it's july

rabbit. rabbit. and why don't you...

At the start of every new month, the first words I utter aloud are….rabbit, rabbit. This is a superstitious tradition I adopted long ago, that promises good luck for the rest of the month. Ya with me?

Photo by Paige Cody on Unsplash

Been a thing since 1909 in England. While I have walked under my fair share of ladders in Manhattan and failed (or dared not) to mail chain letters to 10 people in 10 days—I have seemingly avoided the bad luck boomerang, or have I? (Insert big shoulder shrug here.) Anyhoo, to the fresh start of each month and the cuteness of bunnies, I say—couldn't hurt.

Photo by Emiliano Vittoriosi on Unsplash

As we herald in the top of a month, I am also reminded of the column that Diana Vreeland made famous during her 25 year tenure at Harper’s Bazaar. During her stead, she penned an advice column called “Why Don’t You…” filled with “extravagant ideas for the modern woman”. Ideas like, why don’t you…tie black tulle bows on your wrists? Put all of your dogs in bright yellow collars and leads like the dogs in Paris?

In the spirit of DV, I love the idea of making a list of adventuresome why don’t you of my own.

It’s July, why don’t you….

Learn to watercolor. I signed up for an on-line course that will take me though month’s end. I am on “circle making” and already obsessed. Check my IG for updates.

Play tourist in your own town. It is how I have always uncovered what feels new and noteworthy. Take photos with a real film camera and get the film developed.

Go shopping in your own closet. Wear something different each day. Donate anything you put on that is just not doing it for you any longer.

Be a pen pal. Write a letter. Buy cute stamps. Mail it. Repeat.

Start Julia Cameron’s The Artist’s Way. A 12-week journey for unfurling your inner creative. Amazingly transformative. In my grief groups, we call her “morning pages”,“mourning pages” - let me know what you think.

Make a mock-tail. Freshly squeeze lemons, fill remainder of glass with seltzer, add garnish like a sprig of lavender and a colorful straw.

Enjoy a steamed artichoke. I don’t cook, at all. This is my favorite not-so-fancy, but looks fancy idea. Place about a 1/2 inch of water in the base of a microwave safe dish. Place your choke inside. Cover with a damp paper-towel. Steam five minutes at a time, checking to see when the leaves pluck away from the stem easily. Make a dip with Caesar dressing. You’re welcome.

Get outside. Take a swim. Take a hike. Take a walk. Take a bike ride.

Read some poetry. I am smitten with the latest, Softening Time by Elena Brower.

Happy and safe 4th of July Weekend, and Happy Birthday Emma Jayne.

x, Barri