Thanksgiving 2020! Food Galore.

I’ve been trying a new process that seems to work well. I leave a Word document titled Next Post that I leave on my laptop desktop.  When something happens or I think of something I want to mention, I write it up while it is fresh in my feeble mind! By the time I’m ready to post, it is all practically complete. There may be some changes or additions but it seems to come together much more easily and in less time. It is then just a matter of deciding which photos to bore you with!! 

As I write this, just after publishing my last post, I was warming my lunch in the microwave and it blew again! This is the third time and I’m going to request that they replace it. When it blows there is a pop sound and an electrical burning smell, as well as a humming sound and in this case, the plate kept slowly spinning and a light remained on! It has to be turned off at the switch box to make all of that stop! I’m not happy with this happening so frequently and the possibility of fire.

Sandra & Howard, Thank you!

 Imagine my surprise when the mailman rang my doorbell and delivered a large box. I had not ordered anything and even when I saw the return address, I still didn’t have a clue. I ripped into the box to find 10 jigsaw puzzles for Sandra and Howard in the Upstate. I didn’t even know they were into puzzles, but like all puzzle addicts, they must have collected quite a few and decided to share them with me. What a nice thing to do – thank you so much!! This should keep me out of trouble for the remainder of the pandemic (being optimistic!!).

Thanksgiving Day was glorious (reaching about 80 degrees, sunny, with a cloudless, Carolina blue sky) and I’ve never seen so many people out in the neighborhood. So much so that when I took Rosie for her walk, one neighbor whom I didn’t know commented on it. It really was amazing- walkers, joggers, cyclists, dog walkers. As I was doing my little bit of cooking for our get-together, I watched the traditional Macy’s Thanksgiving Parade and the National Dog Show. Rosie and I went over to Lynn and Tom’s for an early dinner. They ordered in and Chris picked up our lentil loaf. She added green beans to our meal and I did mashed potatoes, as well as a sweet potato pie (ginger snap crust and coconut milk added to sweet potatoes – my favorite SP dessert!). It was all delicious and it was great to be able to share it with friends…and feel safe about being together. We also agreed that this was an easy way to do it so that all could enjoy our time together I’m concerned about all of the people traveling and ignoring CDC recommendations. I feel like there will be an explosion of positive cases in about 2-3 weeks, and then we’re into Christmas! In any case, I was thankful to have a safe and enjoyable group to share Thanksgiving.

I didn’t have one additional bite to eat after getting home and slept like a baby. Friday was overcast in the morning, still warm, with a light drizzle. So, I prepped for a recipe I wanted to make until Rosie was ready for our walk. It was a layered vegetable dish with a polenta base and two layers of leeks, eggplant, zucchini, tomatoes, and Gruyere cheese. The first time I made it, my pan only held one layer. It was tasty but I was convinced that the second layer would definitely make it better. After acquiring the appropriate pan, I tried again. Even this pan almost overflowed but the two layers of veggies better balanced the polenta. 

Yum!! Delicious.

To make the day even better, Reyna called and asked me to come over to pick up Chili Rellenos as a thank you for small favors I’d helped with. Hers are really delicious and I eagerly accepted and took her a sample of my veggie dish. Authentic Chilis Rellenos are so involved to make that I felt guilty to accept them for the small favors I had done for her (picking her up and delivering to car repair place….simply things like that!)  Even so, I didn't refuse!! It was after having all this food on hand that I was reminded that the microwave was out of order! After reheating in the toaster oven, I finally tried and settled on reheating in the Instant Pot, which worked very well without drying out the food in the process. 

Yesterday I spent a dreary, rainy morning putting out Christmas decorations. Since I’m not in the spirit, I started with the easy things and everything is out except the large tree. This part has not been difficult and I took my time and enjoyed it. Now is the tree! Even though I’ve invested in a pre-lit tree, it is still daunting. Today, I've spent the morning putting this post together and watching my morning shows. After lunch, I think I'll be able to tackle the tree. Watch this space!

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The Craziness Continues

Somehow, we all knew trump wouldn’t go quietly, honorably! After the dancing in the streets ended, the shenanigans began with the republican senators upholding him! I find it hard to believe those grown men can be that afraid of him, enough so to sacrifice their self-respect! Most decent conservatives have already left the trump cult and I guess we shouldn’t expect anything more for those who remain. In any case, I am feeling lighter each day. I almost feel that I can breathe better/easier, that a weight has been lifted from my chest. I’m getting more done around the house and am getting hooked on Silent Witness on Prime.

Earlier I mentioned my watch/step counter/sleep register gadget. Well, this is what the sleep register looks like. You get to see when and how long you are in deep sleep, which I find very interesting. I thought it was a progressive process and you would go into a deep sleep, it would last a while, and then you would come out of it - not that it was in fits and starts!! It isn’t the deep sleep so much as the light sleep that has tormented me for the last years. When I would go into a light sleep, my mind would race - and I was aware of it; however, since the election, my light sleep has been calm, quiet, almost meditative! I’m aware that I’m not in deep sleep, but my mind is quiet, no thoughts, no worries. No doubt you will think I’m bonkers, but it is what it is and this is how it has affected me. I’m thankful to be able to be rejuvenated by my sleep.

We are having great weather at the moment. Last week we had one really rainy day but otherwise, we have had light showers at night or early morning. So, Rosie and I have really enjoyed those fresh mornings. By afternoon we are in the 70s with some days almost reach 80. One walk this week lasted 2 hours – Lynn and Tom invited us in for coffee and we ran into loads of other people, dogs, and fellow liberals. We got home so late that I skipped breakfast because it was too close to lunchtime!  We never know what to expect. Two days ago on our afternoon walk, we ran into one neighbor whose husband likes to pet Rosie. She called ahead to let him know Rosie was on the way. Then, the mailman stopped and gave her a treat. Then, on the way home, a new neighbor saw us, came out of the house, and called to us. Both she and her husband came out and played with her in the grass!! Two other neighbors with dogs stopped by to visit. We really do live in a great neighborhood for doggies. 

You all know how I don’t give a hoot about shopping but my favorite handbag is shot. I got it for $6 at the thrift shop (half-price sale!) and it has been one of the best ever – small, lots of pockets, a handy credit card section. I really love it. It’s by Multi Sac, so I searched Amazon and they have a whole range of handbags (all coming in a variety of colors). There was one very similar to mine (but a bit larger), which I ordered. If anything, it has too many pockets. The thing that really impressed me was that it is vegan leather, which I didn’t know! That made me love it even more! A cow didn’t have to die for me to have my favorite handbag! I still like the old one better than the new one but I think I’ll just have to get used to it.

Friday the 13^th was our Liberal Ladies Zoom event with Chris Matthews. He is a much better speaker than TV host (always interrupting guests!) because he has a wealth of political knowledge and experience and really connected thoughts and issues well. Someone asked if anyone was going to challenge Nancy Pelosi for Speaker. He didn’t think so AND then said that she was the best politician he’s ever met. She is very strict with her caucus but manages to do it without being hated! That takes real talent and skill. Well, my first thought was that it is because she is a woman (and mother of 5!)…..but  I liked his observation. He got rave reviews from all in attendance. Our next speaker will be Larry Kramer, a former reporter, and editor at The Washington Post and President and Publisher of USA Today.

Last weekend marked the end of my 2 years of working on the Liberal Ladies newsletter. The last one for the year has been published. I’ve really enjoyed it as diddling on the computer is my thing and I always learn something new. I will also miss the great group of ladies on the Steering Committee, especially when we were able to socialize in person. Since we can’t do that at the moment, our last meeting of the year will be at 5 PM, glass in hand; so, I doubt much will be accomplished – but I do expect lots of laughs! Anyway, if you're interested, you can see my last edition HERE. Now that we aren't meeting regularly and the election is over, this issue is shorter and less involved than most, but it gives you an idea of our group.

Because I knew you missed Rosie!

This month also marks the 10^th Anniversary of Liberal Ladies and a special newsletter was done by my co-partner (Mary Ann) and the lady who will take my place (Ann). They did a beautiful job. You can find it HERE and might enjoy the read.

Well, In addition to politics being nuts here so is Covid-19!  After going to Kroger one afternoon and seeing three people without masks, I’m back to ordering my groceries for pickup. I confess to becoming slack and almost back to going to Kroger (right out my back door!) every other day, but that experience pulled me up short. Then, yesterday I made a late trip to Sam’s thinking it would be quiet, and it was a zoo! I mentioned that to one of the assistants and he said I had actually come at a good time – that it had been worse through most of the day! That tells me that it is likely to be this way throughout the holidays, so I’m staying home and ordering everything! It has also touched closer to home. My neighbor across the street who owns and operates a restaurant got it. I was told that the staff at her restaurant were not wearing masks, etc. I also heard from Rhonda T in Albuquerque that her work had to close down for a week when someone got it. They closed to sanitize the place before bringing in a skeleton staff to keep things going. That would definitely put a new slant on going to work each day.

I wish everyone here a Happy Thanksgiving and hope you’ve found a way to celebrate safely. Our little Pandemic Pals group will be celebrating on Thursday/Thanksgiving Day rather than our usual Friday get-together. We’re also making it easy by picking up and bringing our own food. Lynn and Tom will have the traditional turkey dinner and Chris and I will have a lentil, mushroom, and chickpea loaf, green beans, and mashed potatoes. This sounds very easy and may become a tradition!!

Happy Thanksgiving

One and All!

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It's Over! We Won!

Well, we kept up our political efforts to the very end. Lynn, David, and I held signs on Bluffton Parkway the afternoon before election day. The weather had turned cold and by the end of it, we had numb hands and ears. On election day, I did a shift of phone banking for Jaime Harrison. At that point, I called it quits! It was then only a matter of waiting.

One positive result of organizing in our neighborhood is that you get to meet more neighbors. As Rosie and I take our walks, we are frequently stopped by liberal neighbors wanting to talk politics – that includes walkers, runners, cyclists, and folks in cars. Last week, one man pulled over and said how anxious he was about the whole thing. What would we do if trump wins again? What if he pulls some shenanigan on election night? Yikes! On election day morning, he called and said, “We’re going to win this thing! I feel it in my gut”. I was glad he was feeling better and said I was calmer than I expected. Then he thanked me for all we had done, which was totally unexpected and very much appreciated. It made my day, which I told him. Even with our sign-holding, we were cheered on with yells, applause, honks – one young woman tooted at us while holding her own Jaime Harrison sign! One man, while stopped by a light, rolled down his window and thanked us. Another said, “It isn’t often that you see Democrats in the wild in SC”. That made me laugh and I assured him there were more of us here than he might think. I love moments like that and they made our time and effort worthwhile.

With the little bit I have done, I’ve made connections to various groups – Precinct leaders, Democrat clubs, candidates, etc. One that I’ve really enjoyed is being included in the texting group called the Bluffton Roadside Crew. This is a group of much younger people who have hung door hangers, posted signs, taken in signs at night, replaced signs, etc. I have done a minimal part but I have certainly enjoyed their texting chatter. They are very dedicated, knowledgeable, and hard-working. They really have restored my faith in young people and educated me in their outlook, parlance, and references. It was fun!

Ana

Another uplifting moment was when I received this photo from Ana, whom I helped register to vote. She was so happy to be able to vote and I’m glad she thought of me when she did!

Then Wednesday, the day after the election, arrived. In addition to Joe Biden not looking good at that point, Democrats got slaughtered in SC. Jaime Harrison lost to Graham. Joe Cunningham lost his seat and all of our local candidates lost! It was a nightmare! That was pretty much rock bottom, especially after how hard we worked. Then, by Thursday morning we realized that all was not so bleak for Biden and it was a matter of waiting it out. As his numbers climbed, I could literally, physically feel the tension and stress leaving my body. 

As if the tension of the election were not enough, Tippy and I had scheduled our next Africa Zoom class for November 5! What were we thinking? Then Friday was my day to host our Pandemic Pals. My fridge was bare and I didn’t even have time to cook! I lived off Amy’s soup for two days. For our social gathering, I took the easy way out and ordered food from Truffles which was probably better than anything I could have done anyway!

Saturday was to be a quiet day at home and I was finally going to have time to cook. Then suddenly midmorning, Biden was declared president!! The phone started ringing, emails and texts coming in…..locally, as well as from the UK, Spain, France, and Thailand! There was one glass of wine left in a bottle from the night before, so I poured it to celebrate as I cooked. Pauline texted first and suggested it must be wine-o’clock! A photo followed! 

Lynn hosted the Pandemic Pals for an impromptu celebration. It was one of the few times we kept the TV on just to see the joyous people in the streets. Seeing the people celebrating in the streets – diverse, jubilant, peaceful – was so heartwarming. You talk about a schizophrenic nation? It has been like night and day and makes me wonder why some people would prefer the night? I think it may have to do with their general worldview (positive or negative) and I’m not sure how to change that. At least we will have a reprieve from the negativity. What a relief!

It was all so inspiring that I wore my 4^th of July shirt this morning when I walked Rosie. It had just rained and it felt like a crisp, new day, literally and figuratively. Hope springs eternal!

What will I do now that the election is over and I'm not compelled to focus on politics all the time?