Each week (give or take one or two here and there) I share three things I like – It could be a book, a movie, a podcast, an album, a photo, an article, a restaurant, a food item, a beverage, or anything else I simply enjoy and think you might too. You can find a whole pile of things, especially books, I like and recommend HERE.
1. The Barn by Wright Thompson
As a rule, I read everything Thompson writes. He is brilliant. This is a heavy book and an exceptional one. Thompson, as always, writes the heck out of it. As a Mississippian, he wades through the complexities of his own family’s history as adjacent and connected to to the murder of Emmett Till and the complex history of the Mississippi delta. The construct for the book is brilliant as he focuses on the barn where Till was killed and all of the historical and human tendrils that extend from it. This is a heartbreaking book. It is enraging. It is full of heroes, most of whom have never been heard of or have been since forgotten. And it is a necessary book, the kind of writing that we need to help us wisely navigate our country’s history.
2. Gardettos
I think the easiest way to describe Gardettos is “Chex Mix, except good. . . and without the nasty Chex.” It is a snack mix with no real weaknesses, no ingredient you have to work around to get to the good stuff. And then there are the rye chips, those perfectly crunchy, savory superstars of snack time. I have been told that this is “an old person snack,” which I will take as a compliment since that means it has proven the test of time. (And also, get off my lawn.) Gardettos are a road trip staple and a pantry regular for our family. If you want a happier life between meals, get you some.
3. Johan Santana’s Pure Pitching Filth
Santana was a Twin’s ace in the early 2000’s and one of the most dominant pitchers of his era, which was especially notable in given the fairly juiced state of hitters during that time. His fastball was crisp, his slider was nasty, and his change-up would have made Bugs Bunny proud. He was a joy to watch.
