On a fateful winter day when we were cooped up indoors, I downloaded a chess app and told Katy, “It could be fun to work on my chess game.” I hadn’t played in years but had fond memories of playing occasionally with friends in high school and college. Chess is a perfect blend of control and chaos, traps, sacrifices, and the thrill of victory. Even in loss, it’s easy to marvel at the way your opponent beat you, and every game you feel connected to thousands of years of history. So, I started playing ten-minute games. It’s hard to find ten minutes of uninterrupted time with three kids and they, as well as Katy, grew weary of hearing me say, “I just need a few minutes to finish this game.” So, I started playing three-minute games.
In a timed game, each player has three minutes to play. The clock runs during your turn and you win by either putting your opponent in checkmate or having his time expire before yours. Three-minute games were also hard on our family, but there were even faster games called, “Bullet Chess” where each player only has one minute for the whole game. Often, you “pre-move” or tell your piece where it will go on the next turn before your opponent makes his move. It’s lightning fast with whole games happening sometimes in less than ten seconds. It’s wicked fun! You’re playing the person just as much as the game, making bluffs, and forcing them to run their clock out just as much as putting them in checkmate. Best of all, you’re facing off against real people in Australia , Norway , and India who might have their toddlers hitting them with pillows whilst yours hits you with hers.
I play chess too much. I’m a little embarrassed I’m not better, but I did get my bullet rating past a respectable 1200. A few days ago, Katy asked how many games I had played this year. It would be awesome if apps didn’t track that, but it turns out they do, and I looked it up. 3500 games. The line between passion and addiction is a blurry one. I’m not allowed to play a one-minute game if Katy leaves the room to get something, and we’re in the middle of a conversation, and I try to only play during designated times.
With a couple boundaries in place, I’ve started memorizing opening sequences and doing daily chess puzzles. Best of all, Makayla asked if I could teach her how to play chess. We’ve played five games so far, and here’s a picture of her first one. She’s quick to learn, knows how all the pieces work, what check and checkmate are, and is delighted when she comes down in the morning, and I’ve setup her daily chess puzzle. Katy too—who had no interest in learning chess—has found a place for it in her love of logic and puzzles. I suspect with a little time, she’ll be beating me regularly.
I first purchased this soap on an island in Maine when I realized I forgot to pack a bar. The scent had me immediately. It’s calming and deep. I used it all week while I was there and just couldn’t get enough of this new (to me) scent. When I got home and continued to use the bar, I couldn’t believe how long it lasted. Weeks longer than any other bar I’ve used. This will probably be my go-to soap forever :)
I love the smell of lilac but lotions are getting hard to find. I ordered this one based on Etsy reviews and I am so glad I did. It was exactly what I was looking for. It smells fantastic.
Hi Bridget,
Thanks for your review! We're so glad you liked the lilac lotion!! Our lilac blooms are just finishing in our yard, so we're glad there's a way to enjoy the scent year-round. Have a great week!
I bought many soaps and the dopey bug spray from Joy Lane Farm. All I have to say is I absolutely love it all! The soaps smell absolutely incredible and they’re the only soap I’ve ever had that doesn’t give my skin that tight feeling. It feels just as incredible as it smells. That includes the shampoo and conditioner! And as far as the dopey bug spray, I’m currently expecting so I needed a more natural option and it smells good while being safe to use. And it does help with the bugs! I look forward to continuing buying soaps from their business.
Hi Brianna,
Thanks for writing such a detailed and helpful review! It was so pleasant to read on a rainy Sunday :-) We love that the goat milk soap and everything else is working well for you! Congratulations on expecting!!
I am chemically sensitive, so am selective about what skin products I use. Joy's makes shea butter creamy by combining it with other ingredients. As a result, it is the best of all possible worlds - unscented and effective for dry skin.
Hi Carolyn,
Thanks for such a nice review! We're so glad the unscented shea butter lotion was a good fit for you and so appreciate you sharing for other customers who are chemically sensitive. Have a wonderful week!
I love the fresh scent of the coconut lemongrass shea butter lotion and love how it feels on my skin. The scent makes me feel like I am on a tropical Island.
Thanks for the review, Barbara!!! Hope you're enjoying the beginning of summer!!!