And then there were none

A photo of a person sitting on a bench looking at the clouds. We see it from behind.

Well, this week I was going to regale you with my thoughts and feelings about boycotts, because I’m shunning a LOT of companies and founders right now, but you’ll have to wait until next week for that thrilling installment.

Today I am holed up in a hotel room in Eugene, OR, a town my mother-in-law has inhabited for 60+ years. I call her my mother-in-law although her son and I divorced over twenty years ago; this is a family that doesn’t throw the bride out with the bathwater, so to speak.

I’m spending the day alone in this room that’s not exactly four star because last night I came down with yet another sore throat, achy sinuses type of illness.

I’ve been working on building up my immune system, but she’s still acting like I flirted with her high school crush, flouncing away with gusto just when I need her the most. The illness is a little more understandable this time around, since I spent two nights not sleeping and two days in a very small room with a rotating cast of many.

My lovely mother-in-law is nearing the finish line and, because she is so well-loved, many people are spending time with her while they can. I was very much enjoying spending time with her myself, but once the symptoms started I felt like I’d better keep my germs to myself.

All this to say that all bets are off in the regular part of my life. The past few days have been a whirlwind of airports and car rides and hotel rooms and hanging out with my kids and my ex and his family and feeling grateful.

It’s no small thing to be embraced by another family and I appreciate it no end.

Gayle is the last of all of our parents, the last grandparent this batch of cousins has. Much as I like the age I am, the downside is that we only become matriarchs or patriarchs or disgruntled second-class orphans by losing the people at the top.

And as many times as we go through it, it still sucks mightily.

As though it’s not bad enough to lose your own parents, assuming you had a decent set; you also have to suffer the loss of all the other parents and grandparents and odd uncles and honorary aunts and whomever else you’ve come to love from an older generation.

Nonetheless, we are the lucky ones, to hold anyone so dear that their loss is devastating.

Okay, love you, bye!

Julia

Recommendation!

Ramen!

When I was in college ramen was what you ate when you were broke, because it was like 10 cents per package. My college boyfriend would add vegetables and make it into more of a meal - I mean, there couldn't be a whole lot of nutrition in those dried out noodles.

It was many years before I ate REAL ramen, made by hand and cooked in a heavenly broth with meat and herbs and all manner of delicious stuff. It's health in a bowl, whether it's vegan or chock full of pork belly.

Good ramen is comfort food of the highest order, and heaven knows we need comfort now!

Talking Heads know that there's a place called Heaven, and so does this email. Forward it to your most angelic friends.