THE WEEK
Maybe we’ll sleep a little better with Dolly Parton reading bedtime stories every week, starting tomorrow. With no work due to COVID-19, this British sportscaster puts his skills to good use giving a play-by-play of his dogs eating dinner. Some music from around the internet that’s bringing us joy: The Backstreet Boys; Paul Simon; Jimmy Fallon and The Roots; This High School Choir. A true New York love story for our time (no presh young people, but please stay together after this is over!). Amazing organization providing emergency grant funds to women artists over 40. Here’s a way to help NYC health care workers with meals, groceries, hotel rooms and more. Alison Stewart interviews Manoush Zamarodi on practicing boredom in this moment.
EVENT: Grown-Ass Lady Bedtime Stories
(Clockwise from left) Ericka Kreutz, Deesha Philyaw, Margit Detweiler and Stephanie Gangi share their bedtime stories.
One of the things we know for sure is that storytelling can bridge gaps, can heal, can comfort. So in this challenging, stay-at-home, sometimes lonely moment, we thought we’d offer a 10-minute treat from some of our favorite storytellers. On Mondays, Wednesdays and Thursdays we’ve been hosting Grown-Ass Lady Bedtime Stories featuring one of our TueNight contributors reading a story they wrote for us, or sharing a poem, live. Here are a few recent stories. Here is the schedule for the next few:
This week:
Wednesday, 4/1: Juliet Fletcher reads "In an Emergency, Maybe We Don't Want Our Privacy?" - sign up here.
Thursday, 4/2: Stacy Morrison reads a poem by Jane Kenyon - sign up here
Monday, 4/6: Michelle Arnold reads "That Time Simon LeBon Showed Up At My Office” - sign up here
OBSESSED: Put a Mask on It
Some of Teresa Misagal’s masks on restaurant workers in NYC a few weeks ago. (Photo: Teresa Misagal)
There has been much confusion about whether to wear a mask or not, if you’re not sick. Well, in this moment (at least this current moment) the prevailing thought is it can’t hurt — and maybe even helps, per the CDC.
“People in Asia have always worn masks for health reasons,” says my longtime pal Teresa Misagal (full disclosure: we have been friends since we were 12), who has started hand-sewing masks using her collection of vintage Japanese fabrics. “I travel to Japan a lot and always have a few disposable masks around. I ended up wearing the same one again and again so I thought, why don’t I make one that looks good?”
Teresa is a Jane of all trades: a photographer, former restaurant manager, fashion week dresser, and Shibori artisan (she dyes fabrics in brilliant indigo patterns). Now she has over 60 orders worldwide for masks and is struggling to figure out how to keep up.
“This is the mentality of the U.S. — we throw everything away. People don’t mend things anymore. I’ve learned to love how [the Japanese] reuse things over and over. I love taking items people have discarded, cutting them up and making something new. This is sustainability.”
Teresa in her mask (Photo: Teresa Misagal)
Teresa’s masks range from $25 to $85 based on complexity and materials, some are crafted with Japanese fabrics from the Shōwa era, nearly 100 years old. With each purchase she’s making a simpler version that she will give away to her local urgent care facility. These aren’t medical grade masks, but they are a solid option for everyday use with a pocket where you can add an additional filter.
Teresa’s not the only one doing this. Women’s clothing brand Dolan is also doing buy-one-give-one masks for $10 apiece.
“You can look good at the same time,” adds Teresa. “It’s your face after all.”
To inquire about Teresa’s masks: reach out to her on Instagram @dailolabklyn or visit dailola.com
For Dolan shop here.
—Margit Detweiler
TUENIGHT 10: Tyrese Coleman
A quarantine selfie. Happy almost birthday, Tyrese!
Age: 40 years old tomorrow!
Quick bio: Tyrese L. Coleman is the author of the collection, How to Sit, a 2019 PEN Open Book Award finalist published with Mason Jar Press in 2018. Writer, wife, mother, attorney, and writing instructor, she is a contributing editor at Split Lip Magazine and her essays and stories have appeared in several publications, including Black Warrior Review, Literary Hub, The Rumpus, and the Kenyon Review.
Beyond the Bio: "Life right now is all about "sheltering in place" because of the COVID-19 pandemic. This means that I am cooped up in the house with my family and socializing via video chat. However, I have discovered some positives. One is that I have money since I am not out spending it. And another is that I have started jogging, something that I never thought I would be into. I always thought that the idea of "going for a run to clear my mind" was something people just said, but it is actually true."
What makes you a grown-ass lady? "Being honest with yourself and others as much as possible. Understanding that your body will change in ways that you are not prepared for and learning how to be all right with that. For me, also, it has been giving myself the patience that I did not give my younger self to be imperfect, to learn and pursue my dreams and goals."
1. On the nightstand: Jasmine Guillory's The Royal Holiday, a jar of raw shea butter and a bottle of Vitamin E oil
2. Can't stop/won't stop: Pursuing the things that make me happy
3. Jam of the minute: I've been listening to Childish Gambino's new album 3.15.20 on repeat
4. Thing I miss: Oh man, anything that involves being outside and around other people. Happy hour, coffee shops, everything!
5. ’80s crush: I'm a ’90s kind of girl and my crushes were Donald Faison and Aaliyah
6. Current crush: Marshawn Lynch
7. Latest fave find: The C25K app. Since I need to find ways to exercise outside the gym, this app has got me interested in running, of all things.
8. Last thing you lost: My mind… being around these kids all day *weeping emoji*
9. Best thing that happened recently: Although I am sheltered in place, seeing my boys interact and play and get along the way they have has been one of the best things ever.
10. Looking forward to: Leaving the house and finishing my next long-term project
STORY: Getting Out of My Comfort Zone for Love
By Robin Gelfenbien
“Ten years ago, my boyfriend, Greg, and I are lying in bed on a lazy Sunday afternoon when he says he needs to talk to me about something. My mind instantly goes into overdrive. OMG. He’s cheating on me. He has an STD. He’s breaking up with me. Maybe all three!
Thankfully, it’s none of these things, but it’s the last thing I expect to hear…”