Tuesday was officially a month since my terrible tubing accident and also the halfway point of physical therapy for my shoulder, and I’m happy to report that emotional side effects are waning and my arm is significantly better—my PT said she thought the orthopedic doctor would be very pleased with my progress. I also threw myself into a little research project, which felt good, and had a really great therapy session on top of it all. It was a full but good week, although between the fullness and the heat I am zonked.
Here’s what I loved on the Internet this week.
Reading
Aretha. What a talent. What a woman. What a loss. My favorite tribute was Barack Obama’s: “In her voice, we could feel our history, all of it and in every shade—our power and our pain, our darkness and our light, our quest for redemption and our hard-won respect,” he wrote. “She helped us feel more connected to each other, more hopeful, more human. And sometimes she helped us just forget about everything else and dance.”
Rachel Cargle on toxic white feminism. If you click on one thing from this round-up, make it this. (Harper’s Bazaar)
“The Un-Celebrity President.” (Washington Post)
Queer Eye‘s Jonathan Van Ness is a gift. “I’m just kind of a positive person. When I was growing up, I felt trapped. I grew up a bit tortured. I was very bullied for how I acted. Now I feel it’s been so fun living my adult life. I get to be myself.” (The Cut)
I’m so excited to start Educated, by Tara Westover. It’s gotten great reviews, and Westover’s story is fascinating. (NPR)
My friend Em sent me the most beautiful necklace (she’s a talented silversmith) and British chocolate, and I have to tell you that if you don’t read her blog, Oh Gosh, already, you definitely should. In addition to her beautiful photography and adorable dogs, she’s also incredibly upfront about what it’s like to live with a diagnosis of stage IV metastatic breast cancer. She’s amazing.
Totally respect and appreciate Jess’s thoughts about having (or not having) kids. (Jess Ann Kirby)
It’s hard to think about eating any hot food in the oppressive Florida heat and humidity, but this soup sounds delicious. (New York Times)
“Single Woman Seeks Role Model.” This essay is wonderful. (Cup of Jo)
“Crazy Rich Asians Is Going to Change Hollywood. It’s About Time.” (TIME)
This writer’s devotion to her skincare is intense. I loved this article, but don’t think I can get behind putting snail mucin on my face, no matter how beneficial it may be. (The Cut)
“Who Cares, Make Yourself a Registry.” This is awesome. (Racked)
25 top food and drink trends. Some of these are really interesting. (Bon Appetit)
Etc.
I love this insane blouse.
Happy little mints! Man, I love Bob Ross.
Here comes a long, silly paragraph about hair: my arm injury and subsequent immobility—which, as I mentioned, is so much better now—has made it pretty impossible to make my hair look cute, since for awhile I couldn’t even reach my head with my left hand. (That’s also why I’ve decided to grow out my bangs—it’s half purposeful and half by default, ha.) Anyway, right around this time I ran out of my fancy shampoo and conditioner, which hadn’t been working all that well, anyway—I felt like I had a lot of buildup and it wasn’t making my hair feel soft or, honestly, all that clean—so I decided to try out True Botanicals’ Nourishing Shampoo and Conditioner, and it’s love. My hair feels clean and like it doesn’t need to be washed as often, which is practically a miracle in this Florida heat, and the smell is amazing. Plus, if you subscribe to get refills, they’ll send you a gift box with samples and a special treat (this month’s was a rose quartz facial massage tool). It’s been really hard for me to find green haircare products that work, but so far, True Botanicals is tops.
Hope you’ve had a good weekend. xx
