For the Birds: May nourishment
A gentle seasonal worksheet. Plus BIRDSEED, this month's Resiliency Circle, and a PSA on behalf of your local library.
Thanks for being here! I’m on a mission to serve others through writing & mentorship, and I’m doing this work as a self-employed autistic human. Your support has a bigger impact on my life than you likely know. Please know it!
When you can, thank you for reading closely, sharing widely, and upgrading to a paid subscription.
Dear birds,
My partner works at the library a couple towns west of where we live. They do amazing things there, like bringing free books, food, and wifi to nearby rural towns through their Bookmobile, and playing an important role in serving the local unhoused population, as many public libraries often do. Six years ago, they even did away with late fees altogether, because statistics show they disproportionately affect marginalized communities and people of color.
The library remains a bastion of intellectual freedom: A place where you can go to gather, study, read, write, learn, make, and commune—all without spending a dime.
The library is, frankly, a magical place. But it’s also a vital one, the backbone of any strong community.
In early 2025, Trump signed an executive order to dismantle the Institute of Museum and Library Services—the only federal agency that funds libraries and supports museums. This move threatens vital community spaces across the country, but especially public libraries, which can serve as lifelines for those who are marginalized and underserved.
I learned about this funding cut not from the news, but directly from my partner, who came home from work one day in April deflated. He explained to me that, as a result of this order, one of the things on the chopping block is his library’s courier system.
The courier sends around 70,000 books a year to and from approximately 80 libraries all across eastern Oregon. This system is an important one: If there’s something you want to check out that your local library doesn’t have, but a partner library does, you can put it on hold and have it sent your way.
To be clear: This cut will have the largest, harshest impact on the smallest, most rural public libraries, arguably the ones that benefit and rely on this courier system the most. “It’s a lifeline not only of information, but of entertainment and joy,” M said to me. “These smaller libraries simply can’t afford to buy the same number of books that larger ones can.” We’re talking about the ability to send thousands and thousands of items across hundreds of miles of the state, just…going away.
Libraries have been quietly showing up for us for years, and it’s time we reciprocate and show up for them.
Now more than ever, I encourage you to support your local public library by:
Utilizing their services. The library’s purpose is to serve you! Check out books, make copies, access resources, and explore their programming. There’s a good chance your local library is hosting some really cool events, not just for kids, but for teens and adults, too.
Donating. Whether through annual fundraising events or just by dropping a few bucks off the next time you’re there in person, donating to your local library is one of the most immediate, tangible ways to support your community. You’ll witness the impact every time someone checks out a book, uses the wifi, or finds cool shelter on a hot day.
Signing this MoveOn petition demanding that Trump & the GOP not defund our libraries and museums.
Speaking up—in ways that you are able to. Do your friends know about this funding cut? Do you have colleagues who might appreciate the chance to sign a petition? Can you call your representatives? All forms of advocacy matter, regardless of your social comfort level, capacity, or communication style. I promise: There is a way to put your voice—out loud or on paper—to good use.
When public goodness and decency are under threat, spaces like the library become sacred arenas of community, connection, and care. They are democratic pillars. And they often hold the line—quietly, steadfastly—against isolation, disinformation, and division.
Because the library is a place where everyone belongs.
Let’s do everything in our power to keep it that way.
xoxo,
S
BIRDSEED
~a monthly playlist, curated by M: Master Naturalist, professional book lover, and friend to all corgis~
May Resiliency Circle: “Writing with Images”
~Parallel writing session & group convo | Wednesday, May 21st at 5:15pm PST~
The Resiliency Circle is a once-a-month virtual space I hold for paid readers of For the Birds. Born of my belief that we need strengths-based, trauma-informed lenses in our creative practices as much as our therapeutic ones, I craft these 60-90 minute gatherings so that they’re nourishing, generative, and fun.
This month’s Circle begins with a question…
What role does imagery play in your writing?
And I’m asking in all the ways: How do you craft poetic images? How do scenes & visual art inspire and inform your words. How do images shape, stir, or sit beside you when you’re working on a personal essay? Or a piece of fiction? If you publish a newsletter, do you include images—and if so, how do you choose them?
Whether it’s a photograph that unlocks a memory, a collage that helps you describe a feeling, or a moment when the white space of the page suddenly feels like part of the poem, let’s get curious about the different ways that visual experiences weave into our written ones.
→ We’ll gather on Wednesday, May 21st at 5:15pm PST / 8:15pm EST, for 90 minutes.
We’ll spend the first half-ish writing in response to a variety of images I’ll be displaying on my screen. This will function like a parallel writing session.
Want to contribute an image? Please DM or email it to me no later than Friday the 16th. I’ll add it to the slide deck as part of our visual prompting :)
Once we’re done writing, I’ll open up the floor for community reflections, shares, & conversation. Let’s talk about what we know, what we wish we knew, and what we might be discovering in real time.
Zoom link + RSVP included at the bottom of today’s newsletter.
The Resiliency Circle is where paid readers of For the Birds gather in order to write, reflect, and nurture our creativity. Learn more here.
Help me shape The Resiliency Circle!
Your feedback, requests, and suggestions are always-always welcome.
Worksheet: A gentle seasonal check-in
In my job as a creative mentor, I primarily work one-on-one with other humans in deep, long-term (3+ months) containers. But I always set aside a couple seats for “Seasonal Coaching,” a slower and more accessible offering, designed to accommodate folks who want the depth of mentorship but have significant limitations in their schedule and/or budget.
Before each session, I share a curated list of questions that help encourage seasonally-attuned reflection. This also creates some shared vocabulary & topics of interest that guide us during our call.
This season, I’ve decided to share the spring worksheet with paid readers! May it spark clarity and ignite the inspiration you already carry within you.
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