I’m not sure if I’ve ever confessed to this, but I’m obsessed with etymology. This week’s word is jaded: tired, bored, or lacking enthusiasm, typically after having had too much of something. Bahahahaaaa! Guess what I’m tired of? I’m sure you know. It’s not red wine. But let’s take it further. Jade: a bad-tempered or disreputable woman. An inferior or worn-out horse.
In these times, aka The Dark Times, some turn to meditation or prayer but, well, shit, I’m an atheist with a monkey mind and that ain’t gonna do it. I turn to poetry. So come on, let’s celebrate Lucille Clifton. Tell me which poem of hers you enjoy the most, and I’ll tell you mine.
Now let’s talk about music, cooking, and horror. Bam! What goodness I have for you:
The absolute best 🎶 delight I know today is a one-song live-music YouTube video that is guaranteed to uplift. No, really, try it. It’s the glorious Natalia Jiménez and Lila Downs singing ‘La Cigarra,’ backed by a magnificent mariachi orchestra and an incredibly beautiful stage design. Their gorgeous dresses! And OH! their voices.
After that, and continuing the theme of musical ladies who rule, my favorite babes lately are Jackie Venson, Elle King, Brittany Howard, and Samantha Fish. Jackie Venson is a guitar goddess and truly a gift to the world - I listen to her rollicking live shows all the time. Elle King is a rowdy asskicker with a sugar-husky riot of a voice. Brittany Howard grooves in a class all her own. Samantha Fish rocks bottleneck slide (sometimes on a cigar box guitar!!). Yes to all. Play ‘em loud.
I finally opened a bottle of local wine from my Fork subscription - the 2018 Renaissance Red from Clearwater Canyon Cellars. I liked it! And I really could taste the smoky finish. Mellow but a bit spicy and blackberry enough to keep me interested. It was even nice the next day (thanks Vacu Vin) soooo - bonus! I’m definitely on the Red Blend bus lately.
I paired it with chicken, which of course was NOT what the tasting notes recommended (whoops) but wasn’t a tragedy. I think that’s mostly because I challenged myself and baked a whole chicken - which I’ve only ever done a couple times in my life. (Yes, mock me). I did Half Baked Harvest’s faux-tisserie chicken recipe and whoa buddy that is the only recipe I’ll ever use henceforth. Yum good! The pan gravy was delicious (I conjured it up with a splash of half-n-half (which I keep on hand by the gallon for my morning coffee) and a tablespoon or so of tapioca flour (don’t ask why I have a pound of the stuff - but it’s as good if not better than corn starch or a roux). Chicken win! Chicken and wine! Chick and whine! Ok I’ll stop.
Finally 😱 The Horror 😱 I watched a gaggle of scary schtuff this week but I’ll spare you and focus on two that I think are a must-watch, even for non-horror fans.
Servant, on Apple TV, is currently in its second season. I watched Season One a couple months ago, and I'm not sure I've ever seen a better cast go so hard at a show that's absolutely batshit crazy! M. Night Shyamalan, baby! The baby is not a baby but it’s a real baby but it’s oh my no what happened to the baby, what is happening…baby, this is insane! It makes no sense! (Or does it?) I couldn’t stop watching! Alison Elliott shows up as a creepy cult leader, and I’ve loved her since The Buccaneers and The Wings of the Dove - she always deserves more roles. Anyway, the sets and cinematography are impeccable, and I enjoy Servant’s weirdass dark humor and psychological shock horror. Also: the hypnosis scene with Roscoe in Season 2 Episode 2 is one of the most chilling things I've ever watched. Absolutely bravo.
And and and - I found a podcast called Horror Rewind that I’m loving. Pick a screamy movie and see if these gals have chatted about it…fun!
I Care A Lot, on Netflix, doesn’t seem to qualify as horror, but actually - I think it does. Rosamund Pike and Peter Dinklage knock this nutball of a thriller out of the park, and Dianne Wiest is still damn cool (I am fond of her, thanks to The Lost Boys).
Substack of the week is Sara Campbell’s Tiny Revolutions. I’m loving her candor and vulnerability, and her links really jive with me, too.
I guess I started off jaded and ended up jazzed! Sweet. Carrie This!