Check out the 'Homegrown Tales' years in review
Most popular HT reader posts since joining Substack in 2022
Wrapped on Spotify is fascinating to me, mainly because the songs, the albums and the podcasts that I think would make it to the top of the list rarely do. And I always end up trailing off down some peculiar path or losing interest completely in something I was fanatical about at the start of the year. Then, I find something new.
It’s fun to see what was of interest to me then and now. Same goes for my YouTube 2025 Recap.
But what may have stood out the most this year was the kind of items that were the most popular on my Amazon Affiliate list. None of the top six (two are the same brand) were choices I would’ve predicted to be the most popular, but I’m happy to see the ones that my Substack subscribers and casual readers decided to buy. I still co-sign all six, especially those that assist in helping Black authors and Black businesses.
Instead of doing just a Substack year in review for 2025, I’ve decided to do a Substack all-time-posts in review since my content migration from Medium to Substack in mid-2022. I know Substack has a “top” posts category on the homepage, but Google Analytics has a few interesting (and different) results for the past three years. In addition to listing the top 10 posts (according to Google Analytics), I’ll tell you my take (or experience) on this post as of today in 2025. Here’s hoping you enjoy learning what inspired me to write these posts and clicking away to read them too.
Happy Holidays, Merry Christmas and Happy (upcoming) New Year!
ADVERTISEMENT ~ Amazon
As an Amazon affiliate, I do earn a percentage from each sale while using my referral links.
Shamontiel’s most popular Amazon Affiliate recommendations on Substack
Michael Harriot’s “Black AF” (available in hardcover, Kindle and audiobook)
Michael B. Jordan’s sea moss drink (sold out at the date of publication — PURE Moss, Pomegranate Moss, Mango Ginger Moss, Variety Pack Moss)
Top 10 HT posts from 2022-25
1. For DIYers, the Home Depot Seeds Program is equal to a kid in a candy store ~ The best perk of being a do-it-yourself homeowner is freebies that make you want to do more projects
2025 take: I have to face palm when I see this post because this is a homeowner’s dream. I saw so many things I wanted to rate just so I could get them for free, but the program was so disorganized. If you change your email address, prepare to deal with nonstop Customer Service reps and get nowhere. On an up note, everything I requested is still in great condition right now — although my Monstera plant is struggling during the winter season.
2. When HOAs say ‘stop feeding the birds,’ there’s a reason ~ HOA sues couple for $250K for feeding wildlife
2025 take: Three years later, I still see the HOA’s point about feeding birds. There’s a food giveaway bin I walk by all the time, and people will go into the bin to find bread and oatmeal to feed the birds. Instead of moving away to a space away from cars and the restaurant waiting area, they’ll just fling the oats and pieces of bread right where they stand — creating flapping pigeons and hyper dogs without a care in the world. It got so bad that the restaurant had to put up a sign in Spanish and English to tell people about the choking hazard of feeding birds and taped fringe streamers to keep pigeons from going inside of the cabinets and fridge. I’ve yet to figure out why people who feed birds must make it frustrating for everyone else.
3. Electric baseboard heater on fire, speedy lesson in how to use a fire extinguisher ~ Once again, I learned why I should always listen to my dog
2025 take: Anybody who comes over to visit me for more than a few minutes (outside of contractors) knows that Junee will roam freely. Why? This dog saved my life and my condo. I absolutely would’ve slept through this baseboard heater on fire. I had no idea it was happening.
4. Laundry day: 10 of the best retractable clotheslines ~ Homegrown Tales listicles: The home upgrade shopping trip you didn’t know you needed to take
2025 take: When I was house shopping, the absolute last thing I was thinking about was an indoor clothesline. I saw the silver circle in the bathroom and completely ignored it. I was far more impressed by the two display cabinets in the dining room and the built-in bar in the kitchen. Bonus! But this indoor clothesline has come in handy far more times than a place to put my ceramics. I understand why this post from a now-defunct website took off. I think everybody should have one. Decrease your electricity bill for small loads and have a place to hang your bathmat too.
5. Unclogging standing water in sinks: Do sink plungers work? ~ Review: Which is better between the PlumbCraft Mini Home Sink Plunger or LDR Mini Bellows Sink and Drain Plunger for Bathrooms?
2025 take: Although my clogged sink ended up being hard grease that was poured down someone’s sink — and always hits the first floor harder than other floors — I’m still glad that I tried out two sink plungers. They come in handy for dog hair, human hair and tricky lint should you choose to handwash clothing. In addition to the indoor clothesline (mentioned above), invest in a variety of sink drainers.
6. 3 ways to recycle microwave glass plates ~ Recycle perks, reuse fails
2025 take: Three years later, I’m still spinning seasoning on a microwave glass dish. When my over-the-range microwave needed to be replaced, along with re-mounting the cabinets, I was able to remove the seasonings in 60 seconds. The repair guy was impressed.
7. Before buying a condo unit plus parking, check the deed ~ Limited Common Elements vs Assigned Parking vs Deeded Parking
2025 take: This got worse before it got better, including a Small Claims lawsuit. Eventually I was able to rent my parking space for a few months before my tenant left the country. Still, renting my space meant I recouped my legal fees. I have, however, finally started understanding why people loathe condo boards and homeowners association boards so much. You see things differently when you’re no longer on the board. Power brings out the worst in people’s personalities, and I’ve never been one to back down from a bully. On another note, I miss my car. I had one for four years and another for 15 years. I don’t miss paying for gas, auto insurance and worrying about terrible drivers, but getting up to go on road trips has always been a bonus.
8. Treasury Department confirms HOAs and COAs in the U.S. will no longer face fines for not filing the BOIR ~ Condo associations and homeowners associations watch back-and-forth debate about the Beneficial Ownership Information Report
2025 take: The only people who have a problem with being transparent about finances (including receipts, investors, ledgers) are Community Association Managers who have something to hide. I’m not even mildly surprised that the Trump administration did away with BOIR and somehow decided that foreigners can’t be trusted. I trust a rabid squirrel more than I trust Donald Trump.
9. Before you plant that apple tree in your yard ~ Talk to your neighbors about pest risks, maintenance and human strangers as guests
2025 take: I don’t know what happened to those apples, but I didn’t see them this year. The wild part is that tree is one of my favorite features on the block. The residents put Christmas lights on it, and it reminds me of walking around downtown Chicago. I will admit that being on a condo board made me grumpy about grass and plants. After refusing to rejoin the board for two years (and an ongoing rivalry since January of this year (I may write about it later), I’ve gone back to my happy place and just worry about my own Monstera, arrowhead and corn plant indoors.
10. 25 things you should have in your woman cave ~ Try these “me time” supplies ranging from snacks to joggers to wine glass holders
2025 take: Not even gonna lie. This one post may be the most addictive part of me being an Amazon Affiliate. I already have a “She Shed,” and I still keep finding new things to add from perusing what’s new in Amazon listings. This takes me back to my childhood days of playing with Barbie dolls and House. I’m having the time of my life. I didn’t even need this to be in the top 10. I am going to update it regardless. It’s even more of my happy place than the library and meditation room I’ve created online.
Enjoying this post?
Read “Check out the ‘Black Girl In a Doggone World’ years in review ~ Most popular BGIDW reader posts since joining Substack in 2022” too!
Read “Check out the ‘I Do See Color’ years in review ~ Most popular IDSC reader posts since joining Substack in 2022” too!
Read “Check out the ‘Window Shopping’ years in review ~ Most popular WS reader posts since joining Substack in 2022” too!
Did you enjoy this post? You’re also welcome to check out my Substack columns “Black Girl In a Doggone World,” “BlackTechLogy,” “Homegrown Tales,” “I Do See Color,” “One Black Woman’s Vote” and “Window Shopping” too. Subscribe to this newsletter for the monthly posts on the third Friday. Thanks for reading!