Yesterday John and I tried crossfit for the first time. I’m counting that as two new things because it’s like the first time we’ve done anything athletic together…except for that one time almost four years ago when we went for a five-mile run. John had just started his second year of residency, he had hardly slept in 80 hours, and he had just drunk a beer. This is why we don’t do athletics together; I need to exhaust him and get him drunk in order to not bore him to tears.
And then we came home, and I roasted my first chicken. That’s exciting! Took the advice of the cashier at Trader Joe’s and used Julia Child’s recipe:
When I opened the book, I rediscovered sheets and sheets of recipes my mom saved, some she wrote by hand, and many she clipped from old newspapers and magazines:
I LOVE my mother’s handwriting. I used to think it was so unique, until I realized that all my family in France have nearly identical penmanship. I still can’t get myself to throw away anything that has her writing on it, even a grocery list.
Oh, and the chicken turned out well, I thought. Should have taken a picture, but our 3.5-pound bird is now consumed. I think shallots are one of my favorite foods.
anna in med school 
I almost teared up thinking about you rediscovering handwritten notes from your mother. So lovely. I so enjoy these entries!
Jackie, thank you. I feel thankful to have so many tangible things that allow to me think of her fondly. But I really wish my daughter could know her 🙂 Love you.