Take Note .01

Here's what's calming my nervous system, making me laugh, fueling my mornings!

May 16, 2026

Hello Observers,

Happy Saturday

Is your May crazy? We moved one kiddo home from college last week, and next week is finals for my two high schoolers. I’m not complaining—two years ago we had two graduations and phew, that was tricky. I know many of you are navigating such tricky and tiring schedules right now. Peace. Peace.

I’m starting a regular column called:

It’s a variation from my past blog life (Fave Fridays), email newsletters, and columns that I couldn’t get quite right here on Substack. Essentially its a round-up of anything I’m (la la) loving and find noteworthy to recommend. It’s really how I began blogging way back in the early 2000’s. I loved to write and share anything and everything that I found interesting, lovely, insightful, encouraging, beautiful, etc. And while I’ve known it to be (always) true, albeit the internet gurus had me self-doubting for decades, I cannot be niched. I find too many things interesting, and my guess is you do too. So these TAKE NOTE POSTS are simply friends—you and me—sitting down for a chat over coffee (but likely tea for me) and dishing about what we are loving, learning, and finding helpful or inspirational at the moment: books, shows/movies, design/art, fashion, hacks, health, interesting articles or reads, movies, inspiration, beauty, faith/encouragement, travel, etc. etc.

I encourage you to download the Substack App for optimal reading and interaction. Check out my notes section for my quick updates, inspiration, and thoughts from other writers you’d enjoy. The app is the best way to connect. You’ll la la love it!

Available for iOS and Android

I’m going to start by running the TAKE NOTE COLUMN twice a month on Fridays (I know today is Saturday. Tsk. Tsk. However, most days this stage of motherhood feel like a big reaction and last-minute schedule shifts. Anyone else feel this?), and we’ll see how it goes. Please leave me a comment and let me know what you think!

The Other Bennet Sister

I love a good show. I mean love! After all, it’s a story with visuals. The Other Bennet Sister is a fresh take on a most beloved story—Pride and Prejudice—which is, of course, risky. It can go extremely wrong (which is usually the case) or help you to see a familiar story from an entirely different vantage. And that’s just what The Other Bennet Sister does. It takes Elisabeth Bennett’s sister, Mary, the one who gets very little screen time (in the 2005 edition), and shows us her life and place in the family. I thought about waiting to recommend this one because I haven’t finished it. It’s one of the rare shows that release an episode only once a week. How very 1900’s of them. And to be honest, I love that! It gives one the chance to savor each episode, let their mind consider and contemplate, and then (here’s a novel idea) wait with anticipation. Great actors, fabulous art direction, humorous and heartfelt. Watching a corner character become the lead in their life—well, it’s quite inspiring and something I’ve been thinking a lot about in my own life (further thoughts on this forthcoming).

P.S. I would really like to know what your favorite adaptation of P&P is. Please do not unfollow, upon this admission, . . . I have never watched the 1995 Colin Firth adaptation. Gasp. I love Colin Firth (understatement), and 1995 was a great year! I must write this, I know. The 2005 Keira Knightley version is like a room in my mind. The soundtrack is one of the soundtracks of my life. I can already tell you, I will most likely refuse to watch the upcoming Netflix (eyeroll) adaptation. Yes, I know Olivia Coleman. I’ll keep her as Queen Elizabeth, thank you.

Ella’s Chia Seed Pudding (not my Ella, this one)

Image: Learning to Live Well with Ella Mills

I have long been a fan of Delicously Ella, her recipes, and her views on “wellness.” And now that she is on Substack (Ella Mills), it’s clear I seem to track with her personality. Have you ever made chia seed pudding? I like it because it’s an easy grab-and-go breakfast. I had a rendition that was working, but I’ve decided to try Ella’s recipe, and I like this variation better. Also, I like how Ella does a smaller scoop and then has her add-ins (as shown below). In making her version, I was able to have three days’ worth, and instead of using separate jars, I just used one container and scooped out what I needed (this felt much easier to whip up before bed). Here recipe can be found here. Note: 150 ml of plant milk =

Sketching

My talent for drawing remains at a 4th or 5th-grade level. Art was never my strong suit. I cannot draw, paint, or sculpt, or make something out of nothing (except for with words), but I also very much believe art is subjective, and I can do it, and so can anyone who wants to. And while I don’t possess the God-given talent of a Monet or my friend Jeanne Oliver, I’m finding as of late that my pen can tell of a moment not only with words, but with little sketches. The medium of ink and paper is in my veins—one of the few certainties of my life—but perhaps my mind is looking for a novel way of capturing observations. My journals, after four decades, are looking a little different.

What I have come to realize is that sketching has done two things for me. Firstly, it requires a presence that even writing does not offer (my mind is present, past, and future when I write. It is emotional, intuitive, and cerebral). In many ways, it turns off my mind, which in turn calms my nervous system. It’s wonderful.

Many times, I attempt to sketch what I see (this may take me down to a 1st grade level-haha), and other times, I gather ideas on Pinterest and save them to try.

I’ve saved a bunch of sketching ideas on Pinterest if you’re interested.

Not being on social media (still)

Have I said this enough yet? Ok, I confess, the other night I had a relapse. For some reason, I had to check something on Facebook. I hate Facebook. I’ve avoided that platform, for the most part, for years. It’s not the place I ever liked to scroll. But I ended up on there. I had had a difficult day, and before I knew it, I was scrolling for over an hour. Scrolling pictures on a museum site for a small town I used to live in as a kid. Seeing what old friends were up to. Searching for random events in my hometown. What?! I felt awful afterward and surprised…couldn’t sleep well.

I will tell you that I am very surprised to find that I still have no desire to get back on Instagram. I’ve begun asking friends to send me a picture if something important is happening (my bestie’s graduation for a master’s in counseling, for example) or asking them, in person, if I can see a pic (gasp!). The only things I miss (which haven’t seemed to change in the past two months) are connecting with a few online friends (I don’t see elsewhere) and funny reels/memes. I need more laughter, and that was a very easy way to find funny content. I’m all ears if you know of any funny shows. I did get a good fill of laughter last week. I just happened to see Jerry Seinfeld’s name, driving by an event center near my house. I thought he’d be coming soon. Turns out it was that night. We bought tickets 30 minutes before the show and went. And it was just as I expected. It was JERRY! And he was as funny as ever. Maybe just a little more crumudgeon-y.

This book

Speaking of Crumudgeons. I have a soft spot for the older ones. And at that age, you can get away with being ornery, and these types are usually hilarious, observant people. I do enjoy chatting with elderly people in general. They are such characters. And I feel that is lacking greatly today. It feels as if everyone is morphing into the same person, doesn’t it? It’s depressing and disturbing. Of course, there have always been “beauty standards,” trends, and culture, but now it feels like another thing entirely (I’d like to write more on this, too). But, I digress. Last week I plowed through a new book by Sally Hepworth: Mad Mabel. I loved her character: Old. Grumpy. Interesting. And to be noted: never too old to change. It was funny, a little mysterious, heartwarming, and a reminder of how our stories shape us. As with any book, there were a few storylines and elements that I didn’t like or might make me consider a recommendation. But Mabel was a standout character, and it was great entertainment. Another of my favorites about a crazy old lady (might need to reread this one soon).

Shell Nails

I cannot report that I have tried these, but if you have really pretty nails or are the “get your nails done type,” might I recommend shell nails? Fun and pretty for summer days or the grown girl who used to play mermaids in the pool (anyone else throw their mom’s jewelry to the bottom of the deep end for sunken treasure, and tie their feet together with bobby socks to create a tail, or just me?).

Tell me what you are loving this week . . .

Discussion about this post

Ready for more?