Friday, you are welcome here. This week has been rough. Apparently, time changes are rough on brain chemistry, so I haven’t been at my best, but I’m starting to feel like myself again over the past few days. I’m also writing tons and I’m getting so excited because you guys are going to love the sequel. It’s coming together really nicely.
Anyway, here are five good things from this week!
1. Mo Willems on Twitter
Listen, this year has been a bit of a garbage fire. We’re all tired. Mo Willems, author of beloved children’s books like Don’t Let the Pigeon Drive the Bus and We Are in a Book!, is what we all need right now. His art is cute, his messages are heartwarming. Just follow him.
2. The Goldfinch by Donna Tartt
Currently reading, currently loving. I read The Secret History for the first time this year, too. Donna Tartt alternately enrages and enamors me with her writing style but I always walk away affected.
3. This recipe from Salt and Lavender
Creamy mushroom and spinach gnocchi, you guys. CREAMY MUSHROOM AND SPINACH GNOCCHI. This recipe was easy and cheap, and I only had to use one pan, which is a win in my book as well as Marshall’s since he usually does the dishes when I cook. It was also vegetarian, which is great for those of you who are so inclined, or for those of us who don’t have tons of money.
4. Peaky Blinders is back.
The first episode aired in the UK on Wednesday night. It was good. I hate it.
5. Jeff Buckley
It’s Jeff Buckley’s birthday today, so it felt right to include him in my five things even though he’s in my top five things ever and always. He’s best known for his cover of Leonard Cohen’s Hallelujah, but that doesn’t even scratch the surface of his immense talent. He was easily one of the best songwriters and musicians of his generation and gone far too soon.
I remember the first time I listened to one of his originals, really listened to it. A friend’s older brother had burned me Grace, his first album, and the only one released during his lifetime. The song was Lover, You Should’ve Come Over, I was sixteen and in AP US History listening to it on my iPod after finishing a test. I cried. I listened to it over and over and over and I never got tired of it.
Jeff Buckley was instrumental to my love of music and my love of songwriting (which, unfortunately, has fallen by the wayside as of late). I’m grateful for the legacy he left behind but so sad for the loss. Happy Birthday, J. Buck.
