"We once watched Julia Child explain how to perfectly roast a chicken. Today we thrill to cutthroat competitions to be the Top Chef or to Beat Bobby Flay. If we’re feeling particularly sadistic, we might turn on Hell’s Kitchen and watch an upstart try to get a rare smile of approval out of Gordon Ramsay."

The Only Thing? Spring Green Moments, Alex Edelman, Edgar Steed, Angelique Kidjo.

"Transplant any one of these trees a city park or suburban yard and it will become a different creature, a man-spreading, elbow-throwing space-hog that provides enough shade to host a summer picnic. But here, crowded like commuters on a New York City subway, there is nowhere to go but up."

Into the Woods, HBO's Industry, Jesmyn Ward's Salvage the Bones, The Change, Autumn Leaves.

“Believe me, there’s nothing like a loud Cosmic Flabberzap to knock you out of your evening reverie and remember that it’s time to take out the garbage.”

You Must Remember This…, Influencers, Blinkist, Purlie Victorious, Virtual Ojai.

“Scoop some of the goop out and add more flour and water. Stir it up. Do this every day until it starts to stink. That's sourdough!”

Good enough bread, Picky eaters, Ripley, Keifer, Billy Collins.

“But this is the way it’s done these days. Strange, futuristic names—Verzenio, Vyvgart, Eloquis, Eylea-HD, Dupixent—intoned over shiny happy people hiking, barbecuing, stargazing and celebrating birthdays.”

Advertising overdose, Out of the Picture, Compact Concerti, Hiromi, John Dickerson