Links, Books, and Things I Love – July 2017
Here are favorites from June and what I’m looking forward to in July. We share once a month at Leigh’s.
1 Second Everyday
[If you can’t see the 1 Second Everyday video, click here]
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Around the Web
• You’re (Probably) Saying It Wrong
Fifteen words you might be mispronouncing. Includes primer, conch, solder, and cupboard.
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• 9 Ways to Move Away from Privilege
by Branden Henry
“Here are 9 ways we can begin carrying a larger portion of the burden of inherent bias, racism, oppression, bigotry and discrimination that weigh on our minority brothers and sisters.”
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• Here’s How Much Businesses Pay To Get On Those Big Blue Exit Signs
Here’s who decides which businesses make it on the signs, and how much it all costs.
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• Why Your Car Thermometer Is Probably Wrong
by Greg Porter
I understand a little better. But it’s still close enough for me and I love it.
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• Why Do Men Harass Women?
New Study Sheds Light On Motivations of Street Harassment
by Malaka Gharib, NPR
What’s fun to men isn’t necessarily fun to women, especially when they don’t see the consequences.
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Books and Podcasts
• Story Podcast: Episode 38 – The Enneagram
Great insight into all nine numbers of the Enneagram with guest Ian Morgan Cron.
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• The Liturgists Podcast: Christian Violence
Regardless of what you think about violence, this will make you think a little deeper.
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• TED Radio Hour Podcast: A Better You
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• What’s Your Reading Personality?
A fun little quiz at Modern Mrs. Darcy’s site. My type is “The Explorer.”
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• Infographic: Surprising Book Facts
Ugh. I hope some of these facts aren’t true.
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• 4 Books I Recommend
Here are 4 books I enjoyed this month, including the convicting novel Small Great Things and the nonfiction book, 12 Ways Your Phone Is Changing You.
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• Books I’m Currently Reading
- The Goldfinch
by Donna Tartt - The Better Angels of Our Nature
Why Violence Has Declined
by Steven Pinker - This Fight Is Our Fight
The Battle to Save America’s Middle Class
by Elizabeth Warren - Born to Run
A Hidden Tribe, Superathletes, and the Greatest Race the World Has Never Seen
by Christopher McDougall - Mindset
The New Psychology of Success
by Carol S. Dweck - Glory in the Ordinary
Why Your Work in the Home Matters to God
by Courtney Reissig
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Things I Love
• My Baby Girls
We made a quick trip to see Morgan on her birthday weekend. They may not look like little girls in your minds’ eye, but they’ll always be my baby girls.
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• Roadside America
Jeff loves roadside attractions. So we usually google RoadsideAmerica.com to find unusual things near our route on road trips.
A few weeks ago on our way to Kansas, we stopped at the Golden Driller: Titanic Oil Man. It’s 75 feet tall, one of the 5 tallest statues in the U.S.
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• A Day in the Salt Mines
Literally. In Hutchinson, Kansas, we toured an understand salt museum, Strataca. Very interesting! It’s the only salt mine accessible to tourists. It began operating in 1923 as Carey Salt Company.
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• Oklahoma City National Memorial
This was a sobering visit. The Memorial and Museum is so well-done. It honorably remembers the victims and rescuers after the April 19, 1995 bombing. 168 people died. The fence outside is still full of memorabilia in remembrance.
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• Beach Instagram Selfie
This just makes me laugh. If we could see the whole picture of the beautiful selfies we see online, what would we discover?
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On the Blog
I did a 4-part series in June on my 4 Agreements with God.
# 1 – Give the benefit of the doubt.
Do You Assume the Best or the Worst? And a Barking Lady
We rarely know the whole story. How can we learn to give others the benefit of the doubt? 5 ways to assume the best.
# 2 – Let go of being right.
Let Go of Being Right – When Being Right Is Wrong (and Dangerous)
When is being right, wrong? Here are 3 dangers to being right and how to let go of them.
# 3 – Don’t take it personally.
Don’t Take This Personally
Do we make too much of life about us? Everyone is the star in their own movie. Don’t take it personally.
# 4 – Just show up.
You’re Not Ready? Show Up Anyway
Even when you’re not prepared, just show up anyway. God will show up, too.
See all 4 agreements (click on individual infographics)
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What was one of your highlights from June? What are you looking forward to in July? Please share in the comments.
Wow… that’s a lot of rain for June.
Love the pictures of your girls. What a blessing.
I had no idea how expensive the freeway signage was, but I’m not surprised… ain’t nothin’ free in this world… except What really matters.
If you make it out this way, make sure you get by Cabazon, California. Jeff will love the life size fake dinosaur along Interstate 10. I heard it has given a few folks heart attacks.
Yes, we did get a lot of rain in June; Tropical Storm Cindy helped us out a little too. Hoping for no drought this year like last year. I’ll have to tell Jeff about Cabazon because yes, that is exactly the kind of thing he would want to see! 🙂 Thanks, Floyd.
Dear Lisa
I had to do that quiz! I am an English Major – good quiz – lot of fun but wanted to tick more two or three choices for a few questions.
Might come back again later – you’ve posted a bumper issue this month.
David
I had trouble narrowing down my answers to one choice too. There were several that I could have chosen 3 responses instead of 1. 🙂
Lisa,
Lot’s of good, fun information here. I learned, not too surprisingly, that I am an escapist when it comes to reading books. I’m taking your recommendation and am starting The Nightingale (I’m a fan of books from that era). I loved your series, especially the post about not taking things so personally….great read for me.
May you have a blessed fourth!
Bev xx
Thanks, Bev. I appreciate your encouragement. I hope you enjoy The Nightgale! I really enjoyed it very much; I want my husband to read it (well, listen to it—he’s an audiobook guy) after he finishes The Goldfinch. He’s currently listening to that and is way ahead of me (I’m reading it).:) Hope you have a great 4th, too!
Great recap, Lisa! Love seeing your girls! Beautiful, just like their mama! and thanks for the roadside American tip! We’ll definitely use that resource! How fun! June was a busy month! Highlights for us included the Lavender Festival and our son’s wedding! July, we’re just trying to beat the heat! Have a blessed day, friend!
You did have a busy month last month so hopefully you can relax in July. Weddings are always great fun, but also can wear you out. 🙂 I’m glad that both my girls are now married and that is behind us. ha.
The Reading Quiz said I was a “Discoverer.” True in that I like to discover all sorts of things while reading, but wrong in that it says “You love to choose what to read next, and you think planning takes away the fun.” Nope – I do a lot of planning about what to read next, though just occasionally I’ll choose something nowhere near the plan.
I was surprised I got most of the pronunciations right. The one I had trouble accepting is conch. And victuals – I had never heard of their way to say that.
Loved the Instagram selfie cartoon! Yes, I have been known to carefully crop photos for the best effect.
I wonder what the difference is between Discoverer and Explorer (that was me). The titles sound so similar. Synopsis for the Explorer included this, which would likely fit you as well as me:
“Explorers are thoughtful about what they read next. They are likely to get their book recommendations from their fellow readers and sometimes fellow travelers, the issues of the day, and their own research.”
There were several questions that I could have chosen several answers.
I’m usually hesitant to ever pronounce conch because I’m afraid of saying it wrong. ha. But maybe now I’ll remember. Maybe.
I’m an escapist. You probably already know that tho. Going to read “The Nightingale and The Goldfinch “.
Love the picture of your precious girls! I can’t help but see all our girls as our babies still! Keep sharing please!
Love you,
Cindy
Escapist reading is good, Cindy. 🙂 Jeff finished The Goldfinch yesterday (audiobook) and really liked it. I’m 1/3 of the way finished. It’s going to take me longer. ha.
Sure did love spending July 4th together again–it’s been quite a few for us! And so much fun having the littlest ones too. We are such a blessed family.
I did the quiz too! I came out as an Escapist haha. Great recap again, love how you refer to your girls – gives a great perspective of motherhood and makes me think about my own little girl in a new light. I enjoyed reading The Nightingale (as much as you can enjoy a story that covers that era).
Lots of Escapists here. 🙂 They’re all good! I’m glad you enjoyed The Nightingale too—and yes, as much as is possible for such a sad, sad time.
Thanks for another great selecion of links and recommendations. Siunds like a busy month! I tried the reading quiz and apparently I am an Explorer too. I was suprised by some of the reading facts, especially how many people stip reading after high school or college. I agree, I hope it isn’t true. The enneagram podcast sounds interesting- I hope to come back and listen to that later.
I know; I was sad about the reading stats. I love to read so much. I can’t imagine how others don’t enjoy it also. ha. But I know everybody has their own thing!
Loved the book personality quiz. Thank you! The Nightingale was excellent. I pick up and put down The Goldfinch, but haven’t read it. Do you recommend it? As a teacher, the numbers in the reading facts was depressing. My favorite were your 4 Agreements with God. I enjoyed every one and learned a lot.
So far I’m enjoying The Goldfinch, but it is LONG. ha. It’s one of those books where I want to yell at the characters: don’t do that! 🙂 Bad things then good things, etc. Like any good plot, I suppose. ha. I’m about halfway finished, but my husband listened to it and can’t wait for me to get further in the book so we can talk about it. 🙂
I always learn something when I visit your place!
And I certainly see the truth of your Reading Type. I came out as a Devotee.
Ah, a Devotee! That’s a different one…I’ve been wondering what the other types are. 🙂 Sounds good!
Wow, that’s a lot of great information!! I love your quote on the book review: “We don’t just use our phones; our phones use us.” So sad and true! I have found I have to tell myself to put the silly thing down! Thank you for a great post!
“Put the silly thing down” – we likely all need to tell ourselves that more often. 🙂 Thanks, Esther.
What a fabulous post, Lisa!!
Your daughters are beautiful and I loved reading some other posts that you pointed out!!
Jodie
http://www.jtouchofstyle.com
#tuneinthursday
Thanks, Jodie. I do love my girls. 🙂 I got to spend the day yesterday with my oldest and so enjoyed our time together. They were precious when they were little, but they’re just as fun to hang out with now that they’re older. 🙂
Very interesting facts about books and our reading habits (or lack there of). That’s quite shocking, isn’t it! I can’t imagine life without books. The one about our phones is one I want to check out. Alas … my books to read list just never ends! LOL Have a great July.
Yes, I am always shocked when I see those reading statistics. 🙁 I can’t imagine a life without books either! And my book list is also never-ending. Sigh. Even if I never added another title to it, I still wouldn’t have enough time left to read all the books on my list. ha. Hope you have a great July also, Donna!
Wow, you’ve curated a lot of info there! Thanks for sharing all that. Love those one second a day videos you’re doing. I’d probably forget a few days. That’s great how faithful you are to it. Fun way to capture a life. 🙂 Sweet pic of your girls. Thanks for sharing, Lisa. — So excited for you to win the drawing on my site this month. 🙂 And, I have plenty of both, so just let me know your preference and your mailing info and I’ll get it right out to you! 🙂 Congratulations!!
I do sometimes forget the one second videos until the day is almost over, then my poor husband gets to be in the shot doing whatever—talking on the phone or cleaning the kitchen or watching a TV. ha. Then other days there are multiple videos to choose from! 🙂 That’s life, yes?
I’ll send you an email with my address! Thanks again, Brenda!
what a super potpourri you’ve spread out for us, Lisa. my favorite? the sweet pic of your girls …
;-}
Aw, that’s sweet, Linda. Daughters are my favorite too. 🙂
I always love your wide range! I am the same way and bounce around 🙂
The internet can really do me in, if I’m not careful. ha. So much to read and learn! Hope you’ve having a great weekend, Sarah.
It has taken all week to go through this post – so many interesting links. Listening to the NPR show right now as I type this. Love the Roadside America site and all the thoughtful articles. rich info…Have a great weekend,Lisa!
Glad you found some things that interest you too, Jean. That’s how I feel with your monthly round-ups too! 🙂
Love your 1 second video. I might try that in August. I’m not sure how to do it, but you did it beautifully! I know people are designed differently, so some don’t enjoy reading. I’m a book reader (and articles). My husband is more of an article/info reader. I don’t think you could judge the amount of reading he does by the amount of “books” he reads. Continual learning just might not be bound in a book. I’d like to see a statistic on reading in general. Thanks for sharing all this wonderful information.
You make a great point, Maryleigh. Learning and reading aren’t always in books anymore. I feel like I may read less books in general, but I read so much more online. If you look at how much kids read on their phones (even if it is FB, snapchat, etc.), maybe we should count that as something? 🙂 The 1 second video is super easy; it’s just an app I have on my iPhone: 1 Second Everyday (it probably is available for Android too). Just take a video on your phone every day, then the app cuts one second for you (you choose the segment) and puts it all together!
I always love these round-up posts of yours, Lisa! This one is so good! That infographic on reading is hard to believe. Sad. I’ve actually been enjoying more reading than usual this summer. I’m learning lots and entertaining myself at the same time! 🙂 Need to read that post about not taking things personally! Headed there now.
I’m hoping some of those stats on the infographic are exaggerated because they make me sad too. 🙁 I love reading so much so it’s hard for me to imagine others rarely picking up a book. But I know there are lots of things I don’t do that others enjoy doing. So I suppose it all works out. I’m glad you’ve been able to read more this summer, Betsy. It’s such a joy!
Love the round-up. Thanks so much. It’s really introduced me to your blog in a good way!
Thanks for stopping by, Tammie. These round-ups are always fun posts to put together!