Let It Be Sunday, 286

Hello friends. 

It’s Sunday, how we doin’? 

It’s a sunny Saturday afternoon as I write this. I’m drinking peppermint tea on the couch, trying to sort in my mind whether or not I have everything I need sorted for two possible hurricanes next week.  Water, red beans, house deed, a full tank of gas. Mostly I’m stealing myself for power outages and the possibility of inescapable heat. 

So many times these past few months I think back to a jacket I saw a woman wearing this past Mardi Gras.  The back was embroidered with “I’m ok. You’re ok.” I think about that woman and that jacket passing by me on the street so often. I think the sentiment is true. I think it has to be.

At least right now there’s cold watermelon. 

The offering this week is below. Please take good care and take only what you need:  

•  My thoughts are with everyone in California. It feels like each wildfires season is scarier than the last. Crews prepare for a long battle as dozens of fire rage across the Bay Area and Northern California. In additional news: California severely short on firefighting crews after COVID-19 lockdown at prison camps. (SF Chronicle and Sacramento Bee) 

•  For the years that I’ve lived in New Orleans I know that the end of August is always a pensive time in the city. You can feel the weight of this time of year when, fifteen years ago, Hurricane Katrina overwhelmed the city: Remembering Katrina and Its Unlearned Lessons, 15 Years Later.  With two hurricanes in the gulf this week, I’ve learned that we this time of year more than ever we look to each other for comfort and stability and emergency plans and excess bourbon. (The New York Times) 

•  Parent friends I’m thinking about you so much as your kiddos start another school year. This is so messed and so hard and I’m rooting for you and your babes: Parents Brace for a Go-It-Alone School Year. (The New York Times) 

•  I found this episode of The Daily really frustrating. So with millions of dollars, planning, and sacrifice, the NBA has figured out how to resume their season and playoffs but we can’t figure out how to safely educate our children? Am I getting that right? Cool… cool. A Pandemic-Proof Bubble (The Daily) 

•  This week’s long read: Who Will Save The Food Timeline? (Eater) 

•  In case you wanted to read about rich people problems: From the Hamptons to the Shore, a Plague of Summer Houseguests Who Won’t Leave. (Vanity Fair) 

•  The 90 Day Fiance franchise is my absolute favorite trash television, don’t @ me.  I love when it pops up in conversation because it’s always with fervent passion. This is not a casual fan show. You have to take it on ALL THE WAY.  I have my friend Kim to thank for alerting me to this excellent podcast episode and conversation: Why Won’t You Date Me with Nicole Byer and Gabby Sibide. (Apple Podcasts) 

•  My friend Timothy’s Vegan Red Beans and Rice is my new absolute favorite. The way he builds flavors is second to none. (Mississippi Vegan) 

•  Is a sheetpan pancake just a cake? No tea nor shade – just wresting with my feelings about this: Light & Fluffy Sheet Pan Pancakes. (The Kitchn) 

•  My friend Katherine invited me over for outside dinner for three this weekend and I’m bringing this Cinnamon Harissa Caramel Corn as a thank you.  (Joy the Baker) 

•  I bought too big a bag of carrots two weeks ago so I’m going to Marrakesh Carrot Salad about it. (Joy the Baker) 

•  For my health I’m going to have to make some changed in my diet and in my baking. This week I’m again so inspired by Amy Chaplin’s Whole Food Cooking Every Day. (Indiebound) 

That’s all for today! Do enjoy your Sunday!

My love to you!

xo Joy