5 Friday Favorites: August 19, 2022

 It's time for my Friday link up with  A Little Bit of Everything and Momfessionals. 

On Fridays I share things that made me happy from the week - a photo, a song, a quote, a beauty product, a recipe, a pair of cute shoes, etc. If it's a product, sometimes it's something I actually own and sometimes something I just saw online that gave me a smile. Sometimes it's serious and sometimes it's silly. I suppose I believe that God is in the simple details of life and yes, I can even find Him in a tube of lipstick.

Good morning, Friends. I've been home all week which has been lovely, but I'm just about to jump in the car for a road trip again for more baseball in a few hours, so I gotta go. Here are my favorites this week! Have a great weekend.

1. Hamilton 

So Friday night Steve, Joe, Kyle and I went to DC with my brother-in-law and sister-in-law. You would not have even recognized my boys and me because we were semi-dressed up and we weren't sweating. DC decided to show off with temperatures in the 80s and beautiful blue skies. We ate on the waterfront in Georgetown.

And then, due to my sister-in-law's persistent quest for tickets, we all saw this obscure, little known musical called Hamilton at the Kennedy Center.  Y'all. I can't be sure, but I thnk it's going to be a big deal. 

And my very unique opinion is this: IT'S INCREDIBLE.  You might want to check it out. It might be around for a little bit.

Also, this is what happened as I sat there. I've been watching my youngest son chase a dream all summer. I sit in the bleachers. I hold my breath. I sigh when things don't go well. I do cheers and back flips in my head when things go right. I whisper prayers. I clinch my hands. And then I realize that no matter what it will all work out the way God intends and that I have a healthy, smart kid who will be just fine. 

So I sit there watching these unbelievably gifted people on stage - people who dreamed big dreams and worked really hard and had disappointments and setbacks along the way. And I think, "Well, isn't this relaxing to just watch this happen and not worry if that girl third from the right might miss a step or completely fall down or if maybe she was sick earlier today and might not make it through the end of the performance." And THEN. I remember that the girl third from the right is someone's kid. And so I suddenly think of her mama. And I make sure to catch her every time she comes on stage. And I imagine her mom and how proud she must be and how she must have worried and prayed and driven her all over kingdom come to practices and auditions. And then I come really close to standing up in the theater and yelling, " Y'ALL! WILL YOU JUST LOOK AT THAT GIRL THIRD FROM THE RIGHT?!!! ISN'T SHE SOMETHIN'!!!  And then I cry like an idiot. The end.

2. Roll- Sleeve Tunic Button Down

I've been wearing either overalls or rompers 99% of the time this entire summer.. What I'm saying is that I've basically been dressing like a toddler.  At some point this fall, I guess I'm going to need to wear real pants, but I'm not ready to think about that yet. I will however think about tops. And I'm going to need them to be flowy. This tunic looks like it would be long and flowy without being boxy. I'll tackle real pants later. 

3. Women's Indra Clogs - Maybe

I'm intrigued by the clogs I see everywhere lately. I'm not sure I will like them. And even less sure I will be able to walk in them. So I'm taking a suggestion from Melanie Shankle. She says when you are not sure about a trend you might want to purchase what she calls a "starter" - a pair that won't break the bank to see what you think. So I want these clogs. But they cost $165. So I might go with these starter clogs from Target and see how it goes. I think. Maybe. I don't know. 

4. A Sermon on CODA

My talented pastor did a Summer Sermon Series called "God Goes to the Movies" and on Sunday he discussed one of the best movies I've seen in at least five years, CODA. It is as moving a sermon as the movie was. Definitely worth a listen - especially if you are sending children out into the world. Also, I cried like an idiot. (2nd time in one weekend if you're counting.) You can watch here. Sermon begins at 36:45 mark. Don't miss the beautiful duet of "Both Sides Now" at 17:29.

5. Frederick Buechner

Frederick Buechner passed away this week at the age of 96. I have quoted him more times than I can count here in this space. In messages I've delivered at churches over the past few years, his name always makes an appearance. Outside of the Bible itself, his writings have had more impact on my faith and my writing about my faith than any other. If you looked at my Google search history, I'm certain you would find: "Frederick Buechner on Lent" "Frederick Buechner on doubt" Frederick Buechner on sacrifice" . . .I'm surprised I haven't searched for "Frederick Buechner Recipes". He was funny, relatable, honest and brilliant. What an amazing gift to the world He was and definitely a gift to me. I will never be without one of his books on my desk or next to my bed. If you don't know him, I've suggested Listening to Your Life a bazillion times here. Go get it.  

Here's what he wrote about writing that I've read more times than I can count. This is a constant goal for my writing that I will likely only achieve in snippets - if I'm lucky - whereas Buechner nailed it every time.

"I wish I had told my writing students to give some thought to what they wanted their books to make happen in the people who read them . . .Writing is quite simple really. All you have to do is sit down at your typewriter and open a vein. . . Write about what you really care about - write about what truly matters to you - not just things to catch the eye of the world but things to touch the quick of the world the way they have touched you to the quick, which is why you are writing about them. Write not just with eloquence and style and relevance but with passion. Then the things that your books make happen will be the things worth happening - things that make people who read them a little more passionate themselves for their pains, by which I mean a little more alive, a little wiser, a little more beautiful, a little more open and understanding, in short a little more human."

Rest in peace, Mr. Buechner. You made all of those things happen in me with every single sentence.

Have a great weekend, Friends. I hope the Lord catches you off guard today. :-)

Disclosure: The View From Behind Home Plate is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means to earn small fees by linking to amazon.com. Post might contain other affiliate links as well.