Well, here we are, where we never thought to be, even a few weeks ago. And the GOT CHRYSALIS? issue was planned months ago, but if the chrysalis fits . . .
Back at the start of February, I wrote a Jam Today entry about some wonderful crab I had then, which now seems, on rereading, about a lifetime ago, over some border that is quickly receding as we drive away at breakneck speed. I kept the piece in this issue, just for the nostalgia — crab and brown butter, yum – but realized that, realistically, what I am cooking now is stuff left in the fridge at the end of a two week isolation period, when the market is half an hour away, and it’s safer for everyone if I just stay home as long as possible. This means wilted vegetables. Which gets us to something that has always bugged me, and now more than ever: those recipes that insist ‘throw away anything wilted or browned or sprouting.’ Ridiculous. I made a terrific minestrone from all those potential throwaways, and then I did a podcast about it. So if you want support for your wilted vegetable potential, listen in. I’ll probably do more. Podcasts get me a little closer to my always ideal of just standing in everyone’s kitchen with a glass of wine, chatting about food. This way I’m the proper social distance away, too.
Meanwhile, back at EAP, Cal LaFountain found us, contributing a piece about how the future is “Audiobooks and a Tear in Heaven’s Wind.” Even before the virus took hold on the world, EAP was having a relook at where it’s going, and audiobooks, produced in partnership with Last Word Audio, and the fabulous Colby Elliot, were the first place we looked. So to get Cal’s piece just underscored and sharpened our thought on the matter. Coincidence that he joined the EAP community just now? I don’t think so.
Poets ran poetically riot, even more than usual, this issue, and at first when the contributions came bursting in, I figured it was a common case of poetic spring fever. But now I think the poets are always the canary in the coal mine, and when fumes turn poison, they sing louder and louder. Check out our poetry editor Marissa Bell Toffoli’s “Spring and All, 2020,” Ben White’s “Glass Cocoon,” James Croal Jackson’s “Remnant,” Mark Robinson’s “Spring Chrysalis,” and the beautiful “meadow” by J.I. Kleinberg. Chris Farago was so on point, we had to begin and end with two of his poems: “It was dark,” and “249.”
Brian Griffith fans, don’t miss Brian’s research into the women creating Iranian cinema—“The Female Eye in Iranian Film.” I loved Sean Murphy’s looking back to look forward piece, “Backs to the Future.” And there was another anomalous contribution this issue, an extract from the book, “The Gospel of Science,” by William E. Douglas. We don’t usually lean toward books that you find in the self help section of the bookstore, but this one was in our patch. I’m reading the whole book now, and will give a report soon.
Special alert: My two favorite pieces this issue were both by young women. First, Tamra Lucid’s introduction to her memoir “Cassandra”—“Cast of Characters.” If you want to see the cast, read the piece; it’s really worth it; Tamra grows into her voice before the reader’s eyes. And a newcomer to EAP, Rani Wesley, has sent over the haunting story “Ladies with Bruises.” What these writers have in common is a new voice, one each, but both resolutely and imaginatively coming from a woman’s experience. I love that. I look for that. Thanks, Tamra and Rani.
Hoping everyone is staying safe and well and healthy. Really. And that we’re all being kind to those near and far.
Welcome back.