I have a confession. I usually write these intros the Friday before the post goes up. I like having a cushion in case something happens.

This week, that is more important than ever.

Our kiddo has been doing test to stay for daycare all week. One of her classmate's tested positive for COVID on Tuesday. So far, our kid's tests have been negative. Friday morning, we found out two more classmates' tested positive. We are hoping that her first shot (and our vaccines and boosters ) provide enough protection that we all continue to test negative.

Despite the fact that we feel fine, have no symptoms, and where masks all the time, it seems like there is a specter haunting us.  We've been supremely lucky and have avoided infection. This time, it feels like we're due. 

Not only has kiddo been exposed several times, but it's my birthday week. I always take time off to pamper myself. Plus, kiddo is due for vaccine shot #2 on Wednesday. She can't get it if she tests positive.

It feels like our luck as run out.

*crosses all the fingers*

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I’m glad I decided to read some fluff. My brain needs it. On Friday, I started reading The Heir Affair by Heather Cocks and Jessica Morgan. It’s the second book in their riff on Kate Middleton and Prince William. I read the first book in two days. This one’s not moving quite as fast, but I’m still loving the absurd drama of it all.

• The good virus. [CNN]

• Your preferred wake up time and when you hit peak productivity. [The Everygirl]

• One Christian's views on being pro-choice. [The Similitude]

• Important tips for summer. [@hels]

• We've used the brown noise setting on our kiddo's sound machine from day one. Can confirm its greatness. [In The Know]

• How to make cut flowers last longer. [Real Simple]

• Decoupling pregnancy from femininity is a radical act of feminism. [Burnt Toast]

• This is totally adorable. [WaPo - gift link]

• "That truth-telling is seen as an inherently political act reveals how powerful acknowledging America’s history is and continues to be." [Men Yell at Me]

• How to be greener when cleaning. [Life Kit]

• Can a copyright small claims court work? [The Indicator]

• Whence came the house plants? [99% Invisible]

• Making space accessible. [Short Wave]

• We finally got around to seeing Daniel Craig's last turn as Bond in No Time To Die. I think it was the Bondiest Bond of all his films. The gadgets and tricked out car were back! The villains opined! There were great chase scenes and one liners. About ten minutes in, we had to pause and Google the plot of previous movie. That helped us get a handle of what was going on and who we needed to remember. Between the continuing narrative and the ending, this Bond veered off-script and I liked that. There was more heft to it. [Amazon Prime]

• The Husband has mentioned Space Sweepers several times. A colleague recommended it and we're glad they did. The film was multilingual but mostly in Korean. It's about Korean space cleaners who encounter something lots of other people want. There is great world development, the CGI feels real, and the plot has heart. [Netflix]

• I like any excuse to eat kalamata olives. We made pork cutlets with sauteed peppers and beans. The recipe itself is already quick, but we make it even quicker by sous viding the pork first. The most time consuming part becomes chopping the peppers and shallot. Don't skip the vinegar in this one. It makes the dish. [Real Simple via My Evernote]

• For my lunch meal prep, I made Spanish chickpeas and rice. The only chopping in this dish is an onion. You measure and dump everything else in the pan. I love that! Somehow, I always seem to undercook part of the rice. That's probably from my bad habit of lifting the lid to stir to make sure the rice doesn't stick. You must use smoked paprika. I've used plain paprika before and it's just not as good. [Budget Bytes]

NASA released the first batch of images from the James Webb telescope. This one of the Carina Nebula was my favorite. [NASA]

WindowSwap lets you look out windows from around the world. You can search for a specific view or location but I prefer to just let a random window open. Once open, you get a video feed to enjoy. The view changes every minute or so. If you create an account, you can save windows for later.

Every time we test or get a message from daycare.