Neighborfully: Worlds of Wonder
Hello, You -
Welcome to Neighborfully, the weekly email newsletter from Neighborful Station. For those of you who are new here, thanks for joining us! I'm Michael, and I'm so glad you're here.
Neighborful Idea: Worlds of Wonder
It's been a busy few months in the world of "hopecore" entertainment.
During the past week, we learned that Reading Rainbow, the beloved children's television show on PBS, has returned for a new generation, with Mychal the Librarian serving as host - an absolutely inspired choice.
Steve Burns, the original host of Blue's Clues, debuted a new podcast last month called Alive with Steve Burns. Steve turned into a TikTok star in recent years by making simple videos that ask the viewer how they are doing, while he listens attentively, just as he did on the show.
Meanwhile, over in jolly London, Ted Lasso has returned to production for a 4th season, two years after it looked like the show had closed out its story for good. (FYI, there are some Lasso spoilers in that last link.)
We are all longing deeply right now for places where we can lay down our burdens for a moment, and simply feel good. It makes sense that in our longing, we are reaching back for some beloved friends from childhood. It is natural, and healthy, and beautiful, to return to the worlds of wonder that have formed us.
The end of the latest Neighborful Station episode, Harvest Festival, was inspired by my earliest childhood memory - standing at the big window in our apartment, looking out across town at the lights of the annual carnival. It was late at night, and my parents were asleep, so our apartment was totally dark inside. The living room is lit only by that distant celebration of the end of summer.
I was 2 or 3 years old. It was magical - and still is, when I recall that moment once again.
Take a moment now to recall one of your earliest childhood memories of something beautiful. What do you see? What do you hear? What can you feel beneath your feet, or if someone is holding you, what do you notice about their touch, their scent? Take a deep breath and bring that memory back in full.
Now, my challenge to you is: Share your beautiful memory with someone. You can write back to me, and I will be delighted to hear about your memory. You could also tell someone else in your life, someone who will be honored to visit your world of wonder, and might be inspired to share their own wonderful memory in turn.
Because today is a great day to be curious about each other.
This Week in Neighborful Station 🎡
Our latest episode is Harvest Festival (Apple)(Spotify). You get to visit the town's grand carnival and fair. There are cows, candy apples, and carousels. A great time is had by all. 🐄🍎🎠
Coming up this Saturday: Canadian Friendsgiving. 🍁
The Neighborful Gazette Podcast 🎧
Last week, we re-launched the Neighborful Gazette as a podcast series, telling real-world stories of good neighbors in PA and around the United States. In this week's episode, Shan from Germantown Community Fridges tells us about the magic of the community fridge as a neighborhood resource (Apple)(Spotify).
These episodes will appear on the Neighborful Station feed, so if you're following the show in your podcast app, they will show up automagically.
Call The Neighbor Line! ☎️
I love hearing your stories of neighbors who have taken great care of you. Call today and share your story - and your message just might appear in an episode of Neighborful Station! The number to call is +1 (814) 366-5824. Operators are not standing by, but only because they're in the break room finishing off the last of the scrumptious desserts from Canadian Friendsgiving.
Stay Neighborful on BlueSky! 🦋
As part of 100 Neighborful Days, I'm hosting Shout Out Mondays, Bump Day Wednesdays, and Easter Egg Fridays over on BlueSky, where I'm posting as neighborfulstation.bsky.social. See you there.
Song of the Week
In all the changes I've made around here in recent weeks, I lost the plot on the weekly song. Fear not - it's back! You can catch up on all the previous installments by following the playlist on Apple or Spotify.
This week's song: "Outbreak of Love" by Midnight Oil. An early-'90s banger from a band that's been making music since before I was born. The video is yet another example of the delightfully loopy MTV fodder of those years, when a thousand Tarsem imitators bloomed.
Wish of the Week
May you have a moment of wonder, of absolute beauty, amidst the change in seasons. 🫶
Why yes, I'd like more cornbread mushroom stuffing, Michael