Friday Finds - August 1st

Happy August 1st! It's my birth month, and I'm already dreaming of fall (obviosuly delusional)—August through December is definitely my favorite time of year.

I've rounded up some great finds for you this week. Enjoy, and let me know your favorite discoveries!

Books

• Secrets of Adulthood: Simple Truths for Our Complex Lives by Gretchen Rubin. “The right idea, invoked at the right time, can change our lives. To convey her conclusions, she turned to the aphorism—the ancient literary discipline that demands that a writer convey a large truth in a few words.” There were so many good ones from the book, here is one I especially found thought provoking. “Character isn’t what we hope to be or do, or intend to be or do; it’s what we actually do, when given a choice.”

• The Serviceberry: Abundance and Reciprocity in the Natural World by Robin Wall Kimmerer. The concept of a gift economy is incredible and revolutionary in a very feasible sort of way. This book is an incredibly concise and fascinating read that Robin pulled from an essay that she wrote in 2022. “As Kimmerer explains, “Serviceberries show us another model, one based upon reciprocity rather than accumulation, where wealth and security come from the quality of our relationships, not from the illusions of self-sufficiency.” (Say it louder for the people in the back!)

Music

• July by Noah Cyrus ft. Leon Bridges,

Noah has the same raspy, strong quality to her voice as her sister does. The blending of her and Leon's voice is beautifuly sad.

• crooked the road by Mon Rovîa  

A rising voice in the Afro-Appalachian folk scene, he has a similar quality to Bob Dylan without the grit.

Watch

• Outrageous. I watched this miniseries (please let them finish the story!) on Britbox. It is so cleverly filmed with great music, a beautiful set, and an excellent cast. The Mitford’s are hands down (imo) one of the most fascinating families. Their story proves the idiom that truth is stranger than fiction.

I am also including some fun pictures from the back patio this week. Find the teeny tiny baby lizard, a milkweed assassin bug, a bumblebee, and a yellow-necked caterpillar moth.