What are your plans for this weekend? I’m honoring a close friend’s birthday this evening, and the boys expressed interest in crafting a birthday card for her. “Make sure to write at least four sentences,” I suggested, to which they instantly chimed in, “‘Happy birthday’ is a sentence!” Hope you have a wonderful one, and here are some links from around the internet…
My discussion with Kate Baer, where we delve into sagging breasts, turning 40, and writing candidly about marriage and motherhood. (Big Salad, accessible for all)
Additionally, Erica Chidi shares lovely pajamas and recounts her beautiful proposal story. (Big Salad, behind a paywall)
A glimpse into the life of a firefighter dealing with OCD. (NYTimes gift link)
Some striking swimsuits.
How to create charming snail mail. “Letters don’t always need to be updates about life… Sketch a map of a walk you often take in your neighborhood, including descriptions of your favorite memories at each stop. Create your own Mad Libs for the person to complete. You can also skip the writing and send Polaroids capturing moments from your life, or share personal recipes.”
My boys devoured this cheddar-roasted broccoli. (NYTimes gift link)
In other vegetable news, salt and vinegar cabbage!
This 323-square-foot house was crafted to feel like a luxurious hotel.
20 concise rules for enhanced workdays. “Play music that was released the year you turned 18. If you’re in an office, it’ll spark conversations and may even mitigate ageism by normalizing BEING AN AGE, any age. Plus, there’s no music that lifts your spirits faster than the tunes from your teenage years.”
This made my dry heels ready for sandals immediately.
Twin siblings speaking together. “We’ve attempted to talk separately, but it doesn’t feel like us, it’s not our way.”
Awkward family snapshots, haha.
And seven reader comments (because we couldn’t narrow it down!)…
Jess remarks on who was on Jeopardy last night: “I was driving around the day before my husband’s funeral, and I picked up the phone to discuss what kind of pickles to serve… at his funeral. It feels incredibly strange when your loved ones just disappear. I still message him on WhatsApp, and I’m often surprised when he doesn’t respond.”
Hali reflects on three transgender kids sharing their stories: “A few months before my grandma passed away, we were long into a conversation about transgender kids. She was 93. She shared her understanding that kids often experiment and go through phases, and while some kids might feel different, she didn’t believe anyone was genuinely transgender. She voiced her frustrations about parents allowing children to behave in certain ways. It was a calm exchange. I struggle with voicing my thoughts (I tend to come off too righteous and fervent), so I mostly stayed quiet and listened. I recalled a similar post on CoJ (“My Child is Transgender”) and sent my grandma the link. It provided her with a perspective that transformed her view on the subject. She replied, thanking me; I think about it frequently.”
Karen shares on 8 readers expressing what they love about their looks: “Today I discovered that we Cup of Jo readers are a delightfully stunning group — absolutely beautiful! It takes me back to my kid’s favorite Sesame Street book from the ’90s: We’re Different, We’re the Same, and We’re All Wonderful. And aren’t we, indeed? Much love to everyone here.”
Allison comments on 8 readers sharing what they adore about their looks: “I found myself carefully analyzing each photo in this post before reading, trying to guess what the subjects might say. It struck me that it was an impossible endeavor since there were SO MANY lovely features to discover in every single person. I hope to remember this when I look in the mirror, especially now while I’m undergoing treatment for breast cancer. My hair is thinning, I might lose my eyebrows, and the treatment is irritating my skin, but I am still me. My husband reassures me that I will remain as beautiful as ever – just ‘badass beautiful.’ Thank you for this uplifting reminder.”
Lauren O. shares about a simple dessert: “I once craved cookies but didn’t have any chocolate chips on hand, so I chopped up some odd, fancy chocolate bars I’d snagged from the giveaway table at work (Sea salt! Caramel! Dried fruit! Chiles! Leftovers from other snacks and desserts!) It turned out great. Now I always indulge my whims in the Pretentious Chocolate Aisle at the grocery store before I bake.”
Whitney shares on the non-flashy things they love: “When I’m relaxing in bed with a book, and my husband places his hand on the inside of my thigh. Not extravagant, but it fills me with contentment.”
Julie reflects on the non-flashy things she appreciates: “That space on the side of my kids’ faces where their cheek meets their temple, you know the area just past the eye? I’m not particularly touchy-feely, but I’m already dreading the day they’re too grown for me to kiss them there.”
(Photo by Artem Podrez/Stocksy.)
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