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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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?

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.

https://www.facebook.com/1522066686/posts/10216739895879396/?d=n

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.