it's funny that..

musings, observations, questions, tips, things I got wrong.

I’ve been keeping a note in my phone for a few years now, of observations I think are bizarre, funny, smart. Bits that play out in my head. Ridiculous things I’ve experienced. For years I’ve contemplated doing a podcast, but it just hasn’t felt right (it’s on ice). Sometimes I have too much to say and sometimes I literally have nothing to say. The idea of having any kind of personal “content schedule” is hive-inducing to me. I’m particular about a lot. I align with “Strong opinions, loosely held” (thanks Paul Saffo). I have always best been able to express myself in writing, so this seemed the more sensible route. There are just so many things we do and choose as humans that are honestly quite funny. Levity is one of the few keys to life, no?

🦉 HOO AM I?

I’m an observer, or according to Human Design, a Projector, “The gifted-but-tired guide. The wise owl in a world of worker bees. You’re here to see what others can’t, guide the hive, and then rest. Your superpower is spotting what’s not working—but the trick is, people need to invite your input before you tell them, or they’ll just get weird about it. Thrives on being recognized, wilts under constant hustle. The owl.”

I’m counting subscriptions as “invites”, so buckle up.

MUSING

I shared my excitement (relief?) over on my Instagram this week about RFK Jr.’s confirmation as Director of Health and Human Services. My DM’s were instantly populating (flooded would be a stretch here) with people sharing in the excitement, but feeling like they couldn’t do so publicly for fear of the ramifications related to jobs or relationships with family and friends. This is what the outcome of the last 5 years has been of groupthink, virtue-signaling, and outing anyone who goes against the grain. Folks, we have to be able to hold our own opinions, and those of others, and be able to respectfully disagree with one another. Or better yet, just not 100% agree. It’s ok to partially agree with someone. Or like someone, but not cosign on all of their thoughts and opinions. To allow others to make you feel anything, gives away your power. And to me, anyone who doesn’t hold space for me to share my opinion, isn’t someone I can actually be in relationship with. Relationship = relating. We have to be able to share and talk and express. Here’s my theory: There are core values, and there are opinions. Core Values are thing unfuckablewiths that you hold inside of you. Your integrity. Your non-negotiables. Opinions are the outcome of information being digested by your Core Values. I decide the degree to which I want to be in relationship with someone based on their Core Values, not their Opinions. Here’s what ChatGPT made for me on that, (C+ work but you get the idea).

What it means is that your opinions are subject to change based on information. I may think Carl is a stand-up guy, but when I get the information that he leaves his grocery cart on the curb rather than returning it, my opinion may change. The Core Value of mine on Personal Responsibility is informing that opinion. I could later learn that Carl is an on call doctor who got paged, and while I would understand his expediency, I will still likely hold the opinion that the he could jog the cart to the corral first. That opinion will likely vary from someone else. Would my opinion change if I was the person awaiting Carl at the hospital? Maybe, but because of my Core Values, I prefer the Doctor returning the cart, I don’t want him leaving gauze in my abdomen because he was rushing to close the wound. Ya dig?

STAINLESS STEEL TIP

If you’re still using non-stick pans, even the “clean, non-toxic ones”, they just, aren’t. Any coating, subject to high heat, will transfer. “But Caraway is!” Maybe less so, but no - a cool 20 metals, including lead. Same for the viral Our Place Always Pan. We all have to choose our toxic load I suppose, but as someone who cooks 90% of my meals, I don’t mess with it. Hopefully if you’re seen Dark Waters you’re not keen on Cancer (especially kidney and testicular), Birth defects, Ulcerative colitis, Thyroid issues, or Liver damage, to name a few. It’s ok for something to take practice to get good at it. That seems to be a lost art, but perhaps a musing for another day. Here’s a video tip on how to cook with stainless that I wish I’d seen in 2009.

Spoiler alter: cooking on stainless is never going to be non-stick. Here’s a spicy, yet oversimplified take to help you get it: the reason food becomes non-stick is that the coating that makes it such is coming off with the food.

Arsenal: You don’t need an entire set of stainless steel pans. One good pan, and one good pot. If you’re splitting hairs, invest more in the pan and less in the pot. Pans I like All-Clad Copper Core for heat consistency (and it’s on sale), but other great options are here and here. I hear Made In has decent pots too. You definitely need a fish spatula, and this is the one. It’s $10 and I’ve found the fancier you go with these the worse off they are.
Cleaning: You’ll want scour pads for daily cleaning with dish soap. Tip: easiest to clean when the pan is still warm, but not hot. A warm water soak works too. To clean, scour along with the grain of the pan (circular motions), not against it. I like to cut them in half for longevity. Note: these are only for stainless steel cleaning. They will scratch other surfaces. Barkeeper’s Friend for the really cooked on situations. Here’s a deep dive video into stainless steel cleaning if you feel like your past the point of no return.

Test run: If you can sear a pancake, you can also sear a steak, fried eggs, fish, etc. Thanks to my mentor Frank Prisinzano, I learned starting with the crispy egg. His instagram is a directory of cooking methods, many of which I have adopted as my own. This is not a Frank recipe, but a brown butter technique of his that I’ve applied over and over.

PAJAMAS I LOVE

Since posting about pajamas I’m learning they are a personal thing. ISN’T EVERYTHING? Are we still doing the thing where what we like has to be cradled with “in my opinion”. I’ll go ahead and assume that you understand what you’re reading here is just that. Anything that isn’t, I’ll link or note.

Anyways, I don’t always wear pajamas. But currently I’m in an arctic tundra in Vermont. Later in the week will be in Charleston and it will be 46 and then 66 in the same week and you know what will be perfect for all scenarios? These linen pajamas. Linen, cotton, denim, and cashmere are the only fabrics I like to be in. And I’ll say it, cotton is too heavy for sleeping. Breathability is key. “Isn’t linen scratchy?” Not once you wash and dry it. Easy Care dryer setting please. Good linen gets better with washes, the dryer, and wear. I size up so that I can mindlessly dry these and have plenty of room in them. I throw a sweater on over them if I’m not ready to move into my clothes for the day and don’t feel like a bum.

If you haven’t dipped your toe into linen sheets for the summer, jump in during this major sale.

SOMETHING I GOT GET WRONG

I don’t know if this is some kind of indication of low IQ, high IQ, or learning disability, but geography just does NOT stick in my mind. I find this wildly amusing about myself, and perfectly humbling. Until recently when I was flying over the state, I had no idea that Ohio had a Great Lake coastline. Even as I’m typing this, I’m fact-checking myself with Google Maps. I just don’t believe that that is where the state should be located. The fact that there’s only one state between Kentucky and Canada is incorrect in my brain. I wish I could say that this was exclusive to Ohio, or even the United States, but until I visited for the first time, I assumed Costa Rica was fully surrounded by water. I could go on, but I think it would embarrass my dad, who does not find this trait very funny. To be honest though, it’s pretty fun, funny, and healthy to get things wrong that you’re fairly certain about.

OVER AND OUT

Sometimes all it take is a nudge to get something into motion. It could be the first nudge or the 50th. I’m grateful for my final nudger Jodi. I send you off with the mission to give someone a nudge today.

If you’ve found anything here entertaining or worth your while, give a little subscribe. Feel free to also forward to a friend who you think it may tickle. I welcome thoughts, requests, feedback, and snarky digs by replying to this email 😉

Xx, Sarah