Observables #43
on women doing what they want and valiance for everyone
I’m watching the Leftovers at the recommendation of my good friend Mallory, my media and culture go-to. It’s a supernatural drama that looks at a world where 2% of the population has suddenly disappeared. Everyone has lost someone or knows someone who has and it feels scarily possible given our pandemic world. I’m hooked. But I also need a second show to balance the intensity, so I’m turning to Couples Therapy for that.
I know, strange mind that unwinds with therapy…but the couples’ stories are so moving and she’s a very good therapist! Talk about active listening. Finally, I’m dosing with Amy Schumer’s new show Life & Beth, which she says is partially based on her life. Call anything memoir and I’m there.
The sounds of nature in my house. A squirrel chasing my cat up over the kitchen table, ever so briefly jumping up onto the bottom of my dress, then pirouetting in the air before scampering back outside. Yes, this happened. Yes, I can still feel its little fingers on my body, and yes, I was screaming so loud Simon thought I was being attacked by the bad grey kitty in our row.
Then last night Violet and I found a dead mouse at the bottom of the stairs. I offered to give her five bucks if she would sweep it up. She promptly agreed but then had to renege when she got close and said it was sticking to the floor. Because there was no Simon, I was the next in line. For five seconds I considered leaving it there or calling my brother-in-law. But then I hunkered down, reached for the dust pan and closed my eyes:
“Am I close?”
“Yep.”
“Did I get it?”
“Yep. You’re brave, Mommy.”
“Thanks, babe.'“
This morning my mom called me valiant for another reason, so I’m riding the vulnerable high of my courage this Tuesday. Emails and DMS about your own moments of courage (however big or small) are welcome!
Last year’s jean shorts.
And this year’s duck mirrors, which Simon calls gaudy and I call playful.
It’s been a while since I returned to this series. So thanks for waiting. This is my neighbour Patricia in front of her pandemic quilt. A square a day is what she mandated for herself during lockdown. I also found out she makes her own clothes. The only thing I ever sewed was a green bunny in grade 7.
“I needed a shirt that would make me happy.”
Patricia, I celebrate you for being a woman who does what she wants!
In other news…in tomorrow’s episode of Sister On! we sit down with Anna DeShawn, Chicago born digital media artist & social entrepreneur. She’s a really inspiring person who's riding media into its next era by using digital media streams to centre and celebrate Black, Brown & Queer folks of colour.