Nothing much happens: bedtime stories to help you sleep - WNMH

Episode Date: July 20, 2026

Our story tonight is called WNMH, and it’s a story about a Saturday morning broadcast from the radio station in downtown Nothing Much. It’s also about the community calendar and cinnamon buns, still warm at the bakery. A blinking light on the sound board, a bouquet of flowers for someone special, and an ordinary morning that feels just right. For bonus enjoyment, I recommend you think of the character telling this story as our own Bob Wittersheim. Whether it's a hobby, a passion, or a long-held idea, Shopify can help you bring it to life. Start with a free trial at ⁠⁠⁠shopify.com/nothingmuch We give to a different charity each week and this week we are giving to Animal Farm Foundation's Pet Pantry Project. Collaborating with existing food pantries, to help folks access essentials for every family member in one place. ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Subscribe to our ⁠⁠Premium channel⁠⁠. The first month is on us. 💙 Join the Village of Nothing Much App! Pre-order Kathryn’s new book ⁠⁠⁠⁠On the Street Where You Live⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠NMH Merch, Autographed Books and More!⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Listen to our daytime show ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Stories from the Village of Nothing Much⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠Sit Meditation with Kathryn⁠⁠ Follow us on ⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠ Visit ⁠⁠Nothing Much Happens⁠⁠ for more Village fun! Sign-Up for our Newsletter ⁠here⁠ to be in the know! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Get more Nothing Much Happens with bonus episodes, extra long stories, and ad-free listening, all while supporting the show you love. Subscribe now. Welcome to Bedtime Stories for Everyone, in which nothing much happens. You feel good, and then you fall asleep. I'm Catherine Nicolai.

I write and read, All the stories you hear on Nothing Much Happens. Audio Engineering is by Bob Wittersheim. We give to a different charity each week, and this week we are giving to Animal Farm Foundation's Pet Pantry Project, collaborating with existing food pantries to help folks access essentials for every family member in one place. Learn more about them in our show notes.

In our virtual village of Nothing Much, you can, of course, listen to all our shows ad-free, as well as take yoga and meditation classes from me, dive into courses on journaling and mindful drawing, come to live events and hang out with your neighbors. I'd love to see you there. Find it at Nothing Much Happens.com. Bedtime stories work by giving your mind a place to rest, and your body a way to feel safe. All you need to do now is listen. I'll read our story twice, and I'll go a little slower the second time through.

If you wake again in the night, don't hesitate to just push play, and you'll drop right back off. Our story tonight is called WNMH, and it's a story about a Saturday morning broadcast from the radio station in downtown nothing much. It's also about the community calendar and cinnamon buns still warm at the bakery.

A blinking light on the soundboard, a bouquet of flowers for someone special, and an ordinary morning that feels just right. For bonus enjoyment, I recommend you think of the character telling this story as our own, Bob Wittersheim. If you've ever wanted to turn a hobby or an idea into a business, Shopify makes getting started a whole lot simpler. Our storefront runs on Shopify, and one thing I appreciated right away was knowing that when someone was ready to buy, the checkout experience just worked.

It was easy for our listeners, easy for returning customers, and it meant we could spend our time creating and instead of worrying about the technology behind the store. As Nothing Much Happens has grown, Shopify has grown with us, making it easy to keep building what we love. With Shopify, nothing stands between your idea and a real business, so go make it one. Start your free trial at Shopify.com slash nothing much. Go to Shopify.com slash nothing much.

That's Shopify.com slash nothing much. It's time. Lights out. devices down. Get the right pillow in the right spot and let everything relax. You have done enough for the day.

It is enough. There's nothing left to do but sleep. Take a deep breath in through your nose. Let it out your mouth. Nice. One more. breathe in and out. Good.

WN-M-H. I took my headphones down from the hook beside me and swiveled my chair toward the board. I was about 20 minutes into my Saturday morning broadcast. And while a song played through the airwaves, I'd snuck out to fill my coffee cup from the pot in the back office.

It was still a bit too hot to sip, and I set it very carefully on the desktop beside the board. I closed one eye, so I couldn't see the sign taped to the wall that clearly stated no drinks allowed in the radio booth. Well, coffee isn't really a drink. It's a lifeline, a cultural touchstone, an energizing ritual. And after all these years of broadcasting, I figured I'd earned the right to break a rule or two. The last few lines of the song were playing, and I pulled the mic closer,

my finger on the channel fader, ready to break in for the next segment as the last notes faded out. I slid the music channel down and eased my mic up. Welcome back to WNMH. It's time for your weekend weather. It's a beautiful day in the neighborhood. And we've got more of that to look forward to. Our current temperature in downtown nothing much

is a pleasant 78 degrees Fahrenheit or 25 degrees Celsius under blue skies. Winds at just seven miles per hour today, but they will pick up a bit overnight. So don't leave your sheets out on the line unless you want to gather them up from down the street tomorrow. Below tonight will be a crisp 59 Fahrenheit, that's 15 Celsius,

and what we call in this neck of the woods good sleeping weather. Winds will die back down by morning, and tomorrow we will have more sun and just a degree or two more heat. Looks like we might have a rainstorm coming at the beginning of next week, but if we get a good downpour, you know how that goes. Let's all say it together. Sure needed this rain. I'll be back after this next song, with village events and a few birthdays to mention.

If there's something you'd like to hear, well, I can't guarantee I'll play it, but you can still give me a call and see if you can talk me into it. I faded out the mic, and the next song started up. I shifted my headphones, one ear cup on and one off,

and reached for my coffee, which was now the perfect temperature. The big picture window in the booth, looked right out onto Main Street. And from where I sat, I could see people streaming into the bakery and eating outdoors at the cafe. It was one of my favorite things about our radio station.

That we were situated right in the heart of town. A few years before, a bigger building had come up for sale out by the interstate. It was modern and spacious. Plenty of parking and no leaky pipes. But we'd all agreed we'd rather make do

with our cramped office and our gotta jiggle the handle bathroom to stay where we were. To watch our town move about its day on the street in front of us. I reached for my clipboard as the song wound down and padded my breast pocket for my reading glasses.

I was just slipping them on as I faded the mic back up. Lots to do around town this weekend if you're looking for some trouble to get into. The farmer's market has overflowed its banks. So much produce rolls. in right now, that they have a second location set up in the village green. I leaned forward in my chair and squinted down the street to the right, just making out the stalls where they were set up. It looks like it's been a good year for tomatoes, so if you're thinking about doing some canning,

bring a pickup truck and haul some away. Over at the end tonight, Playing in the ballroom is a really great band, the porch lights. That's at 9 p.m. Dinner and drinks also available as you enjoy the music. There is a puzzle exchange at the library going on all weekend. A beekeeping demonstration out at the Lavender Farm tomorrow at 2. No sign up required. Just buzz on over.

Sorry about that. Classic movie marathon all day to day at the downtown theater, if you need a break from all this sunshine. Ooh, this looks good. A local author is reading a chapter of her new book, On the Street, Where You Live, at the bookshop this Tuesday. There is a cat adoption fair every Saturday through the end of the summer, or until all the cats get adopted, whichever comes first. out at Weathervein Farm. I glanced up and saw the baker waving at me from inside her front window. She balanced a tray of cinnamon rolls on one palm and pointed at it. She must have had her radio tuned to our station,

because when I said, This Just In, a fresh batch of cinnamon rolls, have just come out of the oven at the bakery on Main Street. She gave me a thumbs up and turned to slide the platter into the pastry case. We must have been playing over the speaker at the flower shop as well because I watched the woman who worked there

peek out of her door and make a beeline for the bakery. A flashing light on the bar. on my board caught my attention, and I glanced down to see a call was coming in. From the number on the screen, I had a feeling I knew who was on the line and decided to take the call on air. I pressed the button and said, Yes, Chef.

Happy Saturday, they drawled. How is it looking at the end this morning? I asked. Busy. Listen. The porch is full of guests, so I only have a second, but two things. Go ahead. The porch lights play at 8 p.m. tonight, not 9. My apologies, I chuckled. And it's the innkeeper's birthday today. It sounded like they had their hand wrapped around the mouthpiece of the phone. and I imagined them looking around to make sure she wasn't nearby. She's pouring coffee right now, so she can't hear this.

But how about everybody who comes to hear the band or for dinner tonight? Why don't you bring her a flower and we'll make up a nice birthday bouquet? Oh, here she comes. I smiled at the click on the line and leaned. into the mic to say, all right, you've got your orders, folks. We'll get back to the music for a bit. But if you've misplaced anything this week, listen up at the half hour for our regular lost and found segment. And there's some good stuff in the bin this week. If you don't claim it, I might. I faded out the mic.

and started up a song. Leaning back in my chair and sipping at the last of the coffee in my cup, I watched a few bike riders cycle past. A window in an apartment on the second floor above the cafe opened, and a dust cloth was shaken out into the air. The grandfathers who gathered,

at the coffee shop each morning, rounded the corner, already arguing about something, with newspapers tucked under their arms. Someone tacked a garage sale flyer to the telephone pole down the street. Another call flashed on the board, and I smiled as I pressed the button. WNM-H. I took my headphones. down from the hook beside me and swiveled my chair toward the board. I was about 20 minutes into my Saturday morning broadcast, and while a song played through the airwaves, I'd snuck out to fill my coffee cup from the pot in the back office.

It was still a bit too hot to sip, and I set it very carefully on the desktop beside the board. I closed one eye, so I couldn't see the sign taped to the wall that clearly stated, no drinks, allowed in the radio booth. Well, coffee isn't really a drink. It's a lifeline, a cultural touchstone, an energizing ritual.

And after all these years of broadcasting, I figured I'd earned the right to break a rule or two. The last few lines of the song were playing, and I pulled the mic closer, my finger on the channel fader, ready to break in for the next segment. As the last notes faded, I slid the music channel down and eased my mic up. Welcome back to WNMH. It's time for your weekend weather. It's a beautiful day in the neighborhood,

and we've got more of that to look forward to. Our current temperature in downtown, nothing much. is a pleasant 78 degrees Fahrenheit, or 25 degrees Celsius. Under blue skies, winds at just 7 miles per hour today, but they will pick up a bit overnight. So don't leave your sheets out on the line unless you want to gather them up from down the street tomorrow. The low tonight will be a crisp 59 Fahrenheit.

That's 15 Celsius. And what we call in this neck of the woods, good sleeping weather. Winds will die back down by morning. And tomorrow, we will have more sun and just a degree or two more heat. Looks like we might have a rainstorm coming at the beginning of next week,

but if we get a good downpour, you know how that goes. Let's all say it together. Sure needed this rain. I'll be back after this next song with village events. And a few birthdays to mention. If there's something you'd like to hear, hear. Well, I can't guarantee I'll play it, but you can still give me a call and see if you can talk me into it. I faded the mic out, and the next song started up. I shifted my headphones.

One ear cup on and one off. And reach. for my coffee, which was now the perfect temperature, the big picture window in the booth, looked right out on Main Street. And from where I sat, I could see people streaming into the bakery and eating outdoors at the cafe. It was one of my favorite things. about our radio station, that we were situated right in the heart of town. A few years before, a bigger building had come up for sale out by the interstate. It was modern and spacious, plenty of parking, and no leaky pipes. but we'd all agreed

we'd rather make do with our cramped office and our gotta chiggle-the-handle-the-handle bathroom to stay where we were to watch our town move about its day on the street in front of us.

I reached for my clipboard as the song wound down and padded my breast pocket for my reading glasses. I was just slipping them on as I faded the mic back up. What's to do around town this weekend? If you're looking for some trouble to get into, the farmer's market has overflowed its banks. So much produce,

rolling in right now, that they have a second location set up in the village green. I leaned forward in my chair and squinted down the street to the right, just making out the stalls as they were set up. It looks like it's been a good year for tomatoes. So if you're thinking about doing some canning, bring a pickup truck and haul some away. Over at the end tonight, playing in the ballroom is a really great band, the porch lights. That's at 9 p.m. Dinner and drinks also available as you've.

enjoy the music. There's a puzzle exchange at the library going on all weekend, a beekeeping demonstration, out at the lavender farm tomorrow at two. No sign up required. Just buzz on over. Sorry about that. Classic movie marathon all day to day. At the downtown, at the downtown, town theater if you need a break from all this sunshine. Ooh, this looks good. A local author is reading a chapter of her new book, on the street where you live at the bookshop this Tuesday. There's a cat adoption fair every Saturday through the end of the summer,

or until all the cats get adopted. whichever comes first, out at Weathervane Farm. I glanced up and saw the baker waving at me from inside her front window. She balanced a tray of cinnamon rolls on one palm and pointed at it. She must have had her radio tuned to our station because when I said this just in, a fresh batch of cinnamon rolls,

have just come out of the oven at the bakery on Main Street. She gave me a thumbs up and turned to slide the platter into the pastry case. We must have been playing over the speaker at the flower shop. as well, because I watched the woman who worked there, peek out of her door, and make a beeline for the bakery. A flashing light on my board caught my attention, and I glanced down to see a call was coming in. From the number on the screen, I had a feeling I knew who was on the line and decided to take the call on the air. I pressed the button and said, yes, chef, happy Saturday, they drawled. How's it looking at the inn this morning? I asked.

Busy. Listen. The porch is full of guests. So I only have a second. But two things. Go ahead. The porch lights play at 8 p.m. tonight. Not nine. My apologies, I chuckled.

And it's the innkeeper's birthday today. It sounded like they had their hand wrapped around the mouthpiece of the phone. And I imagined them looking around to make sure she wasn't nearby. She's pouring coffee right now, so she can't. hear this, but how about everybody who comes to hear the band or for dinner tonight? Why don't you bring her a flower and we'll make up a nice birthday bouquet? Oh, here she comes. Gotta go. I smiled at the click on the line and leaned into the mic to say, all right, you've got your orders, folks. We'll get back to the music for a bit.

If you've misplaced anything this week, listen up at the half hour for our regular lost and found segment. There's some good stuff in the bin this week. And if you don't claim it, I might. I faded out the mic and started up. Pesong, leaning back in my chair, and sipping at the last of the coffee in my cup, I watched a few bike riders cycle past. A window in an apartment on the second floor above the cafe opened, and a dustcloth was shaken out into the air. The grandfathers who gathered at the coffee shop each

morning, rounded the corner, already arguing about something, with newspapers tucked under their arms. Someone tacked a garage sale flyer to the telephone pole down the street. Another call flashed on the board, and I smiled as I pressed the button. Sweet dreams.