Issue 25: What's On Your Bingo Card?
Plus: A few spooky (and not-so-spooky) Halloween mentions!
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Worth Considering: What’s On Your Bingo Card?
Last issue, I was on the brink of meeting my daughter (I literally sent the newsletter an hour before we walked out the door to my induction). I thought once she was here and I was on maternity leave, I’d have loads of time to dedicate to this space while my toddler was at daycare. Turns out, newborns are a lot of work! Guess I blocked that small detail out in the time between having my first and my second baby. So, here we are three months in. Hi, there. I hope you had the best, most vaccinated summer ever.
Over the past few months, I’ve thought of this tweet by Jessica Hische often. (Click through for the whole thread.) I find her words to ring especially true right now, while I simultaneously desire to spend time with my small children and also to pursue work that fills me up—work that I believe I’m meant to be doing, work that continues to crack me open and teach me who I am and who I want to be, to share ideas that elicit a me too! from others.
I’ve started to make peace with the fact that these dream pursuits—the ambitious work Hische mentions—may not be on my current bingo card. Today I’ll call BINGO! with a diagonal hit on laundry, diapers, park outings, meal prep, playdates at the moment—and I’ll trade in my card for a new one. And eventually, I’ll tick the boxes of write, travel, retreat, solitude and romance instead.
Trying to will a different, more balanced card into existence feels like a fool’s errand. In a world of social media posts spouting the sometimes-toxic rhetoric that “she believed she could so she did” (gag), I think it’s more productive to recognize when I’m in a phase of life that may simply require resigned acceptance. Battling against the reality that I don’t have as much time or space or freedom as I want will only make me resentful, or distractedly scrambling for an unattainable solution—leaving both the present and the future ripe for disappointment.
As I navigate the early years of motherhood and daydream about the ambitious work ahead, I remind myself that the dauber will continue to be full of ink. I will wait eagerly for the caller’s announcement, hunt for the corresponding square. I’ll blot the box until it’s opaque. Today, it’s the dishes. Tomorrow, a meaningful piece of prose. Both are real and true; both are worthy of a victory cry.
Worth Watching: The Other Two (HBO Max)
I stumbled upon this show one night while looking for something light and funny — and it totally delivered! I was LLOLing (literally laughing out loud, natch) at this gem, about “two floundering millennial siblings who must grapple with their 13-year-old brother's overnight fame.” It’s got a great cast, including Molly Shannon who plays the perfect midwestern mom and Wanda Sykes, a no-bullshit record exec. There are two seasons streaming and it’s just been renewed for a third.
Worth Reading: The Southern Book Club’s Guide to Slaying Vampires by Grady Hendrix
Full disclosure: I’m only halfway through this book, but I’m loving it and wanted to include it in this issue in case anyone is looking for a fun Halloween-adjacent read to sneak in before the end of the month. It’s a quirky account of a group of women who ditch their pretentious book club to create one they actually enjoy—mostly centered around true crime and suspense. Soon their attention turns from spooky prose to neighborhood sleuthing, as they work to get to the bottom of a string disappearances—the cause of which is much different (and way more supernatural) than they thought.
Currently on my nightstand: No Cure for Being Human by Kate Bowler
Worth Bopping: The Boo’d Broadcast #2 Playlist
Madi Murphy always makes me giggle on her podcast, The Bad Broadcast, and I am loving both her October listener-submitted spooky stories episodes as well as this melancholy playlist that has all the haunted vibes. Best served straight into your earbuds on foggy fall mornings.
Worth Listening: Suspect (Wondery)
An appropriately-timed whodunit that follows a woman murdered on Halloween night at an apartment complex bash. The story is complex, with elements of racial profiling playing a part, and a fascinating lineup of characters that makes this true crime saga uniquely alluring. Told in just nine episodes, it’s easily binge-able too.
Worth Making: Garlic Bread Meatball Sliders
Remember Tasty videos from the early 2010s? Turns out they’re still around! I stumbled upon these sliders and they were so good. And easy! I even used TJ’s frozen meatballs (an underhyped product, in my opinion) AND jarred sauce and they were still *chef’s kiss*. Do NOT skimp on the garlic butter sauce on top, and I highly recommend using mozz, provolone AND parm on the sliders. Naturally.
Bonus bite: this Crispy Tofu with Peanut Sauce was super good and 100% weeknight-friendly. (Pinch of Yum)
Worth Spending: Scarecrow Crunch Trail Mix
It’s got chocolate covered freeze-dried marshmallows. It’s got reese’s pieces. It’s got muddy buddies. This mix is what my autumnal snacking dreams are made of. Snag a few bags of the limited edition treat before it’s gone!
Worth Quoting: Roald Dahl
“Those who don’t believe in magic will never find it.”
Worth Noting: This Week’s Honorable Mentions
Intrigued by a square phone case — yay or nay?
35 ethical and sustainable clothing brands. (The Good Trade)
Convinced myself I have adult ADHD after taking this quiz and answering yes to too many of the questions. It would explain a lot, tbh!
Obsessed with the concept of a build-your-own cocktail kit—the perfect gift that’s both personal and unique. (Leon & Son)
Was recently reminded how neat these kids book club subscriptions are. (Literati)
Obsessed with a modest-yet-sexy square neckline, starting with this and this.
Renowned therapist and relationship expert Esther Perel launched “a game of stories,” which feels like it could be a helpful tool in circumventing kid-centric conversation on date night.
My bff gifted me a box full of delicious snacks in the early weeks of having a newborn and it was super awesome! (Snack Magic)
Loving the concept behind Poppy Seed Health - an on-demand resource for women who are pregnant, postpartum, experiencing miscarriage and beyond.
As someone who loved getting magazines in the mail (YM was my jam, RIP), I’m bookmarking these kid-friendly ones for my littles once they get a bit older. (Reading My Tea Leaves)
The chicest Kitchen Aid that would look so good in our (finally!) renovated kitchen. (Crate & Barrel)
Love a quirky homewares shop. (Pon the Store)
NPR’s new Book of the Day podcast keeps you up to date on the books everyone is talking about, in about 10 minutes. (NPR)
Thinking that doing a life audit could actually be pretty enlightening. (Medium)
Brene Brown has a new book coming out next month and I am here for it!
Speaking of highly-anticipated releases, I can’t wait for Grace Bonney’s Collective Wisdom: Lessons, Inspiration and Advice from Women Over 50 (I have In The Company of Women and love it!)
I think about these hand-knit and embroidered baby sweaters at least once a week. Would make an incredible gift. (The Little Worne Store)
Grilled S’mores Sandwiches: Um, OK! (NYT Cooking)
Just loving: "Today I’ll call BINGO! with a diagonal hit on laundry, diapers, park outings, meal prep, playdates at the moment—and I’ll trade in my card for a new one. And eventually, I’ll tick the boxes of write, travel, retreat, solitude and romance instead". Yes!