Like everything else about 2020, this year's Jewish High Holidays look considerably different than in years past. Rosh HaShanah, the Jewish new year, was observed last Friday/Saturday, & while I would typically have spent the day in synagogue, this year I, like millions of Jews worldwide, had to get a little creative.

My day job working with ReformJudaism.org means I have a lot of easy access to & knowledge of Jewish resources – finding synagogues, figuring out which prayers to recite, identifying tasty recipes. Leaning on some of the content I've recently created or helped promote for work, Mike & I cobbled together a really nice little new year's celebration for ourselves. Here's what it entailed. 

All the Things I Miss

I've been trying to stay upbeat during the pandemic in part because... well, what's the use in moping? (God, I sound like my grandmother.) That said, as this thing drags out & drags on, I'm starting to dread the approach of colder weather – because with it comes our return to isolation, without the option of outdoor hangs.

I've been thinking about all the things I miss most, & I'm keeping a little list, just because I find that it makes me feel a little bit better to have it all written down. I thought I'd share it with you here – & if you're inclined to share, I'd love to hear what you're pining for, too.

5 Life Lessons from My New Beachcombing Hobby

Here in Northeast Ohio, beachcombing seems to have blown up this summer, probably as a result of the pandemic. Local beach glass Facebook groups are bursting with new members, & a radio station recently ran an interview with a beachcomber about the best spots in Cleveland (which revealed a bit of an open secret, flooding that beach with new hobbyists). 

I'm new to beachcombing myself, so who am I to judge? As the pandemic-laden weeks carry on, I'm finding my beachcombing hobby to be more & more integral to my mental health – an opportunity for me to be outside & in nature, mind clear & heart open, just me & my thoughts & my headphones & my digging hands.

Things I Love Right Now (Pt. XI)

Apparently it's been two years since I did a post about products I love, but, uhhh, no time like the present, right? Seriously, I feel like I do these all the time, but... I guess not. So here are just a few things I've been loving these days. How about you? 

Finding Joy: 8 More Little Reasons to Smile Amid the Pandemic

Back in April, when the pandemic was brand new (man, remember those days?), I wrote a post about "eight good things during bad times." Months later, the pandemic is still going strong (despite some people's insistence on returning to regular life), & I'm back with eight more small but happy things.

I Thought I Was Going to Become a Mom This Month

I was at a work conference in Chicago when I began to suspect I was pregnant. The day I returned home, I verified it with literally six at-home pregnancy tests, all of which told the same story: baby on board – or embryo on board, at least.

I was ecstatic & panicked & in a total "now what?!" tailspin. I told Mike the week before Christmas, announcing it with a Harry Potter onesie ("Mischief Managed") & a handwritten snowflake ornament that read "Baby Kaput, Gryffindor, Coming August 2020." 

We knew it was too soon to tell people, according to societal norms, but we told a few loved ones anyway. We couldn't help ourselves; we were thrilled.

10 Ways to Get to Work Electing Joe & Kamala

Why, yes, I did put on lipstick for this week's Kamala Harris announcement! What are you doing today to help elect the Biden/Harris ticket? Here are some ideas:⁣

What I'm Baking

My adventures in baking continue! I'm having so much fun experimenting, but I'm trying to give away as many of my creations as I can to friends & neighbors because my poor bod cannot eat everything I create...

Here are a few of the things I've been making lately, some of them more successfully than others - but all of them worth a try, if you're looking for a good dessert to make at home. I've instituted here the same sort of star rating system (out of five) that I use for my book reviews. Hope it's helpful.

A (Birthday!) Week of Staycation Plans

I took the week of my birthday off of work this year because... why not? It's not like we're going on any actual vacations this year, so I might as well take a week off for a staycation. I've had two weeks of furlough so far this summer, & each was incredibly relaxing, which inspired this plan - but it'll be much less stressful to have a paid week off.

That said, because there's not exactly much to do right now, I've been racking my brain to try to come up with some staycation plans & activities. Here's what I've come up with so far.

What I've Read Since the Pandemic Began

You'd think that a pandemic would be the perfect time to hunker down & do nothing but read books. Lots & lots & lots of books.

But here I am, nearly five months into the pandemic, & I have read... 11 books. Total. In sum. I used to read 11 books in a month, man.

And look, I know that 11 books in five months is still plenty. And I've been up to plenty of other things that aren't reading - cooking, for starters, & a variety of other newfound hobbies, atop trying to, like, keep sane. It's a weird world out there, & things have changed, including productivity levels. And my reading output.