Let’s make this Sunday a sigh of relief. I hope you’re taking some time to rest and recharge. I have the windows open here in New Orleans, and (dare I say it) a cool breeze against my skin. I’m scared to enjoy it too much because this might be a trick.
The above photo is from an exhibit called Guns in the Hands of Artists at the Jonathan Ferrera Gallery in New Orleans. If you’re in town, it’s a must see.
Here are some weekend reads for you, for us:
• Our recent history in the Middle East is complicated; our present inescapable. This piece by George Packer for The New Yorker is thoughtful and filled with the questions we can’t ignore: Two Speeches and a Tragedy.
• It feels like we’re supposed to simultaneously freak our and calm down about Ebola. Panic / Don’t Panic. Vox, has a quiz for us.
• There is always some commotion in the world. I think it’s hard to keep up with all the nuance, but it’s important to try. A 15-Step Guide To Understanding Why Hong Kong Has Erupted In Protest
• Last week a man jumped the fence at the White House and made his way aaallll the way into the East Room. Uninvited. Mega-rude. Quite embarrassing for the Secret Service. Here is An Ever Expanding List of Unwelcome Visitors to the White House. “Get this crank out of here.” – President Roosevelt
• Super smart start-ups are rethinking employee burn-out by offering a 2-week paid vacation before new employees start working. Uh-mazing: You Deserve a Pre-cation. Don’t we all?
• Mind, spirit, and brain. This is a really fascinating weekend read: Near Death Explained.
• What do I know about marriage and parenthood? Enough to read How American Parenting Is Killing the American Marriage and find it interesting.
• This is what it looks like to spend $23,000 on a plane ticket. I would never ever get off the plane k thaaaaanks.
• Blogger Burnout: Finding an answer in the problem. It’s so important to remember that most of my stresses are self-imposed and otherwise ridiculous and small-minded. Thanks for your words, Grace!
• I love this interview with Elle Luna. Why not try to do all the things that you want to do? Thank you for sharing this with me, Whitney!
• I Survived A Weekend With The Cult of Oprah.
• On deck: Not that Kind of Girl by Lena Dunham
• All this week on Instagram I’m offering a smoothie recipe every morning and a giveaway with Aloha. Get in on the action if you’re into it!
Enjoy this day! I think you’re great.
xo Joy
The Queen of Dreaming
Great, great, great post!
https://justsem.wordpress.com/
Angela
I love these posts. Thanks for sharing. Always thought provoking.
Katie
Dear Joy,
Somehow, I am never quite ready to start my week when Monday rolls around. Transitioning from the weekend to the work week takes time for me. “Let It Be Sunday” helps me ease my way in without wanting to cry. I sit at my desk, drink my coffee, read a few meaningful articles,** and slowly warm my brain up for the week ahead. It’s a small pleasure that makes starting my week more manageable. So thank you!
xoxo
**BTW thanks for posting real content on your blog. I think it’s brave and great.
Nutty Nutritionist
That is awesome, I want a pre-cation! hahah, Oprah Cult, too funny. Great Articles joy!
Chineka @ Savor The Baking
You have combined some great reads for this week Joy. The article about the Oprah experience was interesting and I am looking forward to seeing your smoothie recipes.
Paulette
Ah Let It Be Sunday, something I really look forward too, especially your blog. No I am not afraid of Ebola (not yet that is) but your talking to a girl who goes and see’s her mother for the last six and a half years who is in a nursing home and yes I go four times a week. Hell there you can catch anything and yes I strip down take a shower and spray my shoes with Lysol. Don’t think you can do that with Ebola, never the less I will not panic yet.
So much going on you wonder if 2012 had a different meaning for the end of the world. Not going up in a blast but slowly tearing away our society as we knew it. Ah change, can’t live with it and can’t live without it.
Yet I smile, read your blog and it makes me think, which I try not to do unless its LET IT BE SUNDAY. It makes me focus, think crazy thoughts, happy thoughts and hope in the end I don’t print something stupid. Now you know why I am not a blogger too me to much work, to much stress and I am so glad not everyone thinks like me about blogging especially a girl named JOY who brings to all of us Let It Be Sunday and making that one day of the week pleasurable. Have a good week, keep baking, cooking and writing. Paulette
DeAnn
I love the Quartz essay. when I was about 12ish I said something terrible to my mother. funny thing is I don’t remember what it was now. I do, however, remember the slap I received. I was a daddy’s girl, so naturally when my father came home from work I attempted to “tell on” my mother. I’ll never forget his response:
“you know how much I love you sweetheart?”
“of course daddy!”
“I mean you truly know how much I love you?”
“yes of course!”
“I will never love you as much as I love your mother”
I was shocked but That stuck with me, that shaped me as a wife and as a parent. When parenting and marriage is a conversation topic I appall just about everyone with my view. Nice to see I’m not alone. the internet can be a beautiful and ugly place. Speaking of which, Have you seen Shane koyczan’s film “troll”? fantastic. I have tracy to thank for turning me on to upworthy. love the link posts.
joythebaker
whoa! thank you for sharing that! SO REAL.
Nicole Mathis Harrell
I love your let it be Sunday posts/articles!
Ella
Oh my god, that Oprah article is one of the best/funniest things I have read in quite a while. HA! I read it aloud to my mom over breakfast. We laughed. Good times.
Have a great Sunday, Joy! Getting soooooo excited for your new book :)
https://www.youtube.com/sparklesandsuch26
Ari
How do you drink your ALOHA? I subscribed after seeing your recommendation (extra greens would be awesome!) but am finding the original and berry mixes so gritty and strongly flavored that the only way I can get them down is in a smoothie. I’d love to have some ALOHA while I travel but alas, smoothies are not possible without a blender! How do you drink it on the go? Love your Sunday posts (well, all your posts)!
joythebaker
that’s a great question. the mixes can be a bit gritty, which is great because it means they have fiber in them, but can make them hard for me to drink with water. Smoothies are always a great option, but when I’m traveling, I buy a small bottle or orange juice and drink a few sips before pouring in the green powder. I shake vigorously (like a lot), then let it sit for 3 minutes or so, then shake again. It looks daunting but tastes good!
Alessandra // the foodie teen
a pre-cation sounds absolutely fabulous! your links are so thoughtful and inspiring – thanks joy! have a wonderful sunday!