Stop scrolling & read this good book
Or listen to this joyful folk duo, or nudge yourself to pray in a new way, or…
Later this week I’m sending an announcement about a brand-new Lenten offering from me to you! Stay tuned, but for now enjoy 5 quick recs to stay sane through uNprECedenTeD tiMEs.1
As an antidote to the abhorrent news lately, I let myself slip into the joy of a fictional world. Thrilled to report that The Time of the Child is as delightful, wise, and hilarious as This Is Happiness. Niall Williams is a genius. Grab it from Bookshop or Amazon.**
Need a nudge to pray? Wisdom from my spouse: “Think about what already nudges you to pray: the daily news, a friend’s request, the sound of church bells or an ambulance racing by. Then think about the routines you do without thinking. What could you pair with prayer, to give yourself an easy-to-remember nudge at work or home?” My latest column from OSV News.
“The point of being helped is not that you have earned the help in some measurable way, some litmus test of extraordinary suffering. The point of being helped is actually the opposite—that you are ordinary, which is to say human.” A gorgeous essay by
on needing and receiving help: All aboard the meal train.Discovered The Well Pennies thanks to my workout app, and their folksy duo brings such joy. Check out their music on YouTube or Spotify.
A feel-good story about a kid with a calling + the power of music? Yes, please. Our reminder to serve the common good however we can: An airport piano was filthy and out of tune. He fixed it during a layover.
** This post contains affiliate links AND thanks to those of you on Substack Notes who helped me sort through affiliate options. I’ve figured out my user error on Bookshop.org so I’m happy to be offering this again as an alternative to the billionaire’s site. But I also know that many folks still rely on Amazon—or use it like me, as a place for lists that I take to my local bookshop to buy there. However you use these links, I’m grateful for your support.
Did I say unprecedented? Whoops, I meant unconstitutional. CALL YOUR REPRESENTATIVES. NONE OF THIS IS OKAY.
Hey! Thanks for calling- this is small potatoes but my husband works for the VA and lost a job opportunity that would’ve significantly helped our family and now we’re scared out of our wits that he’s going to lose his current job. Many, many veterans, including my husband, work for the VA, and it’s sad to see the blatant disrespect.
I have also had *ahem* words *ahem* with a Congressional staffer! Eight years ago I called to oppose the Muslim ban and the (young sounding) staffer tried to tell me why I shouldn't call "because it's an executive branch issue and there's no vote in the House scheduled." 😡 I told him the same thing as you did, that I was calling my representative to express my views on an issue important to me and I finally got him to say something like "I will share your concerns." Afterwards I looked up the comms director for this representative and sent HIM an email explaining that this was not how his staff should be treating constituents and received a very nice apology. Keep calling!