Captain's Log - March 2021
creative ideas • worries • insights • reflections • thoughts• pep talks • things I’m excited about
CAPTAIN’S LOG | STAR DATE 6168
Monday, March 1, 2021
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CAPTAIN’S LOG | STAR DATE 6167
Tuesday, March 2, 2021
I published my poetry newsletter yesterday and added some much needed polish. I named the collection “Slender Stalk” after the line from the “White Coral Bells” song. I included a proper header and close, included all the poems so there’s no need for links, added a graphic of my favorite line, added a copyright symbol and date to the footer, and really worked hard on the format. I added a little section I still need to work a little which includes a photo of me and my tagline — “I hope you write a poem for someone you love.” I also like the idea of one photo related to the subject of the poem. This one was Snowflake cookies. I need to find some time to create the page itself. I wonder if it would be prettier and easier to just link to the newsletters? And, I am finally ready for Keith to draw a logo for me. I also realize I need a white Life at 240 logo (and I can’t find my doc of logo options). Yikes.
I am delighted that Kallie got high marks on her constitution paper comparing the federal to our state’s. It was a rough few days working through all that, but it gave me so many opportunities to teach her about writing a paper, doing research, etc. I had great fun helping her.
I finally decided to go to the source data and do the math myself since there is so much half-assed information about Covid vaccine effectiveness, risk, etc. So I got the data from the trial at Pfizer and made myself a spreadsheet. Keith and I have a one in 2,500 chance of testing positive for C-19 with one symptom or more. We have a one in 20,000 chance of testing positive and having severe symptoms. We have an almost 0% chance of dying. That’s an amazing performance for a vaccine. Yay!
CAPTAIN’S LOG | STAR DATE 6166
Wednesday, March 3, 2021
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CAPTAIN’S LOG | STAR DATE 6165
Thursday, March 4, 2021
For as much as I have a negative reaction to finance tasks, I love it when I’ve completed our Finance Summit prep. I’m genuinely proud of my good work at being frugal but generous. Yesterday’s was a doozie! I had to do both January and February, having fallen off schedule in order to steal time to get my newsletters launched. I feel happy that I am caught up now and things are looking pretty solid given the ever uncertain markets, economy, etc.
I spent quite a bit of time learning about Squarespace’s new version 7.1 (I have 7.0). I understand the features and drawbacks and read a whole lotta of opinions on whether to switch or not. For me, right now is not the time to move. It seems 7.1 is a bit of a disappointment to a lot of people as many features were lost. I will stick with 7.0 until 7.1 improves. I may also only move part of content and start a second domain when I do. Exciting to think about. But it could get pricey.
We had a Kung Fu Night yesterday. I tried making Pork Lo Mein. The noodles were a little too chewy, but other than that it was great. Keith picked the movie, Master Z. It was all in Mandarin but we are pretty used to reading subtitles, do it never slows us up unless the action is so compelling we lose the plot. Not the greatest production values but very good fighting. We both liked it.
CAPTAIN’S LOG | STAR DATE 6164
Friday, March 5, 2021
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CAPTAIN’S LOG | STAR DATE 6163
Saturday, March 6, 2021
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CAPTAIN’S LOG | STAR DATE 6162
Sunday, March 7, 2021
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CAPTAIN’S LOG | STAR DATE 6161
Monday, March 8, 2021
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CAPTAIN’S LOG | STAR DATE 6160
Tuesday, March 9, 2021
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CAPTAIN’S LOG | STAR DATE 6159
Wednesday, March 10, 2021
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CAPTAIN’S LOG | STAR DATE 6158
Thursday, March 11, 2021
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CAPTAIN’S LOG | STAR DATE 6157
Friday, March 12, 2021
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CAPTAIN’S LOG | STAR DATE 6156
Saturday, March 13, 2021
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CAPTAIN’S LOG | STAR DATE 6155
Sunday, March 14, 2020
It really felt like a week-end. I lolled in bed for the longest time day dreaming. When I finally joined Keith downstairs, I find he too was wearing his cozy, warm Parachute robe. We snuggled, laughed through “Silicon Valley,” fiddled on our computers, and made a glorious Breakfast Extravaganza (bagel sammies and the eggs were absolutely perfect). When we finally decided it was long past time to get dressed, we decided to take a nap instead.
The rest of the day was a blur of malaise for both of us. Not all bad. We got a chance to chat on the phone with family, get the laundry done (the weekly Saturday chore), and we even had a virtual trip to the movies with popcorn and a matinee. It was Keith’s choice: “Ultraviolet.” He is a Milla Jovovich fan and he couldn’t find any “Resident Evil.” Since today is Hug Day II with Mollie’s family, we moved our annual Pi Day celebration to Pi Eve. This year our Pizza Pi was BBQ chicken with jalapenos, pineapple, onion, and cheddar. The obligatory pi symbol was made from green onion stalks this year rather than green pepper. Handsome.
I got a chance to do some tidy tasks related to my poetry. I reformatted my Guest Poets page, added a piece by Keith’s childhood friend Janice, and worked on a logo for my Slender Stalk collection. I also managed to make a gorgeous workbook of analytics related to my three monthly newsletters. And I wrote a few letters to friends. A lovely day, even though I was tired and dragging throughout. Yes, most lovely.
CAPTAIN’S LOG | STAR DATE 6154
Monday, March 15, 2020
We celebrated a lot yesterday. First came Vaccine Hug Day II at Dan and Mollie’s house. We sang “Hugs are coming,” shot lots of photos, cried (me mostly), opened Hug Gifts. The kids got a share pack of Hershey’s Hugs and a carton of Hugs vitamin drinks. They also got money for Girl Scout cookies. Coincidentally, I got Thin Mint Girl Scout cookies and Keith got a six-pack of St. Pauley Girl. I can’t even start to explain how this felt. Like a wailing sorrow that is finally quelled. A dizzying peace. Yes, THIS is how life is meant to be and these are the people with whom I should be with. Perfect.
We also celebrated St. Patty’s Day. Mollie and Dan will be gone for the actual holiday, so we donned the green early. I wore a paper leprechaun necklace Kallie made for me when she was about five years old. Quite the keepsake. Dan made fabulous corn beef, cabbage, new potatoes, and carrots. The dinner finale was a chocolate mint cake that made you want to expel the British. Mollie gave me a terrifying ride in the go-kart (loved it). we got to see the kids bedrooms. We got to tour all their amazing construction and decorating projects. What talent! I fell off the 18” driveway drop-off and hurt both ankles, both knees, my left elbow, and my right shoulder and neck. I have been icing and dosing with ibuprofen since. Two words: Worth It! There is no way it could have been better. I even loved the falling part.
Finally, after I was iced and drugged, Keith sliced in the banana cream pie I had made earlier in the day. My intention was to decorate the whip cream topping with e=mc2, but the cook was lame. So a nod to Pi Day and Albert Einstein’s birthday as well. What a day!
CAPTAIN’S LOG | STAR DATE 6153
Tuesday, March 16, 2020
We had a surprise after-school visit from Mollie, Kallie, Presley, and Lilly. Their mom had picked them up some Tucker’s from the drive-through and they chowed down an early supper of burgers or the world reknowned broccoli cheese soup, as preferences dictated. There was some exuberant play with Paw and The Rat and it was just lovely to see them gathered around my kitchen table.
I had a lovely chat with Maggie where she explained “transcendental numbers” to me - numbers that transcend Algebra. I didn’t fully understand so I studied quite a bit more about them, and still don’t fully understand. I should take a math class. Algebra is like crossword puzzles to me. So fun.
I got an invitation to join Mollie’s new online photo album called “Paradise Island.” She left for Madison with Dan last night where they partied a little before their early flight to the Bahamas (Atlantis Hotel). We got photos of the Madison hotel and restaurant and expect more as the trip launches. I vacation vicariously through my children.
CAPTAIN’S LOG | STAR DATE 6152
Wednesday, March 17, 2020
I can’t remember ever having two big family holidays land adjacent to each other like this year’s Mardi Gras and St. Patrick’s Day. I feel sorry for the livers of drinkers. I made us two little celebrations of the former yesterday. My famous sour cream corn bread stole the show again. Keith loves it so much. The aroma that lingers in the kitchen is wondrous. For lunch, I made a cajun chicken soup. For supper, I made a hearty Jambalaya with andouille sausage. Keith was star struck and I am always giddy when he is blown away by something I’ve cooked.
I made my first trip to a store yesterday. I had ordered groceries from Pick n’ Save and the person who filled my order was inept. There were so many basic things he or she just said they were out of which I found incredulous. They also changed their online order app and many of the things I want are “in store only” purchases. So I went there and got everything I needed. I am pushed ever closer to making Festival my primary provider. Quality and consistency really matters. Anyway, it felt weird and unsafe, even though I know I have immunity now. I wonder if this feeling will ever go away? I guess my repression skills have worn thin.
I managed to work on some things for Presley and Lilly. With their mom gone to the Bahamas, they need some extra love. I put together a St. Pat’s party, got all the supplies ready, did a little shopping for it, and set the table in St. Patty’s regalia. I also wrapped some of Lilly’s gifts to get her psyched up about her upcoming birthday later this month.
It was a good day. Keith pitched in on the vaccuumming for Tidy Tuesday to spare me from leg and ankle pain from my fall. We also had some quiet cuddling time in the evening while we watched television. We are watching a show he picked out called “Forever” which is a Memento Mori TV series. Simple pleasures.
CAPTAIN’S LOG | STAR DATE 6151
Thursday, March 18, 2020
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CAPTAIN’S LOG | STAR DATE 6150
Friday, March 19, 2020
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CAPTAIN’S LOG | STAR DATE 6149
Saturday, March 20, 2020
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CAPTAIN’S LOG | STAR DATE 6148
Sunday, March 21, 2020
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CAPTAIN’S LOG | STAR DATE 6147
Monday, March 22, 2020
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CAPTAIN’S LOG | STAR DATE 6146
Tuesday, March 23, 2020
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CAPTAIN’S LOG | STAR DATE 6145
Wednesday, March 24, 2020
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CAPTAIN’S LOG | STAR DATE 6144
Thursday, March 25, 2020
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CAPTAIN’S LOG | STAR DATE 6143
Friday, March 26, 2020
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CAPTAIN’S LOG | STAR DATE 6142
Saturday, March 27, 2020
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CAPTAIN’S LOG | STAR DATE 6141
Sunday, March 28, 2020
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CAPTAIN’S LOG | STAR DATE 6140
Sunday, March 29, 2020
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CAPTAIN’S LOG | STAR DATE 6139
Sunday, March 30, 2020
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CAPTAIN’S LOG | STAR DATE 6138
Sunday, March 31, 2020
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