Things I Learned This Week

Chickens, Instagram, Canadian Tuxedos, Ikea, Quadeca, and Good Men

I have felt a little out of it of late, circling the drain of post-menopause by struggling for words—calling ostriches, um, giraffes, and clay, dough. Despite my lack of descriptively appropriate words, I’m hoping to upright this sinking ship by riding writing it out and moving forward. Here’s what’s shaking.

We have chickens again! After my last foray into keeping poultry illegally and stressfully in my suburban backyard, we selected six tiny chicks to travel with us to San Marcos, where we can openly and freely snuggle the little egg layers. Two by two, these girls are paired by breed—two buff orpingtons, two arctic blue, and two black australorp. Their precious peeping is delighting me as I write this, and my husband is already deep in the planning stages on the coup build. He has about six weeks to bring it all together, so I will keep you posted on any new tricks we learn along the way.

Now, I hate Instagram as much as the next guy, but it’s still one of the apps I first loved, and I’m determined to use the time I do spend on it wisely to learn about chickens, art, music, quilting, pottery, and post about whatever strikes my fancy. I still use my personal account to update friends and post about most everything I do, and it’s still an excellent resource for connecting with other people around the world who have similar interests. Back when Blogger was all the rage, I made a few friends with other women bonding over mothering and vintage children’s books. I call these women friends, not in the traditional sense, but in the sense that even though I don’t personally really know them, I know a ton about them and cheer them on from afar. Two suggestions: Chandra posts about her new adventures in miniature and even helps run an auction house in North Carolina. Meghan I’ve followed from Blogger to Insta to Substack and writes about life in Colorado and finding yourself post-motherhood and divorce. Check them both out.

I’ve recently started wearing what my husband and son lovingly refer to as a Canadian tuxedo. Because I live under a rock, I’d never heard this slightly derogatory term before, but once acknowledged, I leaned into the lore. These jean-on-jean situations make it easy for me to start the day with little to no fuss. And yes, I am still wearing out my evil Wal-Mart denim (I have multiples from the Sofia Vergara collection, lol) because I’m a graduate student now. I have to save my pennies for things like lunch in the quad and cases of Milwaukie’s Best and shit from Ikea.

Speaking of, I had to use a ton of Ikea to outfit my new office because, as it turns out, vintage stuff is not cheap anymore. When did that happen? (Insert Gen-X outrage here.) You used to be able to hit vintage stores, estate sales, and thrift shops and get lots for nothing. Now, resale is often the same or more than the new stuff. And for furniture that was crappy in the first place. Even Facebook Marketplace and Craig’s List are pricey. I just need a side table, people!

Loving the recent rec from my son, the new album by Quadeca. My son has been listening to Benjamin Lasky since the guy was in his bedroom making bad rap, but the artist known as Quadeca has matured into a lovely songwriter and icon for a generation. He‘s evolved from a high school diss track kid to a master of the concept album, as seen in his last—I Didn’t Mean to Haunt You—which is a complete narrative written from the perspective of a ghost. The new album, Vanisher, Horizon Scraper, was released with a full-length movie/music video of the same name. For a taste, check out my son’s favorite track from the album, Monday, and if you like what you hear, listen to one of my all-time favorite songs ever, Texas Blue. Good stuff.

The talented children’s book illustrator and author Christian Robinson recently wrote this beautiful piece on empathy, tattoos, belonging, and elsewhere. If you have a minute, enjoy this. We need fewer corporate cheaters and more good men like Christian, Mandy Patinkin, and even David Brooks in this world right now.

Quote of the week?

“My skin actually feels paper thin these days. Uncertainty, anger, anxiety and sadness, from what’s happening at home and around the world. But really at the heart, it’s exhaustion. I’m tired, like so many of us. I’m worn down by the lack of empathy, and the lack of seeing one another. I’m worn down by not feeling safe in my country. I feel like we’re being called upon, once again, to fight, to raise our voices and demand change. But when I check in with myself, I know I’m running on fumes.” — Christian Robinson

‘Til Tuesday kids.

Burgin

(I finished college at 50+ and am headed to grad school… follow along and read my story here.)