Hello, friends! I’m pretty sure a flurry of things happened between last Monday and last Friday, but I couldn’t tell you exactly what. It was a flurry of this and that, over here and over there. All I know is, I’ve been craving a cheeseburger for the past 6 days and at some point I’m going to have to take that a reality. That’s not all I know… I know a few more things. Here they are, in Internet form:
• ‘For six New Yorkers age 85 and older, whose lives were followed throughout the year, old age is a mixture of happiness and sadness, with less time wasted on anger and worry.’ The Wisdom of the Aged
• It was hard to say goodbye to David Bowie because he was among the most talented and bizarre and authentic among us. David Bowie and the Proust Questionnaire.
• I got halfway through this article (he’d want me to call it ‘a piece’) by Sean Penn… his exclusive interview (barf) with Mexico’s most infamous, dangerous, confirmed horrible human, and drug lord El Chapo before I wanted to punch both of them in the face. It’s ego meets ego, and generally self-congratulatory and insensitive and inane. So… there’s that. See also, The Tragic Farce of El Chapo.
• Girl power: 7 Women Who Are Transforming the Food Industry.
• An extensive list of things that women do to defend their safety. We grasp our keys between our knuckles, avoid eye contact, and never ever ever open the front door: The Burden of “Being Careful”.
• Let’s daydream about pastry: Braided Lemon Bread.
• Several things crossed my mind when I watched this video with magician David Blaine and actor Harrison Ford, featuring an orange and the F-word 1. Does David Blaine have hair plugs? If so, is that the real magic? I’m guessing yes. 2. Harrison Ford’s overall skepticism gets a thumbs up. 3. I wish Harrison picked a fruit from the bottom of the bowl. 4. The thing that irks me about David Blaine is his cadence. It reminds me of a dad’s slow lecture talk. Talk faster! Let’s go, we’ve got things to do! Also, sleight of hand secrets revealed, here.
• My maj Shutterbean on Habits. She’s got some good thoughts about the new year. Sidenote: many of you have asked about why Tracy and I stopped podcasting and when we would start again. Let me tell you the honest truth… which is what truth should always be. I had a hard / weird / all-over-the-place year and I didn’t know how to approach it, how to talk about it, and I wasn’t even sure I wanted to talk about it… and the Joy the Baker Podcast is between me and my best friend and I didn’t know how to be authentic while I was in such a space. We pressed pause. And hopefully we’ll press play again sometime, maybe soon, maybe soon.
• Apparently the world won’t end if you Take Your Effing Lunch Break. But the 30 minute lunch break is a crock of hooey.
• Let’s all laugh-cry together because really… everything is so accurate. What Every Woman Thinks When Her Crush Gets a New Girlfriend.
• Let’s make a giant batch for this week. It will be gone in two days no matter how big the batch. Marakesh Carrot Salad
• Flare Corduroys are back (and better than ever?).
• I love this dark green and pale peach color combination.
• These are my newly discovered favorite brand of candles because they smell wonderful, last a long time, and don’t cost 80 trillion dollars.
• I’ve watch Adele’s Carpool Karaoke four times because it’s endlessly charming and so so so funny! The female Phil Collins.
Have a very great day!
xo Joy
Kaye
thanks for saying why podcasts had stopped, bc I missed you guys! I hope you’re doing ok, and that you and your maj will be back soon!
AV
Rough year over here, too. Miss the podcast, but completely understand. Whether or not it returns, it brought some joy to my life while I was beginning the foster parenting stage of my life – I would listen to it while my foster kiddos were visiting with their families and I was just waiting in the room outside. It was just the sort of light-hearted banter I needed during some serious times. As always, thanks for your honesty.
Whitney
Live those candles, too! And you can find them at Matshslls/TJ Max for even cheaper!
joythebaker
True! That’s where I discovered them!
Carly
Yeah, I was going to say the same! I get them all the time at TJ Maxx :)
Hai
I’ve been wondering about podcast but didn’t want to pry. Hope that things get better and looking forward to your brunch book!
DisplacedHousewife
I love your take on El Chapo and Sean Pean. Perfectly said: barf. And flared corduroys give me immense joy. Not meaning to be punny cause that would be confusing. Happy Sunday! xo
Suzonne
I read “The Wisdom of the Aged” with a lump in my throat. I come from a long line of women with great lifespans, and as I watch my grandmother navigate her 90s with her own mixture of joy in living and indignation at not being able to die, I have thought a lot about what I want/hope that my later years will be like. I rely so heavily on my hands, my eyes, and my mind for happiness…how does one go on if they’re no longer able to do the things that made them whole? I recognize that I will need flexibility and grace to successfully navigate old age, if I am lucky enough to get there, and I’m trying to learn those things while I’m still young enough to learn new tricks.
Misha
I would be over the moon to see your podcast pop up on my phone again!!!
Nancy K
I love, love, love your Sunday posts…seriously I really look forward to reading them each week.
Adele in the car with James Corden…there are no words. I just want to be her friend and hang with her. She seems so down to earth and unaffected by her super stardom. Her description of herself …post wine indulgence…taking her son to the park was a hoot.
Thanks for sharing your thoughts each week…and photos of your handsome fluffy boy.
Lex
I can relate…I went through an especially hard few months of depression and I just couldn’t talk about it. I could not get the words out, I could not write them out, it’s like they were stuck in my throat. All that to say, you are understood and not alone.
I will say your podcast was the highlight of my week:)
laura
Joy, thanks for your authenticity when it comes to the pause button on the podcast with Shuts. The time, energy, and emotion you poured into that podcast got me through a challenging time of moving to a new city, starting a new job, having a husband (what?), and not yet having any friends. You both became lady friends, mentors, guides and I appreciate the intimacy you both allowed in creating that with the internet. Whatever you and Shuts decide to do, thanks for the time you spent creating the podcast and for showing us all about ladies doing it for themselves. Together.
Maureen
Hi Joy, I’ve just subscribed to you and this is the first one I’ve read. I’ve really enjoyed it and I’m looking forward to reading about you, your life and your interests in the future. Warmest regards from the UK xx
Maria-Thiana
Rough year here too. I find that I am questioning what my next steps should be as I enter the second half of my life. What you are never told is that because your life is a journey you will have to constantly check your course and adjust it depending on what you want your final destination to be. I want my final destination to be a life honestly and honorably lived and so, toward that end I have had to face some difficult truths about my limitations. By what choice do we have? The only choices are to stop moving or to continue trying with the help of brutal honesty to move onward.
Suellen
What a great Sunday edition. I enjoyed most of the stories (you’re right about the El Chapo story). Can’t wait to try the salad. Yum. Oh, check out Tipsy Candle as they have fabulous smelling candles and are wallet friendly. They are on Facebook. Have a super Sunday.
Dana
What a beautiful photo! Did Tron finally convince you to turn him into an outdoor cat? :)
Lalena
Hi Joy. It has been a rough year for me, to. Thank you for your honesty and for keeping us company through all of the weirdness and pie.