Saturday, September 19, 2020

Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg passed away yesterday.  She was a hero, role model, trailblazer,  and a beacon of hope to so many of us.

I am not going to repeat all the accolades and heartfelt praises we have already read on social media, because it’s all been said much more eloquently than I could say it.

One of my favorite things about RBG was how she described the love story between her and her husband, Martin.  She said he admired her “intellectual luminosity,”  and was “the only young man I dated who cared that I had a brain.”  (This kind of man, by the way, is the only life partner I would accept, and the kind of man I hope my sons have become.) 

Today’s cocktail is strong and direct, of course. Don’t underestimate the punch it can pack.

I used R and B and G–rum and bourbon and gin.

In a glass filled with ice, mix 1 ounce white rum, 1 ounce bourbon, and 1 ounce gin. Add ½ ounce lemon juice, ½ ounce lime juice, and 1 ounce simple syrup. Stir until combined, and strain into a martini glass.

Raise your glasses to RBG. May her memory be a blessing, may her memory be a revolution.

• 

Monday, September 7, 2020

Happy Labor Day! Today is the last day of summer vacation for many, including my students at Albemarle High School. Tomorrow I will host Zoom meetings for the 56 (and counting?) students on my rosters. The weirdest summer of my life is now behind me, and now I embark on what will no doubt be one of the most challenging job experiences of my life.

I will have to punch that time clock tomorrow–it’s actually an app on my phone. Wow. I have set alarms on my device to remind me of this, and I will ask Alexa to likewise remind me, since I have not really worked since March and I have to re-learn old habits. I have set up a desk dedicated to school business only, and I have filled my binders with fresh sheets of paper, but I don’t have to worry about packing a lunch, or about picking out my first-day outfit, or about determining where the closest faculty restrooms are located. But I am worried about whether my students will be able to connect with me via their laptops, and whether I can motivate them to work, and whether I can anticipate their needs.

The sun is setting on my summer vacation, and yes, I am a tad anxious about what the rising sun will bring.

This drink is my version of a Rum Sunset (a cousin to a Tequila Sunrise).

In a measuring cup, stir together 6 ounces orange juice with 1 1/2 ounces light rum. Pour 2/3 of this into a tall glass filled with ice. Add 1 tablespoon of grenadine into the remaining liquid in the measuring cup, mix, then slowly pour this down the side of the tall glass so you get a layered effect. Garnish with a citrus slice.

• 

Sunday, August 30, 2020

Tomorrow I report back to work, albeit virtually. My summer break is officially over. It’s been the longest one I have ever had (since about mid-March, really) and definitely the slowest-pace one I have ever had.

The fancy-free days of sleeping in and of not putting on mascara are over. I need to look presentable for tomorrow’s 9 AM Zoom meeting, and I suppose I should set out a notebook and maybe a few pens here near my laptop. I still have no idea about my exact job responsibilities for the year ahead, but I am geared up for the challenge of trying my best to make lemonade out of the 2020-flavored lemons.

Yesterday, my son shared a quip uttered by one of his supervisors: “We’re building the ship as we sail it.” Yup. I am definitely a crew member on one of these “new normal” ships. Stay tuned. I predict more cocktails will be needed.

Today’s drink is my version of a Fancy Free cocktail. In a low ball glass, combine 2 ounces bourbon, 1/2 ounce Luxardo maraschino liqueur, 3 dashes Angostura bitters, and 2 dashes orange bitters. Stir, add a large ice cube, a Luxardo cherry, and a sliver of lemon peel.

Sip slowly. Ahh. Take your time, and savor the last hours of “vacation.”

• 

Throwback to August 30, 2014

1. The bike I used when I was in grad school.

2. Clean laundry.

3. A container of leftovers, namely incredible macaroni and cheese made by a loving neighbor.

4. A credit card that is solely hers and no longer linked to her parents’ line of credit.

5. A box labeled “skulls” that actually does have skulls in it. (Cow skulls, not human skulls, but I am still glad they are now out of my house.)

• 

Throwback to August 25, 2012

1. Crowded towel racks in the bathrooms.

2. Squabbles about who gets the last brownie.

3. Squabbles about who gets the last scoop of ice cream.

4. Squabbles about who gets the last slice of bacon.

5. Scales being played loudly on the French horn.

6. Scales being played loudly on the trombone.

7. Re-parking cars so all of them can fit in the driveway.

8. Boxes full of dorm/apartment supplies in the dining room and basement.

• 

Throwback to August 25, 2013

1. Go ahead, do whatever you want to do, since you’re the “man of the house” now.

2. Those chores your dad nags you about? Don’t bother, he’ll never know you didn’t do them.

3. You need to study more and get better grades and go to a good college so you can someday get a nice job that sends you overseas and leaves your wife home alone.

4. Of course I will cook all your favorite meals every evening because I so love to pamper you.

5. Sure, you can drive Dad’s car.

6. I hope your dad neglects to bring us souvenirs, because I want him to be frugal and save every penny for your college education.

7. Just wait ’til your father gets home!!!

• 

Throwback to August 24, 2014

1. They were out of green peppers, ripe bananas, and elbow macaroni.

2. The exposed wires and concrete floors and empty food cases reminded me of grocery stores in Communist Poland.

3. I almost twisted my ankle on the uneven floors, but I guess that’s the price I pay for wearing stylish shoes.

4. A layer of fine powder is covering everything in the store, so I have to dust my cans and bottles before putting them away in my cupboard.

5. A dude with a jar full of pennies cut in line in front of me at the customer service desk, and the customer service chick did not seem to mind, even though I was really, really giving both dude and chick the super evil-eye glare.

6. I had to backtrack several times in order to find items which were put in new locations, since the signage above the aisles is now outdated and inaccurate, and my feet started to hurt, but I guess that’s the price I pay for wearing stylish shoes.

7. By the time I got to the check-out, I was sneezing and sniffling and my throat was scratchy.

• 

Throwback to August 22, 2009

1. Less laundry.
2. Fewer dishes to wash.
3. Symmetry at the dinner table (4 place settings versus 5).
4. Fewer instances of exasperated sighs and rolling eyes.
5. Fewer instrument cases/big shoes/backpacks to trip over.
6. More cars in driveway than licensed drivers in the house.
7. One fewer set of back-to-school-papers to fill out and sign.

• 

Thursday, August 20, 2020

I wanted a blue-colored drink to celebrate the 2020 Democratic National Convention, and also I wanted to use the blueberry juice concentrate that I bought at IKEA ages ago. So, the cocktail I selected is not exactly a “conventional” shade of blue (pun intended). Then again, this year’s nominating convention is unique, unprecedented, historic, and…wait for it…unconventional, so the cocktail is fitting.

I have been a Democrat all my life. My parents supported Democratic candidates, I grew up in a city run by Democrats, and I even became the president of the College Democrats back in my student days. I remember putting a “Muskie for President” sticker on a school folder back in 1972, and I remember listening to the convention of 1980 on a transistor radio while I was at work. I love the speeches, the emotion, and the roll call. (And OMG, this year’s Virginia’s votes were reported from my town, which made me proud and then profoundly sad when Mr. Khan reminded us that Charlottesville was “attacked by white supremacists” only three short years ago.)

I will be voting, as I always do, and I will be voting for Biden and Harris. Please join me.

This is my version of a Blueberry Vodka cocktail.

Fill a shaker half-way with ice, and add 1 1/2 ounces vodka, 1 1/2 ounces blueberry juice concentrate, and 1 teaspoon lemon juice. Shake well and strain into a low-ball glass, and top off with 3 ounces of club soda. Garnish with blueberries.

• 

Throwback to August 19, 2012

1. Trombone.

2. I-Pod.

3. Video camera.

4. Laptop.

5. Cordless drill and other “art” tools.

6. Portfolios.

7. Synthesizer.

8. Febreze.

9. Cellphone.

10. Box of Kleenex specifically for gently-crying mother.