coronavirus - Moxie Gardiner

Our Year of Living Differently

Goodbye 2020! What lessons did I learn from you to determine how I will live in 2021?

Like everyone else on the planet, I am glad to see 2020 come to an end.

But I have to admit, this past year has changed my life, at least in some ways, for the better. And while I know and appreciate that people are chomping at the bit to get back to “normal” in 2021, it is slowly dawning on me that some things will never return to the way they were. Perhaps they shouldn’t.

This New Year’s Eve, I am looking at the lessons I learned by living differently in 2020, to determine how I will live in 2021. Here are 10 new habits I developed that will not change in the coming year:

Paying more attention to the people I love: At the beginning of the pandemic, I awoke each day dreading the news that a loved one was ill or dying. I began to check in on everyone I knew, even people I hadn’t heard from in years. Once I confirmed they were fine, we laughed and joked and traded stories. It didn’t take long to realize there was nothing more important to me than being able to talk to the ones I love. It took a pandemic for me to permanently rearrange my priorities.

*Checking in with loved ones is now the most important part of my day.*

2. Shopping less often: We used go to the grocery store once or twice a week, sometimes more. Starting in March, we cut it back to once a month. We found we could easily manage with a well-stocked pantry of canned and dry foods, supplemented with perishables that could be frozen. We started buying reusable, rather than single-use products. When anticipated food shortages never happened, we were grateful. I will never take farm workers, grocery store cashiers, or delivery people for granted again.

*The water was cold but refreshing in the DIY truck bed swimming pool.*

3. My perception of looking good. This has been the year of no bra, no makeup, no perfume, and no haircuts—a year of grooming liberation! I learned people want to see you looking healthy on Zoom, not made-up like a L’Oréal commercial. I will rely on moisturizers and brisk walks to give me a nice virtual glow.

4. Learning to make new things: Stuck at home, we experimented with new foods, recipes, and ingredients. We learned to make everything from apple cinnamon crepes to seven grain bread and pickled okra. We made our own mail box, compost bin, raised beds, and home gym, giving us a much needed sense of accomplishment. We are now devoted DIY’ers.

*Now that I’ve learned to make crepes, they will make a regular appearance on the menu.*

5. Limiting who gets in my personal space: I miss hugging and kissing loved ones, but I intend to be more selective about who gets to enter my physical comfort zone in the future. Why not greet others with a wave, bow, curtsy, or two-fingered peace sign, rather than a handshake?

6. Recognizing health as a luxury: Every morning that I could get out of bed, take a deep breath and feel my own cool forehead, I said a prayer of thanks. As the number of people who contracted the virus climbed into the millions, I was grateful for my doctors who sent us thoughtful email updates on the virus and conducted telehealth visits, and for all the scientists, researchers, EMTs, and hospital workers on the front lines. I will never take health care professionals for granted again.

*We made these raised beds out of old barn wood; repurposing is our new mantra.*

7. Paying attention to where the money goes: We live on a yearly budget now, and I was pleasantly surprised to see how little we spent by not traveling, going to restaurants, shopping, and paying for gas. This left more money at the end of the year to donate to charity and give gifts to loved ones.

*Using an old wheelbarrow for a grill, we enjoyed Friday night tailgate parties for two at home.*

8. Planning more travel by motorcycle, car or RV: It is much easier to control who you sit next to that way! For the foreseeable future, we plan to spend our vacations traveling close to home and getting to know our own town, region, and state better. Family visits are at the top of the list, once it is safe to do so.

9. Working more productively from home: Employers are rethinking their investment in office space, as are school administrators in classrooms. We’ve learned that Zoom meetings and webinars cut costs, eliminate travel time, and reduce carbon emissions, among other things. As an introvert, I’m in my element working from home, but I’ve also learned how important it is to structure your day, have a dedicated workspace, and be disciplined in your work habits.

*I learned I needed a dedicated office space and a daily planning calendar to stay focused.*

10. Being prepared for whatever comes next: After 9/11, government agencies recommended that every family have an emergency plan, and I was very glad we had one, even if it wasn’t tailored specifically for a pandemic. We all learned some things this year about what to have on hand before the panic-buying and hoarding starts. Growing up in Buffalo, we always had extra milk and toilet paper around should the blizzards be worse than usual, but flour, yeast, and Lysol wipes? Who would have thunk it?

Did you develop new habits in 2020? Will you do things differently this coming year? I would love to hear your thoughts.

Whatever your plans are for 2021, I wish you all the best for a safe, happy, and healthy New Year!

Moxie Gardiner is a writer and gardener who grew up on the West Side of Buffalo, NY. In a previous life she was a journalist, magazine editor, speech writer, and policy wonk. Back in the day she made three solo parachute jumps, flew in an F-15 fighter jet, and crawled through mud pits at the Jungle Operations Training Course in Panama. She now meditates and practices yoga. She is almost ready to publish her first novel, set in Buffalo.

Water in the Mouth

All I have to do is think about the authentic street food usually on offer at the Italian Festival—sfinge, cannoli, gardoons, zeppole, pizza bianca—and I begin to drool.

One of the things this monstrous thief, the COVID-19 pandemic, has robbed us of this year is Buffalo’s popular Italian Heritage Festival, usually held the third weekend in July when Buffalo is fully enjoying La Dolce Vita.

Dante Alighieri, one of Italy’s most famous sons, once said, “There is no greater pain than to recall happiness in times of misery.” I know what he means. I am feeling the pain in this miserable time of quarantines and lockdowns, recalling my many happy years attending the Italian Festival, and being transported back to a time and place that felt so much like the neighborhood where I grew up.

There is an Italian expression, avere l’acquolina in bocca, literally meaning to have water in the mouth. All I have to do is think about the authentic street food usually on offer at the Italian Festival—sfinge, cannoli, gardoons, zeppole, pizza bianca—and I begin to drool. Many of the vendors have been there for years, some for generations, making food the way my Sicilian grandmother did. But lest you get the impression that the festival is all about food, let me quickly add a little bit of history.

Most people from the Buffalo metropolitan area are familiar with the version of the festival that for many years was held on Hertel Avenue in North Buffalo, where it moved in the late 1980s along with many of the city’s Italians. After a couple of decades on Hertel, the festival expanded exponentially and outgrew the city streets. In 2018, the festival moved to Buffalo’s Outer Harbor, and again in 2019 to downtown Buffalo.

*St. Anthony is still the man at the heart of the Italian Festival.*

“The Buffalo Lawn Fete,” however, was actually born nearly 100 years ago at St. Anthony of Padua Church on the lower West Side. The Italian community founded the Saint Anthony of Padua Church Society back in 1891 when thousands of Italian immigrants were pouring in, and it quickly became the social and religious center of the city’s Italian population. The parish established the first Italian language school and priests said the mass in Italian. In 1921, the church’ held the first 12-day lawn fete centered on the “Festa di San Antonio,” which honored St. Anthony, beloved patron saint of the oppressed and poor.

*What could be better than eating food that tastes like Grandma’s for $3.00?*

Back in 1921, my ancestors were among the thousands of immigrants from the mountain villages of Sicily who had settled on the lower West Side. My grandmother and her family lived on Efner Street, within walking distance of St. Anthony’s, and I like to imagine her and her siblings waiting excitedly for the festival each year, walking to the church, enjoying the food, and meeting and greeting friends and relatives in Italian.

My first encounter with the Italian Festival was in 1976 when it was revived after a hiatus and held again on the West Side. A friend who was working at one of the booths (shucking clams if I remember correctly), encouraged me to walk the four blocks from my house to Connecticut Street to see what was on offer. The whole festival only took up a few blocks back then, and had a much homier feel. I fell in love with the food, the dancing, the music, and the language, and I’ve been going back for as many years as I can remember whenever I’m in Buffalo.

*Old Italian expression*:
***Chi si volta, e chi si gira, sempre a casa va finire.***
No matter where you go or turn, you’ll always end up at home.
**—————————**

This year the plan was to transform Niagara Square into an Italian piazza, say the festival organizers. It was to be focused more on cultural traditions to introduce—or remind—people of the old ways. There was to be grape stomping, puppet shows, tarantella dancers and a procession carrying the statue of St. Anthony through downtown Buffalo. There was even going to be a genealogy booth, and I had looked forward to being fully immersed in the old West Side again.

No, I won’t be able to go the festival this summer and that makes me sad. But I have decided to search high and low until I find an Italian bakery that sells fresh, just filled cannoli in my new hometown. I will venture inside, wearing my mask, and buy half a dozen cannoli, just to console myself.

There is water in my mouth just thinking about it.

*Somewhere I will find a good Italian bakery this summer that makes authentic desserts, especially my all time favorite–cannoli.*
All photos are copyright by Moxie Gardiner

Small Victories

Back in 1943, nearly every yard on the West Side of Buffalo, no matter the size, became what was then called a Victory Garden. My mother and father both recall the vibrant, productive gardens that filled these small spaces, and remember doing what they could to contribute, though they were only small children when World War II broke out. Families across the country worked together to do their part by growing fresh fruit and vegetables on their own plot of land to support the war effort and supplement the rationed food supply.

My parents remember West Side gardens filled with everything from tomatoes and peppers to raspberry bushes, grapevines, and fruit trees. Some families planted gardens in empty lots, on rooftops, even in pots and sacks on front porches. People bought pressure cookers to can whatever produce they did not need to eat immediately, thus ensuring a ready supply of vitamin-packed fruits and veggies throughout the Buffalo winter.

*Herbs do very nicely in pots. Here we hav*e a mix of rosemary, oregano, thyme and chives. *All photos are copyright by Moxie Gardiner.*

The Victory Garden movement actually began during World War I, when the government declared that the “Prevention of widespread starvation is the peacetime obligation of the United States. … The War Garden of 1918 must become the Victory Garden of 1919.” The idea was heralded again during World War II when US home, school, and community gardens produced an estimated 40 percent of the country’s fresh vegetables from something like 20 million Victory Gardens.

Now, as word spreads of possible long term disruptions in the food supply as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, people are talking about them again, this time as Victory Over the Virus gardens. Using quarantine time to start an edible garden has apparently caught on.

*This large window box has been producing a continuous mix of salad greens since early March.*

“Like every seed company, we’ve had a huge uptick in sales,” said Nate Kleinman, in a recent New York Times article. “People seem to be preparing for some serious disruptions in the food supply. I’m not alone in feeling concerned with how this may go down,” he said.[1]

But many novices will likely learn, as they did in 1943, that growing an edible garden is more challenging than it seems. At our annual “Grow It Eat It” community event each year, Master Gardeners are often asked, “How do I get started? How much space will I need? What are easy crops to grow? What if I don’t have a yard? Can I grow food in containers?

This year, one of my responsibilities was to teach an Urban Gardening class on growing fruits, vegetables, and herbs in containers. Sadly, the class was cancelled, like so many things this spring, so I decided to use this blog to pass along a few tips for those who have small yards, or no yards, and want to try their hand at growing their own food.

*When the weather warms, I will plant tomatoes in this bed ringed with different types of garlic.*

For those who have a small yard, or have never cultivated the soil in their yard, raised beds are a great option. I have raised beds in two sizes: 4’x4’ and 4’x8’. Most hardware stores will cut 8 foot boards to the size you need. It is then a fairly simple matter of fastening the corners and filling the bed with a good mix of compost and garden soil sold in bags at the same stores.

*I’ve planted carrots, spinach, beets,*
*turnips and swiss chard in this 4’x4′ bed.*

To make the most of each raised bed, I plant things that are great “companion” plants. For example, my strawberry plants seem to love the peppers I plant with them each summer. In other beds, I plant a combination of root vegetables (like beets and carrots) with shallow rooted leafy greens (like spinach and swiss chard). Garlic and onions form the perimeter of many of my raised beds, not only because they are very compatible with plants like tomatoes and potatoes, but also because they ward off many pests.

If your growing space is limited to a deck or balcony, you can still grow edibles in a variety of containers. The key is to focus on plants that are appropriate for the size of your pots. Herbs do wonderfully well in pots and window boxes, as do all types of greens. Potatoes, beets, carrots and other root vegetable are easily grown in half whiskey barrels and even tomatoes (varieties like Bushsteak, Roma or Red Cherry do best) can be grown in large pots, provided they get at least six hours of full sun.

*Shallow rooted plants like swiss chard do well in a small window box.*

The most important elements of success, of course, are sunlight, water, and the right kind of growing medium. Regular garden soil is much too heavy for pots, and potting soils often do not have enough nutrients. The internet is chock full of information about the type of supplements each different fruit or vegetable requires. For example, instead of throwing my coffee grounds in the trash, I toss them on the soil of all my acid loving plants (like blueberries and tomatoes).

*Once these strawberries bloom, I will add hot peppers to this raised bed.*

There is an old adage, that “Gardening adds years to your life and life to your years.” If you have never planted an edible garden before, why not try it now? The important thing is to get started soon. Many types of vegetable seeds should be planted just after the last frost date in your area, if your garden is to reach full maturity this summer.

Edible gardening is not only an enjoyable pastime and hobby, it may become a necessity in the months to come. Are you planning your own “Victory Garden” this year? Please let my readers know in the comments below what you are planting and your tips for gardening success.

[1] See “Food Anxiety Brings Back Victory Gardens,” Tejal Rao, New York Times, March 25, 2020

Love in the Time of Coronavirus

How we react and how we behave over the coming months will define who we are, and how we will be remembered, long after we are gone.

“These are the times that try men’s souls,” said Thomas Paine about the crisis that confronted Americans in 1776. Today we face another crisis that will test us all as Americans, as individuals, and as global citizens. How we react and how we behave over the coming months will define who we are, and how we will be remembered, long after we are gone.

We do not know when, or if, the coronavirus will visit us personally, and if it does, whether or not we will survive it. This sobering thought has me laser-focused on what is truly important in life, and what I should let fall by the wayside.

*It is time to remember what is important in life.*

When it is my time, for what would I like to be remembered? I have taken inspiration from Gabriel Garcia Marquez, who in his novel Love in the Time of Cholera, writes, “The only regret I will have in dying is if it is not for love.” Love, he goes on to explain is “a state of grace, not the means to anything, but the alpha and omega, an end in itself.”

I decided that I would like to be remembered as someone who loved deeply. Not just someone who felt love, but someone able to express love without reservation. I realize though, that I, like many others, face a challenge. As more and more of us are isolated, stuck at home, unemployed, sick, bored, irritable, confrontational, and running out of resources, how do we find the inner strength to show our love? Especially at a distance?

*It is more important now than ever to show the love.*

Do you remember the poem, “Desiderata?” The poem expresses the need to strive for worthy ideals, and the word desiderata means, “things wanted or needed” to achieve that. In order to focus on my new, # 1 priority in life, I decided to compose my own desiderata, my own list of things I want or need to remember to be able to express my love. Perhaps some on my list will resonate with you.

*Remember to say: I love the music you make.*

Love thru Intimacy. Remember to love my spouse, and why I was attracted to him in the first place, especially when so much “togetherness” is getting on everyone’s last nerve. And although there is a good chance that nine months from now there will be a COVID-19 baby boom, I should always remember there is more to intimacy than sex. While we are quarantined, I need to remember that the unexpected loving touch (hugs, kisses, back scratches, picking lint off a sweater) often says more than words. Love notes left on the refrigerator, reminiscences over dinner, dreams of good things yet to come are more important now than ever. Remember to say how much I love the way he strums his mandolin each morning while I have coffee. Remember how important it is to still have fun together.

*Remember it is important, especially for the little ones, to have fun.*

Love thru Patience. Remember to love the little ones in my life by exercising infinite patience. Remember that they don’t show their stress and anxiety the way we do at times like this, but the stress is there. Remember to be the fun auntie who likes to play and tell stories. Forgive small transgressions. Listen to them with your full attention. Pause before you speak. Remember to take time to watch the littlest one learn to walk (via video chat) and remember to applaud her efforts loudly.

*Remember to keep in touch with my elders, especially now.*

Love thru Tenderness. Remember to treat my elders with gentleness. They are especially vulnerable at this time and I should do everything in my power to protect them and keep them safe, even if that means not seeing them as often as I’d like. Remember the elders in my neighborhood too, and shop or do for them what I can. Remember that not all seniors have access to the Internet so be sure to call and let them know I am thinking about them. Remember to offer words of encouragement to help them get through this.

*Remember to do what I can to help others from the safety of my home.*

Love thru Compassion. Remember how fortunate I am to be quarantined in a comfortable house with access to food and the things that I need, while many less fortunate souls have neither. Remember those who have lost their jobs and can’t buy groceries or pay the rent. Remember those who are still working every day, putting their lives on the line to keep us healthy and safe, and to do my part to help them protect themselves. Donate what I can to help those in need, and volunteer to help from home where possible.

*Remember my pets need to feel the love too.*

Love thru Kindness. Remember to be kind to my furry family members who are such a source of comfort during difficult times. As happy as my pets are to have me home, remember that they sense my stress and are affected. Remember to play with them, hold them, pet them, and buy them treats. Remember too, all the other living creatures who enjoy my protection, from the birds at the feeders, to the fish in the pond, to the lady bugs hatching inside my house. Remember they all have their place in the great circle of life.

*Remember to act silly to lighten the mood.*

Love thru Humor. Remember to take time to do a funny dance and make everyone laugh. Share the funny things I find online–movies, memes, videos, apps, and games. Laughter is a great tonic at times like this. Try to lighten the burden of those who are suffering from mental health issues now, ranging from anxiety, to depression, to substance abuse. Show them the love by listening and sharing good humor to lift their spirits.

*Remember to plant a garden that can help feed the neighborhood.*

Love thru Generosity. Remember to invest time now to be able to help others this summer. Create a Victory Garden that will produce more than enough to share with neighbors and others in my community. As a Master Gardener, remember to be generous not only with produce, but with offers of assistance, with gardening advice, and with compliments for the gardening efforts of others.

*Remember that all living things are connected in the Circle of Life.*

Love thru Respect. Remember to show my love for our planet, for nature, and for wildlife, by respecting its role in our well being. Be a good steward of the earth and remember to do the right things, even during this time of crisis. Remember that lack of such respect may lead to future crises.

Love thru Self-care. Remember to take care of myself. If my reserves are depleted, I will have little to give anyone else. Meditate, eat healthily, take breaks from the news and practice self care. Remember to walk to the creek and listen to the laughing waters. Give myself a spa night at home and bake some peanut butter cookies. If love is the alpha and omega, remember it also begins and ends right here.

How do you plan to show the love during the coronavirus crisis? I would love to hear your ideas, and add them into my own list of resolutions. Please leave a comment. And stay well. I love my readers too.

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