Monday, November 1, 2020

Tequila usually gives me a headache. Too much citrus has caused me to break out. Pineapple juice sometimes gives me heartburn. Too much salt makes my ankles puffy. None of these ingredients are perfect, but, they work so well together when I build this yummy cocktail. Sweet, salty, smoky, sour–all the flavors are appreciated, and all the flavors contribute to the success of the drink.

So yes, my cocktail today is serving as a metaphor for the final day of the 2020 Presidential campaign. If all the diverse elements of America come together, if all the votes are counted, we can continue to build an America that welcomes all “the flavors” into one large success story.

Am I stressed out about Election Day? Yes. Nothing coming from the current administration surprises me anymore.

Am I hopeful that sanity and calm will prevail tomorrow? Yes. I do have hope in the democratic process.

Am I preparing 2 different cocktails for the days ahead, pending the outcome of the election? Yes. One version is celebratory, and one is super-potent.

But in the meantime, here’s a toast to all the hard-working candidates, campaign workers, and voters. Together, we will make this better.

Today’s drink is my version of a Pineapple Mezcal Margarita. This makes a double–I may need it–or 2 drinks.

In a shaker, combine 2 ounces mezcal, 1 ounce silver tequila, 1 ounce triple sec, 1 ounce lime juice, and 4 ounces pineapple juice. Stir, and pour into a salt-rimmed margarita glass. Add ice cubes as desired.

Throwback to October 30, 2015

1. Halloween is full of stupid traditions.

2. Hillary Clinton would be more likely to win the election if she were taller.

3. When you haven’t packed your lipstick, you should at least moisturize your lips with lotion.

Throwback to October 21, 2012

1. No matter the weather, you gotta wear your shades.

2. Somehow, long and gangly arms and legs can fit behind a steering wheel.

3. Every squirrel in the county is determined to run across the road in front of us.

Sunday, October 18, 2020

On Friday, I participated in yet another virtual faculty meeting with my co-workers at the high school. There were over 160 of us “in attendance” for the afternoon meeting. My colleagues are dedicated and hard-working, yet frustrated with the “new normal” of teaching during this pandemic. My colleagues are amazing and are rising to the challenge, as are all educators who are striving to keep students engaged and curious and motivated to complete assignments. Each of these teachers deserves not just an apple, not just a peck, but an entire overflowing bushel!

This cocktail is called a “sour” yet to me, the flavor was closer to an Old Fashioned. But I find both names highly appropriate–I don’t want teachers to “sour” on the situation, and I don’t want teachers to mourn too much for the “old fashioned” learning that will not likely not return until well into 2021.

Today’s drink is my version of the Apple Sour Bourbon Cocktail. In a shaker, combine 1 1/2 ounces bourbon, 1 1/2 ounces apple juice, 3/4 ounce triple sec, 1/4 ounce lemon juice, and 2 dashes of orange bitters. Shake well and pour into a low-ball glass with ice. Add apple slices as a garnish.

Throwback to October 16, 2013

1. He carries the heavy luggage.

2. The heavy luggage is always his, so he doesn’t dare say a word about the many pairs of shoes I feel compelled to bring.

3. That awkward moment on the plane when the person next to you brushes his thigh against yours? No worries when it’s Husband’s thigh.

4. When the plane is going through major turbulence, and the aeronautical engineer/Husband isn’t even slightly perturbed, it’s comforting.

5. When seeing old airplanes at the museum, he is giddy with delight, and I remember why his mommy thought he was adorable.

6. He patiently listens to the elderly docents, and even engages them in conservations about the artifacts.

7. He appreciates the need for margaritas.

8. The Boy Scout in him loves making fires, so I can always count on a romantic glow from the kiva in the room.

9. He is very patient during shopping time. Very.

10. He is very patient during phone calls home to Youngest Child. Very.

11. He will share his dessert.

Throwback to October 9, 2015

1. “It was a great day:)”

2. “Just finished 3 hours of marching outside.”

3. “I am going out at 10:30 PM.”

4. “Which cycle do I use for normal clothes?”

5. “Haven’t found my key.”

6. “I’ll look again jeez a replacement is $10.”

7. “I am trying to eat healthy, but the food here makes you poop.”

8. “I need my black pants.”

9. “It feels absolutely gorgeous here.”

10. “They love me for my beatboxing so it’s all good.”

11. “Look what’s for lunch today ” (photo of kielbasa and pierogi)

12. “Watching beer pong.”

13. “Yes, did laundry, wooo.”

14. “Found my key.”

15. “I’m fine don’t worry”

16. “Should I use the whites setting for those grey/white sheets?”

17. “Hurt my neck tho on another roller coaster.”

18. “Is it possible you could bring some more clorox wipes for family weekend? And food you don’t want?”

19. “Do reflective essays need a thesis?”

20. “What is pagination?”

21. “Mom WTF”

Throwback to September 21-22, 2012

1. Girl: sends me at least one text or FB message a day. Boy: sends me one text or FB message a week.

2. Girl: immediately sends a thank-you text for the small gift I mailed her. Boy: sends a thank-you text for the small gift I mailed him only after I inquire as to whether he received the gift.

3. Boy: handles personal finances adeptly. Girl: asks “where does my signature go on the check?”

4. Boy: receives organic produce regularly from nearest CSA. Girl: Frequent patron at I-Crou-Cane-Hop, campus haven for fast food bliss.

5. Boy: posts pointed social commentary and introspective musings on FB. Girl: posts links to indie rock bands and photos of the cutest-ever baby pot-bellied pigs.

6. Girl: best friends are a group of energetic, fun, yet hard-working females. Boy: best friends are a a group of energetic, fun, yet hard-working females.

7. Girl: complains that her budget does not allow her to buy more clothes. Boy: complains that his budget does not allow him to buy more cocktails.

8. Over fall break, College Boy brought home a few articles to read. College Girl brought home large corrugated cardboard pyramids to spray paint.

9. Over fall break, College Girl drove as much as possible because she missed her car so much. College Boy (who does have his own car on campus) parked his car and let the parents do all the driving so he could save gas money.

10. Over fall break, both slept alot.

11. Both have mailed their completed absentee ballots for the November election.

12. College Boy saw the President of the United States at a rally in Richmond last year. College Girl saw the President of the United States at a rally in Richmond today. (October 25, 2012)

Throwback to September 4 and 26, 2014

1. “I barely got any sleep last night, and yet I don’t feel tired at all.” (I wanted to scream, “Just wait until you are a young mom! Or my age!” but that would have been super-unprofessional.)

2. (Yesterday was 1950s Day) Female student in a poodle skirt: “I miss my shorts! Can you imagine what it must be like to wear a skirt every day?”

3. “May I just take a picture of the board instead of copying it all down?”

Throwback to October 6, 2012

1. I let him to play selections from his I-Pod over the car stereo–dubstep, anyone?

2. I likewise eat a Nutella and bacon sandwich for lunch.

Throwback to October 5, 2014

1. She can buy her dad a shot of bourbon the next time he comes to visit.

2. She can go on a Virginia winery tour with her mom.

3. She can buy her big brother a few bottles of vodka in gratitude for all he’s done for her.

4. She can buy beer for her little brother once he is in college but of course this is all hypothetical because he will be one of those college boys who never touches the stuff and she would never think of corrupting him.