pandemic

Say it ain’t so

~ MaryG ~ 10 Comments

Of all the unexpected bad news out of left field, Catherine O’Hara suddenly passing at age 71 made me cry OH NO at top volume.

Like literally everyone else, I LOVED Catherine O’Hara.

There are currently about one million tributes to Catherine online, so I’m just going to pick one favorite memory to share and that is: I honestly don’t know how we would’ve made it through the pandemic lockdown without Schitt’s Creek and Moira Rose. She was such a bright spot during that awful time. I absolutely loved all of the scenes involving the Women’s Choir (probably because I’m a lifelong Choir Lady myself), but remember her audition? The bizarre scat singing and the shaker egg in one hand. 🤣 How on earth did she come up with that? I often wondered how the other actors made it through even one take with Moira Rose without cracking up.

When Moira Rose auditions for the Schitt’s Creek Women’s Choir:

Thanks for the laughs Catherine, but you left us way too soon! There are so many other Baby Boomers that should’ve gone before you (especially the one in The White House). NOT FAIR. I was so looking forward to seeing you in Season Two of The Studio and whatever else you ever decided to do.

😢

Try painting first

~ MaryG ~ 21 Comments
Daily writing prompt
Describe one positive change you have made in your life.
View all responses

One positive change I made during the pandemic was in my kitchen. I finally had my 1980s wood grain kitchen cabinets painted Benjamin Moore Linen White. I know it doesn’t sound like a big deal, but I spend a lot of time in and near my kitchen (it’s one of those kitchen/family room combos) and having it be light and bright makes me happier.

I don’t know what took me so long. I kept thinking I had to have the cabinets ripped out and replaced. Painting was so much cheaper.

I forgot to take a “before” picture, but believe me, they were dark and depressing.

Related post:

I like my porch

Oases (Oasises?) for All

~ MaryG ~ 2 Comments
The pool at One Dalton, Boston

How would you design the city of the future?

For about six months in 2019 and 2020 (pre-pandemic), I was able to swim laps in Boston’s fanciest new building – One Dalton Street. It’s both a Four Seasons Hotel and a very expensive condo building, all in one deluxe skyscraper.

At that time, the condos were still under construction, but the hotel was open, so management kindly let people who lived or worked in the neighborhood use the fitness center. They didn’t advertise this — I just happened to ask, so I typically had the whole pool to myself. The occasional hotel guest would come and go.

The light-filled pool area has a gentle arc and sweeping view of Boston’s Back Bay neighborhood and Christian Science Plaza. The locker rooms have complimentary everything – from cucumber water, to fluffy white robes and the thickest emery boards I’ve ever seen. It’s a true urban oasis. After swimming, showering and pampering there, I would drive home in a relaxed state.

I knew it wouldn’t last, so I tried to enjoy it. But I never thought a virus would be the thing that ended it!

Anyway, in my fantasy City of the Future, everyone would have access to an oasis like this.

It’s 64 feet – long enough to swim laps

Things I Will Miss About My Son’s “Cancelled” Senior Spring

~ MaryG ~ 1 Comment
  1. Seeing him play lacrosse, the game he loves, with his best friends for the last time
  2. Seeing him recognized as a team Captain on the field and scoring goals
  3. Hearing people cheer for him and hearing his name announced over the loudspeaker
  4. Senior Night
  5. Taking photos before the prom on the town common and seeing the entire class so beautiful and happy
  6. Watching him walk across the stage to accept his diploma
A happy memory of the team celebrating after a big win over a rival