In Ontario the Ministry just announced that schools would be closed for four more weeks (although many assume it will be far longer).
On Monday we will be transitioning one of the largest school systems in the world to a distance education model. This is no simple task!
I know a lot of educators feel like this right now . . .
Be kind to us. :-)
One of the popular social media activities right now is for people to post pics of places that have made them happy. You know the pics, the ones you look at and you get that feeling of calm and happiness inside. I've decided to do that for this week's edition of Travel Tuesdays.
Here goes the first edition from my self isolation.
How is that for a strange and wonderful mix?
I am sure that I am not alone in my struggles to adapt to life in a COVID-19 world. Paul and I are both the type of people who prefer being alone or in a small, select group so the self-isolation hasn't been a challenge. It is the other things that are unsettling - the lack of traffic and people out and about . . . new social distance requirements in stores . . . the inability to get a hair cut . . . the inability to visit my mother who is 79 and has a number of the conditions that COVID-19 wreaks havoc with . . . the fact that people continue to hoard. I know, all of these are first world problems.
We remain healthy. We have a roof over our heads. We have heat, hydro, and the internet. We have food.
I'll stop whining right now.
On Friday we decided that we needed a stiff drink in order to help cope with the changes in our world (plus long-repressed sadness from having to cancel the vacation we should just be returning home from). This version of the old fashioned is quick to prepare and delicious. We made doubles . . . it is a hefty amount of alcohol so sip . . . don't guzzle! :-)
Enjoy!
Canadian Old Fashioned
2 OZ Whiskey
1 TSP Maple Syrup
1 dash of Angostura bitters (we used locally produced orange bitters)
1 Orange zest for garnish
Mix Whiskey, maple syrup, angostura bitters with 1 tsp. water.
Add ice. Stir lightly.
Garnish with Orange Peel.
All of Italy is shut down as a result of COVID-19. No one is going in and no one is going out (well, unless there is a specific reasons for the entry or departure as defined by the government). This is decimating the tourist industry.
These two pics shows the impact of the ban. The first is a normal afternoon in Venice:
Lots of boats on the Grand Canal and crowds of people.
This second pic was taken on the weekend by a friend. It was a beautiful Sunday afternoon. The boats and crowds are missing . . .
This flower is called the mimosa. To celebrate International Women's Day in Italy, men give yellow mimosas to women.
A florist near our home carried some this year but - wow - what a price.
Happy International Women's Day to all of the strong and fierce women I have known over the years.
Thank you for showing up, standing up, shouting out, sharing your perspectives, and in so doing making the world a better place.
Thank you for teaching me how to be a better human.
There is a lot of work that needs to be done - perhaps one day we can stop saying that - but not today.
Onward.
Sadly, this editorial cartoon is a true representation of the things our current government is focused on . . .
Venice is on the list of places to not visit because of the covid-19 outbreak. What an overreaction. I wish I had more vacation time because I'd be on the next plane there. because i am stuck, my visit consists of looking at some old pics . . .
Paul and I had tickets to see the comedienne Hannah Gadsby last night. We decided to go to our of our favourite restaurants before the show.
Tutti Matti has been a 'go-to' spot for us for more than 15 years although for some reason we've not been in a few years. Restaurants come and go in Toronto but Tutti matti has been going strong for 18 years. The reason for its long-fought success: quality-obsessed chef and owner Alida Solomon has been there since day one. She still takes her staff on trips to Tuscany, seeking inspiration, everything is made in-house, and the menu, which deftly incorporates seasonal produce, smartly leaves room for long-time favourites, like the costine di manzo, a warming plate of short ribs braised in beer, oranges, honey and rosemary, which is served all year round.
I'm happy to report that it is every bit as good as we remembered.
We started off with cocktails:
Paul ordered the buratta for an appetizer. It was served with roasted apples, honey, and spices. The server suggested from baked pizza dough to go with it. I've only had buratta served with a savoury accompaniments and I was curious to see how this combination would work. I should have known that it would be amazing.
For our mains we both decided to have pasta. Paul ordered the pappadelle with a braised brisket sauce. I decided upon the pinci with a sausage ragu. They were both amazing!
It seems I neglected to get pictures of our dessert. Paul ordered vin santo and cantucci and I had an affogatto. Paul's vin santo was delicious an my affogatto had just enough kick from the espresso to fuel me on the walk to Roy Thomson Hall for the show.
Having seen Gadsby's last show Nannette on Netflix I did know what to expect -- and nevertheless found her opening "rundown of what to expect" as amusing and hilarious as what was to come (as we by that point were expecting)... Her mixture of monologue, comedy and occasional rant is funny, poignant, mind-poking and original. Say what you want about Gadsby - she'll make you think, even if you don't agree with every particular point she makes or example she cites. (After all, you probably won't be sitting in her audience if you;'re not an open-minded person.) We loved the show, and look forward to seeing it again when it drops on Netflix as well!