Like everyone, I'm a little freaked out about Bannon right now (he says, like Lenin, he would like to destroy the state and all of today's establishment), and Trump firing the acting AG who disagreed with him. But anyway, I always have to get ready in the morning in a short period of time, and I notice that I always put on foundation and lipstick, but wear my baggy, gray, homeless-person sweatpants. Priorities. I do always run into a ton of people on the way to Zoe's school, but I guess I would rather be seen in sweatpants than without makeup. I wonder if other people are the reverse (would skip makeup but put on a fabulous outfit). I feel like people look at your face first, or almost exclusively. I also saw a squirrel jump about a foot in the air, startled. Another mom saw it too, and giggled. A preorder showed up on my Kindle: 4 3 2 1 by Paul Auster. The New Yorker had said it verged on tedious, so I considered canceling the preorder, but now I'm glad I didn...
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I had many fears when Trump was elected. They have all come true, after he's been in office A FEW DAYS. For example: building the wall camps to detain undocumented immigrants full-scale war on the environment curtailment of First Amendment rights I just didn't think it would happen SO FAST. AND he has an unsecured Android phone. James Comey is quiet. I've never seen such a corrupt regime in my life. In this country, anyway. I was born after Nixon, who was probably the closest contender, but Watergate seems almost quaint now.
I grew up with an older brother. He is a little more mature now, but back then he liked to say, "I fart in your general direction" (from Monty Python and the Holy Grail ). I just taught this line to Zoe, and she likes it a little too much! I wonder how her kindergarten teacher will react if she says it at school. I have a feeling her kindergarten teacher has seen, and enjoyed, the movie.
I read an article in the Washington Post about Trump's comments as he signed his cabinet nomination papers. When he got to Betsy DeVos, he said, "Ah. Betsy. Education, right?" Did he forget what he nominated her for? He reminds me of that boss who delegates everything and has no idea what's going on (but pretends he does).
My new favorite way to prepare sweet potatoes: slice them about an inch thick, boil them for 20-25 minutes, let them drain. Then mix 4 cloves of garlic with 3 tbsp melted butter. Drizzle over the sweet potatoes, then sprinkle a little salt over. (I like coarse salt.) Then broil for a few minutes, add some parmesan, and broil a little more.
I finished reading Class by Lucinda Rosenfeld. I would definitely recommend it to other New Yorkers (and other people as well, though its appeal may be specific). It was a satire about race, class and education in NYC, and many of the details were pitch-perfect. She went over the top occasionally (mostly in mother-to-mother confrontations that were slightly unbelievable; in my experience, women tend to be more passive-aggressive), but other parts were more realistic than most books. I really enjoyed it. I still can't believe Trump will be inaugurated on Friday! I'm reminded of a thoroughly stupid comment that one of my cousins wrote on Facebook: "Even if the next four years are not great, it will be worth it for the message that was sent." What message?? That you hated job growth, Obamacare and the Paris Agreement? The only consolation is, he lives in Massachusetts, so his vote had zero influence (Hillary won the state).
Zoe cracks me up sometimes. There was some chocolate under the microwave and she said, "That bug wants some chocolate!" Then she smeared a little more chocolate on the counter, apparently wanting to feed the bug. I quickly wiped the chocolate off the counter. I told Zoe, "No chocolate" (for the bugs). She smiled and said, "Only healthy."