My kids had a snow day yesterday…with no actual snow. I will admit there was some freezing rain in the morning, but by noon it was about 40 degrees and everything was melting off. This profligacy with snow days won’t make us have to make-up days in June because from now on all snow days will be virtual instruction days, but still. Given that the weather forecast calls for more snow soon and I imagine that if the Eagles win on Sunday there will be a lot of suspiciously absent people on Monday or any parade days… we may have very limited instruction days!
Fortunately we had childcare from about 9:15, so I was able to get most of my work done. Three of the five children saw Dogman. I finished a draft of a book chapter. I did a podcast interview. I am getting close to caught up on my time tracking emails (this was a project…I’m so glad that we had 1600+ people tracking their time in January but it has taken me longer than I’d like to get back to everyone).
Some content from this week…Over at Before Breakfast, I had episodes on “The case for a winter walk” and “Carpooling isn’t just for kids.” For the longer episode I interviewed Mary Laura Philpott about “Being patient until the right idea comes.” She talks about how she’s had a gentle year creatively as she figures out her next project. She’s approaching the process with curiosity, rather than a sense of hustle. There are turtle metaphors. Please check it out!
Over at Vanderhacks, I piggybacked on Groundhog Day and the associated movie to ask “Would you live today over again?” Related: “How to enjoy 6 more weeks of winter.” I suggested people “Try a 30-minute closet triage” and “How to (finally) make progress on your personal to-do list” (those two are behind the paywall).
The Best of Both Worlds Patreon community had a fun discussion of the best jeans (I have been informed that this was an expensive thread). We also talked early money memories, and favorite TV shows. Membership is $9/month (you can join here).
Thanks for supporting my writing and podcasting! I appreciate it. In the meantime, a tongue-in-cheek sonnet about big game football…
Some sixty thousand people in the stands
All scream alike as seconds tick to none.
The lights glow green, the crowd is slapping hands
confetti flutters, people start to run,
as fireworks explode into the air.
The players rush the field, their helmets tossed.
In this cold night, the revelers will dare
to claim that all is changed from if they’d lost.
And yet, a few blocks over, someone else
sits in her condo, watching Netflix, sure,
that nothing else has happened, and she tells
her friend that it’s a boring night, and you’re
on your way over right? Oh yes, I’ll try.
I see some traffic — but I don’t know why.
Photo: A different sort of bird, through the car window. Note: no snow.
So sorry but this post seems particularly vacuous to me today in light of what is going on. Oh well, I suppose that’s your brand. Maybe in 2028 you’re husband can be president. I guess the Super Bowl still needs to happen oh my goodness that’s so important. 🙄
Agreed. To not even mention what’s happening reveals a fear of losing followers. Very disappointed and will not recommend this content anymore.
On the topic of snow and winter – I would love to hear on the podcast about how you and Sarah navigated outdoor time with little ones when the weather is not good. This has been a particularly frigid winter in Canada and it has been challenging to get outside between work, early sunsets and a 2 year old who screams every time he has to wear mittens. I for sure need more exercise – and we all need to get out of the house and move a little!
On the topic of snow and winter – I would love to hear on the podcast about how you and Sarah navigated outdoor time with little ones when the weather is not good. This has been a particularly frigid winter in Canada and it has been challenging to get outside between work, early sunsets and a 2 year old who screams every time he has to wear mittens. I for sure need more exercise – and we all need to get out of our house and move a little!
@Natalie- that is challenging! We did a podcast with the head of a group called “Run Wild My Child” last fall about getting outside, even in challenging weather. I think the major take-aways were to not expect to get outside for long, but to at least try. Getting winter gear on is an activity that can fill the time with a 2-year-old. You go outside for 5 minutes, then wind up back inside. Then you do it again an hour later…Maybe one of those sessions will go better and you’ll make it outside for longer! You can also get gear that helps with playing outside in the dark — headlamps, etc.