Each week (give or take one or two here and there) I share three things I like – It could be a book, a movie, a podcast, an album, a photo, an article, a restaurant, a food item, a beverage, or anything else I simply enjoy and think you might too. You can find a whole pile of things, especially books, I like and recommend HERE.
1. Libby
I love audiobooks. I grew up in a home where my mom read books to us often and introduced to books on cassette early. I listen to dozens of audiobooks every year, mostly stories of one kind or another. It is a great way to survive a workout or add enjoyment to a long drive. That said, paying for audiobooks is the pits. I have, at various times, subscribed to Audible, but that is mostly a rip off in my estimation. So when I discovered Libby a few years ago I was thrilled. It is an app through which you can check out audiobooks (and ebooks, if that’s your jam) from any library where you have a current card. I barely ever go to an actual library these days, but I check out items all the time. And since there is no cost it is a great way to try various books I’m curious about with no risk. If they stink, I just return them. Just like a library, they will put items on hold for you and notify you when they are available too. All in all, it’s a listener/reader’s catnip.
2. David’s Jumbo Sunflower Seeds
I developed a mild addiction to sunflower seeds as a little league baseball player and I have never stopped. These days I play no ball, but I always have bag in my car and a spit cup for the shells. I have tried many different brands. I have roasted my own. And in my estimation, David’s Jumbo are consistently the best. They are slaty and delicious. They are almost never burned. And they make the ideal car snack because they offer all the activity of eating without much of the actual caloric intake. There is a proper technique for eating sunflower seeds, but I lack the space here to explain it. I’m sure there is a YouTube video to help any of you out who are novices seeking to improve.
3. Hydration Backpack
I enjoy hiking a lot. I live in a place that get’s hotter than the devil’s armpit every summer. Those two things are often at odds when it comes to comfort and safety. So I depend greatly on my compact hydration backpack. I have a Coleman that I bought at Target a few years ago, but really any low cost option does the trick (no need to go in for the $100+ camelbacks). They are small enough to be convenient but still hold some snacks/essentials. They usually hold between 1.5-2.5 liters of water (enough for most moderate hikes). You can even put ice in the water bladder to keep your drinks refreshing and your back cooler.
