We just returned from our third spring break in California! We met up with our friends who were doing a house swap in Yucca Valley. We did some light hiking in Joshua Tree, spent a day in Palm Springs, a little browsing through overpriced vintage, and a lot of lazing around by the backyard pool. It was glorious. In terms of packing, I thought a lot about my resolution to figure out my summer wardrobe. My favorite thing I wore I didn’t even get a picture of: the weekend tank dress from Everlane. It’s a thicker cotton and a very flattering cut.
Spots we hit up (with credit entirely to my dear friend Kelsey for researching ahead of time!):
-Luna Bakery
-Coyote Cone
-Tiny Pony Tavern
-Kitchen in the Desert
-Pioneer Town
-Hey There Projects
-Mojave Flea Trading Post
-Market Market
I’m returning to school this week without my student-teacher. For a couple of reasons, she decided to leave the program without obtaining her teaching license, as she has enough credits to graduate immediately. I feel like I failed as a mentor. Also, the thought of taking over all of the instructing and grading again after having so much help the past three quarters is daunting. I know I’ll get back into my routine after a few weeks, but man, this was a curve ball. I now see why so many seasoned teachers refuse to have student-teachers in their classroom. It wasn’t extra work, exactly, but it was a vulnerable and emotionally daunting task to share my teaching practice and classroom community for three quarters of the year and have it come to such an abrupt end.
Watching
Point Break (Prime)
I made good on my commitment to watch Point Break while Jonny and Ari were out of town. This movie is insane. Not even Elisa Gabbert’s essay (from this collection), which breaks down the plot of the whole movie, could prepare me for it. Patrick Swayze is so unhinged — he really had the range as an actor! I’ve never been a Keanu Reeves super fan, but he is absolutely gorgeous under the eye of Kathryn Bigelow. I was also very taken with Lori Petty (no relation to Tom Petty, I googled). It’s annoying to me how we rarely let normal looking people ascend in Hollywood anymore. Don’t get me wrong, Petty’s unique beauty and athleticism are on full display, but she still looks like a normal person you would actually find surfing in Santa Monica. In the current sea of botox, filler, and veneers, it was very refreshing.
Hamilton (Keller Auditorium in Portland)
We spent New Year’s with our neighbors, and when their teenage son shared he didn’t care to see Hamilton (I think he’s already seen it? I didn’t press), they generously offered me the ticket. I watched Hamilton when it streamed on Disney Plus, and I thought it was very entertaining, but seeing it in person was pretty incredible. Seeing art in person on that scale makes me feel simultaneously so inspired and so insignificant. One thing I kept thinking about during the show was this old interview with Jaboukie where he talks about how certain songs could only have been written before or during the Obama era (I think he specifically references “Young Folks” by Peter Bjorn & John). Hamilton is definitely something that could only have been written before or during the Obama era.
White Lotus (Still!) (Wow! The incest plot line!) (Why?!)
Reading
“The Teacher in Room 1214” (NYT gift link)
This is one of the saddest articles I have ever read. I cannot say much more without absolutely losing it. The disposability of children (and teachers) for the sake of “the second amendment” is perhaps the greatest American shame of my lifetime.
“Time Wasting” by Emily Adrian (and the follow up!)
I adore the way Emily writes about her family. She writes with so much love, but it’s never overly sentimental.
“What Was A Heartbreaking Work of Staggering Genius?” by Dan Kois
Prioritizing this for my next back list book selection! I have a love-hate relationship with memoirs — when they’re good, they’re SO good, when they are bad… I am more annoyed than when I read a mediocre work of fiction.
“LeBron James and the Limits of Nepotism” by Ross Andersen (archive link)
I have nothing to contribute to the nepo baby / Bronny James discourse, but the closing of this essay really packs a punch.
Antartica by Claire Keegan
I received this book from my friend Shannon in our book club’s White Elephant book exchange in January. She is a Claire Keegan evangelist, and I was really excited to get it because I’ve been on the library waiting list for Small Things Like These for at least four months. These stories are HAUNTING. I especially loved “Antartica,” “The Singing Cashier,” “Sisters” (I audibly gasped at the ending), and “Close to the Water’s Edge.”
You’ll Never Believe Me by Kari Ferrel
I don’t know how this memoir ended up up on my TBR list — I think it must be because I felt vaguely familiar with the “Hipster Grifter” but wanted the full story. It was okay. There is probably a more sophisticated way to critique it, but ultimately it is just too voice-y for me. The most interesting part of the story is her time spent incarcerated. I was moved enough to send a donation to Books Through Bars upon finishing, which is likely the most ideal outcome for someone reading her book!
I hope that you’re able to see cherry trees blossoming this week, and that allergies are not making you too miserable.
With love,
Lexie
I liked Antarctica (also read in March) but not as much as Foster and Small Things Like These. My favorite in Antarctica were "The Singing Cashier" and, especially, "Love in the Tall Grass."
Great newsletter! I don’t follow basketball but I found that article about LeBron totally fascinating.