“Every morning I awake torn between a desire to save the world and an inclination to savor it.  This makes it hard to plan the day.”  E. B. White

My sentiments exactly…

SAVE & SAVOR

Unlike Oprah, I’ve experienced very few AHA moments but have approached Enlightenment, those lightbulb moments, gradually. Call me a Slow Learner. I plead guilty. But about 20 years ago as we moved into the 21st Century, I AHA’ed bigly. I decided that Joy is a choice with resilience and attitude, the survival tools. But, most importantly, I realized women must be Brave.

My AHA moment has successfully guided me through the past 20 years but it’s been a total lifesaver the last 7 months – a time like no other, bouncing between status quo to terrifying. And yet, despite the barriers, restrictions and mis-managed Pandemic, I have been not joyful exactly, but very content. Admittedly, some days I’ve had to pull on my big girl pants and just be Brave. 

Here’s to sharing some of the past month’s joyful moments and hoping you’ve had some of your own. It’s chilly in the Colorado High County so soup is on the menu. Need comfort food? This Bean & Tortilla Soup smells heavenly and carries some heat (or not, your choice.)

OUR HILLS ARE STILL ALIVE

By mid-September it’s always a quiet time in the mountains. 

VOTE

The women’s suffrage movement was a decades-long battle to win voting rights in this country. It took 100 years to make that happen for white women and longer for black women. Suffragettes were brave. Other brave Americans have fought and died so we can vote but only 56% of us cast votes in 2016. Don’t ask me to understand that.

In 1893 Colorado was the first state to grant white women the right to vote although the Wyoming Territory granted voting rights in 1864.

Since our Emma is a first-time presidential election voter, this is an exciting time for our family. (Well honestly, I’m the one who’s most excited.) Although Clara is a not-yet-eligible 17, she’s was a Poll Watcher in California’s last election. She wrote an extensively-researched paper on our Women’s Suffrage Movement last year which she shared chapter by chapter with her Grandmother. They both definitely needed VOTE necklaces.

BREAKING MY RULES

As you Readers know, I’m a Fauci follower. Realizing no one is immune to this virus, I still listen to Dr. Fauci’s suggestions, trying to stay safe and not harm others. In late September, I was asked to join six others at a dinner party to celebrate a very special birthday and another friend’s becoming an American citizen. 

It took a few days of discussion and our knowing we’d all been like-minded with our safety protocol to make it a Go. Realizing we faced a predicted surge as well as winter (it’s already snowed in Aspen), if not now, When?

It was a perfect evening albeit making us realize even more how much we missed being around a dinner table with old friends. These are strange times when we are hoping for the best, planning for the worst and staying focused on what’s most important to us. That was important. No regrets. 

THE LAST WORDS

This week I received the Roaring Fork Audubon newsletter written by our president, Mary Harris, who is an expert birder and passionate about protecting our Valley. What I loved most was the advice she shared from her son who has a PhD in Microbiology focusing on tuberculosis. It dittos the reminders I often receive from my daughter. Ya gotta love our kiddos.

“Mom,  Please stay safe. Don’t cave. Wear your mask outdoors when others get close, and don’t go visiting the people you miss. Hang in there.”

COOK THE BOOK FRIDAYS

It’s such a windfall to be cooking through Everyday Dorie, The Way I Cook right now. These are the easy, simple recipes Dorie cooks every day at home for her family. Right now the Greenspan family is +1. Dorie and her husband Michael are grandparents for the first time…to a lovely little girl. Mazel tov.

BEAN & TORTILLA SOUP

SERVES: 4

INGREDIENTS:

For the Soup

1 large Spanish or Vidalia onion, chopped

1 large red bell pepper, seeded and chopped

1½ tbsp olive oil

2 large carrots, peeled and thinly sliced

1/2 jalapeno, seeded and minced

2 garlic cloves, minced

1 tsp sea salt

pinch of sugar

¾ tsp cumin

½ tsp chili powder

3 cups vegetable, chicken or bean broth, adding more as desired

15 oz canned fire-roasted diced tomatoes

11/2 cups cooked or canned pinto or red kidney beans or black-eyed peas, drained and rinsed if canned

For the Add-Ins

Sour Cream or Greek yogurt

1-2 avocados, halved, pitted, cute into bite-sized chunks

Shredded Cheddar or Monterey Jack

Chopped fresh clilantro

1-2 fresh limes, Cut  1 lime into wedges and freshly squeeze lime juice from the other 

Tortilla Chips

Hot sauce (optional)

PREPARATIONS:

1. Heat the oil in a large Dutch oven or soup pot over medium heat. Add the onion, pepper, carrots, jalapenos, and garlic to the pan. Season with the salt and sugar and cook, stirring every few minutes, for 20 minutes.

2. Stir in the cumin and chili powder and cook for 1 minute. 

3. Pour in the broth, canned tomatoes, and beans. Bring to a boil, then lower heat and simmer for 20 minutes. Season to taste with salt, black pepper and the lime juice from 1 lime. 

4. Remove from the heat and divide into serving bowls. Top with suggested mix-ins above, as desired.

5. Ladle the soup into bowls and top with sour cream or yogurt and the avocado, some cheese and a generous amount of cilantro. Pass the lime wedges and tortilla chips. If desired pass the hot sauce also. 

TIP:  The soup can be made ahead and kept covered in the refrigerator up to four days or packed airtight and frozen for up to 2 months. 

BIRDS AND ANIMALS CAN’T VOTE BUT YOU CAN…AN INFORMED ELECTORATE IS THE FIRST REQUIREMENT FOR A SUSTAINABLE DEMOCRACY…THE SECOND IS TO VOTE.