The Fluff Stuff #90: Graduation Edition

🌷 A seasonal living recap, appendectomy business, I'm calling the summer beach read already--the competition is over, and fluffy things to start your weekend off right.

Welcome to the Seasonalist, a happy place to land, where you’ll find all things seasonal and seasonal-adjacent (books, movies, food, and fun) from Austin, Texas. If you’d like to subscribe, click below.

Seasonal living last week

“A bright future beckons. The onus is on us, through hard work, honesty and integrity, to reach for the stars.” — Nelson Mandela

Happy Friday, y’all.

Welcome to The Fluff Stuff!

Here you’ll find a quick seasonal living recap and a weekly reminder to live your best seasonal life. Along with a few Fluffy Things for the weekend.

How I lived seasonally last week (pictured above)

1. Trying out a new coffee shop with a friend on Mother’s Day¹

2. A tiny gift from a friend

3. My Mother’s Day wish granted—P. Terry’s burgers eaten outside

4. An emergency (aren’t they all) appendectomy for my eldest—nothing more seasonal

On tap for the Seasonalist this weekend: my eldest is graduating from college 3 days post-appendectomy! We will get him across that stage.

Now for…

🌎 Seasonal PSA Stuff

It’s graduation time!

For all of you out there, my thoughts are with you—ALL THE FEELS. Whether it’s kindergarten, middle school, or high school—it’s all so momentous.

I couldn’t be prouder of my soon-to-be college graduate. He’s my economics-loving, wanderlust-traveling guy, and will be my Big Squishy forever. The sensitive living GOAT Susan Cain mentioned this poem in her newsletter this week, and nothing could hit home more.

📚 Book Stuff

Okay, Anabel Monaghan.

You win summer.

I’m not done yet, but I’ve loved every single second of It’s a Love Story. Such concise writing, nothing too much, everything just right, and the plot and the character development—just right. This is THE JUST RIGHT book of summer in case I haven’t said it enough. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

📺 TV Stuff

Watching…Forever (based on the 1975 Judy Blume book which I’m not sure I ever read?). I’m three episodes in, and so far I’m really enjoying the show. Two amazing leads, a great soundtrack, but people—there is a lot of ANGST.

💗 Touching My Soul Stuff

Warm fuzzies. Literally. Watch through.

globaldayguide

A post shared by @globaldayguide

🏥 Appendix PSA Stuff

As mentioned, the eldest had his appendix removed on Wednesday.

Per the Mayo Clinic, official warning signs are:

• Sudden pain that begins on the right side of the lower belly.

• Sudden pain that begins around the belly button and often shifts to the lower right belly.

• Pain that worsens with coughing, walking or making other jarring movements.

• Nausea and vomiting.

• Loss of appetite.

• Low-grade fever that may rise as the illness worsens.

• Constipation or diarrhea.

• Belly bloating

Anecdotally, the eldest reported belly button of the highest order, along with vomiting.

And everyone is doing it now. Appendectomies are trending. For you Formula 1 fans.

🤣 Laughing Stuff

2025 is ”Life Skills Summer” for my younger son.

While we were at the mechanic getting an emissions test, the mechanic asked us “How do you feel about spiders?”

I snorted, because this is how my youngest son feels about spiders.

nbcsnl

A post shared by @nbcsnl

The mechanic showed us his little spider friend and gently let him go into the wild, while my son tried to act like it was no big deal.

💙 Wrap-Up

Coming Tuesday—The Fluffy Summer Reading Guide from a Librarian! Last November, I interviewed my librarian bestie for the coziest holiday reads. This Tuesday, it’s SUMMER READING time. See you then.

May your weekend be fluffy.

1. Look how cute this is! If you’re in ATX, stop by.

besameatx

A post shared by @besameatx