Weekend Musings | August 9, 2025
In my heart and in my cart + other things
In My Heart -
I’m going to a funeral today or rather, a celebration of life. A good friend’s mom passed away suddenly last week and startled me in a way I didn’t expect.
I grew up in her house. Her son was my best friend in high school and we were part of a group of about 10 that hung out together constantly. His house had a water feature and a boat and two good dogs that ran into the driveway to greet you when you pulled in the driveway, so you can see why his house was often the place we congregated. After graduation and college and getting married and whatnot, all of our friends floated away. We keep in touch decently well, see each other a couple of times a year, and eventually a few landed back to our hometown. I left for northern Michigan and so did my best friend, but even so, we live about 3 hours apart. His family, also relocated to northern Michigan, but just the next town over from me and so while I only see my friend every so often, I ran into his mom frequently. She became a regular attender of my sister-in-law’s yoga class. They became friends and somehow I managed to have two connections to her.
Aside from the whole matter being just truly so sad, it also feels like things have shifted in my perception of reality. Are we really old enough to be losing our parents? I guess we all know it will happen eventually, but it doesn’t feel real until it happens. My dad passed away when I was 25 and back then, I felt like an anomaly, like it was unusual (and sure it is) to lose your dad so young, but in the years since, four of us in the group of friends I mentioned, have lost at least one parent. Another brick being jenga’d out of my foundation, reminding me that it’s all very fragile, isn’t it?
***
Our old high school gang is gathering at her house once again today and I’d like to think she’d be delighted to be the one responsible for having us all piled together in her living room like old times.
In My Cart -
+Abercrombie and Fitch is having a decent denim sale this week. Boy am I charmed to see the styles that I wore in high school coming back around. Just the phrase “boot cut” brings back memories. Now let’s get malls trending again so I can spend a whole Saturday afternoon wandering around, eating food court meals.
+A public service announcement largely to myself: the Aperol Spritz in perfume format that I currently love and wear daily is on sale.
+Protein powder, but make it breakfast.
+Have you seen Anthropologie’s Game Day collection? It’s pretty good! I like these mugs that seem to have nothing to do with sports and this tailgate season hat.
+Is it too late in the year to be investing in shorts? Still summer for another month and a half, so I say go for it.
+I love love love this bohemian dress with hidden shorts.
Other Things -
+Currently reading.
+Related: I’m watching Hunting Wives on Netflix and I am regularly appalled. But there’s a book!
+Cosigned 100%. Show me all your happy stuff!
+It doesn’t have to be hard. I quite like being alive.
+Since the first time I read Anne of Green Gables, visiting Prince Edward Island has been on my bucket list. For now, I’m just living vicariously.
Addendums -
This week on Substack // Mindset upgrades, the county fair, and a very very good book recommendation.