Week 48 (2021)
walking america, paintings & friendship, valuing nuture via paid family leave, teen girls on social media, phillip yancey's memoir
(Open in your browser — emails cut off at the end!)
to read: essays, articles
The Cost Of Nurture — Joshua Heavin, Mere Orthodoxy — Definitely the first time I’ve seen Augustine, Bavinck, and the Bruenigs quoted in the same piece, with fascinating articles linked within.
“But a lack of individual responsibility can only explain so much, as social and economic trends have led families to increasingly struggle financially to afford to spend time together without living in or barely above poverty.”
Walking America: Albany NY — Chris Arnade, Intellectual Int-ing — Recently discovered the author of Dignity (great book which we own) has a substack - with observations from walking cities & talking with folks.
“Still, that while we as a country have gotten so much richer, we have also gotten so much more unequal, is damning.”
The Moment Of Inhale — Shemaiah Gonzalez, Ekstasis — “Caravaggio’s mysteries, like most, are rarely resolved. His work tells stories deeper than our first glance.”
Surprised By Friendship — Gina Dalfonzo, Fathom — “Perhaps the most unusual detail is that this flourishing friendship existed in Lewis’s life even though his mind had no category for it.”
The Dangerous Experiment On Teen Girls — Jonathan Haidt, The Atlantic — “Correlation does not prove causation, but nobody has yet found an alternative explanation for the massive, sudden, gendered, multinational deterioration of teen mental health during the period in question.”
Phillip Yancey's Message Of Grace — Peter Wehner, The Atlantic — “I believe we have a very clear picture of how God views pain and suffering through the person of Jesus… You can follow Jesus around, and he always responds with compassion and comfort and healing.”
to read: books
The Violent Bear It Away, Flannery O’Connor — audio — Can’t believe I brought (and read) a paperback copy of this on our honeymoon to Jamaica back in 2018. An oddly dark novel to be reading on a warm, sandy beach. Need to listen to someone analyze this one because even the second time through, I am perplexed.
The Common Rule, Justin Whitmel Earley — paperback — I had preordered this back when it came out a couple years ago & just now got to reading it! Super practical habits for us all… with a healthy, human, flourishing life as the aim. (The website for the book has helpful resources and printable downloads.)
to watch
Intro To Flannery O’Connor — Jessica Hooten Wilson — I’ve been loving the video talks she’s given, and look forward to the rest as I wade back into Flannery’s writings.
Instagram & Girls — Jonathan Haidt — “On CNN, I lay out why there's such a big sex difference in how social media has affected teen mental health” (His discussed essay also linked above.)
to listen: music
Songs For Christmas, Silver & Gold — Sufjan Stevens
The Light Came Down — Josh Garrels
to listen: audio
The Future Of Work: Retirement Should Be Fun — with Stephanie Murray — “I was graciously invited to chat with [Sean] over at Vox’s Today Explained about my piece in The Atlantic about how Social Security is stacked against parents. It's part of a longer series about the future of work.”
Advent — A Drink With A Friend, Tsh Oxenreider & Seth Haines — Both of them are fabulous & generous writers, so naturally their chats are enjoyable. (I even listened to them during labor with Lukas pre-epidural… if that tells you anything.) Our family will be going through Tsh’s Shadow & Light.
to cook
Bacon-Wrapped Turkey Breast (on the grill)!!
to remember, reflect
A Year Ago...
Sending out Christmas/New Year mail, my dad making The Christmas Shack, Jakob perfecting his cream cheese pecan pie, and Lukas with 3 months left in-utero.
This Week...
Happy Advent. “It gets darker and darker and darker, and then Jesus is born.”
-Wendell Berry
“At the same time, it is a new commandment that I am writing to you,
which is true in him and in you,
because the darkness is passing away and the true light is already shining.”
1 John 2:8