This is the summer of our discontent. Easily the most critical moment for our country since… whenever. You know all that. No need to preach. What might be useful: tools for you to get more pleasure in a holiday week. And, along the way, lower your blood pressure.
THE NATIONAL ANTHEM
As it’s never been done — a love song. Marvin Gaye. 1983.
WATER
KOR ONE Water Bottle
Esthetics. Snob appeal. The cool factor. Functional? Yes, it’s high-end excellent. But you come for the cool.
PUR 2-stage Water Filter/Dispenser
Because it takes 3 liters of water to package a liter of bottled water.
SUMMER LOVE/ AMERICAN CLASSIC
John Prine, “The Tree of Forgiveness.” “Summer’s end’s around the bend just flyin’/ The swimmin’ suits are on the line just dryin’”
Allbirds
No socks. Amazing comfort.
COURAGE MASK
David Bowie creates an invisible mask with magic powers.
SELF-CARE
Egyptian Magic
The first cut may be the deepest, but not for long.
Anthelios Sun Screen
Protecting your face from sunburn is the least of it. Protecting yourself from cancer — that is why you spend more money.
Sally Hansen Airbrush Legs
Quick tan for office-bound white women.
ANXIETY RELIEF
Bon Iver, with The Staves. “Heaven Father.” Four minutes in another world.
INNER PEACE
Thich Nhat Hanh
Softer. Slower. Thich Nhat Hanh reduces Buddhism to this moment, this breath, this step.
SUMMER WRITING
Moleskine notebooks
Just in case you have a thought.
SUMMER READING
The Stories of John Cheever
“The sea that morning was iridescent and dark. My wife and my sister were swimming — Diana and Helen — and I saw their uncovered heads, black and gold in the dark water. I saw them come out and I saw that they were naked, unshy, beautiful and full of grace, and I watched the naked women walk out of the sea.”
Roald Dahl
Bedtime reading for lucky children.
—
Previously published on The Head Butler.
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