Out of the Zone

“It is the sandstorms that shape the stone statues of the desert. It is the struggles of life that form a person’s character.” – Native American Proverb

Today I made bagels. For the first time. I also tried a “quick” version of Coq au vin. Both were out of my comfort zone—the theme for this week’s Sunday dinner. I’ve always been intrigued about “boiled breakfast bread” but never had the patience or time to explore the art of making them. Turns out….not so hard!

The “quick Coq au vin” was uncomfortable because I don’t trust anything “instant”, “quick” or “cooks in 5 minutes”. Generally you can substitute “bland”, “mushy” and “completely void of flavor or nutrients” in place of those buzz words.

When cooking, time is magic. Time + heat = blended flavors. Richness. A symphony of harmony brought only by the forced time together in the same pot. Time + cold can equal infused, deep flavors, tenderness and new depth to familiar flavors.

So in general, I only trust dishes that take some time.

And sometimes, I’m surprised. Tonight’s dinner was actually quite tasty. Not as rich a symphony as I’ve come to expect from traditional Coq au vin, but enough of the instruments showed up to make a lovely interlude. The sauce didn’t have enough time to reduce to as rich a sauce as I’d like, but it was full of flavor and the chicken was tender and fell apart when touched by my fork.

When I suggested the theme for this week’s Sunday dinner one friend responded, “We’re ALL out of our comfort zone!” True that. It’s a new world, a “new normal” as I’m told—over and over. Other words and phrases floating through our daily lives are “odd”, “strange”, “alone together” and, my personal favorite, “COVIDIOT” (As in, “Don’t be a…”)

It’s uncomfortable, this “new normal”. Change, by it’s nature, usually is.

When was the last time you sat and watched a butterfly? People watched? Fell asleep on a blanket in the park? When was the last time your kids were bored?

Creativity and innovation can come from boredom—slowing things down and changing the pace of our lives. I’ve been amazed by the creative methods individuals are using to stay active, entertain their children and give back to their communities—all from a distance of 6 feet.

At the grocery store the other day I was in the dairy aisle looking to score some sliced cheese. A woman stood in front of the door to the refrigerated case where the cheese hung. I held back the respectful and suggested amount of distance while she stood there….staring….at cheese.

She turned slightly and saw me waiting for her. Apologizing, she started to talk. She spoke of the small business she and her husband own and her concern for their employees if they have to cut back hours or lay some off. She was shopping that day not only for she and her husband, but also for their pregnant daughter who was housebound because she didn’t want to risk exposure to the virus. This woman was also shopping for her elderly parents who were sheltering at home.. Her worries poured out to a complete stranger. “It’s just all too much.”

We talked a few minutes more about some of the positives we’d seen and heard. A generous anonymous citizen of a small local community spent roughly $6500 in gift cards from local restaurants to give to the high school baseball team whose season ended before it began. Strangers helping strangers. Neighbors offering to share what they have (“in case you can’t find it in the store, I have extra”). With a lack of PPE, people are making BTN (Better Than Nothing) masks out of spare cloth. Long neglected gardens and hobbies taking our attention again and the gift of time we have to enjoy them. We are being forced to slow down, take a breath, look around.

Dinner was well “attended” tonight. We updated each other on general health and well being, played a little wine trivia, celebrated a birthday and thanks to the gift of the internet, we got to tour two different home improvement projects! Adhering to the theme, Kelly, a non cook, made Pad Thai. Steve, a great cook but a non-baker, made a delicious lemon Bundt cake. (I know because a large piece was gently delivered to our porch the next day!) Pets were once again a huge part of the conversation and Olive the pit bull even helped her brother Elmer (another pit bull) “dress” for dinner by placing her frisbee on his head, Very dapper!

The COVID 19 shelter at home order just got extended for 30 more days in California. We’re in this my friends. We’re in deep. And we will come through just fine. There will be loss and frustration, heartache and pain. There will also be innovation, deepening connections, and creativity will blossom in unexpected places. Let it rise up out of you. Wallow in the opportunity you have to be creative in ways you may not have been. Push out of your zone.

“Promise me you’ll always remember: You’re braver than you believe, and stronger than you seem, and smarter than you think.” – Winnie the Pooh

Take care of yourselves, and take care of each other. Keep calm and wash your hands.