I got myself a really nice writing chair for sitting at my desk some time ago. I also have some wonderful USB-powered hand warmers that look like little stuffed toasts I got from a friend. My older sister sent me a USB-powered mug with a warming function and a freaking app to set the temperature for keeping beverages warm, a timer for tea, and to control what color the little light glows when its on.
With Portland in the grip of the Artic Blast (which no one will be able to say without making me think of a minty gum flavor,) the internet has been down and the blogging software on my computer is picky about working without the internet.
My iPad is not, though- and my iPad is here next to me in my rocking chair with a Mexican blanket and a mug of deep, dark, local beer. I may return to my Super Professional Writing Space for some editing and tweaks, but for now? Hygge wins.
I’m not exactly fond of missing work right now, having spent my PTO visiting family, then having taken a week off being sick with COVID, and now the winery is deciding day by day how long it’ll be closed. A good choice for them, all told- at 900 feet of elevation, the winery gets its own version of Portland weather. Windier, colder, icier, and more likely to strand workers and customers on steep winding roads.
That’s a lot of time off that is less than great for my bank account, but also for my tendency to cabin fever. I may have #bighobbitenergy, but it’s all Tookish- and that energy is best expended writing, exercising, cleaning, and cooking.
I remember laughing along with everyone else in New Jersey how every time a snow storm was forecast, there would be an absolute run on Bread, Milk, and Eggs at every supermarket. I used to wonder if these folks were really just going to live on French toast as survival food if need be.
Since Emily was working the day before, I was doing the grocery shopping for supplies and for the first time in my adult life I understood why. Easy carbs that can be eaten as is, easy protein that can be made a bunch of different ways, and… well, milk.
My planning followed a slightly different vein- “Our oven and range is electric. We have a small butane burner- what can I get that would let us have hot meals if the power goes out?”
Eggs were on the list. Last year, when the power was out for three days, my housemates and I kept our perishables fresh by emptying our fridges into storage tubs and then burying them in the snow drift on the porch. It was clean, covered, and the ambient temperature was somewhere between fridge and freezer. Worse came to worse, we’d do that again and eggs were easy to prepare.
After that, though, were canned meats and soups that could be warmed up or eaten cold (and opened with our manual, non-electric can opener.) Then flour- because rather than grab bread that would go stale and be a waste if not needed, flour could be used to make anything- especially tortillas and English muffins that are made on a griddle, not an oven.
Then lentils, potatoes, pasta- things that will keep if not used, but will provide nutrients easily if they are. Pasta for carbohydrates, lentils for clean vegetable protein (and one of my favorite porridges,) and the vitamin and calorie-rich wonder tuber itself. It was good enough for Irish peasants, it’ll be more than good enough for me.
You don’t need to eat in style when it’s cold- you just need to eat well, and eat food you can make and enjoy. I’m just not that big a French Toast fan. And I know how to cook lentils and potatoes.
The power hasn’t gone out and the wind has died down, but there’s little point in going out just now. Most businesses closed down for safety, but even the ones I know are open and would like to visit mean either putting the chains on the cars or shlepping in the cold.
Even if I’m not a little money-conscious right now… I have blankets and a cat here and I can wear my slippers.
If you ever need to remind yourself just how grateful you are for everything you have and a reminder of why you work as hard as you do, wait for a snow day.
I’m not thrilled to be missing work, but I know that all the work my wife and I HAVE done has gotten us this space- a little hobbit hole we need to clean but is full of comfy furniture, soft pillows and blankets, books and music to enjoy, and a cat that is sometimes a bit of a bitch but always a cute little fuzzbutt.
The Fear of Missing Out can be real, but the cure for it is curating a space you love being in. A place that feels comfortable, safe, cozy, and where you can just enjoy everything you’ve earned. Otherwise… what’s the point?
It’s getting on 2pm. I’m going to start working on the lentil porridge soon. Emily is in her nest on the other end of the sofa, and I’m here in my rocking chair. We’ll need to turn on the lights soon as the shadows climb up the wall. My beer is almost empty. Time to wrap up this post I think.
I may take a walk in a few. Bundle up extra warm and just get a little fresh air in my lungs, let the cold burn me just enough to feel alive. It’ll make coming back inside, getting warm under blankets and eating that lentil porridge with fresh tortillas even better.
Stay Classy,
The Black Hat Baker 