Pat Taub
Escapist Indulgences
After a week of reading about the horrors in the Ukraine and watching a webinar on the necessity for peace talks over escalation, I had my fill of despair, so I turned to a light-hearted TV series and a witty novel about an eccentric family.
Julia
This new series on HBO Max is part of the current trend reviving the indomitable Julia Childs. I prefer the TV Julia to the 2009 film, Julie and Julie. I’m partial to Julia for its greater character development and the step-by-step dramatization of how Julia Child’s show on Boston’s PBS television surprised everyone who doubted that a cooking show would work, let alone become a national success. The British actress, Sarah Lancashire, captures Julia’s voice and mannerisms to perfection.
“How to Behave in A Crowd,” by Camille Bordas
I laughed aloud reading about a very eccentric French family of six precocious children, whose addiction to books and study has their widowed mother forever trying to get them to forgo their books in favor of free time outside the house. The narrator is 11-year-old Isidore Mazal, the youngest sibling. One reviewer criticized the book as “being too clever for its own good.” I disagree. While the children’s high intelligence seemed a bit extreme, I was willing to overlook that for all the entertainment provided. But then, I’m partial to eccentrics.
Passover and Easter
Today marks the beginning of Passover, which lasts for eight days. This Sunday is Easter Sunday. Many children continue to color eggs, take part in egg hunts, while devouring marshmellow chicks and chocolate bunnies. I uncovered a photo of my five-year-old self, my brother, Curry at 3 ½ and my cousin, Barbara 6 years-old. We’re dressed for church, flanked by stuffed animals. I’m in big sister mode, lecturing my brother, who looks bewildered.
On a serious note, I long to see peace in the Ukraine and hope religious speeches call for an end to escalating the US response. Peace talks over more and more armaments!
Spring Flowers
In Maine, where I live, crocuses are in bloom and a few very sunny gardens have daffodils in full regale. The rest of us are content with awakening, not-yet-in-bloom daffs, and tulips. Mainers must wait till Memorial Day for our treasured lilacs to blossom. To keep your lilac waiting at bay, here’s an image of lilacs from the Santa Monica Farmer’s Market, sent by my youngest son, who lives in Santa Monica.
