The Olympics. I didn’t watch a lot, but I did see bits and pieces, including the last 20 minutes of the women’s marathon, breathtaking, the resilience, power, and strength of those lean long-legged women, all African. And then the closing ceremony, beautiful faces and bodies of all sizes, shapes, and colours, joyful, it really was wonderful, with that glorious city always in the background. Who knew Canadians are the heroes of hammer throw? Who knew anything at all about hammer throw?! I can’t get over young people who spend countless hours throwing a heavy object, or, even stranger, trying to use a long pole to fling themselves over a high bar. I mean, who invented pole-vaulting? And why?
But it was great to see the camaraderie, the good feelings. And then Paris passed the torch to L.A. for 2028; Tom Cruise jumped out of an airplane, and we went to L.A. where Snoop Dog rapped incomprehensibly on the beach and Billie Eilish mumbled a song, and my heart sank. But this French version was a marvel. Merci, la France. Spectaculaire!
However, I just had an unpleasant experience; I watched an episode of Law and Order that took aim at Canada because we do not have the death penalty. The story involved a Canadian woman living in New York, unquestionably a bad person who murdered several people to get what she wanted. The issue was, should she be executed by the state? The Canadian authorities refused to extradite her unless the death penalty was taken off the table; but her trial ended with her being sentenced to death. And the program ended with the notables of L&O sneering at Canada for not executing its criminals.
It made me sick. Grateful 1000%, once again, to be Canadian.
However, earlier today, I saw a wonderful Disney/Pixar film, Inside Out 2. The first Inside Out was a clever exploration of a young girl’s mind, her cavalcade of emotions — Fear, Joy, Sadness, Disgust, and Anger, wonderfully voiced by Hollywood’s best, as they wrestle inside her. I took the boys to see this new one to give their mother a break today; she’s just back from a family wedding in Winnipeg and leaving tomorrow for nearly 2 weeks in Nova Scotia, so had a lot to do. They would have preferred to see the manic Despicable Me 4, and I promised to take them when they get back, but I really wanted Eli to see this one. He’s 12, and Riley, the main character, just turned 13; an alarm labelled PUBERTY blares out and sends everything in her mind into chaos. It’s hilarious and also frighteningly true. Suddenly she’s taken over by Embarrassment, Ennui (being both tired and bored, which is Eli’s default demeanour), Envy, and especially Anxiety, who nearly drives her to lose her sense of self. One of the sombre messages of the film: as we grow older, we exchange joy for anxiety.
The script writers consult with psychiatric professionals to craft their images — our memories like billions of glowing coloured balls, the islands of Friendship and Family, and other thought-provoking notions. I’ve just sent out a Substack about a vital memory; in the film, it would be a sparkling yellow ball, one of the happy ones; there are many, many sad or difficult ones too. Embarrassment, envy, and anxiety have had their way with me. Still do.
https://touchpointsawriterstruth.substack.com/p/digging-into-detail
Luckily we had the cinema to ourselves except for one other grandmother with two grandchildren, because Ben, who has ADHD, spent much of the film running up and down the stairs. But, while in perpetual motion, I think he does listen and take it all in. I will miss them. Got a chance back at Anna’s to read more chapters of Holes to Eli; we’re nearly done. There’s a great deal at stake in this book; it’s terrific. I want to read on and find out what happens but will wait for him so we can find out together. Luckily, he’s not completely swamped with ennui, not quite yet.
A photo in the paper of Trump supporters waiting for him at a rally. They look just like us, and yet they’re not — consumed with anger, disgust, and fear. Definitely support the death penalty. Hard to understand. 
Now we need something lovely: this is one of my favourite artists, Matisse, with his beloved cat. 
It’s perfect summer weather, breezy with sun. I am as usual dealing with too many cucumbers and little else in the garden. Come on over for some gazpacho! You’re invited. And we will eat with Joy.
