I hurried, extremely tardy and sweating in my pink jumpsuit, across the street and through the entrance of the building where San Francisco Zine Fest was being held. In my arms, a milk crate of children’s books jostled under a plastic rubbermaid container full of printed material, with a vase of dahlias balanced precariously on top. At first, I accidentally went into the wrong elevator, and then later I got locked out on the second floor. When I finally made it to the top floor conference room, pushing the crate along in front of me with my foot, everyone else was already set up and ready to go.
Once the chaotic start was over, I had fun. I debuted two new projects, which are both up on my store and available for sale. I met cool strangers who bought my art and I reciprocated the act. It was a joyful, life affirming experience that made me feel like I am in artistic community with the rest of the cosmopolitan landscape around this coastal landform. I am real, I draw good, people like me.
MY DREAM: New Comics by Nina Berry and MOON SELF: A Sketchbook Zine
Also, it was exhausting. This image of myself as I arrived to the fest last weekend— fashion-forward yet sweaty, pursuing my goals at a slow, gasping crawl— accurately depicts how I feel coming to the end of summer. I keep waiting for the great post-pandemic acceleration of my life to crescendo, but it has not done so yet. Time and art practice and friendships are more full of activities than ever before. Yes! I am so honored to be accepted into the San Francisco Zine Fest. Yes! I would love to host a mending party one weekend and a Sacred Harp singing the next. Yes! I can write that donation request letter for wine, for cheese, for a hotel in Point Reyes. I will join a risograph studio and drive to Berkeley on the weekends. I am making something with all these giant lemons I found on the street.
Dear readers, I am a little frazzled. I am glad to be doing all of these things because I too closely remember the lonely years of the pandemic, and I am also in need of a respite. What if I took a few days to sit down, to slow down, to consult my notes and think deeply about next steps? Or just to distance, to rest?
So, I’m taking a solo retreat. For a few days, I will spend time by myself thinking slow thoughts and doing some intentional planning about how I spend my time over the next few months. I will walk around and sniff plants. I will go over my sketchbooks and the other pieces of paper where I write down ideas. And I’d like to do this in a nice, quiet place away from home.
Readers, do you know of somewhere in the northern California area that might be good for a solo retreat? Maybe it’s a friends’ back house, or a yurt, or just an Airbnb you might recommend. It would be great to be around other artists or people working on stuff, but that’s not required. I’m thinking September 23-26. If you have any suggestions, please respond!
In other news, I have several events coming up that I’d like to share about.
On September 22nd, I am calling a square dance at Rivertunes Fall Jamboree in Dixon.
On September 29th, I am hosting a Mending Party at the Fábrica in Santa Cruz. This event is sponsored by the Arts Council of Santa Cruz!
On October 6th, I am organizing an All Day Singing of Sacred Harp Music at Pie Ranch in Pescadero.
Lastly, an in the spirit of recommendations, I have some things to leave with you. This is what I’ve been enjoying the most this summer:
Every Thursday morning, or later in the week because it’s recorded and available online, I listen to the public radio show New Wood on KKUP Cupertino 91.5 FM. It’s great. The link updates every week, and it’s three solid hours of traditional folk music from the Americas and Europe curated by a real person named Peter. There’s something about having a human make the playlist that elevates every aspect of the listening experience.
It’s apple season. Gravensteins are coming on at the farm, as well as one of my personal favorites, Mollie’s Delicious. Go find an heirloom apple at the farmer’s market this month!
Stolen Focus by Johann Hari is about the way that the culture and society we live in is actively eroding away at our ability to focus. I always love diving into what Johann Hari writes, and this was another great exposé. If you want a taste before committing, here’s an interview with him about the book on Upstream podcast.
Swimming
This episode of a little-known (to me) miniseries Jim Henson created in the 1980s about traditional European folk tales. It has a great flying lion puppet and trolls and one actor from Lord of the Rings.
This sticker is my favorite thing from SF Zine Fest, created by
. My friends in the background are also my favorite thing!
Thank you all for being thoughtful readers and listening to my life updates alongside longer essays, comics, etc. May you eat an apple and do some swimming while the days are still warm.