NOTE: If you are reading this, this is my written Blog. To LISTEN, please SUBSCRIBE to the Podcast at Apple Podcasts, Stitcher, Google Podcasts, Spotify, iHeartRadio – or wherever you get your Podcasts. It helps get my podcast noticed. And if you’d like to rate it as well, PLEASE DO!
A number of my friends are trying to ignore the news that gushes continuously like lava, a spill so toxic that it prevents them from doing things. From enjoying their constricted summers. From feeling good feelings. I do understand this.
There’s a part of me that wishes I could join that community, and read more fiction, take more walks, and eat meals with friends al fresco.
I simply cannot. I make no judgement. I am not wired to not pay attention to what is going on – on so many fronts. I do know how to compartmentalize my thoughts, as most people who have been through an unhappy marriage learn to do, but that is not the same at all.
I can still enjoy my new life as an amateur baker and cook. I am able to read (thank God) and write and adore my family. I am talking more with friends on the phone, and getting pleasure from my endless rounds of purging my closets. But sorry, I cannot for a moment put out of my head that the numbers of Americans who will die from the Coronavirus will probably double, while their feckless and malignant president plays another round of golf. I can’t put out of my head the racism I read about on blogs and even on Instagram. I can’t not dwell on the evil of Tucker Carlson’s disrespect to Senator Tammy Duckworth, whose legs were blown off in the Iraq war. (While Carlson dared it all to be on “Dancing with the Stars”.). I cannot forget for one second the vile monologues of Laura Ingraham pretending that masks are the problem.
Author Kari Lizer and host, Lisa Birnbach
I’ll stop here because I have also had some very positive feelings in the last week, and before I tell you what they are, let me introduce you to our guest. She is Kari Lizer, a very funny writer whose work you know from tv – she wrote and produced “Will & Grace” and created and wrote “The New Adventures of Old Christine.” Now she has written her first book, Aren’t You Forgetting Someone? Essays from my Mid-Life Revenge. And I think you’ll enjoy her.
My list;
1. As I’ve found old mementos and souvenirs, I’m planning on going to the framer with some pieces and shuffling the art around on my walls. That’ll freshen things up.
2. Covid skin: If this were a normal summer, I’d already be tanned and pushing my body into premature aging. Given that I’m indoors most of the time, my epidermis is enjoying a break from the UV rays. And when I’m outside, I’m wearing a hat and a mask, and a SPF 41, so no harm.
3. I’m loving the preppy face masks from Rowing Blazers. The ones I have are made from striped shirting material and seersucker. You can order them at rowingblazers.com/collections/face-masks. With every mask they sell the company donates a mask to the Food Bank for New York City.
4. Rosé. A glass of chilled rose is the perfect way to end my workday. It reminds me it’s summer.
5. Dr. Fauci. LISTEN TO HIM!
Kari Lizer’s 5 Things:
Five things that make my life better:
1. My dogs
2. Always having a trip in the works
3. Notebooks (and Uniball pens)
4. Saying No
5. Ugly underwear
More about Kari Lizer
Aren’t You Forgetting Someone? Essays from My Mid-Life Revenge
By KARI LIZER
Published by Running Press
Instagram @KariLizer
Twitter @LizerKari
The 5 Things That Make Life Better podcast is recorded and produced at The Field in NYC. My team is Shpresa Oruci, Michael Porte, Sam Haft and Boco Haft