Things I did today instead of Doom Scrolling

​Things I did today instead of Doom Scrolling 

1. Finish NYT crossword puzzle
2. Made a liquor store run with Sean in Tampa for favorites we can’t find in Lakeland. 
3. Saw the film Rebecca in a restored old theater
4. Started to make banana bread but realized I threw out all the baking soda when moving
5. Took a mediocre photo of a very cool full moon 
6. Half-watched the Grammies.

What made you happy this week

​Peter presenting at a humanities conference. 

Meanwhile, this past week, our brilliant scholar Peter presented a paper at a humanities conference at his university. His paper was   about a recent novella called The Ballad of Black Tom (inspired by  HP Lovecraft‘s story “The Horror at Red Hook”). 

He was informed about this conference in December less than a week before the deadline to submit a paper, so he wrote it on a tight deadline (which honestly sometimes is easier). All three of his literature professors last semester praised him and built his confidence. One of them encouraged Peter to submit something. Then one of the other professors turned out to be the moderator — she said she volunteered for this panel BECAUSE Peter was a presenter. Also, *whew*, it helped his nerves that he knew the moderator. Also, he glowed at her praise. 

Peter’s ability to analyze and then explain his analysis of literature is astounding. (His professors keep telling him that he’s coming up with perspectives they hadn’t thought of.) After the three person presentation, two people asked Peter questions and he answered clearly and thoughtfully. He got great response. Sean and I were too nervous to ask any questions, plus didn’t want to embarrass him! 

This return to college has been so good for Peter. 

Sean and I are beyond proud of him. He’s overcome so much to get back to college. And now. this pushing his comfort zone boundaries is so new, we’re in awe. 

Anyway, my boy. And yes, he read his presentation off of his phone. He does not like printing things.

February Ins & Outs

​IN:

• Distractingly handsome surgeons 
  
• Wrapping up non-cardiac medical issues
• Board games
  
• Reading
  
• Jigsaw puzzles
• Planning future travel
  
• Taxes
• Romanticizing small acts of love 

OUT

• Hernias
  
• Staying up past midnight 
  
• Store bought cookies
• Unpacked boxes in the house
• Fascism

Chicken & wild rice soup recipes

​recipe 1 

recipe 2 from AllRecipes

How to keep rice from getting mushy in soup

Memories

​Never mind the jobs you had, tell me five classes you took in college:

1. History of the Soviet Union (taken in spring 1989)

2. History of Carnival

3. Metalsmithing

4. Economic History (with Douglass North)

5. Philosophy of Architecture (with William Gass) 

Things I did today instead of Doom Scrolling

​Things I did today instead of Doom Scrolling 

1. Worked a little 
2. Hung up more art 
   
3. Withdrew funds from inherited IRA
   
4. Checked and rechecked all day for funds from closing on our house, and got snippy with incompetent people on the phone  
   
5. Emptied dishwasher 
6. Started a loaf of sourdough bread 
7. Drove on country roads 
   
8. Discussed future events with Nora
   
9. Discussed mother in law’s future with sister in law and daughter 
   
10. Watched Peter give a thoughtful presentation about Lovecraft and other writers 
    
11. Bought croissants 
12. Had pizza at Cappys
    
13. Brought back more stuff from condo to houses
14. Watched a meh Agatha Christie mystery with Sean and snoozed a bit with my head on his lap 
    
15. Read Count of Monte Cristo 
    

Accomplishments today

1. I went through 5 banker boxes, two smaller plastic boxes, and two bags of bathroom stuff. I filled a small trash can. I filled one banker box up with stuff we’re giving away on Sunday. The rest I’ll put away tomorrow or Saturday. I suspect there’s more toiletries somewhere. But this is majority of it. Bathrooms finally unpacked.
   
2. Hung up 5 pieces of art. Brought in most of the art from garage and figured out where it will be hung up.
3. Did not completely meltdown during last final agonizing steps of closing in selling Stonecreek Street. The idiot buyers sent us an extra $1000 for some reason. We wait until morning to see if we get our money or if the whole thing was a scam. Never ever ever doing a closing remotely again. Maybe just never moving again.
4. Guided Peter from afar. Trying to be at peace with his moods. 
5. Let Sean handle his mom’s birthday gift, the new owners at the gate, Peter and buying new shirts. It feels good.