How was your month of May? Mine had a few small ups and downs, but nothing compared to the news and events that some friends of mine have been weathering lately. One of these friends, in particular, is on my mind.

In any case, here are some of my recent diversions…

Reading: I’m a Fan by Sheena Patel. Just started Up With the Sun by Thomas Mallon.

Audio: Classic glam rock.

Video: Pretty Baby, the Brooke Shields documentary.

Art: French decorative arts from the eighteen century have been on my mind lately; see “Pleasures,” below!

Tr(eats): Strawberries galore. Strawberry rhubarb pie from the farmers market. A cherry cobbler that I made from last year’s frozen cherries. You get the idea…

Drinks: I just opened a bottle of a nice apple gin that friends gave me a while ago. And I realized I could make rose simple syrup from the flowers on our rosebush. Time for summer cocktails!

Beauty Products: After a combination of pollen allergies and an adverse product reaction that sent me to the allergist and resulted in a short-term prescription for steroids, I’m coddling my face back to relative normalcy with lots of Good Molecules, including Instant Cleansing Balm, Rosewater Daily Cleansing Gel, and Super Peptide Serum. (No affiliation; just a fan.)

Garb: I just resurrected some summer shoes from the bottom of the closet and took inventory of my black cotton dresses, so I should be set (sartorially, at least) for hot weather.

Pleasures:  Attending book events, leading my first “art and aroma” gallery tour at the Metropolitan Museum of Art (as an independent lecturer), reading outside, seeing the revival of Camelot at Lincoln Center.

Plans: Get caught up on some freelance copywriting. Take a few days’ vacation. See the O’Keeffe show at MoMA. Have friends over for my birthday.

Image: Lippincott’s May (cropped) by William Carqueville. American, 1895. Chromolithograph.