A new look, an old calendar, Tropical Storm Fay and more (7 Quick Takes)

~1~

Notice anything different? The website has been redesigned! I had to wait for a couple days during the transition, and when it was finally done, I got an email from the digital editor saying, “You share your blog posts now!”

I was like, “Wow, that’s a bit intense. I mean, the world isn’t exactly waiting to hear my thoughts on how bacon is a sign that God loves us.”

An email apology came through a minute later. He had meant to say, “You can share your blog posts now!”

A tiny little word makes a big difference.

~2~

I am still working from home, but I went to the office the other day to get a few things. While I was there, I noticed my calendar hanging on the wall, set to March. I thought about bringing the calendar home, but I couldn’t think of where I would hang it. I don’t have an office. I work wherever I am.

I thought about flipping the calendar pages forward to July before I left the office, but that didn’t seem right either.

So, I left it hanging on March, thinking of that time when I walked out of the office and didn’t stop to wonder how long it would be before I returned.

~3~

The other day a friend and I were catching up, and I told her my two new hobbies are enjoying our birds and drinking wine. I can’t drink much because I have no tolerance, but it’s easier to have a glass now and then when I know I don’t need to drive anywhere.

We were joking that I should start a new blog about wine and birds. We started brainstorming possible titles—the way you do.

There are so many options. “Feathers and Corks.” “Bottles and Beaks.” “Wine and Wing.” “Taking Flight.” Or should it be “Taking Flights?”

I think, though, the finches will just flap their way into this space on their own.

~4~

My husband wrapped a few filet mignons in bacon the other day and cooked them on the grill. I don’t know which has been a bigger change in our life—getting pet birds or getting a grill. OK, so the birds would definitely win, but the grill…wow. Having someone else to do some of the cooking, and to have the cooking be so delicious…this is definitely a new chapter in our life.

~5~

I’m following the path of Tropical Storm Fay with interest because my middle name is Fay. I’ve always loved my name. I imagine most people like their names, but I’m named Rita Fay for my grandmother, who is one of the kindest, most loving people I’ve ever met. Her maiden name was Fay. Sometimes people add an “e” to make it Faye, but the Tropical Storm and I spell it the same way.

I hope Fay behaves herself.

~6~

The other night our 10-year-old found a caramel-apple-making kit in the kitchen. Who knows how many Halloweens ago we purchased this kit? I didn’t check for an expiration date.

We stabbed the apples with popsicle sticks, wrapped them in the caramel sheets, and heated them in the oven for five minutes. Then we tasted them and decided they were too sweet and not all that gooey. They were more like sweet leather.

Maybe the kit was from Halloween 2010? For the record, though, we made caramel apples in 2020. Check that off the summer vacation bucket list.

~7~

Speaking of the summer bucket list, we came across it the other day, and I started reading it to the boys. By the time I got halfway through, we decided it was a failed list. Brushing teeth every morning? Reading for hours each day? Making something creative once a week?

With very little ceremony, we threw it in the trash.

But we are having a perfectly lovely summer. And one of the summer goals, “Bond with birds,” we feel we are achieving. And we’re not even halfway through July.

Meanwhile, I was joking the other day that our finches are learning how to practice social distancing in their cage. They’re usually snuggled right up next to each other, nuzzling and grooming each other. But every once in a while, I catch them spending a little time apart.

We do love our little birds.

Find more quick takes at Kelly’s blog, This Ain’t the Lyceum, and have a wonderful weekend!

Copyright © 2020 Catholic Review Media

 Print