I looked out the bathroom window this week and—boom—the trees have exploded in green buds overnight. We knew it was spring, but the absolute evidence of it snuck up on me. Time feels faster these days, which means it’s probably time to catch up. Are we spring cleaning, friends? Do you have the mop and bucket and squeegee out? Are we opening the windows and letting the fresh air in? (Caution: I did this the other day and spent an hour try to get to small birds out of my house.) Are we making a list of nemeses for personal growth? Let’s shake off the dust, starting today – after our links for reading.
• This week our friend Amy wrote about The Power of A Nemesis and yes, perhaps a little dose of balanced nemesis energy can hold up a mirror for ourselves. Unfortunately, that mirror tells me that I have too much face for aa skinny workout headband, so – I very much feel Amy on that very specific/non-specific nemesis. (Substack)
• The Office Turns 20 which means I’ve been saying “that’s what she said” for two decades and my apologies but, I’m just getting warmed up. (Hollywood Reporter)
• A really lovely interview with my favorite author Ann Patchett (BBC)
• I don’t read nearly enough but I will be reading Atmosphere by Taylor Jenkins Reid as soon as it comes out in June. Consider it pre-ordered. (Amazon)
• If I take anyone’s advice this week it’s going to be from 95 year old deadlifting record holder Catherine Kuehn and Catherine Kuehn alone. Please see: Strong Grandma. (The New Yorker)
• We’re getting closer to 95 by the day so what are we doing for movement lately? I’ve cut back on going to my Crossfit style gym several days a week because I noticed that I’m getting rather bulky… like the sleeves of my dresses aren’t fitting comfortably… like I need to ease up on the weights. I’m swapped the time for good old-fashioned walking and I’ve really enjoyed Issa Welly’s beginner Pilates videos. Tell me you! (YouTube, Self)
• My dog Graham is a runner. He thinks all of Bellville is his personal farm. Lessons from a Lost-Pet Detective (Gift Article NYT)
• This is the chocolate pudding I try to make every month around my period. It can be made with either cocoa or cacao powder and if I’m feeling a little splurgy, I top it with pomegranate seeds, hemp seeds, and black sesame. I’ll take my luxuries where I can get them. (Joy the Baker)
• After you read The Quiet Joy of Doing the Dishes, I’m going to need a full report on your dishwashing strategy. I like to say my real profession is dishwasher—and as a trained expert, my method is highly specific: knives first, then all the reachable silverware, most of the plates, the glasses, the sneaky silverware hiding at the bottom of the sink, and finally, the big pots and pans. I do it this way every time… unless, of course, I do it completely differently. You get it. (Savuer)
• This week on Instagram I had a litttle spiral bake featuring Banana Nut Muffins (Instagram)
• In case you needed a new little anxiety unlocked: Are You a Hostile Punctuator? (Time)
• From 2018 through 2020 I was making these Almond Flour Snickerdoodle Cookies at least once a month. They’re so simple, chewy, just all around satisfying. They completely fell off my radar until this weekend I’ve been hit hard by a craving for them. Throw these on the bake list with me! (Joy the Baker)
• And finally, welcome to the working world! The laughing and crying is so spot on. (Tiktok)
My love to you, friends.
Enjoy your Sunday!
xo Joy
