Weekend Daybook: the catching-up edition
From a little road trip through The Berkshires with my husband this week.
What I've been up to lately: places, people, books, podcasts, music, links & more for your weekend downtime.
(1) new blog series for Ordinary Time - Work Stories
Did you read the post about the new blog series I’ll be posting between now and Advent? I’m excited to get this place up and running again this fall and can’t think of a better way than to invite a whole bunch of friends to tell stories. I hope you’ll chime in with a few of your own!
(2) updates from musician friends
Our friend Jason Harrod started a Patreon page and we recommend! (If you’re not familiar with Jason’s music, listen to some tunes at his website.)
Our friend Krista’s track, Little Stars, a tribute album (back in April, but, as you know, I’ve been off schedule this year!)
(3) somewhat-random, but extremely interesting links
This is the craziest thing I read on the internet so far this year (and that’s saying something): How an Ex-Cop Rigged McDonald’s Monopoly Game and Stole Millions | via Daily Beast
Woah: The Milky Way’s Glimmering Core Captured in a Timelapse Video by Adrien Mauduit | via Colossal
Speaking of jobs: Images of Disappearing Jobs | via The Atlantic
(4) podcast episodes I enjoyed in the past several months
Sarah Jessica Parker Talks New Imprint, SATC’s Impact on Women & More | Just the Right Book! podcast (Just fun listening in on a lovely book conversation and I’m not even a SJP groupie! Also, I’ve made my first visit to the host’s bookstore in Madison, CT and highly recommend!)
Actor André Holland Explores: 'Where I Fit, How I Fit, If I Fit' | Fresh Air with Terry Gross (A meaningful, vulnerable interview.)
Alain de Botton & The True Hard Work of Love and Relationships | On Being with Krista Tippet (Fascinating insights about what it means to fall in love and stay in love. Loved listening with my daughter who has recently become even more interested in this subject than ever.)
The Lucky Few podcast is a new podcast featuring stories, interviews, and advocacy for Down Syndrome and co-hosted by my friend Micha Boyett. It’s beautiful, warm, hopeful, and lighthearted and I recommend for all of us. Two of my favorite episodes from the first season include ep. 6 (“Friendship, pt. 2”) and ep. 7 (“The Dads Episode”). Listen and share with a friend!
p.s., Have you heard a new season of Serial is on its way?!?
(5) good musical moments from two very different funeral liturgies
Senator John McCain’s funeral at the National Cathedral:
How Great Thou Art sung by the congregation
America the Beautiful led by the cathedral children’s choir, then the Naval choir, then the whole congregation joining in (All those verses though!)
Aretha Franklin’s funeral at Greater Grace Temple in Detroit:
Amazing Grace sung by Jennifer Hudson (maybe the most amazing performance I’ve ever heard of this beloved hymn.)
The Lord’s Prayer played on the harmonica by Stevie Wonder (and it’s gorgeous).
(Thanks to Dr, Paul Neeley at Global Christian Worship for the heads up on the last two links.)
(6) blog posts from the archives on the ache of vocational uncertainty
In relation to the new blog series on the subject of vocations, calling, and work:
2015 - Father, forgive them (A guest post by Brian during Holy Week.)
2009 - Heavy Man Stuck (Inspired by an artistic illustration.)
2009 - We are expecting! (Not what it sounds like…)
2008 - How I’m feeling these days (A post in graphic form.)
2008 - Confession (Trying to blame it all on my mother.)
2008 - Anguish (Inspired by a poem this time.)
(7) books on my nightstand in September
Picnic in Provence: A Memoir with Recipes by Elizabeth Bard
Travels with Charley: In Search of America by John Steinbeck
The Stories We Live: Finding God’s Calling All Around Us by Kathleen A. Cahalan
The Last Shift: Poems by Philip Levine
The Complete Stories of Flannery O’Connor
The Voice of Jesus: Discernment, Prayer and the Witness of the Spirit by Gordon T. Smith
Writings from The New Yorker 1927-1976 by E. B. White
I’d love to hear what you’re reading (or hoping to read) this month!
(1) photo from the archives
9 years ago
On Wrightsville Beach, NC with friends, summer of 2009.
Praying for the Carolinas this weekend. Lord, be near!
May your weekend include some good music, friends, reading, and rest. Peace...
p.s. This post may contain affiliate links because I'm trying to be a good steward, and when you buy something through one of these links you don't pay more money, but in some magical twist of capitalism we get a little pocket change. Thanks!