Gracious: A Practical Primer on Charm, Tact, and Unsinkable Strength

Back in graduate school, I began reading a blog, Adulting, by Kelly Williams Brown. A few years later, she published the book Adulting: How to Become a Grown-Up in 468 Easy(ish) Steps. Recently, her second book Gracious was released. Throughout the book, she provides tips on how to deal with the people and circumstances that challenge even the most socially graceful among us, advice on how to practice graciousness in everyday life, and thoughtful discussions on being kind to those around you without ever losing your sense of self.

This was my airplane book that I read while flying to and from Colorado. For me, the most relatable chapters were "Gracious In, Around & Generally Regarding the Home" and "The Gracious Host & Hosted." In this blog post, I will just provide some notions that can help you think about living a more gracious life.

Gracious In, Around & Generally Regarding the Home

• Learn how to be reasonably tidy by providing definitive answers for the following for every object in your house:
• Do I love this?
• Why do I let this remain in my personal space?
• Where does this item live?
• Adjectives that Do and Do Not apply to a gracious home:
• Yes: welcoming, cared for, tidy, comfortable, lived in, full of interesting things
• No: spotless, minimalist, sterile, intimidating, hoardery, sticky, oppressively Pinterest-y
• Useful Dining Tips:
• It's immeasurably better to start eating 20 seconds later than everyone than 5 minutes before. Unless instructed otherwise, you should not start eating until everyone is seated, everyone is served, and the host picks up his or her fork.
• Napkins go in your lap as soon as possible.
• Touch both your index fingers to your thumbs. On your left , you will see a lowercase b, which stands for bread plate, and on your right is a lowercase d for drinks. Your bread plate is to your left, and your drinks to your right.
• There may be implements on the table for every course, just start with the ones outside and work your way in.
• Generally speaking, implements are arranged with forks on the left, then a plate, then knives, then spoons. FO(r)KS as an acronym: Forks, O (for a plate) Knives, Spoons.
• If you are not done with a course, your utensils should rest on either side of your plate. When you are done, the two utensils are set parallel to each other and pointing NW on the plate.
• Never go on vacation without taking all the garbage outside.

What does a yellow ribbon tied on a dog's collar mean?

Recently I went hiking at Soaring Eagle Regional Park, and on the trail post, there was a flyer titled "More Space Please," with drawings of many dogs wearing a yellow ribbon or bandana. This was the first time I had seen this caution before, and thought I would share this new movement with my fellow hikers, so you can also share and spread the word.

A yellow ribbon around a dog's collar is to help children identify that you need to proceed with caution because: the dog may not be child-friendly, may have fear or anxiety issues, or may be overly excited. The Yellow Dog Project is a nonprofit organization that is a global effort to help raise awareness and education around dogs that require a little extra distance upon approaching. This extra distance does not signify that a dog is aggressive or mean. Children have a lot of energy and often run up and pet a dog. Not all dogs understand this, and they can become fearful. With proper education, all parties are put in a less stressful environment, which in turn reduces opportunities for an unforeseen accident.

Look for these yellow ribbons on dogs in town and city parks too! I saw a different template, but same caution on a flyer at Marymoor Dog Park in Redmond, WA.

Summer Book Bingo

Summer begins next week; therefore, it is time for Summer Book Bingo at the Seattle Public Libraries. Each summer, I have participated in this challenge, but have yet completed a blackout card.

How does the Summer Book Bingo work?

• Spend your summer reading great books and you can win prizes. Fill in a bingo card with the titles and authors of the books you've read between May 17th-September 5th. Book titles may be used only once per card.

What if I need some ideas for books for my bingo squares?

• For ideas crafted just for you, head to your local library (or fill out a brief form at spl.org/yournext5), and the super smart team at The Seattle Public Library will recommend five books just for you.
• Also, your fellow readers on Twitter and Instagram are a great resource; find them at #BookBingoNW2017

How can I win?

• Complete a horizontal, vertical or diagonal line and you will be entered into a drawing for a $30 gift card to an independent book store.

Fine Print: You are on your honor to read books before adding them to your Summer Book Bingo card. Cheating will invoke bad summer karma, which may include sunburn, ants at your picnic, and marauding mosquitos.

What are topics of the bingo squares for 2017:

• Recommended by a librarian
• Choose a book by it's cover
• You've been meaning to read
• Young adult
• Biography or memoir
• Adapted into a movie (bonus: watch the movie too)
• Graphic novel
• By an author of color
• Recommended by an independent bookseller
• Set in another country
• Genre that is new to you
• Banned (need ideas, visit ala.org/bbooks)
• Collection of essays or short stories
• Published the year one of your parents were born
• Fiction
• About art or an artist
• A SAL speaker (past or upcoming)
• Reread a book you read in school
• Finish in a day
• Washington state author
• Poetry
• Science nonfiction or science fiction
• LGBTQIA author or character
• Recommended by a young person

The first book I am reading is to fill in a bingo square is Lamb: The Gospel According to Biff, Christ's Childhood Pal by Christopher Moore. Happy Reading!