So what happened was this:

A few days ago I decided to hang on to the bananas that were past looking yummy to eat, using them instead to make banana bread, with the recipe from Sally’s Baking Addiction that I recommended in an earlier post (summer?). It really is a good recipe and better with nuts than without, but good either way.

I was going to make banana bread on Saturday, but I ran out of time (meaning, I decided to spend my Saturday time doing other things). Also, I was out of plain yogurt, which is a key ingredient in this particular recipe.

This morning, Sunday morning, bright and early, after I had enough coffee to be awake, I headed to the store for yogurt and came home with yogurt and figs (which were surprisingly delicious and much enjoyed since the local harvest here was not abundant). I planned the day, as much as a Sunday should be planned. I set out eggs and butter to let them get to room temperature so I could bake in the early afternoon.

Early afternoon turned to late afternoon, and in the late afternoon I needed to go to my office, just for a few minutes, which turned into an hour and a half. And when I left for my office, having not yet baked that banana bread loaf, I left two eggs, a jar of yogurt, and a stick of butter on the stove, where they’d long since reached room temperature.

I got home around time to cook dinner, and I was puttering around not really paying attention until I finally noticed that the eggs were not where I’d left them, the yogurt was on its side, and the butter was nowhere to be found.

So while I often sing, “Oh, big dog, I love you so, you’ll never know…” as I’m cooking dinner, tonight I did not do that but instead said, when he tiptoed toward me, looking sheepish, “you are a naughty, naughty, naughty dog, and I am not singing to you tonight, so go somewhere else and lie down.” And he did.

And then I retrieved a fresh stick of butter from the refrigerator, cut it into pieces so it would come to room temperature quickly (I know, I know; it would have been easier just to do it that way on the front end, I know…), and made that damned banana bread so the bananas wouldn’t go from the counter into the compost bin, which is what most often happens when bananas go past their prime here because I let them go, with best intentions of using them for baking, until they are in a condition that I won’t describe but that renders them unusable in any way.

Now I have to go finish reading my book. And watch for signs of impending dog vomit so I can try to get him outside in time when it happens. Because that’s how this Sunday has gone, and all of it is lucky beyond measure, and I know it.

If you are in the late night crew and read the half-finished post just before midnight yesterday but didn’t make it back to see what I might add, I’m pasting the addendum here so you want have click any links or wander around. See? I can be accommodating.

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Addendum to A few things: September/October 2021

More Reading

A nod to one of my former partners and colleagues Robin Derryberry for her contribution to this Forbes run-down on getting the most from brainstorming sessions: Diplomatic Ways to Weed Out Bad Ideas in Collaborative Brainstorms

From Bill Murphy Jr., writing for Inc.: Why Emotionally Intelligent People Still Follow Colin Powell’s 13 Rules for Leadership

Vanity Fair November cover story: Dwayne Johns Lets Down His Guard (must add here: If you’re in Memphis and you have a thing for Dwayne Johnson and you also are in a position to do this, then maybe you’ll join my Kindred Place team and board for A Kindred Night Out on Saturday, November 6 – outdoor movie at Shelby Farms featuring Jumanji: Welcome to the Jungle, which stars, of course, Dwayne Johnson.)

And speaking of fundraising and philanthropy and the state of the world… From Vu Le: Democracy is Dying. Philanthropy Needs to Stop Its Toxic Intellectualizing.

For something different (but very current): Brandi Carlile on touring during COVID and extreme weather.

From The Atlantic: The Secret to a Fight-Free Relationship (how couples who save disagreements for scheduled meetings show a more patient approach to conflict)

From PBS News Hour: What Science Tells Us About Improving Middle School

From The Guardian (and from April, but relevant, sort of, to the next story): Empathy, compassion, personality, attitudes: can people change?

From NPR Weekend Edition, Scott Simon’s tribute to Julie Green, the artist who painted ‘last suppers’ of people on death row. When you listen, and I hope you will listen (or read the transcript), I wonder if the detail about the birthday cake will affect you the way it continues to affect me.

Listening

I have trouble keeping up with my podcasts, newscasts, and audiobooks now that I’m back to working in my office and not from home, because when I was working from home I took dog-walking breaks throughout the day, and now that I’m in my office all day I don’t do that. (This is a topic for another day.)

So I’m pickier now about what I will listen to in my limited listening time, and I’m never disappointed with the Ten Percent Happier podcasts (also never disappointed with the app, which I recommend wholeheartedly). Favorite recent episodes:

The Awesome Power of ‘Touchy-Feely’

Stoicism 101

The Science of Making and Keeping Friends (yes, I already suggested this one in an earlier post, but it’s worth recommending a second time)

Recent Purchases That Were Worth the $$

The Laundress #723 detergent (It’s an extravagance, yes; but I like the way my clothes smell when I use it, and though I do wish she’d convert to making eco-friendly detergent sheets, packaged in paper, I’m willing to wait patiently until she takes that leap and recycle my bottles in the meantime.)

Made In Cookware’s Stainless Clad Saucepans (expensive and worth the $$) (and yes, I also recommended those in an earlier post)

Green Cariuma low top sneakers

Topics for another day

• Art (including the Titian show, which I’m still thinking about)
• Pancakes
• Potatoes
• Carbs (in general)
• Parenting

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