Welcome to In a Word, a newsletter that cultivates thoughtfulness, one word at a time. If a friend forwarded you this email, click here to subscribe:
Look, I’m not going to complain about the weather in your inbox. One small mercy of all this isolation is the decrease in inane small talk about the weather. Mike said last week that “a July breeze feels like sticking your face into the exhaust vent of a dryer” and I think that’s all there is to say about that.
I’ve actually noticed I’m complaining about the heat less this summer because anything normal feels…good? Like, yep, it’s hotter’n Satan’s house cat, as expected.
I’m outside a lot more this year since all socializing happens outside. In the spring I thought that as the humidity fell upon us like some sort of Old Testament plague our collective dedication to socializing would…melt. But it hasn’t. And no one complains. Or maybe we do for a minute, and then the conversation moves on despite how our legs stick to our chairs.
There is much loss to grieve from the past four (five?) months. Something I’ve gained in this boiling down process is clarity on what is essential: a friend’s laugh bouncing off the pavement, a distraction-free space to talk; the orange glow of a sinking sun, winking on the horizon with the promise of tomorrow.
Next summer, I will rejoice in meeting friends in air conditioned restaurants with a hug (Lord, let it be). But I will also remember the distilled-to-syrup days of sitting cross-legged, picking at grass to a crickets’ serenade—of sharing stories and laughs until we could only see each other’s silhouettes against the darkness.
In this issue, you’ll find a poem about some cool things for balmy days, a gorgeous novel, a movie trailer, and of course, a benediction.
This pool and these water blocks have really gone the distance for us this summer.
Picture notwithstanding, Sea Wife isn’t really a “beach read,” but it is an amazing read. A couple whose marriage is stressed (by parenthood, the wife’s depression, disparate political views, past wounds) take their two young children sailing for a year.
The story is told from the husband’s Captain Log while at sea and the wife, after the trip. The writing is breathtaking, and includes some of the most apt descriptions of motherhood, loss, and marriage I’ve ever read. (There is some tragedy and trauma [child abuse] referenced so beware of that if it’s a dealbreaker for you.)
Clockwise from left:
Blender Bombs feel very bougie and unnecessary BUT they are a fun, easy way to add a handful of premium ingredients to an at-home smoothie.
My friend Kate’s Daily Green smoothie is the best green smoothie I’ve ever tried. Her advice to blend for three full minutes to make it silky smooth is a game changer.
One WILD and fun thing about me is that I love experimenting with new lip balms. The number of lip masks, scrubs, balms, and tints in my drawer is museum worthy. (A consumerism museum, I guess?) But I did not regret adding the Balmy Days Lip Conditioner to the family. (I also love their Tinted Lip Conditioner in Blossom Lady)
365 Coconut Fruit Bars are delicious but I’m going to try making my own.
Not pictured, but may I recommend Bri McKoy’s Whiskey Sour? (Scroll down a ways to find the recipe.) It’s my favorite summer drink this year.
Full quote: "This is why there are times when the most instructive question to bring to the text is not, what does it say? but what am I looking for? I suspect Jesus knew this when he said, “ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you.” If you want to do violence in this world, you will always find the weapons. If you want to heal, you will always find the balm."
This movie was really fun, and full of unexpected heart.
Some last links worth a click:
Hamilton Mixtape, Say Yes to This: 🎶 “there’s nothin’ like summer in the city…” 🎶
May we find the balm for heartache in a cleansing thunderstorm, a well-timed joke, laugh lines around our eyes, a long forgotten hymn on our lips.
As always, I’d love to hear what this issue calls to mind for you! Simply respond to this email to share your thoughts with me.
Gratefully, Jacey
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