Yesterday’s astronomy picture of the day was stunning. (I’ve seen the northern lights once in person, in a parking lot in Rochester, NY.)
A self-described “person off the street” helped facilitate a new discovery about the timeline of written communication in human history.
I’ve been very, very slowly learning guitar, and for the first time I’m trying to sing while playing. It feels like playing two different instruments at the same time, or like an advanced and sonically risky variation on simultaneously patting your head and rubbing your stomach. (Luckily, my fellow residents are supportive of the attempts.) And, research suggests that learning an instrument is good for long term cognitive maintenance. If you can’t access an instrument, you can play around with music online with the web-based Chrome Music Lab.
With zoom so commonplace, it’s become easy to find online classes . This fall I joined an online colloquy on nature essays through a local library, and I’ve taken writing classes online through places like The Workroom and Barrelhouse. Even Audubon has online classes.
In July, I got kind of obsessed with making this very simple, quick, and easily adaptable vegetable tofu curry recipe. It’s a great recipe for playing with variations and making adjustments to better suit tastes and what’s available nearby. If that sounds like too much to take on, an even easier recipe that I love and which uses only a few kitchen staple ingredients is the Microwave Steamed Eggs recipe from Eric Kim. I loved it with chicken broth mixed from some better than boullion, soy sauce, and loops of green onion clipped from a bunch growing in a glass in my window.
When I came down sick with a cold at the end of November, I downloaded Neko Atsume to help me stay occupied for a few days. But, I’m still playing. It’s just really cute. (And I’m only missing a picture for one cat now.)
And lastly, a poem by the late Charles Simic.
Thanks for reading. I hope you get some relief this week.
Kate
I've been reading your updates via the email instead of coming to the website itself, so I've been slacking in responding. However, it is always lovely to see what you've been up to. You've inspired me to get back into blogging myself (an itch I've been meaning to scratch for a while now anyway, but you helped give me that final push). I won't hijack your blog by linking to mine, but, if you're interested, you can find the link via my Twitter.
Anyway, I vaguely remember you trying the guitar before, no? I'm glad you're picking it (back?) up. It's definitely an instrument I'm interested in as well. (I also gifted my nephew an accordion for his main Christmas present. My sister-in-law may kill me in the near future. lol) The link to free online music creation options is much appreciated. I might have to play around with that a bit.
As for simple recipes, the husband has been in an egg fried rice kick lately. Super simple, minimal ingredients needed, relatively cheep to make, and you can forego the egg and/or add in other proteins to switch it up. Surprisingly filling, considering I've always thought of fried rice as a side dish as opposed to the main dish.
I've been playing Neko Atsume for YEARS now. I just downloaded it onto my tablet mid-December, so I'm starting from scratch. It's such a relaxing chill game. I've also been addicted to color-by-number apps lately as well. My poison of choice has been Happy Color.
Anyway, take care, and belated happy new year to you!