Newsletter 43
Hello all. Welcome. 3 months of isolation! Are we done yet? This week I share with you 5 things that I found interesting and I am hoping will interest you too.
1. Ontario finally relaxes the lockdown measures, “Freedom at last”. Ontario’s premier, Doug Ford, says that you can now hug somebody you don’t actually live with. So on the weekend I get together with family for the first time in three months. We set about choosing our group of 10 people. And we had a great time, while still maintaining physical distancing. You see I question who is in the group of 10? And more importantly can they be trusted to stay loyal to only one group, my group?
2. Sometimes checking out other children’s book authors is beneficial. When I find good ones I like to share them. I recently read Celestina The Astronaut Ballerina, by Donald Jacobsen and I offer a short review to help parents and children decide if it is a good fit for them. The Tent Mouse and the RV Mouse, by Loretta Sponsler and The Other Side by Jacqueline Woodson are some other kids books I checked out this week. Children’s Books – Reviewed!
3. This week I started reading the autobiography about Billie Holiday Lady Sings the Blues. I like listening to Billie Holiday or Lady Day as she was nick named, her singing while I am reading her story. It really sets the mood.
Lady Day
Once you start listening to Lady Day it’s really easy to get carried off on a wave of musical dreams. Artie Shaw, Benny Goodman, Lester Young ( Prez), Hazel Scott and Tony Pastor are some of the names that she drops during her memoir and it sets me on a search to find the connections.
I am also re-reading my well thumbed copy of Too Much Happiness by Alice Munro. The Canadian short story writer who won the Nobel Prize in literature in 2013.
4. This week I happily stumbled upon a cool online magazine, Mother Jones. Prior to this discovery I read an article in the New Yorker Magazine, a check in, check up, on the great jazz saxophonist Sonny Rollins, the article was written by Daniel King. Searching for King I found out he is also an editor/writer at Mother Jones. The interview on Rollins at age 89, discusses the pandemic of covid-19 and systemic racism. Rollins got into the Freedom Now scene back in the fifties.
5. Many years ago I read an in-depth article about the elephant whisperer, conservationist Lawrence Anthony. What I found fascinating was the loyalty displayed by a group of elephants. The herd marched three days to pay tribute and mourn the loss of their friend who passed away in 2012. This week I found a youtube video featuring Anthony’s wife, Francoise Malby-Anthony who is continuing her husbands good work.
Enjoyment
One of my subscribers recently asked me if I receive anything from the plugs and recommendations on the newsletter. I wish to inform you all that I do not receive any benefit; other than the enjoyment of sharing a few of my favourite things. Oh, and the occasional gift of a coffee, at Ko-fi.com.
Thanks for reading, if you think someone you know would like my newsletter please share it with them. If you’re looking for a great children’s book, check out my book, Samba on a Snowy Day.
Please consider a contribution to our next book project by buying me a coffee, swing by Ko-fi.com. Every coffee really helps out during these social distancing times.
Check out my blog, follow the link, sign in. Get the weekly newsletter in your inbox, no spam I promise.
Copyright © 2020 Paul Yanuziello, All rights reserved.