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I’ve been thinking a lot about the joy to be found in a family compound. Specifically, I’m thinking of the Carlile compound, headed by musician Brandi Carlile. The joke is that Brandi’s forming a cult, as within the vicinity of her log cabin and nearby live her bandmates Tim and Phil Hanseroth and their families (and the twins’ wives are also Brandi and her wife Catherine’s sisters). I haven’t decided if it sounds idyllic, sharing labor, cooking, childcare, time together, or an absolute nightmare. (Related: “You and Me on the Rock” from Brandi’s latest album).

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To what extent are we beholden to whistle-blowing, or causing a ruckus? I listened to this podcast episode recently interviewing Sophie Zhang, who was one of the first whistleblowers at Facebook last year. Something that surprised me was the stamina it takes to be a whistleblower, to be able to put up with scrutiny. Zhang self-describes as an introvert, who’d much rather be at home with her cats, and says she doesn't know if she was the right one for the job. In a world where we're told to “stand up for what’s right” growing up, I guess it can get tiring.

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Tofu-feta made by writer Irina Groushevaia. I made some tonight that I'm bringing to the first community bake my cohort is doing of the whole semester. I'm looking forward to crowding around the pizza oven with my colleagues and sharing this dish. Hopefully it’ll be slathered over some fresh pita or chunked cold on top of piping hot pizza.