Throwback to November 5, 2013

The BAD:

1. All the Christmas food was on prominent display.

2. One wheel of my weighed-down cart had a mind of its own.

3. The deli was out of hard salami.

4.The bagger left my lane just as I put over $200 of groceries on the belt.

The GOOD:

1. All the Christmas food was on prominent display.

2. I received an aerobic work-out while I struggled with the stubborn cart.

3. The lovely young lady behind the deli counter asked me twice if I wanted a sample.

4. After listening to out-loud complaining about Kroger management needing to hire more baggers, my cashier went up to the customer service desk and found another bagger for me.

Throwback to November 2, 2012

1. Re-attaching popped buttons.

2. Ironing-on patches to the inside of pant cuffs so that the perforations won’t show.

3. Explaining to several marchers per week that the broken zippers on the sides of the pants really don’t matter, as long as the suspenders don’t break.

4. Praying that the suspenders don’t break.

5. Re-assuring marchers that we really did send the uniforms to the dry cleaners, and that the yellowed spots are there because of age, not sweat.

6. Convincing marchers that the cracks in their hats really aren’t visible from far away, and that these cracks should be viewed as much-desired ventilation.

Throwback to November 19-20, 2012

1. Once a book is removed from the shelf, no child is capable of re-shelving the book back into the correct place.

2. Incorrectly re-shelved books drive me crazy until I put them in the proper place.

3. Levar Burton was adorable back in the Reading Rainbow days.

4. Every day, at least one student asks me where the shark books are located.

5. The phrase “graphic novel” no longer means a torrid Harlequin romance.

6. The word “butt” always makes them giggle.

7. The comfort level of a beanbag chair is inversely proportional to one’s age and weight.

Saturday, November 7, 2020

We have been patient, my fellow Biden/Harris supporters and I, and late this morning, trusted news sources finally called the race for the Democrats. I am relieved to hear these results, but still worried about our country. We have many challenges ahead of us.

But for today, I choose to celebrate the Blue victory. (I know many of you started toasting hours ago…) Whew!

Husband suggested I make a reference to the Pennsylvania Polka, since I was dancing around the house. “He started in Scranton, he’s now number one! <<clap clap clap clap>>” but credit goes to more people than the voters of Pennsylvania.

Thank you all for voting. We are flying our American flag in front of our home today in honor of democracy.

A toast to Joe Biden and Kamala Harris (a woman!! finally!) and may God speed.

Today’s drink is my version of a Bluebird cocktail.

In a shaker with several ice cubes, combine 2 ounces gin, 1 ounce triple sec, 1 ounce blue curacao, and 2 dashes grapefruit bitters. Shake well and strain into a glass, and add a not-so-red cherry as garnish.

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”