bits and bants vol.14
summer updates because it's been too long
What ho, dear readers!
I hope your summer is going swimmingly, I hate to think it’s the end of July. We’ve had a lovely summer so far, very full of events, hosting family and friends, short getaways, and enjoying clement weather and a garden that’s getting out of control. Full days of summer abundance.
I say this every year, but honestly June through September are sometimes so achingly beautiful here that it truly tricks you into living here the whole year round. The forests are completely green, the fields lush. A visitor from foreign climes who was here in January would never believe the earth could produce such sights but six months later.
The kids have been busy enjoying freedom, seeings friends and cousins, and enjoying when my husband takes time off work and we do fun things. I haven’t even felt a slowing of days, but it feels wonderful not to be teaching or nagging or constantly supervising school. I wish I could say I’ve plowed through the stack of books I want to read, but I haven’t. I have only this week cleaned my house for the first time since the snow melted. Which I am fully aware makes me sounds like a mountain person from the Appalachians circa 1918, but it’s a true fact.
My garden is the most important thing right now, and it’s reached jungle status, when the weeds can’t be seen and one has to try to keep up with cutting blooms so you aren’t completely overwhelmed with what flower could be at the perfect stage or could die the day after you pick it. I never want to deadhead! But with the amount of flowers I planted that’s an unrealistic expectation. I’m pleased to report I’ve had dahlia blooms for probably two weeks which has blown my previous record for first dahlias out of the water by almost three weeks! I may always plant my dahlias at the beginning of May if I can see the ground—and get a shovel in it! On the down sides, because there are always down sides in the garden, my nine varieties of zinnias have been absolutely ravaged by grasshoppers and I’m only getting the odd non-eaten stem. I think they’ll pull through in August, but it’s really disheartening to see so many buds eaten before your eyes. This is because of the freakishly hot spring we had which made all the insect population leap into happy life. My sweet peas haven’t been great, and I honestly haven’t been able to figure out why. I may have to try a new location for them next year. Everything else I’m moderately happy about. My husband says I have taken gardening too seriously and now complain like a farmer.
bits:
I found this an interesting piece on the therapy culture we are currently inundated in, and I also am an Esther Perel fan so I am part of the problem! I am glad again for staying strong and keeping my kids off the tiktoks because the influence of TikTok therapists is something I hadn’t thought of as a negative contributor to teenage-hood until this article. I think therapy culture has wrecked havoc on millennials, so unformed teenage minds will be a whole new kettle of terrible worms.
The GOAT is at it again with her review of the Barbie movie. I also really appreciated Katie’s well written thoughts about the movie. (Am I the only one who laps up movie reviews knowing full well it may be months until I see said movie??)
I want to link to articles on Church news happenings but they really depress me. However, I think the majority of Catholics simply aren’t properly informed at what’s going on right now. But it’s always a tricky spot because we lay Catholics don’t have any power at all and only depression can beseech us. All we can do is pray for the Church and cling to the Lord. If you need any grandmotherly wisdom, just text me.
reading, watching, what have you:
Been watching a lot, we finally finished Ted Lasso, which I have lots of thoughts about and will hopefully write something on next week. Overall I would say it’s disappointing but there were a lot of scenes where I laughed till I cried a bit, and so many scenes that were just delightful.
Such a good podcast episode from Catholic Stuff You Should Know.
Andrew Bird has a new acoustic album out, it’s my thing, but it might not be yours. Try it.
I’ve been reading The Swan Thieves by Elizabeth Kostova, as recommended by my friend Cecilia, and it is long. Interesting, but long and I am basically dying for things to come together at this point!
Also finishing up Everything Sad Is Untrue which is so, so, so good!
And finally, if you are one of my devoted followers who aren’t on the evil gram, I would like you to know about the amazing zucchini and chickpea recipe that is the best, fanciest, adulty-est lunch you’ll ever make yourself. My zucchini plants are currently larger than I am, so I am morally obligated to eat zucchini everyday now until frost.
Enjoy a peaceful weekend,
Christy
Thank you so much for putting that recipe on my radar because it was delicious!
Amazing dahlias!!