{"id":4057,"date":"2020-07-15T01:54:44","date_gmt":"2020-07-15T01:54:44","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/marigoldonline.net\/?p=4057"},"modified":"2020-07-15T02:57:08","modified_gmt":"2020-07-15T02:57:08","slug":"this-butterfly-isnt-free","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/marigoldonline.net\/?p=4057","title":{"rendered":"This Butterfly Isn’t Free"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"\"<\/p>\n

Little did I think there would be a connection between Gender in Modern Jewish History<\/em>, via Zoom (what else?), at Hunter College, and a whirling butterfly cat toy.<\/p>\n

Gender<\/em> is the course I\u2019m currently taking, following two others since the world stopped; however, it\u2019s the least enthralling. The professor is very young and hasn\u2019t quite found his stride. So far\u2014three classes in\u2014he has mostly lectured, throwing names and dates at us while referencing maps\u00a0 from other eras with place names in ancient languages. Nice guy but needs a little seasoning.<\/p>\n

In March, Narrative Medicine<\/em> connected films and written work with\u00a0 aspects of the healing sciences drawing on WIT, the play in which the protagonist is a John Donne scholar; Oliver Sacks, Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein, the film Contagion, (all too apt today,) and more in an honors class in which most of the students\u00a0 were planning to be doctors, nurses or researchers. In between I took Introduction to Literary Studies,<\/em> a \u201cbuffet\u201d of genres ranging from Freud\u2019s On Dreams<\/em> through Alice in Wonderland<\/em> to
\n<\/em><\/p>\n

\"\"

The Mad Tea Party illustration by John Tenniel<\/p><\/div>\n

the Surrealists with a brief stop-off for Nietzsche, whom I found hard going. Besides the exposure to fascinating works, many of which I\u2019d never read, both those courses were taught by delightful, gregarious professors who had a knack for eliciting responses from their students. Flatteringly, they encouraged my participation.<\/p>\n

I\u2019m slogging through Gender because there\u2019s always something to learn, for instance the story of Gracia Mendes Nasi, a 16th<\/sup> c. Portuguese woman who inherited her husband\u2019s pepper trading business and ended up one of the wealthiest Jewish women of the Renaissance. Gracia also helped conversos (Jews who practiced their religion in secret) and was an early\u00a0 philanthropist– sort of a Henry Streeter of yesteryear.<\/p>\n

\"\"

The elegant Gracia Mendes Nasi<\/p><\/div>\n

And the butterfly? Because we\u2019ve spent so much time together during lockdown and phased reopening, my cat looks to me for entertainment. The battery-operated butterfly that moves in a circle encouraged by a paw is one item\u00a0 I bring into my office before class along with my laptop, notebook and water. For some of the three-and one-half hours of class the toy occupies the cat.<\/p>\n

This truly is a long, hot summer. The courses are helpful both because there is some human connection even in Pixilated squares and because, eager-to-please student that I am, I do my best to keep up with the often dense reading. Too bad I can\u2019t teach the cat to read aloud.<\/p>\n

Early on I went through a manic cooking phase producing (mostly) vegetarian meals for myself and a downstairs neighbor, since decamped to her beach house. One triumph was this riff on sesame noodles with peanut butter from her collection as I don\u2019t trust myself to keep it in the house.\u00a0 Making this is not difficult and the result is delicious.<\/p>\n

Peanut Sesame Noodles<\/strong><\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

(The recipe says serves 4-6; I’d say perfect for 4 or 5)<\/p>\n

8 ounces Chinese egg noodles (or any thin noodle that\u2019s handy)<\/p>\n

2 large carrots, grated or diced (haul out a food processor if you have one)<\/p>\n

1 cucumber, grated or diced\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 (ditto)<\/p>\n

Half a small red cabbage, finely chopped (ditto)<\/p>\n

1\/2 cup thinly-sliced green onions (I used less)<\/p>\n

Toppings: chopped peanuts, lime wedges (or cilantro if you like it. I don\u2019t.)<\/p>\n

Sesame Peanut Sauce<\/strong>: <\/strong><\/p>\n

1\/4 cup\u00a0 peanut butter<\/p>\n

1\/4 cup\u00a0 lime juice<\/p>\n

2\u20133 tablespoons low-sodium soy sauce<\/p>\n

2 tablespoons rice vinegar<\/p>\n

1 tablespoon honey or maple syrup (optional)<\/p>\n

1 tablespoon toasted sesame oil (any sesame oil is fine)<\/p>\n

1\/2 teaspoon each: garlic powder, ground ginger, black pepper, crushed red pepper flakes.<\/p>\n

Whisk all ingredients together in a bowl until combined.\u00a0 Taste and add extra soy sauce, if needed.\u00a0 If sauce seems too thick (it should be thin enough to drizzle), whisk in a tablespoon or two of water.<\/p>\n

Cook the noodles al dente<\/em> according to package instructions.\u00a0 Drain, then rinse with cold water in a colander until noodles are chilled.<\/p>\n

Add noodles, carrots, cucumber, cabbage, green onions and sesame peanut sauce to a large mixing bowl. Toss until evenly combined.<\/p>\n

Serve at room temperature (or cold) topped with your desired garnishes.<\/p>\n

Store leftovers in fridge\u2014it keeps well for several days.<\/p>\n

I\u2019d like to say keep calm and this will end but there\u2019s no assurance it will. Instead, I send sincere wishes for sanity to you saving a few for myself.\u00a0 Drink whatever you like with Chinese food\u2014beer, white wine, club soda\u2026 and wish Dr. Fauci Godspeed.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n