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This month was supposed to be a quiet February at house — and for probably the most half, that was what it was. A pleasant, low-key interval to construct my power reserves earlier than starting a busy 12 months of journey.
However then the very best factor occurred — Lewis the cat began crawling into my lap. And it was SO good.
Locations Visited
- Prague and Hradec Králové, Czech Republic
Highlights
A significant breakthrough with Lewis. After 5 years of dwelling with us, Lewis has began climbing into my lap. And I can’t inform you how a lot it means to me to have him present me a lot love.
I sit on the sofa and Lewis climbs on the shelf behind it, then begins climbing down my chest. He sticks his butt in my face (that half just isn’t as enjoyable) and kneads my legs for awhile, then he turns round, sits on my lap, and kneads my stomach. Then generally he simply stays, placing his paws on me and searching deep into my eyes.
That is so wild and weird, particularly since Lewis has at all times beloved Charlie probably the most and he usually shrinks away when I attempt to pet him. However now he loves me.
Better of all? He’s been doing this nearly on daily basis. All I’ve to do is sit on the couch and he’ll be climbing on me very quickly.
My first zabijačka! A zabijačka is a Czech pork roast that takes place in February. They butcher entire animals and serve each a part of it, nose-to-tail, which is tremendous sustainable however makes for some adventurous consuming! (I had some bread topped with pig mind and scrambled eggs. It was good.)
I really feel like a lot of you’d be delay by a zabijačka, partly as a result of they normally hold the pig carcass or head exterior the occasion, however this can be a very Czech occasion that teaches you a lot concerning the tradition right here.
All of the nonalcoholic beers! Charlie and I are on a 75-day sober interval from January 1-March 16. Earlier than Valentine’s Day this 12 months, I had by no means tried a nonalcoholic beer in my life — I normally simply get a glowing water. However I attempted a nonalcoholic beer on the zabijačka, and I used to be shocked what a distinction it made.
Nonalcoholic beers makes it really feel like I’m actively taking part, not being the token sober individual — they usually don’t alter my thoughts in any respect. What an achievement. In the previous couple of weeks, I’ve now tried six completely different nonalcoholic beers, from choices at microbreweries to Guinness 0.0, and I’m thrilled at how good they’re!
A day journey to Hradec Králové. Charlie and I had been within the temper for a day journey, and other people at all times say good issues about Hradec Králové, a city simply over an hour’s drive away.
It’s a pleasant little city! You may climb to the highest of the bell tower, stroll alongside the river, get pleasure from some parks, and eat at a wide range of eating places. I had the impression that Hradec Králové values taking excellent care of its city. Quite a lot of what we noticed felt new and refreshed, and there was even a lined staircase that pumped in classical music!
I wouldn’t identify Hradec one of many greatest day journeys from Prague, but it surely’s undoubtedly a nice day journey for those who’ve been dwelling right here for awhile.
Our first out of doors espresso of the 12 months. The climate warmed up JUST sufficient to get a number of coffees whereas sitting open air — and what a pleasure it’s, after the coldest winter I’ve ever skilled right here.
Good instances in Prague. I visited the Museum of Communism for the primary time (SO MANY PARALLELS TO THE US GOVERNMENT TODAY); we noticed an exquisite efficiency of Our City by the Prague Shakespeare Firm; we discovered a brand new restaurant we love (Sensa). I nonetheless love dwelling right here.
And I purchased a stitching machine! I’m excited to start out some new initiatives.
Challenges
There was a scary incident with Murray this month. I had purchased some skincare merchandise on the new Korean skincare store on the Palladium Mall, and after bringing them house, I put them in my cupboard.
Aside from a free sampler packet of a serum. Which I didn’t uncover till I discovered Murray chewing the packet, the serum leaking out of the holes his tooth had punctured. (Of COURSE he was chewing it — it was formed like a Churu.)
I instantly freaked out, particularly as soon as I googled and discovered some substances in that serum are poisonous to cats. However as a result of it was such a small quantity and he was appearing usually, I made a decision to simply maintain an in depth eye on him.
And he was nice. I used to be informed to scrub the realm round his mouth, give him water and meals, and look ahead to drooling, vomiting, and weak spot in his again legs. Nicely, Murray acquired a variety of Churu that night time, served up excessive so he would at all times stand on his again legs.
General, Murray confirmed zero signs, and whereas I’m extremely grateful, I’m additionally devastated that I might have severely harmed my beloved cat. Particularly once I’m so cautious about preserving poisonous gadgets out of their attain.
My recommendation to pet homeowners is to place these free samples someplace your animals can’t attain as quickly as you get house. Truthfully, I don’t even LIKE the free samplers, however they at all times give them to you, and it appears like a waste to throw them away…
Posts of the Month
Most Standard Submit on Instagram
I visited 13 Caribbean islands this winter. Which of them had been the very best? — I wanted to do a put up about the entire journey that match collectively! I actually loved my time within the Caribbean, and really feel like I do know a lot extra concerning the area now.
What I Watched This Month
The Pitt. Are you as obsessive about The Pitt as I’m? Is that this probably the most addicting present ever?!
Anyway. Season two has arrived, lower than a 12 months after season one ended (please do extra of that, TV executives!), and it dives even deeper into the terrible circumstances brought on by the US healthcare system, and the inconceivable selections that healthcare employees are pressured to make every day. It’s SO good.
In different information, I completed watching Higher Name Saul this month, a few years after the collection concluded. I’ll simply say one non-spoiler factor: it was SO REFRESHING to look at a present a couple of middle-aged man who respects his associate SO a lot.
He doesn’t say one dangerous phrase about her behind her again, ever. He doesn’t denigrate her publicly or privately. He doesn’t let the chores piles up for her. He respects her brilliance and sees her as an equal. And he even retains that up as he’s pulled deeper into the felony world.
That’s so uncommon. And it shouldn’t be.
What I Listened To This Month
I’m listening to all 500 of Rolling Stone‘s 500 Best Albums of All Time, which I’m having fun with immensely. I’m loving discovering new artists and listening to albums I’ve by some means missed my complete life till now!
In February, I listened to albums quantity 135-113.
Favourite Discovery: This Yr’s Mannequin by Elvis Costello. I’ve by no means actually listened to Elvis Costello earlier than, however I actually loved this album, which appears like a rock & roll throwback even for when it was launched, within the late 70s. A enjoyable album and an awesome pay attention for strolling or driving.
Different Favourite Discoveries: Hejira by Joni Mitchell, Disintegration by The Treatment.
Favourite Revisited Album: good child, m.A.A.d. metropolis by Kendrick Lamar. That is Kendrick’s first main label album, and it introduced him because the unparalleled new artist.
good child is an idea album — it tells the story of a teenage boy dwelling in Compton, a great child who nonetheless feels himself being pulled into crime. It takes place in a single afternoon and is informed in a nonlinear manner.
Kendrick grabs his mother’s van. He and his mates rob a home. His good friend is killed. And he realizes he wants to interrupt away from the cycle of violence and create a greater life for himself.
This album incorporates what I contemplate the saddest hip-hop tune ever written, which at all times brings tears to my eyes — “Sing About Me, I’m Dying of Thirst.” It’s informed by Kendrick’s friends, who know instinctively that they’re going to die younger, however they need him to sing about them after they’re gone.
Different Favourite Revisited Albums: Late Registration by Kanye West, The Joshua Tree by U2.
Favourite Songs: “Cash Timber” by Kendrick Lamar and Jay Rock, “Little Purple Corvette” by Prince, “Pump It Up” by Elvis Costello, “We Main” by Kanye West, Nas, and Actually Doe, “The place the Streets Have No Title” by U2, “Fu-Gee-La” by the Fugees, “Amelia” by Joni Mitchell, “I’m the Solely Girl” by Mary J. Blige, “Lovesong” by The Treatment, “B-Boy Bouillabaisse: A Yr and a Day” by the Beastie Boys.
Get the playlist: I’m making a playlist of my favourite songs from the five hundred albums — most one per album — on Spotify. You may hearken to it right here.
Random Music Ideas: As we get down into the ultimate 100 albums, I’m SO glad that I made a decision to do that problem. I can’t inform you how a lot of a constructive impression this challenge has had on my life. At this level, it appears like I’ll end in June or July of this 12 months.
*Disclaimer: QUITE A LOT of the musicians featured on this checklist are problematic in numerous methods — there’s even a assassin within the combine. I’m taking a look at their music solely from an influential perspective.
What I Learn This Month
Lengthy Island Compromise by Taffy Brodesser-Akner (2024) — Forty years in the past, Carl Fletcher, the patriarch of a rich Jewish household in Lengthy Island, was kidnapped and held for ransom. Whereas he was launched principally unhurt 5 years later, the household’s lack of ability to take care of the trauma has had a debilitating impact on all three of his youngsters.
Considered one of his sons tried to duplicate his household’s life and lives with paralyzing anxiousness. One other son, a failed screenwriter, is careening by intercourse and drug habit. His daughter, a contrarian disgusted by her household’s wealth, has thrown herself into union organizing. After which a serious change occurs to their lives and issues intensify.
I ABSOLUTELY LOVED THIS BOOK. It’s certainly one of my favourite novels I’ve learn in fairly a while, and I can’t advocate it extra extremely. I actually love deep dives into dysfunctional households, and this one is simply so wealthy with so many well-drawn, particular characters.
There’s No Place for Us: Working and Homeless in America by Brian Goldstone (2025) — This guide reveals what it’s like for the working homeless folks of America. Now we have photographs in our minds of homeless folks being in that place attributable to psychological sickness or habit, however the reality is a lot extra bleak than that.
The precise variety of homeless folks in America is about six instances greater than the official reported numbers. Why? They don’t depend people who find themselves briefly crashing with household, or staying at an extended-stay motel. However lots of people find yourself in these conditions as a result of there’s actually no housing that they will afford or that can settle for them.
This guide focuses on 5 households dwelling in Atlanta. They adults all work. However between spotty credit, evictions on document, and the truth that Atlanta is gentrifying at a lightning-fast price, so few landlords settle for Part 8 vouchers, and there are so few housing protections within the principally purple state of Georgia, folks fall by the cracks quick.
This guide is the religious sibling of Matthew Desmond’s Evicted, a guide that hits most of the identical themes (and was certainly one of my favourite books of the 12 months when it got here out). I like to recommend you all give it a learn.
The Full Fool’s Information to Quilting by Laura Erlich (1998) — I’m studying a bit about quilting, and although this guide is fairly old style, it was good to get all of the steps specified by order in a manner that enhances the fashionable sources I’m discovering on-line.
Coming Up in March 2026
The month started with a three-day go to to Berlin for the ITB journey present. I’m going to this occasion now and again, however this might need been the very best 12 months but, with a lot of nice networking and enjoyable instances with my blogger buds.
Up subsequent is Charlie’s birthday journey! We’re going to southwest France with a number of of our mates!
The primary occasion of the journey is consuming at Les Grands Buffets, an unbelievable buffet of nice French meals that’s by some means ridiculously good worth for cash. (Simply look it up on Instagram or YouTube and also you’ll see why individuals are nuts about this place.)
We’re beginning our journey with a day and an evening in Toulouse, adopted by Les Grands Buffets in Narbonne, then two nights in Montpellier, then flying house from Marseille.
Whereas I’ve been to France extra usually than nearly some other nation (besides Italy and the UK), I’ve by no means been to France’s southwest, and I’m excited to discover a brand new area in a rustic I like. I’m additionally excited to Eat All Of The Issues.
What are your plans for March? Share away!
