This is the Kos newsletter: warm email notes from a friend. Finding the simple joy in parenthood, bodies, spirituality, creativity, and beauty. Sound like your jam? Subscribe below for weekly notes.
We went to the beach for the long weekend. Stayed at an Airbnb where you could smell the ocean and even hear it a little bit. No shoes allowed on the blue carpet and cream leather couches. We ate fish tacos on Highway 1 and brownies by the hot tub. Watched The Sandlot, Casper, and Hotel Transylvania. Played dominoes, survived Monopoly. Talked about going for a walk. And to the beach. Swam in a bright blue pool as fog rolled over; warmed up in a cedar-scented family sauna. Slept in, went to bed late. Regretted not bringing a fan. Why are Airbnbs so stuffy?
After three days, we drove home on winding cliff edges in the pouring rain. The grey Pacific sprawled to my right. We watched the car in front of us hit a deer, swerve, and slam on its brakes on the way there. We swerved to miss the body. I never got that image out of my head and drove painstakingly slow the whole way home. Another deer darted out in front of us—maybe 100 ft this time—and I was able to brake and let it pass. Were they heading down the mountain toward water? Why were there so many deer crossing the highway in October?
We arrived home car sick, too tired, and too hungry. The house was dirty but ours. We threw chicken nuggets in the oven and settled into half-open library books, rogue legos, and leftover home projects. Back home, back home. Despite it all, because of it all, it’s good to be home.
5 Good Things
Say More
Amy Poehler is a fake couples therapist. I breezed through the first four episodes so fast.
Artie Print Shop
This minimal Super Mario, Stardew Valley seeds, and Mini Teeny Tiny Print are so cute.
The Dam Keeper
Graphic novels and short. Watched last night with the boys—beautiful animation with a great message.
Sezane
Just pretty clothes window shopping. That’s all.
Bean Dip
When you know, you know.
Reading n’ Watchin’ Lately
This Must Be the Place by Maggie O’Farrell —5 pages in and already laughed out loud 3x
Still impatiently waiting for Tom’s Lake and Covenant of Water in my Libby app
Golden Bachelor - Sweet, charming, wholesome
Bachelor in Paradise - Love this reality show that makes fun of itself
Love is Blind Season 5 - Hope all these people stay off the internet for 18 months for their mental health
Beckham - Didn’t realize the vast fashion influence David Beckham had on…everywhere he went