The Longest Day of the Year

Hello again and happy summer solstice, which is one of my favorite days of the year!

I hope you’ve had a great week so far, and are staying cool in this heat!

I appreciate all who took the time to answer my poll in last week’s newsletter, regarding whether or not you were having any trouble accessing my Kickstarter project. See more about that in the “What I’m Feeling Good About” section below.

And in the “Keep on the Sunny Side” section, you’ll find an interesting article on what 85 years of research found to be the #1 key to happiness (hint: it wasn’t money … but my bet is that you already knew that).

Cheers and best wishes for a wonderful weekend,

Yasmine

For New Subscribers

Here are some links to prior issues you may have missed—some of the best ones 😉 :

Why Positive Vibes? (How this newsletter got its start)

A Very Good Year (Contains many of the highlights of the journey for Walk through Fire: The Train Disaster that Changed America in the year of its release, 2023)

May the Road Rise Up to Meet You (St. Patrick’s Day 2024, with an excerpt from my upcoming novel, The View from the Cliffs)

You can find all the archived issues of Positive Vibes here. (Scroll down on that page after clicking on the link.)

What I’m Feeling Good About

I was pleased to learn that, according to the poll results, 75% of you are experiencing no problems signing up for my Kickstarter pre-launch page. However, for the 25% who have been experiencing issues, it appears that the link I’ve been sending through this newsletter may be misdirecting or being flagged, especially if you are using the Safari browser.

If that sounds like your issue, please use this direct link instead (copy and paste into your browser if clicking directly on the link gives you any trouble): https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/yasmineali/the-view-from-the-cliffs-a-novel/

I’m busy working on special reward levels for all who join the Kickstarter, with limited quantities for some of them, so be sure you’re registered to be notified as soon as the campaign launches in August! 😀 

I’m also loving how my Gatsby Star oakleaf hydrangea changes colors throughout 3 seasons of the year, and right now, it is showing off a deep, dusky shade of pink!

You’ll recall that it started off with its signature white stars last month:

And has now progressed to this beautiful pink:

What You’re Feeling Good About

One of our Positive Vibes members, Brian, sent me this video. If you are or have ever been a Billy Joel fan, you’ll know this song. You may also know that the legendary performer himself has chosen this song in the past as one of his own top 5 favorites. This rendition by a “Middle Aged Dad Jam Band” (featuring “Weird Al” Yankovic, but not in his usual way!) is truly amazing. I think you might be as pleasantly surprised as I was. Thank you, Brian, for sharing it!

(This section is where I’ll be featuring good news, tips, and bits of wisdom from readers—so please reply to this email and share some with me! It can be anything, big or small. Whatever you’re feeling good about.)

Keeping on the Sunny Side

In a prior issue of Positive Vibes, I shared an article highlighting the “brain benefits of social connection.” Here’s another reason to maintain positive social connections:

More Good News

Some summer solstice news:

In other news:

June 21 is World Giraffe Day. And who doesn’t love giraffes?

And remembering the greatest stickball player who ever lived:

Pawsitive Vibes

One of our dogs, Bear, when she was 3 months old (she is now 8 years old):

Got a pet pic you’d like to share? Please feel free to reply to this email!

Riddle Me This

What question can you never truthfully answer yes to?

Answer at the bottom of this newsletter.

For Your Playlist

And here is the original Billy Joel version of “Scenes from an Italian Restaurant”:

Here’s the link if you’re on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/track/3utq2FgD1pkmIoaWfjXWAU?si=5891a5f94dcc4851

Last Word

Tell a Friend!

Know anyone who could use more positivity in their lives and would enjoy this newsletter? Send them the link to subscribe for free: https://yasmine-ali-author.beehiiv.com/subscribe

Fan Mail Address

How to get a signed bookplate sticker: see the intro to this post.

Answer to the riddle: “Are you asleep yet?”