A Few Things

Hello, Friends. How’s it going? How was your week? I know the school year is just ending for some of you — and others are already deep into summer break.

Today is my birthday! Sunday is Father’s Day! So Ben Blair and I are thinking we’ll do a combo celebration and go spend a night at the famous (and fancy!) Claremont Hotel.

Of course, I’m also thinking about my dad this weekend. The photo above is his grave. My mom put out some yellow flowers when she was in St. George on Memorial Day (yellow was his favorite!). I hope all the good dads in your life get some extra love this weekend.

Before I sign off, here are a few things I’ve wanted to share with you:

-“The belief that races have natural genetic propensities runs deep and segments of the scientific community fuel that dogma with flawed and mendacious research.”

-The only known recording of Frida Kahlo’s voice.

-States spend welfare money on a lot of things that are not direct assistance to families. Instead of giving cash assistance to poor families, states are widening the racial divide.

-Hah! Every Nimby speech at the town meeting. (Nimby stands for Not In My BackYard.)

-They found a way to convert donor blood into a universal type.

-Haiti Partners — an organization we love to support (Ben sits on their board), is doing a big push for a #strongfinish as they close out their fiscal year. Thanks to a very generous supporter, through June 30th, all gifts will be matched dollar-for-dollar up to $20,000! Go see what your donation can accomplish — $40 provides two months of schooling for one student; $1000 pays for one year of teacher compensation.

-Igloo has a new biodegradable cooler that’s an alternative to styrofoam coolers. It’s reusable, holds 75 pounds, and can keep ice frozen for 15 hours. You can currently find it at Target.

-As insulin prices have skyrocketed, diabetics have had to find creative ways to get insulin — from going to Mexico, to Instagram, to buying from strangers they meet on Craigslist or OfferUp. (NYT)

-To prevent a competing hotel from locating near his DC hotel, the President blocked the relocation of a new FBI building. The estimated cost to renovate the FBI’s current location exceeds the cost of a new building.

What time do you put your kids to bed?

-New York, the epicenter of a measles outbreak, bans religious exemptions for vaccines. (WP)

-My sis-in-law Liz just launched The Huddle — small retreats for female business owners. Check it out. It’s so cool!

Four of the most disturbing details in the Mueller report that you might have missed. (NYT)

-Did you watch the NBA finals last night? The Toronto Raptors beat the Golden State Warriors to win the championship. I’m not a big sports fan (as you probably know), but was interested in the game because it’s the last time the Warriors will ever play in Oracle Arena here in Oakland. They are moving to a new home in San Francisco.

My Oakland Pride has me pretty upset about this. Come on San Francisco! The Warriors are awesome, so now you steal them from Oakland? Can’t you just leave Oakland alone? And the idea of Steph Curry in SF isn’t nearly as cool as Steph Curry in Oakland. It makes me want to curse the team with an endless string of losses until they come back to Oakland to regain their magic. : ) (Related: Some say last night’s loss was karma for leaving Oakland.)

I hope you have such a great weekend. Sending love to all the fathers-of-the-year out there! I’ll meet you back here on Monday. I miss you already.

kisses,
Gabrielle

16 thoughts on “A Few Things”

  1. HI Gabrielle,
    Long term follower, quiet commenter! I love reading the comments on some of your posts! I do the same with most political articles too!

    I think you are West coast based. We are kind of neighbors… Laura in Colorado! laura (formerly at the blog not a trophy wife).

  2. Happy Birthday, Gabby! Have fun at the Claremont…is it still the case that parents of Berkeley frosh book their rooms four years hence to have the best place for graduation weekend? Thank you for all the good you bring to the world through your thoughtful sharing of insight and inspiration.

  3. Happy Birthday! I hope you both have a wonderful weekend!

    That NIMBY letter! I had to read it out loud -spot on! It makes me think on the homeless situation we have in SoCAL. Everyone debates where to put “them” when I think putting them anywhere is just a bandaid; we need to think about the “why?” why are there SO many homeless now? I have a theory it may be the fact that wages absolutely do not rise at the rate of the cost of living. We often think of the homeless as drug addicts or alcoholics, derelicts who *choose* this life, when the fact is, so many of us are one or two paychecks away from being homeless ourselves…even those of us who make “very good money.” Gentrification has added to the problem with corporations buying up not just a house, but *neighborhoods* to do reno and then raising the rents to beyond what that neighborhood could afford previously, the people still have those neighborhood jobs but now have to move further away, etc. Capitalism has become a very hungry greedy monster with an insatiable appetite.

    And to not leave on such a bummer, listening to Freda read her essay was lovely, her voice sounded close to what I imagined, however her words struck me as pure poetry. Just lovely.

    1. We often think of the homeless as drug addicts or alcoholics, derelicts who *choose* this life, when the fact is, so many of us are one or two paychecks away from being homeless ourselves…even those of us who make “very good money.”

      Yes! I agree.

    2. “Gentrification has added to the problem with corporations buying up not just a house, but *neighborhoods* to do reno and then raising the rents to beyond what that neighborhood could afford previously, the people still have those neighborhood jobs but now have to move further away, etc. Capitalism has become a very hungry greedy monster with an insatiable appetite.”

      Well said.

  4. Happiest of Birthdays Gabby! The Claremont looks like the best staycation. Can’t wait to hear about the hotel. Have a wonderful weekend.

    Watched the game last night with my son who was jumping up and down and yelling. What a crazy ending. Hear you about your Oakland pride….The “Los Angeles Angels” of Anaheim…Really?? :-/

  5. Happy birthday, Gabby! Your links and words inspire so many of us. Hope you enjoy your weekend!

    Also….your dad was so young! I’m so sorry you lost him too soon. I know it’s been many years, but I still want to send my condolences. <3

  6. Hi Gabby
    Happiest of Birthdays to you!
    I have been reading your blog pretty much daily for over a decade, before June was born, just after you moved to Colorado. I loved your birth stories at the time, since I just had my twin girls and felt so connected to other mothers out there while feeling isolated in my new country here in Canada, at home with two babies and a busy husband, with family living overseas and in the other side of the coast.
    I enjoy your parenting articles and your “Living with Kids” features, especially the ones from families that live in other countries. Loved your life reports from your time in France and your thrilling adventures with your awesome “Treehouse” home.And the kids books recommendations. Most of all I am always looking forward to your Fridays post, random bits that never disappoint and make you think.
    Thank you for being you, thank you for putting you, your ideas, your efforts out there and making this world a brighter, more interesting, more educated and connected place.
    Keep up the amazing work!
    Enjoy celebrating yourself and your family this weekend

  7. Kristian Olson

    Thank you. Thank you for the link about insulin and the price gorging that is happening. I’m a type 1 diabetic and have grown cynical that things can change, but am so, so grateful for any coverage it gets; perhaps change can come.

    Happy birthday too!

  8. This is a tough Father’s Day for me…my grandfather just died, and I don’t have a relationship with my dad. I’m pouring all my love and affection into my husband who is an AMAZING father to our little girl.

  9. I didn’t know that about the Warriors moving to San Francisco! I’m bummed about that along with you.

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