Thursday, April 30, 2020

One month. Thirty days. A full page of the calendar.

For me, not a single trip to the grocery store. Not a single visit to Target. Not a single stop at TJ Maxx.

All the Easter services were online.  All the visits with my oldest kids were online.  All the concerts were online.

Our spring break trip was canceled.  My trip to see my mom was canceled. Saturday night brewery get-togethers were canceled.

I am eating too much.  I am drinking too much.  I am listening to the news too much.

And yet…everyone in our family remains healthy.  Everyone I love is still employed. Everyone I miss is offering each other messages of encouragement.

Days blend into days, and today is finally the last day of April.  The heavy rain from this morning has stopped. The world is fresh and verdant outside our windows, though, and tomorrow it should be sunny and Husband and I will again take a walk.

We will see May flowers.  We will hear neighbors greeting us from a safe distance. We will hold each other’s hand, perhaps, and exchange a smile.

And we will get through this.

Fittingly, today’s cocktail is a version of the April Rain cocktail.

In a cocktail shaker full of ice, combine 2 ounces vodka, 1/2 ounce dry vermouth, 1/2 ounce fresh lime juice, a teaspoon of simple syrup, and a pinch of finely-grated lime zest.  Shake with care, or else stir with a spoon. Strain into a chilled cocktail glass. Garnish with a lime peel.

Remember to drink responsibly.