First Person Singular by Wendy Braitman

The Case Against Marriage

What you lose when you gain a spouse. Read all about it in the current edition of The Atlantic.

Illustration by Rose Wong

We Are the Champions

I believe!

Working It

Chart by Matt Shirley

Celebrating a Diverse USA

This bolognese lasagne is from the instagram page of Linda Miller Nicholson. And here’s her caption for it:

“My favorite thing about the #USA is the diversity contained within her borders. A country founded by immigrants that has always been welcoming to the tired, the poor, the huddled masses yearning to breathe free. This year I celebrate the Native Americans whose land I grew the herbs in this dish on, the Mexicans, who provided much of the produce contained herein & who are the literal breaking backbone of this country whether you care to admit it or not, the Italians, who inspired this Bolognese lasagne, the Koreans, who taught me a secret ingredient in sauce never hurt anyone (yes, there’s kimchi in the Bolognese, sue me!), & the many cultures who represent the stars & stripes on top, whether in our military over the years helping to right injustices the world over, or on our melting pot of turf, sharing stories & recipes from homelands that converged to form the barrios of our major cities & the fabric of our agricultural lands.”

Summer Bounty

We have an eternal growing season in Southern California, but really good tomatoes only start making their appearance in summer. For the last month, I’ve been sampling the cherry tomatoes from vendors at the Hollywood Farmer’s Market. Mostly, they were mealy and mediocre. That is, until Sunday. And oh yes, the wait was worth it.

Watercolor by Wendy MacNaughton from Salt, Fat, Acid, Heat

A Woman’s Place

In the House, the Senate and, of course, the White House

Photo by Annie Leibovitz for Vogue

End of Week Zen

It’s my time of the week to enter the worry-free zone. Please join me.

Photo by Lucia Litman

Housekeeping

Illustration by Jean Jullien

Elemental Gratitude

First thing every morning, as I’m just beginning to rouse, I say a quick prayer of gratitude for the basics that I usually take for granted. Air in my lungs, ability to see and hear, take steps and know the sun’s rising on another day. 

Illustration by Alessandra Olanow

Sun Screen

In L.A., I never go anywhere without a hat. If only I looked this glamorous.

Photo by Clemente Vergara