Howdy,
Iām writing to you practically* sans-coffee because we ran out of beans yesterday and the day was too full to get more. This means as soon as I hit send, Iāll be walking to our coffee shop and restocking our stash, and while Iām there as might as well stay and finish grading essays and continue tapping out sentences in my current story⦠In the meantime, Iām impressed with myself for getting any of these words out at all.
This past week I started this simple calisthenics routine, and Iām shocked at how sore I am. At first blush it seems so easy! Alas⦠By the time Iām done with each one my muscles are shaking. In a good way. If youāre looking for something simple (and free!), it might be up your alley.
*I ashamedly microwaved a shot of coffee still left from yesterday, just to cut the edge. š«£
5 Quick Things āļø
1.Ā š» A new episode of ADWAF! š» Both adult Catholic converts from a lifetime of Protestantism, Seth and I each could do a 12-part series on why we swam the Tiber. In this chat, Seth unpacks with me just a few items in his backpack worn on his journey to the Church. (We get SO many questions from yāall about what compelled us to walk this path, so this episodeās for you if youāve wondered what on earth is going on.)
2.Ā None of us really use a rotary phone attached to the wall via landline anymore, but why do we still read āĀ and prefer āĀ paper books over e-books? Why are we, as a whole, still buying books in droves compared to their digital counterparts? Hereās a good exploration of that question. āWeāre so enamored of digital technology we often presume its superiority; worse, we sometimes forget its alternatives even qualify as technologies. ...That should lead us to ask a question: How does a technology as fusty as the printed book continue to thrive against digital competition?ā
3. When we lived overseas, it was always going to the grocery store in the States that was the first real culture shock to the system. Why is that? Too many choices, too many bright colors and logos vying for my attention, too much of too much. This is a lovely piece on the beauty (and practicality) of practicing temperance at the grocery store.
4.Ā If you really enjoyed our recent episode with Abigail Favale and wish there was more, then listen to my friend Keithās latest chat with her. Two gems of human beings. (side note: I had drinks with her a few weeks ago and sheās the real deal. I also locked my keys in the car with her luggage inside when she needed to head to the airport, so thereās that.)
5.Ā And finally, itās time for another challenge from one of my favorite YouTubers⦠I, too, love early mornings, so Iām tempted to try this out.
Currently Reading, Watching, Listening š
Writing Tools, by Roy Peter Clark
Quotable š¬
āThe simple things are also the most extraordinary things, and only the wise can see them.ā
ā Paulo CoehloĀ #
How Many Tattoos Do You Have? šØ
Apparently none, for most of you. I have two, if youāre curious.
Find this weekās poll here.
Quick Links š
Become a paying subscriber of The Commonplace (and thank you!)
Save the Date! July 15-25, 2023 š
Psst⦠Iām announcing soon which trip Iāll be leading next summer, but in the meantime, Iād love you to at least mark your calendars! Itāll be from July 15-25, 2023 and you DEFINITELY want to go. ā¦I promise.
Question(s) For You to Ponder⦠š¤
What do you need to let go of from your agenda today?
Have a good weekend,
Tsh
p.s. Fries.
My husband and I started a regular calisthenics workout and SHOOT DANG I didn't think I'd be this sore. So solidarity šš»
The tattoo poll was so fun last week! I'm contemplating going from 0 to 1 with a Sacred Heart sleeve....but TBD š¤š¤£
Ok I went to fill out the poll and got stuck - what exactly do you mean by āsandwich?ā As an Aussie, we have a range of things we call burgers that yāall tend to call sandwiches over there. If weāre talking cold cuts in between two slices of bread I could do without, but if weāre talking chicken sandwiches from Chick-Fil-A thatās an entirely different matter š¤£