Will you be my neighbor? (Issue #19)
This week’s theme is neighbors - exploring the people, businesses, and tiny animal friends that make up our communities.
Hi friends!
Are you friends with your neighbors? Honestly, it’s a question that sends shivers down my spine. LOL just kidding, that’s a little dramatic, but as someone who’s spent my entire adult life in apartment buildings with shared walls, floors, and ceilings, neighbors have not always been a positive presence. The worst of it peaked during the pandemic when everyone was home alllll the time. The walls of my then building were especially thin, and I’d hear everything from guitar practice to Friends re-watch binges, the theme song chiming through the wall every 25 minutes or so. Our upstairs neighbors were especially unhappy with our shared reality and would bang on our ceiling whenever Andrew and I played music. Once, the downstairs neighbor came up to complain that we were (and I kid you not) walking around too loud. We’re in a new building now, and the neighbors are waaaay more friendly and reasonable, but that experience really scarred me, haha.
All that said I know there can be real benefits to building community with those living closest to me. There’s one memory that comes to mind especially vividly. I was about six years old and I remember the day fondly, because of how fun it was. That afternoon, my mom and I walked to the library, and I got to pick out any book I wanted. I opted for Where the Wild Things Are, which came with both the picture book and the book on tape. At home, I settled into the bathtub, Where the Wild Things Are playing aloud on the cassette player, while my mom cooked dinner. Suddenly, my mom started screaming: “FIRE! FIRE! CELISIA GET OUT!” At six years old, I knew I needed to get out of the apartment as quickly as I could. I didn’t think to grab my clothes or at least a towel, so I ran out of the house completely naked. Still reeling from the fire but now having to deal with her clothes-less child, my mom started knocking on the neighbors’ doors for help. A kind man eventually came to the door and ran inside to grab me something to cover up with. Now wrapped in a blanket, I waited at another neighbor’s house while the firefighters put out the fire. What started out as a scary and dangerous situation, has become a funny tale my family and I still laugh about, and in retrospect, my mom and I were really lucky to have the community come together as it did.
For today’s issue, I wanted to reflect on our neighbors and the ways we relate (or don’t) to the people, places, and animals that live right beside us. Enjoy!
A round-up of things to watch, read, and listen to as you head into the weekend.
Shondaland: The Art of Friendship: How to Befriend Neighbors by Mia Brabham
This article is the perfect guide on how to intentionally befriend your neighbors! Brabham discusses the benefits of cultivating and sustaining relationships with the people who live close to you while offering tips and tricks on how to actually bridge the gap from strangers to friends.
Vox: When your neighbors become your overlords by Emily Stewart
While I’ve never personally lived in a housing situation that required membership to any sort of association or board, one in four Americans live under such agreements. This article takes a critical look at HOA’s, examining their history and the ways they can be abused to perpetuate inequality. It’s a fascinating look at the downsides of privatization.
Normal Gossip Podcast: Righteous Lesbian Energy with Samantha Irby
When reading the article about HOA’s, I couldn’t stop thinking about this episode of Normal Gossip (one of my all-time fave podcasts). In each episode, host Kelsey McKinney tells a listener-submitted story to a different weekly guest. This episode features the endlessly funny Samantha Irby paired with a gossip story about “a misguided move to the South and a rogue HOA president.” It’s a story so shocking that I’m still thinking about it!
Movie: A Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood
This biopic follows the true story of Lloyd Vogel, an investigative journalist assigned to profile Fred Rogers (aka THE Mr. Rogers). It’s a really heartwarming story, and Tom Hanks gives a masterclass performance as Mr. Rogers. If you missed it when it was released back in 2019, make sure to add it to your list!
Podcast: Finding Fred
This 10-part limited series examines the life, career, and legacy of Fred Rogers. As host, bestselling author and cultural critic Carvell Wallace takes the listener on a journey through Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood, highlighting what this revolutionary children’s program can still teach us.
Featuring someone I’m obsessed with (talking about what they’re obsessed with).
Today we’re featuring someone very near and dear to my heart – my, sister Christina!! Not only is Christina a hilarious, generous, and loving big sis, but she’s also an exceptionally talented knit and crochet artist. When Andrew and I got married this past June, Christina gifted us these adorable bride and groom llamas. She officially launched her shop @stitchstinastitch on Instagram a few months ago, and has tons of great items for children and toddlers. From pillows and stuffed animals, to tiny hats, booties and onesies, Christina’s hand-made items are the perfect gift for the little ones in your life.
Check out Christina’s recent obsessions below!
This selfie stick/tripod combo with remote
I originally purchased this item for use on my honeymoon and it saved us from not being able to take cute couple pics at each cool place we visited! Since then, we've used it often for group photos on the holidays and at events where we want to make sure everyone can get in the pic!
My 3 Favorite Books I've Listened To Recently (in no particular order)
*The Maid by Nita Prose, *The Paris Apartment by Lucy Foley, & *It's One of Us by J.T. Ellison - I use the Libby app to listen to almost all of the audiobooks I read! With a library card from your local library, you can listen to thousands of free audiobooks. I also use the Goodreads app to look at book reviews, track books I'm currently reading and ones that I want to read in the future.
This ohsnap! durable grip, kickstand, and magnet for your phone:
I've used popsockets for a while and loved them but always felt they were SO bulky. This one is ultra thin, magnetic, and works with MagSafe chargers! No need to take it off to charge and it fits in every pocket. :)
This Cilantro Lime Salad recipe:
I recently made this for dinner one night and the dressing tastes exactly like the salad dressing at Chipotle! It was delicious.
My hands and cuticles are always dry, so I use cuticle oil often. This one smells like vanilla and is so easy to apply. You can carry it with you anywhere and apply as needed.
Things to try + share in the group chat.
Note: Links preceded by an asterisk (*) are affiliate links that allow me to collect a small commission when you purchase something I’ve recommended. That said, I can promise that I’ll only ever share items I truly love. Buying through these links is one way to support me and my small biz. ❤️
What better way to befriend your neighbors than bringing them warm cookies fresh out of the oven?? I’m really excited to try this Brown Butter Iced Oatmeal Cookie recipe, which makes the perfect treat to welcome new folks to the neighborhood, or thank them for helping you shovel out your car in the winter (might be a Minnesota-specific neighbor activity, but certainly an important one where I live).
One of my fave after-work activities is walking around my neighborhood and trying to spot all the cats lounging in the windows of the houses and apartments I pass. If you have cats, *this window cat bed is basically a gift for your neighbors. The bed adheres to your window using suction cups, giving your cats a comfy sun spot for naps, and allowing passersby to get a great look at your fur children.
This *tiny portable speaker is the perfect addition to your next neighborhood cookout or backyard bonfire. The speaker comes in three different colors, has really great reviews, good sound quality (especially for its size), and is even waterproof!
Thanks for reading all the way to the end, and I wish you nothing but amazing vibes as you head into the weekend. In a way, you’re my digital neighbor, and I’m so happy you’re here. See you on Monday! :)
Want to stay connected between now and next Friday? Don’t be a stranger!! Make sure to follow me on Instagram and TikTok. Know someone who you think would like Sincerely, Celisia? It would mean the world if you could help spread the word by sharing this newsletter through the button below!! <3