I was in Whole Foods over the weekend, picking up a few things. The founder of WF was a big libertarian, right? One of those guys who believed we could “heal ourselves” by choosing the correct organic foods, and anyone who didn’t — whether because of cost or attachment to Doritos — well, it sucks to be you. And that’s how I came to associate the chain with the MAHA movement, which believes much the same thing.
Then I stumbled into the supplements aisle, and hoo-boy, do these people swallow a lot of this crap. Food is all you need to heal you, along with ten thousand sketchily vetted, surprisingly expensive capsules that almost all come with zero evidence of their efficacy other than a vaguely worded article on some website, as well as the all-important recommendation by either an Instagram influencer or your personal trainer, or both.
The older I get, the less of this stuff I’m even tempted to take. For me it’s vitamin D because I live in a sunless pit six months of the year, vitamin B taken at the same time to remind me I remembered the D (because B turns your pee neon-yellow for a few hours), and that’s it. The truest words I’ve heard in some time came on Chapo Traphouse, when one of the guys said, “Sooner or later, every con man will try to sell you supplements.”
Of course, also, many of these supplements are sold via Amazon, a company I am trying my best to boycott, or at least deal with as little as possible. (I just ordered two books direct from the publisher, in case you doubt my commitment.) I am just one small, angry, bitchy person, but as I cannot launch a torpedo at the Bezos yacht on its next trip to carry the new Mrs. Bezos to her next adventure, perhaps collecting another environmental award, I can at least withdraw my business.
And yes, I know Amazon owns Whole Foods now. I only shop there once in a great while.
I imagine we all saw at least one or two pictures from the tackiest wedding of the century (so far). The guest-arrival photos were a nightmare of mermaid hair and squashed boobs. The bride, on her third marriage and the mother of three children, wore virginal white. The witnesses seem to have been chosen from a list of the randomly famous. Are they actually friends with this far-flung group? The Kardashians? The Kushners? Tom Brady? Oprah? Do you get the feeling Mr. or Mrs. Bezos have any friends they’ve known longer than a decade? A childhood or college friend they’ve kept on the Christmas-card list? I don’t get that feeling. If so, they might have married in a similarly lavish ceremony at this or that Bezos house, and not have to take over a European city for a week to get the right backdrop for the photos.
Tacky-tacky-tacky.
It’s hot again here, and I want to read the new Laura Lippman book. So here, have some amusing bloggage…
The Department of the Interior’s efforts to revise unfavorable stories about American history at National Park Service sites appears to be backfiring — instead of reporting incidents of “negative” history as directed by new signs, visitors have used the signs’ QR codes to submit hundreds of comments in support of the park service.
In a 65-page leaked document provided to SFGATE by the National Parks Conservation Association, the hundreds of comments that have poured in through June 16 show overwhelming support for better funding for national parks and increased protection of public lands.
“This felonious Administration is the very definition of un-American. The parks belong to us, the people. … Respectfully, GO **** YOURSELVES” reads one comment that has been reported through multiple parks and is directed to Interior Secretary Doug Burgum.
“Rangers, have a lovely day. You are appreciated,” the commenter added at the end.
“This park is perfect. Please tell Trump to go **** himself,” reads a similar comment posted through Keweenaw National Historical Park in Michigan.
…and have a pic of me and Dustin meeting Laura Lippman herself last week, at a book-signing in Toledo:
Does she look nervous or tired? We were at the very end of the line. Great dress, LL.
Alan Stamm said on June 29, 2025 at 6:25 pm
Great jacket, DB.
17 chars
Dexter Friend said on June 29, 2025 at 6:29 pm
I was sent to a chiro in 1989 for hip pain. This quack had me wait in a room lined with shelves of supplements. I came with X-rays ; he observed them and said what I really need was…then he procured 6 bottles of pills and well…I high-tailed it outta there pronto. No Sale.
278 chars
Mark P said on June 29, 2025 at 6:42 pm
Alt National Park Service has some cool “resist” stickers and pins. I wish they had a cloisonné pin with Smokey Bear wearing a ranger hat with RESIST on it. I would wear it all the time rather than American flag pin, which I don’t wear. I’m planning to visit a national park or two this fall. I hope they still have the report-your-neighbor fascist forms available. Fucking Nazis.
381 chars
Julie Robinson said on June 29, 2025 at 6:47 pm
Saw a few pictures of Bezos and his inflatable bride, didn’t read any stories. Instead I read about the Dogist and his new wife, who knew each other from way back but only got romantic a few years ago. And then another, about a couple who first met as 11 year olds at camp, and another about Huma Abedin and her new husband, a Soros son. All three stories were sweet and hopeful. All from the NYT.
And now I must go look up the Laura Lippman book. Is she really tall? ‘Cos I didn’t think Nance was short.
Happy Birthday to Jodi!
530 chars
Suzanne said on June 29, 2025 at 7:04 pm
When I was going through cancer treatments and saw more specialists than I thought possible, one of the first questions I was usually asked was about my supplement intake. When I said that I took Calcium and vitamin D only, the response was invariably a one word statement, “Good!”
I will never understand why people who won’t get a flu shot will pump unregulated and untested pills purchased at Walmart or the local health store into their system and think they are living so much healthier than the average person. The wellness industry makes billions and billions every year off people who won’t take meds prescribed by actual doctors who they see as nefarious frontmen and women for the pharmaceutical industry which they claim makes too much money by pushing pills.
780 chars
Brandon said on June 29, 2025 at 7:40 pm
Amazon, a company I am trying my best to boycott, or at least deal with as little as possible.
What happened to Nance’s Kickback Lounge? Did Amazon end that program?
175 chars
nancy said on June 29, 2025 at 8:46 pm
I guess. I need to clean up that side rail.
43 chars
candlepick said on June 29, 2025 at 9:37 pm
Bookshop.org lets you buy books while supporting the local independent bookstore of your choice AND/OR all independent bookstore. Created to be an alternative to the Evil Empire. I believe the Kickback Lounge could be revived there as well.
240 chars
Gretchen said on June 29, 2025 at 10:36 pm
Julie Robinson: thanks for the phrase « the inflatable wife ». I’ve been trying to put my finger on what looks so wrong about her, and pumped up balloons falling out of her dress in every picture sums it up.
213 chars