I read something the other day that was about how right now we (you, me, the world) are in this sort of in-between stage. We know we aren’t going back to the way things were but we also don’t know what the new reality is going to be. The article referred to this as an in-between stage, where things can can feel scary and uncertain. But the article went on to point out that this is also a stage of opportunity. A chance to reinvent ourselves and decide who we want to be and how we want to impact the world.

It’s pretty cool, right?

I think it’s why so many people, at least in my circle of influence, have retired since last March. The pandemic stripped away the frivolous stuff, it forced them to contemplate what really matters and how they really want to spend their time. Not only did I have two people who work for me choose to retire, I also witnessed the retirement of many colleagues, and it made total sense to me. Some friends realized they were truly enjoying being home all the time. Others decided they didn’t need the stress of working in a pandemic. The change was initially forced on them but they embraced it and changed direction.

I can’t retire yet and truthfully, as delightful as it sounds, I know I’m not ready. But I wonder, what has the pandemic stripped away for me? What have I realized really matters and what can I drop by the wayside? What can I do to reinvent myself to be better?

Heavy questions for a Monday, right? But so important and I hope you’ll think about them, too.

I was 15 the first time I experienced sexual harassment at work. I was wearing a sweater with an applique of Mickey Mouse on it. Mickey is standing with one hand on his hip and one hand upraised in a wave. That upraised hand landed almost directly over my left breast and the custodian at the library asked me, with a wink, if he could shake Mickey’s hand. It was gross and creepy. And I told . . . no one.

I wish I could say that was the only time a man said something inappropriate to me at work but it was just the start. There was the probation officer who invited me to a Super Bowl Party at his house and when I got there it was only him and one other man in attendance. They were both married, by the way. There was the summer I worked in the Mayor’s Office and, when asked what I did there, the Mayor replied that my job was to make the office look pretty. There was the time I got a summer job as a secretary at an armory and I was told not to dress cute for work since it might distract the soldiers. I’ve had my ass grabbed and my head patted. There has been an incident at just about every job I’ve ever had, including my current one where, several years ago, another department head told me I was fat but he’d still “f**k me.”

I have never reported any of those things. Some were so subtle that I didn’t even realize they were harassment until later. Others were blatant but I didn’t want to risk disapproval from my colleagues by getting someone in trouble. All of them made me feel ashamed.

I’m not sharing this now for sympathy or attention, nor do I think my stories are unique. I’m sharing it because sexual harassment is once again in the headlines and it’s disturbing. I’m sharing it because I’m very certain that every woman has stories like mine. We need to give women the support they need to come forward. We need to empower women to stand up and speak out and tell their truth even if it damages someone’s reputation.

This needs to stop.

I suppose what’s on my mind this Monday morning is the Super Bowl. After a season of watching very little football I have to admit it was fun to eat snacks, drink beer, knit, and watch Tom Brady dominate again.

It was just Dale and I with dip, deviled eggs, and cheeseburger sliders. Guess what’s for dinner tonight? Leftovers!

I felt like the commercials were a little more subtle this year and felt less like they were strictly promoting conspicuous consumption. My favorite was the first one aired: the M&Ms Come Together.

The half time show was entertaining. A little weird and maybe not in my wheel house but I saw nothing wrong with it either.

And that’s a wrap on my thought on the Super Bowl. Is it spring now?

A few weeks ago I mentioned that I would be creating a 21 in 2021 list. I’ve hemmed and hawed over it, adding different things and removing others. But really, we’re deep into January and it’s time to just commit already. I can’t think of a better way to set it in stone than to share it with you all.

21 in 2021

1. Run for selectman again
2. Renew passports
3. Deal with the big bag of socks
4. Get an estimate for the dining room floor
5. Learn to knit brioche
6. Learn to knit intarsia
7. Complete 2 create writing prompts each month
8. Celebrate the 8 Sabbats
9. Learn about crystals
10. Complete my Peloton Century Ride
11. Learn to make stuffed artichokes for Jessica
12. Learn to make Italian meatballs
13. Take a virtual cooking class
14. Bake with Jackie
15. Keep Mama Cass alive & bake sourdough bread regularly
16. Plant flower and vegetable beds
17. Watch a movie outside
18. Do two puzzles
19. Learn one new skill, ideally something to do outside
20. Do all 12 OLW Prompts
21. Get all the golden tools in Animal Crossings

Some of that is big stuff, some of it is silly stuff, and some of it is pretty low hanging fruit. I’ve actually already started #1 and #14, and #13 is scheduled for this coming Sunday. I’ve tried to list things that are seasonal, things that will take all year, things that will make me happy, and things that will challenge me. There are things for the house, things for other people, and things for self-improvement. It’s missing things I’d normally include like travel and trying new restaurants because, well, we just don’t know yet if those things will be possible or not.

Finally, I consider this list to be a dynamic document and I reserve the right to add, drop, refine, and edit any time I please.

How’s that for a disclaimer?