1. FIFA Women’s World Cup France 2019
I love watching the U.S. Women’s National Team with their high powered attacks, but in the game versus Chile this past weekend, I couldn’t stop being amazed at the saves of Chilean goalkeeper Christiane Endler. The drama and joy that is soccer is new-ish to me as I came late to the game while watching the 2015 World Cup. This time around I’m following every match and enjoying every good story I can find. Women’s soccer embodies everything beautiful about sports: the stories of lives dedicated to becoming great, the underdogs that everyone is rooting for, the personal triumphs, the controversies, and the underlying push for progress. I want it to never end.
2. The United States of Adventure from Outside Magazine
This is just such a cool interactive site. Summer is the perfect time to get out there and have some adventures, and this site provides some great prompts for highlights in all 50 states. I love looking at states I’ve been in and seeing familiar places as well as looking for some new places to add to my future adventures list.
My personal favorites: Hocking Hills (OH); Ohiopyle, Ricketts Glen, Pine Creek Gorge, Presque Isle (PA); William B. Umstead, Jockey’s Ridge (NC); Letchworth (NY).
Future Adventures List: Mount Mitchell (NC); Virginia Creeper Trail, Grayson Highlands, False Cape, Natural Tunnel (VA); Cathedral, Blackwater Falls (WV); Bahia Honda, John Pennekamp Coral Reef (FL); Mackinac Island, Picture Rocks National Lakeshore (MI); Flathead Lake, Bitterroot National Forest (MT); Umbagog Lake (NH)
3. Art of Manliness Podcast
Every time I’ve had a few free minutes this month, I’ve had the AOM Podcast on. This has been in my ears while driving, cleaning & getting ready for work. Some favorite episodes have been #496: What Plato’s Republic Has to Say About Being a Man, #479: Becoming a Digital Minimalist, #480: Hiking With Nietzsche, #493: 1,000 Books to Read Before You Die, and #495: Wish You Had More Time? What You Really Want is More Memories. I learn so much from each show and feel inspired by the conversations to learn more about each topic.
4. Thermacell Patio Shield Mosquito Repeller ($25).
I call this our “Skeeter Beater”. We have tried professional mosquito sprays, mosquito traps, candles, coils, and sprays, but nothing is as effective at keeping mosquitos away as this little gadget. I usually put it outside for about 10 minutes to clear the area of those annoying little disease-carrying drillers before I head out to enjoy my latest book and drink in peace and quiet. We take this camping, to the pool, into the backyard, etc. If I’m going to be outside and sitting, I have this with me. It’s given us our deck and yard back and made our Southern summers a lot more bearable.
5. Song: The Best (Tina Turner)
The wife and I fell in love with Schitt’s Creek over the past several weeks. Between Noah Reid’s beautiful acoustic version, Dan Levy’s “olive branch” dance version and Tina Turner’s incredible original, I just can’t stop playing this song.
