History, Repeating
I seem to be dissociating from current events and the world at large, and this dissociation is manifesting in strange ways. I have entirely eschewed my old self-care and beauty podcasts in favour of either Sweet Valley High recaps OR extremely detailed historical analysis of terrible world events. My downloads are unhinged. An episode of Elizabeth’s desire to go to boarding school in Switzerland is followed by a graphic explanation on the mechanics of crucifixion, both of which are topics I have thought about since I was a child. A four-part series on the causes, effects, and economic impacts of the American Civil War is followed by deep dive into the book Secret Admirer, when a prank personal ad in the Sweet Valley Oracle, which leads to some awkward encounters and hurt feelings. I honestly don’t know if I’m losing my mind or saving my sanity.
If you’re wondering, the exact cause of death from crucifixion is a combination of dehydration, exhaustion, and suffocation. Also, birds had a field day with the eyes and genitals of the crucified. On that gruesome note, which may or may not be appropriate for Lent, I will move on.
Let Us Be Elegant Or Die
Speaking of the American Civil War, my son gave me this puzzle for Christmas.
The border is made up of quotes from the book, and it has one of my all-time favourite quote, one that I have thought of lo these forty plus years since I first read Little Women.
The full quote is dear me, let us be elegant or die and I think about that at least once a week while getting dressed.
Another quote that has been burned on my brain since childhood comes from Anne of Ingleside, which is one of my least-favourite Anne books but contains one of the funniest scenes of all time. Here’s the setup: Gilbert’s aunt, Mary Maria, comes for a visit, and ends up staying for months. Seasons pass, and this houseguest – who is passive-aggressive, rearranges the furniture, and dramatically takes to her bed with the slightest provocation – is STILL THERE. Anne, with her usual determinedly joyful outlook, decides to throw Aunt Mary Maria a surprise party for her birthday, which is NOT well received by the birthday girl, who is incensed that now everyone knows her advanced age, which is fifty-five. Fifty-five! Anyway, she leaves in a huff, to the relief of everyone. But the quote I have thought of all these years comes when Susan, the housekeeper, has made four cakes. She says “When we give a party, we give a party.” I think of this literally any time we have people over. We give a party. If only I had four cakes!
In that book and the previous one, Anne’s House of Dreams, we are introduced to one of the greatest character in all of children’s fiction. Her signature quote, “Isn’t that just like a man?” is something I think of every day of my life.
Long Island Compromise?
My friend Birchie (HI BIRCHIE) was writing about workouts and the feeling that it is a constant cycle of hard work and exhaustion with no clear end game. I have mentioned before my downward trajectory, where fitness is concerned; it can be very disheartening. But on the other hand, practicing non-attachment and having zero goals when it comes to fitness can be very freeing. I suppose that’s an inaccurate statement; I don’t have ZERO goals. My goal is to continue to be mobile, ambulatory, and to heft my own carryon into the overhead compartment on a plane. If I ask one of the guys to empty Rex’s 35 pound bag of dog food into the lidded container, it’s because I’m lazy, not because I can’t do it. All of these things are a bit nebulous, and they lack the urgency of a specific outcome by a specific time.
The nebulous goals and non-attachment are working well for me, so that I can just enjoy the time I spend walking, practicing yoga, or on the Peloton. A few weeks ago there was a woman on the leaderboard with the name McKinzieWithAnI, and I read that as McKinzie With Anal. Wow, I thought, That’s really advertising your preferences until I realized that it was a spelling thing.
It must be fairly common these days to go through life with that particular verbal tic of spelling one’s name immediately after divulging it. Back in the Sweet Valley High days, it would be mostly confined to Sara(h)s and C(K)atherines, with the occasional C(S)heryl, although I have had to specify the no H spelling in my own name a few times in my fifty years. I also automatically say “That’s M-A-C” immediately after divulging my last name. I would assume that automatic spellings would be the norm now: is it Jaxon or Jackson? Cailen or Kaelin or Kaylyn or Kaelynn? Ciaran or Kieran? Ashley or Ashlee or Ashleigh? Madeleine or Madelyn or Madilynn? McKenzie or MacKenzie or McKinzie? With an I!
Weekly Reading
The world is upside down. Let the record show that this week I read – and enjoyed – not one, not two, but THREE books penned by male authors. And not just male authors: heterosexual white male authors. I know what you’re thinking. Finally, FINALLY, someone is giving straight white men a moment in the sun! Let’s hear it for the boys!
Grace and Henry’s Holiday Movie Marathon. A holiday romance in March? The heart wants what it wants, or, more accurately, the library holds come in when they come in. Let me tell you, this book is an absolute delight. It was just pure happiness, this story about two widowed people who, dreading the first holiday seasons without their respective spouses, strike up a friendship by watching holiday movies together. OBVIOUSLY the friendship becomes more than that, but this book is more than that too – it’s about love and loss and grief and how no marriage is perfect. Plus there is a dog named Harry Styles. How can you resist? Yes, I know it’s March, but this holiday romance is perfect any time of the year. It’s delightful, no notes.
Abundance. Did I follow a holiday romance with a non-fiction book about unaffordability and the climate crisis? Yes. This is an excellent, well-researched read about some big issues facing the US, namely the housing crisis, climate change, and shortages of all kinds. It delves into the economics of progress and the failures of institutions to focus on forward movement. It’s well-written and accessible. Also I learned that cement production is responsible for 8% of the world’s CO2 emissions. 8%!!! I had no idea.
Brideshead Revisited. I confess I would have never picked up this book about a disillusioned army man who comes across the estate of a large country house during World War II, and finds himself reminiscing about his complicated and extensive relationships with the former inhabitants of that same estate, had I not heard it mentioned on The Rest is History. Evelyn Waugh (ROUGH name for a man, I am sorry to say) wrote this while on medical leave from the army, and so it feels rather like auto-fiction. Which, perhaps shows that Waugh was not quite as straight as one might imagine, given the storylines. Also, he had married a woman named Evelyn, which would lead to some awkwardness, I would think. Anyway, the book itself is quite entertaining, if you’re interested in English country life in the 1920s and 30s, which I am.
Wow, I do not know if I could have gotten three more different books this week!
How are you coping with things, friends? I hope you’re all taking care of yourselves. xo
Sometimes I feel like we’re book anti-twins, but not today. I’m actually putting the first book on my TBR. And- I’ve never read Brideshead Revisited, which is odd because that’s they type of book I enjoyed in my 20s and 30s- not sure how I missed this one. Also putting it on my TBR. AND, weirdly I’ve never read any of the Anne books!!! I know! That’s crazy!!! So they’re on my TBR as well. About the “advanced age” of the aunt- yes, books written in that time period always portray these “elderly” people who turn out to be younger than I am. Archer’s age at the end of Age of Innocence was 57, and he’s basically portrayed as an old man who’s done with life. Sheesh.
Thanks for the Rex photo!!!
Oh I think you would like Brideshead Revisited! It’s kind of a wild ride but I was definitely here for it!
Lololol yes, poor aged Archer! Fifty-seven, IMAGINE. Mind you, I used to think 50+ meant “one foot in the grave” so I guess here we are!
I remember when my Grandma was 50, I asked her how old she was and she said, ‘100’. I asked my mom why she said that, and was told that ‘if the neighbors should ask us how old our grandmother was, she didn’t want them to know.’ WEIRD.
We saw Ezra Klein on his pre-book tour (I think) for Abundance, meaning I feel like it hadn’t come out yet? I love his podcast, but the talk was a bit less interesting. Anyway, I love the connection of you reading the book and us seeing him in person!
Now that I’m 60, and knowing your feelings about working out, and after reading Birchie’s post, I’ve been thinking about this stuff too. Like you, I am exercising to be able to live my life as comfortably and healthily as possible. I want to be able to manage the stairs in my house, the groceries, the whatever. But I also know that at some point, a 35 lb bag of dog food may be too much. But let’s put that off as long as possible, right? My brother and SIL live in Alaska, and their house is built on a VERY steep hill (mountain I guess?). The stairs from the street to their house are treacherous, and she worries that she will be angry when my brother can’t do them anymore and they will have to move. Um, wow. I mean, that day is going to come when ONE of them (he has a lot more health issues that she does and does nothing to care for his body, so likely it will be him…but she could have a stroke or something) cannot manage those stairs in icy conditions, I hope she can not be angry when that day comes. Not my business, but I think about it and am a bit peeved with her.
We watched the Oscars last night, and when Paul Thomas Anderson won best director, my husband said, tongue firmly in cheek, “Finally the white guy gets his due!” (I mean, it was a great movie, not saying he didn’t deserve it…but it was funny anyway.)
That is…weird. I mean…I don’t even know what to say. She will be angry? Well. I guess that’s maybe an unwanted insight into their marriage? I don’t know. I can see being sad about it. But angry? Also I just read something about “aging in place” and making your home as accessible as possible as you age and, I don’t know, sometimes that might mean moving. Well. Colour me disturbed about your SIL!
I think things were so strange back then – it was shameful to divulge your age. I feel like we should be shouting out our ages. Then again I know someone who found colouring hair to be shameful and something to hide, so we have come a long way.
FINALLY THE WHITE DUDES ARE GETTING THEIR FLOWERS!
As I mentioned on FB, we’ve been dissociating by watching a lot of British tv. I think the idea of being somewhere that’s not the U.S. but kind of similar is appealing right now.
During the early years of covid I went the opposite direction, reading as many books about plagues as I could, so I understand the push/pull factor.
I remember that, Steph! I was absolutely the opposite, as you remember. I couldn’t read a single thing that was plague related. About a year in I think I read something about the 1918 flu and I actually became hope-filled, because it ENDED and it was hard to imagine the pandemic ending.
I am reading that holiday romance right now. I love that read a holiday romance in March at about the same time. It honestly felt pretty seasonal given it was blizzarding when I read it. I have <15% left so will finish it on the plane today (if that trip happens – one never knows w/ the hundreds of cancellations over the weekend in Minneapolis from our March blizzard – sob).
I plan to read Ezra Klein's book when I have the headspace to think about those matters – and I recognize that I am very privileged to decide when I was think heavily about those matters…
The puzzle is so delightful!
I mean, why not wait on the Klein book. It will still be there later!
That holiday romance was EVERYTHING. Five stars!!! It was just lovely and delightful! I also really liked the twist about the late husband. I thought that made for a very realistic portrayal that not everything is rosy.
I have only ever read Anne of Green Gables. Should I read the whole series?? And speaking of the spelling of names, my oldest daughter will sometimes send me the list of names on my grandson’s baseball teams because they are just THAT bizarre. And they are boy’s names! Like I always say, ‘People are just making shit up now!’
How do I cope with 2026? I get a lot of kicks on TikTok. But honestly, when I think of what my grandmother went through, having multiple sons in WW2 and trying to feed the rest of her large family with food rations, I actually think life is pretty damn good for me. Not everyone in the world can say that, but many of us can.
There are definitely many unique spellings these days!!
I absolutely loved the whole series – Anne’s House of Dreams is probably my favourite, followed by Anne of Ingleside.
Life is good for me too, but knowing that there are many people in the world who, as you say, can’t say that makes me sad. It’s hard to ignore the news, and we shouldn’t ignore the news, but of course we have to enjoy and be grateful for our own lovely lives!
LOL anal Mckinzie. Poor girl. Terrible Peloton name. I also just love the time I spend exercising for its own sake, although I do track miles and minutes in my weekly calendar spread– maybe because I actually have no goals, so this gives me a fake goal structure? I have noticed how much stronger I am since I started lifting weights, and it;s really gratifying. Also, my butt looked amazing in Lulu flare pants the other day (and for some reason I didn’t buy them?! Must rectify that immediately), so there’s that too. I also liked Abundance even though I am a little to the left of Klein most generally.
I mean, that Peloton name is right up there with the hashtag #therapistsofPeloton, or #therapyfortherapists.
OMG, Sarah, me too! Writing things down and tracking things DOES give me a fake goal structure! Also, GO BUY THE PANTS!!!
I read is as McKinzie with an EL and was so confused. The anal thing must be real for her.
ANYWAY. NICOLE!!
Years ago (consults blog – July 2016, so coming up on ten years ago), my mom and I went on a tour of Great Lakes shipwrecks off the shores of Alpena, Michigan. They have a cool setup with a glass-bottom boat and you can see the wrecks through these glass wells. It was amazing and fun except this one thing. Let me quote from 2016 NGS’s blog: We spent more than 25% of our 2-hour tour ($30 a person!!!) LOOKING AT A FUCKING CEMENT PLANT. Apparently the thing used to be a polluting nightmare, but has since cleaned up its act and the captain used to work there and he talked incessantly about it and I guess I kind of care, but I was there to see shipwrecks, not discuss industry. I was pissed at the last 40 minutes of our tour.
So, guess what? I know a lot of dumb facts about cement and I am bitter about having this knowledge. BITTER. Thank you for letting me relive this moment in NGS Rage.
You know what, you are RIGHT to be bitter. There is NO NEED to stare at a cement plant when you’re looking at shipwrecks!!! It’s better to get info about cement via a chapter in a book, not when you’re on a shipwreck tour!
Talking of Mrs McKinzie, yesterday I was at a race chatting with a young runner. Out of habit I glanced at his bib to catch his name and read “Lucky.” A minute later he introduced himself as John, which completely threw me. I looked again and realised I had been reading the “Lucky Draw” coupon pinned to his bib as if it were his name. 🙈
Fitness end goal: running at 78 like Jeannie Rice. Absolute legend. She ran the half marathon in New York yesterday in 1:45. Apparently she even had to walk a bit because of a leg issue, otherwise she might have been faster. Incredible!
What. What. That is amazing, Catrina!!! What an incredible accomplishment!
Hahahah Lucky. It would have been great if you had called him Lucky, just to see his reaction!
I’m a little bit obsessed with all of the old timey Evelyns, Ashleys, and Aubreys who married each other. Plus I’ve been living in the 1920’s British movie world lately, so I feel like I’m up to speed on the Brideshead Revisited World.
We all like what we like, so no comment but much respect for the variety that’s in your podcast queue.
See, and I didn’t even KNOW Evelyn could be a man’s name. I mean, I guess anything CAN be a man’s name, but I didn’t know that there were any men named Evelyn.
My podcast queue is unhinged and I don’t even KNOW what I’m doing anymore.
I’ve been working on a very long and nit picky post about the spelling of first names. That poor, poor McKinzie, Kenzie, Kinsie, anal, whatever it was, is terrible. I feel for her.
A boy named Evelyn who married a girl named Evelyn. WHAT ARE THE CHANCES?
I’m holding up just fine, thanks for asking. 😉 I often thing of the things my great grandparents survived, with and without assistance, so yeah, I’m fortunate.
I mean, I feel like I would never date a man with my same name, let alone marry him (imagine a man named Nicole).
My grandparents and great-grandparents had very tough lives as well. But I think there’s space for both gratitude for our own lives (mine is, as you know, very soft and luxurious) and also concern for the world at large. I mean, we are so fortunate – just think of the laundry, Suz! Imagine doing laundry with a washboard. Or a wringer washer! Pumping and heating the water, MY GOD THINK OF THE LAUNDRY.