Dear Readers,
Enough of you wrote back that you wouldn't mind me writing to you more frequently these days as we are all stuck at home, trying to make the best of these challenging times, so here goes. If you do mind, just click delete, please!
I'm writing from my new high desk by the window of our bedroom, see my view above. Setting up this work space probably wouldn't have happened without this pandemic and all five of us having to work out of this house. I used to be quite comfortable on the couch with my laptop but that is simply not conducive to long-term office work. I always loved bar-height
tables, especially in a window, so now I am thrilled to have my own. Then I thought I'd perfect this Zen setting:
I bought succulents from Lula's Garden. They deliver them to your doorstop, potted and ready to grace whatever spot you give them. I got a three, so my two plant-loving kids get their own Zen, too. I know from past experience that succulents are the only plants
that will survive in this house once it returns to be our on-again-off-again retreat, when regular plant watering won't happen.
Thankfully my view is of a forest and not out a barred window, but I just had an essay published in Tablet last week on the rather taboo subject of prison. I wrote it in consideration of Passover's celebration of freedom. Never could I have imagined that this topic would be so fitting for these times of social distancing and
confinement:
DIY if you can't shop or can't find what you're looking for at the store!
My exposure to prison life came about because I began writing to a friend in prison. Obviously writing is my thing but anybody can send a note card to someone else. I believe that during these times it is a particularly delightful thing to find real mail in your mailbox. It's something you can hold in your hand, proof that someone took the trouble to write a physical card that you can prop up somewhere in your home and be reminded that someone
cares about you.
So send some cards. I just cut out a bunch of print-yourself Passover cards as I couldn't find any at our local Walgreens (in the
countryside of Indiana, I don't blame them!). I feel bad that I can't invite our usual guests to our Seder, so I figured a little tangible card in their mailbox will spread at least bit of good cheer.
I'm mailing mine in plain white business envelopes--I'm sure the recipients won't care that I don't have right-sized envelopes. Furthermore, as I was wielding my scissors, I was reminded how much I loved cutting things out as a child. Making these cards was "funner" (as my kids used to say) than I had expected. Maybe I should do more of that?
As Passover is around the corner, I want to remind you of my recipe for Hazelnut Torte. It is trivially easy to make and works for just about any occasion (as long as no one has nut allergies, of course). You don't need fancy ingredients for it,
something that I especially appreciate these days when I am dependent on local supermarkets. For this recipe, walnuts or almonds will work just as well; the torte will simply have a slightly different taste.
I will leave you at that as I need to rummage through my kitchen to see what else I might need for all my Passover cooking, which will commence tomorrow. One benefit, as I noted at the beginning of this letter, is that we are totally outfitting this house! We never thought we'd celebrate Passover here!
Be well, stay well, and feel free to write back and let me know how you're holding up.
And please have a Happy Passover or Easter, despite, or particularly because of, it all!
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