A Wednesday list...

Why, hello! Hello from hot, sunny South Texas, where we are unexpectedly experiencing a moment of respite from the "dog's breath" of summer. I am going to do my best to let these two days of lower humidity carry me through August and September. Well, these two days plus air conditioning and plenty of iced coffee.

But enough of that!

What I'm reading...
While we were in Missouri visiting my family, I blew through The Peacock Emporium, by Jojo Moyes. It's not my favorite of Moyes' books (One Plus One, in case you're curious), but it was still enjoyable. Moyes excels at writing layered characters in complex situations, in a way that feels true to life.

Currently, I'm reading a Woodstock memoir for review, and a romance set in London (still in my Anglophile mood, if you can't tell) with a very Bridget Jones feel. I'm only a couple of chapters in, so jury's out on that one.

What I'm watching...
I finally pressed play on the first season of the BBC/Masterpiece Theater show Poldark.  Historical drama, fantastic characters and cast, a stunning setting (anyone fancy a trip to Cornwall, England with me?)...I'm loving it.

And I'm really looking forward to some TV watching time with Jeremy soon, because I'm itching to watch the third season of Stranger Things and the new season/revival of Veronica Mars.

Something I'm grateful for...
The kids and I got to spend the week after camp in Missouri with my family, and it was just the absolute best. I got to spend lots of time with my family, the kids got to play their hearts out with their Missouri cousins, we went swimming and walking and to the park, and I even got in some face time with a few old friends.

A little inspiration...
Today's little bit of inspiration is sponsored once again by my current poetry phase. It's an excerpt from a poem by Tanner Olson, from his new book I'm All Over the Place. 

And I'm chasing the heels of 30 and I thought I'd have life figured out by now, but
I've got more questions than answers.
And all my answers create fresh questions, a constant give and take, a
swirling surrounding the pounding within.
Yet, locked within, faith outweighs both, stretching me closer to forever,
a restful peace growing beyond the deep.

~ excerpt from "Welcome" by Tanner Olson

A Wedneday list...

You may or may not have noticed a slight slow down in activity on the ol' blog here. Summertime isn't as disruptive to our routine yet as families with kids in full time school, but it's still a different kind of rhythm around here lately.

I'll admit though that the best disruption to the regular routine has been novel editing. Sounds weird, right? Who loves editing their own work? (not me!) But it's a good disruption because it means we're getting that much closer to book birthday! I still can't believe it most days.

Never fear though, in the midst of summer chaos, travel, and editing, there's still plenty of good stuff to share...

1. What I'm reading...
This month the theme was quality over quantity. I read The Bird King, by G. Willow Wilson; Sense and Sensibility, by Jane Austen; and Two Like Me and You, by Chad Alan Gibbs. The Bird King was an atmospheric, fairy-tailesque fantasy set in the time of the Inquisition. While the themes felt a bit heavy handed at times, the characters were fascinating, layered, and really compelling; the  setting was vivid and unique; and ultimately I really enjoyed it. If you're looking for something more contemporary and fun, Two Like Me and You had me laughing out loud and compulsively turning the pages. Two teenagers help an World War II veteran escape from his nursing home and travel to Paris to find his long-lost love. I mean. It was fun and fast-paced -- a perfect summer read. I'm trying to work my way through my physical book stack, and have books by Matthew Quick and Jojo Moyes to pick up next.

2. What I'm watching/listening to...
I am currently listening to a lot of Joy Williams (formerly of The Civil Wars) newest album Front Porch. It has a lovely, mellow, lazy river vibe, and I think Joy Williams' voice is just beautiful.

3. Something I'm grateful for...
The kids have been taking swiming lessons this summer, and I am so grateful not only for the resources to send them to classes, but also for how much they are enjoying it and how much they're learning. They are noticeably more comfortable in the water this summer than they were last year.

4. A little inspiration...

"And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up. So then, as we have opportunity, let us do good to everyone, and especially to those who are of the household of faith." - Galatians 6:9-10