“White is not a mere absence of color; it is a shining and affirmative thing, as fierce as red, as definite as black. God paints in many colors; but He never paints so gorgeously, I had almost said so gorgeously, as when He paints in white.” — G K Chesterton
“Spring being a tough act to follow, God created June.” — Al Bernstein
READING:
Books:
Life Moves Pretty Fast: The Lessons We Learned From Eighties Movies by Hadley Freeman — “From how John Hughes discovered Molly Ringwald, to how the friendship between Dan Aykroyd and John Belushi influenced the evolution of comedy, and how Eddie Murphy made America believe that race can be transcended, this is a ‘highly personal, witty love letter to eighties movies, but also an intellectually vigorous, well-researched take on the changing times of the film industry’ (The Guardian)” (Goodreads).
Inspired by Paris: Why Borrowing from the French Is Better Than Being French by Jordan Phillips — “Filled with historical tidbits, motivational nuggets, and honest insight, chapters such as “La Vie Est Belle,” “The Paris Syndrome,” and “Jacques-in-the-Box” reveal the truth of what it’s really like to live in the most beautiful city in the world.
Whether you’re headed to Paris next week or never make it there at all, this chatty and information-packed book will introduce you to the real City of Light—beyond the fantasy of the Instagram version” (Goodreads)
That's Paris: An Anthology of Life, Love and Sarcasm in the City of Light by Vicki Lesage — “If you've ever traveled to Paris, lived in the City of Light or dreamed of setting foot on its cobblestoned streets, you'll enjoy escaping into this collection of short stories about France's famed capital. From culinary treats (and catastrophes) to swoon-worthy romantic encounters (and heartbreaking mishaps), this anthology takes you on a journey through one of the most famous cities in the world. View this cosmopolitan metropolis through the chic eyes of Parisians, francophiles and travelers who fell in love with the city and haven't quite gotten around to leaving yet…” (Goodreads).
Links:
Hollywood’s Brat Pack They’re Rob, Emilio, Sean, Tom, Judd, and the rest — the young movie stars you can’t quite keep straight by David Blum (New York Magazine - June 10, 1985) — The original article that inspired Andrew McCarthy’s Brats documentary (below).
10 Reasons Milwaukee Is Not a ‘Horrible City’ (Milwaukee Magazine)
Book Girl Summer: Why Fashion Brands are Leaning into the Literary World (Vogue Business)
WATCHING:
Bridgerton and Queen Charlotte (Netflix) — I caved to peer pressure on this, but I did find it really interesting to think of what it was like to be a woman 200 years ago. I especially enjoyed the characters, the architecture, and the interpretation of modern music.
Brats (Hulu) — Directed by Andrew McCarthy, Brats explores the Brat Pack, a group of young actors who frequently appeared together in coming-of-age films, and the impact on their lives and careers.
LISTENING TO — June Instapuzzle Mini-Playlist:
These are Days (10,000 Maniacs)
Everyday I Write the Book (Elvis Costello)
Under the Sea (Samuel E. Wright, The Little Mermaid)
Suis-moi (Hans Zimmer, Camille)
Good Day Sunshine (The Beatles)
La Mer (Charles Trenet)
Theme from A Summer Place (Percy Faith)
Happy Little Things (Holly Kluge)
Island in the Sun (Weezer)
ENJOYING: A slower pace — School’s out, and although I do have to go in throughout the summer, especially toward the end of July and August, it has been nice to disconnect these past couple of weeks. It’s so pleasant to linger over coffee in the morning, to have a perpetually clean house since I have time to keep it that way, and to spend time reading, listening to podcasts and music, taking pictures, and of course, snuggling with Piper.
"Purple puts us in touch with the part of ourselves that is regal. Purple is the queen in all women; it helps us keep our backs straight and heads held high." — Byllye Avery
“If all flowers wanted to be roses, nature would lose her springtime beauty and the fields would no longer be decked out with little wildflowers.” - Saint Thérèse of Lisieux
Door County stretches a mere 40 miles from Sturgeon Bay north to Ellison Bay, yet each park features very different terrain and vegetation.
We enjoyed ferns, lilacs, columbine and wild strawberry blossoms in Potawatomie State Park in Sturgeon Bay
Peninsula State Park in Fish Creek and Ephraim was blooming with trillium, columbine, and forget-me-nots.
Ellison Bay Bluff County Park had a lovely variety of forget-me-nots, yellow violets, star flowers, and merrybells.
We were a little early for lady slippers. We spotted lots of their distinctive foliage, but I only found one brave blossom starting to emerge.
Cherry blossoms were in peak season throughout the peninsula.
I can never decide whether I prefer spring or fall in Door County. I’m so luck that I never have to choose.
“And all the world is glad with May.” — John Burroughs
READING:
The French Ingredient: A Memoir by Jane Bertch — “The French Ingredient is the story of a young female entrepreneur building a life in a city and culture she grew to love. As she built La Cuisine, Bertch learned how to flirt, how to project confidence, and how to give it right back to rude waiters. Having finally made peace with the city she swore never to revisit, she now offers a love letter to France, and a master class in Parisian cooking—and living” (Goodreads).
Flâneur: The Art of Wandering the Streets of Paris by Federico Castigliano — “A man walks the streets of Paris, alone and without a destination. He travels long avenues of great buildings, loses himself in the crowds at the Grands Magasins. Wrapped up in a black overcoat, he wanders the city restlessly. But what is he looking for? Where is he going? This book teaches you how lose yourself in the it contains stories of promenades and urban adventures, stories of dandies and flâneurs… It contains information regarding characters, authors and artists who have wandered the streets of Paris. By reading these pages you will discover the secrets of flânerie, the noble art of wandering without a destination” (Goodreads)
Hemingway's Paris by John Baxter — “John Baxter evokes the French capital as it was between 1921 and 1926, when Hemingway lived there, and provides a unique insider's guide to the city he knew and loved” (Goodreads).
The Paris Effect and Paris Ever After by K.S.R. Burns — “Through her adventures, laced with luscious descriptions of food and Paris, Amy learns that often in life, love and friendship, nothing is exactly as it seems. Grab a croissant and settle in for a decidedly non-touristy trip to the City of Light” (Goodreads). I really didn’t like the first book (Amy and everyone around her are rather unlikable), yet it ended with a cliff-hanger that compelled me to read the sequel. I have a trial of Kindle Unlimited, so pourquoi pas?
WATCHING: A family of sand hill cranes who moved into our neighborhood — Mom, dad, and two babies have been strolling and grazing in our yard and around the block. Every once and a while, the babies spread their wings and jump around a bit. Are these beginner flying lessons?
LISTENING TO:
A lot of ABBA — What can I say? I just love it.
May Instapuzzle Mini Playlist:
Purple Irises (Gwen Stefani + Blake Shelton)
Macarons (Charlène)
Lavender Fields (James Quinn)
Lovely Day (Bill Withers)
The Lusty Month of May (Julie Andrews)
My Girl (The Temptations)
Purple Rain (Prince and the Revolution)
What a Wonderful World (Louis Armstrong)
Bistro Fada (Midnight in Paris Soundtrack)
ENJOYING: Beautiful spring blossoms in Door County and in my garden.
LOOKING FORWARD TO: The end of the 2023-2024 school year, but June 14th seems so far away.
“Happiness? The color of it must be spring green.” - Frances Mayes
Springtime in my garden features some of my favorite perenniels and wildflowers.
The white trillium are my favorite.
More native Wisconsin wildflowers: May apples, hepatica, ferns, and red trillium (above) blood root and violets below
Virginia blue bells
White bleeding hearts (abore) and lilies of the valley (below)
The first bearded iris of the season
“Bertine” (Tina crab apple tree) in bloom - IYKYK
Windflowers, candy tuft, white hostas (above) and pink peonies (below)
