I think I hit another round of pandemic fatigue in the last few weeks. Thank goodness the election is finally over (and democracy won!) but our infantile current president and his temper tantrum on the way out are wearing my last nerve. I also had two close family members test positive for COVID in early November, and several others were exposed and had to quarantine. Worrying like that really takes a physical toll on you! Somehow I am simultaneously exhausted AND waking up in the 4am hour unable to fall back asleep. It’s really something.
But! There is good news this week. Two COVID vaccines are looking promising, and I think Dolly Parton is saving the world. So just for funsies, let’s do a Dolly-themed “good stuff this week”, shall we?
Watching: I confess that I have never seen 9-to-5. It came out when I was a baby and watching old movies isn’t really my thing. In honor of Dolly - I’m going to finally watch it.
Listening: As Brene Brown would say… buckle up. You know I’m a podcast addict and there have been some doozies about Dolly.
Dolly Parton’s America - yes, it’s an 8-part series. Yes, it’s 100% worth it.
Unlocking Us with Brené Brown, Dolly Parton on Songtelling, Empathy and Shining Our Lights
On a non-Dolly note, this episode is also worth a listen - Mommy Juice Culture and the Sober Mom Squad. I am fortunate not to have alcoholism in my family, but I can certainly relate to the sentiment of turning to alcohol more often than I was comfortable with during the early days of the pandemic. I recently did a health challenge where one of the “rules” was no alcohol and honestly, I’ve never felt better. I’m not sure I’ll cut out alcohol completely but it taught me that I’m just as happy reaching for a fizzy can of seltzer water or a bottle of kombucha as cracking open a beer on a Friday evening.
Book going on my Christmas wishlist: Songteller, by Dolly Parton
Cooking: Ugh, I feel like I’m in a major cooking rut right now. Thank goodness for those good old “keeper” recipes that I know my family will eat. Kelly Gordon’s Salsa Chicken Tacos is definitely one of those. She has recently revamped her website and all her recipes are so good!
Making: Still knitting socks… very slowly.
Doing: Does obsessively checking my county’s COVID numbers count? 😖
Planning: A Thanksgiving menu since I’m cooking for the first time in very long time. My husband has begrudgingly volunteered to smoke the turkey, so that should be good!
Normally I go to my grandma’s house and have Thanksgiving with about 10 aunts and uncles and 20-30 cousins. (No exaggeration! My family is bonkers.) Sadly this year we aren’t able to gather in person to protect each other from the spread of COVID. I know you know this, but if you’re planning an in-person gathering, especially with people you aren’t already seeing regularly or who are from out-of-town… listen to the nurses and please reconsider.
To end on a hopeful note, I’m going to send you to another newsletter. This issue of The White Pages, titled “What if we made this the new first Thanksgiving? ‘Different’ isn't a punishment. ‘Different’ is an opportunity.” is really delightful at reframing the whole crappy situation.
Thanks for reading, and hang in there, friends.