Asteroids in the Time of COVID

As if we don't have enough problems during the time of COVID, scientists and the news announced that our planet experienced a near miss from an Asteroid whizzing through Space on Wednesday.

In scientific terms, the near miss was 3.9 million miles (6.3 million kilometers)  away.  To give you some perspective, that is 16 times further than the moon.  That may not seem close to you, but it really was too close for comfort.

The asteroid itself measured 1.5 miles (2 kilometers) wide.  That is no small rock! While everyone was watching that giant rock as it approached our neighborhood,  NASA databases registered five smaller asteroids that came closer to us.  Not to worry they were only the size of a house. 

Let me remind you what happened to the wicked witch of the East when Dorothy's house fell on her.  The only one happy about that was her mean, green sister the wicked witch of the West and only because she wanted the Ruby Red slippers.

Seriously though, the last thing our planet needs right now is to be hit by a space object.  If it hit a populated area, the destruction would be catastrophic at any time but it would be way worse now. People are sheltering in place, hospitals are at surge capacity and the food supply chain is strained all over the world. Imagine what that would do to a world that is trying hard to keep it together. Personally the near miss was a gift.

For those of you who are asteroid watchers like I am, here is a link for the Center of  Near Earth Objects. I did not make up that name, it is part of NASA.

Still Life

I am a big fan of Louise Penny and I love the books she writes in the Three Pines Series.  The characters are quirky and well defined. Still Life is the first book in the Three Pines series and it was great. It is a great murder mystery set in a rural village near Montreal.

Even though I have read many of her books I had never read this one. While you really don't have to read the Three Pines series in order, if you have not read any of this series, start with this one.  It is a great introduction to all her wonderful and terribly flawed characters.  I don't even want to discuss any of them with you. In fact, I don't even want to discuss the book except to say You are introduced to Chief Inspector Gamache the character who shows up in so many of her novels and there is a murder. 



Check out the book Still Life.  It is a good bedtime read. While you are at it you may also want to read A Fatal Grace.

Time traveler from the Past (Lightning)

I admit I am not a big Dean Koontz but I loved this book.  I loved it so much I read it twice and I could probably read it again. Go figure.  I guess my fascination for this book is based on the fact that I really wish that we could go back and forth through time.  Imagine there is moment that you wished you could change.  It may not be a big change, you may just want to tweak an event ever so slightly.  You go back, do your tweaking and voile come back to the present. The other reason for reading it twice, I really liked the story.

There is a problem with this tweaking of time even if it is a small tweak. There are consequences for every action you make no matter how large or how small.  I believe in destiny and I believe you can't change your destiny.  What I do believe is that you can make the path to your destiny better or worse, easier or harder.

This book is all about time travel with specific travel between Hitler's Germany and the US in the 80's.  A man keeps appearing in Laura's life.  He is her guardian angel and he shows up when she needs help.  

It started at her birth. There was a horrible storm and strangely enough a crack of Lightening.The doctor who had been drinking  heavily was warned not to show up at the hospital by this "angel". Laura was delivered by another doctor.  Her birth was a normal one.  It would not have been had the original doctor shown up. 

Even with a guardian angel her life was hard.  So many things happened to her but because of this time traveler the road she traveled was much different than had she been left to travel it with no intervention. The question is were the changes made by the intervention good or bad?

 Check out the book Lightning

Exercising in the time of COVID

I am very surprised that I am working out more during this COVID pandemic than before.  I think the reason is because if I sit at my desk at home for too long I feel like I am going nuts so I get up and do steps. Also I just recently started wearing a Fit bit and since I am a competitive person by nature, I am constantly trying to up my game. 

For example, I have my Fit bit set to remind me to do a minimum of 250 steps between the hours of 7 to 3.  But now I feel compelled to get up early and do 1,000 steps before 7 am.  It makes me feel so much more awake.  Then during the day I try to do more than 250 steps per hour.  It is really hard when I am in meetings so if I can't do the steps in one hour I try to catch up in the next.

It's funny, I really thought I would hate having a watch that told me what to do so I resisted wearing it.  But now I can't live without it.  The first thing I do in the morning is put it on. I don't go anywhere without it and I make sure it is always charged.

  
But to add a little levity in today's times, I stumbled on this work out video that is a riot.  The instructor starts out saying that she wears a head band because she hasn't washed her hair in 11 days and the headband if worn tight enough acts like a face lift. Click on the link working out below and enjoy.  Maybe if you have all her equipment you can work out with her.

A new perspective on  Working out during the Covid Epidemic.

Baking in the Time of COVID - Easy Banana cake

Ordinarily, I do not bake.  Not because I don't like to but because I can do without the calories. Desperate times call for desperate measures.   Today I happened to notice that on my kitchen counter there were several really ripe bananas.  Rather than waste them I decided to make Easy Banana Cake .(click on the link for the recipe).  I decided instead of my Saturday night cocktail I would have a small piece of cake.

I chose this recipe because it starts with a cake mix.  I love when a recipe incorporates a cake mix.  A cake made out of the box can be pretty boring but if you add some fresh ingredients from your pantry or fridge it really makes the flavors pop.  I also always have cake mixes in the pantry since I use to make so many cupcakes when my daughter was growing up. Old habits of picking up a cake mix when I am at the grocery store are hard to break.  

This cake was so easy to make and so delicious to eat.  I did however, make a few changes to the frosting.  Instead of folding the whipped topping with the pudding, I poked some holes into the cake and poured the pudding on the cake. That allowed the pudding to sink into the cake. I also used vanilla pudding.  Then when I served the cake I put a dollop of whipped topping on it.  The cake is moist and the pudding makes it creamy.  The banana flavor works well with the White Cake Mix.  Whether you serve this to your guests or your family, I don't think anyone will be disappointed.

Since this technically is a Blog focusing on books, if you are interested in a collection of recipes that use a cake mix, click on the Cake Doctor below to learn more about the book.  I own it, I love it.

Let me know if you like the cake.

                                                                                          

Ed Sheeran And Andrea Bocelli Sing Perfect

I was chatting with my daughter and I asked her opinion about my blog.  I value her opinion.  Anyway she said something that I found shocking. She said "Mom not everyone likes to read"  I gasped. But once I had collected myself I realize she is right.  So I decided every now and then I would share things other than what I am reading, that help me fill my hours as I stay confined to my house during the COVID confinement.  


Music like reading takes you to a whole different area of consciousness.  Reading soothes the mind and music soothes the soul. I love music and I love to sing.  Sadly I can't carry a tune so I save my singing when no one is around.

I am a big Ed Sheeran fan.  I am also a big Andrea Bocelli fan.  Not sure if you ever heard Andrea sing The Prayer with Celine Dion but it is magical.  It is not surprising that Celine and Andrea would team up to sing but Ed Sheeran and Andrea came as a surprise to me. It's a good surprise.

I love the song Perfect by Ed Sheeran.  When the song first came out I listened to it everyday, sometimes several times a day.  That is why I want to share this you tube video of Ed Sheeran and Andrea Bocelli singing Perfect together.  


Listen and leave your comments.

The Dinner List

Imagine getting the chance to sit down and having dinner with 5 people.  They can be living or they could have passed away.  It doesn't matter.  You get to choose the guest list.  Who would you choose. That was the game Sabrina and her friend would play and then it happened.  It was her Birthday Dinner and her choices were all there. It was an interesting group of people that led to a lot of discussion and at times a lot of tension.

Who would I want to sit down and have dinner with if their were no constraints?

This is a harder question than you may think. The people would need to be chosen wisely.  Would you want to have people that were important to you but would complement each other well.  Or would you care about about whether or not they got along jut as long as you could spend time with them.  For me it would be all about the time spent with people I wanted to be with.  I wouldn't care if they got along amongst themselves although I know that would. After all it is all about me and who I wanted at the dinner. 

My mix would probably include two family members, a politician and a celebrity or two. For my first family member it would be my Mom. Mom was my cheerleader and made me believe I could do whatever I wanted to do. She passed away 3 1/2 years ago and I would love to have one more dinner with her.

My choice for politician would be former President Obama.  He is smart and has a good sense of humor. Qualities that are both refreshing and seemingly rare in modern politicians at least the smart part.

My celebrity hands down, Hugh Jackman.  He too seems to have a good sense of humor.  He is in movies and the theater making him well rounded and talented.  But most important he seems like a genuinely nice guy.

I would pick my grandfather who was my entire world when I was growing up and died before I could really get to know him as I grew older.

To round out my five choices I  would pick Meryl Streep although Tom Hanks is a very close second.  I choose her because she is an amazing actress who seems very personable and I would love to meet her.

Interestingly enough in today's world we could use Zoom to have the dinner but in this case in person would definitely be the way to go.  Seeing people no longer on earth would creep me out if I was on Zoom.  Besides which I want to be able to give everyone a physical hug.

It would be interesting to hear who you would choose.  Let me know.  But read the book and see what you think.

The Cellist of Sarajevo

I read an article on "What will the New Normal Look Like?"  My daughter asks me that question almost every time we talk.  She and I were suppose to take a mother daughter trip to France this April but obviously that did not happen.  I was heartsick as I cancelled all our reservations.  

We spoke optimistically.  Of course we would reschedule. October was our goal, after all that was six whole months away.  Sadly that is not happening either.  At this point we are hoping to go next April in 2021.

According to this article that I read,  the new normal will  be filled with anxiety similar to PTSD.  He was from Sarajevo and lived through the war there. The war in Sarajevo started in April of 1992 and would continue until February 29, 1996.  Sources estimate that 10,000 people were killed and 6,000 were wounded.  The city was bombarded with an average of 329 shells per day. 

He recalls navigating down this one street where snipers were stationed and would randomly pick people and shoot them.  He took to avoiding walking down that street and continued to avoid it long after the war was over.  


In my state, as of today, there are 14,193 confirmed cases.  My county is a hot spot with 3,060 cases confirmed.  There have been 584 deaths. In the United States, there have been over 855,000 confirmed cases and 48,000 deaths.  

My new normal is going to be extremely different then my old normal.  We will continue to be facing a silent killer for a long time.  Experts say this cycle may last two years with an uptick during flu season in the Fall. I am not sure I will be able to go to theaters and restaurants for a while. Or maybe if I go it will be in off peak times so there are no crowds.  I know I will not be going to concerts any time soon.  I probably will be wearing gloves in public places and if I do end up in a crowded place I will wear a face mask.

I will be happy to see friends and family but maybe the gatherings will be smaller. Will I hesitate to hug people?  I don't know.

I read the The Cellist of Sarajevo some time ago but I thought I would re-read it. It is a haunting story that portrays what life was like in Sarajevo during their war.  People lived in fear of crossing streets and being gunned down by a sniper.  Others waiting in line for bread were killed by bombs being aimed at them while they waited. 

A Cellist watched twenty two of his fellow neighbors killed right under his window.  On that day he decided to play his cello in that exact spot for twenty two days, one day for each of the deaths.  He became a symbol of life as it had been and hope that it would once again go back to being normal. 

We saw something similar to  this in Italy where COVID swooped into towns with great fury.  People could not leave their houses because the enemy, this virus made them sick with many not recovering.  However,  many of these folks would go out on their balcony each evening and sing together.  They couldn't be near their neighbors physically but through music they stayed connected and hoped that things would return to normal.  

This not a new book.  In fact, many of you have probably read the book but if you haven't read it you should.

Cooking in the Time of COVID (with Geoffrey Zakarian)

I have never cooked so much in my life.  Ordinarily, I cook dinner every night leaving breakfast and lunch in the hands of my family members to survive on their own. They make their own lunch or buy it at work.  With the exception of weekends, breakfast has always been a toast and coffee type of meal to be eaten while running out the door.

Things are different now.  We are home, eat all our meals here and no one is running out the door.  If I don't have to be in my office, my commute time drops from 45 minutes to less then one. I have time to indulge in scrambled eggs or if I think ahead, a crust less quiche.  

Since I have lots of leftovers, I have to be more creative in re-purposing them.  My well stocked pantry has come to my rescue.  My husband always teases me because my pantry is well, jammed.  If you are like me and like to cook you don't want to be planning on making something and go to your pantry expecting that it's there only to find out it isn't.  So I always am replenishing the pantry. Since I shop less now my pantry is even more important and these days it is not as full.

That is why I was fascinated by the book My Perfect Pantry by Chef Geoffrey Zakarian. It is a good guide.  In all honesty, I had never heard of him before, but I watch In the Kitchen with David on QVC and he has been on a lot lately.  

Zackarian has a list of 50 items that are must haves. Two items are flour and sugar. These two items fly off the shelf these days since it seems more people have time to bake, myself included. I use to just stock all purpose flour but not anymore. I have regular flour, wheat flour, and King Arthur's flour.  King Arthur's flour, by the way, makes the best pizza dough.  As for sugar, I have white, brown and confectionery sugar. Pretty typical I think.

Since I have a fairly good supply of flour I will be experimenting with quick breads.  I will let you know if I find a recipe for something other than banana bread.  I made that last week when I used up the over ripe bananas but now I am looking for an adventure.  I will keep you posted. 

I also maintain several types of marinades so when I found a large packet of thighs I went to my pantry and pulled out a great marinade and B-B-Q sauce another must have in your pantry.  My B-B-Q sauce preference is Sweet Baby Rays. I always have several bottles on hand.  I have enough cooked chicken in my freezer for awhile and each meal will taste different.

Of course he has a list of essential seasonings as well.  I don't have all his recommended seasonings because I don't cook all the dishes in his book but I do have most. I love experimenting with seasonings, it brings out my creative side.  

It would be interesting to hear what is in your pantry and if you have changed your cooking habits during these unusual times.  Please share.

Take a look at his book and see what you think.

Thank Goodness for the Earl of Sandwich (Sandwiches have become a Staple in the time of COVID)

I want to thank John Montague the 4th Earl of Sandwich. Yes he had a gambling issue, but it is because of this issue that the sandwich was born.  He hated getting up from his gaming table so he asked to have something he could eat with his hands while he played and the sandwich was born. The great thing about sandwiches is there are no rules for making them.  You are the master of your creation. 

My wine club,  The Wine Women of West Virginia  has at least one meeting at a cabin in West Virginia.  It is not almost heaven, it is heaven.  Most of the ladies are amazing cooks so hiking, reading, eating and drinking are the main activities while we are there. Did I mention eating, yes I did. We do a little crafting as well.  One of amazing women prepared a brie and pear sandwich. It is an adult grilled cheese and it is simply divine. 

The secret is the bread.  You need to use a good quality whole grain bread. Wegman's and Safeway or Giant bake their whole grain breads right in the store so try one of theirs if you live close by. Even during the COVID pandemic this bread can be found in the stores. The only thing I added to this wonderful sandwich is craisins.  I think it adds a nice touch.  Maybe next time I will put craisins and walnuts.  Again no rules.

I have loved sandwiches my entire life. Growing up it was what was in your lunch box or brown bag. The microwave was not available in the cafeteria and it was too much work for me to make a salad.  My Mom made sure that both my brother and I learned to make our own lunches. Sandwiches were a quick and easy thing to make.  After all anything tastes great between two pieces of bread.

I remember one of my favorite sandwiches was a grilled cheese sandwich that could be purchased in the cafeteria in my elementary school.  They didn't actually grill the sandwich it was baked but it was so good.  In High School I was always watching my weight and my go to sandwich was iceberg lettuce on wonder bread.  It doesn't sound all that great now but it worked in High School. The best part was that it was about 160 calories.

When I found this book I was intrigued.  I mean three hundred sandwiches is a lot of sandwiches. It sure beats eating peanut butter and jelly everyday.  You peanut butter and jelly fans stop yelling at me.  I know a lot of ways to juzz up that particular favorite.  I just think there is more to life than a PB and J.

There are some good options in the book.  Some are your standards but others make you think hmm that's an interesting combination. If you need ideas you may want to check out this book.

When you are Confined Any Place can Seem Like a Prison (A Gentleman in Moscow)

I read this A Gentleman in Moscow just before the COVID-19 pandemic began.  It is a great book by the way.  A Count is sentenced to house arrest by the Bolsheviks. His home is the Metropol hotel, a luxury hotel across the street from the Kremlin. 

He has lived there in a beautiful suite and since he is a man of wealth he has never had to  work a day in his life.  He is physically removed from the suite  and moved to an attic room along with furniture and his few treasures. If he leaves the hotel he will be arrested and sent to prison.

Initially I thought that he was lucky not to be sent to a Bolshevik prison.  Surely it would be hell for a man like him.  But as I read the book, I realized being locked up anywhere no matter the surroundings is a prison of sorts.  He faced many challenges and needed to re-engineer his way of life.  He survived, sometimes in his head just barely but the human spirit is amazing. He made adjustments in his thinking and moved on.

Living during a Pandemic certainly has presented all of us with challenges.  The State I live in is virtually shut down.  I have no complaints with the Governor making that call. It's a good call.  It is a smart call. Everyday the number of confirmed cases has increased.  They say we are in the peak weeks now.  I hope they are correct.

My company has provided me with a letter stating I am essential personnel. So when I go to my office and If I were to be stopped I would need to present the letter so that I am not fined $5,000.  I feel like I did when my husband was stationed in Germany in the 80's and we were told to carry our passport with us at all times even though we technically lived in a suburb of Germany on the economy not on the base. When we went to the commissary our car was inspected for bombs. If we went to East Berlin(Yes there was still East Berlin) we needed papers. This way of life was so different from the life of coming and going I experienced living in New York.  That was nothing compared to living now.

When I am in my office I wear protective gear.  Social distancing is definitely the way to go but it is still very hard working with an end user and trying to teach them how to use software or a device from six feet away.  I can only imagine the difficulties of treating patients.   When I am not working in a facility, I work in a data center.  It is fairly large so to get moving I walk the building several times a day.  Believe me I am not complaining, I am adjusting just like the Count did.  But the "New Normal" sure is different.

The rest of my time is spent working at home.  Just like the Count we do not leave the house.  I live in a really great house but when you are there, knowing you can't go anywhere it is a little mind blowing.  This has been going on since March, not that long really.  While I feel extremely confined, i am also very fortunate.  Even though my hours have been reduced, I am still working.  So far we are COVID free.  Two very big things to be thankful for and there is light at the end of the tunnel.  I have to believe this will not be forever.

Please share any of your thoughts and if you have read the book, Let me know.

Reading In the time of COVID

A Pandemic.  I work in end user technology for a Health Organization. For years we have been discussing the different scenarios and trying to plan.  Sadly that day has come.  From an IT perspective this is an interesting and challenging journey.  Requirements literally change in five minutes. Wow carts (work stations on wheels are being specially configured not only to provide information to our amazing staff but to provide information without spreading the virus. Mobile devices are being used in ways they were never used in a health setting before.  Computers, ipads, androids all need to be configured and deployed rapidly.  

As people in the media like to say we are living in a "New Normal".  I am curious to know after this whole pandemic dies down and I know it will, how much of the old normal will return to us.

I work on site and remotely.  To unwind from the stress of the day, I have been reading non stop and as the picture shows, drinking a glass of wine know and then.


Check out my posts to see if any books look interesting. Click on the book to order from Amazon or sign up for overdrive on your library website.