The Wednesday List
I’m so energized by the announcement of Kamala Harris as Joe Biden’s running mate, and am determined to do what I can to make her the first Black woman of Indian descent (so many firsts in there!) to become Vice President of the United States. The more I learn about her, the more I am convinced she is the right person for the job, especially at this particular time. Biden-Harris is the ticket that can put our country on a much-needed path to equality and justice, and return qualities that have been sorely lacking for the past four years: compassion, intelligence and a focus on science, education and facts. I can’t wait to send in my ballot.
Speaking of strong women, Michelle Obama presents a new episode of her wonderful Spotify podcast today — and every Wednesday. Just hearing her voice is comforting, and she’s so real, you’ll feel like you’re listening to your BFF (you wish). Last week, she talked about feeling down these days — like so many of us — and today she’s talking about women’s health. Tune in.
Michael and I watched some more strong women in To Walk Invisible: The Bronte Sisters, which was fascinating and made me want to re-read their work. What was most revealing is the fact that the movie, in many ways, is mostly about their brother — which pretty much perfectly represents the invisibility of women in those days and the reason these three brilliant writers had to pretend they were men in order to get their novels published.
Another woman writer I’ve been listening to on Audible is Tara Westover, whose memoir, Educated is a must-read/listen. Growing up in the mountains of Idaho in a survivalist family, she didn’t attend school until she was 17 years old but somehow managed to get herself to Harvard and Cambridge University. Her story is often shocking and, ultimately, empowering.
I also finally read Colson Whitehead’s Pulitzer Prize-winning The Nickel Boys, which I devoured in a weekend because it was impossible to put down this devastating yet hopeful novel. The story is timely and powerful, and, oh, the man can write. I definitely want to read his (also Pulitzer Prize-winning) The Underground Railroad next.
Because my husband is a pizza aficionado, we were very excited to learn about Talia di Napoli, which delivers pizza straight from Naples, Italy! We made pizza in Naples on a Viking cruise excursion years ago and still talk about that experience. So we immediately ordered the Creative Pack – three Margherita pizzas and four mozzarella pizzas. They came perfectly frozen via FedEx and they were DELICIOUS. In fact, they were so good, we ordered them for our kids, as well, and are ready to place another order for ourselves! If you want to treat yourself, you can get $5 off using this link.
I’ve really been enjoying One Day University classes, and you can register for some great free ones through AARP. Today they’re presenting Four Memorable Musicals that Changed Broadway, which I’m looking forward to. I’m assuming my obsession, Hamilton, will be included in there!
That gorgeous kitchen in the photo above is totally made of glass beads by Liza Lou, and was part of the “Making Knowing: Craft in Art, 1950-2019” exhibition at the Whitney Museum of American Art. I’m so glad I got to see it in person right before the pandemic hit, and you can read all about it and see way better photos of this stunning installation on the museum’s website.
Keep those emails coming! Please share The Wednesday List with your friends, and encourage them to subscribe here. Let me know what you’d like to see by emailing me.
Until next week,
Lois
xo
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