READING:
The Widow Clicquot: The Story of a Champagne Empire and the Woman Who Ruled It — “The Widow Clicquot is the New York Times bestselling business biography of the visionary young widow who built a champagne empire, became a legend in her tumultuous times, and showed the world how to live with style. Tilar J. Mazzeo brings to life the woman behind the label, Barbe-Nicole Clicquot Ponsardin, in this utterly intoxicating book that is as much a fascinating journey through the process of making this temperamental wine as a biography of a uniquely tempered and fascinating woman” (Goodreads).
WATCHING:
11.22.63 — “Imagine having the power to change history. Would you journey down the “rabbit hole?" This eight –part event series follows Jake Epping (James Franco), an ordinary high school teacher, presented with the unthinkable mission of traveling back in time to prevent the assassination of John F. Kennedy on November 22, 1963. Jake travels to the past in order to solve the most enduring mystery of the 20th century: who killed JFK, and could it have been stopped? But as Jake will learn, the past does not want to be changed. And trying to divert the course of history may prove fatal” (Hulu).
McCartney 3, 2, 1 — “Paul McCartney sits down for a rare in-depth one on one with Rick Rubin to discuss his groundbreaking work with The Beatles, the emblematic 70s arena-rock of Wings, and his 50 years and counting as a solo artist, in this six-episode series that explores music and creativity in a unique and revelatory manner. Join Paul and Rick for an intimate conversation about the musicianship, songwriting, ingenuity, influences, and personal relationships that informed the iconic songs that have served as the soundtracks of our lives” (Hulu).
FEELING:
Blurry, exhausted, and unattractive — The terrible EKC virus that infected both of my eyes the last week of school returned just in time for our anniversary. And, to make matter’s worse, I also developed an ulcer in my left eye. Finally, after almost two weeks of antibiotic drops, steroid drops, lubricating drops, hypochloric acid spray, ice packs, coconut oil for pealing eyelids, and daily trips to the eye doctor to test my pressure and vision, I think that I’ve finally recovered. I really wish I knew what caused it and I hope that this terrible ordeal doesn’t reoccur yet again.
August — All educators feel the shift, some around mid-August, other’s as soon as the calendar turns over, yet this summer, the back-to-school pressure started just after the 4th of July. I have so many meeting and PD sessions to prepare for and facilitate that I’m trying hard not to feel overwhelmed. I hope that stress doesn’t contribute to the aforementioned eye issues.
ENJOYING:
Two mini getaways — We enjoyed an overnight trip to Door County the second weekend in July. We saw friends and relatives, enjoyed great food, incredible sunsets, hiking, and even an unexpected afternoon of sailing. The following weekend, we finally visited Nan and Mark in the North Woods. Everything there was beautiful and peaceful and their home is so lovely.
