Hello dear friends!
It’s been one of those long long short weeks. Time expanded to fit in a trip to Los Angeles this week to celebrate the life of my dad’s oldest sister, my Aunt Cordellia. Dea, as we all called her, was the most regal, generous, and low-key hilarious aunt. We celebrated life and mourned her passing with a small family gathering, so much fried chicken, and told stories she would have said “Oh you all, hush” to. It was just sweet to be together.
Today I’m packing for my two week motorcycle trip with Will. We’ll be riding up and across California, making our way back across the states to Oklahoma and Texas depending on how the fires and air quality moves us. I’m hydrating. That feels essential. I’m hoping to stay firmly planted in every single moment with Will, with the wind, with my family we’re visiting. Just this morning my mind flashed ahead to the twinge of disappointment I might feel at the end of our trip. Isn’t that just the silliest sadness my brain is trying to conjure out of the clear blue?
I’m smiling ear to ear this weekend. Last Sunday I asked you to email me your favorite Internet pieces and summer songs and random crafts and WOW FRIENDS you came through! I sorted through each one of your emails and found myself lost in songs you love and words you’ve read. It made me feel like I know each of you just a bit and I’m truly delighted. I’m so glad we’re friends. I couldn’t fit all of your offerings into today’s post, but I have two big handfuls for you here. The rest will come. Thank you, most sincerely, for taking the time to share with me. Thank you for making this space a sweet little community. Y’all fill me right up.
The offering this week is below. It’s from you to us. As always, take some time for yourself and take only what you need:
• From Reannon of Perth, Western Australia –
“Book- The Midnight Library. I didn’t expect to like this book let alone love it like I did. It bought me so much joy to think of different versions of myself living alternate lives. (Parnassus)
Song- I have two for you & the readers. The first is Chaise Longue by Wet Leg. I can’t stop singing this song even though I have the lyrics wrong. I keep singing “ I’M a chaise longue” instead of “on a chaise longue”. And the second is by a young Aussie called the Kid LAROI featuring Justin Bieber it’s called Stay & is catchy AF!” (Spotify)
• From Meg Griffiths of Providence, RI (formally a New Orleans dweller) –
“Joy Oladokun’s debut album, In Defense of My Own Happiness, is on constant rotation. Her track, if you got a problem, is a gentle and groovy anthem of love, friendship, and solidarity. (JoyOladokun.com)
“Wanted to send you a book recommendation for your Sunday series, because it’s seriously the best book I’ve read in a LONG time: Nobody Will Tell You This But Me by Bess Kalb. (Amazon)
This is a great road trip song and I love the message that time will reveal things to us as I think your trip will to you.,Gregory is a singer/songwriter and organic gardener,
John is my favorite singer/songwriter and I have gone far and wide to see him, This too is a song about time, and how we see it. Who cannot love a song that says, “If you have loved then you have cried.”
“Mavis Staples’ 2019 album We Get By is timeless and timely and full of slow summery jams. (Spotify)
“How to Not Die Alone,: The surprising science that will help you find love by Logan Ury
“Very entertaining and inspiring true story of a FBI Special Agent, mom, & wife who in her ‘spare’ time hiked sections of the AT (Appalachian Trail) completing it in 13 years. FYI- The AT goes thru 14 states from Georgia to Maine and covers over 2000 miles.
“I have a Seamwork membership, but there are a heap of tutorials you can access and patterns you can buy if you don’t want to sign up. Signing up gives you free and discount patterns and access to the community. It is an inclusive and supportive site run by generous and skilled sewist’s. Since I found Seamwork I’ve learnt a lot more about sewing than I ever thought I’d need to know and my sewing is better for it . (Seamwork.com)
“I saw this post and thought some of your other readers might enjoy while you are on vacation:
Carter
That’s great :) I really loved and enjoyed this article. Keep up the same. Thanks for sharing.
Liz
Love joy oludakun so much. Been obsessing on her for weeks now.
Vicki
Condolences on the passing of your beloved aunt. Have a wonderful adventurous trip! My all time favorite song since I was five years old is Theme from a Summer Place. I just finished reading Always Home by Fanny Singer and Off Balance by Dominque Moceanu Couldn’t put either book down.
Ann
Love your weekly emails! It is enjoyable to hear about areas of interest from such a refreshing vibrant viewpoint. You knocked it out of the park for me with your reader recommendations this week! I am excited to try out the many categories of books, podcasts, music etc. Looking forward to hearing more! Have fun on your trip, sure sounds like an exciting adventure!
Ramona Puckett
Thank you so much for this! Enjoy your travels and I’m so sorry for your Aunt’s passing, she left you and your family with lots of great memories.
Jo
Best wishes on the motorcycle trip! Knee pain & constipation, that’s all I’m saying lol! But the life memories are everything
Bethany
These are lovely! How fun would it be to have one reader submitted link each week?!
Lauren
Love love this list. Midnight library also surprised me by how much I love it, and think of it often. Currently listening to Joy Oladokun thanks to your readers, and loving her! Excited to look into more on this list. Enjoy your trip with Will!
Reannon
Aaahhh Joy, I love that you included my recommendations & that there are so many for me to look in to- thanks JtB community!
Enjoy your trip x
Catherine
Have the very best time with Will & visiting family! I’m sure it’s going to be a trip to remember!
Thank you for this community post (such a lovely idea!) I definitely sent Michael the article about how to build our own pizza oven, sent my aunt who loves seeing the Seamwork website, and am looking forward to listening to the Hidden Brain podcast!
Darla
What a fantastic idea to have your readers/friends share there treasures! I’ve downloaded books, found a new walking podcast to listen to, and sent an article to our daughter. She’ll probably build their pizza oven !
Enjoy your trip. Be totally submerged and present with Will. We will be here on your return home. ?