“And may the best of your todays be the worst of your tomorrows…” — Jason Mraz, “Have It All”
READING:
The Paris Hours — “Paris between the wars teems with artists, writers, and musicians, a glittering crucible of genius. But amidst the dazzling creativity of the city’s most famous citizens, four regular people are each searching for something they’ve lost.” (Goodreads) Josephine Baker, Gertrude Stein, Sylvia Beach, and, of course, Ernest Hemingway — I wanted to love this book; I didn’t.
Running with Sherman — A heartwarming story about training a rescue donkey to run one of the most challenging races in America. “Part animal love story, part adventure book, part feminist running manifesto, and part scientific exploration into healing….” It’s our Pewaukee School District One Community One Book Summer 2020 book. It heartwarming, informative, entertaining, and illustrates all six PSD Graduate Profile competencies — Connect, Create, Connect, Commit, Compete, and Care. Watch this one-minute video to meet Sherman.
WATCHING:
INXS Live Baby Live on PBS — A stunning concert from London’s Wembley Stadium filmed live in 1991
Grantchester Season 5 on PBS — “It’s 1957, and Will Davenport has settled into his role as the vicar of Grantchester, preaching to a packed church. His best friend, Detective Inspector Geordie Keating, has come to accept his wife Cathy’s commitment to her job – just about. Mrs C. happily juggles her roles as the vicarage housekeeper and being a well-to-do married woman, and after a trip to Marrakech, even Leonard has managed to carve out some happiness with Daniel. But Will’s faith will be thoroughly tested as he and Geordie are reminded once more that there’s darkness lurking in their little corner of Cambridgeshire….” I do miss Sidney, but I like Will too.
Frankie Drake Mysteries on PBS — “Set in 1920s Toronto, the series follows the adventures of Frankie Drake and her partner Trudy Clarke at Drake Private Detectives, the city’s only all-female detective agency, as they find themselves fighting crime in the age of flyboys, gangsters, rum-runners, and speakeasies.” We saw a commercial about the current season featuring Coco Chanel and were immediately intrigued. This show is fun and light — almost like a Dick Tracy comic book. The clothes, the shoes, the hats, the hairstyles — it’s total eye candy! Season one features a young Ernest Hemingway working for the Toronto Star. It’s historically accurate, but the actor who plays Hemingway is more reminiscent of F. Scott Fitzgerald, and I really don’t think “Hemmy” (What?!) would wear a white suit with a baby blue shirt and pastel tie. Nevertheless, Frankie is perfectly lots of fun and perfectly binge-worthy.
LISTENING TO:
This song as we finish an unprecedented school year.
ENJOYING:
My flower gardens — It has been wonderful to see the changes each day while I have been home. So often, I’m so busy at school while the things are blooming. This year, I really got to appreciate them. I loved the trillium, the Tina crab and red bud trees, the bearded white and Siberian iris. They are all finished now, but the Chardonnay Pearls are a profusion of white blossoms. Next up: roses and hydrangea.
Peonies — My peonies were beautiful this year; that is, until a strong storm bashed them all to the ground (the daisies too). Even if it was only a week or a few days, watching your flowers grow and bloom is a special treat.
Our deck — It’s been a long time planning and a lot of work (mostly for Eric), but our “outdoor living room” is so pleasant. I love to sit there coffee in the morning, a book in the late afternoon, a glass of wine or a cocktail in the evening…
Speaking of cocktails, my favorite drink this summer is an Elderflower French 75 — St. Germain, gin, lemon juice, and Champagne. Cheers!
A long weekend in Door County with family — taking proper PPE and social distancing precautions of course. Photos to come…
