Shannan here, Cohost and Content Contributor at Modern Mrs Darcy. Can you comprehend that this is the first weekend in April? I cannot. 2024 is slipping by me like a rowboat, its oars stowed inside, being slowly, unwittingly carried along by the current. Poetic, right? Well, it is National Poetry month.
Below you’ll see one of my favorite poems about dreams. I have been thinking a lot about dreams: goals, intentions, and plans, all designed to get us where we want to be in life. I hope that we will use this first weekend in April to relax, to dream a bit, and of course, to read a bit too. Here’s some things I have been reading, wondering and dreaming about.
My favorite finds from around the web:
Dreams by Langston Hughes. (Poetry Foundation) I’ve been memorizing this poem. This line in particular has been particularly poetic to me: “Hold fast to dreams, For when dreams go, Life is a barren field, Frozen with snow.” Here’s to Spring in our hearts as well as our world (well, for us Northern Hemisphere residents at least).
Anne will be at The Bookshelf in Thomasville, GA for a talk and signing on April 25! Get your ticket.
Running Down That Hill: On Trail-Running and Writing. (Reactor) I dream about the time I will be able to run again. It literally keeps me sane. I’m coming off an injury but I’m hoping to get back into it soon. This article was about running and writing, two of my favorite things.
Speaking of running, my absolute favorite leggings, Nike Ones, are no longer available. Please, please let me know your favorites in the comments.
The Trouble With Race Satires Like American Fiction. (Time Magazine) I watched American Fiction, which won the Academy Award for Best Adapted Screenplay recently. So many feelings. One of my favorite authors R. F. Kuang hits on something I have been wondering about for a long time.
The weird and wonderful sensations of viewing a total solar eclipse. (NPR) I remember viewing the solar eclipse of 2017, which was technically a partial eclipse that blocked 92% of the sun. It was dreamy and weird. Looking forward to that experience again this coming Monday if we’re not cloudy.
Science Fiction and Fantasy that is fabulous on audiobook. (MMD) I am always on the lookout for more sci-fi/fantasy reads that let me dream of other worlds. While I might not listen to any of these recommendations from fellow team member Brigid, I did find a couple to add to my TBR. Maybe you will also.
I don’t know why it took me so long to try the frozen veggies at Trader Joe’s. They are so delicious, requiring little-to-no seasoning. I love their petite peas, colorful carrot coins and green beans. Get thee there this weekend, if you have one in your area.
The Ransom of Miss Coraline Connelly. (Fireside Fiction) I love Alix E. Harrow’s work and am attempting to get my hands on everything that she has written. I was thrilled to find this delightful short story available. All of my fellow moms will really relate to this one. Harrow is a story-telling genius.
Don’t miss these posts:
5 favorite poetry collections for National Poetry Month. These poetry collections are hospitable to beginners and seasoned poetry lovers alike, perfect for National Poetry Month or any time of year.
5 common triggers for highly sensitive people, and 5 antidotes to help them. Here’s what HSPs need to feel calm, content, and collected during stressful times.
Nerdy nonfiction for readers who love to learn. Embrace your inner nerd and find a new niche interest with these nonfiction reads!
Have a great weekend!
About the author
Shannan Malone is the MMD Cohost and Contributor. Her go-to genre depends on her mood! You can find Shannan on Instagram @shannanenjoyslife.
27 comments
My favorite leggings are from The Girlfriend Collective. They fit amazing, are never see through, and they hold up really well. Hope the rest of your healing goes smoothly and quickly!
I am a big athleta fan. I have leggings I have worn for literally years and they are still going strong.
I also use athleta. They have a lot of different fiber mixes. I prefer the ones that feel like brushed cotton. They aren’t cotton, they just feel softer and a little warmer than the sleek, cool-to-the-tough ones, which I also have for summer.
I loved the writing and running post! I run up the mountain behind my home and can attest the uphill is longer than the down. 🙂
I’m not a runner but I love Wool& leggings https://wooland.com/collections/bottoms#leggings
I live in Minnesota and their heaviest weight (which still feel pretty light) were great this past winter. Not cheap; but worth it.
The Nerdy Nonfiction list has made me happy. I especially can’t wait to read The Secret Lives of Color.
I also like leggins from Wool&, but also recommended Woolx products. When I travel internationally, most of my items are from those two companies. Packable, lightweight, durable, comfortable, and fairly quick drying.
Thank you for the recommendation Carolyn. I will check them out.
I love Sweaty Betty leggings. They have good compression, fun patterns, side pockets. They are from the UK so the sizing is different, but it is very clear on their website what size they are. They also ship quickly. I can get them faster than when I order from Athleta.
Thanks Cecelia for the recommendation.
I love Anne, but it’s nice to get to know other team members through their Friday Links. Thanks Shannan for sharing yours today.
You’re most welcome, Margie. Thanks for reading and commenting.
I like Fabletics, but I look for anything I like on poshmark. You might be able to find new Nike Ones there!
Shannan, I love the FLX brand at Kohl’s. Great quality, true to size, and the waist doesn’t roll down when I move. I’ve had great success with every pair of running/exercise leggings I’ve bought from this brand. It’s Kohl’s exclusive, FYI.
Hi Shannan!
I saw your link for “highly sensitive people”. I am wondering if there is a MMD blogpost for “Most Calm Books to read”. I have found calming books that are without foul language, cozy storyline, fun adventure, uplifting adjectives, and colorful descriptions to be soothing to read during stressful, difficult, and busy seasons in life. Thank you for your time and work for readers!
Shannan, I loved the adorable short story by Alix E. Harrow! Thank you so much for sharing the link to it.
Great recommendations. I absolutely love my janji 7/8 pace tights. So comfortable, plenty of pockets and with proper washing care last forever. Janji has the best apparel for running.
My favorite leggings are merino wool
https://wooland.com/products/axis-midweight-legging
Wool& makes several styles. I used to love Athleta leggings but now that I know the joys of wool I’ll never go back.
I’ve begun to wear almost entirely a non-synthetic wardrobe. I love the sustainability of merino wool – it’s soft, antimicrobial (lower stink factor means it doesn’t need to be washed as often) , breathable, heat regulating and incredibly comfortable. Not cheap but I’ve had my leggings for two years and they still look brand new and I wear them several times each week.
I have found the leggings from 32 Degrees to be a pleasant surprise. Really reasonable in price & have side pockets . I wear the 7/8 length ones as full length as I am 5’3” . I also bought a light weight winter coat & sports bras from there too & I really like them !
It looks like the Nike One leggings are still around in 7/8’s length if that at all works for you
https://www.nike.com/t/one-womens-high-waisted-full-length-leggings-9jrxz4/FN3226-010
Full length ones too. I clicked through the link in the post and was so confused because there they were, readily available?
Thank you for the Kuang link, Shannan. That was thought provoking and another step in my education about understanding race and racism. Also, when I went to the Nordstrom site to remember the name of the leggings I love (Zella, they are heavier weight than others I’ve tried) I noticed that they also have the Sweaty Betty leggings mentioned above.
My favorite leggings are actually these from Amazon. Stayed comfortable through a half-marathon! https://a.co/d/hf0ycaO.
Thanks for these links, Shannan! I’m opened a few tabs already to look through your suggestions, including the nerdy nonfiction link. 🙂
No legging recs here I’m afraid. But a poem rec, and an essay rec.
For poetry month ‘Prayer for a Tenspeed Heart’ by Barbara Hendryson http://srivilasicatimes.blogspot.com A longtime favorite of mine,
And here in the PNW we’ll be out of the main eclipse path this time, but I’ve experienced two total eclipses in my adult life here. In 2017 it was summer and the eclipse shadows were marvelous. The one in February 1979 was the subject of a beautiful essay by Annie Dillard. It was published in the Atlantic Monthly and in her collection ‘Teaching a Stone to Talk’. I highly recommend searching it out, her writing is so beautiful. Thank you for sharing your links Shannan, I hope you’re back running soon.
Thanks for the link to R. F. Kuang’s article. My family and I went to see American Fiction, and we thought it was a really thought-provoking movie. It spurred a lot of discussion in our house! My take on the ‘where do we go from here?’ is that we finally come to see what an artifical construct ‘race’ is! I am mixed race, married to a mixed race man (different race from mine), so my kids are… mixed, mixed race??! Where’s that box?! I just don’t think “race” works as the simple sorter that we use to easily box someone and their life into to understand them. There are so many other things at play-class, geography, etc. just to name a few.
Try Fanka leggings. They feel fantasic, and come in amazing colours!
My favorite leggings are from Feed Me Fight Me: https://feedmefightme.com/! I wear them for all kinds of running, lifting, and rock climbing, and they’re comfy and perfectly fitting for everything. Many of them have side pockets, too.
The seamless leggings from Gymshark are also great and stay put/don’t inch down as I run: https://www.gymshark.com/search?q=vital%20seamless%20legging