Saturday, May 2, 2020

The Kentucky Derby was scheduled to run today.  In past years, we sipped mint juleps made with fine bourbon, laughed at the ridiculous hats, and placed make-believe wagers on the winner of the race.

Speaking of horses, this morning Husband and I took a 90 minute drive in his Mustang.  We joined  probably 50 other horsepower-rich vehicles from the Charlottesville Cars and Coffee group–including Youngest Son and his sports car–and cruised together down winding roads through some of the prettiest parts of Albemarle County, Greene County, and even a tiny corner of Orange County.  We saw horses (and cows and mules) for the first time in weeks.  The morning sun made roadside streams sparkle.  The mountains in the distance were not quite fully green, but the meadows were lush.  We had David Bowie on the stereo, and smiles on our faces.  We barely spoke, we just enjoyed.

So, in the spirit of horses and cars, today’s drink is a version of the Wild Mustang Cocktail.

Fill a rocks glass with ice, and add 2 ounces Jim Beam American Honey Whisky (Kentucky bourbon with honey!), 3 ounces grapefruit juice, and 3 dashes of Angostura bitters.  Stir gently.  Garnish with a sprig of rosemary.  (I had no rosemary, but instead I added 8 drops of rosemary-grapefruit-peppercorn bitters, gifted to me by Oldest Son.)

Remember to drink responsibly.

 

Friday, May 1, 2020

I had insomnia last night. My mind was just whirring with random thoughts, many of them inconsequential. (“Should I make throw pillows out of the old fabric I found in the basement?” “I should try to bake some rolls with the expired yeast.”) And on nights that I do sleep, I have been having weird and colorful dreams about social distancing and face masks.

Last night, I was also thinking about the calendar.  Today is the first of May!

It’s International Workers’ Day, or Labor Day in 66 countries of the world, and is usually celebrated with parades and rallies but sometimes with strikes and demonstrations.

It’s also May Day, the ancient festival of spring, celebrated with flowers, dancing, and even the crowning of the May Queen.

MAYDAY! MAYDAY! MAYDAY!  is also a distress call, a plea for help during a life-threatening emergency.

I am fine, really, just a little sleepy today.  But social media keeps reminding us of all those who are not fine, who are in major distress. They are battling depression, loneliness, fatigue, and even hunger and domestic abuse.  I hope those brothers and sisters of ours find help and hope.  I know so many of you are sewing masks, volunteering at food banks, sending monetary donations, making phone calls to elderly friends, and so on.  Thank you.  Thank you so much.  Today I toast all of you!

This is my version of the May Day Cocktail.  In a blender, combine 2 canned peach halves, 5 cut-up strawberries, 1/2 small cut-up Granny Smith apple, 2 ounces passion fruit juice, 1 ounce simple syrup, 1-2 teaspoons grated fresh ginger, 1 ounce white rum, and 1/2 cup crushed ice. Garnish with an apple slice or a strawberry.

The ginger packs the punch more than the rum does.  And all that fruit probably makes this somewhat good for you.