Today and tomorrow/April 30

A Golden Coffin

It is especially cruel for the seniors who sold their homes and moved into the luxurious living facilities in and around Chicago.  These are places with every amenity: spacious dining rooms, exercise facilities, lectures, games, movies, gardens. Now, when I talk to Ruth, she is deeply sad.  Confined to her apartment, food brought to her door.  No visitors.  It’s a little better for Lori.  She is allowed to leave her complex and come back. 

Love in the Time of Corona

My friend Lail and her companion Dick found a happier solution.  He broke out of the confinement of his senior home and moved in with Lail.  I’m sure it was an adjustment for them both, but if love finds a way, isn’t that worth everything?

Julia’s idea for face mask company name:  “Let’s Face It”.

Goat Wars

I got some blowback from Jim supporting his home town "bad boys."  My Detroit sports loyalty goes only to the Tigers -- my childhood friends.  I reminded my nephew that Chicago forgives Michael for everything.

today and tomorrow/April 29

It Ain’t Over Till . . .

In the absence of anything “live” in sports, a zombie feud refuses to die:  the G.O.A.T. and the “Goat” —  Michael Jordan vs. Isiah Thomas.

Isiah has been whining all over cable since The Last Dance showed his cowardly exit from the 1991 Eastern Conference finals.  Sorry, this home town boy will always “live in infamy” in Chicago.  

Wanna Buy a Mask?

Everyone’s selling them:  Northwestern has a purple one; Bonnie’s favorite non-profits —Project Onward and Glessner House — have them; a lady in my building is selling some colorful ones for $6.  I will add to the pile with a reference to this article on where to buy masks.   It seems to be well informed.

Article: https://www.huffpost.com/entry/where-to-buy-face-masks-for-coronavirus_l_5ea2f833c5b669fd8923b316?utm_campaign=share_email&ncid=other_email_o63gt2jcad4

today and tomorrow/April 28

William Horberg Producer

Bill’s film Talk to Me was selected by Atlantic magazine as an “ Unexpected Movie Masterpiece” to watch during lockdown.  It’s one of those true “unexpected heroes” stories. Here’s what the magazine had to say:

TALK TO ME (2007, DIRECTED BY KASI LEMMONS)

Kasi Lemmons, whose most recent work is 2019’s Harriet, has long been one of Hollywood’s most criminally unheralded directors, and Talk to Me never got the wide audience it deserved in 2007. It’s a biopic of the controversial Washington, D.C., radio host Petey Greene (Don Cheadle) that’s unafraid to be messy, reflecting its subject’s surprising rise to fame as someone who fearlessly speaks his mind on the social and political issues of the 1970s. The film is grounded by excellent performances from Cheadle, Taraji P. Henson, and Chiwetel Ejiofor, who plays Greene’s put-upon manager, Dewey Hughes.

watch it on hulu or sling

South Side Smart
Interesting presentations from the Smart Museum of Art.  Check your email.

today and tomorrow/April 27

Delicious Deliveries

The scone and the rye bread are fighting.  “She likes me the best!.”  “No, Joan says I’m No. 1!”  The cherry preserves pipes up:  “As soon as she tastes me, the contest is over.”  In the meantime, the rice pudding and chili smile to themselves.  “Let the rookies squabble."   Chef Chris is content with his Hall of Fame stats.

Another Novel from Stuart

Slowly, night after night, the stars began to disappear.  The sky grew darker and darker.  “Oh my God!” she exclaimed, “what have we done?”

No Clorox Cocktail

If you are interested in "alternative" corona remedies, you might want to look at these suggestions from Whole Health Chicago.  I'm emailing a recent letter.

today and tomorrow/April 26

Tony Judt

Gerry's new blog

This time he addresses the big questions as he remembers a life-defining friend.  I'm sending the blog  via email.

Tony Judt
Tony Judt was a writer and teacher who also asked and examined the big questions.  He was a great contributor to the New York Review of Books.  I have his book Postwar in my kindle and I read it a few chapters at a time.  Judt's life was cut short by Lou Gehrig's Disease in 2010.  A giant loss.  I'm emailing his writing on Albert Camus's The Plague.

Sorry, Andrew Cuomo
I didn't mean to do it this way but I quit New York at exactly the wrong time.  I'm talking about relinquishing my 50+ year subscription to The New Yorker magazine.  The price got too high and settling for online made me sad.  Lail stepped up and mailed me her recent copies.  What a great friend!

Bonnie's Novel
 it was the best of times; it was the worst of times.  hello dolly.  goodbye columbus.

today and tomorrow/April 25

No pollution in Venice

The Earth Fights Back

We’re getting some spectacular pictures of formerly polluted places with clear and beautiful skies.  Milan is coming out of Italy’s lockdown with a sincere effort to transform large areas into car free zones.  Oakland, California has a substantial plan to close streets or change traffic patterns.  It's just one of dozens of communities offering a glimpse of a safer and more sustainable post-pandemic future.

Stuart's Novel

It was desert as far as they could see and in all directions, except where the mountains interrupted the view.   But the desert was alive with wildflowers and cactus and the mountains promised cooler temperatures and protection.  They looked at each other and spoke as one, “I think we’ve found home.”

today and tomorrow/April 24

Multi-Media
Another creative shares his talent during the lockdown:  My nephew Jim from Salt Lake City says he is inspired by Nancy's poem and my friends.  Fabulous!

Stirrie
My friend Rex Burwell, author of Capone, the Cobbs, and Me responded to the three sentence novel challenge with one of his Stirries.  You can find others at Stirries.com.  Thanks!

Spooked by the Trump Plague, we retreated to our childhood home, a desolate sheep-ranch near Area 51 in Nevada, where we discovered the sheep shearers, forced by Presidential edict to start shearing sheep again, had all sickened each other, and us, with close-contact wool bundling. Luckily, right-wing space aliens from Area 51 took pity on us and cured us if we promised to vote Republican, which of course, valuing our hides, we promised. And then there was the whole nasty business in the sheep shearers’ bunkhouse as the place erupted in gunfire (no one injured – hoax gunfire) – merely political and extra-terrestrial Trumpitic campaigning.

today and tomorrow/April 23

Poem for a Pandemic
My friend Nancy, who writes about the culture scene in Chicago, has a new Journal entry.  Very moving.  I have emailed it to you.

Free Testing
There was a notice in Alderman Harry Osterman's newsletter that Swedish Covenant Hospital is offering free corona testing, even if you have no insurance. 

Superfoods
Lisa, our fitness gal, has worked with Deborah Arneson for years.  I'm emailing her list.

Three Sentence Novelists
Thanks to those that wrote!  Here's the first in the series:

Marilyn's Novel

The day that the bells rang too long at St. James Cathedral it was already over. The streets, even Michigan Avenue, were newly disinfected, obscenely clean. That's when they started walking, hundreds of them, unseeing, undead, making a mournful moan, consumed by the virus.

today and tomorrow/April 22

Earth Day

From a distance the world looks blue and green,

and the snow-capped mountains white.

From a distance the ocean meets the stream,

and the eagle takes to flight.

From a distance there is harmony,

and it echoes through the land.

It's the voice of hope, it's the voice of peace,

It's the voice of every man.

Julie Gold  1987

The Earth Comes to Life

For the first time in decades, a bald eagle nests in a saguaro cactus in central Arizona.

Memo to Stuart:  Can you get there to take your own picture?

today and tomorrow/April 21

Write a Three Sentence Novel

From The Atlantic magazine:  In 1906 the critic and activist Felix Feneon wrote more than a thousand “novels in three lines.”  So, I am offering a challenge:  Write a three sentence novel.  While you are getting your words in order, here’s my entry:

She withdrew the knife and stared at the bloody uniform.  Murderer or hero or both? Too late to save them all, but the children who survived the terror will decide.

Your Turn.   I will be your "publisher."

P.S To Gerry, Rex, Bonnie, Sophie, Elaine, Marilyn, Nancy and my other novelists:  Let's have some fun with this during lockdown.

today and tomorrow/April 20

Natalie is going places

Anyone?

Trump did it.  So the Atlantic pundits ask: Could any of these people jump into the White House?  It’s not so crazy a list.  Remember that first Democratic debate? 

Bill Gates 

Donald Trump, Jr. or Ivanka Trump

Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson

Tucker Carlson

John Legend

Peter Thiel

Mark Cuban

Oprah Winfrey

Or, I can’t wait to get my choice (Natalie!) behind the “wheel of state.”

Corona Cuomo

Are you watching Andrew Cuomo every morning?  I am.  Unlike the other guy, he exudes calm, informed leadership while he succeeds in keeping his “inner jerk” under control.  If you want a closer look at today’s unlikely star, I’m emailing this article about the Gov from the New York Review of Books.

today and tomorrow/April 19

Background

Is anyone else paying attention to the home decor of the commentators on TV?  Not as good as a house tour but revealing nonetheless.  Yes, they all seem to want to show off their bookcases, but not always.  So far my favorites are Michael Beschloss’ living room (Scandanavian?) and Elizabeth Warren’s sunroom (wicker?).  The most startling?  The Craig Melvin wallpaper!

Michael's Back
Julia calls me the "sportswriter."  So, I'll mention that the Michael Jordan special series starts tonight on ESPN.  Michael says he's afraid people will think he was too mean.  C'mon Mike, you were the all-time competitor.  Don't go soft on us now.


Inviting Words

My beautiful friend Marilyn says:  "Call anytime."  Sometimes when it gets too quiet, that's really nice to know. I hope my call won't interrupt her workout because she recommends these "Walk at Home" videos on You Tube.

https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=walk+indoors+with+leslie+sansone

today and tomorrow/April 18

Bookshelf — Chapter 4

Melinda says she has a stack of books waiting for her.  I am still on the lookout for enticing ebooks, especially ones I can get from the library.  Annie, our librarian, sent along selections from Pixel of Ink — a free or low cost ebook source.

2005 World Series

I forgot what a nail biter the decisive game was.  A pitcher’s duel which the Sox won 1-0.  The lone run came in the eighth inning.  I loved seeing Ozzie in the dugout. They kept showing Barbara Bush in the stands. I wish they would have shown more of Ann Richards. 

Perfect

Last year, on the 10th anniversary, I watched Mark Buehrle’s perfect game.  I was stunned at how immediate it was.  When DeWayne Wise made the jaw dropping catch that saved it, I was up off of the couch and cheering.

YouTube bends history in unforeseen ways.

today and tomorrow/April 17

Bookshelf — Chapter 3 — 

With libraries closed, access to ebooks is one of my essentials.  I’m so glad for that friendly librarian who helped me get my kindle hooked up last year.  Now, I scan the virtual shelves and pounce when I see a title that’s available for instant download.

If you have a kindle, you probably are aware of Book Bub.  My email pops up everyday with titles for sale.  Many are available for $1.99.  That’s certainly an enticing price. With so many titles, it’s good to get recommendations. Phyllis recommends two titles she saw on Book Bub:  The Woman Who Walked Into Doors by Roddy Doyle and We Are All Completely Beside Ourselves by Karen Joy Fowler.  That last title sums it up.

Carole sends this wonderful White Sox story from Mexico

Thanks for the tip on the White Sox. I remember I watched it in 2005 on a friend’s TV. At the time I lived in San Agustinillo, a small beach town of 250 residents on the Oaxaca coast of Mexico. No one had cable TVs except my dear friend Jan (RIP).   She was kind enough to let me watch the series even though she barely knew what baseball was!   I remember walking back to my house at Midnight (after the Sox won the series) on the deserted beach road feeling very happy! And today I will watch it again in Mexico City, a megalópolis of 20,000,000 residents!  

Enjoy the game today Carole!

today and tomorrow/April 16

Here’s What I’m Going to be Doing

On Friday at noon, the White Sox are going to stream on You Tube the 2005 World Series clincher.  Sorry Cubs fans, we ended the drought first.  It was a glorious moment.  Might as well enjoy it again.

The "Essentials"

We clap and cheer for them.  We light up our skyscrapers in their name.  We are enraged about their working conditions.  But when we emerge from this endless moment, who's world is it going to be?  Will togetherness take hold in an “everyman for himself” society?  Will people wake up to its power?  

E. J. Dionne, Jr. asks:  Will we reconsider the costs of racism, poverty, housing, inequity, unequal access to health care?  Which way will we go?  

today and tomorrow/April 15

The Check

No, it hasn’t shown up in my bank account yet but it’s already giving me too much to think about.  And, God knows, we have plenty of time to think over everything more than once, don’t we?

Should I give the $1200 to a food bank?  Or other currently worthy cause?  My life doesn’t depend on the money.  Should I put a tiny dent in my towering frivolous wish list? Or should I save it for a last moment of largesse in case I succumb to a corona induced cough and depart?

My Easter Table . . . Delivered!

I couldn’t believe it when Sophie told me she was bringing over ham and au gratin potatoes.

They came from Patrick’s mother. Its appearance is a delicious mystery.

What Do the Humanities Do in a Crisis?

Thanks Stuart for sending this very searching essay.  I’m going to read it over again.  There is so much here.  And, I will forward it to our friends.

https://www.newyorker.com/culture/annals-of-inquiry/what-do-the-humanities-do-in-a-crisis?

today and tomorrow/April 14

Bookshelf -- Chapter 2 -- Grab It

Gerry suggested I get one of those long handled "grabbers" to bring my books down from the top shelf.   I was given one of those by the rehab people after hip surgery.  Then I lent it to someone.  Was it you?  I'd love to have it back.   But then, I don’t think my eyesight will reach to the top shelf to identify and pull down the right book.  Oh well, I could make a guessing game of it.  The prize would be getting what I was looking for.  Or being surprised by what the hook chooses for me.

Carole sent this marvelous profile of Fran Lebowitz -- the uber New Yorker.  She's not going anywhere.  You will love it so I emailed it directly.

Language keeps up
We are sipping our quarintinis as we listen to our quarantunes.

today and tomorrow/April 13

Books

When the virus first struck I was trying to remember the name of a lovely book I read about a plague in a small village. It popped up on Book Bub the other day:  Year of Wonders by Geraldine Brooks.  I think it’s still on the top shelf of my bookcase.  I’m not climbing on my ladder anymore.  One day, a friend will be able to come over and take it down for me.  One day.

Book Bub will let you know what book was at the top of the best seller list on the year of your birth.  Mine was The Good Earth by Pearl Buck.  I remember that book.  It was about China before WWII.

Have you noticed the journalists on TV from their homes are in front of their books? I always thought that reading good books helped us lead better lives.  And yet, here we are.

today and tomorrow/April 12

The Easter Table I Remember

Baked ham with a pineapple ring on top and brown sugar in the crust.  Au gratin potatoes.  Home made parker house rolls.  Yellow cake with coconut frosting.

And the story of rebirth and renewal.

Gerry is here. . .

“Let me craft what is possible on our now slumbering globe: dreams of action and improvement, agency and creation.”

And craft he does.  Of course, I will send his post on to you.

today and tomorrow/April 11

At Another Time This Would Be Important

I’m not going to let the virus stop me from writing about one of my favorite topics: the Bulls. I stopped paying attention to them a few years ago — a decision that involved a lot of grief.  The losing and lack of imagination turned me away.  It took a lot. Because the Bulls made me smile.  They brought me joy.

Yesterday, hope arrived.  New management!  Arturas Karnisovas is here with a solid, successful record.  This is a Bernie “from the bottom up” story.  The fans kicked and screamed and demanded change.  For years.  Long years.  When the NBA All Star game played here last summer,  billboards went up around town demanding change. Maybe we shamed them into action.  Maybe they counted the empty seats.  Whatever is was, “we did it!” 

Let’s give the new guy — Arturas Karnisovas —  a great nickname.

Hope is hard earned right now.  I’m looking in the closet for my red T-shirt.  I will find it.

today and tomorrow/April 10

This Reality TV Star Steps Up

Bethany Frankel was my least favorite housewife. (Yes, I admit I watched The Real Housewives of New York from time to time.) Glam gone, and looking like a real person, she was on TV yesterday describing her effort to distribute PPE where needed.  She is using contributions from celerities (Matthew McConaughey, Billy Joel) to negotiate deals with vendors and UPS.  Everything is in motion. The PPE are getting out! I used to think she was too bossy.  Now?  “Keep going Bethany.”

Netflix

Thanks Melinda for the tip on “Money Heist.”  I started watching and now I’m hooked.

Get Tested

Thanks Jean for this information about the Cleveland Clinic.

https://my.clevelandclinic.org/landing/preparing-for-coronavirus

today and tomorrow/April 9

Passover With Two Who Escaped

There was a time when I went to a lovely Passover dinner each year.  They were at the home of Hank and Judy, both refuges from the disasters of WWII.  Hank was sponsored by a relative in Chicago and came from Germany as a child.  Judy actually survived internment as a baby and came from the Netherlands.

My favorite thing was that stuff with wine and nuts that you spread on matzos.  And the flourless chocolate cake.

And, of course, the Jews getting out of Egypt.

Obits

Toni Morrison got the attention she deserved.  So did Kobe Bryant.  Now, the obits are leaving me careening from one to another without time to pay attention. At year’s end the New York Time publishes “The Lives They Lived”, a selection of stories of the famous and obscure.  At the Academy Awards there is a moment of screen time to remember their own. How will we do justice to the 2020 toll?  So many will slip away.

The Earth Pipes Up — Update

Himalayas are visible for the first time in 30 years as pollution levels drop in India.

Bernie

My friends know that Bernie is my guy.  The virus exposed how right he is — especially about health care and working conditions today.  Thanks June, John and Bonnie for feeling sad with me yesterday.

today and tomorrow/April 8

Touchdown

My specialized nerdiness involves being interested in brainiac sports figures.  This past week the name, Myron Rolle, M.D., keeps coming up.  And for good reason.  I remember him when he was a star football player who left the game to become a Rhodes Scholar.  And now he is a neurosurgery resident at Harvard Medical School/Massachusetts General Hospital.  He is fighting the virus with all of the agility he displayed on the field.  Wikipedia says he is the “second smartest athlete.”  Of course I looked up to see who was the “smartest.”  No, I’m not going to tell you.  You have plenty of time now and if you read this all the way to this point, you too are nerd enough to find out for yourself.  

Warm Swarm

It was a gorgeous day here yesterday.  The kind of day in April when I would put down the top of my Oldsmobile convertible and feel alive with spring.  I got a lovely Easter card from my friend Camille and her sister.  Another sign of renewal.  On this sunny day we can’t go over to the beach because too many jerks insisted on playing games and ruined it for the rest of us. So I usually walk in the park behind my building.   I felt nervous today.  Too many people. Coming close.  They are not at the “jerk" stage yet,  but beautiful weather messes with adjusting to the bad state we are in.  Tomorrow I will head out early.