Hello sweet friends,
I’m glad we made it here to this moment.
This week I’ve been focusing hard on the things right in front of me. You know? The world is spinnin’ real wild, but the small things of an everyday life have to get done. I’ve had those in focus – checking the front garden for caterpillars, watching my sunflower bloom, giving Tron extra time under the covers in the morning, cleaning the closet, willing myself to clean the pantry. I’m taking a small view maybe as an act of self preservation.
Are you well? Are you able to take a rest today?
This week’s humble offering is below. As always, take only what you need. You’re here and I’m thankful.
• Good grief. We are unwell and this virus continues to tell us about ourselves. A Devastating New Stage of the Pandemic. (The Atlantic)
• This will stay with me. This should stay with all of us. You Want a Confederate Monument? My Body Is a Cofedereate Monument. (The New York Times)
• Can Domestic Abusers Keep Themselves Accountable When No One Is Watching. (The New Yorker)
• On poker, luck, and understanding uncertainty: Poker Taught Me How to Deal With the Hand of Fate. ( The New York Times)
• Please take on this week’s long read: The First Year Out. (Marie Claire)
• I love Roxanne Gay in the kitchen. (Bon Appetit)
• Speaking of kitchen victories, you have Julia Turshen’s very thoughtful cookbook don’t you? Small Victories (Indiebound)
• I was gifted this book this week and I especially love a used book, passed on with care: All The Lives I Want by Alana Massey. (Amazon)
• This is definitely a sleeper recipe on Joy the Baker – No Bake Tres Leches Cake made with layers of graham crackers that soften to the most lovely, cake-like texture. This is your 4th of July dessert – dress it up with fresh strawberries and blueberries and have a time. (Joy the Baker)
• It feels like every summer I go on a friendship bracelet making bender and this year we’re going with a beaded vibe with these and these. (Amazon)
• Wait was this the song you needed today? (YouTube)
• Last year this week, here’s where we were: Let It Be Sunday, 228. Some good words on Alanis, music for plants, and love at the dog park. (Joy the Baker)
Take good care of yourself today.
My love to you.
xo Joy
ELIZABETH A AQUINO
That graham cracker icebox thing — worth getting through another day in weird world. Thank you!
joythebaker
100%
Christi Cronin
You always learn to post what I need and help open my eyes. Reading this post each week is something I look forward to take time to savor. You are a beautiful person!
carly
That was absolutely the song I needed today. I’d somehow forgotten my love for Tracy Chapman. And while I’d previously read the powerful NYT article My Body Is A Confederate Monument, I hadn’t read the escapist brilliance of Roxane Gay in the Kitchen. I look forward to continuing to work through your other suggestions this week—they have to be savored slowly!
Ellen
The New York Times is a must read and must be shared column! It is written from a perspective that many people, myself included, could not possibly relate to but that adds to its power. The Song! I could not get the link to play without a lot of skipping, but that is not a problem…I own the Tracy Chapman album from 1988 “Tracy Chapman” which was her debut album. It is a song that is so relevant to the present times. I also followed the link provided by Kristen and thanks to her for it. That is a song that I had not ever heard. I always enjoy “Let It Be Sunday!” Thank-you!
Kristiana
Love Roxanne Gay!
Kristen
Thank you!
That song, and this one:
https://youtu.be/xwBjF_VVFvE
??
tina
every second of that Dixie Chicks song and video give me goosebumps
Mary Andres
I usually follow you for recipes, and today I followed your links to almost everything else. Thanks for your lens of pulling important thought pieces. Thank you.
Kristen
Thank you for the NYT article. Very powerful words.
Susan Yarosz
I just recently began following you on Instagram and subscribed to your blog. What a wonderful discovery for me! What a “joy” you are! So uplifting!! Thanks so much for your positivity.
Maria
Thoughtful as always. But you didn’t mention the chicken and salad recipe in your picture…hoping you shall include this soon.
Cheers!
Vaughan
Joy, you seem to keep yourself in a wonderful balance. With your online presence, that means you help the rest of us with that.
As we all try to deal with this unprecedented situation, your calm, your suggestions and your expertise help us all.
I live to the east of you in the Panhandle of FL and NOLA is an occasional treat. (I’ve been visiting for decades.) I look forward to one-of-these-days taking a class from you. Kind of a goal.
Right now we all need goals, even if it’s just to get up and get dressed.
Carry on and thank your for what you give us.
Namaste.
Karen B
I have been reading your site for quite of few years now. During all this horrible time, is still the one I read. Now I don’t read many blogs, sites, etc now at all. I am so tired, sick and sad by all that is happening. Somehow it must get better than this. Thank you for continuing to write.
Deb
I look forward to my quiet Sunday mornings with you, Joy. Thanks for being a gentle voice in these very loud times.
Tonya
I appreciate this. You are so much more than Joy the Baker-well wishes Joy
Karen T
Focusing on things right in front of me….seems safe and comforting. Thank you for your wonderful newsletter. Always comforting and quietly informative. I am definitely going to try the tres leches refrigerator dessert…what could be simpler? Thank you. Be well!