Today I drove up to Northfield to capture some photos of the Nordonia Hill Branch Library for the library’s Instagram account. I’ve been helping to manage that account during this work from home period. It’s a nice distraction from the dumpster fire that is 2020.
I passed by this custard stand, and couldn’t resist taking a picture. I drove by it last fall, all lit up at night. It was magical.
Listening to Sign by VHS Collection.
Took Ted for a city-hike today. It was great to see the new downtown roundabout coming along nicely. I’m still skeptical about how well the traffic will play with the pedestrian crossings.
Listening to Ain’t Messin ‘Round by Gary Clark Jr.
House plants are another of my passions. With deep ledges for all ten windows, it’s been a join to see the variety of my plants prosper.
Listening to High Five by Sigrid.
Went out capturing more photos of our library branch locations for Instagram. This is our Fairlawn-Bath Branch, located just behind Summit Mall.
Well, this week sure has sucked. Can’t sugar coat that, won’t sugar coat that. I’m so worried about people, and I feel powerless to make anything better. I miss people…I miss them so much. This hug-adverse fella can’t wait for the day when I can give people big bear hugs willy-nilly. Seriously, when we get the all-clear, look out. I’m coming for you.
I’ve been working from home (WFH, I still have trouble remembering what that acronym means when I see it pop up) since March 18. March 18! Just a few days ago, it occurred to me that I really have no excuse for not updating this blog daily, or at least way more regularly. So that’s what I’m going to try to do. While at the same time realizing that these are super-weird times. Times where I should maybe, be a little more kind to myself and the expectations that I place on myself.
I’m going to be real honest here, I had all sorts of plans and projects for while I was at home. I was going to organize my sock drawers. Yes, sock drawers. There are three, plus a basket stuffed with more socks. Since being home, I’ve barely even cracked those drawers open. So, maybe tomorrow? I had plans to go through the boxes of random documents that we packed up when we moved downtown nearly 18 months ago. Let’s pencil that one in for a couple of days after socks-mageddon.
On the other hand, Greg had an idea about a little furniture shift in our living room. I was all in, on that. We had the furniture re-positioned that evening. The following day, I moved all of our artwork into a new gallery wall formation. It was one of the most difficult things I’ve ever done (and I attempted to make homemade pretzel bagels…what a shit-show). It’s looking more and more likely that the gallery wall will be the great accomplishment of the Stay at Home Spring of 2020. You know what, I’m okay with that.
I hope that you and your families are well, during this difficult time. Please reach out if you need to chat or laugh or cry.
Yesterday we celebrated Greg’s birthday. Beginning with a expertly crafted coffee and latte at Akron Coffee Roasters. Followed by a most amazing breakfast at The Blue Door Cafe & Bakery. Greg indulged in the Kölner Sour Cherry Waffle and I feasted on the breakfast pizza.
One of favorite spots to visit in the winter is Brandywine Falls in the Cuyahoga Valley National Park. While it was cold, the falls had not completely frozen (#thanksclimatechange). Still, they were spectacular to view, as usual. It was also great that we got the falls to just ourselves on a Friday afternoon.
Since it was a Friday, we concluded our culinary adventures at Dewey’s Pizza. This pizza place has a special place in my heart, as it was the first pizza we shared as a couple when I visited Greg in Cincinnati way back when we began dating in 2000. We were ecstatic when they opened an Akron-area shop a few years back.
I hope that you had a great weekend. We did. I mean, how could you not when the temps were in the 40’s and 50’s on a winter day?
Some highlights. Friday we both worked half days. We checked out some “coming soon” new downtown apartments, grabbed a nice lunch at Luigi’s and ended the evening watching Jojo Rabbit. On Saturday, we ran our typical weekend errands and Greg, yes my Greg, baked and frosted a cake. He had a craving. It both looked and tasted great. Sunday, while the weather was still terrific, we took Ted for a hike near our previous home. Portions of the trail were very muddy, but the experience, particularly around the pond, was spectacular.
From February 21, 2010 — I’ve had one of the best weekends ever. A weekend where we had no obligations. Just had two days of do-whatever-we-want. Yesterday, I made homemade chicken noodle soup. Today, I made a new granola recipe. It was ok. Not as good as my favorite, the maple-nut granola. Also today, I ventured into candy making. Last week on Martha, there was a guest who made goat butter and honey caramels. It’s one of my favorite forms of candy, and made even better when sprinkled with sea salt. They turned out really well, and I got to use my candy thermometer for the very first time. The caramels did have one unusual ingredient, goat butter. Not available at our regular grocer; I was able to find it at the fabulous West Point Market. It, combined with the locally sourced honey, makes for a more uniquely flavored caramel. It’s more floral, earthy and quite pleasant.
a downtown story 