Hello and goodbye Week Twenty. I don’t know what to say about you. Another week in isolation. Another week stressed about engaging students and the uncertainty of next year. Another week fighting off The Funk (AKA the listlessness, the existential crisis, the heaviness…)
But there were bright spots in Week Twenty. More consistently nice weather that allowed us to get outside. Small wins toward the end of the week that might make next year’s craziness at school, if I’m stuck in this area, bearable. The feeling of victory when I conquered a difficult chapter I’ve been working on. Highlights, all.
Sunday
In honor of my mom and Mother’s Day, here’s my own picture similar to the one my mom posted on Instragram. She loves watching the ferns start to unfurl as spring fully awakens.
Monday
I guess I’m super thankful for my mom this week, who fixed this guy up for me about a month ago. I’ve had Willy since third grade — gifted from Nana on Christmas, but definitely purchased by my parents (I remember the day I met Willy while we were out Christmas shopping as a family. I’m sure they got him that very day when my back was turned). He was really starting to show his age, with huge gaping holes leaving tufts of stuffing to be re-inserted each morning, and his dorsal fin lying flat in that depressing way orca’s show they’ve been in captivity.
When I first asked my mom to patch him up, she wasn’t sure it would be possible without giving him an entirely new skin. She said she could use the old material has a pattern, but I put the kiboshes on that. He wouldn’t be him any more. That would be a completely new whale (or dolphin, depending on how technical you want to get).
She found a different way to mend him, and now he has an extra soft, slightly darker patch on his nose that makes it look like he’s got a mustache. I love it. And the white marking behind his dorsal fin is a newer, softer fabric, too. But she managed to stitch up his other bare spots and his eyes are still the same beat up, old eyes they’ve always been. Oh the life he’s observed…
Tuesday
I’ve been working my way towards being a vegetarian. In January, I was vegetarian one day a week, in February it was two… I was on track until COVID interrupted things and I fell off the last few weeks of March. In April, I got back into it, but since I hadn’t yet been successful for a whole month eating veggie three days a week, I started there again. Now, in the fifth month of the year, I am vegetarian four days a week.
It’s not too tricky most days, but because of my autoimmune disease, I’ve been advised to cut dairy and gluten from the diet, too. That complicates things a bit more, especially since I’m a shitty chef, but I’m managing.
This vegan pad thai with Brussels sprouts didn’t turn out half bad (Side note: I was today years old when I learned it’s Brussels with an s at the end).
Wednesday
I do not know why Steve and I agreed to this, but I’m glad we did. Neither of us really knew what we were in for, but it turns out we were in for pure comedic gold when we logged on to this Zoom Azzarito family reunion.
My mom and I were playing a drinking game with it (every time someone complains about Uncle Loui or the weather…), and my mom was pretty toasted pretty quickly.
Then there was my aunt, who had ZERO idea how to work technology and leaned into the camera every time she spoke, leaving us only a glimpse of her forehead.
At one point Steven (WHO SHOULD HAVE KNOWN BETTER) thought he’d muted himself when he spoke to Katrina, who was off screen. I rapidly punched out a text to warn him that we could hear him talking about us, but the dumbass didn’t look at it in time (Luckily he didn’t say anything super embarrassing).
Thursday
Discovered this gianormous colony of ants on our walk. It actually looked like a bunch of spilled sprinkles until you noticed it seemed to be vibrating, then leaned in close to watch thousands of ants crawling on top of each other. Brian said he’d never seen so many.
Friday
I sat out here after a rough week and crafted a very long email to Dr. Erion. I typed away while enjoying the 64 degree evening temperatures and listening to the sounds of a family’s party from the other street over and the sounds of water dripping off everything that had gotten soaked during the thunderstorm. Sammy joined me as soon as I sat down and his steady presence comforted me. I finally felt at peace after a turbulent week with work and life.
Saturday
My parents popped over to do some yard work and then we went for a walk. Masks at the ready and keeping approximately six feet between us (well, it was more like four) as we walked, we wound our way around the golf course. I was worried about my mom’s knee, but decided to not pester her with “Are you okay?” and “Do you need to rest?” questions. My family is constantly seeking reassurances from me that I’m okay with my disease and it drives me nuts.
She spotted these and had to point them out to me. They’re called pussyfoots, because they look like the paw of a cat. What a great name for a plant.