrate everything, even and especially the small things.

Comparisons are the real devil's workshop.

Don't waste time longing for the future - enjoy the life you have right now. Like, this very moment.

Less stuff = more freedom. In your twenties, if you can fit all of your belongings in a compact car, that's a plus.

Failure is just your first attempt in learning. Mistakes are necessary. 

Have all the feelings. The heart grows in all directions.

Live with integrity.

Be gentle.

Help others.

Stand up for those who need it. You'll know.

Use a budget - written down. Don't ballpark it. 

Sensitivity is a strength. 

Accepting help? Also a strength.

Believe in yourself. (Know that we believe in yourself.)

Take care of your body physically and emotionally and spiritually. 

Feelings are not facts. 

Don't worry about things out of your control.

Go for a walk.

I'm grateful to you for teaching me about deep joy, unconditional love, the infield fly rule, and Emperor Palpatine the phantom menace ruler of the galaxy who manipulated the system of the Star Wars Galactic Republic,.

We are so proud of you and we will always welcome you home.

Smacksy Sunday Links

I am trying to tell you something about ghosts.

I think I have nine out of ten of these things stored in my garage.

How the most remote community in America gets its mail.

I'm not doing the best I can.

About greed.

Collage art.

And some sheep.

Happy Sunday. 

Smacksy Sunday Links

 

The contribution journal.

Remove what's holding you back.

How to learn a new skill.

Money resources if you are stressed about finances.

This 1930s dance school in Paris.

What did Hubble see on your birthday?

A practical guide to not eating meat.

And Petunia the baby beaver.

Happy Sunday.

Smacksy Sunday Links

Do you have a third place?

Feeling happier.

Invest in the right order.

Forcing yourself to do everything.

What if Gen-Xers are actually the cool ones?

Start something new.

Movies for a nostalgic European summer.

3 Notebooks.

The 5-4-3-2-1 Packing Method.

And baby javelinas.

Happy Sunday.

Smacksy Sunday Links

How to use a joy list.

Thoughts on the extended mind.

What Thoreau can teach us about living well.

The 9 Rules of Longevity.

Side quests.

What to stream in May.

This house.

Get lost in these gardens.

These paintings.

And this desert rain frog.

Happy Sunday.

Smacksy Sunday Links

 

She asked for feedback on her prom dress.

The pursuit of contentment.

Revitalization of the sacred.

Habits that will make your life happier and lighter.

Be the wave.

99 Books for building your own spirituality.

Quiet your mind. 

Benefits of creativity.

Powerful questions to transform your spending habits forever.

Prioritize yourself.

Popular books of 2025 so far.

Plant nannies.

And a bearded dragon tries on costumes.

Happy Sunday.

Smacksy Sunday Links

 

I don't need my life to be remarkable. (From NYT via Scott Moe's wonderful Second Shift newsletter)

When your cup is empty.

How to live in the present moment.

Rituals for Beltane.

Rules for weeknight dinner happiness.

And Valerie the Dachsund. 

Happy Sunday.

Smacksy Sunday Links

The soul of social life.

Bill Murray says he's not the man he used to be.

The lovely Grandfluencers. 

Therapist tricks to stay calm when things are uncertain.

Things to do at night instead of Netflix.

Fall asleep in two minutes.

This poem.

This artist.

This couple.

A Hampshire cottage garden.

Traditional designs of Ukrainian egg decorating.

And these lambs.

Happy Sunday.

Smacksy Sunday Links

The stories our Amazon carts tell.

To make someone happy, ask for help.

Low energy habits that improved my mental health.

99 Way to opt out of consumerism. 

Meaningful ways to live simply.

Fall back in love with reading.

Compelling reasons for doing nothing.

This Swedish summer house.

And this duck watch.

Happy Sunday.

Smacksy Sunday Links

 

Photo of Teddy, Adam Wilson

What happens to your brain when you retire.

Being a good friend even when you're busy.

Stoop Coffee.

Generative rage.

Ways to focus your attention.

How to curb impulse shopping.

Revisiting a podcast, Americans in Paris.

Small things neurologists wish you would do for your brain.

LA Public Library review cards.

This girl.

You can stay at this Frank Lloyd Wright home.

Purse books.

Plants that will attract hummingbirds.

Smart travel snacks.

And baby Corgis.

Happy Sunday.

Smacksy Sunday Links

The healing power of gardens.

Spring awakening.

The view from an indie bookseller.

Embracing stillness in the in-between moments.

Create a Sunday reset. 

Our friend Grady's new book looks like magic.

What do White Lotus characters' book choices tell us?

How to start a book club. (The one I'm in is a great joy in my life)

The pantry staples you need from Trader Joe's.

Some George Eliot for you.

And these ducklings.

Happy Sunday.

Smacksy Sunday Links

 

The power of the casual check in.

A thousand tiny bridges.

Go where you're invited.

Decluttering a little made a big difference.

6 Movies that will make you want to travel the world.

Let's try the butterfly hug.

Daily habits that will help you simplify your life.

MLB pre-season power rankings.

Chelsea doesn't dress like a White Lotus guest.

Beautiful and of course they have a harp.

A coffee primer.

Yes, please.

And a cat reunion.

Happy Sunday.

Smacksy Sunday Links

 

A starter guide for getting through hard times.

Choose your more carefully.

What is Mercury Retrograde?

Spring cleaning for better mental health.

Why you feel better in the morning.

This looks good.

3 Hygge hacks.

And tiger cubs.

Happy Sunday.

Smacksy Sunday Links

 The seven pillars of emotional maturity.

Follow the recipe exactly.

How I broke up with Amazon.

The quiet joy of doing the dishes.

Selective attention.

The Ukranian Museum gift shop.

Which book should you read next?

The intimate little world of nun boxes.

A list of good recipes from Jenny Rosentrach.

Public work.

And the baby eagles.

Happy Sunday.

Smacksy Sunday Links

A good girl at the vet

Why I still watch awards shows even if they're problematic.

Austin Kleon interviews Ross Gay.

Let's calm down.

Happiness analysis.

Are we losing the ability to write by hand?

I'm obsessed with personal finance.

This prompt generator.

Ways to be more self sufficient.

I could watch this kind of content all day.

These incredible dollhouses.

And who doesn't love The Dogist?

Happy Sunday

Smacksy Sunday Links

Last night a book saved my life.

Embracing earnestness. 

The joy of completion.

They are not alone.

Uncertainty is the only thing that makes life possible.

Heavy things we don't have to carry anymore.

8 Wake up calls.

Try Lemonading.

Robot umps are here.

And a cat who loved delivery people.

Happy Sunday

Smacksy Sunday Links

Demon Copperhead explored addiction - its profits built a recovery house.

Declutter your writing life. 

100 year-old woman has written in her diary every day for 90 years.

Still a good list.

The Louvre and its visitors.

Illustrated love letters.

Starling murmurations.

And baby capybaras taking a bath.

Happy Sunday

Smacksy Sunday Links

Gate A-4.

Have we forgotten how to read?

She lives without money.

Unstructured hang outs are good for you.

The enduring appeal of magnificent trees and fantasy forests.

25 Things you can declutter right away.

A brief compendium of the most excellent walls.

This house in Topanga Canyon.

And penguins weighing in.

Happy Sunday

Smacksy Sunday Links

Photo Bob Rosenberg

A list of immigrant rights.

You don't need to be busy to feel accomplished. 

Farewell  Marianne Faithful.

The joys of being a regular.

Organizing vs Minimizing.

A puzzle - no box, wrong picture.

Family meal.

Speaking old English.

This Japanese housecleaning ritual.

What it feels like to be the mom of a teenager.

Radicchio not roses.

And animal shadows.

Happy Sunday

Smacksy Sunday Links

 The women on the frontlines of the Los Angeles wildfires.

Help Paul and Mary get back on their feet.

About mercy.

James Baldwin and the art of fiction.

Create a mindful relationship with your tech.

Children's books for Altadena book drive.

The lost pleasure of focus.

5 Truths about decluttering.

Dressing like Paul Newman.

The new Goodnight Moon stamps.

One minute park.

A good cat story.

Happy Sunday

Smacksy Sunday Links

David Lynch on the art life.

A list of teachers who need help after the fires.

Living an intentional life.

You'll never get off the dinner treadmill.

When your mind can't let go.

The Scary Hour.

You might just have to be bored.

No Buy 2025

How to reach peak fitness after forty.

Hobbies you can start at home today.

To be more organized, do these five things every day.

2025 Celestial events.

And baby animals.

Happy Sunday

Smacksy Sunday Links

I am sharing just two links today. These are gofundme accounts for two of Bob's friends who lost their homes in the Altadena fires. Please give what you can. Thank you Smacksy Friends.

Help Pedro and his family

Help Seb and his family

Smacksy Sunday Links

 Photo Bob Rosenberg

Ways to embrace winter - even if you think you hate it.

Make your everyday life more luxurious.

90 Little pleasures to celebrate this winter.

How to calm your inner critic.

Microhabits for a stress-free start to your day.

This viral test plays with color perception.

Rajiv talks about the importance of details.

The award winning novels of 2024.

99 Books for when you don't know what to read next.

And a baby penguin.

Happy Sunday.