Readers!
I can’t concentrate. Can you? Instead of writing about tips or tricks about freelancing or how I placed this story, I’m going to do another batch of recommendations. Per usual, these will be totally scattered and random, as is my brain right now. And unless it’s a book, these are not affiliate links, just stuff I think you should all check out.
Again: not about freelancing writing at all. But can you blame me?
Onto the recommendations:
- Stanley Chester & Albert Ceramics. I have a few items from this Philadelphia-based ceramic artist, including the ANXIETY mug, which has been in heavy rotation. Great place to look for holiday gifts.
- gem.app. This website lets you search across eBay, Poshmark, Grailed, The RealReal and a host of other resale websites. I like to thrift, but if I’m looking for something specific, I’ll use this tool to search across the web for whatever that thing is. There is an app, but I use the desktop website.
- Santal Pesca. I drank gallons of this peach juice while in Italy. I had it at breakfast. I brought juice boxes of it on hikes. If I stopped in a tabaccheria and was thirsty, peach juice was always my top choice. It’s not clear like most American fruit juices, but has some heft to it. After I run today, I’ll probably have some more. In the U.S. I order it from Made in Eatalia, along with a few other Italian delights.
- News in Slow Italian (or Spanish or French). These short podcast episodes tell the news of the day, slowly, in a language you might be trying to learn. It’s a great supplement to the courses I’ve been taking, and the tutor I’m working with in my quest to speak Italian — which I’m proud to say went pretty well on that last trip!
- Sarena Teal Designs Apple Watch Bands. When Annie (my last dog) died, I spent a lot of time too late and night searching for random stuff on Etsy. That lead me to this site, which sells mostly custom Apple watch bands. I ordered a white one stamped with Donald Duck. I loved it so much that, when I started assembling costumes for the upcoming Disneyland 10K and Half Marathon, I ordered a few more to match the characters I plan on running as. They’re fun! They handle all the running really well! And it’s not super obvious what the design is, if that’s something you’re worried about. Two thumbs up.
- Your Library. I know this sounds obvious, but I have been plunging into all of the available items from the two libraries I belong to. In Avalon, for example, I can check out a metal detector. From Audubon, I’m watching a lot of free movies through Hoopla. I can also search through both libraries’ offerings on Libby for audio books (they also have ebooks, but they’re not my bag). I know a lot of you probably already love your library, but in case not, check out what surprising things they might have for free for you.
- Buying me a cup of coffee. What, if I can’t be a little self serving in my free newsletter, where can I be? I’ve still got those ebooks too!
Recent Bylines
“How contractors and their clients can navigate NDAs,” Construction Dive
What I’m Reading
- Two Masquerades and a Major (The Seduction #3) by Eloisa James. A rare dud from one of my favorite romance authors. I was surprised! But there are too many people in this book, and too many plot points stuffed into what I think might really be a novella. It wasn’t awful, but I almost gave up half way through.
- The Waiting (Renee Ballard #6) by Michael Connelly. I don’t know how Connelly writes such a good crime thriller once a year, every year, but he did it again with those book, which focuses on Renee Ballard with assists from both Harry and Maddie Bosch. If you’re a long time reader, you know that I’ve read all of Connelly’s books in order. This might be one of his best.
What I’m Watching
- Only Murders in the Building (season 4). Another fun trip through podcasts, murder, and an unlikely trio of amateur sleuths. I hope they do this for as long as they all want.
- Adam’s Rib. I’ve seen a zillion clips from this classic Spencer Tracy/Katherine Hepburn film, but I don’t know if I’ve ever watched the whole thing. I’m glad I did! A classic for a reason.
- Agatha All Along. I was extremely nervous about this. Would Disney screw up a female-focused and very queer show about witches? Fortunately, they did not. It’s good! Really stuck the landing too.
Nail Polish of the Week
Storm by Zoya. As promised, it’s witchy! In indoor light, it looks like black with silver sparkles. But in full sun? It’s a rainbow.
Until next time!
Jen A. Miller
Notes from a Hired Pen ebook series
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