Soul Collage

My Spring Collage

My Soul Collage Class encourages us to share our collages made at home via email with the other members of our group.  We make collages on 5x7 cards. We're  given different topics to explore ,for example spring, motherhood, the pandemic or whatever comes up for us.  Meeting in person allowed for great shared insights and meaningful communication. Many made collages in honor of Earth Day, but we seem to making very few collages at this stage of confinement.  I am struggling to finish a collage about de-confinement, but  am either lacking images or inspiration or both.   Also, what does de-confinement look like?
Today marks two week of daily blogging.  I am going to take a break and will be back when something blog worthy  happens. Thanks so much for reading. If you would like to write a comment, please send it to Giselle.bawnik@gmail.com
Be well!

Best of Baking

Apple Turnovers

Raisin Scones

Bill's Challah

Artisan Bread

Since March 16, the official day we went into confinement at our house, baking continues to comfort us.  Pictured above are the creme de la creme, what we deemed  baking successes.  I am most proud of the apple turnovers which I made per my sister's request. Thank goodness for store bought puff pastry. Not all grocery stores carry puff pastry. We got ours  conveniently at Winco.  Today I could have used a good bake. My world seemed too quiet, and the gray weather did not help the mood.  I miss the liveliness of my PCC classes and the variety of folks at the college. Is this what retirement feels like?  I hope not. This is what confinement feels, and until it's over, I will keep on baking.

Comments: Giselle.bawnik@gmail.com

Yum

A sweet treat

Bill and I could not resist getting a treat today. The sun shone, the air smelled sweet.  We felt rather warm after doing some socially appropriately distanced shopping. We passed Dairy Queen on Beaverton-Hillsdale Highway and thought, why not?  We took our place in the drive-thru line. it immediately came to a stand still. Fifteen minutes later, I was ready to call it quits and go home. Bill
insisted we tough it out as we had already made the commitment. He really is serious about his ice cream. Finally, the line started moving slowly.   We both  already knew what we wanted:  chocolate dipped vanilla cones. Normally my size choice would be small, but after waiting  in this interminable line, it merited an upgrade. Finally, we made it to the order window. After that, it took almost no time at all to get the cones.  I held both as Bill drove us to a shady parking lot. My cone found my mouth immediately. Cool, creamy, and sweet, it hit the spot.  It took half an hour to get the cone, but it was worth the wait.  Do yo have a favorite at Dairy Queen?

Happy Anniversary

Drinking Cider in Paris

Bill and I celebrate 39 years of marriage today.  We did take out coffee at Starbucks and read our vows  to each other as we do every year.  I wrote the vows, long ago, and it struck me how relevant they are even now especially in confinement.  As in every long marriage, we've experienced ups and downs, but we have always stuck together. I think one of our strongest qualities is the ability to laugh at ourselves. We also do family meetings every Sunday. We were married in Menomonie, Wisconsin at the Mabel Tainter Theatre.  The theatre is registered on the US National Register of Historic Places. The theatre 's history can be found at https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mabel_Tainter_Memorial_Building  You can see from the pictures on the site what a gorgeous setting it makes for a wedding.  Back then, we were able to rent the entire theatre for $35.  Each guest we invited also participated in the wedding ceremony.  I loved the intimacy of our wedding. Hopefully, those marrying this season with limited participants will  also appreciate its value.

Beauty and burn out

Night Sky

Up  high on the terrace of our house in Monflanquin,  I watch  magnificent sunsets and sky.  "Good night, Monflanquin," I whisper.  No one  can hear or see me.  This  little ritual at the end of the day brings me comfort. In the morning, I open the  creaky old shutters of the bedroom to a charming village scene.  The day begins, and an inexplicable joy sets in.  At home here in Beaverton,  days begin and end with other words, other practices, but no breathtaking views. Yes, I am missing my little morsel of France, my refuge.
At the end of another week of confinement, I feel weary. No need to explain. You all understand. But I have thought up a term for it "confinement burn out".  Perhaps someone already coined it  No matter.  It suits.

A man and his dog

Bill and Maggy

Since I posted about my new beagle cup a few days, today I  am posting  about the Beagle. Maggy is Bill's best friend. She is not really a lap dog so it takes some doing to get her to stay quiet  in a chair.  Every morning, Bill walks Maggy to Starbucks where  he gets a cup of  dark roast. Here's how it works. First, order on mobile app. Then stand in front of Starbuck's door on a spot marked "wait here". The barista opens the door and asks for the customer's name. Bill is a regular so this last step is skipped. The order is placed on a little table while you stay back. The door  shuts, and you are free to pick up your order. There is even a tip jar. Maggy gets offered a puppacino ,whatever  that is.  Bill always  refuses politely. Then they walk to the park where they sit at a picnic table. Bill drinks his coffee, reads, or calls a family member. Maggy just sits patiently and barks selectively at passing dogs.  A little neighborhood girl, age three, who often goes to the park at the same time as Bill has become quite fond of Maggy. In fact, Bill lets her take the leash. She walks Maggy nearby.  For her, this is a BIG DEAL. She's got that look. Maggy is amazingly good with her. She resists giving back the leash.  I hope someday she will have a dog of her own to walk and love. It just seems right.

Can you see me?

Does this picture look blurry to you? Then maybe, you too, need these glasses. They are blue light blocking anti glare.  With so much Zooming,  Netflix, and Google searches, by the end of the day, my eyes cry out for relief. I can barely read one more word, but the confinement rituals must go on. These come in black, tortoise, or clear vintage round frames   +0,  +1.50, +2.00, and +2.50 .  I like the accompanying zippered case plus the glasses are extremely light weight. If you would like to know how to purchase these glasses please let me know, and I will send you a link.

My New Love

Love my new Beagle Mug. Love the polka dots, and at the bottom of the

cup are inscribed the words LOVE YOU. That's a lot of love, but we all 

need that these days.  Usually, in this particular cup, I drink  Quik Masala Chai

which I get at an Indian grocery store in Beaverton. A friend of mine gave 

me a packet to sample, and I became immediately hooked. Yes, it is possible 

to make  Masala Chai myself, but it would not be  Quik.

Bill has his own Beagle mug. His says "A house is not a home without 

a beagle." So true!  And a house without a beagle in confinement would be

less sane except around 5 P.M. when the beagle barks loudly at all

the dogs walking by.  Especially helpful during a lull in a Zoom Meeting is

showing the beagle off to other Zoomers. I always

watch her face. It evokes total incomprehension of technology and screens

with a certain "Je m'en fous"  (I couldn't care less.)  French students, please 

do not use this expression unless you are certain of its appropriate usage.

 It is often considered impolite.

Irony and Mystery

Hong Kong Skyline

Our son Daniel lives in Hong Kong.  I was so worried about him back in February. During the Chinese New Year holiday break, he changed planes in China on the way to his vacation destination. Upon his return, his company told him he needed to be quarantined for two weeks.  Since his apartment is only 250 square feet, he wondered if he would go stir crazy. He also did not have a powerful internet connection at home which would make working difficult.  Well, he coped best he could.

Hong Kong is actually not in lock down. Daniel is able to go to work. People can gather in groups of four in restaurants 1.5 meters apart. The public swimming pool is scheduled to open this week. Considering a population of 7.451 million living in very close quarters, the following figures are stunning:
There have been 1,056 confirmed cases of Covid-19;  1,025 recovered and 4 deaths.  How is this possible? Daniel is safer from the virus in Hong Kong than here at home.  I don't pretend to know the answer. I do know that people in Hong Kong practice a culture of mask wearing due to pollution. They also choose to wear masks when feeling sick. It's not a real kissy touchy culture like France or Italy, for example.  Hong Kong  is actually  now  able to send masks to  other countries who need them.  There is irony and mystery at work here. Thoughts?

Will it fit?

The Dress

I bought this dress on sale at the end of last summer. I pictured myself wearing it in Monflanquin on a hot sunny day maybe after a swim.   Could be it will be worn in Beaverton  on a hot sunny day after a dog walk. It still has the tags on .  Honestly, I am reluctant get into the dress. What if it doesn't fit after all the  carbohydrate consuming?   I am pining for new clothes. Did my due diligence and went through my closets.   The clothes I tried on did not bring me joy. Suffice it to say some brought physical pain and others despair.  The good news is that now there is room for new skirts, dresses, and tops.  Stores are re-opening, but I am not quite ready to face the new protocol of shopping. The weekly masked forays into the grocery stores leave me exhausted. So much darting and dodging of folks. Mastering how to smile with only one's eyes. Maybe we need little blinking signs attached: Smiling now, half smiling now, frowning a bit,  lips pursed feeling thoroughly disgusted, and if I don't take this mask off soon, I will pass out.
Online shopping works , but only for shoes.  Maybe it's because I stick to brands I know, and my feet tend not to  age or reflect  weight changes.   Until I can face shopping for clothes, it will be creative comfortable ensembles for me. What do you like to wear "en confinement". As I like to say, it really does sound better in French. Thanks for reading everybody!

Catherine and Layla

Born Tuesday May 12, Layla arrived looking  already adorable and weighing 6 lbs, 13 ounces. She is the second daughter of my oldest nephew.  Big sister Catherine not really  so big at 19 months mistook her for a monkey at first sight.  Catherine squealed with delight. Dad corrected her by saying that this bundle is not a monkey but her very own baby sister. It sounded like Catherine had won the lottery. More squealing, then eventually Catherine got to hold the baby and give her a bottle. What a natural! Catherine looked delighted. I have never seen her so happy on camera. She will be an amazing big sister and a big help to Mom. My wish for Catherine and Layla  is that they become  loving sisters and best friends forever and ever.

Confinement, Carbohydrates, and Challenges

Photo Taken At The Oregon  Garden

This photo captures a  happy moment touring the Oregon Garden with son Daniel several years ago. The couple on the swing (I think it is a swing) reminds me  today of Bill and me in confinement.  We could use a bit more  room and some of our parts are looking less than spiffy probably due to an overload of carbohydrates.  Will anything still fit when we are liberated? Just this week alone, I baked apple turnovers, and Bill whipped up croissants and his specialty pizza.  Whipped up? Well, not exactly. When Bill suggested I make my own puff pastry for the turnovers, I became livid (symptom of confinement) and suggested he make his own puff pastry. Nobody even on the Great British Baking Show admits to making their own puff pastry unless they are in the Great British Baking Show.

Well, Bill took me seriously. Suddenly, he seemed to be banging about in the kitchen.  I was seriously engaged watching Netflix or playing Scrabble when I became aware that there was a lot of yeast, butter, flour, rising, resting going on. Bill looked a bit furtive.  I knew not to ask. He was still at it at 11 P.M. In the morning, I found him in the kitchen again. Had he ever gone to bed?  He could no longer hide his  culinary creation. Croissants! Who makes their own croissants from scratch except French bakers?

Never challenge Bill or maybe always challenge Bill.  Years ago, I announced it was time to give away the unicycle that sat idle in our basement for years. The next day, there he was learning to ride it. He has not stopped  riding  ever since.

Apple Turnovers With Cream Cheese Icing

Bill's Delicious Amazing Croissants

Our Garden Grows

Our Arugula Harvest

We planted our garden about three weeks ago.  As you can see from the above photo, our arugula is thriving. Google advised picking the outer leaves first. I found it difficult to distinguish outer from inner leaves but did as instructed. All subjectivity aside, this is the best arugula I have ever tasted, fresh and peppery. The only problem is I need a lot more of it for salad, but I will be patient. In addition to arugula, we planted cauliflower, eggplant, red, yellow, and orange pepper, and cherry tomatoes.  It is interesting that Bill will plant only from seed. I am anti seed or perhaps more accurately seeds are anti me.  Bill planted radishes, carrots, and pumpkins.  So far only  radishes show signs of growth.  We will see. Does anyone have any gardening tips? We desperately need them.

Immigration, Cancellation, Exploration

At the Chinatown Museum

This photo was taken back in December at the Chinatown Museum, 127 NW 3rd Ave, Portland. Daniel and I learned so much about the history of Chinese immigrants to  Portland thanks to docent Bertha Lee Saiget. Bertha herself was raised on the outskirts of Chinatown  by parents who were new immigrants from China.  Bertha's own family is displayed prominently in many of the photographs on the museum's walls. Now that my volunteer job at Travel Portland is kaput due to the closing of the center, maybe I could volunteer at the Chinatown Museum when things return to normal.

This morning, Delta canceled my flight to Paris on June 6. I felt both relieved and worried. Relieved because June 6 seems too early to return. Worried because when is a safe time to go back ? When will tourist attractions and markets  re- open? Obviously, nobody knows so it is play the wait and see game, a game I dislike and am not sure to win.  Daniel is supposed to meet me in France at the end of June. Looks like that won't happen either as Hong Kong currently puts everyone returning from abroad in quarantine.

Quick! I need a silver lining. I get to experience summer in Portland. Can't remember the last time that happened. Tomorrow I will give you an update on our vegetable garden.
Be well, everyone!

It's okay for now

When I was 17, I won a beautiful collection of Bible books in an essay contest about rebuilding the land of Israel. The details of the contest remain quite fuzzy, and honestly, I never opened any of the books until two weeks ago when I joined an online Torah study group.  The group led by a prominent local rabbi is wildly popular. Each week 80 people pop up on the screen not only to listen but to participate. The Rabbi encourages lively discussion.  We talked about our response to Covid-19.  One man offered that he is doing well, but what about all the people suffering? The Rabbi's response felt so true. " Actually, none of us is doing well. We can't respond to others in our usual ways. It is okay to be in pain and not know what to do".  That said it all.

Still here, my dear

Michael the pre-school artist!

A friend and I  started to talk  about  what we do in confinement and ended up talking about what we could do and don't do in confinement.  Her list fit on a scrap of paper. Mine in a note book.

Michael the pre-school baker!

Well, I did  do a bit of  file cabinet clearing and got up to "N". Along the way, I found these two treasures, pictures of Michael in his  pre-school
newsletter. What a cutie with his curly hair!

Today marks the first day of "de-confinement" in France. The country will open up slowly. First, primary school children will return to school. The French will be allowed to travel within a 60 mile radius. The dreadful self imposed permission  slip to leave the house is no longer necessary.  Many more controls are in place.

I am  holding a ticket to Paris  for June 9 purchased back in February. I fear it will be too early to return. My refund for my March 16 trip still goes unprocessed, but don't get me started on that.

Since we  are all still "en confinement", I have decided to issue myself a challenge to blog every day.
Be well, everyone!