{"id":7853,"date":"2026-09-29T18:45:36","date_gmt":"2026-09-29T18:45:36","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/silvybrand.com\/?p=7853"},"modified":"2026-09-29T18:45:36","modified_gmt":"2026-09-29T18:45:36","slug":"four-fun-things-cup-of-jo-6","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/silvybrand.com\/?p=7853","title":{"rendered":"Four Fun Things | Cup of Jo"},"content":{"rendered":"


\n<\/p>\n

\n
<\/div>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

While planning a fall gathering, I read through Jenny\u2019s post about grown-up party activities<\/a>. This comment from Elizabeth made me laugh: \u201cOne night, my friends and I tried to draw, freehand, a map<\/a> of all 50 states. The results were hilarious. No one did it accurately, and it was interesting to see what areas lined up with people\u2019s personal geography. (I can do the east coast, no sweat, but when I get to Ohio, all bets are off.) You end up learning a lot and teasing each other, in equal measure.\u201d Now I\u2019m curious to try \u2014 might bring out paper and pencils at dinner tonight!<\/p>\n

\"best<\/p>\n

What work pants do you wear? Readers are always asking for recs, and I have a really good one: Modern Citizen<\/a>. They\u2019re all beautiful, especially the barrel leg trouser<\/a> and this pair with a drawstring<\/em><\/a>. (They\u2019d also make great travel pants.)<\/p>\n

\"lost<\/p>\n

While traveling for work, I read \u201cLost Child,\u201d<\/a> Joyce Carol Oates\u2019s short story in the New Yorker. It was tough but compelling, and the opening lines immediately pack a punch: \u201cHe said, Come with me! Take Daddy\u2019s hand. How all the stories begin. A large hand lowered, your small hand lifted.\u201d The story stayed in my mind for the rest of the trip.<\/p>\n

\"blanket<\/p>\n

Finally, Freddie<\/a> keeps a plush throw blanket<\/a> in his car for his kids (or me!), and it\u2019s soooooo nice on long drives. If that\u2019s not a life pro tip<\/a>, I don\u2019t know what is.<\/p>\n

P.S. More fun things<\/a>, and do you hang photos of your friends in your home<\/a>?<\/p>\n

(Top photo by Stephen Shore<\/a>, 1973. Girl photo by Holly Andres for The New Yorker.)<\/p>\n

\n

\t\t\t<\/p>\n

15<\/span> COMMENTS<\/p>\n

<\/a><\/p>\n<\/section><\/div>\n