Growing up, my family joked about my mom’s “shopping walk”—the particular pace she set when running errands. Just slightly slower than Olympic race walking, this pace was more like a slow jog for a small child. Okay, not quite, but close enough.
This is The Stuff That Pings Me: a curated, ongoing series about the stuff that makes me laugh or cry, makes my heart beat a little faster or takes my breath away. It’s the stuff I read, watch, listen to, and think about. Books, podcasts, films, music, quotes, articles, whatever.
“My dear, all life is a series of problems which we must try and solve, first one and the next and the next, until at last we die.” – Dowager Countess, Downton Abbey
What do we do when faced with something new? Do we blindly accept it? Overthink it? Consider the pros and cons and make an educated decision? Go with the recommendation of family and friends?
I got a couple copies of a key made today.
At the first brand-name hardware store I went to, the only place I could find to make a key was a self-serve kiosk with a screen that said “Get started!” in big letters. Another sign announced, in much smaller letters, “cash only.” And in even smaller letters, a third decal explained, “exact change only.”
Books were as much a part of my childhood as breathing. Bookshelves lined every available wall in our house, filled with books that my mom picked up at used book sales or stores for 25 cents. I read them all, educating myself so thoroughly that I never did a formal study of American history until I reached high school (I was home-educated, so this was an option).
I assembled a lot of furniture today.
For the most part, I was successful.
Except when I tried to force it.
And so it is with life.
Stop signs. Yield signs. Four way stops. Traffic circles.
They’re all useful.
But only helpful in certain combinations.
This is The Stuff That Pings Me: a curated, ongoing series about the stuff that makes me laugh or cry, makes my heart beat a little faster or takes my breath away. It’s the stuff I read, watch, listen to, and think about. Books, podcasts, films, music, quotes, articles, whatever.
My friend tugged on the silverware drawer. It groaned in protest and refused to budge.
We were staying at an Airbnb, which meant learning the quirks of a new house—which floorboards creaked, how to operate the shower…and how to open the silverware drawer.
