Ben's Day Wednesday

Day 1 in Semi-Solitary Confinement — You Can’t Keep a Good Man Down

Posted on by Liz

I had two required quick, solo trips outside the house this morning while Sophia was still home. The rest of the day Ben and I had a great time. We have talked about the virus but he can’t really take it in. No problem. That’s my job. His job is to keep being Ben. Done.

The refrigerator repairman called and said his schedule had cleared up and he wondered if someone would be home in the next hour. I told him that we had nowhere to go and two weeks to get there. He laughed nervously and said as casually as he could, “Uhhh, you’re not quarantined are you?” 

We combined a counting game with shooting some baskets.
We took a “bike-walk.” He bikes, and I walk. Maybe it could become a new sort of biathlon event! He likes it best when everyone is riding, so he doesn’t have to wait at the corner, but when I ride too, his pace is so leisurely that my main challenge is maintaining my balance!
Bonus points for any current or former babysitter who can name the movie he is watching., or the names of any dogs in his pack.
I planned on baking banana muffins with Ben, but while I was showering, he was eating an entire Girl Scout cookie package, so producing more sweets seemed unnecessary.
For dinner, we used some of the beans from yesterday’s burritos to make Monterey Beans and Cheese with Rice, modified from a recipe in More With Less by Doris Janzen Longacre. Admittedly, Ben’s role in preparation was limited to commenting on the aroma of the bacon in the skillet, but from each according to his ability, right?

Monterey Beans and Cheese

8 ounces bacon

1 onion, chopped

1 green pepper, chopped

1 teaspoon chili powder

2 cups cooked, mashed pinto beans

1/2 pound shredded cheddar cheese

1/2 teaspoon salt

8 ounces tomato sauce

Fry bacon, and remove to paper towel-lined plate to drain. Pour off all but 1 tablespoon grease. Saute onion and green pepper in bacon grease over medium heat. Add chili powder, beans, and tomato sauce. Stir until heated through. Add cheese and cook until melted. Break bacon into pieces and add back into bean mixture. Serve over rice.

4 thoughts on “Day 1 in Semi-Solitary Confinement — You Can’t Keep a Good Man Down”

  1. Omgosh, Liz, I think I gained 5 lbs. Just IMAGINING these flavors melding together! (Thanks for sharing that recipe?) In the midst of all this uneasiness, it was fun to escape into your world of laughter, and Ben’s comical antics, even for the 5 minutes it takes to read about your day… Thank you for spreading the love…♥️

    1. Thank YOU for spreading the love! Thank you so much for reading, and for being the positive friend that you are every day!

  2. Reading this brought a smile to my face! It is so refreshing with all that is going around these days. You are an amazing mom and teacher! Looking so forward to reading more!! Keep on being the person you are!

    1. Thank you, Ruth! I cannot tell you how much I appreciate your support. You keep reading, and we’ll keep posting!

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