- Chattynooga
- Posts
- When the Growin' Gets Tough
When the Growin' Gets Tough
A week of growin’ through grit, leanin’ on love, and sharin’ the joy together.
Bubby Tallant & Clementine McBride
August 25, 2025
What’s up Buttercup? Happy Monday!
This week’s felt a little heavy on the heart, like tryin’ to pedal uphill with a flat tire. But that’s just part of growin’, ain’t it? Sometimes the weeds show up faster than the flowers.
This issue, we’re leanin’ into the ways our community gets through the hard patches with art, laughter, and each other. From showcases that honor the beauty born outta tough times, to pup-filled events that’ll lift your spirits, we’ve got a front porch full of reminders that you don’t have to bloom alone.
Today's Issue Includes:
Want some tunes while ya listen? Here’s the issue’s theme song!
This Week’s Front Porch Partner: Maven AGI
Wanna help keep Chattynooga’s porch light glowin’ without spendin’ a dime? Easy as sweet tea, bud. All it takes is clickin’ this ad from our pals at Maven AGI, and just like that, $3.00 moseys our way with no strings attached.
No signups, no catch, just a lil’ clickety-click that helps us keep yappin’ about all the good folks and happenings around Chattanooga. Big thanks for keepin’ this porch swing swingin’!
Transform Customer Support with AI Agents
How Did Papaya Scale Support Without Hiring?
Papaya cut support costs by 50% and automated 90% of inquiries using Maven AGI’s AI-powered agent - no decision trees, no manual upkeep. Faster responses, happier customers, same team size.
What’s Goin’ On in the Scenic City?
Community
Teenage Dirtbag Night Market
August 29 @ Verre Noir / Frazier Ave | 7:00-10:00 PM
An emo & pop-punk themed night market packed with angst, nostalgia, and rebellious fun. Expect live music, mini tattoos, tarot readings, and even D&D sessions for a night you won’t forget.
🖤 Open This Pit (And Your Wallet)Vetopia Open House
August 30 @ Vetopia in Hixson | 11:00 AM - 2:00 PM
Bring the family (and the pups!) for a friendly open house featuring hospital tours, professional pet photos, Lucky’s Lemonade, and a special “Vet Visit” experience for kids and their stuffed animals.
🩺 Time for a Teddy Bear Check-Up!The Green Gardinia New Location Opening
August 30 @ 400 Direct Connection Dr. (Rossville) | 8:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Celebrate the grand opening of The Green Gardinia’s new spot with antiques, vintage finds, collectibles, and more. Enjoy military and senior discounts, plus a full day of treasure hunting.
🌿 Go Antiquin’Twilight Grand Market
August 30 @ Chattanooga Choo Choo | 5:00-10:00 PM
A magical evening marketplace at the Choo Choo featuring local artisans, handmade goods, live music, and great food, the perfect way to shop local under the stars.
🌙 Come get some great deals, Loca!
Music & Entertainment
80’s Nite Party
August 28 @ The Playlist | 5:00-10:00 PM
Break out the neon and leg warmers! It’s a throwback night packed with Madonna, Michael, and all your 80’s faves. VIP package includes glow sticks, a themed drink, and dessert for just $20!
👩🎤 Shake a Leg, BudChattanooga Pride Drag Show
August 28 @ Reagan’s Retro Bar | 8:00 PM - late (show starts at 10PM-ish!)
Get ready for a night of sparkle, sass, and celebration! Hosted by Bebe Dupree, this Pride drag show features Chattanooga’s favorite queens, with proceeds supporting @chattpride.
🪩 Clap Loud, Holler ProudSabrina Carpenter Album Release Party
August 29 @ Yellow Jacket Records | 6:00 PM
Celebrate Sabrina Carpenter’s new record Man’s Best Friend with free party swag, giveaways, and plenty of vibes. Admission is free, all ages welcome: just show up early to snag the goods!
🎶 RSVP & Jam Out
Outdoors ‘n’ Stuff
Zoomie Fest
August 26 @ Chester Frost Dog Paddle Park | 5:00-7:30 PM
Unleash the fun with free dog playdates, food vendors, games, and pup competitions (think silliest dog, waggiest tail, and best dressed). Family-friendly and free for all ages.
🐶 Let the Dogs OutBarks, Brews, Beats with HES
August 26 @ Back Stage Bar | 5:00-8:00 PM
Celebrate National Dog Day with local music, cold drinks, and adoptable pups from HES. Plus, 10% of beer and seltzer sales go straight to support the Humane Educational Society.
🐕 Sippin’, Jammin’, & Pettin’ PupsOpen Gate Days
August 30 & August 31 @ Lula Lake Land Trust | 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Hike one of Chattanooga’s most treasured preserves, explore waterfalls, and learn about conservation efforts. Reservations required, with guided hikes available for deeper adventure.
🌳 Hike and Holler with Pals!
Got somethin’ cookin’ that the Scenic City oughta know about? Wanna talk about how cool your weekend was? Tell us all about it! We’d love to yap it up and holler all about it from the porch! Just reply to this message, or send a separate one to [email protected]!
Hand-Picked Community Spotlight: The Art That Gets us Through — Open Call, Y’all!
I ain’t an expert, but growin’ isn’t always a purdy sight. Sometimes life drops ya right in the pit. Not the concert kind, but the heavy one where light feels far away.
Our friends at ClearStory Arts and our good pal Regina from Wellspring Coaching are turnin’ that feeling into something beautiful with their fall showcase: “The Art That Gets Us Through.”
They’re lookin’ for submissions of artwork made in the pit, outta the pit, or because of the pit: paintings, photos, collage, sculpture, throw that thang in there if it helped ya.
If you’re interested in participatin’, make sure ya get yer submissions in by September 1st at Midnight.
If you’re interested in attendin’ however, the opening show is on October 3, from 6 PM to 8 PM at ClearStory Arts!
Also, for all the artists participatin’, you’ll be invited to a free workshop on October 4, hosted by the Chattanooga Depression Care Collective, that’s dedicated to “restoration, connection, and honoring the emotional labor behind the art.”
The pit ain’t the end, sometimes it’s just where the roots get stronger!
Stuff I Saw on the Internet: How We Feel
Lemme tell y’all, I stumbled across somethin’ mighty nifty this week. It’s called How We Feel, and it’s kinda like keepin’ a little diary for your heart.
The app lets ya check in on your emotions (whether you’re feelin’ happy, tense, anxious, or just plain meh), then helps you spot patterns over time. It even gives ya ideas on how to steady yourself when life’s feelin’ stormy.
What I love most? It ain’t tryin’ to fix ya or sell ya somethin’. It’s a nonprofit project built by scientists, therapists, and designers who just want folks to better understand their own ups ‘n downs. And it’s totally free (donations welcome if you feel like tossin’ a coin in the jar).
So if you’ve ever wanted to make sense of why you feel the way you do (or just need a lil’ nudge to check in with yourself) this might be your new pocket pal.
Deep Thoughts with Bubby: Stuck in the Shade
Last week was a mighty stinker if I’m bein’ honest with ya, which is why I wasn’t yappin’ much on Instygram. My bike chain kept poppin’ off, I spilled grape Kool-Aid all over my homework, and even the dog next door wouldn’t share his stick with me. Some days it feels like no matter how much stretchin’ I do, I’m just that sunflower stuck in the shade.
When that happens, I try not to fuss too much. I plop myself on the porch swing and let the world keep hummin’ around me. I pay extra attention to the little things that still feel good — the smell of fresh cut grass, the frogs croakin’ by the creek, the way Clementine doodles goofy faces in her notebook. They don’t fix everythin’, but they remind me that the world still has bright spots, even when I’m feelin’ crooked.
My Pappaw always says, “If the shade’s gettin’ to ya, go find ya a patch of sun, even if it’s just for a minute.” For me, that means doin’ one small thing that makes me feel better: ridin’ my bike down the hill with the wind in my face, drawin’ silly cartoons in the margins of my math homework, or doin’ a little goofy dance until I shake all my sillies out.
He also taught me to talk it out instead of bottlin’ it up (and if you’ve been here a hot minute, ya know that if I’m quiet then somethin’ ain’t goin’ right.) Whether it’s sittin’ on the porch with him, hollerin’ my troubles to Clem, or even just scribblin’ in my notebook, gettin’ those thoughts out always makes ‘em feel a little lighter.
And here’s the wild thing: eventually, the slump lifts. The chain goes back on, the Kool-Aid stain fades, and somehow I catch myself laughin’ again without even noticin’ when it happened. Hard weeks don’t last forever, but the folks who love ya sure do help you through ‘em when they creep up on ya.
So if yer sittin’ in the shade right now, bud, come on over and getcha some sun on the porch with us. Try one small thing, talk to somebody you trust, or let yourself be still ‘til the light finds ya again.
Your growin’ season ain’t over. You’re still sproutin’, even if it’s slow goin’. 🌱
What’s somethin’ that we can do to help keep that porch light glowin’ for ya? Drop a reply, or shoot a message right to me at [email protected], and I’d be more than happy to see what we can do together. 🫶🏻
Clementine’s Corner: An Ode to Fall
Folks, I’m gonna level with ya. I’m about tired of summer. I’ve had it up to here with summer’s sweaty, swampy, sticky, sunburny, stingy ATTITUDE. I was sitting in my treehouse, trying to get some writing done for the issue, and by the 7 zillionth mosquito bite I was over it.
Since I can’t really throw hands with the weather, I flipped the page and wrote it out instead. What follows is my not-so-subtle plea to Mother Nature herself. Enjoy.
Fall, oh resplendent fall, when will you be here?
This heat is hot and these bugs are ferocious.
I’m sweating in places I didn’t know I could sweat.
I’m ready for breezes to blow and colorful leaves to fall.
Fall isn’t sticky or stinky like summer.
My hoodies and sweaters and sock hats are ready to come out of hibernation.
Autumn is superior to summer in many ways, you know.
You THINK longer days is what you want, but earlier sunsets mean cozier nights by the fire with apple cider and stuff that smells like cinnamon.
And ice cream tastes just as good in the fall. I should know.
Halloween candy is already on sale. We should be capitalizing on this, people!
Oh, and the rain! I’m tired of the rain, rain, rain, rain!
Rainy days have really been raining on my parade lately.
Summer showers lead to summer humidity and you know what? No thank you!
I want hoodies,
I want crisp air,
and I want giant piles of leaves to jump in.
Is that really so much to ask?
Quickly, fall. Please, please, please come quickly.
Anywho, find me on my new Instagram, @clemwriteschatty. Send me a message and tell me what the heck ya wanna see in my corner!
I reckon it’s time we get a move on, friend!
If your week’s began with a case of the suds, know this: This too shall pass. The porch light stays on, the folks who care about ya are still here, and there’s always somethin’ good sproutin’ up around the corner.
Keep leanin’ on yer people, keep laughin’ when you can, and don’t forget to look for the little joys that sneak through the cracks.
Til next time, bud! Keep growin’, even if it’s messy.
— Bubby & Clementine
How was this week's issue?Don't hold back, bein' honest helps us get better! |
Unrelated, but did y’all know that your manager can text people completely unrelated to the company that you work for and gossip to people that you’re about to be let go (without your own prior knowledge of this) and not be punished for it, despite it being considered proprietary and confidential company information? That’s a rock fact!
Reply