"By all these lovely tokens September days are here with summer's best of weather and autumn's best of cheer." — Helen Hunt Jackson
READING — A book for business and a book for pleasure:
Chanel's Riviera: Life, Love and the Struggle for Survival on the Côte d’Azur, 1930–1944 — “The Cote d’Azur in 1938 was a world of wealth, luxury, and extravagance, inhabited by a sparkling cast of characters including the Duke and Duchess of Windsor, Joseph P. Kennedy, Gloria Swanson, Colette, the Mitfords, Picasso, Cecil Beaton, and Somerset Maugham. The elite flocked to the Riviera each year to swim, gamble, and escape from the turbulence plaguing the rest of Europe. At the glittering center of it all was Coco Chanel, whose very presence at her magnificently appointed villa, La Pausa, made it the ultimate place to be. Born an orphan, her beauty and formidable intelligence allured many men, but it was her incredible talent, relentless work ethic, and exquisite taste that made her an icon. But this wildly seductive world was poised on the edge of destruction. In a matter of months, the Nazis swooped down and the glamour of the pre-war parties and casinos gave way to the horrors of evacuation and the displacement of thousands of families during World War II. From the bitter struggle to survive emerged powerful stories of tragedy, sacrifice, and heroism. Enriched by original research and de Courcy’s signature skill, Chanel’s Riviera brings the experiences of both rich and poor, protected and persecuted, to vivid life. “ (Goodreads) — This is the September selection for The Earful Tower Book Club.
Teaching in the Fourth Industrial Revolution: Standing at the Precipice — “In this visionary book, written by six internationally recognized Global Teacher Prize finalists, the authors create a positive and hope-filled template for the future of education. They address the hard moral, ethical and pedagogical questions facing education today so that progress can serve society, rather than destroying it from within our classrooms. It is a holistic, personalized approach to education that harnesses the disruptions of the Fourth Industrial Revolution to better shape the future for the next generation, and ensure that every child can benefit from the ongoing transformations. A great read for anyone who has an interest in educating our youth for these uncertain times, highlighting why teachers will always matter.” (Goodreads)
WATCHING:
The back to school movie trifecta for educators (well for French/English teachers, anyway!): Dead Poets Society, Dangerous Minds, and Les Choristes.
We are still revisiting some of our favorite 80’s movies. This month, in addition to Dead Poets Society, we watched Saint Elmo’s Fire, and Good Morning Vietnam.
The Home Edit on Netflix — I love organizing and it’s great to get new ideas and perspectives. I struggled with some of Marie Kondo’s very serious, very spiritual approaches to organization (thanking your clothes for their service, etc.). Likewise, I am on the fence about Clea and Joanna’s over-caffeinated, fangirl personalities (especially Clea’s), addiction to rainbows, and shameless promotion of The Container Store. I do enjoy a good make over though, and it’s fun to get a glimpse into celebrity closets and pantries.
Notre Dame: Our Lady of Paris — This two-hour documentary featured shocking first-hand accounts of the Notre-Dame cathedral's infamous 2019 fire and harrowing footage from within the inferno. It was heartbreaking to watch and yet inspiring to witness the courage of the fire fighters and the faith in those who prayed that the cathedral would survive and that it will be restored.
Julie and Julia (since I made bœuf bourguignon!)
LISTENING TO: Cool jazz — Jazz just sounds like fall.
ENJOYING:
Cooking — We added this four-in-one toaster oven, air fryer, broiler, and convection oven and this Le Creuset Dutch oven to our kitchen accoutrements. We have been having a lot of fun trying new recipes, cooking together, and making weekend brunches and dinners as special as if we were to go out. As with all things Paris-related, I miss French food, so I’ve been trying to make some of my favorite dishes. I have perfected the iconic French vinaigrette (Julia Child’s recipe, bien-sûr) and galettes bretonnes (buckwheat pancakes with ham, gruyère, mushrooms, an egg, and fleur de sel (sans œuf pour moi). But it’s not all chic cuisine chez L-H these days. We also tried homemade chicken tenders and tater tot in the air fryer and even popcorn in the Dutch oven. Next up: It’s soup season. Now that it’s officially fall, I’m craving butternut squash soup and chili.
These past two weeks of cooler, drier weather — Lately, my favorite time of day is the hour or so after school when I put on comfy leisurewear, grab a cozy blanket and an even cozier beagle, a glass of wine, and a good book, and enjoy our outdoor oasis.
FEELING: Hopeful — We have been in school for nearly a month and our COVID-19 numbers are very low. In fact, we have already moved to phase 2 in the elementary school — all students in school MTThF with virtual learning only on Wednesday. Yet, I’m still quite anxious about the growing numbers in the state and now locally.
PLANNING: Nothing. Who plans these days?
