Texting with kids, Mr. Trash Wheel, and what’s in my Instapot (7 Quick Takes)

~1~

One night this week, our older son went to the double feature at Bengie’s Drive-in Theatre with friends. This might be the moment to confess that I’ve never been to a movie at Bengie’s, even though it’s a classic Baltimore thing to do.

Since there were just three of us, we decided to go out to dinner. It seemed like a fun treat for a younger brother who wasn’t going to the movies. I ordered mussels, and he ordered spaghetti and meatballs. Then he ate the crusty bread with a dipping sauce that came with the meal and some of my mussels.

It’s never surprising to me when my children decide that they like what I ordered more than what they ordered.

~2~

Before we got phones for our children, I remember reading and thinking and discussing at length what we should do. During all those conversations, no one told me how incredibly wonderful and entertaining it is to text with your children.

Sometimes I get very formal updates. Other times I get strings of emojis. One day I got, “BURGER KING,” when someone was starving for a Whopper. I also get the sweetest selfies confirming that they arrived at the park—and photos of deer and birds they see while they’re there.

And, just the other day, I got a photo of a rainbow, sent to our family text chain, with the rainbow circled in case I didn’t see it.

Having those little exchanges can be pretty sweet.

~3~

My colleague Molly, who has worked with me for four years, just took a new position, and she’s leaving our team to take on a teaching role at our university. I have realized over the years that I am never excited about change when it involves people, but I also know you can’t stop time.

I am happy for Molly because she is so excited and will do so well, and it’s a great opportunity for her. But I am also sorry to see this chapter end, even as a new one begins. She is a wonderful teammate, and we have navigated some challenging times together.

We celebrated Molly at work with a party this week. I wrote her a farewell poem, as I always do for a colleague on our team, and we put together a fake press release announcing the transition. Then we filled a bag with items for her to use in her new job.

Sometimes people who are moving on will say they don’t want a party, and I always tell them, “It’s not as much for you as for the rest of us.” Marking these transitions is so important.

~4~

My friend Paola invited me to meet her for lunch on her birthday the other day, and I was so honored to celebrate her birthday with her.

I brought her a little gift, and she brought me a rosary she brought home from a pilgrimage following the steps of St. Ignatius of Loyola through Spain and Italy. It has even been blessed by Pope Francis.

I was thrilled and honored. What a wonderful gift to receive just as the Year of Ignatius is about to come to an end on July 31, the Feast of St. Ignatius.

~5~

My friend Tiffany at Glory Design Crochet shared some of her crocheted items live on Instagram the other day, and I couldn’t resist snagging a couple of things. Tiffany threw in a couple little pink scrubby sponges, and I’m looking forward to trying them.

But the highlight of my order is an adorable tiny colored frog that seemed the perfect friend for a larger equally leggy version I gave to my niece Elise when we saw her last month.

So, surprise, Elise! A little frog is coming your way!

~6~

I ran into REI to try to find a gift the other day, and I realized they sell Mr. Trash Wheel merchandise.

I didn’t buy any, but I might have to go back to the store and get one of the pins. Mr. Trash Wheel is a Baltimore icon.

And, I may not have been to Bengie’s, but I have certainly seen Mr. Trash Wheel in action in the Inner Harbor.

~7~

I used our Instapot twice this week. It seems like a good option for a hot summer night since it doesn’t heat the whole house. I made this pulled pork, which was moist and delicious, and I made this pepper steak but without the ginger, because not everyone here loves ginger.

Personally, I think that a better option on a hot summer night is running over to Rita’s Italian Ice and bringing a couple of quarts home. Still, not everyone in my household thinks Italian ice is a full meal. Then I end up serving a second dinner at 10 p.m.

Ah, summer. Hot, humid, and absolutely glorious. I wish it would slow down just a little.

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