Hello friends,
I’m currently sitting on a bench outside my motel room in Daytona. I’m here for the races, and so far, we’ve had no food poisoning incidents. We’re already off to a better start than Darlington.
The Cup race isn’t until later tonight, so I’m enjoying a cigar on this bench at the Sun Viking Lodge. All the motels on Daytona Beach have odd themes. This one looks like a bunch of Vikings became Freemasons. The room keys are embedded in lime green silicone wristbands. #vikingchella
It’s raining, as it does every year during this race weekend. That’s Florida in August for you. Last night’s Xfinity race was delayed and didn’t end until after two in the morning. Fingers crossed that we get tonight’s race in at all. (Edit: We did not.)
In the meantime, I’m watching what I think is a boat-tailed grackle hanging out on a light pole. His glossy black coat shines even under the clouds. He lets out a single, rhythmic high-pitched call that pierces through the white noise of light rain on hot asphalt—thunder chimes in whenever the urge arises.
Even as a child, I enjoyed sitting and observing the world. My mom nurtured that with her love of people-watching. I find a certain peace in simply being. To illustrate my point, someone just blew a swath of bubbles across the parking lot. The rain has stopped, but the skies are still gray. Even so, like the grackle, the bubbles hide rainbows inside them. They shimmer as they float past.
I have a challenge for you this week. Sit somewhere—maybe a park or a coffee shop—and watch the world around you. Be the old man eating alone in a Chinese restaurant. Look at the people and the plants. Watch for the wind. Listen to every sound as it floats into your range of hearing. If you want to share what you see, the comments are always open.
Until next time,
Yardena
Weekend Potpourri
I recently deleted my Facebook and Instagram accounts. I think Haley Nahman would approve. In the same vein, here’s a piece on the age of the Instagram face.
This is for all the women experiencing perimenopause.
Masih Alinejad is fighting back against the Iranian republic that wants her dead.
Look at this beauty
Poor Larry 💀