1. College Boy informs you of the Harry Potter party he will be attending once back on campus. Then he shows you the “potions” that are on the menu. All of the potions contain spirits, and I don’t mean ghosts.
2. The high school schedules arrived in the mail today. One for the senior, one for the freshman. (OMG I am too young for this!)
3. My offspring still can’t resist the urge to use the bucket of crayons the restaurant has left on the table. But now, instead of doodles, they create graffiti with a touch of social commentary.
4. After finally seeing Harry Potter 7.2 with College Boy, you realize that the literary journey you’ve been on together since 1999 has now come to a screeching halt. You tell him he can have the books to read with his own kids, someday, and he just rolls his eyes.
5. The security felt back home in Mom and Dad’s nest is secondary to the satisfaction felt in riding out a hurricane on a campus which has now lost trees and power. (Be safe, College Boy!)
1. You know that cell phone that I pay for? Don’t bother using it to call home.
2. Of course I’ll put more money in your bank account if you spend it quickly on frivolous things.
3. Go ahead and get arrested for underage drinking, because spending a night in the Richmond City Jail could be interesting.
4. Yes, we will be using your mutual find to pay tuition…for your brother.
5. Sleep is over-rated.
6. Since Richmond is the third-most tattooed city in the US, we expect you to live up to local expectations and get lots of skin art.
7. Going to class? Optional!
8. When you do laundry, just go ahead and wash your dark towels with your whites.
9. The Cathedral is only half a block from your dorm, but don’t bother going to church every Sunday–I think you can earn graces just be being in the neighborhood.
10. Your dorm room is only on the fourth floor, so make sure and pack everything you own so those boxes and suitcases are extra heavy.
11. Don’t bother using up that meal plan and those Dining Dollars your father and I bought you. Being a starving artist may suit you.
12. These semi-monthly shopping trips to Richmond that I’m planning? Don’t expect me to stop by campus and take you to lunch.
The suspense is over! I always enjoy seeing history being made–it’s Joe Biden and Kamala Harris in 2020.
In honor of Senator Harris, I have created The Kamala:
Combine 2 ounces golden rum (preferably Jamaican), 1 ounce passion fruit juice, 1 ounce chilled almond milk (from almonds grown in California), and 1 teaspoon Rose’s lime juice (did you know that India is the world’s largest grower of limes?). Pour over an ice cube and garnish with a lemon twist.
The drink is strong enough, not too sweet, and gets the job done. If you call it “nasty,” you will be asked to leave the bar.
2. “Seven hours a day? You are going to get behind in your cooking and cleaning.”
3. “Do you think your son is old enough to fend for himself while you are working? He’s still in high school!”
4. “Did I tell you that your niece wants to study physical therapy? That’s an awful choice. All the therapists here at the nursing home are so unhappy.”
5. “Oh, shopping for a car for College Girl? How much are you going to spend?”
6. “Obama is ordering air strikes on Iraq, I heard. Why is the US Air Force striking? Aren’t we paying them enough? Are they striking only in Iraq or are they striking here at home, too?”
7. “Just remember you can always quit your job if your household falls apart.”
You can go on-line to see if washers/dryers are available, and then you’re sent an email or text message when your machine stops.
2. You can meet your roommate (and his hundreds of friends) on Facebook a month before school begins.
3. Your mom can “Google” your roommate and his family.
4. The dining hall, open from 7 AM to 10 PM, offers made-to-order paninis, gourmet coffees, smoothies, and vegan options.
5. Summer homework. (Each freshman at the University of Richmond is expected to read Naguib Mahfouz’s Fountain and Tomb prior to arrival on campus. Discussions will be held during orientation week.)
6. Some professors provide the list of required books in advance, online. Students can save money by buying used books in advance, if they search Amazon et al.
7. Packing list did not include IPod, MacBook Pro, 23 inch monitor, printer, digital camera, cell phone, and battery charger.
8. A thoughtful, considerate, loving son takes time off from packing to create an AIM account for his mom so they can see each other on video-chat every day. Awww…
9. Two days of orientation sessions for parents and five days for students. Whew! I am tired, but I feel even more excited for Andrew since I’ve met several of his professors/RAs/fellow students! We said our goodbyes this afternoon, and guess what? I got choked up, but didn’t really cry.
10. Your student ID card (with a flattering photo YOU provided) is also a key card, a library card, a meal card, and a debit card (used in bookstore, dining areas, vending machines, and even the washers/dryers).
11. Freshman Orientation included mandatory sessions on acquaintance rape and alcohol abuse.
12. An electronic scan of your handprint is all you need to enter the gym/fitness center.
13. My roommate never had swine flu. (Wash your hands and make him wear a mask, Andrew!)
14. We did not spend Saturday afternoons engaged in team-building activities on the campus ropes course. (Way to go, Andrew! Upper level!)
15. Environmental Awareness Week! Dorms at UR are competing to see which one can most reduce its energy consumption. Results are available in real time, on-line. (Andrew’s dorm is winning, but rumors of sabotage are rampant.)
The Polish word for little raspberry is malinka. My Polish-speaking family (namely my parents) decided, when she was minutes old, that the first granddaughter needed a Polish nickname. To this very day, my mom calls my now-adult daughter Malinka, and I think it’s darling.
Today’s drink is in honor of my daughter. She, more than anyone else in our family, has been using this challenging time of quarantine and pandemic to re-discover her physical, emotional, and artistic strengths. We are very proud of her.
Today’s drink is like my daughter. Strong; not too sweet; interesting; and fresh and natural. (And a bit pink and feminine.)
In a shaker, muddle 10 fresh raspberries with 1 ounce lime juice and 1 teaspoon raw sugar. Add 2 ounces of white rum and several ice cubes. Shake well and strain into a martini glass. (I dipped the glass in lime juice and then in sugar to coat the rim.) Garnish with raspberries or a lime twist.
3. Boo-Boo Bunny with the removable “ice cube” that always made the ouchies feel better.
4. Cupcake, his favorite stuffed doggie from years ago, that always made the scary nighttime feel better.
5. His drum set, which takes up too much floor space in the basement.
6. That drawer-full of gym socks that are too grungy to take along yet not grungy enough to simply throw away.
7. Every single tee-shirt from high school activities and events, because not a single one will ever be worn again and because he will undoubtedly get a tee-shirt for every single activity and event at college.
3. Newly-licensed driver! Stay the hell clear of my baby boy and don’t you dare hurt him!
4. If you see this kid using a cell phone while driving, call me at xxx-xxxx. But pull over before you dial.
5. If you are using a cell phone right now and can see this sign, pull the hell over before you hit my baby, or anyone’s baby!
6. Yes, this is the old family mini-van and it’s not at all sexy or sporty, but he’s a newly-licensed driver and it’s this or nothing at all. Don’t judge.
7. Please pray for the safety of all our young drivers.
8. Please pray for the mothers of all our young drivers.
Dear Husband asked me to join him on the patio swing this afternoon. Hurricane Isaias had blown through in the early hours of the morning, and a gentle, tropical-feeling breeze was blowing. We nibbled on some chips and salsa, and chatted about our daily life during a pandemic.
We are both frustrated that CoVid numbers are going up, and that people are still resisting the pleas to wear masks and to not gather in large groups.
The virus is here to stay, probably forever. Our behaviors have changed, probably forever. Our frustrations and yes, our anger, have become part of our mindsets–but will they last forever?
I cannot wait for the time when this pandemic is water under the bridge.
Today’s drink, a vodka watermelon lime cocktail, made use of the leftover watermelon in the refrigerator. I squeezed a few chunks in a potato ricer until I had enough juice.
In a glass with several ice cubes, combine 2 ounces watermelon juice, 2 ounces vodka, 1 ounce fresh lime juice, and 1/2 ounce maple syrup. Stir well and strain into a coupe glass. Garnish with fresh mint leaves and/or watermelon chunks.
Monica Lists 