Blossoms, Dearies

A springtime bouquet

Let’s begin by marveling at the miraculous unfolding of the flowers. This is a time-lapse masterpiece courtesy of National Geographic…

HUMOR ESSAY: A Cheesy Disaster

As I prep for special dinners (Easter is on deck this week), I’m often lured by the exotic cheeses available by mail order. Here’s what happened when my pricey pre-purchased hunk of deliciousness was late arriving—very, very, very late…

WE MOVED YOUR CHEESE! HERE’S HOW IT WENT DOWN

INTRODUCING A FAVORITE JAZZ SINGER AND PIANIST: BLOSSOM DEARIE

Blossom Dearie, with her unique, girlish voice, was a fixture in New York nightclubs for decades. I’m a huge fan, and a major regret of mine is never seeing her in person (she died in 2009). Here’s Blossom in TOP form, swinging a Johnny Mercer classic:

SUBSTACKING IT:

Speaking of blossoming, it seems as if, while many online outlets for writers have closed up shop, new ones continue to emerge all the time. When I was searching for a platform for “E-Musings,” I settled here, on Substack, (which is really user-friendly, and dedicated to nurturing a vibrant writing community). Nowadays, I not only publish my own newsletter here, but I read and subscribe to many other terrific ones. Here’s a sampling of some favorites. I invite you to check out any of these (they all have free and paid options)…

LETTERS FROM AN AMERICAN (Heather Cox Richardson)—excellent daily perspective from a prominent historian on where we are as a nation, how we got here, and where we are going.

THE ISOLATION JOURNALS (Souleika Jaouad) A wonderful gathering of creatives who share their thoughts, begun during the pandemic lockdown and led by amazing writer and artist Souleika.

NO DIKKERING AROUND (Scott Dikkers) Scott, a great comedic talent and co-founder of The Onion, offers sound advice on the craft of humor writing and speaking.

THE CORNERS (Nadia Bolz-Weber) I love this outrageously outspoken, deeply insightful Lutheran pastor.

THE CLEARING (Katherine May) A newsletter and community for “wild minds, winterers and enchantment-seekers.”

THE RECOVERING LINE COOK (Wil Reidie) marvelous food essays, recipes and more from a chef living and cooking in Finland.

VIDEO FROM “THE UNIVERSE IN VERSE” (AN ON BEING PROJECT): “ODE TO THE WONDER OF LIFE”

Here’s a powerhouse partnership— superstar physicist Richard Feynman’s words, paired with Yo-Yo Ma playing Bach, animated by Kelli Anderson—-presented by Maria Popova of The Marginalian (another newsletter WELL worth your while—I am inspired every single week by the BEAUTIFULLY curated resources she shares…)

BLOG PREVIEW: The Pregnant Pause That Refreshes

In which I tie together “Selah” (the mysterious word found frequently in the Psalms), old Coca-Cola ads, and writer’s block. Does this give you “pause”? Then join me over at Working Title and see how it all fits!

INSPIRATIONAL QUOTE OF THE WEEK:

As someone who’s always frustrated when seeking clarity in a decidedly un-clarified world, I NEEDED to read this wise quote from author George Saunders. Let’s lean in to confusion this week, my friends—anything truly IS possible!