The dogs came home from boarding with kennel cough (they’re fine), we’ve been snowed in for days because the Pacific Northwest doesn’t know what to do with more than an inch of snow, an old pipe did something weird and now we have a huge hole in our wall (it’s fine, everything’s fine), Covid and snow cancelled a trip to a much-anticipated New Year’s Eve black tie wedding, my new dental crown hurts and cost too much money because we teeth are luxury bones, but you know what? I haven’t written anything in two weeks. I haven’t been on Twitter. My head feels clear. I didn’t read any books — my brain, for whatever reasons, said no — but I did do a really good puzzle, and made the best
I think about ownership a lot. It's honestly one of the things I love about my record collection is that I don't have to worry about a subscription fee or anything like that; of course, I also had to shell out to get my player repaired recently and finding people who do that is getting harder and harder as time goes on. It is also a huge privilege to have space for and just the whole giant record collection I do and I get why people can't or wouldn't choose it, but it's pretty wild to think about all that stuff as it relates to basic stuff like...getting locked out of your apartment if the firmware isn't properly updated or something like that
Thank you! I've been listening to "Out of Office" and boy is it making me realize how much my perspective has been shaped by productivity culture. I actually worked for big consulting in the early 90s, I saw exactly how all those people I worked with moved into upper management of companies and how it's playing out in my current company. I really appreciate having my perspective shaken up - can't wait to get to the later parts about the promise of the future. As someone who has worked remote for almost 20 years, I can definitely agree that remote during the pandemic was NOTHING like it was before - and nothing like it can be. Thank you!
I’ve been thinking about ownership as related to books so much. I want to give my copy of “Can’t Even” to everyone but since it’s on audible, not a paper copy, I can’t.
Argh teeth! Thanks so much for that article about mouth biomes, it explains so much about why I (diligent brusher / dentist goer) get so many more cavities than my partner, who is extremely casual about dental care. I’m totally happy to kiss strangers for science though, if anyone wants to undertake that proposed study…
I live in Eastern Oregon and was interested to read the Atlantic article. The first paragraph mentions Grant Darrow who is, among other things, an excellent chimney sweep. He used to travel the world to go to international chimney sweep conventions. He dresses like a steam punk grandpa and keeps his business card in the band of his top hat. He looked at my chimney when we first moved into our house, though he is retired now. He used to be much more liberal, and was long-time friends with one of my parents good friends, a particular brand of armed, off-grid far left-leaning common(ish) in Eastern Oregon. After the death of his wife, he slowly began to change, succumbing to conspiracy theories and bad internet. As I've heard it anyway.
I love looking at seed catalogs this time of the year, and I highly recommend Fedco. They issue a quirky thick catalog each year printed on newsprint, including bits of letters from customers — including complaints. They also give tips on seed saving — I love that they are happy to give advice that could mean fewer sales for them next year. Oh, and they are a co-op.
Anyway, reading seed catalogs is one way I get through winter!
I got the Grains for Every Season for Xmas (along with That Sounds So Good.) Do you have any recipes you recommend from it yet or you've just been poring it over? (And related, I am curious how many people diligently read the sections that precede the recipes in cookbooks or like me just skip naughtily right to the recipes.)
Seed-catalog-wise, if you don't get the Fedco Seeds catalog you are missing out! They have the most charmingly absurd pen and ink drawings of, for example, an old style station wagon with a head of lettuce tied to it like a Christmas tree. Love everything about it.
Seattle-based reader here, and man I paid so much money I didn’t have after a move from an apartment that flooded and the landlord did nothing and even with dental insurance it was SO much and maxed out my insurance for the entire year.
And now- less than a year later I can tell something is wrong. The twinge of pain is so upsetting, because I want so desperately for nothing to be wrong and something is so wrong. I feel like the tale of the little Dutch boy with his finger in the dike wall trying to hold it all together and if I actually face this dumb luxury bone that has so many little nerves, it’ll all burst.
Happy new year! How wonderful that your new home is on the water. Just started your new book. Congratulations again on its publication! Great roundup this week, as always.
I think about ownership a lot. It's honestly one of the things I love about my record collection is that I don't have to worry about a subscription fee or anything like that; of course, I also had to shell out to get my player repaired recently and finding people who do that is getting harder and harder as time goes on. It is also a huge privilege to have space for and just the whole giant record collection I do and I get why people can't or wouldn't choose it, but it's pretty wild to think about all that stuff as it relates to basic stuff like...getting locked out of your apartment if the firmware isn't properly updated or something like that
Ooh, Territorial Seeds is one of my favorite seed catalogs too. Pinetree Seeds is my absolute favorite source though.
Thank you! I've been listening to "Out of Office" and boy is it making me realize how much my perspective has been shaped by productivity culture. I actually worked for big consulting in the early 90s, I saw exactly how all those people I worked with moved into upper management of companies and how it's playing out in my current company. I really appreciate having my perspective shaken up - can't wait to get to the later parts about the promise of the future. As someone who has worked remote for almost 20 years, I can definitely agree that remote during the pandemic was NOTHING like it was before - and nothing like it can be. Thank you!
Well, I’m glad I read the fig article after consuming a massive charcuterie board with figs on it last night …
I’ve been thinking about ownership as related to books so much. I want to give my copy of “Can’t Even” to everyone but since it’s on audible, not a paper copy, I can’t.
Argh teeth! Thanks so much for that article about mouth biomes, it explains so much about why I (diligent brusher / dentist goer) get so many more cavities than my partner, who is extremely casual about dental care. I’m totally happy to kiss strangers for science though, if anyone wants to undertake that proposed study…
I live in Eastern Oregon and was interested to read the Atlantic article. The first paragraph mentions Grant Darrow who is, among other things, an excellent chimney sweep. He used to travel the world to go to international chimney sweep conventions. He dresses like a steam punk grandpa and keeps his business card in the band of his top hat. He looked at my chimney when we first moved into our house, though he is retired now. He used to be much more liberal, and was long-time friends with one of my parents good friends, a particular brand of armed, off-grid far left-leaning common(ish) in Eastern Oregon. After the death of his wife, he slowly began to change, succumbing to conspiracy theories and bad internet. As I've heard it anyway.
Happy New Year, Thank you
Just ordered the grains cookbook for my husband. Exactly what he's been looking for. And I get to benefit. 😄 Thanks and happy new year!
I love looking at seed catalogs this time of the year, and I highly recommend Fedco. They issue a quirky thick catalog each year printed on newsprint, including bits of letters from customers — including complaints. They also give tips on seed saving — I love that they are happy to give advice that could mean fewer sales for them next year. Oh, and they are a co-op.
Anyway, reading seed catalogs is one way I get through winter!
I got the Grains for Every Season for Xmas (along with That Sounds So Good.) Do you have any recipes you recommend from it yet or you've just been poring it over? (And related, I am curious how many people diligently read the sections that precede the recipes in cookbooks or like me just skip naughtily right to the recipes.)
Clearly I need to work on timing -- I have a book deadline tomorrow and I had to wear my temporary crown over the holidays!
Seed-catalog-wise, if you don't get the Fedco Seeds catalog you are missing out! They have the most charmingly absurd pen and ink drawings of, for example, an old style station wagon with a head of lettuce tied to it like a Christmas tree. Love everything about it.
I also have a crown that hurts.
Seattle-based reader here, and man I paid so much money I didn’t have after a move from an apartment that flooded and the landlord did nothing and even with dental insurance it was SO much and maxed out my insurance for the entire year.
And now- less than a year later I can tell something is wrong. The twinge of pain is so upsetting, because I want so desperately for nothing to be wrong and something is so wrong. I feel like the tale of the little Dutch boy with his finger in the dike wall trying to hold it all together and if I actually face this dumb luxury bone that has so many little nerves, it’ll all burst.
I just want teeth that work.
Cliff Mass with the best weather insights in the PNW! Hope you were able to get out after the rain today.
The NYmag Intelligencer article is great ! Schadenfreude on Sunday. I'm glad that you're back, Anne. I've missed the posts
Happy new year! How wonderful that your new home is on the water. Just started your new book. Congratulations again on its publication! Great roundup this week, as always.