On the Common 147
Stand in the corner and cry softly.
Hi everyone,
In the last week we’ve swung from icy cold weather to a high of 76 degrees. So far I’ve resisted the urge to go full Garden Crazy, though I did get myself a new pair of boots for whenever the time comes. Thus far the garden activity has included taking pictures of daffodil shoots and looking longingly at the bluebell sprouts. Stay tuned for more equally thrilling updates.
The Part Where There’s a Suggested Valentine’s Day Activity
Friends, I don’t have an essay for you today, but I give you this instead: a list from McCall’s magazine from 1958. A few years ago, we read this aloud at dinner and laughed until we cried. A few favorites:
“Get a job demonstrating fishing tackle in a sporting goods store.”
“‘Accidentally’ have your purse fly open, scattering its contents all over the street.”
“Point out to him that the death rate of single men is twice that of married men.”
Here’s the full list of insane ways to find a husband. Please note that I do not endorse any of these ideas, especially number ninety-eight.
For the Anglophiles
Did you know there’s still a place on Earth where people speak Old English (or something very close to it)?
Reads & Listens of the Week
I always appreciate Mindy’s updates amidst the cacophony of news and news-like content. She gives a roundup here of a few trends and issues around the world.
Here Andrew Roycroft gives thanks for a recently departed beloved poet.
Reconstructing Faith is back for season three, and this season might be the strongest yet. Episode two, on the waves of influences that have shaped your church, and episode three, on the hot topic of “spiritual formation,” are particularly excellent.
You’ll find John Hendrix’s book The Mythmakers in my next issue of Ex Libris, so I greatly enjoyed this interview with John on the Wade Center podcast.
The law orders, that we, after attempting to do what is ordered, and so feeling our weakness under the law, may learn to implore the help of grace.
-Augustine