Intro:

…for in January we diet! Happy December! We actually made it—only a few more days to go and it will be 2021! We’ve made it this far; we can make it to next year. Honest. Trust me.

Most of us will overindulge during the holidays—we’ll eat too many rich foods, too many calories, but, what the heck, come January, we’ll diet and be miserable together.

And, since I’m talking food, I want to share a link with you. It’s from Emergence Magazine, a free online magazine, by the way. The article is Seasons of the Monastic Table. It begins with a quote from Joy Harjo, “Remember the earth whose skin you are,” and goes on to give us seasonal menus focused on plant-based ingredients and the recipes to which animal protein may be added if so desired. Monastic meals across the planet are simple, made with fresh (or fermented) ingredients, often grown and raised on the grounds. I became enthralled with the photography, then got to reading the article and recipes. If you like to cook, please, check it out. If you like to eat, well, Bon Apetit! And if food just isn’t your thing, check it out for the photography. It will feed your soul, if not your belly.

Since we’re now in December, and most of us will celebrate the Holidays according to our own Traditions, let me tell you what I would like to find under my tree this year. Yes, Virginia, I have a tree, complete with lights! It takes me hours to haul it out, decorate it, put it up every year, just so you can enjoy it. OK, it takes me a couple minutes to haul it out of storage, wipe it down, and plug it in. It doesn’t smell as good as a live tree, but it also doesn’t take up as much room in my wee apartment, nor is it as messy. And wee dog isn’t at all interested in marking it as his! 😉 (but it is made from wood)

What do I want under my tree on Solstice/Christmas/Hannukah/Kwanzaa/Whatever morning? You. Not the physical you, not right now, but you—safe, healthy, and alive. Friends are too valuable to fritter away.

Speaking of fritters, I like apple best, followed by cherry. Odd, now that I think on it, that’s the only way I like cherries! When I was a kid, I liked cherries, until the Powers of the Day started putting cherry flavoring in medicine. Ruined a perfectly good fruit as far as I’m concerned. Not to mention the medicine. Hmmm, wonder what cranberry fritters would taste like?

I really don’t need anything beyond friends and family and all those (virtual) hugs. Speaking of hugs, take your right hand and grasp your left shoulder, at the same time use your left hand and grasp your right shoulder. Now, squeeze. Gently but firmly. And there you have it, a virtual hug from your Auntie Lenora. Repeat as often as wanted. Please, stay safe and healthy. Make Auntie Lenora happy, otherwise she’s wont to whine and cry. Not a pretty sight. Or a melodious sound. 

Entertainment:

Netflix & Amazon: I haven’t been watching so much Netflix. Or Amazon. Do you have any recommendations? I need something to put on my list to watch. Please leave a comment and recommend some shows and give me a few words as to why you think I’ll like it/them. Many thanks.

Peacock: Still enjoying Columbo. I know they have other shows, but haven’t a clue what they are 😉

Books: I’m reading two poetry books at the same time. They complement each other nicely. The first is Another America by Barbara Kingsolver. This is a bi-lingual book—the left page is in Spanish; the right page is in English. I read this many years ago, and just pulled it down to read again. I read one or two, think about them, then pick up my copy of Songs Older Than Any Known Singer by John Phillip Santos, also read earlier. Those are my reads before turning off the light for the night. I have enjoyed the prose of both authors and am enjoying their poetry (again) and together. Be sure to check Rainy Day Reads for the latest book reviews.

Outro:

I’m pretty religious about wearing my mask when I go out, even just to walk the wee beastie. I don’t socialize except electronically, if I meet someone while out with dog, we maintain proper distancing. I keep shopping to a minimum and for essentials and only where everyone wears masks. So how did I catch a freaking cold? Beats me. But it is a cold, not Covid19. But it could have been the novel coronavirus. And I’m being extra careful not to share.

We can see the light at the end of the pandemic tunnel, but please, just because vaccines are coming, full speed ahead, or half-speed, or even quarter-speed, but they are coming so in the meantime wear your mask, practice social distancing, wash your hands, yadda, yadda, yadda until everyone is vaccinated with BOTH shots and this thing is licked!

Remember, you are an important component in Auntie Lenora’s life 😉

Be sure to come by again for another Coffee Break Escape!

Auntie Lenora