Weekend Links 3-20-20

This week was a strange one to say the least. I really had hoped to avoid any mentions of coronavirus but its effects are so far reaching that it's been hard to escape from it. Practically every aspect of our lives is now touched by it and that doesn't appear to be changing any time soon. I hope every one heeds the cautions being given and stays safe. In the meantime, here are a few articles of interest.

I saw this sentence on Twitter and was drawn to the article.

It was no small thing to evaluate the holdings of a seasoned dealer, a generation older than me, and pronounce his material fake.

As they say, read the whole thing. And yes, it's yet another book to go on my To Be Read list.

A strange history of one of the crime wages of the early 20th century: the poisoned pen letter.

Answering the important questions: What makes a breakfast "continental"?

Stuck at home? How about visiting a museum online. 

When exactly did we start calling baseball the national pastime? John Thorn is on the case. 

Since there is no baseball for the forseeable future, here is a list of recommended baseball books and movies to help pass the time. 

This is a booklover's dream: Capitol Hill Books in Washington, DC is allowing customers to have the whole store to themselves for an hour at a time. 

Tweet of the week #1:

Today me will live in the moment, unless it’s unpleasant in which case me will eat a cookie.

— Cookie Monster (@MeCookieMonster) March 15, 2020

Sounds like a good plan to me.

Meet the man who is a pull-tab connoisseur. Seriously.

This is a good way to pass the time: BBC Radio's adaptation of Mrs. McGinty's Dead by Agatha Christie. 

How a mystery writer and book collector created the biblio-mystery genre.

Tweet of the week #2:

You know who’s really gonna suffer during this social distancing?

Dudes on dating apps

Welcome back to courtship, Brad. Welcome back to talking to a gal for WEEKS prior to meeting.

We’re pen pals now, my dude.

We bout to get Jane Austen up in here.

Now, write me a poem.

— Kaitlyn McQuin (@kaitlynmcquin) March 15, 2020

This looks like it's going to be fun:

The P.G. Wodehouse Book Club -- a haven in troubled times -- is open and ready to welcome you. Follow the link to join and vote on our first book. https://t.co/UJTJXanOfL

Or just follow the conversation on Twitter as #PGWClub pic.twitter.com/EW1Yrya1L7

— HonoriaPlum (@HonoriaPlum) March 18, 2020

I look for virtual book clubs to become a bigger thing in the coming weeks.

Daily Links 4-18-14

A roundup of links for your weekend reading pleasure. In this edition: Would Paul have used video, the coffee shop as your office, it's okay to fail, things healthy couples don't do, and more.

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Aaron Armstrong poses an interesting question:

If Paul were ministering today, would he use video? 

This is an important question, and it’s not one that is as clear cut as you might think. Many who have embraced video venue gatherings point to Paul as their example. Because he was all about becoming all things to all people in the hopes of winning some to the gospel, he would surely use any (non-sinful) means at his disposal to extend the reach of the gospel.

That’s generally how I’ve seen the argument go, anyway. (I realize I’m probably oversimplifying a bit.) 

The question of whether or not Paul would use video is an important one, but I wonder if it might also be the wrong one.

Would Paul use video to share the gospel? Probably, sure. But, more importantly, what would he use it for?

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Mr. Met was once threatened by the Secret Service. No, really. Just goes to show the lengths they would go to protect the President.

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Fun facts about one of the best baseball movies of all time, A League of Their Own.

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If you do a lot of work at the coffee shop, you should read this.

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Forget the bucket list. How to make moments that matter.

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Now this is what I call a cool tablet keyboard.

Hat tip: Book Riot

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8 things that healthy couples don't do. #3 is the toughest for me.

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10 productivity tips to make your life easier.

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The best thing about shopping at Ikea is that their furniture is cheap and can be repurposed for numerous other uses. The fact that there is a whole website devoted to Ikea Hacks should be a clue. Here are 20 of the best Ikea furniture hacks.

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Instead of a to-do list how about a done list? Harnessing the power of progress.

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Contrary to popular belief it's okay to fail.