The groundhog came out of his hole, and saw his shadow–we are in for 4 more weeks of Covid. In March 2020, the Stay At Home and Shelter In Place orders were restrictive, surreal and confining.
Fourteen months later we peak our little heads out of our holes and gaze at the bright light of freedom.
That light is pretty glaring. It’s tempting to duck back into the safety of our cocoons. Here, we know who has touched what. We know who has entered, who has breathed the air and what germs they carry.
We crave and fear freedom. The world is pretty big. There are people out there. The unknown taunts us.
When we were little and afraid, Mom was always there with a reassuring word, a hug and a cookie.
Your Mom isn’t here right now. You have to figure this out. The monster under your bed is real, and you have to stare him down.
“Life doesn’t get easier or more forgiving, we get stronger and more resilient.”
–Steve Maraboli
In addition to personal anxiety for our health, there is another shadow looming over our furry little groundhog heads—the watchful eyes of those around us.
Suddenly everyone is an expert on everything relating to COVID-19. “You should be wearing a mask.” “Masks are stupid.” “I would NEVER eat dinner INSIDE a restaurant.” “Are you FULLY vaccinated?” “Shake your hand? Are you INSANE?!?” (Elbow bump)
It’s “my way or the highway” everywhere you turn. I don’t understand why it’s so important for everyone to have an opinion and feel the need to get lockstep agreement from everyone they see. Insecurity? Ego? A fear that you might be judged “irresponsible”?
“Judge not, lest ye be judged.” Matthew 7:1-3
I know a couple who hid vacation plans from their social crowd for fear of being judged reckless and irresponsible. Politicians have asked neighbors to spy on neighbors and expose them for not “complying” with mask recommendations. Making a definitive statement that is not in line with the current politically correct perspective can risk your friends and even your livelihood.
“Don’t be a jackass.” Mrs. Stiver 7:45 p.m.
Who have we become, curled up in our little burrows? We tucked ourselves in for a long winters nap in the desire to protect our health and that of our “pod”. Now that we peak out to test the prevailing winds with our nose, have we become so good at worrying that we need to worry about….everyone else?
We’ve had an entire year without celebrations, graduations, weddings, blowing out candles and most importantly…we’ve gone without hugs far too long. If this year has taught us nothing else, it’s that every day is so precious and criminal to waste. Take precautions, make sure you are comfortable with your situation and surroundings and then jump out of that hole and dance!
Be kind and embrace each other—figuratively if not literally. We are all at different stages in our COVID recovery and that’s ok! You do you, and let me do me. If wearing a mask and eating outdoors is your comfort zone for now, mazeltov! Just allow that I may be in a different zone. And that’s ok too. We are all following the best advice we can find and interpreting it as best we can.
It’s been so long since we could hug each other….try. It’s hard to be afraid when you embrace a friend.
And here…have a cookie.
Salted-Butter Oatmeal Chocolate Chip Cookies
Equipment
- Baking Sheet
Ingredients
- 1½ cups All-purpose flour
- ½ cup whole wheat flour
- 1 tsp baking powder
- ½ tsp baking soda
- 1 tsp kosher salt
- 1 cup (2 sticks) salted butter, room temperature
- 1½ cups (packed) light brown sugar
- ½ cup granulated sugar
- 2 large Eggs
- 2 cups Old-Fashioned oats
- 1 Tbsp vanilla extract
- 6 oz semisweet chocolate (at least 60% cacao), chopped I like these a little more chocolatey so I use a bar of 60% chocolate, chopped, AND add about 1 cup semisweet chocolate chips.
Instructions
- Whisk all-purpose flour, whole wheat flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt in a medium bowl.
- Using an electric mixer on medium speed, beat butter, brown sugar, and granulated sugar in a large bowl until light and fluffy, 3-4 minutes.
- Add eggs one at a time, beating after each addition to incorporate before adding the next.
- Reduce mixer speed to low and gradually add dry ingredients, beating until just incorporated. Add oats and vanilla and beat just to combine. Fold in chocolate with a spatula.
- Turn dough out onto a work surface and flatten to a disk. Freeze 15 – 20 minutes to prevent dough from spreading too much as it bakes, or ideally chill 24 – 36 hours.
- Meanwhile, place racks in upper and lower thirds of oven; preheat to 350°F. Line 2 rimmed baking sheets with parchment paper.
- Drop ¼ cupfuls of dough onto prepared sheets. Bake cookies, rotating sheets front to back and top to bottom halfway through, until just golden brown around the edges, 12 – 15 minutes (cookies will firm up as they cool). Let cookies cool on baking sheets 5 minutes, then transfer to wire racks and let cool completely. Let baking sheet cool completely before lining with fresh parchment and spooning on dough for third batch.
- Do Ahead: Dough can be made 3 months ahead. Wrap tightly with plastic and freeze. Cookies can be made 1 day ahead. Store in an airtight container at room temperature, or freeze up to 3 months.
Very well said. I have to admit now that my freedoms have been partially restored it’s been easier to accept others handling things a different way. I just want to do me w/o judgment and I try to do the same for others. I personally analyzed the risks for myself and decided what works for me during this virus. The same way I decide if I’m going to get in a car and drive somewhere, or jump out of an airplane. The first one yes, the second one HELL NO!
Thanks for reading and commenting! I couldn’t agree more than everyone needs to analyze the situation and make these decisions for themselves based on what’s best for them and their family. But, I also couldn’t disagree more about the sky diving. 😂 It’s awesome!