5 Quick Things #215 š¦
shopping small, shopping local, puppy sweetness, & metaverse nothankyouplease
Hello, dear reader,
My several weeks of travel officially caught up to me because I spent this last week sick. I donāt get sick very often yet when I do, itās usually a doozy. This one was no exception, and for that, Iāll spare you the details. š¤š¤§š· Iām feeling much better at this particular moment, so Iām hopeful Iām on the up-and-up in time for Thanksgiving. But man, did it mean an unproductive week this past week āĀ and I know thatās okay. In fact, getting sick is usually my bodyās way of telling me to just slow down and rest already.
Yesterday was the last day of school before our short Thanksgiving break, and Iām stoked! Iām eager for a week at home with the kiddos and making the best food of the whole year. š„

5 Quick Things āļø
1.Ā I recently wrote a short piece for America magazine about why the supply chain crisis + holiday season dovetail perhaps has a silver lining: āWhat if instead we recognized how little ājust rightā gifts actually matter?ā (Also look for it on the last page of the latest paper magazine, if you subscribe.)
2.Ā On a related note⦠āTo most consumers, Prime looks like a lovely convenience offering free shipping, and itās hard to find better prices elsewhere. But the reason ā¦is because it forces everyone else to sell stuff at higher prices.ā Why Iām doing my darndest to avoid Amazon this holiday season. (Itās not easy.)
3.Ā ALLLLL my spidey senses are up about this whole Metaverse ridiculousness, and Iām not alone. Hereās just one reason why ā āI donāt want an avatar. My prayer life is focused on eliminating the avatar I already am.ā
4.Ā Maybe itās because Iāve got a kid thatāll be college age in just a few years, or maybe because this is in my backyard, but Iām intrigued by this idea and I very much agree with the reasons for its inception.
5.Ā And finally āĀ because letās not get entirely sturm und drang this week āĀ I recently showed this to one of my classes, and they loved it. Iāve seen it repeatedly and it gets me each time. š¶
A Drink With a Friend š„āļø
ā¦Thereās actually no new episode of Drink this week āĀ womp womp. This is a surprise to us all because we had every intention of recording until I got sick, and trust me, you wouldnāt have enjoyed listening to my raspy, ridiculous voice. Seth gives a thoroughly entertaining quick update, but in the meantime, behold our new logo:
ā¦And behold the available merch, should you desire to add this to your holiday wish list:
Iām loving it all! Head here or here.
Currently Reading, Watching, Listening šŗ
The Ketoserts YouTube channel, both because itās calming and because the recipes are legit good
Quotable š¬
āDo not spoil what you have by desiring what you have not; remember that what you now have was once among the things you only hoped for.ā
ā EpicurusĀ #
9 Days⦠āØ
Advent is just over a week away, beginning on Sunday, November 28! Nowās the time to order Shadow & Light, whether itās for you for the first time, or for someone you know would enjoy it:
And hey, go ahead pre-order its sister companion to Lent/Easter: Bitter & Sweet! It releases February 1, 2022, and by ordering now, youāll be ready for the season and youāre telling bookstores to order plenty in stock. And thank you in advance!
Elsewhere š

Question For You to Ponder⦠š¤
If you picked up a pen and listed 20 things youāre grateful for right now, how do you think your mindset would shift for the rest of the day? (Give it a try.)
Have a good weekend!
xo, Tsh
p.s.Ā November seems to be turning out this way for me.
Comment on #1. This is the second year we are changing the way we do Christmas and giving. One gift per person done through drawing a name. I love when I get a gift from someone that knows the things I love and itās simple but just right.
Comment on #5. Oh my goodness!! Wow. š„²