Tornado Drill

Dear Friends,

The other day Michaela was telling me about how one of her friends has a “survival kit.” What is that for, I asked, not really wanting to know the answer. “Tornadoes,” she answered. “Ah,” I said. “I want a kit like that,” she said. I said that was probably a good idea, we should get one.

I know that preschool students in Los Angeles are asked to bring “go-bags” in case of earthquakes or wildfires. I suppose this is a new reality of parenthood, figuring out what to put in your child’s “go-bag” or “survival kit” aside from the bare necessities. A loving note to remember you by? A flash drive with family photographs and important documents?

I recalled a conversation I had with Michaela last year when she was in second grade, shortly after we informed her that we were moving to Chicago.

I couldn’t believe she was so stressed out about tornadoes. I didn’t want to tell her about all the other dangers out there, the ones that keep me up at night. FFS, if I had to choose just one existential threat that she might have to face in her lifetime, I would choose a tornado.

These are heavy thoughts on the first day of Hanukkah! I’m sorry—it’s been a long week. Chad was out of town, and Michaela had pink eye. I tried not to think about all the work I wasn’t getting done.

But we had a nice little Hanukkah celebration last night. I made latkes, we spun the dreidel, lit the candles, sang a song, opened a present (thank you so much, Susie!), not necessarily in that order. The ritual was as comforting as always, as it will always be.

Love,

Claire

What I’m reading:

At risk of this being a little too “on the nose” (ha) I enjoyed this piece by Jesse Green in the NYT Style Magazine on Jews and the history of American theater. I didn’t know anything about “method acting” before reading this but it features prominently in the essay and the origin is fascinating.

What I’m watching:

Hedgehog in the Fog is a short Russian cartoon made by Jewish animator Yuri Norstein in 1975. I think the Hedgehog may be my favorite cartoon character ever.

Who I’m remembering:

Norman Lear. I had the good fortune to interview him in 2010 for Esopus. I didn’t have time today to scan the interview but I’ll put it up next week. I reread it tonight and I was struck by this quote from him: “Women are my life. I have five daughters. I never did a show that was produced by dozens of guys, as these things go, that wasn’t really produced by a woman.”