Tuesday, November 3, 2020

Dear Marion,                                                     

Today is Election Day morning and I am filled with hope and anxiety as to the outcome. Either way, I need to personally be prepared for the election results. We talked about making a special dinner and having a party at home(just us) to watch and listen to predictions and outcome.

Dad worked for over 40 years in a tough(on your mind, body, and overall health) job often getting up at 4:30 am to begin his day. He had to navigate the coastal tides and commute time into his schedule. As a dock builder in heavy construction that meant he worked outside all year long. Fortunately, he had an incredible tolerance for cold weather but he repeatedly stood by the notion that it was all about dressing accordingly. Cold and snow meant layers...long johns, Carhartt overall and jacket, maybe a quilted layer underneath.

If I asked, do you think I should go somewhere or not because of the weather forecast, dad’s response would inevitably be to just dress appropriately. The travel coffee thermos (khaki with a red lid that served as a cup) was also part of his ritual along with the sandwich he made for the day. For a man of his generation, dad was quite self reliant and modern in his familial responsibilities. His job location was often remote without a convenient location for nourishment; dad was always prepared ..a modern day, male version of ‘Mary Poppins’.

This treat we have made is one that could travel in your lunch but we enjoy it warm right out of the oven. By the way when I say we, it really is your granddaughter that discovered this recipe and mastered baking for us but I know you and dad would enjoy. While I don’t recommend this particular recipe as a staple in your diet, it surely is a very special dessert that can be made without a lot of preparation. If you bake often as we do it is likely you have the ingredients in your pantry. The Chocolate Lava Cake can be served with vanilla ice cream (or flavor of choice) or sprinkled with confectionery sugar.

It’s not surprising that when my children were toddlers I let them play in the rain, snow, and general bad weather because we dressed ‘appropriately’. You want to jump in a rain puddle - go for it...I did it too! They may not have any memory of it, but I surely do ...as though it were yesterday. We would walk across the street to Central Park(NYC) and play in the grass or on the vast array of playgrounds regardless of the weather and had a blast. The rubber boots or “Wellies” were gold in our home in those young years. They may no longer wear theirs but I am still wearing mine. 

A few days ago, we had an inordinate amount of rain and I decided to go hiking anyway. No one wanted to go with me and thought I would back out at the last minute. I went and I had the best time...I dressed appropriately.

Rubber boots in the UK can be referred to as ‘Wellies’ as this is short for the company Wellington which sells rain boots. While the royal family is loyal to this brand, my family and I have been partial to the brand Hunter. They are dependable, reliable, and in a quirky way fashionable. I have worn them gardening, through our local flooding, traipsing through NYC, and even coordinated with a velvet floor length dress during a blizzard. There are a variety of models and colors: short, tall, slim fit, black, blue, matte, shiny, trendy colors, and even patterns. In addition, you can purchase polar fleece liners for colder weather. My first pair was black, quickly followed by deep purple, Hunter green, and hot pink. 

As a toddler, your grandson had a pair of rain boots with a bumble bee theme he loved so much that we had to find the exact pair in a larger size. He was squishing his toes up (unbeknownst to us) so that they would fit for quite some time. Your grand daughter had a particular fondness for a ladybug themed ‘puddle jumper’ rain boot. She then moved on to a pair that was detailed and trimmed with faux fur.

Today I am looking at my Wellies, thinking about the day unfolding and the results we will eventually have either tonight or the days ahead. The tension, anxiety, and unknown. I just need to dress appropriately….follow dad’s advice. I can take care of myself. I may not be able to control what the outcome is, but I can take care of me and my family. I can control how I handle this ‘weather forecast’ and I can dress appropriately in mind, body, and spirit. 

..And when all else fails, find some humor to wrap around me as an armor for this incredible forecast ahead.

Talk soon,
Forever Yours

Quote

“One’s philosophy is not best expressed in words; it is expressed in the choices one makes...and the choices we make are ultimately our responsibility.”

Eleanor Roosevelt
First Lady of the United States, American political figure, Diplomat, and Activist
1884-1962