Slept in a bit (8:30 is pretty late for me!) after the long thunderous night. WAY more fireworks than in normal official fireworks years. And we could see them from the little window in my closet. But I was worn out last night and so I went to bed with ear plugs. The best part of yesterday was our dinner al fresco with Jamye and Chris. The whole "celebrate freedom" rings so very hollow with me. It's similar to how I felt being married when not everyone had the right to marry. Until everyone in this country is treated equally and wrongs have been righted, I don't feel like celebrating. So, early to be. With ear plugs.
Today was a prep day and a day to tackle the huge load of plums I brought home from Pt Reyes on Friday. Made about 30 jars of the most beautifully hued plum jelly. Fingers crossed that it sets up properly overnight! Then folks can order Plum Jelly instead of Blackberry Jam or Lemon Curd, if they want. Hoping to steal a bunch more from Stephanie when she'll let me! I will bring jam in return!
Did a bit of testing for new recipes... made a huge batch of cinnamon rolls because Willi had a hankering, and then both he and Jamye thought that we should sell them. Soooooo... looks like we will have big fluffy Cinnamon Rolls on the menu now too. With Cream Cheese-Buttermilk icing to drizzle over when you eat them.
Took a long bath outside late this afternoon. Felt good to just soak and be quiet and read my Ruth Riechl book and let my thoughts drift. I was thinking about how many people are missing out on the grand events we plan because of this pandemic. Aside from missing work, which is the most prevalent thing on my mind, there are so many other personal things that folks are having to shift, postpone, miss, make-do with virtual etc. Jamye and Chris's wedding was to have been today. Willi is desperate to meet his new nephew. My dad (like many many other seniors in assisted living situations) is unable to have any visitors and is cooped up in a relatively new-to-him environment, without having made friends yet, in a studio apartment that he is not really supposed to leave except for PT. Travel plans cancelled. Friends in need that you cannot support like you normally would. Deathbeds that no one can attend. Births that siblings cannot witness. Jobs ending, folks moving out their personal items without any goodbyes. Retirement parties eliminated. Retirements happening early and without choice. Movie openings postponed. Shows postponed or cancelled with no hope of returning.
And, because Willi has been reading to me when I have to clean the kitchen (again) from a book about the Donner Party and the grand adventures that folks made crossing the country in those days and moving to the far reaches of this continent, I started to think about how similar the social ramifications are in some ways. Those folks missed weddings and births and saying a final goodbye to loved ones. They lost work and had to move. They lost friends, made do with their immediate families or the folks they were traveling with as their main connections.
We have the luxury of at least having these marvelous technological tools to help us keep connected. The retirement facility where my dad lives, has made a grand effort to create ways that the residents can keep in touch with their families. Zoom calls, resident meetings that relatives can attend virtually, reaching out to offer to help seniors use the technology to connect. I had planned to go visit my dad in May before all this crashed down. I moved him out there to North Carolina in February and had planned to have a good visit before the summer job kicked in. Now, who knows when I will get to go there. Even if I felt comfortable getting on a plane (which I don't really) he's not allowed visitors. So... we talk on the phone. And occasionally on a Zoom call just to remember what each other looks like. I feel really grateful that my mom is just an hour or so away, that this food business gives me the excuse, if I needed it, to be up that way every Monday and can see her, bring her shopping items if she needs them and just check in to see that she is faring ok. And continue to scare her about risk, so that she will be safe! I wear gloves and a mask whenever I go up there myself... as I do whenever I deliver Martha Avenue orders or do the shopping. Staying safe so that she stays safe. I hope that the folks who are protesting about the "right not to wear a mask" can figure out that it's not about politics. It's about keeping people's parents safe, keeping those who are more at risk safe, actually getting to get back to work eventually.
For right now though, I am grateful to have the kitchen to work in, to have a partner who loves me and isn't afraid to talk things out forever, to have spectacular housemates who love each other, to have a nice comfy bed to fall into soon.
Menu below is for Wednesday July 8th (SF and East Bay delivery) Orders for Wednesday should be placed by Monday night/Tuesday morning. ALSO- Meals on Heels (July 10th) at Oasis orders can be placed now at https://www.toasttab.com/oasis/v3
Take care of yourselves. Remember that your body is storing this ongoing stress in your cells and if you feel tired or scattered or on an emotional rollercoaster.. it makes sense. Our bodies are not made to carry this ongoing stress and it takes it's toll eventually. Some of us are having a really hard time sleeping. Some of us (me) are having a really really hard time stepping away from sugar. Some of us have short tempers or cry more easily. Try to be compassionate with yourself. Reach out for support if you need it. Know that you are certainly not alone in these feelings. Drink lots of water. Eat well. Sending all sorts of love and virtual hugs. xoxo