Hi! Welcome Back To Big Sigh🤸♀️
I don’t know what came over me but my vlogger high faded and I feel as sappy as a maple. I’ve been doing a whole lot of reflecting on the fact that it’s been almost one full year living in COVID times. It makes me feel like I’m wearing an itchy sweater that’s two sizes too small, or like I’m perpetually on the edge of a sneeze. The stagnancy has been truly terrible and I have a feeling that the days/weeks surrounding March 13th 2021 are going to be difficult ones, so stock up on the self care materials now, people. Warm bevs, nice smells, expensive cheese, fancy paints, focaccia from C&B, etc, etc.
While this has undoubtedly been a difficult year for everyone, I’ve found comfort in the ways I’ve redirected much of that pent up energy (on days where that was possible and I didn’t descend into some sort of anxiety spiral/depressive episode). So, I made a list of all the things the pandemic allowed me to do that I feel grateful for. Which I present to you now, with visual aids.
Undeniably sweet moments this dumpster fire of a year allowed me to live:
Examining wildlife
Realizing that the view from my childhood bedroom is somewhat cinematic
Must have been too busy growing up to notice
My first New York Times mention
Working in an office would have never allowed this milestone to happen. Thank god for my lack of self control!!!
Meeting the family next door
Every day over the summer at 8pm a family from the building next door came onto our shared roof, and so did I. They’d set up a blanket, play games, and blow bubbles. I’d read a book and have a drink (or make TikToks). We’d wave at each other enthusiastically, an air shaft away. Their youngest kid made 8pm a time to look forward to.
Happening upon a ramp colony
It made for a very savory spring.
Perfecting pantry pasta
I cannot start a fire, catch a fish, or forage for wild herbs. What I can do, is make an outstanding pasta out of literally anything in the pantry with the stipulation that there is, in fact, pasta in the pantry. Remarkable.
Reading TikTok comments and experiencing a state of simultaneous joy and fear
Getting to know my parents as people, not parents
They’re pretty cool! Who would have thought!
Visiting loads of places I hadn’t been since childhood
IYKYK
Cooking loads of dishes I hadn’t eaten since childhood
Pictured here, the Moosewood’s Spinach Ricotta Pie, with nettles instead of spinach. Haha ow.
Cooking loads of dishes with friends & neighbors bounty
This year everyone started growing herbs and squash and tomatoes and making bread and kimchi and chili garlic sauce and sharing them AHH. Thank you for the nasturtiums, Susan!!!
Meeting an old Russian Lyft driver who took me to 175th in heavy traffic the day before Xmas Eve and used the hour to explain the reign of Genghis Kahn in great detail. Plus, my driver from last week Víctor El Dragon Jr who spent the majority of the time talking about how much he loved his daughter
Organizing Taste Buds
A traveling supper club of sorts, that meets every week across the five boroughs. Back in action soon-ish.
Long walks alone, again and again
And finally, this here letter of news
Thank you so much for subscribing and reading and sharing, truly! I’m still ironing out the kinks, and will keep you updated as I settle into a good day of the week for sends in a new chapter abroad 🌬
💘💖P.S. CALLING ALL QUARANTINE LOVERS💖💘
Have a COVID crush? Distanced darling? Dating app mishap? Lonely love story? I want to hear about it! And YES I am watching Sex and The City all the way through for the very first time. And YES it’s extremely problematic. And YES despite that I’m still a little inspired.