Off For September Leaving Recommendations In My Wake, Or, Saturday Morning at 9:13am
Good morning, everyone! I’ll be off for September, so here are a couple of things I thought you might enjoy.
First, as we stand steadfast in 2026’s video torrent, reading words, I need to let you know I finally surrendered to Daniel Mason’s “North Woods.” It’s one of those books I’ve seen recommended dozens of times. Read the blurb tens of times, decided for some vibe or another not to buy, over and over, but finally, late one night in the throes of despair brought on by one too many pieces of commercial fiction that I just don’t get (Remarkably Bright Creatures, anyone?), embraced. Oh my goodness! I’m not finished but it’s keeping me up at night in the best of ways. I love stories in which much of the meaning happens in a non-verbal space of our consciousness, even as we marvel at the beautiful words in and of themselves. No spoilers, but those who’ve read it, I die for the ghosts.
Second and third, let me send you to Reddit. Do not be afraid of the perhaps alien space. You don’t have to log in to read, and if you do, you can remain anonymous. Consider weddings. Way back in the early days I used to write, in the voice of my semi-imagined ancestors, about High WASP nuptial types. Then when planning my daughter’s day, having found myself on Reddit, I discovered these two subreddits (as the separate forums dedicated to one topic or another are called). We learn, thusly, perspectives can broaden.
- r/Big Budget Brides. Of this I will say only, there are many ways to spend a lot of money. I watch myself, as I read, and I can hear the voices of my culture having opinions about draping (must we?), gold chargers (in the right place, I suppose), and a mix of high-low style (always and forever). Writing this blog has shown me how much of what I thought was “taste,” universal and Platonic, is in fact a signifier for Culture and its evil cousin Class. Doesn’t mean I now like “full glam” makeup; does mean the chatter of judgment bows to an understanding of differences. Extra benefit: many photos of beautiful celebrations.
- r/Weddingattireapproval. If we wondered who had taken up the “Is this appropriate, dear?” mantle, I can tell you. Reddit. Absent the “dear.” Did you know that if you ask people to arrive in black tie you absolutely cannot serve them family style? You must force Table 2 to watch their chicken congeal until Table 14 have their plates. Did you know that with a formal dress code it’s better to wear a long tube of stretch satin slit to your mid-thigh than a calf length dupioni silk number with a twirly skirt? Here I allow my ancestral voices freer rein, since I sense brigades of Mean Girls seatings themselves with “Harrumphs!” in the chairs of departed Grandes Dames and I don’t think we need that today. Extra benefit: some people have style I deeply enjoy.
There you go. Entertainment, of the sort that inspires thought – of one kind or another. Have a brilliant September. See you in a bit.
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