Vol. 2...

...the things & people making my late fall extra cozy.

Nov 11, 2023

I’m so glad you’ve found your way here! You Get-sy is a new project I started to share the things I like — a way to connect good people to good people and share the love. Because this project is new, it is so helpful if you subscribe (thanks to those early subscribers!), and please feel free to leave a comment letting me know what you liked, what you’d love more of, or just a bit about yourself.

Fall is arguably the best time to be in Missoula, and this week was no different. We got pockets of warm sun creating dappled light, but it was still frosty enough in the morning that I needed to don a warm hat (when don’t I, really?) and scrape the windshield. We’re on the quick descent into the darkest days of winter, and I find myself near-constantly daydreaming about skiing. The recommendations [you get] this week will likely entice you to get cozy, grab a cup of tea while listening to good music, and curl up on the couch with a new novel… let’s get to it.

[You Get-sy] Rec 1

Lookout by Christine Byl

On a recent rainy and chilly evening, I met two friends downtown for a glass of wine before attending a reading at one of my favorite local bookstores, Fact & Fiction. The reading was with a long-time favorite author of mine, Christine Byl. Christine lives in Alaska, where I first met her as she was publishing her memoir, Dirt Work. I loved connecting with Christine again on this quintessential Missoula night. The bookshop was filled with smiling faces, writers, readers, and friends. I enjoyed coming back to this book through her voice, and the conversation she had with the audience after reading was rich and thoughtful.

Lookout is Christine’s first novel, set in rural northwestern Montana, and follows the Kinzler family primarily through the voice of the youngest daughter, Cody, but it is also textured with first person narrative from many of the supporting characters. Her descriptions of the natural beauty in this region, the community you meet, and the fluidity of time make this a true joy to read. I devoured it in just a couple of days, and the reading at F&F made me want to immediately pick it up again. This review is stunning (and while it doesn’t give away everything, it does go into some detail that may spoil some sections), and I highly recommend this interview with Christine.

In addition to this wonderful novel, I suppose I’m also recommending reading books, supporting your local bookstore, chatting with your favorite authors, and enjoying a late fall evening out with friends.

[You Get-sy] Rec 2

Hats

I love hats. My daughter’s name is Hat (well, Harriet). I love baseball caps in the summer, I love cozy caps in the winter. This fall I’ve certainly surpassed my hat quota for the winter, and here are some of my recent top faves.

My daughter wears her Piper Handcraft Everyday Beanie, well, every day! She can be found at preschool donning her fun toddler hat every afternoon, and it is my favorite hat to wear nordic skiing in the winter. Made locally in Missoula, this is one of my most frequently gifted items.
I got an idea in mind this fall that I just couldn’t shake — I needed a green corduroy ball cap. Well, lucky for me, I didn’t have to look much further than my hometown to find the perfect transition from fall to winter.
I’ve always felt like, as a Montana resident, a hunter’s orange cap was missing from my collection. Enter the Skida Ridge Beanie in blaze. They’ve got a lot of other great styles and colors to check out.
Finally, I found the squishiest & warmest hat secondhand — a Misha & Puff confetti garter hat — and I can’t take it off. Could I have made it myself? Sure. Was I going to? No. I am taking an Icelandic Hat Knitting class at a Missoula shop this weekend, though, and if that goes well, maybe that hat will make an appearance as an update to this rec.

[You Get-sy] Rec 3

Missoula Community Radio

Missoula has some pretty great radio to tune into. In particular, this week I have two shows on Missoula Community Radio for y’all to check out.

Twinkle Time is a delightful astrology-themed radio show, and in addition to being an incredible artist, Taylor talks about “tarot, art, herbalism, self-care rituals, and any other witchy topics that she finds supportive of the weekly astrological forecast.” Tuning in is a balm, and I love the musical pairings she chooses to complement what is going on in the cosmos.
Campbell Diebolt with Duty Free Radio always puts together an eclectic playlist that is sure to transport you on Tuesday evenings — whether around the world or back in time. Cam is a thoughtful and engaged community member and you can find him cooking up amazing tacos, biking up mountains, or skiing laps around you in town. Duty Free is the musical complement to his diverse skills and interests.

Until next time, xo.

You Get-sy