Hello everyone
I write this entry in my bed in the first week of the summer holidays. I wish I could say the sun is blaring through the windows but it's looking like yet another cloudy day. This month has felt like a complete washout in the UK so it's been discombobulating to see reports of wildfires and extreme heat over on the continent. I wonder if this will finally make governments take climate change measures seriously.
The disappointment of the rain and cooler temperatures haven't dampened my mood too much though. In fact I've enjoyed several experiences this month in the mad rush of school ending. Here are my favourites for July:
Tree of the month - Rowan (Sorbus acuparia)
The berries are out in full force now and some of the trees in my neighbourhood look like they're going to topple over with their offerings. According to the internet, the berries should come out early-mid Autumn so perhaps the extreme heat of June and the coolness of July has tricked them into coming out early. I've learned the berries are actually edible but they must be cooked first, lest you want a very bad tummy ache. Perhaps I'll forage some and make rowan jelly!
Flower of the month - Hollyhocks (Alcea)
My garden giants are still enjoying their blooming session and have been doing a great job of attracting bees and butterflies. I reckon we have at least another month of hollyhock flowers until they start to turn to seed, then I'll be giving them away to all and sundry. I might even do some guerilla gardening and scatter some seeds around my neighbourhood too!
Recipe of the Month - Triple chocolate rye cookies
These absolute gorgeous treats were fun and easy to make. With the use of rye flower I could trick myself into believing they were a healthy cookie - I just had to turn a blind eye to all the sugar and butter...and chocolate that was added in. The rye flour gave it a grainy texture and the use of sea salt lifted the dark chocolate. Definitely a good accompaniment to your afternoon cuppa!
Film of the Month - ?
I write this the day before I see the Barbie movie so my assumption is it will be that. Otherwise I've watched a bunch of terrible films this month which I wouldn't want to subject you to. The reason being, we had Christmas in July which we strictly choose the cheesy Hallmark/Netflix style films so they're no good. We did actually watch Serendipity which used to be a favourite romcom of mine, only watching it this time where it's essentially about two people that have an emotional affair on meeting even though they know each other has a partner... I dunno it sort of hits differently in your mid thirties!
TV of the month - Succession
One of the reasons we didn't watch many films last month was because any spare screen time has been used up following the dysfuntional Roy family as they argue, manipulate and scheme their way to the top/hold on to the top! I'm aware the show has been around for a few years now and the final season recently aired so I'm very behind but wow what a show.
It says something about the writing where you're not rooting for any of the characters, and they are all horrible people, yet you're still compelled to watch and find out what becomes of them. It's like we don't want them to succeed but we don't want them to fail either. You're never cheering when a plan comes together or falls apart, you're just nervous!
Here’s the trailer but I must give you a language warning, if you’re delicate to the F word!
Book of the Month - Daisy Jones and the Six by Taylor Jenkins Reed
After my friend begged me to read it now so that I can watch the show and then we can talk about it, I can safely say I'm thoroughly enjoying this book! The story follows a fictitious rock band of the 70s and their own views on their rise to fame and their inevitable fallout (not a spoiler, it's in the blurb!).
The format is a non-narrative structure in that it reads like transcripts of a documentary. I'm a big fan of non-narrative fiction. It's hard to get right and it means having to write in a way that a reader can picture themselves there without being too descriptive. I'm really looking forward to the show!
Podcast of the Month - The Guilty Feminist
I'm a feminist... but I haven't listened to this show in quite a while as I didn't enjoy the zoomness of it when we went into lockdown. After a chat with some friends I found myself recommending this show and then I've found myself back into it!
The Guilty Feminist began as a comedy chat show podcast in London with a small audience and would include one or two stand up comedians and a small panel of people who worked in the particular women's issue of the episode (e.g. nurses during the strike, or a person who runs a period poverty charity etc).
Then covid happened and like many things they went online. Returning to the show recently they've obviously stayed online (with the odd live show here and there instead) and it seems they've found their rhythm again. The stand up sections have gone and the focus seems to be more on the guest and their experience but it's still incredibly funny and informative.
And that’s July! I didn’t really have an album or song that defined the month either. It’s been a weird month let’s say.
What have been your favourite things?
This is a great round up. I see the Rowan tree a lot but didn’t know what it was called. I really the cookie idea too. Thanks for this, they are always ace😁