Kevin's fiftieth birthday- pandemic version.  Ever since he was a little boy, lasagna was his birthday dinner of choice, with cheesecake for dessert.  If it ain't broke, don't fix it.

It's hard to take a pretty picture of lasagna, but this was delicious.  Michael Chiarello's "Lasagnette" from page 116 of his book "Casual Cooking."

Tonight, we watched Jaws- it was Mimie's first scary movie. She says she'll be bunking with us tonight.

Right now, though, we're introverting for our country and for all humankind.

Stay safe, be well, and WASH YOUR HANDS.

First post in two years- Covid 19 work-from-home post. 

I've been working at home with Mimie at home with me for five summers and four school years where I've worked various schedules - days and nights, and she has made either AB or A Honor Roll every year. In other words, since she was a little bitty till she's the young lady she is now.

It's exhausting, but we're both okay with it. A few pointers:

1. If your child is old enough, you need to work in a room with a door you can close. Don't try working in the living room or family room if you have a job where you truly have to concentrate.

2. Leave the snacks and some paper cups where your kids can reach them. A cup for water, a Ziploc full of rice cakes or Cheerios, a jar of peanut butter, and a plastic knife can get you through a staff meeting or a world tour without interruption.

3. Don't worry about relying on the TV occasionally. As long as you know what they're watching, it isn't going to kill them to watch more than an hour per day. Books and coloring books are a better option, obviously, but the TV is a good back-up in times of need.

4. Just because you're physically at home does NOT mean you need to worry about cleaning, chores, and tidying up. Do that when you're off the clock or you will drive yourself nuts- and possibly violate your work-at-home contract.

5. I've been working on California time for the majority of the past five years. If your family needs to eat dinner before you're off and able to cook, get things ready for them when you can. The occasional box of mac and cheese or turkey sandwich will hold them over till you get off work.

6. Try to get the dishes done before bed if you can swing it. Paper plates and cups are still available in our grocery store, if that's what you need to fall back on to keep your kitchen manageable. You're not Martha Stewart and you don't have her staff to help you through this.

7. Go easy on yourself and your kids, spouse, or partner. We're all in this together and things are a bit crazy now. Give a little and don't expect too much from anybody- especially yourself. Also, be glad you're ABLE to work from home. Not everyone is lucky enough to be able to do so.