While planning a fall gathering, I read through Jenny’s post about grown-up party activities. This comment from Elizabeth made me laugh: “One night, my friends and I tried to draw, freehand, a map 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’s 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.” Now I’m curious to try — might bring out paper and pencils at dinner tonight!

What work pants do you wear? Readers are always asking for recs, and I have a really good one: Modern Citizen. They’re all beautiful, especially the barrel leg trouser and this pair with a drawstring. (They’d also make great travel pants.)

While traveling for work, I read “Lost Child,” Joyce Carol Oates’s short story in the New Yorker. It was tough but compelling, and the opening lines immediately pack a punch: “He said, Come with me! Take Daddy’s hand. How all the stories begin. A large hand lowered, your small hand lifted.” The story stayed in my mind for the rest of the trip.

Finally, Freddie keeps a plush throw blanket in his car for his kids (or me!), and it’s soooooo nice on long drives. If that’s not a life pro tip, I don’t know what is.

P.S. More fun things, and do you hang photos of your friends in your home?

(Top photo by Stephen Shore, 1973. Girl photo by Holly Andres for The New Yorker.)