(feel free to open in your browser, if receiving via email.)
to read: essays, articles
I’m a Short Afternoon Walk and You’re Putting Way Too Much Pressure On Me — Emily Delaney, McSweeny’s — If you’ve been enjoying your pandemic walks, this is for you. (I found it especially hilarious, considering walks have been a big outing in these first postpartum weeks.)
The efficiency curse — Michael Pollan, The Washington Post — “It turns out we’re all in this leaky boat together, so, like it or not, we’d better start building systems and supply chains resilient enough to withstand the shocks to come.”
Gift-Work Becomes Women's Work — Leah Libresco Sargeant, Other Feminisms — If we view all labor as dignified only insofar as it can fit into a market framework, we leave out the clergyman, the mother, the artist. There are ways to try to translate this kind of gift-labor to the market, but it changes the nature of the work. I’d argue that a lot of wellness and influencer work is a kind of translation of gift-work to be more commoditized and less directed by real care for a particular person.”
A Theology of Creation: Carter Moore — Hannah Keziah Agustin, Off-Kilter — “I felt like a lot of people that I admired were in it for other reasons. And so, I just removed myself completely for a long time. And I don't think that was a wrong choice. I eventually came back to Instagram and other platforms but I think it was a healthy choice for me to evaluate why I am making what I do. What is the future of that? How do I want to represent myself and my work? Does it matter if I have any followers? Does it matter if anybody knows me ever? Is that what's important or is the work important?”
Becoming Authentically Human is Hard. But Not Impossible. — Carolyn Arends, The Rabbit Room — “But it has started to dawn on me that John only became more completely his confrontational, unshaven, locust-eating self in Jesus’ presence. John actually became Johnier and Johnier—but now all of him was pointing to Jesus. He was authentically holy, but in an authentically John the Baptist sort of way.”
to read: books
Two Funerals, Then Easter, Rachel Joy Welcher — paperback — Admittedly, I’ve never been one to gravitate toward reading poetry (outside of song lyrics). Part of that could be I’ve never known where to start, part of it was not knowing the breadth and variety of poetry out there.
The way this collection brings you through a storyline — in chapters and vignettes — was something I absolutely loved. Poems on their own can be beautiful, but weaving together a narrative is even better in my mind.
The scenes were visceral and the spectrum of emotions palpable. I forget how good this medium is at showing vs. telling. You might find yourself losing your breath from a scene capturing something so universal, yet so personal to Rachel — a gut-punch of the pain or joy she gently invites you into.
to watch
Posting your kids on social media - Should we do it?! — Jessica Hover
to listen: music
Visions — Grant Green — Jazz is timeless. Get classy, y’all.
By and By — Caamp — For all I’ve said I hate the new Apple Music feature which starts playing similar music once an album has played… that’s how this music came to my attention, after listening to some Mandolin Orange. It fits a particular vibe I find just perfect.
to listen: audio
How ‘Wintering’ Replenishes — Katherine May, On Being — A fascinating conversation. I love the concept discussed, one of seasons in the physical and mental/emotional sense. One thing of note that I found interesting is the way she describes our innate craving for these rhythms of the year and of our lives. It sounds like Katherine herself is not religious, but sees a society longing for the rituals that mark the seasons and give space for those experiencing their own “winter” outside of the physical season. The Christian tradition allows for this space in the celebrations and observances of church calendar (even if it looks a bit different in the various denominations and traditions.) Weekly Sabbath is also part of the Chrisitan faith, a regular reminder of the need our whole selves have — for rest and pleasure and being filled to go forth once again.
to cook
Pumpkin Bread — I make this routinely. Because in this house, we can’t get enough.
Oatmeal Chocolate Chip Pancakes — A recipe from a friend who dropped some by. After eating them all I tried out the recipe, adding a banana. Yum.
to celebrate
Casimir Pulaski Day — Consider this March 1st holiday more of an excuse for Sufjan Stevens fans to enjoy that glorious tune of his. (Found on Illinoise).
Melting Snow, Warmer Weather — Don’t forget to take your walks!!
to remember, reflect
A Year Ago...
The Baumeisters were in month two of living on Long Island. We found lots of waterfront, a state park with disc golf, and trudged the two month old along for all of it.
This Week...
Our second week as a family of four, we took advantage of Jakob’s time off work to take some walks (in the neighborhood, at the park, in town). Tested out the double stroller, and our ability to efficiently load up two tiny people. Ate some treats, breathed in fresh air. Made two boy burritos, watched the baby sleep, and the toddler run his little legs out. Felt loved by people offering gifts and others showing up at our house. Reminded we are wired for relationship, and not just romantically (even though that should have its own strong base of friendship, anyways) Share your marriage and your kids, make people food, pass some drinks, and enjoy connection with others.
“Since therefore the children share in flesh and blood, he himself likewise partook of the same things, that through death he might destroy the one who has the power of death…
Therefore he had to be made like his brothers in every respect, so that he might become a merciful and faithful high priest in the service of God”
Hebrews 2:14, 17