The Mom Weekly Volume 13: October 17, 2023
photo from: George Washington’s Mount Vernon
Something kind of hilarious but also kind of sweet happened when we were at the wedding in Baltimore last weekend.
Friday night, there was an evening gathering for out of town guests at a bar, and Dad & I decided to walk along the water and get dinner somewhere near the venue. It turned out the best place for a quick meal was the bar.
We thought about eating inside, but it was way too loud, and so we grabbed a table outside and ordered sandwiches at a window overlooking the bar section to the outside. We could see into the bar, and people could see out to us at the tables.
Dad & I chatted while we were eating in the hour or so before the gathering started. It was a nice meal and conversation. At one point, we were joking about making a list of things that we would have as “dos” or “don’ts” when you kids get married.
(The next morning, on a walk with my brother and sister-in-law, I was mentioning some of the items. They were super sweet about it, having been through recent weddings of two of their kids, and didn’t tell me what fool’s errands my “ideas” were. I eventually had an “aha” moment and said, “I must sound like to you that young childless person who says, ‘When I have toddlers, here’s how I’m going to parent them so that they never …’ We all laughed so that they could laugh with me, not at me. But I digress).
After we ate, we headed inside for the reception. We thought it was going to be in a private room, but it turns out it was in the bar itself. While it was too loud (adding “relatively quiet rooms for gatherings” to wedding list, just for kicks), it was still a great gathering and such a fun way to see the couple, lots of family, and meet a bunch of family friends.
At one point, I walked up to the bar to get a Diet Coke. While I was waiting, a woman (much younger than me but older than you kids) sitting at a barstool next to me stopped me.
She said, “I hope you don’t think this is creepy, but my friend and I were just watching you and your husband eating dinner out of the window, and we just thought you were so cute and loving to each other. You were like George and Martha Washington!”
That was probably the most interesting “compliment” Dad & I have ever received. I think she must have been thinking about our gray/white hair; I hope not our clothes, which I maintain were pretty solidly in the 21st century.
She and her friend (another woman, a little younger than her) elaborated on it, and said how they were speculating about what we were talking about. “I said that you were probably talking about all the books that you are reading and what you think about them.” They were pretty accurate about the things we typically talk about!
I did thank them, told them they made my evening, and how sweet it was for the two of them to say something. I also said, “Well, I’m glad we weren’t arguing about something! But arguing is okay, too!”
I’m glad that the women discovered us having a friendly conversation, but I also want to normalize that it’s okay to argue, even in public. (Respectfully, of course).
While Dad & I do get along most (some? haha) of the time, we can have a heated discussion sometimes. I would “argue” (pun intended) that even when we do, we could do so in public, because we still treat each other respectfully, just like George & Martha Washington.
Remember how much I love you,
Mom (aka Martha)
Interesting watch/listen:
I have been doing a lot of reading, listening, and watching to news on Israel. I still have a lot of learning to do, to put it mildly.
This interview with former Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice is incisive and informative. She was national security advisor on 9/11, so she offered some insider perspective on security efforts after that terrorism attack and how it might inform response to this crisis. Also, she did explain more of the concept of Israel, and the idea of a two-state solution, but I still have so much learning to do.
It’s a read, not a listen, but this Thomas Friedman op-ed is also helpful. Best quote:
“Welcome to the Middle East. This is not like a border dispute between Norway and Sweden or a heated debate in Harvard Yard. Lord, how I wish that it were, but it’s not.”
Interesting read:
Now that I am recovered from COVID and interested in food again, I had a hankering for hot fudge sauce. I tried this classic one from the New York Times.
Review: It’s not that great. I need to find a better easy recipe for a hot fudge sauce. Any suggestions?
An action item:
Here’s an easy action item, and one I want you to consider incorporating into your life as a regular thing, like brushing your teeth:
Get some sunshine every day, ideally in the morning!
Benefits:
*improved mood and attention
*excellent way to get Vitamin D
*improve sleep
*improves your immune system.
I remember Grandpa Joe actually talking to me about this years ago, and explaining how even 10 minutes outside with your hands and forearms exposed, could be enough to give you the Vitamin D benefits. And it has so many other benefits.
If you’re interested in finding out more, this article from the National Institute of Medicine outlining the history of sunshine “therapies” and why sunshine is so good for humans.
This isn’t the first time you’re hearing it from me, but consider at least doing this on half or more of the days in the coming week. And let me know how it goes…
What are you doing this weekend?
Now that it’s Tuesday, what are you planning for the weekend? I’m going to suggest trying to cover four “F”s to get ideas flowing:
*faith—when are you going to Mass?
*friends—what friends will you see or connect with?
*food—any fun recipes you plan to try, or restaurants you plan to visit?
*fun—anything interesting you are going to play, watch, or do this weekend? Now’s the time to think it through, and put it on the calendar (even informally).