Weekend Reads v. 1.3.2025
Rabbit, rabbit.
New month, same ol’ superstition. Rabbit, rabbit. I’ve no clue where I first picked up that expression. While I’m not superstitious, there’s something about recognizing the blank page of a calendar at the start of a new month that feels like a realignment. Does the phrase actually bring me good luck at the start of a new month? Probably not. But it still feels good to embrace that newness with a bit of hope, so I suppose that’s why I keep up this tradition.
As I mentioned to you last week, I started a new job. In an office. Where we have to wear grown-up clothes. My commute was kind of a beast (hey, DC traffic! You’re back!), and the grown-up clothes took some getting used to. But the work itself was thrilling. I was immersed in topics that I not only follow as part of my work, but I also read about in my spare time. My colleagues have been kind and demonstrated a fierce work ethic. They, too, share my desire to do good work that will improve the lives of others.
I realized I have a hard road ahead of me, long commute aside. There will be squabbles and that weird high-school politicking that happens in offices. The shine of the new job will tarnish – it always does. But for now, I’m focused on the amazing fact that so many of the things I’ve learned and done in other jobs have stacked up nicely for this job.
This is true for you, too. You’re walking whatever road is under your feet and facing challenges and opportunities as part of that journey. The lessons and accomplishments you’ve collected over the years have prepared you for such a time as this. Shiny parts of your life will also tarnish, and new glimmers of hope will appear. You’ll find the end of yourself and then walk back to the wonderfulness that is at your center. Life is made of seasons and, friend, we are about to embark on a new season.
Rabbit, rabbit.
Here’s an interesting article about women in their late 20’s and early 30’s making the decision to become nuns. The author veers off course a bit at the end by making sure you know she disapproves of their choices, but there are some valuable insights before the piece turns into an op-ed. (Honestly, what are journalism schools doing these days? Signed, a J-School major.)
Wait – the Oscars are this weekend? How did this creep up on me! Maybe I’m not alone. This study found more than half of Americans haven’t watched any Best Picture nominees.
Speaking of calendars, Lent begins next week. I’m going to read through this study during Lent this year.
This essay about being a recovering people-pleaser hit home.
After a bumpy week in the news, Jonathan Rosen’s guest column for The Free Press about the San Francisco quake of 1906 provides a much-needed bit of perspective and encouragement.
“James’s essay is a good response to that leveling impulse, precisely because he understood the mythic urge to sweep the lumbering world away, with its war, politics, people, pragmatic solutions, objective science, and painful past. He also understood that an irrational impulse is not the death of reason, any more than a private feeling is public policy. The power of his essay comes from its embrace of contradictions. Without it, human nature itself can seem like an intrusion. As Edmund Burke wrote, “Politics ought to be adjusted not to human reasonings but to human nature, of which reason is but a part and by no means the greatest part.” If we don’t take the world personally, why would we bother being in it? If we only take it personally, how will we make life better for ourselves or anybody else?”
One day, I will stay at Glen Dye in Scotland! Their email list gives me the shortest, most wonderful little holiday when I read it. Speaking of quick holidays in Scotland via your inbox, Hidden Scotland’s email list also provides me with short little mental breaks. Maybe you’ll enjoy their emails, too?
Are we coming to the end of our extremely online era? TBH, I kinda hope so.
All the Restaurants still make one of my favorite gifts – to receive and to give. I’m excited to see they have new prints of iconic restaurants up on their site.
These socks for women from Amazon are rumored to be a secret winner.
Hoping I have time to finish this novel this weekend. It’s a hard one to put down once you finally find the time to pick it up. (TY to Brigette for the recommendation!)
Hearing good things about French Cooking for One. If you’ve tried recipes from this cookbook, let me know what you think!
The wine country du jour is in Thailand. Well, according to Vogue.
Do household appliances not last as long as they used to?
Do something kind for yourself today!
And be aware that some almighty affiliate links lurk in this email. If you choose to make a purchase, I thank you kindly because I may earn a small commission.