Hello sweet friends,
We sure did make it to another fine Sunday. It doesn’t matter what condition we’re in. It’s Sunday and hopefully we can spend at least an extended amount of time in our pajamas.
You know that idiom ‘you can only eat an elephant one bite at a time’? It’s a weird one and wow that poor elephant but also – I feel like I’m taking really bit bites this month. I can’t wait to show you what I’m working on later this summer (for IGTV) and then this fall (on magazine racks) and then forever and ever because I think I like the big bites.
I hope this find you with a moment of mellow. The offering this week is below. It’s a short list this week but you’ll find and take what you need.
• Maybe this was your first year experimenting with the words “Happy Juneteenth”. Cool cool: Juneteenth: freedom is in the telling. Oooh tell em. This month also marks 53 years since the the Supreme Court struck down anti-miscegenation in Loving v. Virginia. A Happy Loving Day to you. (New York Times)
• Hello from New Orleans. Rising Seas Threaten An American Institution: The 30 Year Mortgage. I feel like, weather aside, we could stand to revisit the institution. (New York Times)
• The battle over masks in a pandemic: an all-American story. Wow we really just dig in to who we are, don’t we? (Washington Post)
• I’ve had discussions this week with black friends about the Venmo money they’re getting from their white friends. This was something that ran through social media for a week or so, right? Pretty wild. Here’s a podcast about it: Reply All Podcast: The Least You Can Do. (Gimlet Media)
• This is my favorite read of the week thanks to Ann Friedman: Capture Laugh. I miss my friends’ laughs so much. The kind that change the energy in the room. The kind that makes laughter bubble up in me, too. Since podcasts are my new friends, I will say that Sarah Marshall‘s laugh is now near and dear to my heart. (SSense and Twitter)
• Speaking of Sarah Marshall, co-host of You’re Wrong About, one of the best podcasts in podcast land – there are two important episodes of The OJ Simpson Trial: Bronco Chase AND and episode about Nancy Grace that is v important. (Apple Podcast)
• Have you watched Padma’s new food show on Hulu? Taste the Nation with Padma Lakshmi is really thoughtful and just fantastic to watch. She’s beauty and grace and curious and eats EVERYTHING just as it should be.
• I miss people coming to visit me in New Orleans and I miss taking everyone to Preservation Hall. This week’s listen: Preservation Hall Jazz Band. (Spotify)
• It’s summer and I’m craving fair food: Fried Blueberry Hand Pies. You really don’t need much oil to fry your pies! How’s that for a pep talk? (Joy the Baker)
• Here’s what was on my mind one year ago this week. I was in Toronto. This was a good week. (Joy the Baker)
My love to you bigtime!
xo Joy
Eileen
Loving taste the nation! Definitely the show about food for the times we got.
Natasha
I have seen Padma’s show, and it’s wonderful! I am also Indian-American (born in the US) and often grew up hearing that I wasn’t really American. I wish I could say I didn’t hear it anymore. I love her perspective and what this show unpacks.
Holly
What other podcasts are you listening to? I still REALLY miss yours!
Kimberly
I absolutely love “You’re Wrong About”. Their book club series has lived up to the OJ Simpson Series they offered. I have Loved learning about all the things I remember from my childhood, but don’t know the full story behind. This series has actually been a good bridge in conversation to some of my family members who are politically alienated from me. I cannot say enough good about them. Thank you promote them as well.
Libby
As someone with parents, step-parents, in-laws, aunts and uncles, and one grandmother-in-law all aged 70 or older (much older in my grandmother-in-law’s case) I desperately wish that people would just wear a mask. Also, I cannot quite get over this paragraph from the Washington Post article:
“The long-percolating politicization of masks reached a boiling point this week when a North Carolina activist in a group called Reopen N.C. plopped a mask in a pan, set it on fire and cooked a hot dog over the open flames.“
I know it’s not funny, but the absurdity of that image in my head gave my weary soul a much needed laughing jag. I think it was the addition of the hot dog. Thanks for being here for us, Joy!
Rena
This quote with the elephant really makes sense!
xx from Bavaria/Germany, Rena
http://www.dressedwithsoul.com
Ania
Appreciate your blog so much. I just want to say I miss coming to New Orleans and I miss going to the Preservation Hall. Been listening to PHJB for almost a week now… I’ll be on the first flight to NOLA when things open up.
Have a great week, Joy!
PS. sad I missed you in Toronto last year but maybe you’ll visit the East Coast (Canada) one day?
Angela
“You’re Wrong About”- Great podcast- very informative and also very funny with Michael Hobbes!
Cheryl Gordon
Our local park has a summer concert series each year, totally free. Years ago, the Preservation Jazz Hall Band were here several times. It was a delight and a privilege seeing them. Nowadays, the concerts are all tribute bands which I think are just awful so I never go anymore. I miss good music.
Prissy
Thank you for yet another thought-provoking post.
I am making my way through kitch redo and coming closer to the finish line each day. The tile floor is 75% grouted, the rest today. Then on to the backsplash and that should wrap that up.
I’m working in my garden today. It’s quite a mess, previous owners let it go for 5 years or so. I hope to turn it into my happy, peaceful spot. Just like the kitchen.
When this is all over, Joy should film in wine country from my kitchen. Open invite to NorCal, Joy!
Hope yours is a contented, peaceful day.
Karen T
I appreciate your blog…always soulful, informative, and insightful, with a great recipe to try.! Yes, poor elephant…good luck with your big bites. Together, with love and kindness we will persevere.
Darla
Our dear Joy, I just finished my first, yes first, read through of your offerings today. I haven’t clicked on any of the links. I just wanted you to know how much I enjoy receiving your Let It Be Sunday each week. I cherish, and horde, my quiet time to pick and choose from your letter.
I hope you are well, and finding your way through so much change. We will all be the better for it ?
Thiana Kitrilakis
You always hit the perfect spot between compassion and skepticism and I love your offerings, they are perfect. Also I have mad respect for the quiet way you have built an amazing life for yourself in New Orleans. I know you’ve commented on this decision before but I would love to know more about what went into making this change and if you feel it was the right one for you. We all have dreams but usually we are too afraid to act…