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- Beany Brain #106: Thank You, Past Abigail + Summer Reading Theme: Cool It!
Beany Brain #106: Thank You, Past Abigail + Summer Reading Theme: Cool It!
Abigail Munday
August 11, 2026
Beany Brain: loving our jumping-bean brains!
Welcome to this issue of the Beany Brain! I hope today’s newsletter will bounce us up as we contemplate the upsides and challenges of being neurodivergent, a little beauty, some creativity, and just general yeehawesomeness.
Table of Contents
Photo by Abigail Munday
Thank You, Past Abigail
Pancakes, cooked rice, curries, peanut chicken.
They all had a cool-kids party in the freezer while we were away in the UK.
And when we got back to Japan, I did say arigato to myself for squirreling away such nice things, especially when we were really jet lagged, hot, and not wanting to face the kitchen.
(My current favorite pancakes are black sesame and banana. Let me know if you want the recipe.)
Have you ever thanked your past, current, or future self?
Sit with that for a minute:
What can you thank your past self for?
………..
What can you thank your current self for?
………..
What will you thank your future self for?
…………
Do you ever talk to yourself?
Do you ever let yourself know that you love yourself? That you forgive yourself? That you want what’s best for yourself? That you have compassion for yourself just like you do for others?
Might be a good time to start!
You are loved. I love you and I love moi.
Ha Ha Haiku
A funny haiku for you every week in every newsletter, whether it’s one of my own or one I curate for you. HA. Ha. Haiku.
Watermelon seeds
Growing vines in my belly?
Just tasty stories
Cool Book Choices and Photo by Abigail Munday
Summer Reading Theme: Cool It!
It’s been so, so hot. If you’re in the Northern Hemisphere, I’m sure you can relate.
Time for a trip to the local library (which thankfully has a lot of English books, too): air conditioning, quiet, and yes, plenty o’ books, of course.
(I’d share a pic with you of our lovely library but I got told off by a security guard in there one time for taking a photo. Hmmmppphhh.)
Anyhoo…
I decided to choose books based on a cooling theme: the color blue, any water in the title, or anything to do with winter.
(You can see my choices above, along with a wonderful bag a friend brought me as a souvenir from Okinawa. Keep your eyes peeled because the bag makes a second appearance in this newsletter.)
Guys, my brain needed a dopamine hit from a theme and a treasure hunt. It worked.
Stay cool!
Photo by Abigail Munday
Photo by Abigail Munday
Yeehawesome!
Yeehawesome! is a happy-brain roundup in each issue of Beany Brain. What’s happening that’s good in brain land? What’s bringing me joy?
I get Maangchi’s monthly newsletter in my email inbox, and you should too! She’s a Korean-American lady who is so sweet, so positive, so kind, so upbeat, and shares delicious Korean recipes. Her japchae is to cry for. The newsletter is a delight absolutely every month.
Hilariously genius sketch:
I have to brag about my cousin Danielle, who works on boats in Alaska every summer (for the past 11 years). She’s a pro! And National Fisherman has done a piece on her team and their “fish bus” (aka salmon tendering). Danielle is the one in the photos with the sunglasses. I’m so proud of her. Read all about it!
Quote of the Week
The growing good of the world is partly dependent on unhistoric acts; and that things are not so ill with you and me as they might have been, is half owing to the number who lived faithfully a hidden life, and rest in unvisited tombs.
(George Eliot, Middlemarch)
Beany Brownie Points and Extra Bonus Funniness
(source unknown)
Wonderful Wednesday
Wonderful Wednesday was a day once a year in college when they would suddenly and surprisingly call off all classes and we’d play all day. The cafeteria provided special fun food and we’d do stuff outside like slip ‘n slides and jello wrestling in sumo suits. This segment of Beany Brain is dedicated to that memory of silliness and fun—no words, just a photo from the week that I’ve taken or found that reminds me to let the joy in. Since Beany Brain is published on Wednesday every week (at least, Wednesday in Japan), I hope you enjoy this Wonderful Wednesday.
Photo by Abigail Munday
Today’s Beany-full Summary:
Don’t forget to thank yourself and love yourself.
My summer book theme: cool it! Books with blue, water, or wintry titles.
Go forth in Beany joy. What will help you feel yeehawesome this week?
Thank you for reading this installment of Beany Brain! You’re very welcome to hop on by any old time.
If you’re enjoying Beany Brain, please share with a friend or seventeen at www.beanybrain.com. Cheers big time!