Basically copying and pasting got annoying on the iPad.
Maybe I should blame Substack, not my beloved iPad. The way I have traditionally started each Five Things is that I copy and paste last week’s issue and then just change all the text as needed. For whatever reason, the last few weeks, the formatting has gotten wonky in the paste. All that to say, I’m starting from scratch this week, but committed to the template.
Happy Juneteenth! And happy Father’s Day! Happy first day of ordinary time - I almost asked a visitor at church this morning if, when he walked in he thought it was too green. Decided to ask what he does during the week instead.
I started Five Things the newsletter four years ago, and every July since, I take the month off. This July I am going to Portugal and Spain - not the whole month, just like eight days - and I look forward coming back full of stories and tapas.
Writing has a way of spilling out of me in a way that I want to share, so if it happens in the form of a newsletter, paid subscribers will hear from me. And then I’ll back the first Sunday in August with the regular programming. Make wise choices until then.
Start thinking now about what we want to do to celebrate 200 issues of Five Things.
Refer to last week’s email for my Nuuly referral link. Another great way to support this newsletter is to make sure I have clothes on rent.
Number One: Make sure your ceiling fan is spinning in the right direction
This week Julia texted me, “You should remind everyone in your newsletter this week to make sure their fans are spinning in the right direction lol.”
At first I was like, “ok sure, but I think my fans are going the correct way, plus I am planning to tell people that SPF 50 is the optimal sunscreen level if you want to tan and not burn.” Then, for hoots and giggles, I decided to flip the switch on my living room ceiling fan, just to see what would happen.
The room is now so much breezier. Dare I say, cooler. It’s better. Thank you Julia for saving the Summer.
Number Two: Biden fell off his bike in a way that I have too
Last week a friend asked me if I like Joe Biden, and I replied, “not really.” I certainly like him more than other people, I’m sure he’s lovely to have dinner with. He serves as an example in overcoming a speech impediment to become a leader. But for me to stand up and say, “I like President Joe Biden…” enh, I’ll wait until he forgives my student loans…
But that was before Biden fell off his bike in the way that it is so crazy easy to fall off your bike, and you feel like a total dummy, but it’s not your fault. Basically his foot was still in the pedal cage (been there, but with clips) and he leaned the wrong way while stopped, and toppled. Literally it can happen to anyone, even the leader of the free world! I have never felt more empathy for a politician more than in this moment:
Glad he’s ok! Now get back to forgiving $10,000 of federal student loans and decreasing inflation (but not on your bike tires), please.
Hello to everyone who has ever guest-written this newsletter and I instructed to stay away from politics. I hope you are well!
Number Three: Simba Cams and picking paper off the ground
Two things I have talked about before but worth mentioning again:
The Simba Cam at sporting events is just my absolute favorite. It is just so cute and funny. Never fails to make me smile. Bringing your baby to a sporting event is like buying flowers - it’s frivolous in the best way. Worth celebrating.
I once heard in a podcast interview, so total conjecture, that the store Anthropologie does this thing in interviews where a piece of paper is dropped on the ground. The hiring managers are looking for the kind of people who pick up the paper. They want people who see the need and meet the need.
I think about this at least weekly - there are probably a few reasons for the real estate it takes up in my head. I am perfectionistic enough to want to pass tests I didn’t even sign up for. Perfectionism aside, I want to be someone who does things without being asked to, someone who is observant, someone who stewards spaces that aren’t mine well.
Number Four: MeUndies read
If you have listened to a podcast episode ever, you are aware of MeUndies, no doubt. I guess if you only ever listen to sermon podcasts, maybe you have not heard of MeUndies.
This is an interesting read about how an unlikely friendship was formative to the company’s future. I would suggest reading it on a browser with reader mode because the ads situation is irksome.
Number Five: How Houston is meeting the homelessness crisis
I listened to this NYT article about how Houston housed 25,000 people in the last decade. The article is helpful in outlining the various causes of homelessness and how agencies who are motivated to work together can bring about real change. Food for thought for the civic minded and the caring alike.