People, I have to tell you: April in Dublin has been fantastic. Sure, we've had hail twice this week. But the sun has graced us with her presence every single day, last night's sunset amidst big thunderheads (alas, sans thunder) was gloriously midwest-like, and I've been hanging out laundry like a boss. I found it incredibly difficult to maintain a depressive post-rejection stance in the face of such beauty. Here's hoping May is as kind to us as April was. Now, for the good stuff:
READING
I didn't read loads the last month or two, but I did finish The Silkworm by Robert Galbraith/JK Rowling. Cormoran Strike's curmudgeonly-ness wears a bit, but the pace and plot was surprisingly satisfying, even if the subject matter (a missing author who's swan-song of a book is disgustingly grotesque) produced an overwhelming ick factor.
I'm still 200 or so pages into The Goldfinch after two months of carrying it around with me. Should I keep going? Does it get better? Do I really care about this 14 year old orphan who keeps telling us how much he doesn't like talking about his feelings? I get enough of that at home, but I'm attempting to power through to the promise of the Amsterdam Streets from the opening pages...
Also on tap: Frankenstein (devoured again, per usual...) and Jane Eyre (a reread, but only made it a couple of chapters before watching the Fassbender film version instead) as part of Hollywood Housewife's Read Great Books monthly challenge.
Let's be friends on Goodreads.
WATCHING
This was a big movie month, on account of all the air travel. The Theory of Everything was gorgeous and sad, and there's a point very near the end where I couldn't help but cry... unfortunately, the half hour that came after it was kinda "meh," seeming to lack the honesty and cliche-less integrity that held me through the first 4/5 of the film.
Up next was Interstellar, and my three-word spoiler: Freaking Matt Damon. Anytime he shows up un-billed you know terrible things are going to happen. And they did. And I kept watching. IN A PLANE. Ugh... I think I would've enjoyed it more on a big screen with my feet on earth next to a loved one if I'd not been flying 40,000 feet in the air all by myself.
Also watched this month: Mockingjay (need a second viewing not on an airplane screen), Avengers: Age of Ultron (a long overdue date night... I didn't love it as much as my husband thought I should...), The Imitation Game (a heartbreaking game of life and death), and for funsies Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt (lots of LOLs and then split-second, poignant references to unimaginable trauma).
LISTENING TO
Carrie and Lowell, obviously. This Slate podcast with Jon Acuff could not have come at a better time. And recently, Wait, Wait Don't Tell Me podcast whilst walking dog with bursts of laughter eliciting strange stares.
LOVING
Visiting a place we used to know.
A short, but sweet time with my family. It was so hard to leave Matt and the kids behind, but such a gift to exist only as a daughter and sister for a few precious days.
Watching the Final Four with my dad in his hospital room, trying not to yell too loud, and seeing Wisconsin beat Kentucky.
FLYING BY MYSELF.
Spring.
No Jesus, No Justice from Andy Crouch.
Freelance writing.
Sweet reunions with old friends on both sides of the ocean, especially when they consist of good food and five hours spent around the same table.
The Missional Church is Full of Dymschitz by Skye Jethani
I am of the growing opinion that for evangelicalism to flourish again we have to become less focused, less efficient, and less austere. We have to rediscover the paradoxical tension between missional urgency and indulgent beauty by affirming the callings of both missionaries and artists, and by no longer forcing beautiful worship to be subservient to effective evangelism. Both are necessary if God’s will is to be done on earth as it is in heaven.
Baking with the wee lad
Book shopping with the eldest
Outfit shopping with the girl
Seeing all the amazing press coverage Middle of the Map received this month. So proud.
An early birthday present: tickets for Sufjan in Dublin in August!
Be Family to Your Friends from Fiona Lynne
Preparing for a weekend away, for visitors in June, July and August, and the joy that comes in making plans with hope
As always, linking up with the esteemed Leigh Kramer for What I'm Into. Header image courtesy of the talented-with-photo-cropping Tom Tate. What were you into this month?
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