Every week, I curate a list of the best links and articles to make you think and keep you informed. I hope you enjoy this week's selection which includes great articles about religion, pens, incowrimo, books, farming, and more!

Popery (Catholicism/Spirituality/Religion):

A Small Argument Against Sexual Idolatry (Bad Catholic): I don't usually share things from Bad Catholic, as they tend to lean towards the heretical ultra-right, but I thought this one was worth a read.
What is the Whole Life Movement? (Millenial): THIS is what it means to be Catholic.
What You Should Give Up for Lent, Based on Your Personality Type (ATX Catholic): This was spot on for me. What about you?
Pope Francis’ Guide to Lent: What You Should Give Up This Year (Time): I like this idea. I'm still working on my Lenten goals for this year, but I'm keeping this in mind.
The Needs of the Soul: Simone Weil on the Crucial Difference Between Our Rights and Our Obligations (Brain Pickings): Several of my mentors have spoken of their love for Simone Weil. I think this article is very good. Highly recommended.

Pens:

TWSBI ECO Fountain Pen Review (The Pen Addict): I was really excited to read Brad's thoughts on the TWSBI Eco fountain pen because I've wanted one since I first saw it. I haven't bought my own yet, but I have had the opportunity to take my friend Christina's Eco out for a test drive. After trying it out and reading Brad's thoughts, I definitely want to get one. I'm hoping for a white Eco with an EF or F nib. Check out this great review!
The Polarizing Truth: Why Your TWSBI Eco Won’t Break (Dave Rea): This goes with the article above and makes me feel even safer about my desire to buy a TWSBI Eco.
My Thoughts On Cheap Ebay Pens (The Gentleman Stationer): I was really glad to read this article because this is something I've tried to explain to others before. Cheap pens from China are a bad idea for many reasons. I love this article and the one he links to from Fountain Pen Economics. If you're into pens, this is a must read!
Best Strange Podcast: How I Found The Pen Addict (Play Repeat): This is a great blog about how one listener found my favorite podcast.
8 Reasons Why You Should Write with a Fountain Pen (Ed Jelley): Great article, written by a great blogger.

InCoWriMo: It's February and that means that it's International Correspondence Writing Month. If you don't know what that is, these links will give you all you need to know to participate in this gloriously analog celebration.

InCoWriMo: The official page of InCoWriMo
InCoWriMo 2016: Write Letters this February! (Goulet Pens Blog): Goulet Pens spells it out for you in this great blog that includes a list of famous people who would love to hear from you this month!

Paperbacks (Books and Writing):

Amazon Will Open Over 300 Physical Bookstores Because Life Is a Practical Joke Played On Us All (Gizmodo): This is a great article, particularly the updates about responses they have and haven't received from Amazon.
What Writers Must Do: 'Love People' (The Atlantic): While I haven't read any of this author's books, I found this interview to be very interesting.
Beatrix Potter story Kitty-in-Boots discovered after 100 years (BBC): How exciting! A new book by the late author of many well known and well loved stories has been discovered.

Life in General:

Things Only People Who Hate Talking On The Phone Will Understand (Buzzfeed): This hit a little too close to home.
Knitting is Cool Again (Intellectual Takeout): As a crocheter/knitter, I found this interesting.
Ancient Greek Sculpture Depicting Laptop Computer With Cable And USB Ports Proof Of Time Travel? (Inquistr): This gave me quite a laugh. It's most definitely a wax tablet, but the article is still funny.
White Feminism Downplayed California’s Coerced Sterilization of Latinas in the ’70s (Slate): This is horrifying and true.
12 THings A Highly Sensitive Person Needs (Introvert, Dear): This is so true of me right now. I have to fight to have these things sometimes, but they keep me together.

Simplicity and Minimalism:

Notes from a Week in the Winter Woods (On Being): I could use a week in the woods...
Rules for Getting Organized & Decluttered (Zen Habits): Some great ideas here for getting more organized.

Farming:

Farming is a public service and we need more of it, says TedX talker Lindsey Lusher Shute (The Cleveland): I love this interview, particularly this quote: "Farming is public service. That means nurturing our land; protecting our water; respecting our workers; and growing the best food for our communities." Isn't that the truth? This is why I specialize in agricultural literature: because farming is one of the best ways to care for the world. Not enough people realize that.
A Day In My Life: 15 Miles and One Noisy Cat: (National Young Farmer's Coalition): Sometimes farming gets romanticized and we forget the work it takes. Sometimes we forge the magic because we focus on the work. This writer balances the two well and I love the outcome.
Small Scale Farming Really Isn’t Small (The Contrary Farmer): This is a great way to look at small farming.
Travel: Catskills | 7 Lesons From Eco Practicum (Down Home Blog): Some great revelations. I would love to participate in this!