things i will do in june.

June 1, 2022

It already feels like full-on summer around here, but the roses remind us of the month it is. Across the street an elderly neighbor has been tending to her immodest beauties. I’ve yet to see her stick her nose directly into the deep folds of the velvety petals, but everyone deserves their private moments of ecstasy and I don’t doubt she has hers under the watchful eye of her St. Anthony statue alone.

On this side of the street, the roses are of a wilder variety—less tended to, more delicate, perhaps suffering slightly more from the towering oak tree above them and the children who pull on the spindly stems and stick their noses directly into their wide-open centers. I snipped just one and plunked into a tiny bottle on my desk. Private moments of ecstasy, indeed.

Mostly unrelated, I’m a few weeks into a new breakfast rut—a term I use affectionately to describe my weeks-long devotion to a single breakfast dish before it inevitably gets supplanted by another breakfast dish, which later gets cast aside for another and on and on we go. Right now, it’s toast—the seedier and browner the bread, the better—grilled in a cast iron skillet with one large smashed garlic glove and a handful of whatever green I have that’s good wilted down in glistening pools of olive oil: dandelion greens, pea shoots, shaved asparagus. I sprinkle it liberally with flaky salt and red pepper flakes. If I’m feeling fancy, I add petals from the illicit nasturtiums we have growing on the roof and marvel at eating my colors. Either way, it’s the savory breakfast of dreams and one I eat after school drops are complete; everyone else’s breakfast dishes cleared. I swear it’s is responsible for bringing my sense of taste and smell back quickly post-Covid and it’s maybe also the secret to eternal youth. I don’t know.

As for my May list: My chamomile is growing in thick bushy mounds of green, but so far no flowers to speak of. I’ve given up on my jammed sewing machine and decided to hunt for a new one. The pansies and violas are just about to go leggy and so we’re adding them to everything edible we can think of and readying our goodbyes. I didn’t plan on getting Covid or bearing witness to the gruesome murders of grocery shoppers and school children, but here we are in America in the year 2022.

Other things I will do in June:

+ Take a walk every day.

+ Listen to more podcasts (see above).

+ Drink more water.

+ Find a favorite sunscreen.

+ Make room for new projects.

+ Revive old projects.

+ Try to do something, for fuck’s sake.

PS. June’s promise of poetry.

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14 Comments

  • Reply Susie June 1, 2022 at 2:51 pm

    I’m a fellow savoury breakfast fan. A little recommendation for when you’re ready for a change – toast with cottage cheese and Everything Bagel seasoning. Yum! I make the seasoning myself and keep it in jars. It’s good on everything! Especially eggs. Mmmm breakfast 🙂

    2
  • Reply Katharine June 1, 2022 at 6:09 pm

    I have no suggestions for dealing with the heartbreak that is living in this gun-obsessed country, but I can recommend sunscreen from Cocokind.

    0
    • Reply Auidrey June 3, 2022 at 11:24 am

      I 2nd the recommendation for Cocokind sunscreen! As well as the feeling of utter heartbreak.

      0
  • Reply Angy June 1, 2022 at 10:40 pm

    Garlic makes errathang better! I’m currently on a mission to locate authentic burrata here in Perth, Australia. I’ve seen so many Instagram reels that demonstrate (in quick choppy edits) how to turn this humble “dairy ball” into culinary heaven.

    Sending only good vibes for breakfast options and the “other tragic elephant in the room” – hoping that change is soon.

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  • Reply tara June 1, 2022 at 10:41 pm

    hector has an amazing repair shop on 39th st between 4/5th ave. he’s helped me with both of my machines. he also does a great job sharpening scissors.

    also, i saved a vintage machine from the trash pick up a few months ago. i think it’s a “white” brand. case and all. email me if you’re interested!

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    • Reply ERIN BOYLE June 1, 2022 at 10:46 pm

      Yes! He repaired this once already for me, but I’m not wanting to continue to invest in this particular machine.

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      • Reply MRH June 2, 2022 at 8:51 am

        i have had a White brand sewing machine for years. Gets a moderate amount of use but nothing crazy.

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  • Reply BRI June 2, 2022 at 10:17 am

    I’m so sorry to hear about the violence, from Australia; grief is understandable.

    2
  • Reply M June 2, 2022 at 12:12 pm

    After many years of getting rashes, hives, and eczema from various sunscreens (and wearing them anyway, ugh) I have had the best luck with Banana Boat Simply Protect. Highly recommend.

    0
  • Reply Christie June 2, 2022 at 2:04 pm

    We had Covid last week, too. Wishing a speedy recovery to all. When you’re done with that particular breakfast, I’ll share a favorite that I picked up from Marché in Nashville: Toasted bread (your seedy one sounds perfect, but a good sourdough also works), smeared with butter, then ricotta cheese, sliced peaches, and a drizzle of honey on top. The perfect sweet & savory combo. It’s almost peach season!

    3
  • Reply shannon fw June 3, 2022 at 12:17 am

    I have read your posts for years now, and always enjoy. I forward links to my daughters, savor your ideas and aesthetic, and somehow feel more connected to Brooklyn (I am in CA) where my oldest daughter now lives as an independent young adult. And with this post I was reminded how much I enjoy your writing voice! I really am loving the image of your neighbor with her roses and your rebel rooftop nasturtiums. Thank you! After yet another day of feeling numb your descriptions brought something back for me. Keep sharing that writing gift of yours, please and thank you.

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  • Reply MIMI June 3, 2022 at 12:29 pm

    Please let us know when you find the favorite sunscreen!

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  • Reply Anja June 6, 2022 at 3:53 pm

    would love to know your podcast recs/current faves

    1
  • Reply Alex June 10, 2022 at 4:50 pm

    Just got out of a breakfast rut after an inspiring trip to a pleasantly not too crowded Trader Joe’s: goat yogurt topped with lemon curd, raspberries, almonds and chia seeds.

    1
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