watch.listen.snack.

habits, finales, singing like a bird, + a neonata!

Dear Ones,

In a long marriage there are habits and behaviors which are bound to annoy, yes? My husband has a tic (I have his permission to talk about this, which truth be told makes it a less delicious to reveal!). Absentmindedly he opens and closes his mouth—yes, like a goldfish. He claims it’s only when he’s stressed and hence I should feel very sorry for him. But what about my stress? It skyrockets as I watch him and think about both our cortisol levels.

Together nearly 24/7 on vacation, I’m treated to a lot of this mouth thing. He does it perusing a menu, standing before a painting at a museum, sitting on the beach reading a book. Stress? I think not sir! I’ve been teasing him. Telling him it’s terribly sexy. At which he waggles his eyebrows and continues.

Today he confessed he’s going to seek hypnosis to quit the mouth thing. You know why? His dentist! I know! Apparently he had a full mouth x-ray and he asked if there was some abnormality in his jaw that caused his tic. She requested he demonstrate. And then said, “Holy smokes, that would irritate the shit out of me!” His dentist is young, tatted-up, funny and fun. And so, he’s stopping. For her! My 35 years of irritation matter little. Good god, I love his dentist!

To be fair, I have bad habits too. I am sort of in love with Q-tips. I’ve been known to leave them on the bathroom counter or in the shower. Perhaps I’ll check in with my ENT doctor to be disabused of my own habit?

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watch:

Lot of good tv came to an end this month. Like you, I have so many thoughts about the end of Succession. I don’t want to say anything here, in light of spoilers, except that no one wins. Once you’ve watched (if it’s your thing) hit me up in the messages and we’ll talk. Meanwhile some good articles: here, here, and here.

Ted Lasso also closed down. And guess what? Everyone wins! Yay for that! Critics pretty much didn’t like season three, and it’s true, every character got a chance to preach the gospel of kindness and respect, but there is such a dearth of that in the world, I was all in.

I’m considering a project of rewatching both shows in their entirety, alternating Succession S1E1, then Ted Lasso S1E1. Characters screw up and have trouble in both shows. I want to look at the structure, the way tension ratchets up, the way humor is used in both. In Succession everyone sinks into the mire, while the Lasso characters become self-actualized. Which brings me back to my husband’s habit. Maybe he’s on to something? ⬇️⬇️⬇️

Both shows had very satisfying conclusions in my view. Ted Lasso reminded me of the ending of SIX FEET UNDER. If you’ve not caught that show, go back. It’s wonderful. Currently in need of another show, I’m thinking BARRY and THE AMERICANS which we somehow missed. If you have suggestions, DM me, please.

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listen:

Here in Collioure, where we are lucky to be vacationing, making new friends, visiting the marché, writing, swimming—all of it, we are also waking to a concert of bird song. In Portland the crows have taken over, and while I find them to be interesting birds (recognizing their cousins, collecting shiny things) their wake-up concert at 5:30a.m., is like the avian version of a traffic jam. Here in France, the songs are sweet, a varying trill. It’s something I will very much miss upon our return home.

The Washington Post recently wrote about birdsong contributing to our mental health by reducing anxiety, depression, and creating space for “softly fascinating” stimuli which requires little effort to notice, and also leaves mental space for reflection. Do check the link as there are lovely recordings of birdsong sprinkled throughout.

One hypothesis on nature’s salubrious effects, known as the attention restoration theory, posits that being in nature is good for improving concentration and decreasing the mental fatigue associated with living in stressful urban environments. Natural stimuli, such as birdsong, may allow us to engage in “soft fascination,” which holds our attention but also allows it to replenish.

Nature — and birdsong — also reduce stress. Previous research has found that time spent in green outdoor spaces can lower blood pressure and cortisol levels.

(Lower cortisol levels? Perhaps birdsong is a fix for my husband’s mouth thing…) A couple songs about birds for your enjoyment: here and here as well as a playlist of birdsong here.

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snack:

I bestow upon you the keys to the kingdom of a wonderful neonata sauce which I’ve made up and can enhance many a wonderful dish. Traditionally a neonata is made with hot peppers and “baby fish” which I wouldn’t begin to know how to find, nor would I want to. So here’s my version which I suggest you serve with a soft cheese and baguette, or with scrambled eggs, or enhance a chicken burger, or maybe serve alongside grilled fish.

Natalie’s Neonata

• 2T lemon juice

• 5-6 anchovy fillets, minced

• 2-3 thin slices of salami or soppressata, chopped fine

• 1/2c jarred sweet/hot peppers (I love Mama Lil’s), also diced fine

• 2-3 stalks of celery, diced

• 1/2c dark and pungent, oil cured olives, pitted and chopped

• 1/2c chopped parsley leaves (also consider using the celery leaves)

• 1/3c chopped walnuts

• a glug of olive oil to moisten as needed

Plop everything into a bowl and give it a stir. Here in France, I couldn’t find the Ma Lil’s so I used padron peppers in a pinch, I also adjust the lemon juice to taste. I think you’ll find this dish flexible (Hate anchovies? Leave them out!) and quite delicious.

If you are a follower of my newsletter and you saw the artichoke recipe from the last issue, consider filling the chokes with this neonata.

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That’s about it. Guess I’ll call my ear doctor about now. Thanks for reading. Here is your prize: Stanley, keeping all the balls in order at home.

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Please, remember to tell your people you love them, and take good care of your skin. 

xN