Hey ho!
It feels like every time I send you a watch.listen.snack. email I’m fighting an uphill battle with laughter and light. The world right now, under the thumb of SCOTUS, seems frightening. In the + column, I am proud to have my abortion story up at The Today Show newsletter. In it I talk about my mother’s inability to get an abortion in 1961 and the hardships she suffered, right alongside my ability to get an abortion in 1988 and how that access made me a better woman, wife and mother. (My title for the piece was “Abortion: A Love Story”) Here’s my mother and father, in 1959.
In yoga this morning I came up with the idea that I need an FOL: Fortress of Light. How about you? We only get one go round, thus I’m going to fight hard to make it happy enough.
Did you catch this op-ed in the NYTs: How I Build a Good Day When I’m Full of Despair at the World I’ll admit, she almost lost me when she spoke about drinking her coffee and staring out at the lake—without recognizing her privilege. A lot of us stare out at our neighbor’s house, or cars parked on the street. If you can overlook her the blind spot, there’s good advice. Indeed the world is both terrible and beautiful.
How’s this little gem for your FOL? Ringtone Dance Moves. I know! And then there was a piece in the times about taking up a hobby as a way to front load for joy, and I thought, maybe I should make my own dance moves? My own ringtones? Do you have a hobby? Is it a little weird? Do tell!
watch
A pal recommended CHA CHA REAL SMOOTH and boy am I glad they did! I don’t want to give any spoilers, so I’ll just say, this movie had a GIANT heart. I loved that it busted from the entertainment stereotypes that most men are either sitcom dufuses (Homer Simpson), or misogynistic jerks (Don Draper). Honestly, I found myself stuck in the training American movies and tv have provided me, I was waiting for violence that didn’t arrive, for cruelty. I also love that mental health issues, though present, were not center stage. People simply live with their mental health struggles, like real life. Do watch. It’s on Apple+.
Emma Thompson in GOOD LUCK TO YOU, LEO GRANDE is spectacular. I loved this movie. In case you don’t know, it’s about a woman in her 60s who hires a sex worker because she’s never had an orgasm. If you’d like to expand your way of thinking regarding sex work, women’s bodies, crossing boundaries, sincere and life affirming apologies, self-acceptance (and dare I say the revolutionary concept of SELF-LOVE), stream it on HULU. Here’s a wonderful interview with Thompson.
listen
We’ve been to two concerts. SAMARA JOY won the 2019 Sarah Vaughan International Jazz Vocal Competition. Of course she did! Her voice is thrilling, her band is terrific and she was a joy to watch.
Also, TROMBONE SHORTY! He has the summer vibe I want in my FOL (Fortress of Light, remember from up top?)! We danced our butts off!
Finally, do you have a theme song? You know, the song you’d want playing ahead of your entrance to a party, the grocery store, your favorite coffee house? I’ve had different ones at different times in my life. For a while I was really into this! (Please, do yourself a favor and click on the link!) Lately I’ve been into LADY BRI’s, Do What I Do. How about you? I think we need to make a playlist! Send me your song and I’ll share the list in another letter. Please! Do it. I’m excited to build it.
snack
We’ve got this salad on repeat!
Sugar Snap Pea Salad w/Radishes, Feta & Mint
(a riff on a NYTs recipe)
- ¾ c sliced radishes
- 1 ¼ c sugar snap peas, sliced
- 1 c feta cheese, crumbled
- ½ c mint leaves, torn
- 1 clove garlic, minced
- Pinch kosher salt, more to taste
- 1 T freshly squeezed lemon juice
- 1 t balsamic vinegar
- 3 T extra virgin olive oil
- Freshly ground black pepper to taste
- In a large bowl, toss radishes, peas, feta and mint.
- Using a the side of a knife make a paste of the garlic and salt. Place in a small bowl and add the lemon juice and balsamic vinegar and stir well to combine. Drizzle in the olive oil, stirring constantly, and add pepper to taste.
- Pour dressing over salad and toss well to combine.
- Taste and add more salt and pepper if necessary.
Happy Living!
xN
