WHAT MY WEEKS ARE LIKE OF LATE

The issue of fossil fuels takes up most of what’s remaining of my brain space but I’m going to quickly write this short blog about mundane stuff.

All of my favorite TV series I was watching pre-covid- -“Homeland,” “Dead To Me,” “Ramy,” “Better Things,” –are done either forever or for the season, so, like you, I’ve been discovering things I probably would not have seen. The most recent is the very special, “I May Destroy You.” It’s totally unique, to me at least, and very eye-opening. Kudos to the remarkable writer and striking star, Michaela Coel. It’s 96% Rotten Tomatoes. “Defending Jacob” is a mini-series but really surprising. I’ve liked “Little Fires Everywhere” and “The Morning Show–once I got into it. Kudos to Reese Witherspoon who.’s responsible for both Also, I’ve started watching “Black Monday.” I know, I’m late getting there but I’m really liking the fantastic cast. Someone just recommended the Amy Schumer cooking show with her husband so I’ll add that to my list. By the way, do check out “Ramy.” It funny, moving, nuanced and, in my opinion, important.

I’m maintaining my filming schedule tendency to get in bed early–6:30 or 7pm. (When we film, I have to often get up at 5am). I always watch Rachel Maddow taped, and then I go to these other shows. I’m normally asleep by somewhere between 9 and 10pm and my little Tulea mostly wakes me up at 5:30-6am. On weekends, I feed her and we go for a walk. During the week I have breakfast and then workout for an hour.

I spend the weekends alone with Tulea and I write the opening to the next Fire Drill Fridays and read. Right now I’m reading Jane Mayer’s “Dark Money,” having finished all my books about trees. I cannot recommend “Overstory” by Richard Powers strongly enough. Brilliant!! I’m a big reader and books have always been crucial to the various transitions in my life. I have a big stack of them next to my desk that have been accumulating for almost a year that I’m slowly making my way through.

In a recent blog, I gave you the names of a few of the books about race that have had a big influence on me.

During the week, besides seeing a few doctors, I do a lot of Zoom meetings, mostly involving the climate crisis and things involving help for our essential workers. Also many virtual fundraisers. I actually like the virtual phone meetings. You see, I am NOT a phone person. I always try to get off phone calls as quickly as possible. But it’s not so bad when I can see faces and can check out people’s homes and offices and try to read the titles on their book shelves. I also workout several more times.

I’ve been true to my word and not purchased one new article of clothing since I bought my iconic red coat last October. And I’ve gathered about half my wardrobe and either sold or donated the outfits. Lightening up in my dotage!

My assistant is with me 5 days a week so I feel lucky. I am super aware of just how lucky. My home is paid for, I’m healthy, I have terrific, smart friends and I have never minded being alone. Still, I’ve made new friends since the pandemic. One is Darrell Hammond, the amazing talent from Saturday Night Live who played Clinton, Gore, Trump, Daffy Duck, and just about anybody. It’s uncanny. A friend of mine was a producer on a documentary about Darrell called “Cracked Up.” I watched it last year and recommended it to Netflix where you can watch it. It’s an important doc for those interested in generational trauma, which I am. Darrell and I ended up doing a podcast together about the subject and I wanted to get to know him so he came over for dinner. We wore masks except when eating and sat at opposite ends of the table. Now he’s back in New York. Next week, Maurice Mitchell, Director of The Working Families Party is coming for dinner. He was a guest on a recent Fire Drill Friday, and we wanted to get to know each other so I’m taking advantage of his proximity–he lives for the moment in San Diego.

What else? I walk whenever I can. I do facetime and I’ve twice visited with my one-year-old grandson which is heavenly but I can’t hug him…or my son and daughter-in-law. That’s what I miss doing most during this pandemic.

Time to make myself lunch. I eat a big breakfast and a healthy lunch around 3pm and nothing more after that. That’s my routine. Stay safe. Were a mask!

HB
What I fixed for lunch: yellow beet salad, sprouts, avocado, tuna fish salad, melon and lemon mousse