Twice in the last week feta cheese has fallen out of the fridge, is this a sign?
Hello, happy Sunday.
Normally, as Summer draws to a close, I get a little sad. One less Summer left in my life; morbid, but true. But it’s been so hot in Kansas City lately that I’m kind of ok with it.
Anyway, other than that I had a great week. I celebrated one year of homeownership by vacuuming up feta cheese twice and continuing to ignore the lack of landscaping in my backyard.
Last week’s poll was fun, most of the voters just wanted to participate, which I can appreciate.
Another important question: there is an open Costco box of Frito-Lay chips, which bag are you grabbing first? (I know there are typically more options, but Substack knee-capped me here)
You can support this newsletter and my impulse purchasing of crewneck sweatshirts by becoming a paid subscriber.
This sentence now has links to the my instagram, and old issues of the newsletter. Also my Outdoor Voices referral link - 30% off sale going on, buy the everyday longsleeve. I hope today is beautiful for you.
Number One: Chili goes on a cruise
Friday’s episode of the Daily absolutely, emotionally, kicked me in the gut. It’s worth the listen. It’s tender. It captures the drama and frustration of navigating COVID-times risk beautifully. That tension of, I want to do what’s right, but I also want to do what makes me happy. I laughed, I cried.
Number Two: The Bear on Hulu
Worth the hype. Stressful but not overwhelming. This show will make you want a good sandwich. Like a sandwich from an all-cash, unreliable hours place, not just like Jersey Mike’s.
There a scene in the third episode where the number two chef is talking to the number one chef, and it’s, dareIsay, chef’s kiss. It perfectly captures what it’s like when you’re having a conversation with someone who you respect and are maybe even a little bit afraid of, but need to be vulnerable with.
Number Three: Research on the correlation of food assistance and foster care
Here is an article summarizing this study, which I will also summarize for you now:
There is a demonstrated correlation between a given state’s more robust and accessible food assistance programs and the number of children in foster care in that state. More access to affordable food = fewer kids in the system.
The findings of this study suggest SNAP policy options that increase the generosity and stability of household resources may yield valuable population health returns by preventing child maltreatment and the need for costly child welfare interventions.
Which, when you think about it, makes so much sense - if putting food on the table is less of an emotional burden, a parent has more energy to parent. And when I really start to get my wheels turning, I feel like I could talk about this for a long time. Like could it be long term net cheaper for states to invest in nutritional programs? Plus “preventing child maltreatment” is a social cause we can all support.
Semi related: I would be so interested in seeing what the consequences of the federal government funding free breakfast and lunch to all public school students in the last year has been. Was this a good move? Was it a bad move? Send me the studies!
If you work in government nutritional assistance programs or are familiar with them, I would love to know your thoughts!
Number Four: Albanese Gummy Bears
Speaking of nutritional assistance, these gummy bears are so premium. These bears were a point of discussion on Who? Weekly a few weeks ago, and then Dean brought some into a meeting this week. And gang, they are just good bears.
Are they better than the best gas station sour worms? No. But certainly the best bears.
Number Five: Let’s Not Do That Again
This book from Grant Ginder was fun and funny but didn’t melt my brain which is my favorite kind of fiction book. A great vacation read if you’re looking for one. I read “The People We Hate at the Wedding” a few months back, and I like LNDTA even more. If I had one complaint it would be this: the family structure is same as TPWHATW (dead dad, gay son, loose cannon sister). But a fun read nonetheless.
I hope your week is better than Rudy’s who is recovering from surgery.