This week, I re-read one of my favorite Dick Francis novels and was reminded of the joy of rereading a good book, particularly in times when I’m overworked, overtired, and overwhelmed. I find the settings of Dick Francis’s novels - the upper-crust world of English horse racing in the 1980s - to be particularly escapist, relaxing, and occasionally hilarious.
It helps that I spent some formative years absolutely horse-obsessed; indeed, a little-known fact about me is that I was an adolescent three-time barrel-racing champion. My success was due 99% to the prowess of Dusty, the retired barrel racing horse at my local stables, and 1% to my ability to stay out of his way. Despite my youth, Dusty taught me lessons I’ve carried far beyond the stables: the intrinsic joy of being around someone who is really good at something and what it feels like to win. I really wasn’t much of a rider. I hated to canter, and I never got the hang of galloping, but I did love to take care of the horses. I got so much pleasure out of the structure and honest work of mucking out, grooming, and feeding horses. So I suppose Dusty really taught me another lesson: how to find the joy of routine and the pleasure of caretaking, which, more than anything, has carried me through the hardest days of parenting.
Francis has a gift for writing main characters who, against all odds, manage to be courageous, steadfast, and most of all, tough as nails. It doesn’t hurt that Francis writes in a clear, compelling style, often getting entirely out of the reader’s way, which is much harder than it seems. In To The Hilt, Francis perfectly depicts the pleasures and tortures of loving what you do for work. For the main character, this is painting, and for his wife, this is training thoroughbreds. I like that Dick Francis never shies away from complexity between people: husbands and wives, fathers and sons, the vagaries of friendship. There is an honest rawness to these books (in their confection) that makes for deeply pleasurable reading. I highly recommend trying a few (there are over forty-five Dick Francis novels; I’ve only read 22 of them!) with the aim of keeping a few on the shelf for the inevitable time when you need a comfort read.
A. My oldest friend Emily texted me a photo of these vases this evening. I met Emily under a tree at a summer camp in 7th grade. I was reading a book after lunch, and she came up to me and asked what I was reading, which is the root of a forever friendship if there ever was one! She reminded me that I’d given her the vases as part of a housewarming gift a few years ago that included B. this olive oil, C. this salt holder, and D. this pretty salt. I’d forgotten all about the gift, but am tickled that she continues to use the vases.
E. Grace posted this ‘all-in-one’ candle in her weekend newsletter, and I instantly loved it. It would also make a nice housewarming or hostess gift.
F. My oldest son took a year-long architecture class, and this week finished his final project. These tiny architectural model people have always fascinated both of us - when Alex was little (age 3-6), we’d look at them in an art supply store near Columbia University almost every week, but never bought them. It was a small joy for both of us to finally have an excuse to purchase some for this project. The proud mama in me can’t help but share his project, which is on display in a gallery at school (I’m not sure what the bear's story is…). Alex’s project is the house on the rock. ✨✨✨
G. I reordered these rain notes for the 5th time and figured it was worth sharing again since they are foundational to my day-to-day life.
H. Dick Francis 4 Life: To The Hilt and Straight.
Now, off to watch the next episode of Rivals (so good!).
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How dreamy is this Cloud Dress?
I bought these Adidas Slides last year, wore them today, and was reminded of how they can make an outfit! Sold out, but a few pairs on Poshmark.
These Rue de Verneuil Totes are lusty.
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