Coping Mechanisms
getting by with a little help from my friends
In these “times that try men’s souls” (you may quote me) I thought I’d share a few things that are helping me get through…
#1 HUMOR
NPR FUNNY BOOK ROUNDUP
Dive into this juicy list of 100 funny books. Have I read them all? Nope, but I have read a good number, from Dave Barry, David Sedaris and Erma Bombeck to P.G. Wodehouse, Dorothy Parker and Ogden Nash. And I’m here to tell you, (and you may quote me) “Laughter is the Best Medicine!”
STAND-UP COMEDIANS
I’ve spotlit several of my faves previously in this newsletter (including Gary Gulman, Mike Birbiglia, Mitch Hedberg, Nate Bergatze.) Here are two more fabulous funnypeople…
TOM PAPA
TAYLOR TOMLINSON
#2 PLAN A TRIP
Note: I didn’t say “go on a trip” (sometimes that is just WAY too much to deal with). No, I mean plan a dream vacay that you HOPE to take. I do this often and it’s wonderful! Right now, in addition to planning our actual journey to Asia in 2026, I’ve been checking out Cross-Canada train adventures. Doesn’t riding in comfort from Halifax to Vancouver sound amazing? I also like to lurk on the travel forums of sites like Rick Steves.com, and Facebook groups for visitors to particular places (like this one, about travels in France). Refreshing escapes, for zero dollars!
#3 MAKE SOME COMFORT FOOD
Sometimes you just need pasta…this is a great 15 minute recipe for rigatoni with the Korean pepper paste gochujang (a little sweet, a little spicy—once you try it I bet you’ll always keep a tub in the fridge!)
#4 TAKE IT FROM THE KIDS
They are pretty darned wise…here’s our Peter’s ideal schedule, which we would all do well to emulate:-)
#5 TAKE A WALK
#6 LISTEN TO SOME GREAT MUSIC
A sampling of favorites that soothe me when I’m in an anxious state…the mellow and lovely “My Foolish Heart” with jazz legend Bill Evans, a very cool ambient electronic piece by Jon Hopkins (Evan introduced me to his music), and the sublime finale to my favorite classical work, Gustav Mahler’s Second Symphony (“Resurrection”)…
A FEW FINAL THOUGHTS ON COPING
**Try to keep things in perspective (remember the horrific early days of COVID? So glad we’re not back there)! Note: this also works for history buffs who can either remember, or remember reading about, other disastrous chapters on Planet Earth—9/11, The Great Depression, etc. By this fascinating Science Magazine account, the year 536 AD ranks as the all-time worst. Why? Read on!
ARTICLE: WHY 536 WAS THE WORST YEAR TO BE ALIVE
**It’s OK to step away from the news (briefly!!!!) Everyone needs a mental health break, but remember…the architects of chaos are counting on our fatigue and inertia. Take a nap, then get back to it!
BLOG PREVIEW: DEAR DIARY
Is it too late to write about my white Slicker lipstick? Hope not, Dear D.!
INSPIRATIONAL QUOTE OF THE WEEK:
Thanks for hanging in with me, my friends. Hope this newsletter/journal is even a bit helpful as we all find ways to cope…wishing each of you a better week ahead!
