October Sense Memory

What I saw, heard, touched, tasted, smelled, and read in October.

Welcome to Sense Memory, my monthly roundup of the sensory details that defined this month. Here, I reflect on the sights, sounds, textures, tastes, and smells that have defined this month. Plus, my favorite sixth sense: language.

---

October. Every morning, I wake up, eyes still caked with sleep, and open the living room window for the cats. We call this “cat TV,” but lately, it’s been too cold in the mornings, and the window has remained closed. It’s the kind of weather that calls for fuzzy socks and fuzzy thoughts clarified by one sip of coffee, the next. I read and wait for the soft morning light to insist upon the day ahead.

---

See

On a recent weekend trip to Palm Springs, I spent an entire day photographing the backyard of our Airbnb at different times of day. I also got some great shots of my friends, which is always the goal.

---

Hear

At the beginning of the year, there were rumors that the music industry would be on hold in the weeks leading up to the election. And yet, so many artists have released new music this fall — from Suki Waterhouse to Bon Iver to Addison Rae to Lady Gaga. It’s a testament that we still need art, even when (it feels like) the world is crumbling around us. That’s maybe when we most need it. Below, I made this playlist of the songs I’ve been spinning on repeat this month. It’s giving “girl fall” in the best way.

This is a paywalled post, so if you’re not a paid subscriber yet, please consider joining our little community. (It’s only $5 a month, which is less than a cup of coffee these days.)