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On Wednesday morning of this week, my husband left for Union Station for a quick work trip to New York City, and afterward, I found myself an impatient blur as I expedited my children through the same circuit we travel each morning. The one in which I prompt them to eat their breakfasts, brush their teeth, put on their shoes, get out the door — and they respond in chelonian, distractible, or crabwise fashions. I know they know what they are meant to do, and yet I find myself calling out instructions. Sisyphus, seen.
This particular morning, I was short of temper. Mr. Magpie and I had just talked the afternoon before about how we both felt frayed and irritable, and diagnosed our Moods (capitalized M) as the standard late-July malaise we experience each year. Everyone is tired; camp fatigue has settled in; the kids have spent too much time with one another; nothing about summer feels as fresh and promising as it did in June; we’ve outdone ourselves as parents; the backyard toys sit in disuse, cobwebs, and puddles of last night’s rain; even the final vacations of the summer feel like a push. On top of this, Mr. Magpie was heading out of town, which always feels like an unwanted interruption to our lives. I rediscover, when he is away, the depth of his contributions to our household. He does all the cooking and a lot of the grocery shopping. He prompts the conversation about what we’ll have for lunch well before noon is nigh. He often picks up the children. And, of course, I’m hopelessly attached to his company.
So, there I stood, half-staffed. I was about to expedite my daughter, who was scribbling furiously at the kitchen counter while I stood with the door open and keys in my hand, a mother duck holding her wing out, waiting for the final duckling to cross through, when a quiet came over me that I can only describe as grace. I closed the door; I bit my tongue. I waited. It turned out she was drawing a paper medal with Katie Ledecky’s name on it for Olympic spirit day at her summer camp.
I was reminded of Anne Lamott:
“I do not understand the mystery of grace — only that it meets us where we are and does not leave us where it found us.”
Perhaps this will sound woo-woo to you, but I have this feeling sometimes that mothers around the world are sending each other good energy when it is most needed. I try to contribute to this circumvolution, especially when I see a young mom struggling to quiet her newborn, or fussing with the damned nursing cover. I want to tell her, “You’re doing great,” or “It’s all going to be OK,” but I also know there is nothing more annoying than a more tenured mom with no baby on her hip weighing in without invitation. And so I just beam a little good energy her way instead, visualizing tiny ripples of calm radiating toward her. And sometimes when I am talking to my sister, who had her second baby earlier this summer, and I can tell she is tired and sitting in those specific weeds of caring for a newborn, I imagine myself sending a little good energy to her, all the way up in Brooklyn, and also envision some of those good vibes emanating out to any other mom who needs it. As I write this, I recognize its Disney absurdity, but I also believe it to be true. Those waves meet us where we are and do not leave us where they found us. They nudge us ever so gently into a calmer place.
Grateful if you were one of those moms who sent grace out into the world on Wednesday of this week. I needed it.
Also this week…
+Landon made an outrageously delicious recipe from Via Corota’s cookbook — we are huge fans of Rita Sodi. (My favorite restaurant in NYC when I lived there was I Sodi, but I understand they’ve since moved it to a bigger spot, and that it’s lost a bit of its charm! It used to be a postage stamp white tablecloth spot — just the best.) This dish had raw marinated tuna on top of white beans and was perfect for a hot summer night.
+When the sun ray wants to be in your frame, you say yes. And you think of Mary Oliver: “Around me the trees stir in their leaves and call out, “Stay awhile.” The light flows from their branches. And they call again, “It’s simple,” they say, “and you too have come into the world to do this, to go easy, to be filled with light, and to shine.”” (Also, wearing my Frank and Eileen Rory dress — I believe code ESCAPE still gets you $50 off, and maybe also try SUMMER50. I found these in good old fashioned mailers in my mailbox! All of that day’s outfit details here. Whenever I wear this dress, I feel like Ina Garten — you know how denim shirts are her uniform? I love the utilitariness of it!)
This is 40. My birding books.
A Farmer’s Market trip!
New pajamas from Lunya for the first night of the Olympics. (Washable silk!)
Beck (!!) with the National Symphony Orchestra at Wolf Trap. He was incredible — so talented, and such a dynamic performer. The orchestral accompaniment made you realize what a gifted musician he is. I was wearing this dress, which felt perfect for an al fresco music experience — it was HOT. Our frosted cups are Match South!
Gorgeous new shoes from Larroude (currently 50% off!), which I plan to wear with this spectacular Alix of Bohemia dress for my 14 year wedding anniversary (how?!) in August. Also available in a gorgeous red pattern, and you know how I feel about red right now.
Onward, friends!
*****
A little shopping poetry for you today, too, if you’re in a shopping mood:
BARN COAT // CARAMEL CAKE // TRENDING MYSTERY BOOK // ALIX OF BOHEMIA DRESS // ANABLUE HAIR TREATMENT SERUM // LUNYA PAJAMAS // THIERRY COLSON SHORTS
Barn coats are definitely in for fall – while I daydream of wearing Loewe’s modified barn coat in denim, I am now contemplating this Everlane (under $200 and selling fast). Love the contrasting collar. // Picked up this elegant navy dress when it was marked down to 40% off. I shared all my top sale picks here and here. // Love a top layer like this to wear over tank / sports bra before or after my Heather Robertson videos. // I was sad these white shorts were sold out in my size — eyeing these instead. I know it’s late in the season for a white short purchase, but I can’t unsee Nicole Cassidy wearing white eyelet shorts with this cashmere cardigan. // Am I the only one not reading this mystery right now?! Just downloaded to read at Deep Creek Lake. FOMO! // Also packed these cubes as a surprise for my kids while we’re there — good for restaurants, back porch hangs, etc. A Mackenzie rec! // Gen Z approved socks. // A splurgey thank you gift / hostess gift / anniversary surprise. // My favorite hair treatment — just started reusing after a hiatus and can see a big difference.