Send the Email on Monday

This Pep Talk Classic is from February 2022 so there are some pandemic-specific references, but the topic is evergreen and ever present! It’s been on my mind as I’ve been inundated recently by the late Friday afternoon and/or the Look at Me! I’m Working on a Summer Sunday email dumps. I’m begging you, send the email on Monday.

The work creep is real. I know there have been countless articles and news pieces recently on how the pandemic’s Work From Home mandate has created a Work 24/7 reality. As someone who's WFH’ed since the last century, I can tell you that ever-present email has always been an issue for those of us in the back bedroom tapping away on our computers. But I do see a difference since March 2020, because the siren call of work is new to many of you used to leaving it at the office. And we have nothing else to do. As a result, the Weekend Email has become de rigeur. My inbox is full on Sunday now.

I get it. You log on to work for an hour or two on Sunday afternoon to prep for the week and you send out a few emails to get ahead. But then your choice becomes my burden. Or someone else’s burden, like the person who is trying to teach their kid to drive or host a birthday party outdoors in below freezing weather or simply read a book by the fire on a snowy afternoon. You know, do things that aren’t work-related.

We need to protect each other. Let’s all agree to send the email on Monday. That’s what the draft folder is for. Or you could actually figure out how to schedule an email ( and then tell me how to do it.) We all need some breathing room.

Cheers,

Lian Dolan

Bend, Oregon

Book Talk and Signing on July 30th at 6:30 at Roundabout Books, Bend Oregon

Join me and writing coach Nicole Meier for a conversation about Abigail and Alexa Save the Wedding. Roundabout is a great indie bookstore in Bend and I’m happy to be appearing there for the first time. My sister Liz will also be there for fun, if you need a little Satellite Sisters reunion. Click here for info, tickets, book pre-order.

On the To Do List This Week

Listen, Dance, Repeat My girl Madonna is Number 1 with a bullet. Her new album, Confessions on a Dance Floor II, is top of the charts. It’s a proper album of non-stop dance music and moments that will take you back. Or forward. My point is, it’s gonna take you right where you need to be in the year 2026… even if that place is Danceteria in the year 1984. Find it here.

Make this Salad I’m rooting for Spain in the World Cup Finals and I’m bringing this Mediterranean Potato Salad to the watch party. No mayo, no gluten will keep the people happy.

Get Your Little House On Yes, I am savoring the new Little House series on Netflix with Hot Pa, a terrific Laura, lovely cinematography and closer storylines to the original books than the 1970s series. If you recall from Satellite Sisters, I an a huge Little House fan and had a chance to visit the Little Town on the Prairie— DeSmet, South Dakota— a few years ago. In addition, we interviewed Caroline Fraser, the Pulitzer Prize winning author of Prairie Fire, on Satellite Sisters. Here is the link to a podcast with my thoughts on the Prairie, my trip to Laura Territory and our Interview with Caroline Fraser. Plus lots of other Little House Links.