Two Zoom calls this past Tuesday, in the morning with Nancy and Judi, and the evening with Brian, Robby, Reba, Dave, Nancy, and myself. A patio visit with Reba Wednesday afternoon, followed by our regular Parlour Vegan trip (at this rate, I am working my way, happily, through their menu... :-) Another visit with Nancy to SusanP's place at the beach. thankyoujesus, the water was calmer, but there was lots of seaweed plus a heat advisory (felt like 105!), which motivated me to order some watershoes for the next time (thanks for the idea, Nance!). Heavily immersed in the novel American Dirt, which has had its share of controversy but is stunningly written and deeply engrossing. Leftovers for dinner tonight. Same old, same old. So close to finishing the clearing/organization of the guest room closet. Entertaining or having company would provide the impetus to just get it done, but no guests on the horizon, obviously. Just the two of us since March 13. As long as we can get Instacart groceries, a weekly meal (Chinese or Italian), and the occasional Amazon need-du-jour delivered, I'm okay with the limited face-to-face company.
As is tradition, five items below of beauty, interest, and humor to brighten your day/weekend/week. Enjoy!
~ Padma Lakshmi Finds a New Voice, Amplifying the Voices of Others: “Taste the Nation” is her new series on Hulu, with 10 episodes that collectively expand and redefine the meaning of American food.
~ Rhinestone masks and $9 hand sanitizer: A COVID-19 store just opened at Aventura Mall: Welcome to the COVID-19 pop-up store. May we take your temperature?
~ Who’s in the Running to Be Joe Biden’s Vice President?: Here are 13 women who have been under consideration by Mr. Biden, and why each might be chosen — and might not be.
~ Although James Corden, Reggie Watts and The Muppets can't be together in a studio, the group comes together on video chat to sing The Beatles classic "With a Little Help from My Friends." Sing along with Kermit, Fozzie, Miss Piggy, Swedish Chef, Animal, Gonzo and so many more.
~ Virtual benefit concert to assist Academy of Music Theatre: Some of the Pioneer Valley’s most notable musicians will virtually gather to perform songs that celebrate summer and raise funds for Northampton’s oldest performing arts venue. “Summer Songs: A Virtual Benefit Concert for Northampton’s Academy of Music Theatre” will take place on July 1 at 8 p.m. and be live-streamed through the theater’s Facebook and YouTube pages. The concert will feature performances from Valley favorites such as Dar Williams, Martin Sexton, Mark Mulcahy, Heather Maloney, Winterpills, and more.
P.S. Confession Time. Yes, I consider myself a folkie, not quite going as far back as The Kingston Trio and The Limeliters, but definitely a fan of Peter, Paul, and Mary... then on to Joni, Joan, Crosby Stills and Nash, etc. (speaking of, I highly recommend Laurel Canyon, the two-part documentary on the Epix channel). Weirdly, I never felt drawn to John Denver, who I considered too pop/syrupy for my taste. Only just discovered today's post-titled song when I watched Banding Together: A Concert for the Colorado Music Relief Fund, when Dave Matthews covered it. Apologies to John Denver for underestimating his songwriting abilities. Mind blown.
SONG: Take Me to Tomorrow by John Denver (cover by Dave Matthews Band)
BOOK: Tomorrow: Adventures in an Uncertain World by Bradley Trevor Greive
POEM: Weather by Claudia Rankine
On a scrap of paper in the archive is written
I have forgotten my umbrella. Turns out
in a pandemic everyone, not just the philosopher,
is without. We scramble in the drought of information
held back by inside traders. Drop by drop. Face
covering? No, yes. Social distancing? Six feet
under for underlying conditions. Black.
Just us and the blues kneeling on a neck
with the full weight of a man in blue.
Eight minutes and forty-six seconds.
In extremis, I can’t breathe gives way
to asphyxiation, to giving up this world,
and then mama, called to, a call
to protest, fire, glass, say their names, say
their names, white silence equals violence,
the violence of again, a militarized police
force teargassing, bullets ricochet, and civil
unrest taking it, burning it down. Whatever
contracts keep us social compel us now
to disorder the disorder. Peace. We’re out
to repair the future. There’s an umbrella
by the door, not for yesterday but for the weather
that’s here. I say weather but I mean
a form of governing that deals out death
and names it living. I say weather but I mean
a November that won’t be held off. This time
nothing, no one forgotten. We are here for the storm
that’s storming because what’s taken matters.
QUOTE: “That is the whole thing with the future. You don’t know. At some point you have to accept that you don’t know. You have to stop flicking ahead and just concentrate on the page you are on.” ~ Matt Haig
