Every week, I curate a list of the best links and articles to make you think and keep you informed. Enjoy!
So, this week I thought I'd start the week with some link love for my friends who need something to distract them from finals.
What I read last week:
Popery (Catholicism/Spirituality/Religion):
- America's Holocaust (Experimental Theology): This article does a great job of engaging a really big problem in a powerful way.
How to Overcome Racism According to the Early Church (Experimental Theology): This author brings up how racism was divisive in the Early Church. Part one of two.
More on How to Overcome Prejudice and Discrimination According to the Early Church (Experimental Theology): 2 of 2.
The Role of Catholics In the Time of Trump (America): I am often reminded of John Allen saying that any Catholic who feels at home in a political party is in need of an examination of conscience. While I don't necessarily agree with everything in this article, they certainly get one thing right--the Republican party is NOT Catholic.
- Women have been airbrushed out of early Christianity despite having been crucial to its spread, claims leading historian (Daily Mail): After providing numerous examples, the author writes: "It is quite sad that a religion which began with a mother and her wonderful baby should still have so much difficulty with remembering to honour the contribution of its women." I could not agree more.
Yoga makes me a better Catholic (NCR): I can attest to this as well. We even had yoga classes at UD!
Pens/Pencils/Stationery:
Notebook Review: Moo Notebook (Well Appointed Desk): I'm so glad that Anna wrote about this notebook, because I had no idea it existed. I've been in love with MOO ever since I first saw their business cards. While I've never bitten the bullet to buy cards from them, I might well end up with this gorgeous notebook. Take a look!
Pen Review: TWSBI Eco Lime Green Fountain Pen (Well Appointed Desk): I love love love my TWSBI Eco Lime Green. Check out Anna's review!
Original Sailor Jentle Inks Coming Back (Wonder Pens: Life Behind a Stationery Shop): I've been longing to try Sailor Jentle Sky High and Sailor Jentle Apricot for four years. Now I guess is my chance! So excited!!! Anyone want to buy me a bottle?
Experiment 16: Upgrading Ink Tests With the Col-o-ring (Inkpothesis: Experiments in Analog): So, while it's unlikely that I'll get to use a Col-o-ring anytime soon (because I stocked up on the Maruman ones before they were discontinued), I'm so excited that Anna has started making these. This is a nice review!
Atlanta Pen Show Recap (Reverenced Writing): Someday I'll get to go to this pen show. Until then, I'll have to rely on great pen bloggers writing about it. And is there anything better than a Catholic priest who blogs about pens? I think not!
Confessions of a Pencil Lady: Letter Writing Failures and Thoughts about Fake Hoildays (CW Pencils): I wish there were a Dallas Letter Writers' Society. Anyone want to help me start one?
Total Eclipse of the Sun to be commemorated on a Forever Stamp (USPS): THIS IS SO COOL!!!
Review: Baron Fig Mastermind and Nomad (Gentleman Stationer): I had no idea that they were making these! I guess I better put these on my list of things to save up for! (But first I have to use up all my current paper, so it will be a while!)
Paperbacks (Reading, Books, and Writing):
A Slow-Books Manifesto (The Atlantic): I have to admit that this article makes my reading list more attractive: "In our leisure moments, whenever we have down time, we should turn to literature—to works that took some time to write and will take some time to read, but will also stay with us longer than anything else. They'll help us unwind better than any electronic device—and they'll pleasurably sharpen our minds and identities, too." What are you reading right now?
45 Quotes From Literature That Will Actually Change Your Life (Buzz Feed): Some good ones in here.
My Dad Reads ‘Wuthering Heights’ For The First Time (The Hair Pin): I connect with this so much, both the father's attitude towards literature and the daughter's distain for the Brontes.
Reading Is Forgetting (NYR of Books): UGH. This is so true and so scary as I continue to prepare for exams in July and August.
9 books you should have read in high school that are totally worth reading now. (Modern Mrs. Darcy): I've read a few of these. What about you?
The Therapeutic Benefits of Writing a Novel (Writer Unboxed): An interesting look at writing.
Life in General:
The Chair (Modern Mrs. Darcy): I love this metaphor and I think it will help me a lot this year. Right now, I'm the wobbly leg in my framily. I'm glad I have strong framily members to keep the chair functioning.
Advice for the recent graduate (Austin Kleon): While he says this is for the recent graduate, I think it's good advice for anyone, especially people with weird life schedules like PhD students!
Little Hacks Writers Can Use to Be Productive (Live, Write, Thrive): I think that this is not just for writers, but anyone who needs to be productive.
Floral Anatomy Embroideries (Colossal): This is super cool!
If they died from suicide (Chicana on the Edge): An important thing to think about.
- How to Become a Cat: The Complete Guide (Sad and Useless): This is very informative. I wish someone would adopt me and let me be their cat. SOOOO much better than being a human!
Money:
10 Big Money Steps You Should Be Taking Before 30 (The Financial Diet): This is my new favorite blog and I think these are great and important things that I need to work on.
10 Things Millennials Need To Do With Their Money ASAP (The Financial Diet): I'm working on a few of these and hopefully when I graduate and can become a real person, I'll be able to get a handle on my finances.
Academia, Education, and Teaching:
The Trouble With Twitter in Education (Medium): I use twitter in my classes and I found this to be really interesting.
How to Be a Good Classicist Under a Bad Emperor (Eidolon): I, too, have noticed a tendency of classicists to be engaged in alt-right tactics. Interesting article that warns of the racism that can be met in some circles of Classics scholars.
Simplicity and Minimalism:
- Clutter Blindness and How Doing This One Thing Can Make all the Difference (Organizing Junkie): I definitely suffer from clutter blindness, but I have noticed lately how when everything is picked up and put away that my small space seems so much larger. I have been thinking about getting rid of more tchotchkes, but I haven't acted on it because most of the tchotchkes that I have were gifts with sentimental value (I don't buy those kinds of things myself). Some good thoughts here.
Environmentalism, Farming, Food, Health, and Nutrition:
This Tree Could Make Coffee Plantations More Profitable And More Environmentally Sound (Modern Farmer): Growing coffee isn't always good for sustainability and isn't easy because of the climate required for growth. New studies show that intercropping makes growing coffee easier and healthier for the soil! Yet another win against the demons of monoculture!!