Making things from lemons

[hrj]

 I woke up to the notification that Worldcon has decided to implement a virtual convention rather than either canceling, postponing, or crossing their fingers and hoping the plague goes away. I have mixed feelings, but mostly from a baseline of "everything is awful so let's see what sort of lemonade we can make from these lemons." Honestly, I'm a bit excited to see what can be done with a virtual Worldcon. Of all the conventions I attend regularly, it's the one where somewhat leveling the playing field in terms of ability to attend and participate would reap the greatest benefits. There are things you can't get without the face-to-face interactions, but there's a chance that remote participation will increase the international character of the convention in positive ways.

Also re: lemons -- I made some lemon* shortbread as a treat today and shared it virtually with my twitter friends and physically when I went over to Denise's for dinner. Yes, I transgressed strict distancing, but we did a lot of handwashing and didn't touch and I was getting really starved for peopling. I learned a new tabletop game and beat her three times. We'll need rematches.

So far this week, I've officially turned in three major investigations for review and expect to turn in two minor ones before the week is out. I'm not being quite as productive as that sounds, it's just that all the dominoes were ready to fall. It'll make my manager happy.

They sent out the payslips for our annual bonuses today and I'm feeling a wave of...not guilt, but awareness of inequities. I'm still working almost like nothing's happened, I have every support from my employer you could imagine, *and* I get a bonus. It's not that I think I don't deserve it, it's that I think everyone does. I plan to do some tactical shopping from small businesses and such to assuage my conscience.

Breakfast was bacon and french toast, topped with various jellies* and preserves*. Lunch was the solids from making the lamb broth with herbs* from the garden. Dinner was salad with tomatoes, surimi, canned artichoke hearts, and dill pickles*. Plus lemon* shortbread.

(* = produce of my estates)

Comments

[hrj]

SDD14: temperature = 97.4.

Lunchtime bike ride on the canal trail, no close proximity, no physical contact.

Dinner over at Denise's house. No physical contact but proximity <6ft and handling of shared objects. Handwashing before and after, then again on arriving home, of course.

[threadwalker]

I had more marmalade today. I think that counts for "fruits of *your* estates".

[choirwoman]

I found your bag with quince paste that I'd apparently not eaten in 2019 but squirreled away for a rainy day! There's no rain -- in fact the weather is glorious, I might go for a bike ride in it -- but I think with the state of the world otherwise, it counts.

[hrj]

I have a bad habit, when I receive (non-perishable) food as gifts, to put it away "for sometime special". This is why I have a jar of pickles dated 20 years ago. Being pickles, they're probably still good. I may try making quince paste again next winter. That one ended up more like candy than the usual membrillo. But *good* candy.