books
Poverty. By America Matthew Desmond
I worked overtime to not rant (all) of my angst and frustration with this one. I will now try to be concise:
We (america) are the only high earning nation with our forms of poverty on many, if not most, fronts.
We have this poverty because we choose it. Our history and current state reveals us to be short-sighted, arrogant, racist, and selfish.
We have the resources to change things and eliminate almost all poverty.
The question is are we willing to love our neighbors to make it happen.
Read the book, I’m open to discussing it further.
South to America: Imani Perry I still have much to learn about the how and why related to our becoming “america.”
We Were Once a Family: Roxanna Asgarian A needed, very tough read. Foster care, adoption, state systems, courtroom drama, mental health concerns and tragic deaths.
music
The Chicago Sessions Rodney Crowell
We walked past RC on our way into a restaurant before his recent Mt. Vernon show. He was on his phone and I resisted saying anything. It was tough.
His mix of storytelling, great song selection, and a highly talented backing band contributed to an evening of magic and memories. Here’s a link to a bonus podcast with Rodney Crowell the Other 22 Hours.
Sunny War played at the Mt. Baker Theater sharing her soul stirring music, both in sound and spirit, for a great evening.
And so many other great new releases:
Handsome and the Humbles: Alternative...Country Don’t miss (my Knoxville friend, Josh Hutson, and band on) this one.
viewing (film and television)
Peter Pan and Wendy I think it should be called Wendy and Peter Pan. I was drawn to her story and perspective. I’m in for the themes of forgiveness and second chances.
Watching Peter Pan & Wendy, the latest reimagining of a Disney animated classic, I was warmly surprised to find a dramatically rich, psychologically integrated, and morally hopeful vision. gareth higgins
The Diplomat (Netflix) A true guilty pleasure. Attractive characters, ongoing tension relationally, on the international geo-political scene and it all ends with a cliff-hanger.
Jeopardy Masters Nothing guilty about this pleasure. I loved every minute of it.
A Small Light (National Geographic) I continue to be amazed by the lives and stories that resisted and survived the terrors of Hitler and his followers in their efforts to vilify and destroy the Jewish people of Europe. We can never stop telling and listening to these stories of fascism, especially now.
pods (1 pod, because it’s that important)
Stolen: Surviving St. Michael's
They called us savages… I think there is something wrong with this picture. Who were the savages here? We were the ones that were abused. We were the ones that were hit, sexually abused, emotionally hurt. Ya know. And yet they have the nerve to call us heathens, pagans, and savages. Episode 4
My singular pod recommendation for the month. A deep look into the true life impact of being forced into indigenous boarding school in Canada. While it focuses on the Catholic Church and Canadian government, we are all a part of this. We have so much to learn and so much to repair. Thanks, again, Janae Brewster.
random (f)acts:
Once again the tulips returned to Tulip Road.
Article: Americana: How Country And Roots Music Found A “Brand New Dance” provides an in depth look into Americana Music. Much, if not most of I what listen to is found within this genre. My only complaint is that they left Harry Smith and Anthology of American Folk Music® out of the mix. Smith, born in Portland, was a true pioneer and genius, and he began much of his work while growing up in Bellingham in the 1940’s.
Daily update: 2 good reasons to read Heather Cox RIchardson is that 1) she made the “banned from Russia” list and 2) she produces daily reflections blending news, political and cultural movement(s), and history. She gets it and we need her voice.
The Seattle Kraken playoff run surpassed expectations and provided great moments and memories!