Saturday, when I heard the news about Pennsylvania, I screamed, high-fived my husband, and almost floated to the ceiling. The big ol’ anvil sitting on my chest seemed to suddenly disappear and I ran to my window to hear honking, woo-ing, clapping, singing — within minutes Brooklyn had transformed into a giant dance party. We were all this woman dancing. So much for the boarded up stores; there was no unrest here, only pure, unbridled joy.
I imagine many of you feel the same kind of relief — as well as creeping anxiety — as we wait for January 20. In this moment, let’s allow ourselves to celebrate as we recognize the leaders and organizers who got us here, the 91% of Black women who voted, the truly heroic Stacey Abrams, my home town of Philly(!!!), and so many more. (And if you’d like to help in Georgia, center and follow these Black women and donate to The New Georgia Project.) To all of you who donated, wrote postcards and letters, made phone calls, canvassed, talked to relatives and friends, and VOTED, thank you.
XO,
Margit
THIS WEEK
As Kamala Harris said in her speech Saturday night, now is when the real work begins. Alcohol and carbs got America through election (week). “As a Black woman, I can finally exhale.” Stacey Abrams: Political superhero/Buffy superfan. The most perfect essay we’ve read yet about how the pandemic messes with our sense of time. How fostering a one-eyed goblin changed my life in lockdown. A fun interview with Kylie Minogue, who just released her 15th album. So much more than a recipe: My grandmother’s pancakes. It's OK to be happy about not going home for the holidays. It’s also OK to start decorating; science says it can boost your happiness. Related: The happiest songs according to science. Start your holiday shopping with Oprah’s favorite things for 2020 and feel free to roll your eyes at the GOOP holiday gift guide (no lie: there is a vulva coloring book). Alex Trebek was more than a game show host – he was family. Watch the trailer for Shonda Rhimes' Bridgerton. This Fleetwood Mac cover is everything.
STORY: An Astrologer’s Self-Care Checklist to Get Us to Inauguration Day
By Karrie Myers Taylor
As an Astrologer, I can tell you this election mess hasn’t reached its conclusion just yet. In fact, the current astrological aspects point to a “flip flopping” of information from the media for all of November. The only thing that will remain the same in these coming months is your need to pace yourself and start preparing for the very real changes that are ahead in 2021.
(Psst: Want to write for us? Pitch us here!)
OBSESSED: Annie Get Your Theragun
“What do you think — Theragun or Hypervolt?” I asked my husband, who was watching The Mandalorian.
“Huh?” He seemed perplexed. “Which characters are those?”
Thankfully TueNighters knew exactly what I was talking about when I asked last year. They had a lot to say about the pros and cons of both massage devices:
“Theragun’s battery lasts longer.”
“Hypervolt is the Cadillac, and the other cheaper ones are VERY loud.”
“I got a Theragun for Xmas and it is my new boyfriend. [It’s] better at breaking up scar tissue.”
“By new boyfriend do you mean... BOYFRIEND? #askingforafriend”
These devices are like jackhammers for tight muscles; a powerful way to soothe and relieve fascia. (Before you ask: There’s no way you’re using it on your lady parts unless you want to end up in the hospital.) I eventually chose the Theragun and have been mostly thrilled with the results. Although it’s bulky, pricey ($199 for the mini version), and can be a bit tricky to maneuver around your back, it really gets into those angry little knots. You graze over your muscles and it pulses away. (Just make sure you’re not trying to massage your bones.) I’d been trying to use a foam roller for the same purpose, but the Theragun is a whole lot easier than hoisting myself over a roller to fix my quads. Plus, I can watch (the very awesome) The Mandalorian and use Theragun at the same time!
—Margit Detweiler
(Image: Theragun)
TueNight 10: Brenda Anders Pring
(At an American Association of Pediatrics conference, encouraging adults to vote in the best interests of children. Because kids can’t vote.)
Age: 49.
Basic bio: Brenda is a primary care pediatrician in Boston, where she provides direct care to kids and their families, teaches pediatrics to medical students, and advocates for better child health policy at the local and national level. She wants you to get a flu shot.
Beyond the bio: Medicine is my second career (the first was in the Clinton White House — Ed.). I started med school when I was 34 and finished my residency when I was 42. During that time I also had two kids. I love my hectic life — and the fact that I no longer have to explain to other people why I might not be available to help them with something.
What makes you a grown-ass lady? I have no qualms about paying for services that make my day-to-day life simpler, including having someone prepare meals for my family.
1. On the nightstand: Lip balm, glass of water, headphones, cellphone, tissues, bottle of melatonin, unread medical journals.
2. Can't stop/won't stop: Speaking up at work when I think something needs to change or isn't done well.
3. Jam of the minute: Lizzo’s “Good as Hell.”
4. Thing I miss: Simpler Saturdays with things like brunch with friends.
5. ’80s crush: Rob Lowe.
6. Current crush: Probably Jimmy Fallon.
7. Latest fave find: My first pair of Dansko work clogs lasted for 10 years. Now that it’s time to get new ones, I’m so glad they still make that style, but I’m also eyeing all the new colors and patterns.
8. Last thing you lost: My heart rate monitor.
9. Best thing that happened recently: Since I can’t go to spin classes during a pandemic, my mother (!) bought me a Peloton. I’m embarrassed at how much I love it.
10. Looking forward to: More unscheduled time at home with my family. Finding new things to cook and bake. Settling into this place we moved into three years ago. And an administration that appreciates science and the role government has in improving the well-being of all its citizens.
Cheers, y’all!