here i am. life in the time of the coronavirus pandemic. i’ve unapologetically fallen into a deep state of peace. these are good days for me. i’m aware that for others they are fraught with struggle, worries, and difficulty on so many levels. life surges onward. here is my hit-or-miss account of week 10.
more and more people are wearing masks these days in los angeles. they’re required indoors and any place where you might come in close contact with others. i’m all for this idea as it seems logical that it reduces spread of the virus.
i expect i’ll be wearing one all day long in the fall when some semblance of in-person school starts back. at this point no one knows what that will look like. time will tell. while i wait to find out what the future holds, i’m immersed in these days, mostly at home.
i’ve been making lemon marmalade since some friends left an enormous bag of lemons on my gate. the first batch i chopped by hand, the second i pulsed in the food processer. the food processor method resulted in a creamy, tart, lemony marmalade without large chunks. vastly superior to batch no. 1. this is my method:
- juice lemons and deseed. set aside juice
- pulse rind and flesh in food processor.
- soak chopped bits in water for 12-24 hours changing the water periodically and replacing with fresh (i use a mesh strainer for this). this cuts down on the bitterness from the rind/pith
- put strained rind, flesh, and lemon juice in pot, add sugar (2-4 cups depending on amount of lemons), few shakes of salt, bring to a boil, reduce heat, cook for 30 minutes.
- ladle into jars, store in fridge
- the IG video shows me making the first batch with the chopped method.
i’ve begun to have social distancing art time with 1 or 2 people OUTDOORS on patios and porches. there is plenty of moving air and sunshine. the top photo was not one of those times.
this contradicts my sentiments from the last post where i eschewed such contact until there was a vaccine. my thoughts evolve as time passes. i feel safe outdoors and the growing consensus among “the experts” is that maintaining social distance outdoors seems to be a low-risk behavior.
as our cities, states, and countries reopen we’ll all be navigating cautiously. testing the waters. figuring out ways in which we can and cannot live. i like to think that common sense will prevail.
the natural world continues to astonish.
i’ve spent some time at the beach this month. social distancing as i do here, but there. where i can walk the empty beaches at dawn, take walks at the salt marsh in between online meetings with my students.
mostly i am at home. heading out early for walks in the chill of morning.
i’ve walked nearly every day since late march. pam, my sisters, and i give each other daily mileage, heart rate, and exercise ring reports. as i mentioned in a previous post, i’m in training for longer walking expeditions in england. like these only shorter!
i’m scouring youtube for some good cornwall channels so if you have some recommendations please post in the comments.
i’ve been sitting by the windows and reading or zooming.
watching my garden.
painting and pressing wildflowers.
and always keeping my journal by my side.
i’ve just begun joining in the 8 pm “party” on the porch. i take my old harmonica out and join in the whistles, clanging, tuba, horns, and calls. sending out my harmonic sound waves into the community.
if you’re an essential worker, i thank you. from the very bottom of my heart. THANK YOU.
let me know how you’re doing. what you’re making, reading, watching.
on my bookshelf
i finished WRITERS & LOVERS. a well-written, good read. just started THE BEES.
