"again—this will all / happen over again—"
Long Winter - Tim Nolan | Carajillo | D.S. & Durga Jazmín Yucatan
Poem
Long Winter - Tim Nolan
So much I've forgotten
the grass
the birds
the close insects
the shoot—the drip—
the spray of the sprinkler
freckles—strawberries—
the heat of the Sun
the impossible
humidity
the flush of your face
so much
the high noon
the high grass
the patio ice cubes
the barbeque
the buzz of them—
the insects
the weeds—the dear
weeds—that grow
like alien life forms—
all Dr. Suessy and odd—
here we go again—
we are turning around
again—this will all
happen over again—
and again—it will—
Beverage
Carajillo
On Saturday night, I went to dinner with my friend Katherine, who used to serve at a little wine bar and Mediterranean small plates restaurant with me. (An experience she has memorialized in her show, which I haven't seen but will someday.) We each had a cocktail, then we split a bottle of wine, and then we had dessert. And another cocktail. We both ordered the Carajillo.
This was a new drink for me, and I didn't realize it was a classic cocktail until googling it right now. I have done ten seconds of research, but I think we enjoyed a pretty traditional version of this Mexican cocktail in a trendy little restaurant in East Williamsburg, between the Flushing Ave J/M and the Flushing Ave G.
The Carajillo seems to only need espresso and Licor 43 (a Spanish ~premium liqueur~), and ours also had what the menu called "lava salt." I feel like this is a very delightful treat and way less annoying than an espresso martini, if only because this comes in a rocks glass and not a martini glass. Would drink again!!!!
Scent
D.S. & Durga Jazmín Yucatan
A top note of "water" and a base note of "snake plant" should make it clear that this is not the world's lushest jasmine, a topic which has been recently covered elsewhere in this newsletter. But I am on my "how do I feel about wearing jasmine perfume at this point in my life??" journey, and this was a crucial stop.
I really enjoy wearing this. The floral isn't overly demanding or indolic, and the aquatic note is truly there in the dry down along with some spice and citrus. It's a little green and a little mineral, just enough to cut the richness of the white floral, but the jasmine is still sweet and the lingering scent is a true floral.
It's too cold today to have gone this far into a summer floral, but in August, I really have a good feeling about big jasmine perfumes that complement the late-season rot of well, everything.
Now playing via Spotify "daylist"
Other things
My five-year diary
I thought about writing the newsletter this morning, but then I forgot about it until I was writing in my little five-year diary and was like oh Sunday! about twenty minutes ago. I didn't buy a new 2024 planner this year — finally using up a great undated one from Poketo sent to me in 2020 by a dear friend. But I did buy a five-year diary from my beloved Midori Japan. I have been pretty good about keeping up with the few quick lines each day, and I get a genuine thrill looking at the four blank years that follow each entry.
For example, I just had dinner with the friend who sent me the blank Poketo planner, and as I wrote in my little five-year diary, I had a flash of curiosity about what differences would underlie a similar entry in 2028. She and I have both lived a series of different lives in the almost 15 years we have known each other, and the possibilities for the next five are vast, too. The possibilities are endless!
I am very into the five-year diary.
Carts online (and in person!)
No carts online right now, but I bought a trench and socks at Muji, all on sale! I love Muji clothes. And Muji everything. I have these really great glass straws I bought at Muji in Germany, but I have yet to see them in the US. If I find them, I will immediately tell all of you.