Newsletter comparison
Things That Don't Suck vs Never Done
Short answer: Choose Things That Don't Suck for writing centered on love and grief. Choose Never Done for an accumulating record of family and creative life. Read both when attention to ordinary details is part of how you make sense of change.[1][2][3][4][5][6]
An independent guide. Scottie isn't affiliated with, endorsed by, or sponsored by Things That Don't Suck and Never Done. Each publication owns its name, writing, and subscription terms.
A brief from both newsletters · July 31, 2026
See both newsletters in one brief
See what made the brief, what didn't, and the original links behind every included story.
In this brief: Scottie kept the selected stories separate because they added different value.
Reader priorities
A reader wants personal writing that notices how love, grief, family, and creative attention accumulate through ordinary days.
These are illustrative priorities, not a customer’s data.
What made the brief
- Things That Don't Suck2 read · 2 included
- Never Done2 read · 2 included
Scottie
Scottie example brief
July 31, 2026 · Executive brief
01 / The rundown
- A gathering of ten thousand people at Red Rocks transformed profound grief into shared healing through poetry and film.
- Repeated musical coincidences provided quiet comfort and spiritual reassurance following the loss of a beloved partner.
- Family craftsmanship and chaotic kitchen moments highlight how creative attention shapes daily domestic life in coastal Maine.
02 / The briefing
01 / main
Kermit's anthem follows a tribute through uncanny coincidences
The takeaway: After hosting over one hundred friends before a major performance, a random karaoke rendition of 'The Rainbow Connection' began appearing everywhere—from soundcheck to a yoga class—offering quiet comfort after loss.
Concrete details
- Hosted over one hundred people at home on the eve of the Red Rocks concert.
- Only five percent of the universe consists of known matter, leaving ninety-five percent unexplained.
Why it matters for this reader: If you appreciate how domestic moments and synchronicities soften grief, this reflection captures how love and memory persistently echo through ordinary days.
Original sourcesThings That Don't Suck
02 / main
Ten thousand gather at Red Rocks honoring Andrea Gibson's legacy
The takeaway: Marking one year since partner Andrea Gibson's passing, a premiere film of their final performance brought ten thousand people together under the stars at Red Rocks to share in grief and poetry.
Concrete details
- Ten thousand audience members gathered at Red Rocks for the premiere performance film.
- Organized for July 5th, 2026, marking one year since Andrea's passing.
Why it matters for this reader: This moving reflection shows how love and artistic devotion survive loss, turning personal mourning into a shared sanctuary for collective memory.
Original sourcesThings That Don't Suck
03 / main
Nighttime squid fishing offers a taste of early Maine memories
The takeaway: A simple outing pulling squid from dark Maine docks with hand lines and frying them up fresh with salt captures the humble, quiet beginnings of life and friendship on the coast.
Concrete details
- Caught squid directly from harbor docks using fishing poles and hand lines.
- Cooked fresh squid immediately in a hot pan seasoned simply with salt.
Why it matters for this reader: You will savor this brief window into how early shared rituals and simple meals weave enduring bonds of love and nostalgia over time.
Original sourcesNever Done
04 / main
Siding houses and whittling wood define hot summer prep
The takeaway: Between shooing kitchen chickens and dodging flies, a family prepares for their sixth annual market in Port Clyde while young Rui shapes wooden crafts with his new jigsaw.
Concrete details
- The High Season Market has run for six years at a Port Clyde grange hall.
- Rui began whittling wooden cutlery and swords at age five using a scout knife.
Why it matters for this reader: For anyone drawn to creative attention in family life, this story highlights how patience and daily practice foster confidence and craft in young hands.
Original sourcesNever Done
Action items
- Pause to notice small synchronicities or recurring memories in your daily routine this week.
- Encourage a young family member's creative project by providing safe tools and dedicated workspace.
See every issue behind this brief
Planning a home party before Red Rocks
- The Rainbow ConnectionThings That Don't Suck · Included
Grief and Andrea's final performance film
- On the One Year Anniversary of Andrea's Alleged DeathThings That Don't Suck · Included
Kitchen life amidst summer heat and repairs
- July - Part 2Never Done · Included
Early days of squid fishing in Maine
- July - Part 1Never Done · Included
The useful difference
The difference that matters
Things That Don't Suck writes directly from grief and the continuing presence of a loved one. Never Done builds a quieter household record through recurring entries and the details of creative daily life.[1][2][3][4][5][6]
What each is best for
Things That Don't Suck
Things That Don't Suck contributes intimate reflections on Andrea Gibson, memory, loss, art, and the ways love remains active after death.[1][2][3]
Never Done
Never Done contributes a serialized household chronicle in which small observations gain meaning by being recorded over time.[4][5][6]
When it’s worth reading both
The pair shares a practice of close attention without making the same emotional claim. Scottie can keep resonant pieces together while leaving each life and voice intact.[1][2][3][4][5][6]