If you’re new here, welcome! This is my monthly recap of things that I love, whether it’s a book, podcast, song, or nail polish color. If I love it, you’re going to hear about it! I love hearing what you’re enjoying as well, so please feel free to leave a comment or hit reply to this email and share your faves with me!
Life Lately
It’s hard to believe that summer is already coming to a close for us. The girls only have one more week before school starts on August 4. I don’t know what to think about the fact that I have a third grader and a ninth grader (!), but I know it will be an interesting year.
At the beginning of the month I bought some zinnias because I wanted some flowers that I’d see every time I looked out our back window. I instantly fell in love with their bright colors.
If you follow me on social media, then you probably know where this is going. I don’t have what one would call a stellar track record with plants. But the little card that came with these told me exactly how to care for them, and I thought I could handle it. (Reader, she could not in fact handle it.) Things went well initially, but about a week ago I noticed the flowers were looking pretty wilted. I increased the watering since it’s been brutally hot and hoped that would be sufficient. (Reader, it was not.)
Apparently zinnias can’t handle “full sun” if it also feels like the actual surface of the sun? (But also, how is it possible that there are some still alive?!) Anyway, the moral of this story is: I need to stop spending money on plants.1
Recent Reads
I finished 3 books this month:
Heartwood2 by Amity Gaige details the search for a woman who goes missing while hiking the Appalachian Trail. I really loved this book. The story and characters were well-written and engaging.
The Missing Half by Ashley Flowers. I liked the premise of this book much more than I liked its execution. Credit to the author for crafting an ending I did NOT see coming, but it was dark and unsatisfying.
Don’t Let Him In by Lisa Jewell. I was blown away by Jewell’s book None of This Is True3, but this book was lackluster for me.
Current book count for the year: 19/35. I’m right on track to meet my goal!
Currently reading: Known & Loved by Glenna Marshall and Rebecca by Daphne du Maurier.
Favorite Music
“Whate’er My God Ordains Is Right” by Grace Community Church. This song is not new, but I was reminded of it last week and have been listening to it a lot. The lyrics are an encouragement to me.
“Dusty Bibles” by Josiah Queen.
“Better Days” by Ryan Ellis. (HT to Stacy for this one!)
“Singing in the Dark” by Tasha Layton.
I made a playlist for a friend but have been wearing it out myself and thought I’d share it with you. It’s filled with songs to remind you of hope on days when it’s hard to come by.
Favorite Podcasts
I recently discovered The Deep Dish podcast with Courtney Doctor and Melissa Kruger and especially appreciated their discussion of God’s sovereignty.
I highly enjoyed this discussion about “guilty pleasures” on The After Dinner Mint podcast. It caused me to evaluate my sources of entertainment, and I liked hearing the hosts’ different perspectives. Plus, all the hosts are in Australia, so listening to them talk is immediately more entertaining. ;)
What happens when two men with the same name each say their identity has been stolen by the other? Listen to this episode of Criminal to find out.
Favorite Finds Around the Web
I’m working through my thoughts about the prevalence of AI and how Christians should approach it, which means I’m stumbling on lots of writing about it. But nothing made me laugh as much as this piece by Dave Barry.4
Kate Gaston’s article for The Rabbit Room Substack about helping those in crisis includes several helpful rebuttals to reasons we might shy away from those in the midst of deep suffering and also offers practical suggestions for how to help.
O. Alan Noble writes openly and honestly about depression and OCD, and there are some good reminders in this post.
I’ve been pondering this poem a lot recently.
We have a doggy door, and in the summer this unfortunately means that bugs get in. We started using the Zevo flying insect trap, and it has made a significant difference!5
I’ve reached the point in my parenting where I now want things that my teen also wants, like this super cute pencil case she recently got for school. It holds an impressive amount of pens and pencils, plus sticky notes and other odds and ends.
ICYMI: Recent Writing
Some thoughts about body image.
That’s it for this month’s miscellany. What are you reading, listening to, or watching lately? Please tell me all the good stuff.
Stephen, if you’re reading this, don’t hold me to it. Plants are so pretty.
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Fair warning: it’s a dark, twisty book!
But also, it was just more reason for me to be concerned and skeptical about AI.
This is not sponsored, but Zevo, call me! Let’s chat.
My plants always look so pretty until the middle of July and after that they’re just weeds.
And the Dave Barry post was hilarious. I picked one of his books for a book club a few years ago. He cracks me up! Glad he’s still alive…I think?
Oh Erin! The after pic of the zinnias made me actual lol!!! I know I could send lots of similar pics if I were home right now. Love you, friend!