Hi-ho readers,
I don’t think I could have predicted the events of the last two weeks, let alone the last two days. I’m in my first full day of social distancing. Luckily, I’m able to work from home, am healthy, and have a good support system in place. Many people I know are not so lucky. I’m safe but am feeling a little helpless (going for walks helps), but if you have resources to spare might I suggest taking a look at the following? Please share more ways to give with me, if you have them.
- Fran Tirado‘s Twitter thread of Venmos/CashApps of queer people in sex work/hospitality/service/drag/nightlife/freelance
- The Musicians’ Foundation providing aid to performers in times of need, crisis, or transition
- Feeding America‘s map tool to find your local food bank
I’m trying to avoid oversaturating myself with news as much as possible, but I know it’s important to be informed. I’ve found that coverage of COVID-19 on The Atlantic has been excellent and I read that as well as scientific coverage on The New York Times (today’s update). Gothamist also has a daily post that gets updated (link to today).
I don’t have a lot of other links I’ve been reading, but I do have a lot of books lined up for the next few weeks. I’ve been wanting to read Olivia Laing‘s The Lonely City for some time, and have been wanting to revisit Ross Gay‘s The Book of Delights.
I received my Bernie Sanders T-shirt from Lorien Stern in the mail today after donating, and I’d just like to come forward with this newsletter’s formal endorsement for President (Bernie, obviously). Medicare for all.
Songs in My Heart (with playlist)
- Golden – Harry Styles
- Stronger – Kanye West
- The Steps – HAIM
- Heels – Sir Babygirl
- Cherry – Rina Sawayama
- Rawnald Gregory Erickson the Second – STRFKR
- Man! I Feel Like a Woman! – Shania Twain
- Tilted – Christine and the Queens
- Gaslighter – Dixie Chicks
- Bittersweet – Lianne La Havas
- Stay with Me Baby – The Walker Brothers
- It’ll Take A Long Time – Sandy Denny
- All Through the Night – Cyndi Lauper
- I Think We’re Alone Now – Tiffany
- Heaven Is A Place On Earth – Belinda Carlisle
Nice Things I’m Thinking About
- meals shared at Chavela’s, Nom Wah Tea Parlor, Veselka, Dutch Boy Burger/Franklin Park, and Au Jus with my girlfriend
- visiting the Brooklyn Botanic Garden and seeing fields and fields of pale purple crocuses
- wandering the 23rd Street Home Depot
- selling yarn to happy knitters at the greenmarket
Signore Fagiolo
The title of this Friday’s issue is Italian for yes, The Beaneater, which is a late 16th century painting by Annibale Carracci. I imagine we are all going to feel like him pretty soon.
Yours in beans (and see you in two),
Emily