MARTHA AVENUE-Day 32
I actually think that this is Day 33.... today I was working on the Martha Avenue website (coming soon to a device near you!) and I realized that the days have sort of gotten away from me. This time is so strange... some days seem to go on forever and some days go by so quickly... or maybe the days are long but the weeks are short. Something. I am often so so tired at the end of the day, and yet full of energy in the mornings. I've written about my trouble with 5:30pm, and the weird sad, despairing feeling I get when I shut my bedroom curtains at night, but I also have a lot of moments of joy... at the birdsong in the mornings, the sun on my little garden patch (the peas are climbing!) and the feeling of high spring.
Spring has always been my favorite time of year. All the creative energy, the feeling that school will be out soon, the plans for visiting NYC and my aunt Shirley...all the things I usually look forward to at this time of year. This year, of course, it's all different. And it feels like Spring has sort of runaway from us already. Like somehow, the hunkering down made me miss the change of seasons. I am grateful for my twice weekly jaunts out to deliver food. It allows me to witness the changing hills, the flowering trees, the wildflowers blooming. I am grateful for those days, and I still wish I was able to go visit my aunt, and Craig and Adam in NYC and to see some shows. I miss that part of my life. And now, it's already May... and spring is rapidly turning towards summer.
Today was an unusual day, in a time of unusual days. Willi left the house for the first time in many weeks, and went up to the mountains to hunt the wild morel. He is a chef, and also a forager. Mushrooms are his thing. He left early and I had the whole day to myself. The time alone made me acutely aware of my introversion tendencies... the general definition of introversion/extroversion, as I understand it, is that some folks gain energy from being around people and some gain energy from being alone. I definitely fall into the latter catagory. I am GREGARIOUS, but also introverted. Today was a day of immense energy and focus, and it was fun to play in that energy again. Reminds me that I need to go ahead and take those morning hours alone as vital, rather than feeling bad for getting up early and leaving him sleeping. Those early morning alone hours fuel me for the rest of the day.
And Willi the Mushroom Forager came home triumphant! He just walked in the door with probably 6 or 7 POUNDS of morels. All different sizes and shapes, and all smelling delicious! We have enough to sell some, if anyone is wanting some mushroom deliciousness. We can offer 8oz boxes(about a pint and a half) for $15. (Whole Foods sells morels for about $40/pound.) Let us know if you are in the morel mood! We will probably also figure out a yummy mushroom option for Monday's menu... possibly Creamed Morels, which will be delicious on the fresh Pappardelle, or on a steak. Or on Polenta. (I know it's almost 10pm, but now I am hungry for mushrooms!)
For tonight, I am going to be grateful for the safe homecoming of the mushroom hunter, the peaceful house, the heart-warming Full Moon circle I held over zoom (thank you Jessica, Ariela, Merrill, Maureen, and my mom, Joyce, for joining me in releasing what we no longer needed, and celebrating connection) and for the batch of Ragu I have simmering on the stove, and the sourdough rising on the sideboard ready for tomorrow's customers. Grateful for my friends and my work (somewhere out there in the future) and my great living situation (Jamye and Chris), and the health of my parents and kids and family. I hope that you all find things to be grateful for, things to find joy in, and some peaceful sleep tonight.
Take good care of your bodies. Be kind to your heart and your mind as it navigates this crazy time. Hug your people. Hug yourself for me. xoxo