Happy Monday, Porch Pal!

This week, we’re leanin’ into the big stuff—the heavy hearts, the quiet kindnesses, the friendships that show up with snacks instead of solutions. May is Mental Health Awareness Month, and around here, we believe feelin’ your feelins ain’t just allowed: it’s celebrated.

We’ve got a brand new community project brewin’, an invite to help build a shared playlist of songs that feel like a forehead kiss, and a porch-load of events around town where you can laugh, move, dance, or just wander through some flowers. Whether you’re needin’ a soft place to land or just somethin’ to do on a Saturday, we got you.

Today's Issue Includes:

• This week's Front Porch Partner: Headway

• Chattanooga's Upcoming Events

• Community Activity: The Big Feelings Club

• Stuff I Saw on the Internet: Kid President

• Deep Thoughts With Bubby: The Peanut Butter Cracker Principle

• Clementine's Corner: Science Experiments

• Wrap Up

Now pull up a chair, throw on this week’s theme song, and let’s get into it.

This week’s Front Porch Partner: Headway

Together with

May is Mental Health Awareness Month, and our buds over at Headway are partnerin’ with us to make sure feelin’ yer feelings, and gettin’ support for 'em, comes with a little extra love. They’re helpin’ us out in a big way:

Just for clickin’ their link, they’re tossin’ $3.20 into the Chattynooga piggy bank. No strings, no catch: just supportin’ local storytelling and spreading the word about affordable mental health care.

Even if you don’t end up signin’ up, just peekin’ at their site helps us keep this newsletter free, cozy, and full of doodles, deep thoughts, and the kinda stuff that makes yer heart feel seen.

So from the bottom of our big feelin’ hearts - thanks fer clickin’, and thanks to Headway for showin’ up for our community. 💛

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The best part? It’s all in one free, no-commitment platform. With Headway, taking insurance is easier than you think.

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What’s Goin’ On in the Scenic City?

Community

• Pop Up Care Village
  Wednesday, May 14 @ Miller Park | 10:00 AM - 2:00 PM
  Hosted by Showered with Hope, this free community care event includes food, music, haircuts, giveaways, and good vibes galore: all at no cost. Come as you are and leave with a little extra love in your pocket. 🧼🧡
  🫶🏻 Show Up, Get Loved On, Repeat.

• Buds and Blooms
  Friday, May 16 @ Joli Jardin | 4:00-5:00 PM, 5:00-6:00 PM
  Scenic City Clay Arts is hostin’ a sweet lil’ off-site workshop where you’ll make your own hanging bud vase and take home a $15 flower voucher to pick some blooms of your own. Only 20 spots total at $65 a ticket, so snag yours quick if you’re feelin’ crafty (or wanna surprise someone who loves flowers).
  💐Pottery, Petals, & Pure Delight – Click Here

• Asian Night Market
  Saturday, May 17 @ Patten Square | 6:00 - 10:00 PM
  Lanterns, live performances, and a whole lotta good eats—this colorful community celebration hosted by Art 120 honors AANHPI Month with food, music, and art from across Asia and the Pacific Islands. Bring your date, your fam, or just your appetite. 🍜🎏
  🌙 Follow the Lanterns, Stay for the Dumplings

Music & Entertainment

• Club 90’s Presents: 2000’s Night
  Saturday, May 17 @ The Signal | 9:00 PM
  From Kesha to Gaga, Usher to the Black Eyed Peas: this dance party’s loaded with all the Y2K bops your middle school self pretended not to cry to. Tickets are $24.13, and it’s 18+ only, so leave your Tamagotchi at home (unless it’s on life support). 💿🪩
  🪩 Click here to get low (tickets, not emotionally… unless Rhianna plays.)

• Garden Gala
  Saturday, May 17 @ Coolidge Park | 10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
  Sip, stroll, and shop your way through blooms, crafts, fresh produce, and handmade goods at this dreamy riverside market. It’s like Pinterest came to life, with snacks. 🌸🧺
  🌸 Wander the blooms, snag a treat, and leave with your arms (and heart) full.

• Chattanooga Library Zine Fest
  Saturday, May 17 @ Downtown Library 4th Floor | 10:00 AM - 4:00 PM
  Whether you're a zinester, punk, poet, or just zine-curious, this all-ages fest is packed with hands-on workshops, screenprinting, indie artists, and paper magic galore. With over 30 creators and community partners like ArtsBuild, Stove Works, and 309 Punk Project, this one’s a love letter to DIY storytelling and underground art. 📚
  🖨️Flip the script, fold the paper, make somethin’ weird and wonderful.

Outdoors ‘n’ Stuff

• Highland Cow and Goat Yoga
  Saturday, May 17 @ Blessing Creek Farms | 6:30-8:00 PM
  Breathe in. Moo out. This one-of-a-kind yoga session lets you practice your poses in the peaceful company of Highland cows and silly lil’ goats. Whether you're a pro or just here for the fluff, it’s a whole lotta joy in the middle of nature. Tickets are just $30!
  🐮Find your inner peace surrounded by professional cud chewers

• Spirits in the Wild
  Saturday, May 17 @ Chattanooga Zoo | 6:00-9:00 PM
  Wine, wildlife, and a walk on the wild side—this after-hours zoo event features an open bar, tasty bites, live music, and up-close animal encounters. It’s classy, sassy, and a lil’ feral (in the best way).
  🍷Button. Sip with the snakes, toast with the tigers

Got somethin’ brewin’ that Chattanooga needs to hear ‘bout? Wanna brag on yer weekend or share somethin’ sweet that happened? We’re all ears, and we’d love to shout it from the porch! Just hit reply to this message, or send a note to [email protected] and let’s get to yappin’!

Community Activity: The Big Feelings Club

Wanna hand with shakin’ those silly thoughts out?

The Big Feelings Club is for anybody whose heart’s been hollerin’ louder than usual lately. Maybe yer brain's been foggy, yer chest feels tight, or you just need somethin’ soft to hold onto. We’re workin’ on a cozy guide — like a porch-light-on kinda guide — full of local therapists and folks to help ya unwind yer silly brain, national hotlines, brain reset games, breathin’ prompts, journal pages, colorin’ bits, and little things that help when the world feels too big for yer britches.

We think feelin’ stuff deep ain’t a flaw, it’s a sign you’re alive and payin’ attention. The full guide drops May 26th, and till then, we’re lettin’ y’all help us build the soundtrack.

Add up to 3 songs to our Big Feelings Spotify Playlist: the ones that get you through the mess, or just feel like a friend when ya ain’t got words. Let’s make this club somethin’ real special, together.

Stuff I Saw on the Internet: Kid President

Hey y’all, Clementine here this week! Now I know it is only Monday, but man oh man, this week’s “Found on the Internet” might just be the best thing you come across all week. With graduation season in full swing and so many people stepping into new chapters, we figured it was the perfect time to bring back a message that speaks straight to the heart.

We are throwing it back to one of the wisest young minds of the last generation. Oh yeah, I’m talking about the original king of pep talks himself… Kid President!

Now, maybe he hasn’t been a kid in a while, but his words still land like the highest of fives. Ten years ago, he made a video for grads that was part speech, part dance party, and all heart. It was meant for folks in caps and gowns, but really, it is for anybody stepping into something new. A diploma, a new job, a big ol’ unknown… maybe even just making it through the week.

Robbie (aka Kid President) reminds us that being true to yourself takes real courage. It’s not always easy, but it is always worth it. As he says, you gotta be your own Beyoncé, and you better believe I’m still living by that motto.

Listen, Kid President and I are a lot alike, we tell it like it is with all the love in our hearts. Truth is, Robbie's had the right idea since he was a kid! Life might not always go the way you think it will, but you are AWESOME all the same! You gotta radically accept whatever is coming your way, then go ahead and find a little joy in the chaos and dance it out. Be proud of where you've been and take each next step like the superstar that you are. You got this!

So to all of you walking across a stage this month… we are sending big love and an even bigger round of applause. You did the dang thing! And whatever your next adventure is, we are rooting for you, loud and proud and dancing with you. Seriously, Bubby’s doing the worm right now. 

Congratulations to the Class of 2025! 

Deep Thoughts with Bubby: The Peanut Butter Cracker Principle

Last week I got real quiet. Not the good kinda quiet where you’re watchin’ clouds and eatin’ a sandwich, more like the kind where yer thoughts get heavy and everything feels like it’s shoutin’ at ya, even the wind. My brain was bein’ a pest, bringin’ up stuff I’d already made peace with and pokin’ at it like a loose tooth. I didn’t know what to say, so I didn’t say nothin’. Just sorta sat there, marinating in it like a sad lil soup.

Then Clementine showed up with a half-eaten sleeve of peanut butter crackers and a list of her top five weirdest dreams (one involved a goose named Kevin who opened a diner). She didn’t ask what was wrong. She didn’t try to fix me. She just sat down beside me and started yappin’. And y’know what? I giggled. Not big at first, but enough that somethin’ in my chest started to untangle.

Later before she had to go back home, I told her thank ya bud. She said, “For what?” and I said, “Fer showin’ up.” 'Cause sometimes you don’t need advice or solutions or even the right words. Sometimes you just need somebody to sit under the porch fan with you and let the world slow down.

I used to think bein’ strong meant holdin’ it all in. But now I think strength is lettin’ yerself be a little wobbly sometimes; and trustin’ yer people to steady ya when you sway. That’s what friends are for. Not to carry yer feelings for you, but to remind you you ain’t gotta carry ‘em alone.

So if you’ve been feelin’ low or tangled up inside, maybe this is yer sign to send a “Howdy ho bud” to someone who knows yer snack order. Or maybe you’re the peanut-butter-cracker friend this week. Either way… we’re real glad you’re here.

Clementine’s Corner

Y’all remember a while back I set out on a gardening adventure? Well after that traumatizing bee incident, I took a break from outside for a while. But last week Bubby and I were playing hide and seek (and avoiding flying terrors very strategically). I was in the most epic hiding spot up high in a tree. I was looking out over my yard and had myself a little moment. I realized how colorful my yard is so I hopped out of the tree to investigate.

Sure enough, there’s some real pretty flowers sprinkled in with the weeds! So I told Bubby we were done playing hide and seek. It was time for Herbologist Clementine to do a little research. 

Today, I proudly present to you: 

A Tour of my Accidental Garden (featuring real, true, scientific information from the Internet)

First we’ve got Buttercup Flowers (aka Ranunculus). These are bright yellow and look like lil tiny cups with shiny petals. Apparently some folks play a game with them where they hold one under your chin to see if you like butter (spoiler alert: I do like butter).

Next is the Common Blue Violet (aka Viola Sororia). These guys have teeny tiny leaves that look like hearts and pretty purpley-blue petals that look like little faces. They’re my favorite. They’re so stinkin’ cute.

Moving right along to Speedwell (aka Veronica Persica). These are teensy weensy tiny and bright blue with white centers that seriously look like little stars. They just LOOK like they’re happy to be here.

Finally, we’ve got Purple Deadnettle (Lamium Purpureum). Now they sound scary, but they’re just fuzzy lil triangle leaves and itty bitty purple flowers stacked up like a tower. The bees really like this one so I steer clear.

So there you have it: I got my beautiful garden after all. Bubby and I made my mom and his Meemaw some super pretty bouquets for Mother’s Day right from my yard garden. I guess it just goes to show that even when things don’t happen like you think they will, there’s always something beautiful to look for in the end.

Woo! What a catch-up.

That’s all for now, bud. Thanks for spendin’ part of your day with us.

Take a deep breath. Send that “hey” text you’ve been puttin’ off. Eat somethin’ warm. And remember: you don’t gotta carry it all alone. Whether you're dancin' at the zoo, floppin' into downward dog next to a goat, or scribblin’ your big thoughts in a journal: your story matters.

Catch ya next week. Same porch time, same porch place.💛

— Bubby & Clementine