What I Know Wednesday is a bi-weekly round-up of thoughts, ideas and recommendations from the desk of Leah Jarvis. The best advice for writing is to write what you know. This is what I know. . .
Moving On and Getting Over
Last Friday, we went to see John Mayer perform in Charlotte, North Carolina. I saw him during his Born & Raised tour back in 2013, but this show was the first time Kevin had been to one of his concerts. Actually, it was the first concert Kevin and I went to together. In our three years together, we’ve rarely done normal dating activities. I mean we still haven’t been to the movies, but that’s a story for another time.
I’m not a crowd person, and for a long time, I thought that live music would never live up to what I wanted it to be. Then I went to see John Mayer back in 2013. Watching him play guitar and sing songs from his 20-year career is an experience. He plays as if he will explode if he doesn’t get the melodies out of his mind onto the guitar fast enough. His combination of talent, dedication to his craft and carefree trust that it will all work out if he follows this note or that one is mesmerizing. I think that’s why I’ve been drawn to his music since before I knew what “buzzing like neon” really meant.
His music has always found me where I’m at. My pre-teen self longed for the safety of the relationship he sings about in St. Patrick’s Day. My college-aged self felt seen in the melancholy and wisdom of Continuum. My post-grad, heartbroken-self found solace in the loneliness of Battle Studies, and I now embrace the carefree chords of Wildfire because it reminds me just how lucky I am to have the people I love in my life.
Recently, Jamie B. Golden of The Popcast with Knox and Jamie called John Mayer an artist that holds your time capsules. I couldn’t have said it better myself. And I’m thankful there’s an artist in the world that can help me look back at where I have been with gratitude while looking to the future with exciting possibility.
Quotable
Generally what is more important than getting watertight answers is learning to ask the right questions.
– Madeleine L’Engle, Walking on Water: Reflections on Faith and Art
Spotify’s Your Daily Drive
Now that my commute consists of walking the dog around the neighborhood each morning, I have to admit I was late to the party on Spotify’s Your Daily Drive. So late that Kevin had to tell me about it.
It’s a curated playlist that changes every day to include the latest news from sources like NPR and the Wall Street Journal alongside your favorite songs. This morning, I listened to The Daily followed by Name by The Goo Goo Dolls, and let me tell you, that was something I never thought would happen.
Since we ditched our cable subscription when we moved last summer, I don’t really watch the news anymore, so I’m enjoying how Your Daily Drive (or walk in my case) is keeping me up to date with what’s going on in the world without leaning too far one way or the other. I’ll keep you posted on how long I keep up with listening to it.
What I’m. . .
Reading: The City Baker’s Guide to Country Living by Louise Miller (the Kindle version is on sale for $1.99 today)
Listening To (book): The Signature of All Things by Elizabeth Gilbert
Listening To (podcast): How to Make Sense of Yourself by The Lazy Genius
Cooking: This crockpot stroganoff that I’ve had on my Pinterest board since 2012.
Baking: Black and White Cookies by America’s Test Kitchen (which make me think of The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel)
Knitting: My No Frills Sweater by Petite Knit. Sadly, Kevin’s sweater has returned to the backburner by no fault of its own.