The Sunday Salon: Mother's Day Edition

Another Sunday, and another week of staying at home. Most of Florida is gradually coming back to life, but we have elected to wait a bit longer. Many restaurants have reopened with limitations... but we were disappointed to learn that the staff at one our favorites is not wearing masks. Hair and nail salons are reopening tomorrow. I desperately need the services of both, but will wait a few more weeks to see what happens.

Social distancing doesn't seem to be working very well on the beaches either. After reopening recently, the City of Naples closed their beaches again indefinitely when swarms of people descended upon them yesterday. Our public beach parking lots are still closed and the city has an emergency meeting Tuesday to determine their fate. Beach access brings out strong feelings... we'll see what happens.

Finally, today is Mother's Day. I had planned to fly to NY to surprise my mother and am disappointed that couldn't happen. On the plus side, all three of my adult daughters are here to help me celebrate. I couldn't tell you the last time that happened. We had cinnamon rolls this morning, I read a delightful little book this afternoon, and look forward to curbside take-out from a local restaurant for dinner. Good things can happen even during a pandemic.


Finished this week//

Redhead by the Side of the Road

by Anne Tyler

Over the years I've read many Any Tyler's novels and they've come to feel like comfort reads. What better time for a comfort read than during these crazy times? Fans of Tyler will appreciate the familiar setting and characters. This isn't one of her best, but it is 192 pages of pleasant, cozy escapism.

Notes from a Public Typewriter

by Michael Gustafson

I just learned about this book yesterday on Kathy's Week in Review post. What's not to love about an indie bookstore, a public typewriter, and the way patrons express themselves? The book wasn't available in either of my libraries, but I found the ebook for just $1.99 and read it in two short sittings today. Best two dollars I've spent in ages!!

Current reading//

Cat's Eye

by Margaret Atwood

My reread was solely audio this week and, since I had company on about half of my walks, progress was limited. I'm at 65% now and still enjoying the book, but think I must have been a more patient reader in my earlier years. I'll return to the read/listen combo this week to finish it up.


The week ahead//
I'm not sure why I continue to include this section. How much longer until I can type something other than "more of the same?"


How are you all holding up? Are restrictions easing in your area? What have you been reading?

The Sunday Salon is hosted by Deb at Readerbuzz.

It's Monday... What Are You Reading? is hosted by Kathryn at Book Date.

The Sunday Salon: May is Here

And now it's May. Strange to say, but this new normal is starting to seem  normal. I hardly remember my last meal in a restaurant, pedicure, carefree shopping trip, or neighborhood gathering. My greying roots, however, tell me exactly how long it's been since my last visit to the hair salon!

Oddly enough, it has been a good couple of weeks. I've managed to carve out at least an hour of reading time every afternoon (thanks for the inspiration, Judith!), tried quite a few new recipes, walked on the beach at least once every day, and even scored some toilet paper at the pharmacy. Most importantly, we all remain healthy.



Recent reading//

Unsheltered

by Barbara Kingsolver, narrated by the author

Our library book club was supposed to read Animal Dreams last month but, obviously there was no April meeting. Rather than rereading an older title, I opted for one of Kingsolver's more recent books instead. I've read and enjoyed most of her novels over the years and have come to expect themes of environmentalism, feminism, and social justice. While present here, the novel did not feel especially heavy-handed.

Unsheltered, published in 2018 and set in Vineland, NJ, features dual timelines, over a hundred years apart, centered around the same house. This format doesn't always work for me. One story often grabs my attention while the other seems to drag. The modern story here was slightly more appealing, but I loved how Kingsolver included historical figures (Charles Darwin, Mary Treat) and events in the older timeline. Of particular note, these two narratives fit together better than any dual-narrative novel I can recall.

This was a read/listen combination for me. Kingsolver narrated the audio version herself and, as with Flight Behavior, I increased the speed slightly but thoroughly enjoyed her performance.

Clock Dance

by Anne Tyler

There is something comforting and familiar about an Anne Tyler novel. I fell into her world -  with slightly off-beat characters, set mostly in Baltimore - and my world melted away. Nothing too heavy or too taxing, I breezed through this book in a couple of days, enjoying every moment.

Current reading//

Cat's Eye

by Margaret Atwood, narrated by Kimberly Farr

Judy's recent review of The Robber Bride  inspired me to revisit a favorite Margaret Atwood novel. I loved both The Robber Bride  and Cat's Eye  back in the 90s and let library availability determined my ultimate selection. This started a read/listen combination, but I'm mostly listening now as other ebook library holds have arrived.

I'm a third of the way through and still love the book... despite experiencing feelings of dread and anxiety along with the main character as she "reminisces about a trio of girls who initiated her into the fierce politics of childhood and its secret world of friendship, longing, and betrayal."

Redhead by the Side of the Road

by Anne Tyler 

I wasn't expecting to read another Anne Tyler novel so soon, but my library hold of her latest arrived Friday. This one is very short (under 200 pages) and also features unusual characters in Baltimore.


In the kitchen//

As I've mentioned before, my kitchen has been extremely busy during this pandemic. My challenge is to prepare three meals per day for five adults, with limited availability of certain ingredients and infrequent trips to the grocery store. Here are some new favorites:

I've been looking for the perfect bolognese recipe for years. The updated Weeknight Bolognese vfrom Barefoot Contessa is the best one yet. Next time I'll dial back the black pepper, maybe by a third.

Dinner doesn't get much quicker or easier than this Taco Salad Casserole from Taste of Home. I made it twice last month to rave reviews all around.

If I can get a rotisserie chicken at the grocery store, this Asian Chicken Rice Bowl (also from Taste of Home) will be on the menu again this week. My husband mostly tolerated it, but all three girls loved it!

Ground turkey has been plentiful. Tonight we're having Turkey Black Bean Enchiladas from Diethood for the second time. Easy to make and so good!


I'm also baking more than normal (so happy to find a bag of flour last week!) and usually make soup a couple times each week, too. Nothing I'm preparing has been especially fancy or involved... we're mostly craving comfort food these days.


The week ahead//

More of the same for us. The state of Florida is moving ahead with phase one reopening, but I'm happy our island/city decided to extend the ban on rental accommodations and keep beach public parking lots closed until May 15. Restaurants will reopen tomorrow at 25% capacity indoors and outdoor seating with appropriate social distancing. I will not be among their first customers... and am worried about a spike in two or three weeks.


How are you holding up? Is your state opening up again? What have you been cooking and reading?

The Sunday Salon is hosted by Deb at Readerbuzz.

It's Monday... What Are You Reading? is hosted by Kathryn at Book Date.