It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas and this means I'm more intentional about self-care and making sure I have regular downtime in between the parties and get togethers. It means I watch the birds flying back and forth from the telephone wire while I'm waiting for the bus because there's something peaceful about birds in flight. (Which is altogether different than birds on the ground. Let's just say I prefer birds to be high and away from me.)
It's December in San Francisco and it feels more like fall. Orange and red leaves are finally falling off trees in droves. I'm wearing a coat but the weather is 50s and 60s most days. I go home for Christmas in a little more than a week and I'm sure the temperature shift will be a shock to my system. But it will be worth it!
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Here's the best of what I've read this week:
If you're like me and imagined Edmund choice of Turkish Delight (with the consequence of betraying his family in The Lion, The Witch, and The Wardrobe) must mean it's the best candy ever and then you tried some years later and were entirely revolted, this article is for you.
There were a lot of helpful think pieces in the wake of the San Bernadino shooting but I appreciated Ruth Graham's "Prayer Shaming" Isn't About Attacking Prayer. It's About Calling Out Empty Platitudes. the most. Too many politicians accept money from NRA and then say that victims of the latest mass shooting are in their thoughts and prayers. And it's not enough. This has to stop. One place to start: sign this petition demanding Congress end its 20 year old policy of blocking gun violence research by the CDC.
In the meantime, because the Senate voted against expanding background checks for gun purchases, here's what to do in an active shooter situation. I'm glad I read it because my instinct would have been to just hide and that's not the best first choice.
I did not know the back story behind Franklin the Peanuts comic strip. This was a lovely look at why Charles Schulz added a black character to the Peanuts.
How each Myers-Briggs type prepares for the holidays. Spot on for this INFJ- that's why I try to finish my Christmas shopping early because otherwise, there is no end to my consternation over what the best gift might be.
Fascinating look at how Kendrick Lamar became who he is.
I was sad but not surprised to hear about Scott Weiland's death earlier this month. This letter from his ex-wife is an important read for anyone who knows people battling addiction.
This is a lovely piece of writing from Shawn Smucker.
The 19 Most Powerful Photos of Refugees Coming to Canada. OH MY HEART.
Happy weekending!
