investing in something without a quick return

One (of many) conclusion I've drawn from reading and watching news analyses is that we are a nation with a short memory and with a oversized craving for instant gratification. Now, Ed has been counseling me to back away from so much news reading and news thinking (and thus news writing), and I am going to follow his advice today, tomorrow and maybe through the weekend. Read once, put it aside. Done. But some thoughts do stay with me and the one about instant gratification bounced around, then simmered to the surface again as I opened my emails this morning. Remember when I signed onto a bunch of cooking newsletters a few weeks back (in an effort to diversify my reading portfolio and introduce new foods into my rotation)? Well, this morning, Tamar Adler ("the Kitchen Shrink") delivered into my mailbox the perfect way to poach a chicken breast.

Do you know how easy it is to have your chicken meat crimp over itself, giving you a tough, dry piece of rubber? Yes, if you ever boiled chicken breasts, you know what I'm talking about. Turns out all you have to do is put this piece of meat into boiling water (no salt! but you can throw in other aromatics if you wish), turn off the heat and leave it there, covered of course, for twenty minutes. And if you keep it in longer, because you're ancient and you forgot to set the clock, or whatever -- no prob! Let it rest like that for up to an hour (I'm told)! It still will be succulent and tasty for your salads, tacos, etc.

The point is that doing things in anticipation of a better outcome down the road (subscribing to newsletters that maybe someday will deliver something worthwhile) should be in our nature. And yet, we demand instant gratification.

Okay, so it snowed yesterday and last night. Beautiful, fluffy snow.

 

 

But it is very very cold outside and this isn't the end of it, because it is only going to get colder next week. Think Polar Arctic bone-chilling air. Yep, coming our way.

Getting Dance to go outside (for bathroom duty!) is difficult. I finally forced her out after what must have been at least 24 hours of failed effort. As a reward, we waited breakfast for her! (She loves to join us at the table, even though she gets no food out of the deal. Today, she reveled in playing with the pussy willows.)

Afterwards, well, I peaked at the newspaper again. Mistake. I read this article (another gifted one for you). Unfortunately it reminded me of that other period in my life -- living in an undemocratic country, where so many felt compelled (for actually good reasons) to show loyalty to a regime they privately did not support. The article addresses the question of why influential people stay silent, even as institutions and laws in their country are being ripped apart with the speed of lightening. Read it if that topic interests you. I just nodded my head throughout. So familiar! And here's the warning that comes with it: autocratic rulers are insatiable. Give in once, and they're not done with you. And after a while they will suck you dry. And in a country where collective action is uncommon, the autocrat will prevail. So, that was definitely not a cheerful moment. Ed and I should have at this point gone skiing, but it really is too cold and besides, Ed had to wait for a call from the Wall Street Journal (he was being interviewed on the subject of tariffs). Good excuse to stay home and stare glumly at the wall.

Well, not exactly. The sunlight is brilliant. The landscape is beautiful.

Again, I am reminded of Poland: in the years I lived there, so many of us took to the mountains, the forests, the fields and meadows. We were a nation of walkers. And those habits stayed with us, even as we rid ourselves of despots and returned the nation to a democratic system of governance. So maybe Ed and I should double down and get out even more? 

Maybe. When the temps get out of the "greatly below freezing" range.

I pick up Snowdrop today. We were to go downhill skiing but I deemed it too cold. I'm sure she thought I was being over protective, but honestly, the winds are strong and the temp never climbed above 12F (-11C) and that just seemed to me to be too harsh. So we stayed in the farmhouse. (To which she walked tossing her jacket aside...)

We are starting in on the sequel to a very good book and that has us busy for ... several hours! (Yes, ice cream and short sleeves. Yes, in this weather. She is a winter girl alright!)

Evening -- I drop off the girl.

 

 

Crisp, cold. I had made a frittata yesterday. Reheat and eat. And brace for more snow. Yes, I admit it -- I like it. But of course, even now, I have to gripe about the weather: it's too cold!

with love...