Back at work, mostly

 

 

 

Quarantine’sover! Not that I’m rushing out into the world—or even inviting Christian to thecottage for supper (tonight’s supper was not very good anyway—delicious gravy,but the meat was tough—I got tired of chewing.) Our doctor’s advice was to maskfor five days after quarantine, and I will take that literally. Disinvited thefriend who was to come for happy hour tonight and the one who was coming forsupper tonight.

I‘mhaving trouble sorting out the sleep/wake/work thing. Today I crashed about oneo’clock, too early for my usual nap. I think a rainy day contributed, plus thefact I had cleared the decks for writing—and was maybe intimidated by that. It’sthe old Irma Bomback syndrome—she once wrote she’d rather scrub floor than lookat a blank piece of paper in the typewriter—Irma’s day, of course, predatedcomputers.

I hada good nap, woke up and wrote a thousand words on the Irene-in-progress, nowtitled Irene in a Ghost Kitchen, because the old title, MissingIrene, no longer was appropriate—she was only missing for the firstthousand words at most. I think the ghost kitchen will remain relevant, but younever know—stories have a way of taking on a life of their own, no matter whatthe author plans.

Fortwo nights now, since our stomachs felt better, Jordan and I have been eatingsupper in the cottage together, because it’s the one place we don’t have tomask. What are we going to do? Give covid to each other? Last night was greennoodles (watch for tomorrow’s Gourmet on a Hot Plate column). Tonight she likedthe idea of cube steaks in gravy. I recently cooked cube steaks and got themtender, but not tonight. Will have to keep working on that. I’ve been getting reallygood frozen green beans from Central Market so I pulled those out of the freezer.They had subbed microwave green beans for the ones I usually get, which wasn’thelpful because I don’t have a microwave. I cooked them the old-fashioned way,and they were okay—but uncut and difficult to eat. I am increasingly leery ofany subs made by CM shoppers.

We’vehad slow rain for most of two days—lovely, but it makes me sleepy—and tonightit has just stopped coming down rather steadily. I saw one report of fourinches in our neighborhood—the poster made it sound like a challenge to see ifanyone could beat him. Sophie is made very nervous by the occasional thunderand follows me everywhere. Since we think she has pretty much lost hereyesight, I speak to her, “Now we’re going to the bathroom to brush my teeth,”or “Now we’re going to my desk.” She follows along and camps wherever I am. Herpresence has the advantage of making me follow one piece of advice always givento writers: Putt your butt in the chair and keep it there.

I’mgoing to take a glance at Facebook and go back to bed. Thanks for all the goodwishes. I truly appreciate them.