HALMAIL is free to everyone! But you can go paid if you want to show support – it’ll go toward art supplies and childcare. You may also support my work by liking, reposting, forwarding this email to a friend, buying my books and prints, screaming my name on a street corner, saying ‘nice’ out loud to yourself, etc. Up to you!!!
We went to Lake Michigan with my mom and the tots, and Jacqueline Suskin and Eric drove over from Detroit and spent a few days with us. They are Max and Nora’s godparents and two of my favorite people. I jotted this down in my sketchbook the night it happened ❤️
When I published my comic about leaving Amazon back in June, a few people requested a zine version of it – one person said they wanted to leave some copies at their local post office! I brought the idea to the lovely folks at Buy Olympia, and they made it happen!
The zine is lovely and feels nice in your hand. My friend Brit said she got a copy and (with some censoring of my swears) read it with her kid, who didn’t understand it before but is now “firmly on team anti-Amazon.” 🥹
Have you read Our Pool? This beautiful book by Lucy Ruth Cummins has been a hallmark of our summer. The kids request it almost every night, even though they are not big on the actual IRL pool yet, this book is surely warming them up to the idea.
My husband Jack Sjogren’s band, JJ & The Mood, has a new single out! The music video for it is so funny, sweet and joyful, I wanted to share it with you. Jack wrote, directed and starred in it earlier this summer, collaborating with his bandmates and a talented group of Cincinnati dancers.
In the decade Jack and I have been together, I’ve watched him go from someone who mostly just dreamed about making music to someone who’s showing up with all of himself to bring his songs into the world. That journey is actually what this video is about – the conversation in the beginning is based on one that really took place with a friend, years ago, when he only dreamed about making music.
I stopped by set on the day of filming and watched them shoot a few scenes. Everyone was so kind and collaborative, so excited about Jack’s vision. I teared up watching Jack direct and perform. I’m just so proud of him. 100% of dreams come true!
I hope you’ll take a moment to watch. And follow JJ & The Mood - their full album comes out this fall!
Thanks for being here,
❤️ Hal
HALMAIL is a free newsletter. But if you want to show support and help me pay for childcare and art supplies, it is much appreciated!
Eric has a ton of really cool tattoos that I didn’t draw. Sorry Eric!
Follow Jacqueline Suskin here on Substack and check out her books of and about poetry. Her book on creative rhythms, A Year In Practice, is a favorite of mine, and I’ll be re-reading it as we drift into fall.
Our Pool by Lucy Ruth Cummins.
Jack’s new single, Gonna Sleep Good Tonight.
Jack debuted the new single on KCRW, and had a lovely conversation in-studio with Francesca Harding. Listen here!
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