Megan Byrd

Writer

something ahead

Share Four Somethings: July 2021

monthly highlights loved read treasured ahead

July has been an unusual month because thus far I’ve spent all of it in Idaho with my family. It has been a joy to hang out with people I haven’t seen since 2019. While I haven’t enjoyed the very high daily temperatures, it’s been well worth time with people I love. I hope that you, too, have been able to do something enjoyable this summer.

Now it’s time to get to a few of my favorite things from the month. Feel free to share yours in the comments or link up with me over at HeatherGerwing.com!

Something Loved

apple watch and bluetooth headphones for running

I don’t like running but I do it because supposedly it’s good for my heart and health. 🙂 It’s fairly easy to run in my parents’ neighborhood because there are lots of sidewalks and it’s pretty flat. I usually run with my phone in an armband but since I didn’t need to worry about being reached by a school or the kids, I decided to try running with the music on my apple watch and a pair of bluetooth headphones. I loved not having something on my arm that might come lose if I flexed too much or slid down my arm if my muscles contracted. I think I may continue to use this combo for running in the future when I’m not worried about missing an important phone call.

Something Read

save the cat writes a novel book cover image

I have read several great books this month. I thoroughly enjoyed Save the Cat! Writes a Novel by Jessica Brody, a nonfiction book about the common beats in successful novels and must-have elements in specific book genres. I found it really helpful in looking through my manuscripts and seeing where I need to rearrange or beef up various parts. I think it’ll be very helpful in future writing.

the guncle by steven rowley book cover

I also really enjoyed The Guncle by Steven Rowley. It’s been awhile since I teared up reading and it was a welcome experience. Patrick was a tv star but stepped away from the spotlight and his family after Joe’s death. When his sister-in-law dies and his brother checks himself into rehab, he finds himself responsible for his niece and nephew for the next three months. Will he be able to help them work through their grief while processing his own? A book with lots of heart and plenty of humor.

Something Treasured

four children sitting on a bench overlooking a gorge and the perrine bridge

It was so wonderful to be with family again, but I especially treasure the time my kids had with their cousins, grandparents, aunts, and uncles. The kids all had a blast together playing, celebrating special days, and even writing and performing a play! I’m so grateful that they were able to have this time together this year.

Something Ahead

a well dressed married couple smiling

While it’ll be sad to leave family in a few days, I am looking forward to seeing my husband again after three weeks apart. In addition to our reunion, we will get a little couple time when he goes to Nashville for work and I accompany him. It’ll be a fast trip, but I’m sure we’ll make the most of it. If you’ve been, let me know what we should try to do. Also, it’s our 15th anniversary next week!

That’s a wrap on July. I’d love to hear how your month has been. See you next month!

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Share Four Somethings: June 2021

share four somethings

It’s the end of the first month of summer. It’s been a busy but enjoyable month which included Father’s Day, pool days, a visit to Lake Lure, play dates, athletic conditioning classes, a birthday, and a wedding. We still have another month and a half without school and I’m looking forward to discovering what else is in store during summer vacation. Without further ado, check out this month’s Four Somethings and feel free to link up your own over at HeatherGerwing.com.

Something Loved

ankle socks with cat faces on them

My family gave me a pack of cute cat socks for my birthday last month and they are so adorable! They make me happy when I put them on and are very comfortable. I like wearing them with my slip-on canvas shoes.

Something Read

Embraced 100 Devotions by Lysa TerKeurst book

I’ve been reading this devotional – Embraced by Lysa TerKeurst. I wasn’t sure what to expect when I opened it up, but it has been a great encouragement along with providing some conviction. I was well aware that my connection to God wasn’t as close as it could or should be, but seemed to lack the motivation to do anything about it. This book has been the kick in the rear I’ve needed to remember how our relationship can be and increased my desire to be more open and intentional with God.

Something Treasured

chalk drawing of man saying he is on a date with his hot wife

My husband and I were blessed with an impromptu date night a week ago which we needed so much. We hadn’t gone out just the two of us since before Christmas, unless you count grocery shopping which I don’t. Some friends took our kids for the night and we went to dinner and a movie. It was nice to be able to relax together and do something that felt normal again. It reminded me that we need to be much more intentional in time together now that it’s safe to do so.

Something Ahead

woman in airport with pink luggage

This could be considered cheating because “ahead” means tonight, but I say it still counts. Later in the day, we are headed out west to see family we haven’t seen in a year and a half or longer. I’m super excited! My parents, brother, sister-in-law, and nieces all live in Idaho so I am thrilled to be able to spend some time with them. We’ll get in too late to really visit but it’ll be nice just to finally be in the same place again. A few extended family members are planning to visit while we’re there which I’m also looking forward to.

share four somethings monthly link up

That’s my month. I’d love to hear a highlight or two from your June! Write it in the comments section.

Share Four Somethings: May 2021

share four somethings

We’re nearing the end of my favorite month. Yes, I get to celebrate Mother’s Day and my birthday, but it’s also filled with beautiful blooms, warmer weather, and the end of the school year. My kids’ last day is June 1st, but school is essentially over by Memorial Day. Before I switch gears and go into summer-mom mode, I’ll share some of my favorite things from May. You can join the blog link-up at HeatherGerwing.com.

Something Loved

My family visited Gorges State Park one Sunday in May and hiked a strenuous trail out to Rainbow Falls. We stopped on the way to eat a picnic lunch on a cropping of large rocks beside the river. We saw a kaleidoscope of swallowtail butterflies, trout in the stream, and a snake swimming in the water. When we reached the viewing area of the waterfall, we were amazed at how big it was. It was too cloudy to get the full effect of why it’s called Rainbow Falls, but we were still impressed and considered the trek well worth the effort.

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Share Four Somethings: February 2021

We’re nearly through the second month of the year. The groundhog either did or did not see his shadow depending upon whether you prefer Punxsutawney Phil in Pennsylvania, Milltown Mel in New Jersey, Buckeye Chuck in Ohio, Sir Walter Wally in Raleigh, General Beauregard Lee in Georgia, or one of the other groundhogs around the country. They don’t always agree on the prediction but spring still seems to come anyway. Like the inevitability of spring, the last Saturday of the month signals time to share a few highlights from the month with my friend Heather and a few other bloggers. Don’t forget you’re always welcome to join us by linking your own post over at HeatherGerwing.com.

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Share Four Somethings: June 2020

School is finally out which means our home days are less structured. We’ve all enjoyed not having an agenda each weekday. We’ve spent a lot of time outdoors – riding bikes, visiting various gardens, taking walks, and going to the pool. It still doesn’t feel quite like a normal summer because we won’t be flying out to visit my family, but we’re trying to make the most of what’s available to us here in our new town. Scroll down to read my Four Somethings and feel free to visit HeatherGerwing.com to check out the highlights of others!

Something Loved

Several years ago I learned about Create Hope Cuffs and have loved the variety of options available – thick cuffs, skinny cuffs, shredded wraps, etc. I especially love that I can customize the bracelets with words and phrases. Recently, the site started a monthly earring subscription service with a twist. It’s called The G.A.L. Club which stands for Get A Little. Give A Little. In addition to receiving several pairs of earrings, a few other items, and some dark chocolate in a themed box, part of the $30 cost of the box is donated to a good cause. There’s also something included in the box that we are encouraged to gift to a special someone in our lives (in May to a mother, in June to a graduate). I’m always excited to open up my box, see what’s inside, and look at how I can share some of what I’ve received with others to spread the love. It’s so much fun being able to both give and receive!

Something Read

This month I read me and white supremacy: Combat Racism, Change the World, and Become a Good Ancestor by Layla F. Saad. It’s a very in-depth book to help people with white privilege see what that means and how that affects people without it. There are twenty-eight days of reading and journaling through various topics within white supremacy to help the reader think critically about racist ideas they have held and ways they have participated in white supremacy, either purposefully or inadvertently. It’s not a quick read but very worthwhile and one that ought to be reviewed regularly for those wanting to be antiracist.

Something Treasured

My family loves spending time at the beach. We hadn’t been able to get away to the coast for two years and we were feeling it. We decided on a last-minute quick weekend to our closest beach, a four-hour drive away. We spent the better part of three days in the sand and water, soaking up the sights, sounds, and too much sun. It was fast and furious, but thoroughly enjoyable. I will treasure the memories of my kids’ first boogie boarding experience and their first real memories of the Atlantic Ocean.

Something Ahead

In July, my husband and I will celebrate fourteen years of marriage. We don’t have any big plans, but it offers me the opportunity to reflect on our nearly eighteen years together and reminisce about some of my favorite experiences together (the Jack and Ben concert in college, our island adventures, skiing at Bogus, winning an ALTA City Championship, becoming homeowners and parents, etc). Here’s to making many more memories together!

I’d love to hear a highlight or two from your month. What has brought you joy in the month of June? Do you have anything fun planned in July?

Share Four Somethings: February 2020

We have already arrived at the fourth Saturday of the month. It really sneaks up on you when the first falls on a Saturday. Even though we’ve only had three weeks of the month, I still have plenty to share about my February thus far. So without further ado, here are my four somethings!

Something Loved

This month’s item is a bit more tangible than last month’s yoga calendar, but it may be harder to find. I enjoy perusing thrift and consignment stores because it’s a bit like a treasure hunt. You never know what you’ll find and sometimes it may be a delightful thing you never realized you were missing. This was the case for me when I found a delightful pencil pouch that can be clipped into a three-ring binder. I have been editing the novel I wrote and had a boring clear but functional pouch. When I saw this cheerful one at the store priced for one dollar, I couldn’t pass it up. Every time I open my binder to work, it makes me smile.

Something Read

This month, one of the books I finished was Fredrik Backman’s My Grandmother Asked Me to Tell You She’s Sorry. I have loved most of Backman’s books and this one was no exception. He has such a wonderful way of storytelling that draws you in and helps you to find positive qualities in nearly every imperfect character. In this book, seven-year-old Elsa is sent on a quest by her grandmother to deliver letters to various people. As Elsa faces fears and struggles with the grief she feels from her grandmother’s death, she learns more about her grandmother and the people living around her. She finds that the fairy tales her grandmother used to tell her in the Land-of-Almost-Awake are not as made up as she believed. I loved the reminder that most people are not what they may seem to be at first glance.

If you’re interested in seeing what other books I’ve read in February (ten so far), visit my Instagram page @meganbyrdreads.

Something Treasured

Last month I asked my internet friends if anyone would like to receive a note from me this year. I received a few responses and began composing messages to family, friends, and acquaintances. A few years ago, I wrote a letter to everyone in my address book to see what would happen. The return rate for letters was about 10%. I am definitely curious to see if anyone writes back this year. I was quite thrilled when a letter showed up in my mailbox this month. It was a response from my aunt who has loved and supported me well all of my life. This month she is my something treasured.

Something Ahead

This coming Wednesday (February 26th) is Ash Wednesday, which means the start of Lent (40 days of fasting plus 6 Sundays before Easter). Most years I have either given something up or added something to my life to help me focus on Jesus and prepare for the coming of Easter and his death and resurrection. Our whole family has participated the last couple of years. I am excited for this year’s season to begin but am still not sure what my fast will be. If you participate in Lent, I’m interested to know what you will be doing this year. Also, if you know of any good Lenten devotionals, please pass that info along!

I have one other exciting something ahead. One of my Atlanta friends is coming to visit me next month! I don’t know everything we’re going to do, but a visit to the Biltmore and dinner at one of my favorite restaurants are already on the docket.

Those are my Four Somethings for February. If you missed last month, read about them here. If you want to read others’ lists of Somethings, visit www.HeatherGerwing.com.

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