“That’s the thing about books. They let you travel without moving your feet.” – Jhumpa Lahiri
READING: This month, I find myself reading two books simultaneously, but not making much progress on either of the them. Both books are a series of memoirs and essays — perfect when I have just a few minutes here and there. Yet if I’m honest, I am suffering from a bit of “reader’s block.” I’m having a hard time focusing enough to become engrossed in a novel. My attention span is shorter than usual as I find myself checking virus stats, social media sites, work emails, etc. Apparently, I’m not alone. According to this Vogue article and another in the most recent issue, “Simply put, during something as stressful as living through a global pandemic, we lose our usual mental flexibility and become highly focused on the source of the threat, making it difficult to lose yourself in another world.” No wonder I haven’t been able to transport myself to Paris via literature these days.
Paris Was Ours — Thirty-two writers share their observations and revelations about the world's most seductive city. “They came to write, to cook, to find love, to study, to raise children, to escape, or to live the way it’s done in French movies; they came from the United States, Canada, and England; from Iran, Iraq, and Cuba; and—a few—from other parts of France. And they stayed, not as tourists, but for a long time; some are still living there. They were outsiders who became insiders, who here share their observations and revelations. Some are well-known writers: Diane Johnson, David Sedaris, Judith Thurman, Joe Queenan, and Edmund White. Others may be lesser known but are no less passionate on the subject.”
The New Parisienne: The Women & Ideas Shaping Paris — “The New Parisienne focuses on one of the city’s most prominent features, its women. Lifting the veil on the mythologized Parisian woman—white, lithe, ever fashionable—Lindsey Tramuta demystifies this oversimplified archetype and recasts the women of Paris as they truly are, in all their complexity…highlighting those who are bucking tradition, making names for themselves, and transforming the city.”
WATCHING:
Disney+ — Yes, we subscribed to watch Hamilton on the 4th of July. I have seen the play, but Eric hasn’t. As predicted, the first few minutes were overwhelming for Eric, but soon, the music and the story pulled him in. We will probably cancel Disney+ at the end of this month, but I think I’ll watch the musical one more time. Since we have it for the month of July, we did binge on quite a few Disney favorites and new-to-us films, including Toy Story 4, Inside Out, Ratatouille, Finding Dory, The Muppet Movie, The Princess Bride, Herbie the Love Bug, Mystic Pizza, Miracle, and Sister Act. Now, here’s a fun game: Which movies do you think I chose and which were Eric’s choices? We certainly got our $6.99 worth this month. Do you have any recommendations before we cancel our subscription later this month?
Tom Hanks movies — Sleepless in Seattle is on Netflix this month. I had it on in the background as I was working on something. After just a few minutes, Eric came it to watch it too. Suggestions for other Tom Hanks movies were featured at the end of the film, including two of my favorites, You’ve Got Mail (wow, technology sure has changed since 1998!) and, of course, Forrest Gump. Suddenly, we were down a Tom Hanks rabbit hole: Greyhound, Bridge of Spies, Splash, the afore mentioned Toy Story 4, and The Circle (talk about radical technology!).
Radioactive (Prime) — “Pioneer - Rebel - Genius. Radioactive is incredible, true-story of Marie Curie and her Nobel Prize-winning work that changed the world…” (IMDb). It’s interesting, beautifully filmed, charming, inspiring, heartbreaking, and tragic.
Eurovision Song Contest: The Story of Fire Saga (Netflix) — “When aspiring musicians Lars Erickson and Sigrit Ericksdottir are given the opportunity to represent their country at the world's biggest song competition, they finally have a chance to prove that any dream worth having is a dream worth fighting for" (IMDb). OK, I know! This is not “my kind of film.” I am not a fan of most SNL alum projects nor do I usually enjoy Rachel McAdams (she is the weak link in my beloved Midnight in Paris), but I am a proud Scandinavian American with both a passion for the culture and traditions of my ancestors as well as a sense of humor about the trolls, elves, lutefisk, and ABBA. I actually really enjoyed this movie. As you would imagine with Will Farrell, the humor was sometimes puerile and over-the-top, but it was still quite funny, the scenery in Iceland and Scotland was gorgeous, and the music was really good. If you do watch it, let me know what you think. Oh, and Downton Abbey fans, it took me a while, but I finally figure out who played Alexander Lemtov!
OK, apparently I have at least a 2-hour attention span, enough time to watch a lot of movies (all while multitasking, of course)!
LISTENING TO:
Our wedding playlist to celebrate our 15th anniversary on July 22nd. Due to the pandemic, we stayed close to home this year. We enjoyed a lovely cocktail on the porch at I.d. (mine was gin, lavender, and lemon) before returning home to a picnic, music, champagne, and stargazing from our deck. We even saw the Neowise comet.
Music al fresco — We had been shopping for a good outdoor, wireless, bluetooth speaker and finally landed on the JBL Flip 5. It arrived in time for our anniversary celebration and the sound is wonderful (just ask our neighbors! ;)
ENJOYING: The same things I mentioned last month:
Our gardens — although they are more green than white theses days as the limelight hydrangeas begin to take over. New photos to come!
Our deck: The lower level and stairs are finished, and aside from a few touch-ups, the project is finally complete. When our furniture arrived from Wayfair, there was a flaw on the coffee table. They immediately rectified the situation by sending us a new one and a new bench too. So now we have two! More seating is great, but we have to figure out how to store all the cushions. Now that the deck project is over, Eric will be designing deck storage as well as a wood crib to store our firewood by the back patio.
Lavender lattes, chilled Vouvray, Chablis, and elderflower cocktails
My lovely, grown-up beagle who is healthy and happy this summer and gets sweeter everyday! Bisous, Piper Marie!
PLANNING:
I have spent most of the summer helping to plan for what school will look like in the fall. I’m on both the technology and instruction teams. It’s a daunting task especially since plans could change at a moment’s notice (and then change again).
Summer Professional Development — Authentic and Relevant Assessments, Blended Learning, and Canvas PD, all in our currently fully virtual setting.
FEELING: Anxious. As August looms and Covid 19 cases in our area and across the country continue to rise at an alarming rate, it’s impossible to predict the atmosphere when school begins. Despite everything that teachers, coaches, and administrators have been planning all summer, situations may change for better or for worse. I’m sure most educators will admit to losing sleep as summer ends, but this year, anxieties are definitely heightened. I have my own concerns and I also receive daily texts from other teachers who are worried and upset. Obviously, there is nothing that we can do to control the virus, nor do we make the unenviable decisions that impact the physical, mental, and emotional well-being of students, families, community members, and fellow educators. We can, however, control our own reactions toward the decisions that are made and the situations that we find ourselves facing. Last night, a colleague shared this TedTalk (“Own Your Behaviours, Master Your Communication, Determine Your Success” | Louise Evans). It is a powerful and uplifting message that I hope will help others like me.
