And that is enough.
We See Life
Considering New Yorker this past week was the Style and Design edition, I am amazed at how much I enjoyed it. The last article is a critique on a new book on an editor of magazines, Graydon Carter, a man I have, of course, never heard of. But the article, a wandering amidst his life and work, was a treat giving me a view into the world of magazines during the time of my youth, right up to now, my reading of NYer.
The first bit is exactly how I talk about so many of my readings. And the last, coming at the end, where, so often, New Yorker hits their marks spot on, hits its mark on the 'golden age' and what, sadly, could come to pass.
An edition finished, and yet another in the box today. Love my morning reading!
Snippet
I read New Yorker from cover to cover (except for the fiction). Whether reporting or reviewing, it's all great writing. And so, still from the latest edition, come two more.
The first, a review of a book on gossiping. It was the positives of gossip that most interested me, probably since any adult should, at least hopefully, understand the pitfalls and horrors of the negatives. How we gossip, who we gossip to and how we use that gossip matters. Over the years I have become ever more careful. It can be spiteful and harmful.
The second, on a new novel, Perfection, long listed for the Booker Prize, is probably a bit above me. Who knows if I'll read it; short on action, it might not be for me, but the analogy at the end is spot on. Decades ago I met someone who, only after our first night did I realize what a wonderful person and friend they would become. I've never forgotten that, and here was this to remind me of that.
Snippets
My morning reading of New Yorker gifts me, always, new knowledge in wonderful reading. Yesterday was no exception.
First, it was an article on a singer that, probably, anyone younger than me has heard of, Lucy Dacus and a band she's made a record with. And, surprisingly, if I remember correctly (and that's a big if), I've seen one of the bandmates at festivals, Phoebe Bridgers, so felt pretty cool and with it (wink, wink). But, it was the lyrics highlighted in the article that I connected to.
There was one other bit I enjoyed. In 1919, after an affair ended, Stout wrote a poem, not as nice as the lyics from Dacus, but still wonderful to read. I laughed and continued reading, only to find out that as life has a way of doing, it comes back at us. Stout and the man who broke it off, came together again to live out their lives.
Love comes; we just don't always know how or when or for how long.
Snippets
I'd agree. You know the kind, the ones who say, "Back in my day..." and believe it.
But I'm Not and I Don't.
Another wonderful women's week was had and but a memory now. Eight women talking, laughing and enjoying our time together. Wonderful!
Off the Trail
...it was cards and laughter at night while enjoying our various drinks. For me, it was a new foray into Jameson for my after dinner drink....before a couple more beers. In the mornings and any other time we wanted, we had three jigsaw puzzles to work on and finish. One day, a day that could have been/should have been a disaster of various plannings (skating on the canal, museum visit, and lunch), turned into, instead, a day of laughter, with wind and cold and parking fiascos. Only one made it skating and two to the museum, but all of us had fun. We women know how to laugh for sure.
On the Trail
...I was able to have skiing one-on one-with three different ladies, lucky me, and then a solo ski and walk also. Focusing on the ski, I found notable buildings and the serenity of the trail, and then, what a treat, hockey!
Looking out at the river, I saw a pick-up game. I stopped and watched. I'm sure there are parts of the USA that still has people outside enjoying the cold, but for me, I don't see it that often. It was a sight for sore eyes.
My walk took me much farther out than I thought, but I so wanted the old electric pole I'd seen on one of my other one-on ones. Finding it (can you see it? Appreciate it?), I was able to also take a photo of found artwork, a small but wonderful looking cottage/boathouse, and the markers that explained how much I'd walked, answer being, a lot! Then, to end my walk, a snow gnome. Walking alone in the woods at twilight was magical.
The week was especially good because there had been a few who'd questioned their ability to come and yet, all made it. Perfect!
Ottawa
The GOP has fallen in line, for now. If they ever need to stand independently, will they, though? That is the question. They're in power but have abdicated all said power to Trump and Musk.
Not that the democrats have found their footing either. Wringing their hands and mulling the past still, most can't stand and speak their minds. And that's all they should be doing: standing for what's right and highlighting what's wrong while giving no help to the other side, unless they are given their due.
Take the budget vote this week. Should the democrats help to pass it? If they're not given some real concessions, no they shouldn't. They need to let the chips fall where they fall, and then remind all that the GOP was in charge, often and emphatically.
Who's in Charge?
Last week I subbed for a high school government teacher, a wonderful educator. Unfortunately, she had me watch the State of the Union Speech given by Voldemort, oh, I mean, the president. I had specifically not watched it (I just don't have the stomach for him), and I was worried that I wasn't competent to be in charge of such a volatile subject with students. The teacher helping me to set up told me, though, that the fans of the president were, for the most, part pretty intimidated in speaking out.
While I believe people are misguided at best and willfully ignorant or worse at worst for believing in the man and his minions, I felt badly for those students. My empathy beat my politics.
But, isn't it funny, then, when this came to me from my relative. I felt badly while one of the minions feels nothing but contempt.
Today and Yesterday
This morning, while dark, was another view of spring: a windless, quiet, clear morning.
Shoes
