#natalie eve garrett

[iphidionysia]

Claire Dederer, ‘Javelinas’ (The Lonely Stories, edited by Natalie Eve Garrett)

[iphidionysia]

Claire Dederer, ‘Javelinas’ (The Lonely Stories, edited by Natalie Eve Garrett)

[iphidionysia]

Megan Giddings, ‘Brief Important Moments Where I Was the Only Person on Earth’ (The Lonely Stories, edited by Natalie Eve Garrett)

[judgingbooksbycovers]

The Lonely: Stories 22 Celebrated Writers on the Joys & Struggles of Being Alone

Edited by Natalie Eve Garrett.

Design by Jaya Miceli.

[jennamacaroni]

People often deride cooking as a chore or an unnecessary taxing undertaking, an activity that exacerbates stress instead of relieving it.  Even more people seem to deride baking, in particular–the meticulousness of measurement it stipulates, the sheer number of steps it takes to transform the dry and wet ingredients into a cake adorned in icing, a cookie studded with chips, and yes, a pie crisscrossed in sugar-speckled strips.  But those of us who love baking love it for the very reason that others shy away from it:  the praxis of it, the dexterity of movement and imagination of its construction and the boundaries that can be teased out and pushed.  These make it worth the mental exercise and acuity, and then there is the coup de grace:  the finished product itself, physical proof of the thought and careful stewardship that went into it.

Rakesh Satyal, “Bake Your Fear,” an essay from “Eat Joy: Stories & Comfort Food from 31 Celebrated Writers” edited by Natalie Eve Garrett

[jennamacaroni]

Children of immigrants know it is terribly difficult to try to hang on not only to our own memories but to those of our parents.  What if I don’t make the shish kabob exactly the way my father did?  Am I allowed to tamper with his stuffed grape leaves–especially now that his generation is leaving us?  If I take such risks, will anything be left?  What may be dared and what must be preserved?

Diana Abu-Jaber, “Leaves,” an essay from “Eat Joy: Stories & Comfort Food from 31 Celebrated Writers” edited by Natalie Eve Garrett

[pada-viya]

By Natalie Eve Garrett

1. Forgive yourself. In order to clean your home, you first need to accept that you have not led a perfect, mess-free life and that is okay. It’s never too late to clean.

2. Don't clean alone. Messes can be suave and clever. If a mess has already found a dwelling place in your home, you may be tempted to just give up and submit yourself to a messy life. This is why you should always try to clean with a trusted friend who will help you maintain your resolve. Try singing and dancing together while you clean; this will make the mess tremble.

3. Avoid lethargy. Remember, idle hands are messiness’ playthings!

4. Use holy water. Did you know that holy water is fantastic for cleaning?

5. Cast out your mess. Lay your hands on everything that is messy and then say out loud, “Mess, I command you to leave me alone!” BE FIRM. Make sure the mess understands that it is not welcome in your home.

6. Avoid all future messiness. After you have told it to go, don't talk about anything messy ever again. If you do, the mess will think that you miss it and it will come back for you.

Natalie Eve Garrett is an artist and writer who wants to sell you a ghost. Her book, The Artists' and Writers' Cookbook, will be published by powerHouse Books in 2016.