10 Things

Stuff worth sharing on March 28, 2025

I blew it this week. But I’ll be back with an essay soon.

Ya’ll, I don’t have an essay for you this week. I’ve had a college kid home for spring break and I managed to misplace my wallet this week and I spent a lot of time generally being overwhelmed and I just couldn’t finish the essay. So here’s a 10 Things. And, don’t worry, now that I’ve cancelled my credit cards and ordered a new license, the wallet is sure to turn up.

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1. Are parties dead? A DJ quoted in this WaPo piece says one of the many things the pandemic spoiled is our “collective appetite for partying.” The vibes are indeed off.

2. Apparently, we’re “washing” our bread now. I tried it last night: It worked.

   noflakeysalt

   

   A post shared by @noflakeysalt

3. "I’ve been thinking a lot about my children’s dreams and delusions, and how I’m meant to relate to them, as their caregiver." I loved this essay from

   Edan Lepucki
   at
   Italics Mine
   (also, what a fabulous name for a Substack column!).

4. During World War II, we lengthened the hours of the public school day to accommodate working parents. Why can’t we do it again?

5. Anyone else loving “The Pitt” and how well Noah Wylie has aged? (Also, I have to say that I’m a big fan of episodic releases — like they’re doing with “White Lotus” and “The Pitt” — feels like we’re all part of a fun cultural moment for a couple of hours a week.)

   countygenfeed

   

   A post shared by @countygenfeed

6. I’m a big believer in reading like an artist.

   Austin Kleon
   shows you how here.

7. How are your employees really doing? Here are six questions to help you get at the answer.

8. Need a Mother’s Day gift for someone you really, really love? Check out the Women's Prize for Fiction 2025 Bundle from London bookseller Heywood Hill. It’s pricey, but, man, what a great idea (courtesy my mom).

9. I knew nothing about the legend of the missing Oval Office ivy until I read this article and now I’m fully invested. (The photos in this piece are fabulous.)

10. And this week’s poem:

    Hangover
    —Billy Collins
    
    If I were crowned emperor this morning.
    every child who is pllaying Marco Polo
    in the swimming pool of this motel
    shouting the name Marco Polo back and forth
    
    Marco   Polo   Marco   Polo 
    
    would be required to read a biography
    of Marco Polo—a long one with fine print—
    as well as a history of China and of Venice,
    the birthplace of the venerated explorer.
    
    Marco   Polo   Marco   Polo 
    
    after which each child would be quizzed
    by me then executed by drowning
    regardless how much they managed
    to retain about the glorious life and times of
    
    Marco   Polo   Marco   Polo 

    Have a good weekend,