Thursday, November 19, 2020

I Bought Bacon, Butter, And Barack

I have taken exactly zero pictures today. I've been too busy doing things that did not beg for posterity through photography if you know what I mean. It was not a stop-and-smell-the-roses-and-then-take-a-picture sort of day. It was a get-your-ass-to-town-and-get-shit-done sort of day. 

I did not procrastinate as badly as I usually do on shopping days but it was still almost noon before I left the house. I stopped by Hank and Rachel's with eggs, venison, and a pair of socks they'd left over here. I got to see Rachel but Hank was asleep because, as August told me a little while ago, "Hank is nocturnal."

Yes. Yes he is. Hank stays awake and makes sure that the world is turning as it should while the rest of us slumber. When we get up and begin to function, he hands over the running of the planet to us and goes off to bed for his well-deserved sleep. It is the service he provides. I had to laugh this morning over the comments on a Hank FB post. May commented at some ungodly hour of the morning and Hank replied, "Why are you awake?" and she answered, "Because I have to be at work in two hours and I need this time because I am old." To which Hank said, "As long as it works for you. This is when I do the dishes and work on my trivia chores."
This sums up the difference in siblings quite nicely, I believe.

Anyway, after I chatted with Rachel for a few minutes I went to a local compounding pharmacy where I get my hormones. That was fine and everything was fine but I was treading on the edge of sharp anxiety all day long. I was very hungry though, and decided to order pick-up at a seafood restaurant near Costco, my next stop and so I did. I ordered a grilled fish sandwich and some cole slaw and I picked them up and ate them in a shady spot in the parking lot. The sandwich was surprisingly delicious and it gave me another reason not to rush right on in to the giant warehouse of Costcolandia. 
I really wasn't feeling it today. I got the stuff I needed plus a copy of Barack Obama's new book. I'd been listening to an interview with him on Fresh Air while I was driving around and was so pleased to find the book. 
My GOD! What a gracious, funny, brilliant, well-spoken man he is. Comparing him to the Orange Intestine is, well- pointless. There is no comparison. One was one of the best presidents this country has ever had and a man whom dogs and children love and whom women swoon over and men envy for his coolness and basketball abilities while the other is a poor imitation of a human male who has to pay women to sleep with him, has probably never had a pet in his life nor read a book in his life, can hardly make it down a ramp without assistance, and who makes children cry just by his very presence and who has almost single-handedly destroyed democracy. 
But I digress. I can't wait to read the book although I want to finish the one I'm reading now which was written by a guy in the group of people with whom I went to Cuba, entitled Harmony and Normalization: US Cuban Musical Diplomacy. Tim Storhoff is the author's name and Lis and I both came to adore him on the trip because he was so funny and so sweet and sometimes told dirty jokes about Bach and his organ. His book is quite scholarly but his style is accessible and I'm enjoying it. I had no idea that Tim was a scholar at all when I first met him but I suspected right away that he was a lot smarter than the rest of us. He is one of those quiet smart guys that listens a lot and then suddenly comes up with something that sort of blows your mind. 
He's definitely not only the smartest guy in the room, he's also truly the coolest. 

There's Tim and his book. And I must say that Obama comes off quite well in it. If not for his policies on Cuba, I would never have been able to visit that amazing country so close and yet so far away and neither would have the Rolling Stones. 

Lord, I'm rambling. I'm sorry. I really am exhausted. Once again I felt as if I was in Publix for an eternity and then I came home and unloaded everything and put everything away and made chili and folded laundry and unloaded the dishwasher and I have the oven preheating now for the loaf of sourdough that's about ready to be popped in. 
Speaking of ovens- I want a new one. My stove is...adequate. But there is much about it which does not make me happy. My stove is my most-used tool and I am itching for a better one. I suppose I should start doing some research.

So I guess I'm ready for Thanksgiving, whatever that means. I bought a tiny turkey because all I really care about at the Thanksgiving dinner is stuffing (not dressing), cranberry/orange/pecan relish, and green bean casserole. Yeah. Really. And now I have the ingredients for those things so whatever...

Mostly I just want us all to be safe. I saw people buying huge turkeys and carts full of beverages and pies and rolls and all of the things that one would need to feed a huge gathering of people and I wanted to slap them and say, "WHAT THE FUCK?" 
How many people who attend huge Thanksgiving dinners will end up in the ICU by Christmas? How long can our health care workers keep doing what they're doing before they break? How long before our entire health care system breaks down entirely? 

Like I said, I'm tired. We're all tired. Some of us can probably barely get out of bed on their days off. Let's try not to add to the problems. Cranberry sauce and pumpkin pies aren't worth risking lives for. They just aren't. 

Be well.

Love...Ms. Moon




34 comments:

  1. Hubby and I chose to stay home for Thanksgiving instead of going to the annual super spread (get it?) at my cousin's. Twelve people, all who work with the public every day (business owner, groomer, bartender, two waitresses, a retail clerk, a meat cutter in a grocery store, two office workers and three kids who go to public school) is just too much for me. So I'm baking a chicken (we're not turkey lovers), making dressing (sorry, not stuffing), green bean casserole, sweet potatoes, mashed taters and gravy, cooked turnips, and yes, the jellied cranberry sauce in the can because we like it best (yeah, we're two of the few). As for Humpty Trumpy, it was noted today that he hasn't been seen in six days. My opinion? The COVID is back! I haven't known of ANYONE who got over it in less than three days! Not even the bigliest asshole of the world can do it, and I bet he's sick again. Not that I give two shits.

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    1. Isn't it wonderful how every family has their own personal absolute must-haves for Thanksgiving? I love that y'all could care less about turkey but have mashed turnips. And hey- a lot of people love canned cranberry sauce. It is the taste of a childhood Thanksgiving.
      I think Trump's just sulking and scheming. Fuck him.

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  2. I’m with you on stuffing. Bread soaked in butter? Yes! I had a panic attack in the farm store today and had to run out gasping like a fish. 94 people here (the next town over where the farm store is) are infected with Covid right now. And 5 or 6 dead. So far. Toilet paper is gone again and yes huge thanksgiving celebrations here too. Ugh. Butter soaked bread and a book and I’m good to go. Sorry for rambling Mary. Love you.

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    1. You never ramble. I ramble. The more words you give me, the longer my jeweled necklace is. That's how I look at it.
      Yep. The stuffing is the best. Absolutely.
      Every day there are more deaths reported in the counties I live and shop in. It's just so scary. I'm so tired of being scared. And I'm worried that I'm not scared enough at the same time.
      Our paper goods aisles are looking bare again too. I still don't quite understand this.

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  3. My Barack is sitting on the counter. His everyday placid face and silly Dad grin look at me every time I go past. Unlike Michelle, whose book I had to get my hands on to dish all, I'll savor a few more days Barack-less. For now it's enough to listen to his reasoned voice on NPR, explaining the world as it coulda/shoulda been. Then I'll pick a perfect day, and begin...

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    1. Did you see that episode of Anthony Bourdain's show where Obama joined him in a little restaurant in Hanoi? I could watch that little piece of goodness over and over. I am really looking forward to reading his book. He is pushing it hard and by golly, I'm just glad to hear his voice, see that great Dad grin every chance I get.

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  4. You did plenty today! More than plenty! I walked the dog...made split pea and ham soup and baked cornbread..took a shower and crocheted on my winter hat but was SO disappointed to see that I will run out of this lovely yarn before I finish and no way to buy more......so shit! Our (what would have been) 12th annual *Big Barn* thanksgiving with our 8 ranch neighbors and extended families....has been cancelled. Usually amounts to 40 people at least. We will all miss it, but no big surprise. Can't gather that many households safely EVER these days. So hubby and I only.....a small turkey and stuffing and pumpkin pie and veggies.......or perhaps cornish hens, those can be fun. We do what we need to........and.....circadian rhythms.......Hank, May...and the rest of your fam. My brother and I speak of this often. I was born at 6am sharp, he was born at midnight....(4 years apart) and I have always been a morning person......he is a night owl and doesn't even lay down until midnight or later.......
    Susan M



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    1. I've often wondered if time of day of one's birth affects those circadian rhythms. Hank and May were both born in the morning, though, so... None of my kids were born at night although Jessie and Lily were born late afternoon. Hank is our only real night owl.
      You might end up having more fun with just the two of you for dinner than with forty other people. You will certainly be safer.

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  5. That sounds like a pretty full day to me. Our thanksgiving, son and me, that's the whole family, is happening at my house, distanced, masked, gloved, etc., and we're sharing the planning and prep. Aside from making the dessert, Giant Cookie by popular demand, I'm going to lay the table and pay for the food Handsome Son shops for and brings over.

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    1. That sounds perfect, Boud. I know it will be a sweet Thanksgiving.

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  6. Apparently somebody lied to get into our hospital and visit someone, and they were COVID positive. WTF! Everyone in our hospital is immune compromised but they only thought of themselves. BAH!

    Hopefully you'll have a good sleep. We had a quiet day at work as it was a maintenance day, so less patients, which was nice. I came home and didn't feel like a piece of shit.

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    1. We humans just love to believe that we are special and unique and do not have to follow the rules, don't we? And sometimes, that is okay. We can get away with it. But when it is life and death at stake, it is NOT okay. I am so sorry that your hospital has been affected that way.

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  7. People don't use their flippin'brains, do they? I hope you enjoy the new book and have a sweet night.

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  8. In England the talk is what restrictions we should have when our current lockdown ends on 2nd December to allow us to have as near normal Christmas as possible. My god. We can't.

    I appreciate it's hard for people not to see loved ones, this will be the first year ever I won't see my parents over the Christmas period, but surely we can do this for one year.

    A quick look at the news headlines and Rudy Giuliano is still doing a fantastic job bringing us some much needed humour. Hair malfunction!

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    1. It seems to me that almost all the governments are flying by the seats of their pants- making up rules as they go, trying to balance what the medical experts say with people's desire to go out in the world and also the economy. I wish we would just go on lock up everywhere for long enough to actually stem this virus. But no. That will not happen.
      Rudy is the biggest joke and the perfect foil for Trump.

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  9. I picked up my copy of Obama, too. When the cashier guy asked me if I needed a bag, I said, "Hell no! I'm going to walk out of this store waving this!" He agreed and for a moment it seemed like everything was going to be ok.

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    1. Sigh. Those small, sacred moments of solidarity among strangers. They are perfect.

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  10. our state doctor spoke at a presser and said, 'celebrate with family on thanksgiving and you may be attending funerals for the new year.' it is the time to be blunt about facts- we are better not together in the middle of the damn pandemic.

    be well. i covet a double wall oven....

    xxalainaxx

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    1. I don't even know if Florida has a state doctor. If he is, he's probably a drug dealer. But yours is absolutely correct. Still- will anyone heed his words? We'll see.
      I've never wanted a wall oven much but I need to ponder that possibility.

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  11. It's amazing to hear Obama now, and again realize how much more decent and articulate he is than our current (but not for long) "leader."

    I just read an article about Covid quoting nurses who tend patients on Covid wards. They experience great frustration because even some patients, as they lie in hospital beds and struggle for their lives, deny that Covid exists! "Fake news!" they rasp. I just can't believe how strange the world has become.

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    1. I've seen articles like that, perhaps the same one. There are more than one of them. It's just absolute insanity.
      As for Obama...he will always be my president. As you know.

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  12. So I call it "dressing" but it's my favorite part of the meal. Douse cornbread dressing in giblet gravy, and that's all I need! :) I'll probably buy a small turkey breast since it will just be the two of us. Gregg's favorite is turkey sandwiches, not all the heavy traditional sides. I also make cranberry sauce with mandarin oranges and walnuts instead of pecans. That's a must-have every year at our house! And I'll make a couple of pies, probably cherry and pecan. Yum, now I'm hungry!

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    1. I love turkey sandwiches too. And I WILL be making gravy.
      Your cranberry sauce sounds terrific!
      And now _I_ want a cherry pie!

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  13. My parents are at the grocery store today buying out ALL the food...but they intend to cook the meal themselves and then deliver it to all their children and grandchildren (like meals on wheels!). So just saying, not everyone who is putting food in their cart is irresponsible.

    I'm guilty of making snap judgments too. Today I was at the grocery store and asked a worker there to to grab something I couldn't reach, but he just looked at me and walked away. I was pretty irritated, but left the item there and continued my shopping. Then I heard someone making strange screams in my direction...turns out the guy couldn't speak due to a tongue deformity and was mentally disabled, and he was looking for someone else to help me. Well, that made me feel about an inch tall.

    My point is I guess, we're all suffering from huge anxiety and stress right now, and it would be ok to give each other the benefit of the doubt in these dark times. Love to you Ms. Moon!

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    1. Oh gosh. That's such a sad story. I'm sorry.
      And you may be right about some people cooking a bunch of food to take to family for them to eat but trust me- not everyone with full carts was doing that. Your parents are awesome.

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  14. Some republican on the tube talking about how we must celebrate this Thanksgiving because it may be the last...Most certainly will be for granny if over the river and through the woods we go! So it goes in the land of the weird. Butter and bacon will keep you well.

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    1. Have you heard that more Republican senators have gotten covid than have admitted that Biden won the election? I think that says it all.

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  15. Another difference between Obama and Trump is that Obama can actually string coherent whole sentences together. As for Thanksgiving, we don't celebrate it over here obviously but my former colleague invited me to his place on 16 December for dinner before he leaves for Uruguay. When I found out that 10 people were invited I just told him I couldn't in all conscience do that because I don't want anyone else to be in the ICU for Christmas because of it. So we'll end up "having a bilateral" when he gets back in January most likely!

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    1. I hope that by January you will be able to gather.
      And yes, the difference between Obama's speech and Trump's speech is like night and day. Trump has the vocabulary of a not-very bright parrot.

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  16. you forgot he can dance and sing too. what we are seeing is Trump's vindictiveness. he knows he lost so this is him paying us all back. I understand it from him. I don't get why the republican party is supporting this attack on our elections and peaceful transfer of power and their desire to cripple Biden's administration.

    I think what we are going to do is divide the food prep between us, my sister (since her daughter always goes to her husband's family), and my daughter and Pam will eat with us and Sarah's family will eat together. mostly because Marc is adamant about not being around her family since they will be coming from three different cities. I'm appalled by the republican reaction but I don't know why I would expect anything different. they have poo-pooed the virus from the beginning. it may be the last? it will definitely be the last for a lot of people.

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    1. I don't understand why the Republicans are still supporting Trump either. It makes absolutely no sense to me. Is there something we don't know?
      Your Thanksgiving plans sound safe and sane. Good for you!

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  17. Our thanksgiving got even smaller, 4 of us, as my son will be working day and night. My daughter got back her covid test result today, negative thank god, and so is her love. I get so nervous listening to the news but i hope and pray the four of us will do okay.

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    1. I'm so sorry your son and his love won't be there but honestly, I think that you guys will be safe with your daughter and her guy, especially knowing they tested negative. Of course nothing is guaranteed. But there is risk and there is very, very slight risk. I think y'all are in that category. Us too, I hope.

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Tell me, sweeties. Tell me what you think.