November gives me noogies but my ladies make me boogie

In the Pixies' "Levitate Me," Frank Black sings, "Elevator lady, elevator lady, elevator lady, elevator lady, lady levitate me."

Yes. I've needed some serious lady levitation this month and inspiring ladies have been everywhere, from YouTube to my very own band practice. (In "Levitate Me" Frank Black goes on to sing "He kicked a baby" but I'm talking about loose interpretation, y'all. Though November sometimes makes me feel like I'm that baby being kicked by feels, as they say.)

November is always a tough time for me. My Mom died on the 23rd in 1999. But my husband's birthday is the 24th, which makes it hard to stay in depresso-anniversary-land. So I appreciate that. Quit yer groveling, Sutkowski! So I did.

This month I let myself Scorpio the hell out of everything -- Scorpio is my watery, emotional rising sign. I've delved into my shadow side and exposed things to light that had been heretofore unexpressed. Something about turning over the darkest stone, exposing it to the light, and all will be revealed. I don't remember the exact phrasing of this cool thing I learned in an old beloved class, Sacred Drama. (We actually used tarot cards to inspire journal entries in that class. How cool is that? I'm looking at you, Stephen Geller. While I'm doling out the inspiration-praise -- you are a magical professor.)

Anyway, some of my greatest touchstones during this time have been green juice, yoga, and the external support of some wise women. 

I stumbled across this mesmerizing video by Teal Swan (has a better name ever existed?): 

I love this Teal Swan video for so many reasons (even just the superficial ones, like her off-the-shoulder fuzzy sweater) but I think there is so much wisdom in it. And I may or may not be attempting to change the molecular structure of my drinking water with love. Like ya do.

And then I also took a long walk on an unseasonably warm day and listened to this beautiful solo radio show my homegirl and soul sister Kristin Swarcheck did recently about vulnerability, which I highly recommend. Click up on it. 

Have you heard the Beautiful Writers Podcast yet? Amazing! It's giving me major magical moments, from Liz Gilbert to Mary Karr and so much in between that's been blowing my mind it's practically atomic. But that is not remotely surprising when it's helmed by lady love (and my mentor) Book Mama Linda Sivertsen and "The Desire Map" and all glorious-things-creator Danielle LaPorte. These ladies have nothing short of changed my life (seriously). They are the gifts that keep on giving.

Additionally, as I am always inspired by my homegirls, I fell in love with my Somerville Ukulele Club bandmate Ashley Holtgraver all over again as she performed this song she wrote on the "Mystery Science Theater 3000" Kickstarter telethon. Check out how awesome she is! I just love this gal! (She also happened to design the logo for my perfumery, which is, arguably, the best thing about my perfumery next to the perfume and is probably at least just as good as the perfume.)

Could that be any sweeter? 

​And as my bandmates and I get ready for our show at the Somerville Armory on Tuesday, I also found unexpected inspiration from Mariah Carey in a bit she and Jimmy Fallon and The Roots (and a bunch of really cute kids) did like three years ago (I'm aware there's an Adele one of these going around now but I'll return to the OG). Dare I say I'm getting into the (goddamn it) Christmas spirit? EFFFFFF.

Ok, FINE. More feels. Bring on the Lindt truffles.