At the beginning of each month, I’ve been making a list of one off projects that need to get done. Some of them are things that I’ve been putting off for years, like tiling the backsplash in my kitchen. Some of them are seasonal: Level the stones along the house. Others are reminders to do things that need done a couple times a year: Deep clean the fridge.
The list has been so so SO long every month that I end up needing to make a second column on the notebook paper, and as soon as I check one off, I remember another that needs added.
But when I sat down to make the list for June, to my surprise, it was only halfway down the page. And honestly, most of those things were rolled over from previous months.
This week alone, I finished building a my new grill (terrible 1/10, do not recommend, but it is SO NICE TO HAVE). I pulled the weeds out of the stones and leveled them. I found a new living room rug and a rug for my bedroom in Homegoods that I’ve been wanting for years (Rifle Paper Company, and they were BOTH ON SALE!!!!). I pulled weeds in my garden and sorted my garage (the new hooks to hang tools still have to be put up in the garage, but it’s still a massive improvement).
With each thing that has been checked off, I’m also finding that I’m able to spend more time actually enjoying myself: morning coffee on the porch with a book because it’s finally an option, grilling for friends on a Friday night, lounging with a book on Sunday because everything time sensitive is finished.
It’s one of those “you don’t realize how far you’ve come until you look over your shoulder” moments.
Guess that means I do have time to train for another half marathon this summer…
This new rug is EXACTLY what I wanted!
Sample Sized
I’m back to posting in (more) regular cadence on Bookstagram! Of all the things I jotted down this week, this line I wrote in my review of Vigil by George Saunders is one of this best.
“Part philosophy, part ghost story, part environmental criticism, Vigil explores the moment we die the way you might poke a bruise over and over again to see if it still hurts.”
A Question
Why do people insist on lighting fireworks every Saturday night of the summer?
What I’m Reading Right Now
Audiobook: I’m more than halfway through We Have Always Lived in the Castle by Shirley Jackson. Despite the slightly odd tone, I’m not finding this too creepy yet, but I’m hoping it gets there.
Kindle: There’s a new short story series on Kindle Unlimited called Summer Lovin’. I’m hoping to finish the whole collection this week: One a day with my morning coffee on my front porch. Sure, it will pad my June reading numbers, but it’s more about getting a little taste of some beach read vibes while I work on finishing some mysteries and series on my TBR.
Best Thing I Ate Last Week
It’s Spritz Season again at Patron Saint, and that means I get to enjoy their continental breakfast about once a week for the entire summer. Simple as it is, it never disappoints.
Junk Drawer
I stumbled on this image on Pinterest this week, and if this movie ever became a reality, I would not shut up about it ever. Like, I didn’t even know how much I wanted this until I saw it.
After a reverse image search, this art appears to have been created by an artist named Bruce McCorkindale in 2023. And the muppet case as Mrs. Peacock is named Gladys the Cafeteria lady.
If I they were making this, these would be my additional casting suggestions:
My Body: Uncle Deadly
The Chef: The Swedish Chef
Yvette: Pepe The King Prawn
Singing Telegram: Rizzo the Rat
Missionary/The FBI Director: Sam Eagle