To begin, if someone could kindly step forward and inform me how it’s a remote possibility that the month of July has already come to a close, that would be greatly appreciated. How does time, this year especially, simultaneously feel like it’s rushing by and merely dragging along?? How? I’m unsure I’ll ever quite grasp it.

Existential quandaries aside, I hope the month of July was a good one for you (you know…considering). I hope you were able to find small slivers of joy in your days and moments of togetherness where possible. And, even if it wasn’t a great month, I hope you remember that you’re not alone in it, and that no bad feeling will last forever. I’m rooting for you, no matter which camp you fall in.

Today we’re rounding up some of the delightful, moving, intriguing things that caught our team’s attention over the course of the past few weeks. If there’s anything you came across this month that you’d like to share, we’d love to hear your input in the comments! We hope you enjoy the weekend folks.

1. “Together, You Can Redeem the Soul of Our Nation,” an essay written by Congressman John Lewis shortly before his death. It’s a moving call to action for all of us to speak out when we see injustice, to stand up for what’s right, and to vote. Mr Lewis wrote, “Though I may not be here with you, I urge you to answer the highest calling of your heart and stand up for what you truly believe. In my life I have done all I can to demonstrate that the way of peace, the way of love and nonviolence is the more excellent way. Now it is your turn to let freedom ring.”

2. Kim Rhodes at A Cup of Jo shared the beauty uniform of one Samantha Irby—an incredibly poignant, evocative, and very funny writer whose work you’re probably (hopefully) already privy to. In the post, Samantha dishes on her beauty tips and offers a glimpse into her life, including how staying home during the pandemic is going for her. In terms of the latter, she says, “I think I’m the most equipped person for this kind of pandemic. I do not need to see the sun. . . . I see people online who are like, ‘I haven’t been outside! I can’t handle it,’ and I cannot relate.” More power to you, Samantha. More power to you.

3. In this article, “Our Lives Happen in Restaurants,” seven writers share their most memorable experiences from dining in restaurants. It’s a beautiful, tangible reminder of the importance these spaces hold in our lives.

4. A book by Aminatou Sow and Ann Friedman called Big Friendship: How We Keep Each Other Close. For me, the pandemic has brought into clear focus just how important my friendships are (and the difference between a deep friendship and a surface level-friendship) and this is on my list of books to read!

5. Wit & Delight contributor Vanessa McDuffie is launching NUE BEDFORD, an art space for queer BIPOC creatives in Minneapolis. Per Vanessa, “The idea is to have a unified space to house local art of the queer community in a safe, loving, supportive environment. . . . Help us make it possible to rent a space to (eventually!) create workshops, pop-up shops, gallery events and networking opportunities for an inclusive Minneapolis art scene.” If you’re interested in supporting this initiative, you can donate through the GoFundMe and follow along for future updates on Instagram.

6. A new-to-me apartment tour that features an eye-catching floor-to-ceiling display of books, endless pops of personal character, and a dark, windowless bedroom that’s as dramatic as it is inviting.

7. “Congrats to All My Husbands,” a delightful article by Sangeeta Singh-Kurtz on The Cut that celebrates the Emmy nominations of a few of the author’s on-screen favorites.

8. A comprehensive article by writer Sara Ligorria-Tramp on Emily Henderson that dives into the definition, history, and implications of gentrification and explores what you can do about gentrification in your own life. It’s an opportunity to educate yourself about a very impactful topic and to open up further discussions about gentrification going forward.

9. Here’s something to make you smile: the story of Chang Wan-ji and Hsu Sho-er, the octogenarian owners of a laundry shop who started an Instagram account in which they model forgotten clothes left behind by customers. I really have no words other than, can someone make me look this impossibly chic too??

10. A helpful essay by Michelle Ruiz, “Is Everyone Mad at Me?” is an excellent read for all the other anxious minds out there who find yourselves asking this question more often than you’d like to admit. (Hint: the answer is almost always no.)