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Four Great Things #03

Kate Stevens • Mar 01, 2024

Here are Four Great Things from the week of 03/01/2024.

I adore this time of year—the wildflowers are going to save the day. The wind might relocate everything you own in its whimsical ways. And the reality of slower days is within grasp. So it is no wonder I gravitated towards works about play this week.

"Get Out Now"

Austin Kleon defines himself as a writer who draws. "Get Out Now" is a page from his blog where he quotes John Stilgoe's "Outside Lies Magic." So basically I'm linking to someone who has quoted someone else. Ha! Anyway, it's a call to a variety of verbs for the outdoors—abandon, walk, observe, relax. "Outside lies utterly ordinary space open to any casual explorer willing to find the extraordinary. Outside lies unprogrammed awareness that at times becomes directed serendipity. Outside lies magic.”

Loose Parts Play

We have been fronted with an unrealistic view of what "play" looks like for children. Blame it on social media or expectations—when it comes to a perfectly curated photo or the freedom of play, children would label the latter as beautiful. "Loose Parts Play" is a group from Scotland who have provided a 72 page document equipping parents and educators to promote more freedom in their children's play. It'll cost you a hammer, nails, old fencing, maybe a tire or two, and some sticks.


"Summer Lightning" by P.G. Wodehouse

"Experience, dearly bought in the days of his residence at the University, had taught him that when the Law gripped you with its talons the only thing to do was to give a false name, say nothing and hope for the best." 


Wodehouse is a must—he helps us all not take life too seriously, and he does comedy really well! Close Reads has a podcast where they talk through the novel in 2 installments and then have a final Q&A panel. 

Teen/Kids World Magazine

We subscribe to both of these magazines. They provide current events about Christians across the world who are doing good work to impact the kingdom. 


They are full of activities, pictures, and articles—kinda like a Christian version of Highlights magazine, super nostalgic :)


What I'm working on:

  • Thinking through a true definition of beauty—and now that my attention is turned towards what it really means, I'm hearing conversations in multiple places over this very subject.


Quotable:

  • "Beauty is not useful, for it lies beyond usefulness. Beauty gives meaning and inspires loyalty: we need useful things, but we love beautiful things."

        —"Love What Lasts" by Joshua Gibbs 


Worth the Memory


"Nothing Gold Can Stay" by Robert Frost


Nature’s first green is gold,
Her hardest hue to hold.
Her early leaf’s a flower;
But only so an hour.
Then leaf subsides to leaf.
So Eden sank to grief,
So dawn goes down to day.
Nothing gold can stay.


What are your great things from the week?

I'm Kate

Worshiper, wife, mom—with the help of the Lord, this is my hierarchy of work. Beyond this I homeschool the girls and hold down a staff position at Crosspoint Community Church in Rockwall, TX. I read, write, do yoga, cook, and practice thinking pure and lovely things. 

More about me

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