Tuesday, June 30, 2020

today and tomorrow/June 30


Dahlia Lithwick

Supreme Court
If you're interested more deeply in the recent Supreme Court decisions, I recommend listening to the podcast Amicus hosted by Dahlia Lithwick.  She and her guests have insights and opinions that extend the conversation beyond what you hear on the news.  

Bonnie (I'm so excited about having lunch with her in Greek Town today) sent an invitation to join the summer sessions of Art Encounter.  It features Contemporary Black American Artists.  I'm emailing.

For my friends who are traveling in their imaginations, I'm emailing another notice from the Discoverer.  This one covers Belfast.

Monday, June 29, 2020

today and tomorrow/June 29



Lori, our gal with the amazing videos from every corner of the internet, has another one.  I know, I know, you've read about the pryamids before.  But, I think you will be fascinated by this.  I'm emailing.

Margaret, my historian friend, send me a notice of a Webinar on Authoritarianism and Democracy with Noam Chomsky and Margaret's friend, Van Gosse.  It's tonight.  I'm emailing the link.

I had a delightful taste of life in the neighborhood yesterday.  Ate outdoors at Taste of Heaven with my wonderful friend Lisa.  If you're looking for help fighting the lockdown bulge, check her out at My Private Trainer.  "I'm having fun devising totally personal plans for my clients.  Each one is unique,"  she says.

Sunday, June 28, 2020

today and tomorrow/June 28


Gerry's new blog (which I am emailing) showed a coin buried in a sidewalk to illustrate a point he makes about perspective.  He surmises that the coin had probably been dropped before the cement dried.  That took my mind wandering far afield of Gerry's thought but close to what I've been concerned about these days.

The sidewalks in my childhood neighborhood were stamped with what today we would call a logo: The WPA.  That stood for the Works Progress Administration.  It was part of FDR's massive effort to bring us out of the Great Depression.  If the private sector had no jobs, the government would supply them.  Repaving the sidewalk on my street put someone back to work.

And today? The Freakonomics Radio podcast currently has an interview with Andrew Yang.  He discusses his signature idea, a universal basic income.  He also talks about other ways to address our crisis. 
Other experts discuss the future of work.  The show also contains another segment: No Stupid Questions.  I like that perspective.


Saturday, June 27, 2020

today and tomorrow/June 27

My friend Sophie is doing some terrific journalism for the National Catholic Reporter.  Her latest piece uncovers the added pain of people who had to cancel their pilgrimage trips and now are fighting to get refunds.
"Dynamic Catholic shouldn't be making their decisions based on other tour companies. I think Dynamic Catholic should say 'This is our obligation. We're a Catholic company and should have a higher moral standard.' "
—Corky Thompson
read the article at ncronline.org

The Atlantic
I'm so glad I subscribe to this magazine.  They have figured out how to survive with both print and digital journalism that is engaging and compelling. Also,  I love following their lists of movies, books, etc.  I'm emailing.


Friday, June 26, 2020

today and tomorrow/June 26



Carole, who lives in Mexico City, sent this vivid account of the earthquake.

“Riding out earthquakes seems to have become a norm while living in certain parts of Mexico.  This last one didn’t shake me up much at all (pun intended!) though. It was the wavy kind, instead  of the deadlier up and down type. Tuesday morning around  11am the distinctive alarm went off here in Mexico City.  I rushed down the stairs of my third floor apartment in Roma Sur and into the street with all my neighbors.  We stood there while trees started swaying in tune with the hanging lamps inside.  Literally, “the earth moves under your feet,“  but for different reasons than Carole King expressed in her song.  Standing there we reminisced about earlier quakes before making our way back to our individual abodes and our Covid routines.
    A friend commented to me about living in a city where quakes seem to occur frequently, to which I replied, “Well, I lived 10 years in remote quiet Mexican  beach, and there I had to worry about earthquakes AND hurricanes.”  It’s always something, you know.”

Lori's son, who lives in Aspen, sent her a ticket to the Aspen Ideas Festival.  It, of course, is virtual.  From June 28 to July 2.  You can find it easily and see who is featured.

Nancy, our Third Coast Review producer,  writes about robots in her journal.  Interesting.  I'm emailing.


Thursday, June 25, 2020

Today and tomorrow/June 25



Worth Every Extra Mile

If you are a senior with an expired driver's license I recommend going out to the DMV in Lombard.  I know, it's a stretch.  I've been using that location ever since in lived in Elmhurst.  It was never crowded, the people were extra friendly, and -- best of all -- the driving test is a cinch because it is in a quiet neighborhood with no traffic.

I was put off by the long line in front but I decided to give the senior entrance a try and I was not disappointed.  Whenever I was in a line, a friendly person escorted me to the front.  The whole procedure took about 45 minutes!  Trump may be trying to kill me, but Jessie White knows how to treat us and bravo for that!

Summertime Here and There

Riccardo Muti is conducting a series of outdoor concerts in Italy this summer.  Maybe he always had that on his schedule but I'm still sad that Italy knew what to do and we still don't.

Wednesday, June 24, 2020

today and tomorrow/June 24

Stay Away
From time to time I’ve been forwarding fun travel information because I know so many of my friends are imagining their next trip when the nightmare goes away.  Well, we may have to scratch Europe from our dream list.  The European Union is contemplating banning Americans from travel to EU countries.  We are too infected.  Too dangerous.  
Oh well, aren’t you glad now for Brexit?  London and the UK may still be available.  Limited I know. But better than nothing.

Just in Time
Look what just showed up?  It’s a preview of all of the places in North America where Road Scholar has lined up trips for 2021.  Of course, I am emailing.

Statues
Now that statues everywhere are coming down, I asked myself who would I like to see put on the empty pedestals?  We could use some women.  What do you think? 

Tuesday, June 23, 2020

today and tomorrow/June 23


Trevor Noah
He has been so eloquent in his interviews about racism that I forgot how funny he is.  When I saw his latest standup promoted on Netflix, I sat down to watch.  Son of Patricia was my favorite.  I couldn't stop laughing.  Hope you’ll take a look.

Sara Saves the Park
I just finished reading the latest Sara Paretsky novel, Dead Land.  It wasn’t as good as some of the earlier ones but she gives us the Chicago flavor every time.  The plot involves a big money attempt to privately develop along the lakefront.  A subtle dig at the Obama non-library?  Park wars are so Chicago.

The Reader
I have a spot in my heart for the free entertainment paper.  I met my favorite love via one of the personal ads.  It's no surprise that it's going through hard times and now it's going to bi-weekly status.  Sad.

Monday, June 22, 2020

today and tomorrow/June 22



Gerry's blog . . .
 discusses the complications attached to being beautiful.  I thought about this when I spent time in Los Angeles.  All of the people, especially the women, were so good looking.  At the mall.  Seated in restaurants.  Clerks in stores.  I wondered if they all had come for the “Hollywood Dream”.   And now we know that dream was a nightmare for more than we could have imagined.  Yes, beauty is complicated. I'm emailing

Travel
I know The Discoverer site is popular.  Helps to dream a little, doesn't it?  I emailed today.

My Favorite Headline
Teenagers use Tik-Tok to Trash Trump
Lots of empty seats at the rally came from phantom reservations made online.  

Sunday, June 21, 2020

today and tomorrow/June 21


Bill, Natalie and Diego 

Happy Father's Day to Bill.  (I wish Miro had been in the photo too.) )  WFMT played flute music in Bill's honor this morning. (They took requests.)

And here is a reprint of a blog I wrote awhile ago about my own father.

When a Father Dies Young
If I could have my father with me again for one day, how old would I like to be? Young I think. Sitting on his lap or holding hands young? I think teenage years. I hope he would be a dad who would encourage his daughter to be her own person. To seek her own accomplishments and fate. He would have had to be a rare man to be of that mind, but there were a few of them back then, so it's not impossible.
In the one photo I have of us together, he is wearing a snappy hat and good suit. He looks satisfied.
Secure enough to let his children know when he is proud of them. From time to time.

An absent father keeps your dream life close. Imagination keeps it going. Removed from disappointment, an absent father lives on as the "good listener". Not the real father I ache to have had, but still an influence.
The mind has room for everything.

Saturday, June 20, 2020

today and tomorrow/June 20


Rethinking Policing
Reform?  Defund?  Abolish?  It's too early to tell whether we'll actually do anything, but the conversations around "what should we do about the police?" are certainly more interesting than they were a few months ago.  Why is this Happening? is one of my favorite podcasts.  In the latest episode, Chris Hayes interviews Mariame Kaba who comes down on the Abolish side in a way you're going to want to hear.  Podcasts are easy to find and there are so many good ones.

Trump Fan Goes All In
Gerry sent me this video that is very hard to watch.  But, if you want a glimpse of who may be attending the rally tonight in Tulsa, take a look.  I'm emailing.

An African's Education in Being Black in America
This is one of the articles in a recent edition of the New York Review of Books.  You can read it from my email.



Friday, June 19, 2020

today and tomorrow/June 19


Bill's uses paint to remember our old neighborhood

The gorgeous weather . . .
. . . has been my medicine for the virus, Trump, brutality blues.  I've been meeting my friends at the park on Damen and Foster.  One of the benches is the perfect spot for donut /coffee or lunch and catching up after being cooped up.  And Marilyn introduced me to a lovely little garden behind the Edgewater Historical Society at Balmoral and Ashland.  Another place to enjoy in the neighborhood.

The abundance of virtual entertainment and learning opportunities continues to amaze.  Here are a few I'll pass along today.

Nancy's Third Coast Review keeps up with the weekend and more.

The Lifelong Learning Institute at National Louis University (where I have attended classes for many years) has its Summer Catalog out now.  

The Old Town School of Folk Music is keeping it goin'

Upcoming events at the Nation magazine are always worth exploring.

Thursday, June 18, 2020

today and tomorrow/June 18



I’m back!  My genius therapist Gary used his bag of tricks on me successfully.  It was a combination of hot paraffin, sonic wand, massage, and his good company. 

My Nebraska friend Colleen is reading White Fragility by Robin Diangelo. She finds it very thoughtful.  And, I think a lot of people agree because it’s become a best seller with lots of buzz.

Bill sent me one of his paintings for my birthday.  It is a cityscape capturing the look at feel of Belmont and Broadway when we walked those streets daily.  Everything of course has changed there except for Nettlehorst, his grammar school.  I’m glad the ghosts of budding lives are still allowed to roam the same halls and playground undisturbed.

Speaking of the past, my niece and nephew and have been asking me for memories.  I wish I could accommodate their curiosity more thoroughly but we are a family of well kept secrets and most things left unsaid.  I did send some stories and opinions keeping in mind that history is like a kaleidoscope —   a jumble of impressions which change at every turn.


Wednesday, June 10, 2020

today and tomorrow/June 10



I'm sorry to report that I'm going to have to go on the IR (injured reserve) for awhile. I have a bum right hand and the physical therapist says I need to keep away from the keyboard as much as possible for a few weeks until things settle down.

Please send me any interesting events or other news and I will pass it along.  And, I will write occasionally, just not daily.

Thanks for your good wishes yesterday.  It was a perfect day.

Keep it going.  I know you will.


Tuesday, June 9, 2020

today and tomorrow/June 9


I asked Melinda, who was on the front lines with the NLG during the pipeline protests, what she is engaged in now.  Hats off to you my friend.  I am proud to know you.

"Re: the NLG.  We have been very involved in supporting and participating in the Black Lives Matter protests.  We have legal observers at many of the demonstrations.  We wear a green hat to identify ourselves.  One legal observer was beaten and arrested by the police.  We have a hotline so that people can call in to report arrests, police beatings and inquire about arrests and give us information regarding what they saw.  And we are coordinating legal representation for the over 1200 people arrested.  We put out a call for volunteer attorneys and over 400 attorneys have volunteered to represent people." 

Double Infinity
I am 88 today.  Lisa calls the number "double infinity."   The sunrise this morning was the most spectacular yet.  Phyllis invited me over for lunch.  Bill painted a picture for me of Belmont and Broadway when he was in his stroller.  He got all of the stores right.  I've seen a lot with a little more left to see.

Monday, June 8, 2020

today and tomorrow/June 8



Who Loots?
We appreciate now that the original looting took place in Africa more than 400 years ago.  And that during the last 40 years the transfer of wealth upwards has looted the middle class.  So, it's no surprise that there were no calls for "law and order" on Sunday when Mitt Romney, the private equity looter, was found mingling with the protesters.

A whole lotta shakin" goin' on
Michael Jordan, the ultimate corporate athlete who kneels to no one, has found his inner Jim Brown.  He has decided to contribute $100 million to racial justice causes.
Roger Goodell, while not mentioning Colin Kapernick, says the NFL was wrong about kneeling. The President attacked him and the NFL.

More Virtual Traveling
10 European National Parks You Have to See.  I'm emailing.

Sunday, June 7, 2020

today and tomorrow/June 7


Masha Gessen

Another Voice. . . 
I am listening to is that of Masha Gessen.  She has a new book: Surviving Autocracy. And I am emailing the article that Carole sent from the New Yorker called Performing Fascism.



Petey Greene

The Remarkable Second Life of the Film Talk to Me
History has caught up with Bill's film which told of the remarkable life of Petey Greene.  A few weeks ago it was recommended by the Atlantic to watch during lockdown.  Now, the New York Times writers have included it in Art That Confronts and Challenges Racism.  You can find it easily.


Gerry's Blog. . .
This week he talks about happiness.  My moments of happiness have come from being creative, finding connections and those rare "ah, ha!" seconds of pure joy.
I am emailing.









Saturday, June 6, 2020

today and tomorrow/June 6


Why this guy?
A black man's life: Grew up poor.  Good athlete. Spent some time in jail.  Moved around.  Died from what was firmly in place.  Until it wasn't.  Painting the street was a great idea.  Big words, big color.
Slow meets fast. 

Bonnie
 Her reporter instincts intact, she has been walking the loop every day inspecting the scene.  She describes it as trashed, boarded up and a “war zone.”  She also reports that Trader Joe’s put their store back together overnight.  And Lori Lightfoot isn’t saying: “Shoot to kill.”  Slow meets fast.

And this happened.
In Pennsylvania, Jessica Benham (HD-36) will be the first autistic person to serve in the state legislature.





Friday, June 5, 2020

today and tomorrow/June 5


Grant Park Music Festival
There is going to be a virtual one. On the radio!  In partnership with WFMT.  I'm going to sit on
 one of the park benches behind my building and listen on my walkman.  Life is good.  I sent the email.

Great News
The libraries are opening next week!  I will return the two books I’ve been keeping safe at home these last months.  And, I will check to see if the ones I had on order will show up soon.  In the meantime, thank you ebooks!  The day I hooked up my kindle with the library was one of my best days last year.

Baseball. . . one way or another
The Edgewater Historical Society is having a zoom meeting tomorrow, June 6:  "The Top 10 Events in Chicago Baseball History."  Of course, number one for me is the White Sox World Series win in 2005.  I am emailing.

The earth
Sunrise . . . sunset.  They are lovely now.  Hope you can see them.  
P.S. There's always a seat for you near the window on the 26th floor.


Thursday, June 4, 2020

today and tomorrow/June 4




DeRay McKesson


Pod Save the People
When I first heard the term Defund the Police I was caught off guard.  "What does that mean," I thought. Now that I've been listening to voices explain a vision of a different police culture in the U.S., it makes sense.  DeRay McKesson is an exceptional voice.  After hearing him on TV, I wanted to pass along his message.  I haven't listened to the podcast yet, but intend to.  Please take a minute.

https://www.msnbc.com/morning-joe/watch/working-towards-ending-police-violence-84287045819
podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/pod-save-the...

Let's Have Some Wit
Carole sent a book review by Dave Eggers.  He's convinced he's rediscovered one of the wittiest books ever written. She is taking the bait.  I'm emailing the review and you can decide.

Are you ready. . .
for some more of the unique picture posts I get from Lori?  Good.  I emailed some today.

Wednesday, June 3, 2020

today and tomorrow/June 3


Please don't be mad . . .
at me for posting this long look at Florence on the Discoverers web site.  I know many of you have been there and wish you were enjoying the great city right now.  Don't let your passports expire.  Your time will come again. I'm emailing.

You if have the urge . . .
to do something, you may want to learn more about Indivisible.  The activist group is holding a workshop on how to do the work to show up for black lives. I'm emailing the message.

From Carole:


"This will be our reply to violence: to make music more intensely, more beautifully, more devotedly than ever before.” - Leonard Bernstein

Trudy
I had a great visit in person with my friend yesterday. We wore our masks, sat on a bench six feet apart and tried to catch up on what we've been thinking.  Two adorable toddlers were playing in the grass.  Running.  Trying to climb a tree.  Trudy said: "At first we think we know so much.  And now, so little." I agreed.  It was a lovely day.


Tuesday, June 2, 2020

today and tomorrow/June 2





Protests
If you are planning to attend a protest the ACLU has vital information for you.  I am emailing it.
And, thanks Sophie for being out there at the Uptown rally.


Gerry's Blog
I was so glad to read this week's blog on trust.  Gerry quotes Huston Smith.  I was a big fan of his many years ago.  His message endures.  I am emailing.

Naomi Klein
Are you a fan?  She is giving a talk sponsored by The Nation.  "The Pandemic Shock Doctrine."
https://www.thenation.com/article/economy/virtual-events-naomi-klein/

Just Asking
Will Cuomo stand in front of the tank in Times Square?

Monday, June 1, 2020

today and tomorrow/June 1






Trevor Noah
Please take the time to listen to this.  Noah takes the jumble of thoughts and emotions that we are experiencing and puts them in an order.  Explains. Makes it clear. No solutions yet.  But organized thinking is a start.  And thanks Bill for sending it.

Sara Paretsky



I decided to dive into one of Sara Paretsky's novels featuring her great character: V. I. Warshawski.  V.I. lives in a perpetual state of moral outrage.   (Which suits my mood.) She's acutely aware that it's not always a welcome trait.  I like that honesty.
Sara Paretsky lives in Chicago and includes all of the local color in her stories.  I met her once at a rally for Chuy Garcia when he ran against Rahm. More to like about her.