Rate Your Home Stay

Full disclosure: this originated as an article in the Washington Post which my older daughter sent me. This is my riff:

Sophisticated Urban Setting

I would expect a larger staff at this city apartment that boasts a uniformed doorman, garbage pickup at the back door and spacious surroundings. However, there is only one somewhat harried housekeeper and a cat that “helps” by frequently dumping the bathroom wastebasket on the floor. On the plus side, there is plenty of alcohol and an ice maker. Meals are good if a little erratic; dinner may pull out all the stops or consist only of popcorn—everything served informally to say the least.

Each morning a gym mat is laid out in the living room and two additional guests lead us—virtually– through a vigorous workout—never mind if it’s been a late night. It appears I have to put the mat away as otherwise it’s there all day. I am also expected to do my own laundry. Watching television either for the news or Netflix is a sometime thing as one of the sets often doesn’t function causing the concierge to yell a lot of four-letter words. The concierge/cook/housekeeper offered helpful information on local cultural events including several nearby museums but noted they were closed.

Other than that, this is a quiet, pleasant space although far from spotless. It’s helpful that they charge by the week as I have lost track of time and am not sure if my stay has been months or years.

Here is the original: https://www.washingtonpost.com/travel/2020/05/15/your-quarantine-experience-reviewed-like-hotel/

I confess that I have read this at least three times, each time laughing uncontrollably behind my mask.

Mostly provided by crafty pal in Washington, DC

I can also say with no hint of exaggeration that I now have an intimate knowledge of every blade of grass in Central Park, since the only other places I can go are grocery or drug stores. Just heard Staples is open—as exciting as The Metropolitan Museum of Art, (well, not quite.)  I also have a new, deep relationship with Judy Woodruff of PBS Newshour and Governor Cuomo.

The country is “opening up” but not for us here at the epicenter. No matter how many online courses or virtual museum tours there are one day blurs into the next with no real end in sight.  Meanwhile, I’m thankful for the internet, my family and friends and pretty much anything that distracts me for an hour or a day.

This is a recent distraction:

Really Good Broccoli (Not an Oxymoron)

Heat oven to 400o

Cut off florets and slice into thin pieces. I use some stem pieces but that’s a personal pref.

In a bowl toss cut florets with olive oil, coarse salt, fresh pepper and—the magic ingredient—about 1 tablespoon of rice wine vinegar. The amount of these depends on the amount of broccoli—for a cup of veg use a few Tbls of oil and 1 tablespoon vinegar.)

Line a baking sheet with foil or parchment paper or not. (This makes cleanup faster but maybe you like washing up.)

Toss into oven for about 12 minutes—check. Ideally the edges are a little brown and crispy. If not, cook for a few minutes more.

And that’s it.

To drink…anyone for a Hemlock cocktail?  It’s starting to sound like an interesting choice.