An Autumn Coffee Catch Up

Good morning, Everyone.

It’s a beautiful Sunday autumn morning. I missed the coffee share last week and discovered I felt that something was missing. I tried to comment on everyone’s post, but you know how slippery time can be. Anyway, it is a new week. Grab your coffee. Let’s catch up. 

If we were having coffee together, I would report that I have been immersed in Daily Bread publication details and preparations for the launch.  There are several developments. The series is called Becoming America’s Stories.  Daily Bread is the first book. The text layout is done, but the artwork is still pending. Patience. Pen in your calendars for an October 14th book launch!

If we were having coffee together, I would say that I am also working at top speed to complete the companion cookbook. There are 23 to 25 recipes with accompanying food stories.  The cookbook is titled Becoming America’s Food Stories: a collection of reminiscences and recipes.  I love writing about family favorite dishes and how they evoke memories and evolve from generation to generation.  I am interviewing my parents, aunts, and uncles to gather information about the recipes and getting lost in the conversations. My sisters and cousins are also excellent resources. 

 If we were having coffee together, I would admit that photographing the food is a tremendous challenge.  I have been using a phone camera for a long time because my good camera gave out years ago. I splurged on a handy PowerShot camera with a fantastic selection of bells and whistles. But, just because the camera is better than a phone, it is still tough to consider backgrounds, lighting, F-stops, and stage cooked foods to look appetizing in a picture.  My artist daughter, Sara, came to my rescue. She fashioned a food styling 101 crash course for me. We were staging and snapping photographs of caponata and meatballs at a friend’s beach house (a glorious five-day escape). My girl is a patient teacher( although she won’t admit to it). Last week I went to the Dollar Store and rummaged through the dining room cabinets for props. Here a few samples.

If we were having coffee together, I would tell you that the sailing race season ended on Tuesday night. Like everything else this year, it was a different season with COVID restrictions, crazy winds and personal challenges with crew members. But all in all, the all-gal Nellie Bly skipper and crew enjoyed the camaraderie and Tuesday night sailing on the Great South Bay. Matt and I are trying to get in some sailing on the Bella Vela before we have to haul it for the winter. There are a few more weeks.

If we were having coffee together, I would ask you to check out the menu bar on my website. I renamed, rearranged, and added the Creative Writing Workshops, Daily Bread, and Becoming America’s Stories pages. I have been avoiding WordPress’ new editing tools, but I think I may have to invest in a day of dedicating my time to learn the new options. Where to squeeze that into my schedule is the question. 

If we were having coffee together, I would announce that I met with fellow artists, via Zoom, who are also offering programs in the schools sponsored by Eastern Suffolk BOCES. It is a dynamic group of creatives all working towards supplementing curriculum activities and inspiring students and teachers. Teachers, you can explore my programs here or go to the Eastern Suffolk BOCES Arts in Education catalog. Type Martin in the keyword field. I am available for virtual and in-school workshops.

If we were having coffee together, I would remind you that the $40 Amazon Gift Card Raffle celebrating Hug Everyone You Know third year of publication is coming to an end. There are only five more days to sign up. Click here. 

So, how are things with you? Yes, COVID continues to frighten and restrict us. National news adds to frustrations and depression. The loss of RBG continues to weigh heavily.  Like most of you, I worry. I am doing small tasks to help, which helps me feel hopeful.  

I will close with reminders to be kind, wear masks, and plan how you will exercise your voice to vote. 

Have a good week, Everyone. Make it great. 

Big thank yous go out to Ecelic Ali for keeping the Weekend Coffee Share up and running.

Be well. Be safe. 

                     

 

Antoinette Truglio Martin is the author of Hug Everyone You Know: A Year of Community, Courage, and Cancer. The memoir is a wimpy patient’s journey through her first year of breast cancer treatment.