June 21, 2020
by jenniferpuryear
Three summers ago my parents and I sat on a bench waiting for the theater doors to open in Interlochen, Michigan, where my older daughter was at an arts camp. My dad could still travel and remember his days (and – as a sidenote – I could still fit in that dress). Harder days have come – and stranger days, too. Sorrow comes for us …
June 18, 2020
by jenniferpuryear
The Family Satz doesn’t do things halfway. They’re all in! Easter AND Passover. Salty and sweet. Stay up late, get up early. Laughter and tears. Three dogs and a black cat named Spot. Today, Kate Satz (aka “Spicy K”) and her daughter Maclin settle in and stay for a while…
June 16, 2020
by jenniferpuryear
Vanderbilt Chancellor Emeritus Nick Zeppos and his wife Lydia Howarth are figuring out life in the time of retirement, corona-style. Lydia’s doodling during Zoom calls and “expanding her gardening empire”; Nick’s grilling and chilling and getting ready to teach law again in the fall. They’re both worried about the state of affairs in our country, a lot; they’re both eating fewer carbs. You won’t be …
June 14, 2020
by jenniferpuryear
This morning I’d love to share two songs with you – “For the Beauty of the Earth” performed by a combined men’s chorus in Taiwan, and “Breathe in Hope” performed by Vox Grata women’s choir in Nashville. I sang John Rutter’s “For the Beauty of the Earth” with my high school choir, and the melody still finds me from time to time. It gives me …
June 13, 2020
by jenniferpuryear
Beth Alexander stops in at Bacon today with a radiant essay on a favorite children’s book. She makes me want to stay in bed and read – to ignore the glorious summer morning and the flowers that need watering and the laundry that needs doing and the bills that need paying. (Perhaps I shall read in bed, for just a little while, perhaps a book …
June 9, 2020
by jenniferpuryear
I sometimes feel despair when I read the news in the morning. Maybe you’re feeling it too, but for different reasons. Can you and I possibly get to a place of collective hope? Where we can together be proud of our country and also have the energy to keep forming a more perfect union? “We’ll get through this,” said one of my friends. And I …
June 7, 2020
by jenniferpuryear
Only watch this video if you want to cry. I suppose I thank God for tears. The Nashville studio musician collective “Ten Two Six” recorded this version of “It Is Well With My Soul” by cell phone some weeks ago. I am reminded of what a stunningly beautiful and harmonious city and country we can be – and that we are – in many ways. …
June 6, 2020
by jenniferpuryear
Sean Kinch returns to Bacon today with a top pick for June, but first he answers a few questions about the days of our lives…
June 4, 2020
by jenniferpuryear
My friend Gray Thornburg sent me an article from “National Geographic” featuring the favorite travel reads of several bestselling authors. The authors were scheduled to speak at the Hay Festival in Wales this month (the Festival went digital instead – beautifully!). Five of the books sound so enchanting – gentle invitations to imagine a different time and place and to reflect on essential virtues of …
May 28, 2020
by jenniferpuryear
My FOGO (“Fear of Going Out”) is worst in the morning after skimming too many articles on Apple News (even with the fortification of a second strawberry Pop-Tart and second cup of tea). It’s only when I go outside and water the flowers that I’m not as scared of the world. My fear tends to diminish as the day goes on. I may even fly …