With 7 close friends, I’m participating in an event called Death Over Dinner. The concept is to gather around the table in a semi-structured way to talk about the taboo subjects of death and dying. And since I’m the person organizing our small group, I’ve spent a lot of time thinking about the menu. As a thought exercise, I’ve asked the participants to suggest items they’d like to have for their last meal. Some of the suggestions so far have been lobster, garlic fries, mac and cheese, ice-cream sandwiches. And one of my perennial favorites, pizza. What would be on your last supper list?
Illustration by Jean Jullien
L.A. roads bring out the worst in its residents (guilty). So many people are texting or on their phones and not paying attention (not guilty). You have to always be on the alert. This is true as a pedestrian too. There are a couple of intersections in my neighborhood, where I don’t cross unless I’ve made eye contact with the driver, otherwise they’ll mow you down. I love city life, but this aspect of it is a bummer. If only I could let it roll over me.
Photo from Caroline Caldwell
When I first moved to San Francisco, Sam Shepard was the playwright-in-residence at a 99-seat house, neighborhood theater. It was there that he wrote some of his most notable works, including Fool for Love, True West and Buried Child, which won the Pulitzer Prize. I would see all of his plays, and knew I was in the presence of greatness. When someone this monumental passes, I feel grateful that he was around during my lifetime.
My father smoked 2 packs of Lucky Strikes everyday for 50 years. It was such a familiar sight and smell in my household, I barely noticed. In fact, I was drawn to it. Many of the men I dated in my 20’s and 30’s smoked too, as did I for awhile. But that was common then. These days, even the slighted whiff of cigarettes makes me want to bolt. What habit are you glad to have shed?
Gauloises by Candy Jernigan
When I lived in San Francisco with the chilly summer weather, I rarely went without socks, a scarf and a sweater. Now in L.A., I lounge in t-shirts and sandals most of the year. What item of clothing do you covet most in the warmer months?
Illustration by Marc Johns
For someone previously addicted to sugar, I’ve done a pretty good job of eliminating most of it from my life. But on Sundays I indulge this former habit by eating something sweet with a cup of tea. Regular FPS readers will know that being single and living alone has not stopped my desire for good food. And I spend lots of time in the kitchen cooking for myself. (Who better, I say! ) I’ve adopted a strategy of making big batches of things, then storing them in small portions in the freezer for later. So here’s my latest – blueberry muffins pulled minutes ago from the oven. This is a new recipe and I’m excited to taste one this weekend. Only wishing you could join me!
Italian illustrator Andrea Ucini has an incredible collection of work in which he tells stories in one frame. This is titled “The Illusion Love” and I think it’s perfect.