1. I totally identify with something Jerry Seinfeld said in a recent article I read:
"I love penmanship. I love writing with a pen. I feel like I'm painting."
Me too, Jerry, me too! It's one of the reasons I won't go digital and love having a paper planner and writing lists and things. Writing--physically writing--can definitely feel like an art form. Unless your handwriting is like chicken scratches, then it's debatable. (That was my lame attempt at a Seinfeld-ish joke!)
2. Here's another thing I read in an article recently, this one from the Penn alumni magazine:
"This tension between the certain joy of literature and the chancy pleasure of people will plague me for life."
That cracked me up when I read it. I totally relate to that one too! When given the choice, nine times out of ten I'd prefer to stay home and read my book, which I know without doubt will be a pleasurable experience (even if the book isn't great), rather than go hang out with people, which could be either a pleasurable experience or a stressful one. #introvert #hermitcrab #bookworm
3. Alright, one more quote and then I'm done with quotes, I promise! This one is by far the most profound.
This past Sunday afternoon between General Conference sessions, Elder Robert D. Hales of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles passed away.
I felt so sad when I found out. These men in church leadership feel like grandfathers to me, especially because I've never really had a grandfather in my life. And I had a soft spot for Elder Hales. I saw him speak at the youth celebration at Radio City Music Hall for the dedication of the Manhattan New York Temple in 2004. There's something about his soft-spoken manner that speaks to my heart. I read his book Return: Four Phases of Our Mortal Journey Home this year and it had a very positive effect on me; it's a book that I'll refer to throughout my life.
This is a quote from his book Return from the chapter "Facing Death." It brings me comfort regarding his death and death in general, especially in light of events like what happened in Las Vegas the same day he passed away:
"I testify of the extraordinary peace and tranquility that await those beyond the veil who have followed the light and knowledge they received in this life. If we could experience, even momentarily, the scene that awaits the righteous there, we would find it difficult to return to mortality. I know this from experience."
I'm sure Elder Hales was greeted by a very joyful and much-deserved wonderful scene worthy of a great and valiant servant of the Lord when he returned to his heavenly home on Sunday.
4. The last time I did a Five Things post I mentioned Homegoods and how great it is that stores from the Northeast have been opening here in Iowa around where I live. Well, there's another one to add to the list, and it opens today. It's Trader Joe's! This is an excellent healthy grocery store with lots of great products. I shop there when I'm on the Cape in the summers. I'm excited that I'll now be able to shop there whenever I want!
5. The new season of Poldark started this week and oh my gosh, I'm in love. With the show, with the books, with the characters, and yeah I'll admit it, with Ross Poldark himself!
It's a four-day weekend for us, and for once in our lives we're not going anywhere!
I hope everyone has a good weekend while we enjoy our staycation.
