Weekend Reads v. 19.5.2025
A summer pact on a Monday night.
It’s the week before Memorial Day, and so I officially declare give-yourself-a-pass season has begun! I shall go first and give myself a pass for posting your Weekend Reads on a Monday (night). My reason is simple: I was out of town this weekend, and typing this post in the car made me a little dizzy. Hence your list of links landing in your inbox tonight.
Over the weekend, I went shopping for an older piece of furniture that could serve as a dresser. The vintage shops brought back so many memories.
A stack of brightly colored dishes reminded me of how much I used to love Fiesta-ware in high school. Anchor Hocking bowls brought back memories of dishes my grandmother had. Ashtrays and handkerchiefs called to mind days when restaurants had smoking sections and men wiped their brow with a thin handkerchief pulled from their jacket pocket.
The afternoon spent antiquing set the stage for what would turn into a reflective weekend. After loading the car up with a mid-century buffet, I attended a surprise party for a friend who turned 50. As we laughed and piled fried chicken on our plates, his daughter headed out to prom. In a way, it felt as though I’d watched two-plus decades of my life play out over a few hours.
Prom felt like such a profound event at the time, and now I can barely remember who was there. Summer afternoons at my Papa’s lake cabin felt like they’d last forever, and now that little cabin isn’t standing anymore. That optimistic feeling that came as you pulled out of your driveway, windows down, and headed out to conquer a Friday night has faded into the adult version which, simply put, is a serious case of It's-Friday-And-I’m-Tired.
The clichés are all true. Time goes fast. Kids grow up quickly. You wish you knew then what you know now. And yet, there’s still time for most of us to make a slight detour or reprioritize. To return to a hobby we loved before abandoned it for whatever reason. To call a friend. To pull our groggy selves out of bed to witness the magic of a sunrise.
So, what do you say? Let’s do something just for us this weekend and then make it a habit all summer long. Let’s take the long road home and listen to a song on repeat. Let’s finally stop at that snow cone hut we’ve always said we wanted to try. Let’s plant the dahlias, and pull out your old camera, and bake your grandmother’s signature dessert. The days might fly by, but let’s vow to never let Father Time find us idle and full of remorse for what could have been. Instead, let’s make a pact to soak up each minute with those things that make us feel wonderfully alive.
Maybe this should be the summer of old school film cameras? Here’s a post on the best film cameras and where to get the photos developed.
David Austin Roses now sells bouquets?!
A source for cute athletic clothes for kids sans obnoxious logos.
So it’s not just me who thinks school spirit day is stressful and has gotten out of hand. See also: every other dress-up holiday.
“As fun and cute as spirit days at elementary and preschools are, for parents, they are basically homework. And although some enjoy making the effort, others find it a burden—just one more thing to keep track of at a time when parental stress is so high that a former surgeon general issued a warning about it. On Reddit, parents complain about theme days that feel ‘never-ending,’ ‘random,’ and ‘completely unnecessary.’ Audrey Hooks, a 44-year-old tree-farm manager and mother of three in Harlingen, Texas, told me spirit days are a trend that ‘all my mom-group friends talk about, comment on, feel overwhelmed by.’”
I proudly own my love for small spoons. These wooden spoons would be perfect for spices, salt, or even jam on a charcuterie board.
This resort in the foothills of Mexico’s Volcan de Colima is dreamy! The property boasts a 5,000-acres ranch.
I’m counting down the days until I head back to New York City to meet a friend. I’ve added a visit to Big Night to our to-do list. Their online store is full of gems for your kitchen and pantry. I can’t wait to see everything in person.
How to make the most out of a trip to the art museum.
“Men's fewer meaningful social connections leave them reliant on romantic partners for company and support.”
As a society becomes more affluent, rates of PTSD increase. The hypothesis? According to Rob Henderson, “As living conditions improve, people often become more psychologically susceptible to possible suffering.”
Enjoy your week!
Wow, Big Night looks like a fun shop. Love their package design.