Yeast

I've been baking a fair bit through quarantine (and made a blueberry gingerbread cake this weekend!) but today was the first time I've made anything with yeast.

(OK, if we're being honest, I started it yesterday and it rose for forever, but it didn't come out of the oven until this evening.)

The foccacia turned out well enough to share, so I did: I brought some over to two other people. I ate a huge chunk. And I put some in my freezer, where it will hopefully stay delicious for more than two days.

T-shirt

I got a package in the mail today, when I wasn't expecting one. That's always a nice thing. When I opened it, I was surprised to see that it was from my employer -- they made T-shirts to send to us, with a note to say we're appreciated.

And it's a little corny, but they definitely didn't have to do that. So it made me smile.

Time off

Glad that a last-minute request for a day off was granted.

Bread

A friend stopped by the other day with a loaf of bread she made. I had sandwiches for lunch and dinner on fresh-baked bread. Delicious.

Growth

I have some green onions that had been in the back of the vegetable drawer for months. If you peeled off a shriveled layer, there was still enough there to eat!

On a whim, I put the bottoms in water on my windowsill. Mere days later, they've grown several inches. I feel seriously accomplished.

I don't know that it'll work, but I've now done the same thing with the base of a head of lettuce. The internet says it's possible. We'll see.

On this day

Four years ago this morning, I called in sick, hopped a plane, and flew to Cleveland to go to a parade.

The Cavs had won the National Championship earlier in the week, the first time a Cleveland team had won since the Indians took the World Series in 1948. The rest of my family was downtown to celebrate that night -- my brother had driven in from D.C. -- and I felt left out. So I bought a plane ticket.

Getting on that plane -- with hundreds of other people who were doing the same thing I was -- was one of the happiest moments I can remember. I'm not exaggerating when I tell you the joy and excitement were palpable. People cut short vacations to be there. They canceled obligations. We just all wanted to share the experience.

It turns out that parades are kind of a mess. Or maybe it had just been so long since we'd had one? There were more than 1 million people (can you imagine that now?) cramming ever closer to see the local stars and dignitaries. People pressed so close they clogged the parade route. It was slow and hot and really kind of ridiculous.

But it was so much fun.

I was back in time to go to work the next morning, no one the wiser. And I can't begin to tell you what a wonderful choice it was. I felt so connected to everyone else on that plane, in the street. It was just straight-up joy, the likes of which I hadn't seen before and haven't seen since.

If the Browns or Indians manage the same feat, I'm sure it'll be just as crazy. But there's something about that first victory in my lifetime -- in the lifetime of so many! -- that will stand out forever.

Mr. Mac

I learned today that one of my favorite high school teachers died. I had him for at least three classes, and my siblings had him, too. He came to know my family, and he was a sort of legend, at least to me. A jolly Santa Claus-type, with a glass eye and a booming voice, he always had a story (or several) to regale you with. I still remember one about belly dancing and driving during an Atlanta ice storm, and tales of Alaska. He offered to chauffeur students to their weddings in a fancy car.

I was glad to see that we corresponded a little after I graduated. It's been many years, but I have a couple emails in my mailbox. And I learned a little more about him in his obituary -- he liked trains, and had a collection.

I don't know that I ever would have managed to reach out again. But I'm glad to be thinking of him. He had an impact, and his presence in the world will be missed.

Varvar

I went to Ukraine last year, and brought back some alcohol that I (still) haven't finished. Tonight, I had a gose from Varvar, a Ukrainian brewery. And it was delicious. I've liked everything I've had from them -- and I have one beer left. If only I could get it in the States!

Awareness

There's a lot happening in the world, which I know I don't have to tell you. As we see a real-time shift in culture and understanding, I very much appreciate having conversations that let me gain perspectives I didn't have.

Being able to talk to people about their own reactions to social change isn't common. I've been doing it for work and with friends, both.

Today, after some of the work conversations, I got thanked for talking to people and for the questions I was asking. I hope that the articles I write live up to the discussions, and the people who felt like they were benefiting by talking to me are also pleased with the results. It's a privilege to be able to tell others' stories and I'm particularly aware of that this week.

Toes

I went to a Leap Day wedding.

Normally, I wouldn't think to tell you this some four months later, but I think about it every time I look at my toes. And except for slipper season -- which has since passed -- I'm mostly barefoot in my house, so I'm seeing my toes a lot more.

I got a pedicure for the wedding, and though my toenails have grown some, it hasn't chipped or otherwise done the things that nail polish does. It's shiny and lustrous and makes me feel a little bit like I'm at a fancy house in California, celebrating with friends.

So even though I'm not traveling, a little nail polish has made me feel transported.

Something new

Today, I cooked kohlrabi for the first time. And also probably ate kohlrabi for the first time. Someone on the internet described the taste as "like broccoli stalks" and that seems pretty apt.

At the end of the year, I tend to look back and see what was new for me -- where did I go that I haven't gone before, what did I do that I haven't tried. This year's list is going to be much different than others, I presume. So I want to make sure I note that: today was something new.

The past few days

In no particular order:

A COVID-19 friendly art show.

A walk in the woods:

Seeing the face of a friend going through town.

Good news for someone I care about very much.

Correspondence.

Ice cream.

In-person conversations from a safe distance.

Buds

Y'all! My tomato plant is flowering! And it is a giant, but the flowers are the best part. Because, in theory, they mean that I will have tomatoes.

I am very excited.

Garlic scapes

They came in my CSA box today, and they make me smile.

Mom got a CSA. They're in hers, too. Maybe we can cook together, across the distance.

You know what's good?

Warm cherry pie and chilled ice wine.

Sharing is caring

I had a socially distanced picnic this evening, and there was another group doing the same in the same park. They were kind enough to walk over to us with a bottle of margaritas, ice and glasses and offer to share their bounty.

We chatted a little, and it's the first time I've *really* talked to strangers -- at least in a non-work setting -- for months. It was a nice gesture in the midst of continuing madness.

Strawberries

I go strawberry picking every year, and I was disappointed last year to learn the patch I had been going to planned not to plant any more. So between that, and the coronavirus, I had low expectations for my strawberry options.

But then! I saw a story about some places that were doing socially distanced fruit picking. And strawberries came into my life again!

I went yesterday and ended up with roughly five pounds of berries. I've given some away, have eaten a couple handfuls and my make something out of them. But it was nice to get out and do this thing I'm used to doing in some form or fashion.

Tayari Jones

I went to an online discussion with the author Tayari Jones tonight. I'd heard her speak before in person, and she was so thoughtful and funny. I expected that today, and got it -- but got another surprise, too, when she shouted out a coworker in response to a question.

So I got to send my coworker a note to tell her she'd made the bigtime, which made her laugh. It feels good to spread happiness, especially this week, which is hard for so many.

Plus, if you haven't read An American Marriage, it's a great time to do it. It's a nuanced, thoughtful story.

Fans

My windows are open, the fans are on and it's 84 degrees in here. So it's probably my last night without air conditioning, since I'm basically covered in a constant sheen of sweat. I wish it was cooler in here -- just a touch! But I'm savoring the quiet of not having the A/C kick in and enjoying feeling like I'm a little closer to the outside world (what with being separated just by a screen). While it lasts.

Great Lakes

I keep forgetting about alcohol. I know, I'm doing this lockdown all wrong.

But last night, I remembered I keep wanting a beer. And I remembered to put a couple in the fridge! And then I drank one. And... the beers I have are a little old, so it wasn't the most delicious thing in the world, but it was cold and refreshing and all was well with the world.

And it was Great Lakes Dortmunder Gold, too, so I got to have a Great Lakes, which cannot be gotten in these parts. Hence the age. Still, a good thing.

I am so looking forward

To spending a little time before bed reading a book.

Leftovers

Cooking took too long today,  but it was tasty. So I'm glad there's enough of it to eat later, so I can get the benefits of new concoctions without the annoyance of standing in front of a stove when it's so warm outside.