Hot Moss
Just moss gossip
Meet the moss
Imagine you’re as tall as a lint ball. You don't have real roots but you have buddies. You have clonal friends, fringe friends, you are a universe unto yourself. You hold multitudes and those multitudes are an actual micro rainforest. Complete with treetops, canopies and understory ecosystems. You’re home to a whole network of teeny tiny organisms, including the most resilient of them all - the queens of survival - tardigrades.
Imagining I’m moss-sized is like an instant mini vacation. Just shrink me down and let me walk in some tall green strands, ride a microscopic chubby bug and stare at impossibly far away clouds.
Also after this week/ month/ year of news, is there anything more soothing to read about, look at, think about, than moss, the architects of chill and shade?
Hard launching
Welcome to my first ever (the first ever??) moss newsletter. Soon-to-be moss podcast. This newsletter will share stories of wonder and moss and adventures that go from Britain to California, from glorious wilderness to parking lots. Piece by piece, while I’m in production for the moss podcast, HOT MOSS, I will share little stories with you. Moss facts. Moss pics. You get it.
I used to tell stories about how moss got me through this hard time with my family, moss got me through the pandemic, moss is getting me through this… this whatever this is now. And starting with this first newsletter, I’m sharing the power of noticing moss with you. Tell me if it works for you too. Moss is a metaphor for wonder, for urban biology, for the magic and scientifically proven health benefits of getting outside and getting curious. All things I care deeply about and am exploring personally and scientifically.
The moss fan club already exists
Let’s make this newsletter a fan club! Many of you have expressed loud delight at the idea of a moss podcast and newsletter. I feel like there’s real excitement when I bring up moss in my daily life, and honestly, maybe what we need in this moment is a moss community. So that’s what we’re going to build here. Every week will feature a short moss story, a little scientific information (can’t help it, I’m a biologist), extra bonus moss content for the super fans and of course moss fan photos.
So consider this your official invitation to send me moss pics! Many of you do this already, and yes, I am considering creating a coffee table book entitled Photos of Moss My Friends Sent Me. Until then, please continue to send me moss pics from your lives. I will happily, and with permission, feature you in a community spotlight section of the newsletter called Moss Mail (obviously).
I look forward to expanding this to include more social media, whats app, merch!!, whatever feels chill and green and moss definitely fun.
Have a question about moss? Email me or leave a comment here!
Yay! This is mossumental :) very excited this is happening. Congrats Kate! Miss you/moss you