On the Cliffs by Helen McNicoll
A Chill in the Air by Iris Origo
A short, but fascinating first-hand account of life in Italy during the build-up to Italy’s entry into the Second World War.
According to Origo, most Italians hated Hitler (and Germans) and wanted no part of fighting alongside Nazis. They truly believed only Mussolini – master negotiator, force of nature and god among men – could and would keep them out of it. Fascism was popular and democracy derided, particularly in the pro-German/anti-British propaganda in Italian newspapers. Knowing now how badly things ended for Italians, Origo’s continual hunt for signs that they’d escape the war is all the more heartbreaking.
Maybe if high school history classes focused more on gripping, first-hand accounts like this one and less on deadly boring textbooks, we wouldn’t be doomed to repeat the same stupid political cycles over and over.
Highly recommended.
today’s bouquet
Maple leaves, brown-eyed susies, shasta daisies, veronica, yarrow, mint, vetch and wild asters.
my body positive tomato
I’m not sure why this tomato (1) ripened so much faster than the others and (2) appears to be a small beefsteak tomato on a cherry tomato plant, but whatever. You be you, little tomato.
action hero robin
Daddy robin watches unhappily while Foster snaps photos of the nestlings under the deck.
maybe it was the editor’s day off
Yeah, well, even if I lived in Danbury, the mayor isn’t invited.
only small joys
“She knew there were only small joys in life – the big ones were too complicated to be joys when you got all through – and once you realized that, it took a lot of the pressure off.” – Lorrie Moore
a bright red baby blanket
I’ve knit dozens of baby blankets over the years and photographed very few of them, mostly because I forget, but also because it’s hard. How to make a big square of fabric look more enticing than just a big square of fabric? Luckily, Foster photographed this one, which was a gift for our lovely friend Amanda who is due in August.