Hello, friends and Happy Sunday. Today I've been thinking about the strange anniversaries coming up this week... anniversaries marking drastic changes in the way we live. On March 9, 2020, we attended a neighborhood gathering of about ten couples - our last social event. I remember we bumped elbows for the first time instead of hugging. Just a few days later, on March 13, two of our daughters left Manhattan for what would turn out to be a four month stay with us here in Florida. We stocked up on food, searched for toilet paper, clorox wipes, and hand sanitizer, stopped going to restaurants, and started getting groceries delivered.
Finished this week//
A welcome change of pace from my heavier Black History Month reading, this impulse read was the result of a perfectly-timed recommendation from Les. I LOVED the beginning of this modern day Monica Lewinsky story set in south Florida. The first chapters literally had me laughing out loud. There are three main female characters: Jane (who has the affair), her mother, and her daughter. The opening features Janes's mother, who drew me in immediately. Jane's daughter, Ruby, was also a delight. However, when Jane's story turned into a "choose your own adventure" tale, my eyes began to roll. That was a little too hokey for my taste. Overall, this was still an enjoyable, light read.
A couple of months ago, a blogger friend mentioned The Lazy Genius Podcast. I listened to a few episodes, enjoyed the host's voice and suggestions for streamlining tasks. Deb recently mentioned her book, so I found the audio version available at my library.
I liked listening to Adachi's ideas, but felt the book was primarily aimed at younger, suburban, Christian, stay-at-home moms. Adachi outlines several basic principles... and I was pleased to find that I used a similar approach when my kids were younger. At the time, I was the master of batching tasks, planning menus, and organization in general. I chuckled at some of her more "extreme" suggestions, but may have actually employed a couple of those, too. I will continue to listen to her podcast as time allows, but mostly prefer audiobooks for my listening time.
Current reading//
This is the book from my March Shelf Subscription . I've read about 30 pages and and like the writing, but am not quite sure what to make of the story yet. I do love that cover though! Will keep you posted...
On the blog//
February Reading Wrap-Up and a Look Ahead
In the kitchen//
This has been the week of the air fryer. I have to confess that I was not overly impressed with the results UNTIL Friday night's Coconut Shrimp. We used fresh shrimp from the local seafood stand and it was amazing! My photography skills, however, leave much to be desired.
Now that I've learned some basic air frying principles, it seems like I can make adjustments to improve the results. I borrowed three air fryer cookbooks from the library and purchased ATK's Air Fryer Perfection. There are still several more recipes I want to try.
The week ahead//
After taking the month of February off, T Book Club is back on March 9 with a presentation and discussion of Passing by Nella Larsen. The guest presenter will be Brit Bennett, author of The Vanishing Half and The Mothers. I read the book last summer and decided not to reread it so soon. There's still time to sign up for this free event if you're interested. See you there?
On Friday we'll take another drive to a Publix in Tampa where my husband will get his second dose of the Moderna vaccine. Hopefully his side effects will be mild again. Still not sure when I can get one...
How was your week? What have you been reading?
That's cool to have a book discussion with Brit Bennett ... I don't think I have time enough to read The Passing before March 9 as I'm behind with my own book club book To the Bright Edge of the World on the 11th. Uh oh. Glad you're staying careful there and that your husband will get shot #2. I hope Florida is not lifting the mask mandate. Stay safe!
ReplyDeleteSusan - Believe it or not, Florida never even had a mask mandate! Restaurants have been operating at 100% capacity for months... it's pretty much anything goes here. Thankfully, our island does have a mask mandate and many businesses on the mainland do, too.
DeleteIt feels like so much longer than a year! We left work on a Friday night not realizing that we would be told over the weekend that we were not allowed to come back to the office, and those first few months involved such an adjustment.
ReplyDeleteI love coconut shrimp! I am not very experienced in cooking fish or shellfish and have been meaning to practice more. I'm trying a new recipe tonight for codfish cakes that my sister found on NYT Cooking site and has been raving about.
I hope you have a great week!
Audrey - It does seem like longer than a year in a lot of ways.
DeleteI mentioned the coconut shrimp to the friend who convinced me to get an air fryer and she said they make coconut chicken, too! Must try that soon.
It's pretty weird to think it's been a whole year already!
ReplyDeleteAngela - It's pretty weird to think about all that has changed...
DeleteI've been rereading my journal entries for this time last year and it's pretty amazing (and sad) that things haven't changed much in a year's time. I was still playing pickleball at this point, but we were being careful to use sanitizer, although I felt like I was the only one taking the news of COVID very seriously. I also remember going into Costco on March 11 and it was a zoo; felt like Christmas, it was so busy! Of course they were out of TP and Kleenex, but I don't think we were wearing masks at that point.
ReplyDeleteI'm glad you enjoyed Young Jane Young. Her mother and Ruby were great characters and that first chapter had me laughing out loud, too. I plan to reread The Storied Life of A.J. Fikry later this year.
My daughter loves her air fryer, but I'm still concentrating on my sous vide. I used it for hamburgers last night and they were good, but not as amazing as I'd heard from others. I'm going to use it tonight for our salmon. So far, my biggest success with it has been the beef tenderloin. Incredibly tender and flavorful!
Good luck to your husband. My mom gets her second shot on Thursday. Rod and I are still waiting. Sigh.
Les - I remember our final stock up, too, and your're right... it felt like last minute Christmas shopping. Absolute madness in the aisles, shelves mostly empty. At least stores have supplies now.
DeleteWith the coconut shrimp, the air fryer earned a place on my shelf. Before that it was doubtful. I'm planning to try salmon next.
Hope your mom does well with her second dose. Florida is opening the vaccine to anyone over 60, so now I'll qualify! Back to the sign up frenzy again!
That sky pic is gorgeous. I was just thinking about how a year really does make a difference, although we are still being careful. My husband was supposed to get dose #2 last week but, they didn't get their supply so he tries again this week. I was emotional - so happy to get dose #1 last week and dose #2 scheduled for 4/2. My daughter is getting the 1-dose J&J tomorrow as an educator so is her husband so most of our family is making progress. I need to catch up on a couple reviews this week as I was busy doing tax stuff last week but, now back to more books. Have a good week.
ReplyDeleteDiane - It will be so good to see family again once we're vaccinated! Florida is lowering the age to 60, so I can finally sign up. Publix will offer a choice of vaccines (Moderna and J&J) starting next week. Things are looking up!
DeleteWe were locked down here on March 11, and I haven't been able to leave the residence all year! Except once to go to the doctor for bloodwork, and that felt like a great adventure! That was in November.
ReplyDeleteI enjoyed Young Jane Young. I am curious about Brood.
Enjoy your week!
Laurel-Rain Snow - Young Jane Young was a lot of fun, but I'm still not sold on Brood.
DeleteIt's been a disruptive year for you and your family. I'm glad that your daughters were able to be with you during the darkest and scariest time early on. We haven't eaten at a restaurant or gone inside a store during all of this time.
ReplyDeleteYoung Jane Young is waiting for me at the library. I'm glad it starts out strong, but I'm sorry to hear it goes a bit flat later on.
I have not yet tried an air fryer. Shrimp would be something I'd use an air fryer for. It's good to hear your positive experience with it.
Deb - I'm so looking forward to eating at restaurants again, though I suspect it will be outdoors only for quite some time.
DeleteThe air fryer takes up a lot of space, but the coconut shrimp makes it worth it!
I think a lot of us are thinking about what we were doing a year ago. I can't believe it's been that long!
ReplyDeleteHelen - My sister and I were comparing notes on last March the other day. Hope we never have to live through another year like this!
DeleteI'll be at the T event! Just read the book this weekend.
ReplyDeleteAmy - Save me a seat if you get there first;-)
DeleteI listen to a podcast of two very good Australian friends who discuss books really well. You may enjoy it. They only record once a month but so many good books talked about with intelligence and humour. It is called Diving In. You might like it.
ReplyDeletePam - I just discovered the Diving In podcast and really liked the episode I listened to. Didn't realize it was just once a month... I might actually be able to keep up with it!
DeleteI tried my first podcast this week - Barack Obama and Bruce Springsteen talk about life. I enjoyed listening but also prefer audiobooks. It is hard to believe all the changes in the past year. My life is much like yours (except for the 7AM grocery shopping). My brother does most of that shopping. Come see my week here. Happy reading!
ReplyDeleteKathy - I just read about the podcast with Obama and Springsteen. Sounds like an interesting combination! Tomorrow is another 7AM grocery shop. We'll probably keep doing that even after vaccination. It's become a habit!
DeleteOur experience has been quite different since we managed to control the spread very quickly but still everything has changed.
ReplyDeleteI adored Zevin’s The Storied Life so I’m adding Young Jane Young to my WTR
Wishing you a great reading week
Wishing you a great reading week
Shelleyrae - YOu've done such a good job controlling the pandemic over there. Hope everyone pays attention and learns for the next time! Hope you get a chance to read Young Jane Young, too.
DeleteEven though I knew it was coming, the anniversary of staying at home,March 6 for me, is sobering. Mostly I was impressed with our own darn selves that we managed so well. Also I am aware it is my degree of privilege that made it less harrowing than for many. Good for your husband and his second shot. Good on your reading! On we go...
ReplyDeleteJudy - We've been very fortunate throughout the pandemic, too, and fully acknowledge the privilege which allowed it. Found out today that I will be able to sign up for the vaccine as Florida lowers the age to 60... so exciting!
DeleteThis is a weird anniversary for sure. I remember my last day of work. I didn't know at the time it was my last because all of my coworkers were already sent home a week prior but I was considered essential and frantically sending communications about the shutdown and so many webpages had to be created to handle virtual learning, the software, the download information, etc. It was so weird. I was told to take my workstation just in case. Well, it's a ginormous piece of equipment and I remember no one being around to help me get it to my car. But I am glad I took it because I haven't been back since. Well, once to save all of my plants.
ReplyDeleteTi - It's funny to hear what people left at their offices, not realizing it would be a year before they came back. Bet there were a lot of dead plants out there! My daughter finally got to go back to her office over the summer to retrieve her basket of shoes. Hope your week is off to a good start.
DeleteI can't wait to dive into Passing. I saw the movie with SUndance and have been wanting to read the book. That is so cool you get to have a discussion with Brit Bennett. I have really enjoyed her two books.
ReplyDeleteIt is so weird to look back on the past year. I've done a lot more cooking as well that I'm used to. We do not do restaurants either and are still being really careful. Glad your husband is getting his second dose soon! I hear the second one is the worst for symptoms but I hope he only has mild ones! My friend who's in healthcare had a rough go for her second shot but recovered quickly. My parents both have their first shots and are getting their second dose soon. I can sleep better now.
I hope you enjoy your week and those coconut shrimps look amazing! yum.
Heather - I really enjoyed Passing and just learned tonight that the film will be coming to Netflix in the fall.
DeleteMy younger brother (also in healthcare) had a tough time with his second vaccine, so we're prepared for the worst but hoping for the best. Life will be so much better once we're both fully vaccinated!
I keep debating whether I want an air fryer or not, hope yours stays useful.
ReplyDeleteRAnn - My air fryer didn't come out at all this week, but that may be because our early evenings ended up being a little crazier than usual. I still have several more recipes I want to try, but the coconut shrimp makes it a worthwhile purchase for me!
DeleteWe use the air fryer a LOT at home. I like that it's faster than the oven and also like the crispy textures. I've tried various things with mixed results but would still consider it a win.
ReplyDeleteReading your post, I just remembered that my last group social gathering was also a year ago. We met for dinner and the lockdowns were announced the next day. I cringe now thinking about how even that dinner was risky - we didn't have a case in Ohio yet but it could have started there as well. I don't know when I'm going to feel good about social gatherings.
Athira - I'm hoping to try salmon in the air fryer later this week. It's been a fun pandemic learning project and, at least for the coconut shrimp, a tasty one as well!
DeleteSo many of us are sharing memories of a year ago. We learned tonight that our new neighbors also have two daughters who fled Manhattan on the same day as our daughters. Small world!
Young Jane Young is now on my list. I picked up four books at my local used store today and will ask them about this book.
ReplyDeleteI have an apppointment for a physical in May and hope I can get the vaccine by then. What a trying time. I got my medicare paperwork and have that in the mail so...yea!
Recently I made picadillo and from the leftovers I finally did the papas rellenas. Posting soon. Love Cuban food,
Tina - Except for the choose-you-own-adventure aspect, Young Jane Young was a real winner for me. I see our governor opened vaccines to those 60 and over... I'll sign up now! Love Cuban food, so will need to learn how to cook it.
DeleteIt's hard to believe that we are coming up on a year of pandemic life. We do a lot of takeout (and tell ourselves it's to help locally owned business!) but other then that have stayed pretty much to ourselves. It's been a crazy year though. So glad your husband got his first vaccine and hopefully the 2nd appointment goes smoothly. My husband gets his next month but no word on when I'll be getting mine yet. Have a great week!
ReplyDeleteKatherine - We've gotten into the habit of doing take out at least once a week but, now that the spring break crowd is descending, restaurants are getting busier again. Hope we can all get vaccinated soon and try to ease back into life as we knew it...
DeleteI've been thinking about all the one year anniversaries coming up this month too (in the process of writing a post, of course!) Certainly the roll out of the vaccines has created a noticeable easing of the tensions here in Australia. I hope so for you too.
ReplyDeleteBrona - I think there has been a palpable feeling of relief here as more and more people are able to get the vaccine. My parents were absolutely thrilled to get their second doses yesterday... tow weeks until they start going to family dinners again!
DeleteIt's so weird to look back at where we all were last year. Like the new version of where were you when JFK was shot. That is great news for your husband! I get my first shot on Friday, I am so excited! Michigan opened the vaccines up to caregivers of special needs children - I feel so relieved.
ReplyDeleteErin - Things are so different than they were a year ago, that's for sure! My husband got his second shot a couple of days ago and FL ended up lowering age requirements, so I qualify now, too. Good news all around!
DeleteI know it's amazing to see where we were right before the pandemic and then to when everything happened. I hope you've been having a great week and so glad your husband is getting his second dose! We're still trying to get appointments but I'm hopeful things are going to get better.
ReplyDeleteIliana - It does seem like there are more vaccines becoming available in Florida now. I'm hopeful things are finally turning around, too.
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