What I’m learning, What I’m loving, What I’m reading, What I’m writing
October 2024 edition
Each month I offer a brief reflection over the month of what I’m learning, loving, reading, and writing. This monthly post is available to all subscribers and is usually a fun, not so serious, collection of randomness.
Welcome to October’s edition.
What I’m learning
An appliance that trips the breaker no matter where it’s plugged in could mean the appliance has died. You may read this and question how I’m just learning this, but my beloved Dupray Neat Steam Cleaner tripped the breaker in any plug regardless where I plugged it in. For 6 months I’ve lived without my steamer and thought there was no hope as an electrician said my house was wired in a way to not be able to handle the electrical load. That made no sense to me because the house runs much larger appliances. He said in some cases, the appliance has gone bad. So I bought a new one, and have been singing its praises again as it is the wonder of all wonders cleaning appliance I’ve ever owned. I use it for literally everything. It even removed red ink stain out of a sofa cushion years ago!
What I’m loving
Homemade Lattes- Sadly I visit Starbucks far more often than I should. I took a Starbucks fast and then ordered this super simple espresso machine with a credit I’ve been holding onto. I’m now obsessed with making oatmilk lattes at home and I believe they taste exactly like my Starbucks order. Also, it’s on sale for $112 on Amazon. That’s basically 15 coffees at Starbucks. Would make an awesome Christmas gift for the coffee lover in your life!!
Beach trips in the fall. Steve planned, back in April, an October trip for the two of us to Seabrook Island. He knew I needed something to look forward to, particularly because 2024 held three cancelled trips for me.
I may never visit the beach in the summer again. The temperatures were perfect, the beach was deserted, and we ate anywhere we wanted at anytime with no wait. It was lovely.
What I’m reading
October apparently was the month of thrillers/mysteries and non fiction. I read in cycles.
I hesitate to offer an opinion on this book. I’ve read every book she’s published and loved them all. Until this one. I believe I missed the point of this book because I was distracted by what seemed to be some underlying feelings, reasons, theological shifts due to her own personal story. It seemed they left their church after some differences in beliefs on homosexuality among other issues. She shared a very small part of walking through one of their own children deciding they identified as such. And where I felt the disconnect is that she left this area unclear and vague. As if she’s changed her theological beliefs on this subject due to personal experience possibly. Yet without actually saying so. I don’t feel this is an area we can choose to be unclear on when we are in spiritual leadership positions with such great influence.
Because of the lack of clarity around this topic, I would not recommend the book. Again, I think this piece alone is what distracted for me the overall purpose of the book that likely was very helpful.
Revenge of the Tipping Point: Overstories, Superspreaders, and the Rise of Social Engineering by Malcolm Gladwell
I am a huge fan of Malcolm Gladwell’s books, which I feel are audiobook must listens. He’s an incredibly talented researcher who pieces together stories in ways that change the way you see things. This book was excellent, and Steve and I had the opportunity to see him speak on it recently at Belmont University.
This was a long read, and I finished it on a longer road trip, but I didn’t love it. However, the reviews are really high for this book so others loved it- so there’s that. My key takeaway was how what we believe about our future could determine outcomes. We tend to live into what we believe. So be careful in believing words people speak over you.
All the Missing Girls by Megan Miranda
This was the month of a few average back to back reads for me. I felt this was lacking in character development as well as storyline. I love a good mystery, but not this one.
The Turn of the Key by Ruth Ware
This one I loved! The audio version was superb. The performance was so enthralling. I listened on the edge of my seat for 2 days straight and devoured this book. Very Agatha Christie like with twists that met the mark of less predictable while achieving believability. So good!
What I’m writing
For paid subscribers in October, I wrote 2 lengthier pieces:
In a time where everyone spews opinions, let’s be different: I’m writing to me.
I offered 4 potential reasons our culture seems addicted to online opinion spewing and 5 possible ways we can be the change the internet needs.
I also shared a personal story where I recently walked into this trap myself and how the Lord humbled me in the process. Ouch.
How to make friends as a grown up.
As I’m personally in a new season where I don’t have young children to help me make friends, I’m learning a few keys to help us live perpetually building community and friendships regardless of our stage of life.
I shared a few personal stories where we’ve seen God move in our lives to build lifelong friendships wherever we have lived.
As I pondered writing this I found so many posts like the one below in a FB group thread that revealed this is a longing and desire many of us carry - how to make friends.
And this one
For all subscribers in October I wrote:
A lesson I learned from a kindergartener.
A personal story where I saw the power of how getting our eyes off ourselves and onto the needs around us brings us comfort, peace, and joy.
How about your October? I’d love to hear what you have loved, learned, read, or written this month!
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