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Welcome back to the First of the Month Files for September 2026.
This episode opens with well wishes for the month ahead, the kind worth sitting with slowly until they do their own bit of magic. Then we're diving into the personal curriculum, which is back by popular request after a member on our end of month Salon call specifically asked about it and several others chimed in that yes, they had been reading and enjoying it all along.
Which is a good reminder. If you think nobody is interested in the thing only you find fascinating: hello pot, meet kettle.
Three units for September:
Zines and newspapers. This one has taken over completely. We're talking vintage magazine archives, YouTube zine creators, a special stapler, and a very exciting paper project coming to Substack on Friday. Stay tuned.
Close reading Rebecca by Daphne du Maurier. The writing craft is extraordinary. If you've never done a close read before, this episode walks through exactly how to do it: three passes, a notebook for beautiful passages, and a section called Noticings.
Painting hair with acrylics. The portrait series of women with books on their heads continues. Hands remain on the do-not-attempt list after an incident friends have not let go of.
Alternates for when the main units need a rest: Teaching myself calculus. Yes, really. Mary Cassatt and her Japanese-inspired work. And a personal pumpkin bread recipe contest this fall.
How to keep track of all of it: A five-subject five-star binder with rings. Old school, analog, inexpensive, and you genuinely cannot beat it.
If you're working on your own personal curriculum this season, come find us on Substack and tell us what you're learning. The Tuesday Question community thread is where we gather every week: one question, the same question, and the answers are always worth reading.
Until next week.
Find the full Maison Gaton collection at: maisongaton.substack.com
Connect: Instagram @judithgaton | Substack for weekly essays
