A Snapshot of May
As life is getting a little more back to normal, it feels like the days are spinning by faster! This one is a little belated, but I wanted to share my favorites from May with you!
Favorite Movie: 13th
If you haven't had a chance to watch 13th yet, I highly recommend it. The premise of the documentary is around the prison system in America and the inherint systemic racism that has built it. The film covers a lot of ground, from privatized prisons and their obvious shortcomings to how a variety of amendments have created our deeply flawed national system. Living in a small, quiet, mountain town, prisons just aren't something that is on my mind very often (which is a privledge in and of itself) - but it's an issue that can't be ignored as our crime rates are steadily declining nationwide year after year - but our number of incarcerated citizens is rising. Netflix is offering it for free right now - you can check it out here!
Favorite Podcast: Unlocking Us with Brene Brown
I've recently discovered Brene Brown and her work is incredible. If you're looking for a new book to dive into - I suggest "Daring Greatly: How the Courage to Be Vulnerable Transforms the Way We Live, Love, Parent, and Lead." I also started listening to her podcast and it's so so good. The topics are fairly diverse but generally revolve around "exploring the ideas, stories, experiences, books, films, and music that reflect the universal experiences of being human, from the bravest moments to the most brokenhearted" (quoted from the podcast website).
Favorite Playlist: Brett Dennan
The past few weeks I've had summer on the mind - and Brett Dennan's music gets to the heart of that feeling for me. I had the chance to photograph him for the Sun Valley Musuem of Arts when he came for a concert a couple of years ago. He is such a kind, gentle, soul - he spent time with local kids teaching music classes and answering questions. It's hard to pick a favorite of his songs, but I love "Comeback Kid", "Ain't No Reason", and "She's Mine.” Click here for more photos of his visit.
Favorite Book: Good Night Stories for Rebel Girls
The girls and I have been reading this one before bed every night and I'm loving it just as much as they are! It's 100 short stories written about brave, smart, and courageous women (& illustrated by 60 different female artists from around the world!). The stories are just one page long so it's perfect for a couple of stories before bedtime (though of course I always get coerced into reading 6 or 7, even when it’s super late!) or as inspiration for further research into these rebel role models! We are now on volume 2, pretty cool!
Favorite Food: Watermelon
Anytime someone asks what my favorite food is, I respond, without hesitation, watermelon. My family thinks it ridiculous that my answer to that question is not chocolate or ice cream, but watermelon is just the best. It's delicious all year round - but there is something about summertime that magnifies its rank as #1. Lately I've been pairing it with mint and feta cheese as an easy afternoon snack - it's quick, easy, refreshing, and a hit with the whole household!
*Above photo by Isabel Eats