Sunday, March 29, 2020

Greetings from Isolation: Happy Happy Hour!

My partner Wayne and I have been sheltering in place for two weeks now in our home in northern California USA. Thankfully, we have a comfortable home and enough of what we need. We're some of the lucky ones! Nevertheless, we can't go anywhere, we can't see anyone. The sudden curtailing of what seems like "all" our precious freedom sits heavy on us. We are not having all that much fun, try as we may, although so far we are safe from the coronavirus. For that, at least, we are grateful.

A week ago we decided we needed a daily 6pm Happy Hour to liven things up a bit and give some structure to our current situation - hors d'oeuvres, cocktails/mocktails, good music on the stereo, and a few moments talking about something, anything, other than the virus. It's been good, something of a stab at the old normal. Here are a few of the goodies we've enjoyed so far!

Mocktails (non-alcoholic fancy drinks)

  • Oakland Sunset: Orange juice, club soda, a splash of grenadine, ice, garnish with a slice of orange
  • Ginger Rose: Ginger beer or ale, stir in a half teaspoon of honey, fill with sparkling water, garnish with a spear of fresh rosemary
  • Arnold Palmer: Half cold tea, half lemonade, ice, garnish with lemon slice

Hors d'oeuvres

  • Deviled eggs
  • Broiled asparagus with Parmesan cheese
  • Baked pesto-stuffed mushrooms
  • Roasted Crispy Kale 
  • Fried curried garbanzo beans
  • Olives, always olives, except sometimes pickled okra

Music on the sterio (partial list)

  • Richard "Groove" Holmes, That Healin' Feeling
  • Tom Scott, New York Connection
  • Bob Dylan, Blond on Blond
  • Otis Rush, Cold Day in Hell

All the hors d'oeuvres above are quick and easy to make. Next time, maybe I'll post a few recipes. 

Meanwhile, here's my advice whether you need it or not: Do something fun with whatever lot you're given. Breathe deep.Smile. Find a way to escape in some small way while you stay healthy!




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