It’s been one of those weeks full of first-world problems that shouldn’t have bothered me so much, but did. I was on call for jury duty all week (I do not know how they expect working mothers to do this), my daughter and I keep devolving into the worst versions of ourselves around 6pm every night (because, seriously, it feels like midnight and WHEN IS BEDTIME?), I slammed my hand into the front door of my house (will spare you the photo of my purple fingers), and when getting myself a much-needed glass of wine, my wine opener corkscrew broke off in the cork. My new wine opener arrived today and I am ready for the weekend.
Quote of the week:
“Nothing can bring you peace but yourself.” ― Ralph Waldo Emerson
What I’m reading:
I’m double-fisting with What We Fed to the Manticore by Talia Lakshmi Kolluri (a really beautiful short story collection) and Everyday Utopia: What 2,000 Years of Wild Experiments Can Teach Us About the Good Life by Kristen Ghodsee (which showcases the benefits of intentional communal living, something I’ve been passionate about for a few years now).
What I’m listening to:
What About Men?: A Feminist Answers the Question by Caitlin Moran. I have much respect for Moran and am generally enjoying this book, but I’m struggling with the concept of women having to read a book about the challenges men face (and, I admit, there are many). This seems like more emotional labor for us. Are men reading books about women’s issues? I think not. Anyway, I’m still interested in understanding “the other side” better and expanding my empathy, so this has been helpful.
What I’m watching:
I started Nyad last night, about Diana Nyad’s mission to swim from Cuba to Florida at age 60. I have about a half-hour left. It’s great.
Writing news:
Nothing of note this week. Still writing poems that I may or may not share with the general public.
Interesting things I learned this week:
- Whereas the general cost of goods in the US has increased about 115% in the last 30 years, the price of hardcover books has only increased about 8%. That’s a mere $2.05 increase from $24.95 in 1993 to $27 now
- Wearing headphones for just an hour could increase the bacteria in your ear by 700 times—GROSS
- There are 293 ways to make change for a dollar
- “Dreamt” is the only English word that ends in the letters “mt”
- According to new data from the Pew Research Center on the state of friendship in the US, 38% of Americans say they have 5 or more close friends; 55% say they have between 1 and 4 close friends; and 8% say they have no close friends
- Three pandas at the Smithsonian National Zoo have returned to China (on a special FedEx plane called, you guessed it, the Panda Express), meaning there are only 4 pandas left in the US. China has always owned all the world’s pandas but loaned some to the US in a gesture of goodwill. It looks like the goodwill is over
- Tuesdays elections showed what matters to voters: Ohio voters passed a constitutional amendment enshrining reproductive freedom, including the right to abortion, into the state constitution. In Virginia, abortion supporting majorities were voted in and will now control the state Senate and Assembly
- Democrat Cherelle Parker will become Philadelphia’s first female mayor after beating out her Republican opponent in this week’s election
- A new study published this week in JAMA Pediatrics found that, even before the Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade, states that implemented restrictive abortion laws saw an 11% increase in the number of children placed in foster care
- Israel has agreed to daily 4-hour humanitarian pauses for civilians to flee south. I hate that this is what we’re applauding, but I guess it’s better than NO “humanitarian pauses.” What’s happening to humanity right now is just devastating
Weirdest thing I googled this week:
“how to open wine bottle without wine opener.” I discovered some very unique methods with this google search. I decided to attempt using a key and, surprisingly, it worked. It didn’t really pull the cork out in one graceful maneuver, but I was able to use the key to dig out the cork that remained. I did not harm myself in the process, which is a real win for me this week.
What I’m grateful for:
- Not having to go in for jury duty. I understand this is my civic responsibility, but it’s a ridiculous system. I really don’t know how I would have been able to do it had I been called in. I would have been expected to show up at a courthouse nearly 45 minutes away at 7:45am, which is when my daughter’s school starts. I do not understand
- A new pup in our lives. My ex-husband adopted a new puppy, which means I get the benefit of hanging out with the puppy while not having any actual responsibility for the puppy (this must be how grandparents feel). My daughter and my dogs love the new addition. I am letting him stay at my house tonight while my daughter does an Adventure Guides camping trip with her dad, so there will likely be at least 4 animals in my bed tonight (I have 2 cats as well)
- Seeing Led Zepagain (an awesome Led Zeppelin cover band) last weekend. Some of my favorite music
- Going to yoga class! I made it to two classes this past week!
Snapshots:
