The TueDo List: Later, 2021 + Yellowjackets + RIP Betty
Plus: Disco ball decor and magic eye drops
Happy 2022! Maybe?
That’s me in the corner, hiding from Miss Omi. Half the people I know have it or had it, including, possibly, our newsletter editor Margaret who — as I write this — is waiting in line at Penn Station in NYC to get tested. [Rapid test was negative! — Ed.] Good LORD, what is this life we find ourselves living? It feeds into my already agoraphobic nature, so I’ve been bundled under blankets watching lots of brilliant, creepy TV like the gut-wrenching The Lost Daughter and the utterly awesome Yellowjackets. A bit on that last one: Not for everyone, but for those it’s made for, it is glorious: ‘90s nostalgia, an indie Liz Phair-to-Peaches-to-Prodigy soundtrack, true horror (cannibalism in Canada!) and a cast that defines badass. Thanks to this show, I’ve finally explored Reddit and have found myself going leagues deep into theories on the Yellowjackets subReddit which is a real community in itself: clever, hilarious, and, actually, quite kind. Very TueNightery.
In other news, I’ve been, as you may know, recovering from midlife-fabulous bunion surgery, which is nearing its grand finale. This morning Doc pulled a stabilizing K-wire out of my toe (my own little horror show!) and I get to wear a REAL SHOE tomorrow, a sneaker, which feels like the best thing that’s happened to me in months.
It’s the little things.
I hope you, your friends and your families are well. This is a hard moment — like all of the other hard moments of the last two years. Chaotic, unstable, and often very depressing. I’m working to see it as a quiet moment to shift my crappy perspective, use my new foot to walk around the block, and make a ‘70s YouTube playlist called Love’s Baby Soft at 2 a.m. when I can’t sleep. In the more productive zone, I’ve been working on this free survey, YearCompass, to peer back at 2021 and instead of resolutions, reflect on a year that well, kinda sucked (Betty White’s death was the worst coda), be grateful for what was actually pretty great (you, TueNighters), and imagine a new year with more purpose, peace, and fewer canceled flights. It could happen. Let’s hope.
xo, Margit
THIS WEEK
📖 READ: 100 ways to slightly improve your life without really trying. Instead of resolutions, try more/less lists. One woman’s story about a year of intense transformation. Susan Orlean’s tribute to Joan Didion. Eye drops instead of reading glasses? Shut up and take our money. New book alert: Menopause: Aging & Caregiving is “an anthology for the woman in the middle of aging and caregiving.” On the many miracles of Aretha Franklin. TueNighter Paula Bernstein wrote a whole book about lessons we can learn from Betty White.
👀 LOOK: Stunning vintage photos of Maggie Smith and Betty White. BRB decorating every room with domesticated disco balls. Top-rated dogs of 2021. Anyone else hooked on Wordle? Corrbette for president.
🤣 LOL: Betty White bloopers from Hot in Cleveland. And a complication of Rose’s greatest moments.
📺 WATCH
Now: Season 6 of Queer Eye (Netflix) and Insecure: The End (HBO Max)
Thursday: Michelle Obama and Common in Let the World See, a docuseries about Emmitt Till’s mother’s quest for justice. (ABC)
Sunday: Euphoria Season 2. (HBO Max)
TUENIGHT 10: Lynne Lucas
Lynne is an age-positive, female empowerment tech professional, as well as a Gen-X brand ambassador who loves travel, adventure, trying new things, and looking fabulous while doing it. Lately, she’s into aerial yoga, speakeasies, and re-adjusting to high heels.
Never stop dancing, TueNighters!
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