The Tony Awards provide solace

I don't want to read the papers or listen to the news. How many more murders? How much lunacy and self-destruction is one great nation capable of?

No, don't answer that question. We see the answer playing itself out every day.

I watched the Tony Awards last night, which turned out to be extraordinary comfort and solace on a hideous day. From the very first moment, when charming host James Corden eloquently addressed the television audience about what happened in Orlando, the evening transformed from a night of cosy mutual congratulations to a celebration of creativity, artistry, generosity, talent and skill - and especially, diversity and tolerance - from an industry filled not only with people of all kinds of sexualities but increasingly of all races, colours and creeds.

I am now seriously in love with Lin-Manuel Miranda, the creator of the mega-hit "Hamilton" - not only brilliant and gorgeous but humble, open and funny. He goes on my Best Men list. A thrill for him, I'm sure, not matched by the innumerable Tonys he won last night.

I was very proud of have been a theatre artist last night. Am still one in a very small way, I guess, producing my reading event and the Christmas pageant, teaching. The folks we watched at the Tonys are at the top of their game. Last night was about everything the Americans do better than anyone - all that unbelievable energy, honesty, cheer. How is it possible that powerful well of positivity has been so utterly poisoned?

Ah well. Speaking of great artistry, I went to see Nettie's film Koneline again on Saturday night, and enjoyed it just as much the second time. Beautiful, powerful and vital. May she win an Oscar.

Yesterday, sheer exhaustion - I took my two grandsons to High Park, the first time I've been out with them both. 3 1/2 hours, walking, playing, having a picnic on the grass, and, mostly, hunting for the elusive capybaras that escaped from the zoo there and have been roaming free. We almost saw one. Glamma barely made it home, however, from fatigue. That's a lot of little boy energy right there.

Today, Ben is teething and has a cold, so Eli is coming for a sleepover. I'm taking a few days off after mailing the ms. to the editors, to enjoy the summer days, the roses bursting out. As the fabulous star of "The Colour Purple" sang last night, "I'm beautiful. And I'm here." And so are you.

"Love is love is love is love is love," said my new bff Lin-Manuel in one of his acceptance speeches. "Cannot be killed or swept aside." Today, I'm going to take time for love.