Observables #40
on jaunty necklaces and holding onto our mothers
Alternating colours. The she said, “let’s be jaunty” and flipped her hair and made a kissy face. Just like that—pulling out her sister glee.
This necklace is pretty jaunty too. Violet made it for me to wear in LA. She’s extra proud of the dangling acorns.
The final episodes of Season 1 of Abbott Elementary in our family viewing time. We all loved the line where religious Barbara has finally been pranked by the kids and comes into the staff room yelling, “Sweet baby Jesus and the grown one too. I’ve been desked!”
I also watched the documentary Jane by Charlotte this week about the relationship between actress/singer Jane Birkin and her daughter Charlotte Gainsbourg. They observe each other in the film in a way that is new for them. It made me so ponderous about my relationship to my own mother and my daughters. I’m very tempted to start following them around with a camera.
See? It’s going great.
I can’t stop thinking about two of the statements in the film. Jane says that daughters always come back. And Charlotte says that it seems to be a value to free ourselves at any cost from our mothers, but she never wants to be free. Obviously, I need to do a podcast episode to break down these ideas.
This one from poetryisnotaluxury. I am one of those people who lingers too long - so I feel seen here. Simon and I are planning a 20th anniversary trip where my intention will be to linger in doorways all over Lisbon.
In other news, this week on my podcast we talk to writer Katie Zdybel about her process and how she reframes life through her characters!
‘Lingering near the door uncomfortably’—I like it.
Hang on to your mother. She’s crazy about you!