Here we are at the end of the 1st of our forced “lock down”. All and all it has not been too bad so far. I know it is very difficult to not to be able to see friends and family during this time. We can still go out for a walk to get some fresh air and exercise. A friend of ours was quarantined in her 375 sq. ft cabin with her husband who has Alzheimer’s while on a cruise ship for 9 days. She said the walls got closer and closer each day. They were lucky, only one person became ill, while on their 60-day cruise.
We should be particularly thankful for all those First-Responders, Nurses, Doctors and Scientists who have put themselves at risk to help us.
To put things in perspective for those of us who are feeling a bit stir crazy already. Remember Anne Frank lived for 761 days with 7 other people in an apartment in Amsterdam during WWII. If you have been to the museum you will remember how small it was, the other thing to remember they were being hunted by people who wanted to kill them.
We are all concerned about friends and family, we know personally of two situations we are concerned about. A friend’s son had covid19 and is very ill. Second instance is our grandson who is an EMT in a small town in Idaho, he and his team transported an individual who had covid19 for 50 miles. They were unaware of the patient having the disease. He is a strong healthy 25-year-old so we assume he will be fine. He is currently enjoying his quarantine but is anxious to get back to work.
Traveling Neighbors (NON)
I know lots of travel plans have been altered because of the virus. Several of us had international travel plans which have been cancelled or delayed indefinitely We hope we will all be able to reschedule and go on traveling again soon.
April Birthdays
Bob Terry and Laurie Otnes both have birthdays this month.
Book club met at Linda W’s home, we discussed Raven Stole the Moon by Garth Stein, even though it wasn’t one of our favorites we still had a good discussion.
I’m not sure what is going to happen around our April book club. There has been talk of having book club via Zoom. I for one have no idea how this would be done but I’m sure we can figure it out. The book for the month is Forty Autumns by Nina Wellner. It is an interesting book–I enjoyed it a lot. If we are unable to get together to discuss it, I still urge you to read it anyway.
Speaking of good books, Jerry and I have been reading a book by Erik Larson, The Splendid and The Vile, A Saga of Churchill. A story of Churchill during the Blitz of London. I’m sure if you like history you would really enjoy it. I noticed in the Sunday paper that it is on the Best Seller list.
If anyone has been reading a good book while we have been in “lock down” please share.
Soup Du Jour
Chicken Noodle Soup
A good bowl of chicken noodle is the epitome of comfort food which I’m sure what all of us need.
Melt
2 Tbsp each unsalted butter and olive oil
Add
1 lb. boneless, skinless chicken breast, cubed, seasoned with salt and pepper
2 C thick-sliced celery
1 ½ Cups each diced onions and thick sliced carrots
1 T minced fresh garlic
1 T dried fines herbs
1 fresh bay leaf
Stir in
1/3 c all-purpose flour
½ cup dry vermouth
8 cups low-sodium chicken broth
Add
6 oz dry fusilli pasta
¼ C chopped fresh parsley
Salt and pepper to taste
Melt
butter with oil in a large pot over medium-high heat
Add
Chicken and cook until browned, 6-7 minutes; transfer to a plate and reduce heat to medium. Add celery, onions, carrots, garlic, fines herbs, and bay leaf; sweat partially covered, stirring occasionally, until vegetables soften, 10 minutes.
Stir in
Flour cook 1-2 minutes then stir in vermouth and cook until evaporated. Stir in broth and bring to a boil over medium-high heat. Reduce heat to medium and simmer soup until thickened, 5 minutes.
Add
Fusilli and cook; until al dente, 10-15 minutes. Stir in parsley and chicken, season soup with salt and pepper.
Recipe from Cuisine at Home
Serves 6
Tips Du Jour
I know all of us are worried about germs during this time. Here are a couple of tips…
- To make a solution that will sterilize areas such as counter tops.
Mix 1 cup of Rubbing Alcohol with 1 cup of water and 1 T. white vinegar. - Sanitize your sink.
Studies have found that the kitchen sink is crawling with even more bacteria than the garbage bin (the drain alone typically harbors 18,000 bacteria per square inch). The faucet handle, which can handle which can reintroduce bacteria to your hands after you’ve washed them is close second. (This is one of the reasons why Jerry and I love our touchless kitchen faucet.) Though hot, soapy water is amazingly effective at eliminating bacteria, for added insurance, clean these areas frequently with a solution of 1 T. bleach per quart of water (the bleach will also kill of some of those microbes in the drain.) - Lastly those nasty sponges
Whenever possible use a paper towel or a clean dishcloth instead of a sponge to wipe up. If you do use a sponge, disinfect it often. Lab results showed that microwaving and boiling were the most effective, but since sponges can burn in a high-powered microwave, we recommend boiling them for 5 minutes.
One of Jerry’s and my long-standing TV venues has been Acorn TV. It has mostly British and other foreign movies, documentaries and other forms of entertainment. Some of our favorites
- Vera
- Miss Fisher
- Doc Martin
- Martin Clunes Islands of America
- Midsomer Murders
- No Tears
- The Yorkshire Vet
- Lords and Ladles-a great cooking show
Right now, Acorn has a free 30-day trial
Go to www.acorn.tv I think you have to enter this code Free30. I hope this works. Jerry adds that you will have to have a ROKU device or watch it on your computer.
FYI
While Edy and I were on our walk recently a gentleman on his bike stopped us after he noted us coming out of our building. He has been looking for a condo in our neighbor for about a year. He has been admiring our building for some time. His name is Thomas Waite, he is a retired attorney. He is looking for a 2 bedroom, maybe 3 bedrooms if possible. I have his business card if anyone is interested.
Neighborhood support
Don’t forget to go to our local café’s and restaurants, i.e. Hill’s and Streetzeria or your favorite in the neighborhood. It is important we support these places during this tough time, we want them to be here when it is all over.
So, in closing everyone take care, follow the rules. I’m sure you, as am I, are tired of cleaning out cupboards and organizing–never been one of my favorite things to do. Now I feel like there will be a inspection of our personal spaces to see if we have been using out time in “lock down” wisely. I miss all of you, tired of feeling like folks are afraid of me and will be happy to get back to “normal”.
Finally has anyone found a good online hair cutting video yet?? Desperate times call for desperate measures. Thank goodness Jerry doesn’t have much hair, on the other hand mine grows like a weed.