Have a Great Weekend.

Interesting links, Stella. Thanks! The silent dinners article thought-provoking and lovely. And thanks for the salted espresso brownies link. Looks like I’ve found my birthday dessert. ;)

Thanks ladies! luckily it was mild here on Oahu. Here’s the Brothers trailer. It really is fantastic:) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6irc0MZcqpg

I’ve eaten a toasted sourdough + pesto + mayo + whole sliced tomato sandwich nearly every day this August (if I have time, I add 2 over easy eggs). I’m already sad about tomato season ending and looking forward to next year!

Okay, those brownies look so good!

I loved the tale of the phone calls between Bill and Phoebe! It reminded me of phone calls with my own parents. Up until dad passed away, it was a weekly call, where mum would do 90% of the talking. Dad would only come on occasionally to tell me stuff, and I knew if he was telling me something, it REALLY mattered to him. It was usually something work-related (we were both teachers – different age groups though) and dad would always start his tale with “I’ll tell YOU this. It’ll make you smile”. I loved being thought about by him in a “I’ll tell Sally this story, she’ll like it” way. And like he’d decided that I would be the best recipient for this tale.

After he died unexpectedly at 62, Mum and I started daily phone calls. At first they were gut-wrenching and sad. Lots of tears and awkward silences. But now, nearly a year on, because of these daily calls, we are closer and more in tune with each other than we have ever been. It’s only about 10 minutes a day and our chat is so inane now, like “I posted a letter and did some laundry”, but I wouldn’t change it.

Lan’s comment about no longer having to wait for slivers– that got me. I am so glad they are more stories that allow more and more people to feel seen.

Loved the links this week – I think Stella should compile the list more often! The article about silent dinners was so beautifully written.

Wow, the silent dinners article thought-provoking and lovely. And thanks for the salted espresso brownies link. Looks like I’ve found my birthday dessert. ;)

Joanna, This weekend I am hunkering down preparing for some hurricane weather here in Hawaii and I just re-watched the sweetest most touching film that I know you would adore by Norwegian film maker Aslaug Holm about life with her two sons called Brothers (Brodre). She captures everyday moments for 8 years as they grow (from ages 8 and 5 to 16 and 13) and the result is a beautiful, magical little film. As a fellow mom of two boys (mine are 14 and 8) it hit me as a gorgeous and heartbreaking story of how full and profound the little moments of life are and of the brother bond and family and raising two sons and how fast and fleeting it all is. I think you and your readers would love it if you haven’t seen it already.