Monthly Mercies: Goodbye, 2024
A good old-fashioned end of year roundup
Hello, friend.
2024 has nearly reached its conclusion, so I’ve gathered my favorite things (that I could think of while writing this, many have surely been forgotten) into a bonus newsletter. In past years I’ve sent this out on the last Friday of the year, which today is decidedly not, but also who even knows what day it is???
I don’t have much to say by way of reflection on the year, maybe I will in the regular January newsletter this Friday. But for now, I thought it might be nice to end the year on a poem I’ve returned to time and time again in 2024, thinking about the contrast of care and the conflict the world generally holds. The gentleness of it is exactly how I’m hoping to tread into 2025 (and also I think I have enough time to type it out while my kids play with Playdoh in the kitchen).
Boléro by Keith Leonard
From the kitchen, I catch the neighbor
cross the street to switch off my car’s interior lights.
He returns to his house without announcing the favor.
For the last three years, a friend has woken early
and walked the beach, combing for bottle caps
and frayed fishing line. She mentions this
only casually at lunch, after I’ve asked
what she did that morning.
Care has a quiet soundtrack: the sycamore’s
rustling leaves, your nails tracing my shoulder blades.
A melody that repeats—a bit like Ravel’s Boléro.
When it was first performed, a woman shouted,
Rubbish! from the balcony. She called Revel
a madman. I think I understand. I wish I didn’t.
I’ve been taught that art must have conflict,
that reason must meet resistance.
Wishing you the quiet, merciful soundtrack of care as you end your 2024.
In his mercy,
Amy.
Favorite 2024 Reads
I’ve read 100 (and counting! Can I finish one more tomorrow???) books this year! Listed in the order they were read, my favorite books of 2024:
Hannah Coulter by Wendell Berry
The Anxious Generation by Jonathan Haidt
How to Read a Book by Monica Wood
The God of the Woods by Liz Moore
The Wedding People by Alison Espach
The Comfort of Ghosts (Maisie Dobbs #18) by Jacqueline Winspear
I Cheerfully Refuse by Leif Enger
Tell Me Everything (Amgash #5) by Elizabeth Strout
Brightly Shining by Ingvild H. Rishoi
Check out my Goodreads Year in Books here!
Favorite 2024 Bakes
The 12 cakes of Christmas were the clear winner here. I had so much fun with these!!
Favorite 2024 Words
My poem Little Heartbreaks that was featured in the Coffee + Crumbs spring collection and Volume II of the Coffee + Crumbs Magazine was a real highlight of the year!
This newsletter is always a highlight and moving to Substack this year has been a lovely shift!!
I mean really nothing can top the Part-Time Poets book, right??
Favorite 2024 Favorites
I love these jeans. I wear them multiple times a week. Just ordered them in two more colors. I LOVE THESE JEANS.
These magnetic people have been one of the biggest hits in our toy cabinet this year and I’ve recommended them countless times!
Still standing by the claim that the wall-mounted toothbrush holder I bought earlier this year changed my life.
We didn’t watch much notable television this year, but The Great British Baking Show and a re-watch of Derry Girls were highlights because of course they were.
Favorite music of the year:
Short n’ Sweet- Sabrina Carpenter
Tigers Blood- Waxahatchee
Trail of Flowers- Sierra Ferrell
Older- Lizzy McAlpine
The Tortured Poets Department- Taylor Swift
Live at the Salt Shed- Mt. Joy
Dylan Gossett
I'll see you back here Friday for the regular edition of Monthly Mercies! Until then, you can find me on Instagram.
Do you know a friend who you think would enjoy this newsletter? I'd love for you to share it.
I hope your 2024 has been full of new mercies. Take care of yourselves, friends.
Have you and Joel watched Bad Sisters and/or Shrinking? I think you’d love both! Both shows have two seasons and you could knock them out in a month or two.
Have you and Joel watched Bad Sisters and/or Shrinking? I think you’d love both! Both shows have two seasons and you could knock them out in a month or two.