Have a Great Weekend.

What are you up to this weekend? I’m going to be interviewing my dad, and I’m curious to hear what he has to say about anything and everything. Hope you have a good one, and here are a few fun links from around the web…

What a kitchen! Love the pink and green.

The new season of The Crown is all about Diana.

Living with a pandemic or a newborn?

I can’t stop wearing this dress with these shoes.

Great short interviews with USPS workers. (Worth reading.)

How cool is this striped bedroom…

…and this striped kitchen?

Michelle Obama’s amazing necklace. (New York Times)

Love these wine labels.

When your best friend gives birth to your babies — all four of them.

Plus, three reader comments:

Says Sue on vocabulary words: “My (older) partner was diagnosed with dementia last year and has a hard time sometimes saying what he wants to say. But his old vocabulary still emerges, always correctly — ‘vituperative’ and ‘peripatetic,’ most recently.”

Says Karin on vocabulary words: “A friend of mine has instructed her three- and five-year-olds to use ‘detest’ instead of ‘hate’ when they complain: ‘I detest taking baths!’ ‘I detest green beans!’ Such elegant whining!”

Says Whitney on vocabulary words: “You would like flying out of the Milwaukee airport. We have the world’s only ‘recombobulation area’ immediately after you go through security.”

(Photo by Maurizio Leo via Instagram)

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Heather

August 27, 2020 1:34 pm

Totally stealing detest vs hate for my 5yo and 8yo!

Alice

August 24, 2020 5:06 pm

I wasn’t allowed to say ‘hate’ growing up. I had to say ‘I dislike intensely’!

Lillian

August 24, 2020 10:29 am

Curious if you’d share your list of interview questions for your dad!

Lauren

August 24, 2020 10:02 am

Read this in the nytimes this weekend — seems like a *must* for next Fridays roundup. Margaret Renkl is a national treasure.

https://www.nytimes.com/2020/08/24/opinion/coronavirus-anxiety-coping.html

“It felt like nothing less than a blessing, in this hurt and hurtful time, to remember how creative human beings can be, how tender and how kind.”

Karen

August 24, 2020 9:08 am

Detest, an easy and better first approach. Adopting it now!

Anne

August 23, 2020 2:28 pm

I used to fly to Milwaukee for work and always giggled at the “recombobulation area”. So funny!

Emily

August 23, 2020 2:09 pm

The USPS story made me so happy. I missed it when it was published in June so thanks for bringing it back!

kath

August 23, 2020 4:00 am

i always think of karl lagerfeld’s “pretty but stupid” description of princess diana whenever her name is brought up.

Claire

Reply to kath

August 24, 2020 9:45 am

I always think of bullying and misogyny when I hear that quote.

August 22, 2020 8:34 pm

@marie thank you, that was me! xx

Sian

August 22, 2020 4:05 pm

Love the pandemic or newborn piece ? I kept joking during lockdown that the rest of the country had joined my maternity leave.

Kate

August 22, 2020 1:37 pm

As a Milwaukeean, I’m so happy that Milwaukee showed up in the weekend reads AND so many people are commenting that it brings them joy. Growing up in Wisconsin, I assumed every airport had a recombobulation area. Nope, just MKE!

karen

August 22, 2020 1:04 pm

Stealing “detest” immediately. My son just announced “I hate Thundercats!”
Excuse me, that’s detest Thundercats!

celeste

August 22, 2020 9:53 am

I bought Caroline’s $18 hair tool and taught my incoming 7th grader how to use it. Bouncy hair success is what was needed. Talk about the blog post that keeps on giving.

Louise

Reply to celeste

August 23, 2020 2:53 pm

“Hair success” in middle school is such a gift!
Signed, a person who spent 7th grade with barrettes plastering her insufficiently conditioned floofy hair to the side of her head.

Marie

August 21, 2020 8:43 pm

I’m sorry to say this, I’m usually not one to complain – I check your Friday post with such anticipation because it usually brings so much joy but I don’t find the pandemic or newborn link remotely funny.

As someone who had a baby in April… the pandemic only compounds those things listed. I have not seen my family – at all. There are no lunch breaks, no one to sub in for an hour so I can grab a shower or eat a hot meal. There is no meeting a friend for coffee or to grab a glass of wine and share the joys and challenges of new motherhood.

This is a very isolating experience during the best of times, let alone during a pandemic. We have been locked down since March.

Only new parents who have gone through it during a pandemic should be writing such lists because if they did, it would look entirely different.

Neela

Reply to Marie

August 22, 2020 2:57 am

Oh Marie, my heart really goes out to you. What an extremely isolating experience this must be for you, and how hard, not to be able to share with your family and friends. Sending a big squeeze from afar for you and your baby (and partner?) and lots of strength and resilience to get through this incredibly tough time. Lots of love.

Reply to Marie

August 22, 2020 10:20 am

I wish I my kids are newborns during this time. I was home away.
I would be able to work from home with a newborn and not have to spend over 20k on daycare. I would have been able to be with my baby instead of dropping them off for 8 hours.
Instead my kids who shouldn’t be schooled virtually, are. They are missing everything. We are missing family, friends, school, and everything else that makes the summer fun.
This is a shitty time for everyone. Everything sucks for everyone. Thank god your baby won’t remember it like my kids.
We need to find humor somewhere or I’ll wilt and die on the vine.

Reply to Marie

August 22, 2020 12:26 pm

You know what else compounds these things? Having cancer and chemo during the pandemic. Talk about feeling isolated. A newborn would be a dream in comparison (I’ve had 3 so speak from experience). Everyone is struggling and everyone’s struggles and real and valid but you might need to lighten up – if I can find it hilarious it seems an over reaction that you are offended and bothered by it. Maybe you can talk to someone/therapy etc. (that sounds preachy but I mean it).

Reply to Marie

August 22, 2020 12:41 pm

So sorry Marie! The newborn days are so isolating <3.
I also am sort of over the pandemic/quarantine humor. I wish I got to work from home and be in PJs all day. I am 4.5 months pregnant and would LOVE it. It makes me wonder, how many people actually get this "terrible" at home time? Staying home? Not worrying about exposure at work? Having more free time?

Julia

Reply to Marie

August 22, 2020 1:49 pm

Sending you a hug – I had my daughter during the pandemic as well. It is TOUGH.

Love from Germany!
Julia

Reply to Marie

August 22, 2020 1:56 pm

Thinking of you, Marie. <3 I can only imagine how tough it must be to be in your first year of parenting AND living through a global pandemic at the same time. My world felt totally turned upside down the first year of my son's life. I can't imagine how it must feel for you since the outside world is also turned on its head right now. Hugs to you. One day at a time.

Marie

Reply to Marie

August 22, 2020 2:02 pm

Neela,

Thank you so much for your kind words. I know this is a hard time for everyone. I am very lucky to have a very supportive partner. He works nine to ten-hour days but he helps as much as he can and I couldn’t do it without him.

Wishing you and yours health and happiness,
Marie

Marie

Reply to Marie

August 22, 2020 2:04 pm

I find the humor in our baby’s giggle, in our dog’s love for everyone and everything and Seth Meyer’s segment, A Closer Look.

I never said this didn’t suck for everyone and I never said I wish I had school-aged-children instead.

What I was saying, was that I didn’t find the humor in comparing apples to oranges. Going to the grocery store during normal times, after having a newborn, is simply not the same thing as going during a pandemic. “Normal” before and after a newborn, is not the same thing as “normal” before and after a pandemic that has killed 170,000 Americans and counting. They are not comparable.

I felt as if this author, who I’m sure meant well, was belittling this experience and my experience. It takes a village and for all practical purposes, that village has been cut out/cut back tremendously.

I have no idea what it is like to have school-aged children during a pandemic and wouldn’t pretend to know what it is like. The best I can do is acknowledge that your feelings are real, your pain is real, your frustration is real. Even though you didn’t see me, I see you and send my best your way. This does suck, for everyone – the least we could do is support one another in that.

Christina

Reply to Marie

August 22, 2020 2:53 pm

J – what a spiteful response. You’re right, we all have shitty things we are dealing with, and you just stomped all over someone who shared their struggles.

Marie, I’m so sorry you’re dealing with this. It sounds incredibly hard! Sending you a big hug.

Juliana

Reply to Marie

August 22, 2020 3:30 pm

Free advice and observations, which means you can totally ignore them …
Whatever is written out there will summon different responses in different people.
Your reaction and feelings are totally legitimate.
If you have a partner, take turns taking care of the baby.
When the baby sleeps, and hopefully, in their first months they still sleep a lot, try to get some rest yourself or use the time for some self-care, taking a shower, enjoying a cup of joe while reading A Cup of Jo, focusing on the articles that ARE FUN FOR YOU. If the baby does not sleep well, look into it.
Can you reach out to a friend, neighbor or family to sub for an hour when the baby usually sleeps?
Share the joys and challenges of motherhood with friends online, if that’s all that will work for now.
Do write your own list, why not? It may be just the outlet you need.
Take advantage of the support you find in the network established through these comments. I feel everybody is very friendly, empathetic even, sharing of course their own experience and their own point of view, just as they should.
Look for professional advice for yourself if you think it may help. These are tough times and it is tough enough to look after a baby in the first place.
And you’re right. This website is absolutely delightful, it keeps things fresh (and I am not talking only about the bagels!!) and interesting. This is why I stop by, even though I have to admit my children are in a totally different age group, so all the motherhood worries about the young age are well behind me. But I was there. It is true, not during a pandemic. But it was in a place that was going through a radical political and economic transition and it wasn’t easy.

Joyce

Reply to Marie

August 22, 2020 4:09 pm

A fellow parent of a newborn during a pandemic sending you love, Marie.

The isolation of new mother layered with the isolation of a pandemic is a ton to deal with. but, look! You’re doing it!!! xoxo. I recommend the app “BackThen” to keep in touch/share pics with relatives. The grandparents love it.

katie

Reply to Marie

August 22, 2020 10:09 pm

@k, yes my husband and I are privileged in that we get to work from home; however I assure you we don’t have any extra free time. Our hours and pay were cut so people wouldn’t get laid off yet the I’m still working 10 hour+ days because it’s required. The work is there.

Everyone has their struggles.

I wake up. I’m at my desk in the guest bedroom. I grab breakfast that we premade the night before. I’m at my desk. I grab lunch, again premade on Sunday or leftovers. I’m at my desk. I make dinner, watch a couple hours of tv then go to bed. Saturday’s we grocery shop and clean. Sunday’s I meal prep and cook. I’m lucky if I get a walk in. Wash, rinse, repeat.

If we had children, one of us would literally have to take a leave of absence to make this work.

It’s not all free time and jammies. I assure you.

Jil

Reply to Marie

August 24, 2020 3:11 pm

All the best to you, A. I can well imagine what hard time you are going through right now.

Marie

August 21, 2020 7:55 pm

Last Friday I posted about the derecho that hit Iowa so hard. Someone asked if I knew of specific ways for others to help. Here is an article about a mother of five (volunteer fire fighter) who lives nearby. Please consider giving if you can. The needs in Iowa are many, and sadly the news is not giving this much coverage. This week many in Iowa are finding out that their insurance is not going to cover much of the damage. Thanks for considering!

https://www.kcci.com/article/family-of-iowa-firefighter-killed-during-derecho-storm-remembers-her-legacy/33662142

Claire

Reply to Marie

August 24, 2020 9:50 am

That was me, Marie, who asked for suggestions about how best to provide assistance to communities in Iowa. l found the article below, linking to some resources (it is not pay walled) and I donated $25 to the Greater Cedar Rapids Community Foundation.
https://www.nytimes.com/2020/08/18/us/how-to-help-derecho-iowa.html

Elinor

August 21, 2020 7:55 pm

“A pandemic or a newborn” is an hilarious piece, but it’s on Mcsweeney’s, not The New Yorker as mentioned.
Have a lovely, full of laughs weekend!

Abesha1

August 21, 2020 7:31 pm

We’ll be indoors in California, smelling smoke and watching the fires burn, and waiting against hope for evacuation orders while we pray no one else dies and no cities burn, and thanking all the people out doing their jobs in the dangerous places.

Colleen S

Reply to Abesha1

August 22, 2020 3:17 pm

Same here. I’m surrounded by two fires that aren’t close to me, but I’m still freaking out because of how fast the Sonoma fire spread into Vacaville. I hope you don’t have to leave your home. I also hope that the storm projected to come from Sunday to Tuesday doesn’t do any more damage.

August 21, 2020 6:31 pm

Currently living in a pandemic with a newborn! Chuckled at the similarities. Sometimes I do wonder if life would really be
that different if we didn’t have the pandemic going on too (it would a little but not as much I think!).

Taylor

August 21, 2020 6:15 pm

hahah I am living in a pandemic with a newborn! my first baby and she’s 4 weeks! it’s brutal!!! no one coming over to gaze at her beauty and give us 10 minute of watching her so we can brush our teeth, constant googling/facetiming our moms, 105% of my diet has become delivery

I am pretty sure my baby thinks only my husband I have mouths and that everyone else is perma-masked!

Juliana

Reply to Taylor

August 22, 2020 3:22 pm

Taylor, your baby’s thoughts are pretty funny; you must be absolutely right thinking that’s what the baby’s thinking …
Has anybody seen the clear masks that are out there, online I mean? Or tried them out? Or seen them actually worn by people in the street?

Agnes

Reply to Taylor

August 24, 2020 1:39 am

Juliana, I am a child counsellor and we wear clear visors so the children can see us for their face to face appointments. Lots of restaurants also use these :) they are fine and better than having half our faces fully covered, but the children still find them weird!

Catherine

August 21, 2020 5:55 pm

I follow deVol Kitchens on Instagram and their account is so gorgeous. There’s something about British kitchens that we just can’t capture in the U.S. You can request their catalog, and it is beautiful, too.

Juli

Reply to Catherine

August 22, 2020 12:35 pm

This kitchen is awesome! Thanks for the follow on Instagram tip. I fought all the dark green in/on my house for 5 years and have been slowly embracing it. These cabinets are exactly what I needed to see! Any one know of deck furniture in a similar color? Maybe if I wait till next season it will be more popular?

Abesha1

August 21, 2020 4:44 pm

Sarah

Reply to Abesha1

August 22, 2020 9:28 am

I will also be spending the weekend closely monitoring the CZU Lightning Complex as is now very close to my brother’s house in Bonny Doon. The firefighters are so incredibly understaffed; they are doing all they can but it’s so far from enough. The community is also coming together to protect each other and their homes as best they can.

Lauren

Reply to Abesha1

August 24, 2020 9:54 am

My uncle’s house burned down in Bonny Doon, I spent the weekend carefully watching every update from calfire (real heros) in hopes that my mother’s home off of summit road is spared

Meg

August 21, 2020 4:36 pm

Why am I so tickled by the idea of a recombobulation area? Maybe because I feel in a permanent state of discombobulation lately, and would love to find some metaphorical recombobulation?! :)

Denise

Reply to Meg

August 22, 2020 9:39 am

So is the area just before the checkpoint the discombobulation area?! Oh, I just love this, and will forever use it!

Katie

August 21, 2020 4:34 pm

Ohmygoodness this is crazy!! I JUST moved to Milwaukee for school and my brother came to visit last week (I drove a U-haul here so I have never actually flown into this airport). He was raving about how cool it was that we have a recombobulation area at the airport. What a small world!! hahaha thanks for making my Friday, Whitney!

Zoe

August 21, 2020 4:29 pm

Whitney on Milwaukee Airport! Lol I have a photograph of that! Who knew it was possible to love an airport so much – the used bookshop is unbeatable!

Mags

August 21, 2020 4:27 pm

I too love the Recombobulation area in Milwaukee. I look for it in other airports, but it’s never labeled as such!

Samantha

August 21, 2020 4:02 pm

recombobulation area!!! the greatest thing i’ve heard all week!

Molly

August 21, 2020 3:57 pm

@Milwaukee this feels like a missed opportunity for “Recombobulation Station”

Susannah

Reply to Molly

August 21, 2020 4:30 pm

Hahahaha – yes!

Ellyn Ochs

Reply to Molly

August 21, 2020 6:44 pm

This!! When I fly from the Milwaukee airport it makes me laugh every time. Your comment made me smile, Molly. Thanks!

SarahE

Reply to Molly

August 22, 2020 9:20 am

Yes I also love that sign whenever I fly from Milwaukee!! I hadn’t thought of rhyming it with station though, that’s given me a good laugh! ?

Anna

August 21, 2020 3:40 pm

A random request but would any NYC based readers be able to recommend a family photographer they love? We had a baby in May and for Covid reasons, she hasn’t met any friends or family except for a handful of friends here who are in our “bubble.” We also have so few photos of us as a family and I would really love to get some professional pics done in the fall but I have no idea where to start with choosing someone from Google search results. Thank you so much!

Kristen

Reply to Anna

August 21, 2020 4:24 pm

For family photography in NYC: Marc Goldberg in Brooklyn. We’ve used him for years — super nice, funny and warm guy who will make your entire family smile and feel at ease.

Reply to Anna

August 21, 2020 8:29 pm

http://www.jaynewexler.com/family-1

Could not recommend her more highly or lovingly!

Reply to Anna

August 22, 2020 7:23 am

Wow, Jayne Wexler’s photos are beautiful! Thank you for sharing

Neela

Reply to Anna

August 22, 2020 2:45 pm

Wow, Jayne Wexler’s pics really are stunning. So real, capturing the beauty in everyday moments.

Sarah

August 21, 2020 3:28 pm

I’ve been to that recombobulation area! Still think about it sometimes.

Neela

Reply to Sarah

August 22, 2020 4:45 pm

What’s in it?!

Agnes

August 21, 2020 2:48 pm

These friends sharings kids and bellies, is really beautiful, I loved reading it. Have a nice week-end! We’ll go to the library and to an open dance class in a public garden and there will be a picnic!

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