Why Friday Field Notes?

We live in a world that rewards more.

More content. More opinions. More notifications. More reasons to keep scrolling.

I found myself wanting the opposite.

Friday Field Notes is my attempt to slow things down.

Each week I'll share just four things that I genuinely enjoyed or found worth passing along: a quote that stayed with me, a cocktail worth making, an album that deserves your attention, and one article or essay that cuts through the noise.

There's no shortage of content. The Rabbit Hole exists to narrow the field. One article. One essay. One thing worth your attention this week.

If this encourages you to discover a new songwriter, mix a great cocktail for friends, read something thoughtful, or simply spend a little less time scrolling, then it's doing exactly what I hoped it would.

The Quote

"Well, the thunder does the talking, but the lightning does the work."
— Shovels & Rope

There's nothing like those little moments with your kids that remind you they're quickly becoming fully formed humans.

Often those moments become a mirror for our own humanity, reflecting us back to a season of our own growth.

This line from Shovels & Rope came over the speakers on the way to soccer practice the other afternoon, and my older son immediately repeated it back to me. He didn't say much beyond acknowledging that it was somehow both clever and simple, but I knew exactly what he meant.

It's funny how the right lyric can stop two generations in the same moment.

The Pour

Cherry Bourbon Smash

I love the abundance of cherries this time of year.

And I'm not too proud to admit that I still love a Cherry Limeade from Sonic. It's also probably safe to admit that a much younger version of me occasionally added a little Jim Beam to that particular beverage.

This is the grown-up version.

Recipe

• 2 oz bourbon
• 4 fresh cherries, pitted
• ½ lime, quartered
• ½ oz simple syrup
• 6–8 mint leaves
• Club soda (optional)

Directions

In a shaker, muddle the cherries, the quartered half lime, and the simple syrup.

Add the bourbon, mint leaves, and ice. Shake vigorously, then strain over fresh ice into a rocks glass.

Top with a splash of club soda if you'd like, and garnish with a sprig of mint.

The Spin

Kevin Morby

Little Wide Open

While Kevin Morby has been a critical darling for years, he always lived somewhere on the periphery for me.

Maybe it was the almighty algorithm. Maybe it was my appreciation for the incredible music his better half puts out under the name Waxahatchee. Either way, I finally gave Little Wide Open my full attention.

I'm glad I did.

It's a wonderful collection of songwriting and melodies that feels made for summer afternoons by the grill, or later in the evening when dinner stretches into another bottle of wine with friends.

Sometimes the best records aren't the loudest ones. They're the ones that quietly become part of the season.

The Rabbit Hole

There's no shortage of content.

The Rabbit Hole exists to narrow the field.

One article. One essay. One thing worth your attention this week.

This week's recommendation is a beautiful piece from Dwell about a home designed to embrace the landscape through its east-facing rooms. Beyond the architecture, it's really a reminder that thoughtful design can shape the way we experience everyday life.

Sometimes one well-made story is enough.

https://www.contemporist.com/the-oregon-home-where-every-east-facing-room-opens-to-the-landscape/

Thanks for reading.

See you next Friday.

— Jed Peters