Get Inspired

I have been reading some really great books over the last month, but I have been distracted when it comes to writing. I plan on sharing my reviews with you as soon as I can tear myself away from all the screens in my house!

For most of us, when it comes to inspiration, we are energized by the outside world. Spending time out in public, socializing with friends and family, going to museums, sporting events, theater and restaurants gives us something to look forward to and allows us to process and enjoy input from the outside. Currently we are limited in what we can safely do, so for me, screen time has become a large part of my entertainment. With so much available on my tv, computer and phone, I have fallen, bleary eyed, into the abyss. Screen time overload…can it be beneficial?

The good news is…I am inspired! From Jennifer Garner to Lin Manuel Miranda’s dad, the screens have been good to me and I feel hopeful about the future. Here is how I have been spending my time!

TV Offerings

Siempre, Luis on HBO – about Lin Manuel Miranda’s father and his devotion to family and country

First Ladies on CNN – a new series; first episode was about Michelle Obama, the second was Jacqueline Kennedy

The Home Edit on Netflix – the hosts help celebrities and regular people organize their messes

Indian Matchmaking on Netflix – an Indian matchmaker arranges marriages and we get to attend the dates

Author Talks on Zoom

I had the wonderful opportunity to see Dr. Carol Anderson, author of White Rage, and professor at Emory University, interview Dr. Ibram X. Kendi, author of How To Be An Anti-Racist. The conversation was informative and emotional, with a focus on education and policy change.

5 years ago I read Citizen, by Claudia Rankine, along with my older son, who was at the time a freshman at Washington University in St. Louis, and it was required reading. The author recently released a new book called Just Us encouraging difficult conversations between people of different races and ways to learn how to live together. Here is the link to her book talk.

I attended Temple Israel’s Book Club where the author of The Third Daughter, Talia Carner, discussed her historical fiction novel about legal prostitution in Argentina in the late 1800s and early 1900s. In addition to being an author, Talia often speaks about sex trafficking; visit her website for more details.

My book group welcomed author, Saumya Dave, to discuss her debut novel, Well-Behaved Indian Women, as well as all things Indian. Such a treat to meet with this practicing therapist and writer; visit her website here.

Instagram

Jennifer Garner (@jennifer.garner) often posts herself cooking and calls it her Pretend Cooking Show. So much fun to watch as she tries out different recipes in her kitchen at home.

Garner is and actress, co-founder of Once Upon A Farm and is a mom of Violet, 15, Seraphina 11 and Sam 8, with ex-husband, Ben Affleck.

Take Action

All the screen time has inspired me to take some action, clean up my act and try something new.

VOTE – I dropped off my ballot, my husband’s ballot, and made sure both my sons received theirs. So excited for my younger son, who just turned 18 this month, to vote for the very first time!

CLEAN CLOSETS – Not only did The Home Edit encourage me to clean out some storage closets, but I have decided to create a new walk-in closet for all my clothes. Organization can be life changing and I am ready for a fresh beginning.

TRY SOMETHING NEW – unbeknownst to her, Jennifer Garner has inspired me (of all people) to spend time in the kitchen and try a new recipe! Ina Garten’s new recipe for Crispy Chicken and Lemon Orzo with Feta was easy to make and delicious.

GIVE BACK – I co-hosted a book swap this week where local friends exchanged books and had a chance to catch up on all the latest personal news and book recommendations at my house from 6 feet apart. We collected $$$ donations for JumpStart, a fantastic organization that provides language, literacy, and social-emotional programming for preschool children from under-resourced communities and promotes quality early learning for all. Check out their website to learn more and feel free to donate here!

Books to Check Out

How to Be an Antiracist by Ibram X. Kendi

Just Us: An American Conversation by Claudia Rankine

The Third Daughter by Talia Carner

Well-Behaved Indian Women by Saumya Dave

The Home Edit Life: The Complete Guide to Organizing Absolutely Everything at Work, at Home, and on the Go by Clea Shearer, Joanna Teplin

Modern Comfort Food: A Barefoot Contessa Cookbook by Ina Garten

William Sonoma is hosting an author event with Ina Garten and Jennifer Garner on Zoom Oct. 20th…more info HERE.

One More Thing…

Not everything has to have a purpose. I binge-watched the charming Emily in Paris on Netflix and my husband and I finally started Schitt’s Creek. All just for fun.