Week 17 (2021)
the night sky & bereavement leave, good parties & dying, mom genes & defeating vultures
(Open in your browser — emails cut off at the end!)
to read: essays, articles
The Dark Side — David Owen, The New Yorker — “Today, a person standing on the observation deck of the Empire State Building on a cloudless night would be unable to discern much more than the moon, the brighter planets, and a handful of very bright stars—less than one per cent of what Galileo would have been able to see without a telescope.”
The U.S. Needs a Paid Family Leave Policy That Covers Miscarriage — Leah Libresco Sargeant, Institute for Family Studies — “Some miscarriages involve medical complexities that make women eligible for sick leave, but when a child dies, the parents shouldn’t need to use up sick leave to grieve. A mother shouldn’t need to question whether her bodily suffering is enough to interfere with her work and qualify for medical leave.”
On Good Parties — Tara Isabella Burton, Breaking Ground —”Because a party has no telos other than itself, no productive goal or clear outcome, it allows us to pay closer attention to those we love, as they are; it allows us, in turn, to be vulnerable to those who love us. When we celebrate joyfully with one another, in this liminal space, we are also seeing those we love as they really are.”
Growing My Faith in the Face of Death — Tim Keller, The Atlantic — ”So when the certainty of your mortality and death finally breaks through, is there a way to face it without debilitating fear? Is there a way to spend the time you have left growing into greater grace, love, and wisdom? I believe there is, but it requires both intellectual and emotional engagement: head work and heart work.”
Vultures Fell on Grandma's Cabin — Shelby Poulin, Curator — “Maybe I would have lashed out, grasping for fullness with a raised fist or a fiery word. Instead, I let the conversation and all of its sensations roll over me — first the shame and longing, then love and grace. And the bone-licking vultures circled away.”
Fertility Kings and Mom Genes — Ross Douthat, Reactions — He responds to a Front Porch Republic essay, and suggests his wife’s new book (Mom Genes) offers an example of the solutions called for.
to read: books
To The Bright Edge of the World, Eowyn Ivey — audio — I really enjoyed her magical-realism novel The Snow Child, but this one didn’t grip me quite as much. Still an enjoyable story.
to watch
“Craig Mod is an American writer/programmer/photographer who lives in Japan, and is fascinated by the distinctively Japanese coffeeshop/cafe called kissa. They’re sort of dying out now, thanks to Starbucks and the like, so Mod visited pretty much every kissa he could find and wrote a book about them. All kissa serve coffee and most of them serve “pizza toast” to eat as you drink your coffee.
Now Mod has made a mesmerizing five-minute film about a rainy morning in a kissa in suburban Tokyo.” (Alan Jacob in Snakes & Ladders)
to listen: music
Chemtrails Over the Country Club — Lana Del Ray
The Laws of Motion — Yons
to listen: audio
The Stages of Becoming a Man — In this house, we enjoy the academic research and resources Anthony Bradley shares. His new podcast has been filled with gold about fathers, and sons, and manhood.
to cook
Fool-Proof Roast Chicken — Emily Jensen shared (in her newsletter Planting Season) how she roasts her chickens. We found this video really helpful.
Crispy Roast Potatoes — Ever since learning to put baking soda in the salted water, we’ve been loving how crispy the potatoes get. Don’t forget the high temp of 450. For fat I like half butter, half olive oil. We make all the time!
Oatmeal Scotchies — Just taken from the butterscotch bag!
to celebrate
A moment of relief and respite, as the verdict of Derek Chauvin’s case was read. I was preparing dinner, and was quite nervous the chance for earthly justice and accountability would be denied. Thankful for the verdict. Lamenting the harmful police encounters & brutality that necessitate such trials. With countless stories and incidents left unknown, covered up, brushed off.
to remember, reflect
A Year Ago...
Walking the trails, masking up, garnering strength.
This Week...
I am now a person who makes her own hand soap, dish soap, and kitchen spray with Dr. Bronner’s products. Utilizing reusable glass dispensers. I plan to make baby/body wash once we run out. Please clap.
If the baby needs to get stuck for a blood draw (pinned down by his mother and nurses), then I can give some blood.
While rolling a giant exercise ball at Ezra in the front yard, we met a young couple with a toddler who were taking a walk, and new-ish to the neighborhood. Turns out people appreciate friendliness even if you’re awkward! An open invitation for playdates (and general neighborliness) is a nice result of just being present in your yard.
Ezra is learning that you can collect flowers (weeds) in random containers, and Lukas is learning to make some sweet, non-crying noises.
Jakob “accidentally” got two racks of ribs, so we had to have friends over to eat them!
“And they devoted themselves to the apostles' teaching and the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers. And awe came upon every soul, and many wonders and signs were being done through the apostles. And all who believed were together and had all things in common. And they were selling their possessions and belongings and distributing the proceeds to all, as any had need. And day by day, attending the temple together and breaking bread in their homes, they received their food with glad and generous hearts, praising God and having favor with all the people. And the Lord added to their number day by day those who were being saved.”
Acts 2:42-47