x3 bonus! watch.listen.snack.

sometimes you just have to make your own scones ++ sometimes you have to laud a celebrity +++ sometimes raunchy laughs are just the ticket

Dear Ones,

The solstice has come and gone. It’s been warm in Portland, and this time of year I really feel my inner Californian crying out for waves, for sand & salt, for a beach read, and a cold beverage beneath an umbrella. Of course I live hours away from the ocean and so I’m indulging all the alternate desires I can manage without a long drive. I don’t know about you, but I want to be vibin this summer.

I’m sharing 3 hankerings I managed to satisfy! A quick little watch.listen.snack. for your pleasure. Yay!

What do you want to do at the start of summer? LMK:

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watch:

RIP Donald Sutherland. I loved his films, particularly ORDINARY PEOPLE, which absolutely slayed me (and yes, I might have fallen in love with Timothy Hutton, and yes, I know he was problematic later). EYE OF THE NEEDLE too, what a fantastic spy thriller.

The thing about Sutherland, even though his looks were so unique—long face, perfect bow lips—he disappeared into a role. It never felt to me that I was watching Donald Sutherland, I was watching an embodied character.

So, we watched KLUTE, in which Sutherland plays a small-town policeman crossing paths with a big-city call girl played by Jane Fonda. It’s a dark film and it was terrific. Primarily due to Fonda and Sutherland, but also for the fashion, the haircuts! The swinging party scenes, the heinous Roy Scheider, and the deep psychological examination of Fonda’s character, a sex worker. I thought the film was respectful, looking at motive and drive, at why she continued working even after a very violent ‘John’ nearly killed her. What she got from her work was power and control, which is intoxicating until it vanishes. I do have one quibble, the film should really be titled after Fonda’s character, Bree, as she was the most engaging person on the screen, and the one with the biggest stakes.

The violence in the film happens in shadow, leaving much to viewers’ imaginations. Same with the sex. It was a different mode of filmmaking in the 1970s, audiences were trusted to fill in the gaps.

We were anxious, engaged, all-in for the characters. Might I suggest you settle in with a big bowl of popcorn, a beverage of choice, and crank up your AC if we’re still in the heat dome. I’m so glad we watched it.

What is a fav Sutherland film for you?

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listen:

I’m warning you in advance.

It may not be safe to drive as you listen to these two podcasts from Conan O’Brien Needs a Friend. ONE & TWO. My husband and I were laughing so hard we literally had to pull off the road. Also, a content warning: Tiffany Haddish is raunchy! She’s hilarious. So so funny. But if you’re squeamish about sex and body humor, or if you have kids in the car, stay away. Otherwise, listen for sure.

I can’t wait to read her new memoir, I CURSE YOU WITH JOY. If you’ve not read, THE LAST BLACK UNICORN, it is a terrific audiobook for a summer roadtrip.

Honestly, Haddish is so real, and she has ‘big dick energy!’ (You’ll know what I mean if you listen.)

Anything funny I shouldn’t miss?

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snack:

I woke up at 5:45. I wanted Blueberry Scones. What was I supposed to do?

Blueberry Scone Morning

This recipe is so quick. You’re welcome!

Blueberry Scones

• 1 lemon

• ⅓ c + 2 T sugar

• 2 c whole wheat pastry flour, + more for dusting

• 1 c + 2 T old-fashioned oats

• 2½ t baking powder

• ½ t kosher salt

• 1⅓ c + 1 T chilled heavy cream

• 2 T honey

• 1 c blueberries, frozen is fine

• 1 large egg yolk

Preheat to 400°. Finely grate zest of 1 lemon with a microplane into a large bowl. Add ⅓ c sugar and massage with your fingertips until mixture looks like wet sand.

Add 2 c flour, 1 c oats, 2½ t baking powder, and ½ t salt to bowl with sugared zest. Whisk to combine.

Whisk 1⅓ c cream and 2 T honey in a medium bowl until combined. Slowly drizzle cream mixture into flour mixture, tossing with a fork to combine. Stop mixing when you still have a few dry spots.

Add blueberries and fold mixture with a rubber spatula, taking care only to mix until blueberries are distributed throughout and you have a sticky dough. It’s okay if some of the blueberries bleed or get broken up.

Liberally dust countertop with more flour and turn out dough. Pat down into a 1"-thick square, flouring hands lightly to prevent sticking as you work.

Mix egg yolk and remaining 1 T cream with a pastry brush in a small bowl. Brush yolk mixture all across surface of dough. Sprinkle with remaining 2 T each, sugar and oats.

Using a knife or metal bench scraper, cut dough into 4 quadrants, then cut each quadrant in half diagonally so you have 8 triangles. (See photo above.) Transfer each triangle to a large parchment-lined rimmed baking sheet, spacing evenly. Bake scones on upper rack in oven until tops are lightly golden all over and bottoms are golden brown, 15–20 minutes. Let cool on baking sheet. Serve warm.

Totally scratched my scone itch!

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Because I love you and I cannot resist!

write with me:

Six people are all-in for the SUMMER SEEDLINGS generative writing party. We’re going to have such a great time, vibin, reading small samples, writing to prompts, and sharing our work.

And, here’s a few books I’ve been reading to prepare for our creative and curious time together!

Leave me a note here if you’d like to join in:

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Don’t forget, my read.write.eat. Bookshop Store is where you will find many of the books I've recommended in the newsletter. Buying books from my shop is a way you can be a friend to the newsletter. 

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Stanley-the-beautiful! Long Live Stanley!! He too cannot wait for the beach…

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

xN