“Give thanks for the heavy perfume of wild roses in early July and the song of crickets on summer humid nights and the rivers that run and the stars that rise and the rain that falls and all the good things that a good God gives.” - Ann Voskamp
READING:
Books:
The Château by Jaclyn Goldis — “A dream girls trip to a luxurious French chateau devolves into a deadly nightmare of secrets and murder in this stylish, twisty thriller… Welcome to picturesque Provence, where the Lady of the Chateau, Séraphine Demargelasse, has opened its elegant doors to her granddaughter Darcy and three friends. Twenty years earlier, the four girlfriends studied abroad together in France and visited the old woman on the weekends, creating the group’s deep bond. But why this sudden invitation?” (Goodread).
Vacationland by Meg Mitchell Moore — “Louisa is hoping that the crisp breeze off Penobscot Bay will blow away the irritation she is feeling with her life choices and replace it with enthusiasm for both her family and her work. But all isn't well in Maine. Louisa's father, a retired judge and pillar of the community, is suffering from Alzheimer's. Louisa's mother is alternately pretending everything is fine and not pretending at all. And one of Louisa's children happens upon a very confusing and heartfelt letter referring to something Louisa doesn't think her father could possibly have done. Louisa's not the only one searching for something in Maine this summer. Kristie took the Greyhound bus from Pennsylvania with one small suitcase, $761, and a lot of baggage. She's got a past she's trying to outrun, a secret she's trying to unpack, and a new boyfriend who's so impossibly kind she can't figure out what she did to deserve him. But she can't keep her various lives from colliding forever. As June turns to July turns to August, secrets will be unearthed, betrayals will come to light, and both Louisa and Kristie will ask themselves what they are owed and what they owe others” (Goodreads).
Links:
30 Best Things to Do in Paris, According to Locals (Travel + Leisure) — I’ve only done 13/30, proving my point that there’s always a reason to go back to Paris and that I can always find something new to see or do everyday.
12 Interesting Facts and Secrets About the Eiffel Tower (Travel + Leisure)
The Best Airbnbs in Paris for a Stylish Sojourn in the City of Light (Vogue) — I stayed in the loft near the Champs-Élysées in the 8th arrondissement in Fall 2019 and loved it for two couples. That being said, I will still always recommend Paris Perfect apartments.
The 80/20 Principle: Achieving More With Less (Intelligent Change) — This concept fits well with my 2023 word/intention: lagom.
In honor of Hemingways’ birthday this month, The 10 Best Ernest Hemingway Books Everyone Should Read (Biography) — #3 will always be my favorite.
36 Hours in Newport, RI (New York TImes) — We love Newport and had a great trip planned to return in 2020, but well, you know. I hope we can go back soon.
Audrey Hepburn and Her Legacy of Love (Vogue) — A revealing exhibition about the actress and humanitarian’s life created by her son Sean Hepburn Ferrer
Yes, Shaun Cassidy Is Still Dreamy: A fan finds herself in a backstage hug, decades after she kissed her poster of the onetime teen idol (New York Times) — Shaun posted this article on Twitter and “liked” my response ❤: “Great article. I had many of the same feelings as a young girl and again when seeing @shaunpcassidy last summer in Chicago — unapologetically nostalgic and joyful…even without the hug.”
WATCHING:
TV:
Ted Lasso (Apple TV+) — All three seasons back-to-back. Some shows just need to be watched multiple times. I missed so much the first time through.
Movies:
Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny — As always, “Archaeologist Indiana Jones races against time to retrieve a legendary artifact that can change the course of history” (IMDb) and it was so fun to watch.
Barbie — “Barbie suffers a crisis that leads her to question her world and her existence” (IMDb) — so serious, so fun. A guilty pleasure for sure, but with a great message for women.
LISTENING TO:
Weekly episodes of my current favorite podcasts:
The Earful Tower — This season is Paris A to Z. I love this idea. I’ll share my Paris A to Z soon.
Desert Island Discs — Here are my choices.
My July Instapuzzle Mini-Playlist:
Sailing (Christopher Cross)
Orinoco Flow (Enya)
Home (Jack Johnson)
Boum (Charles Trenet)
American Music (Violent Femmes)
These Are Days (10,000 Maniacs)
Chicken Fried (Zac Brown Band)
Mr. Blue Sky (ELO)
PLANNING:
Summer professional development — so much to do in July and August.
A mini-vacation “up north” — Next week, we taking a road trip to visit friends in Presque Isle before heading to Door County for a few days.
ENJOYING: Our continued backyard updates — We have a great umbrella for the deck that enables me to sit in the shade on warm afternoons with a book and a snoozy beagle. The roses, catmint, and hydrangeas (Annabelle and Limelight) are blooming in my garden and we finally have nice new grass growing. Morning and evening watering sessions are actually quite meditative. It’s lovely to hear the chickadees and cardinals tweeting; to feel the sun on my face and the cooling water on my arms; to smell the fragrance of the flowers and the earth; to see the prisms created as the sun shines through the streams of water that leaves the delicate droplets on the green leaves and white petals, the bright green of new blades of grass, and the pastel hues in the morning and evening skies that are everchanging due to time, weather, and unfortunately, Canadian wildfires — skies that are only now visible after clearing those big, old trees. And of course, a morning cup of coffee or an evening glass of wine rounds out the entire sensory experience.
