Shir, I’m so sorry for your loss and for the difficult months that proceeded it. I hope shiva (and the brief break from it) brings you some peace that you can build on in the days to come.

Sophia, I love hearing stories about people like that and the impact they’ve had in the people I know and love. It’s especially welcome in these times.

Nothing that has happened has surprised me, which is sad enough. I am angry, and ashamed, and terrified, and a whole host of other overwhelming emotions. I'm watching a lot of music videos and streaming series. Minimal dose of news a day because I can't be totally uniformed.

All of this. I’m also struggling to break out of a seriously unhealthy diet. February turned into pretty much my own personal restaurant month, both in London and Chicago, And I’m fine with that. But there’s also been a significant Girl Scout cookie and junk food and just lack of moderation component, which I am much less fine with And I suspect is not unrelated to [waves around at…everything]

But there’s also been a significant Girl Scout cookie and junk food and just lack of moderation component, which I am much less fine with And I suspect is not unrelated to [waves around at…everything]

Man, SAME. I wish baby carrots and snap peas were as soothing for eating my feelings as cookies are.

Right there with you. I have gained back 40 of the 60 I lost over the last year. I've gone back on Keto now and have one day in a row where I went to my building's gym this morning. Keto gets easier all the time with the incredibly tasty Hero breads and sweet treats. I eat French toast, sandwiches, as well as the usual protein and roasted veggies. Tortilla pizzas are tasty too. It seems the only diet that works for me and my doctor pushed it at me again when I saw him last week.

Blood tests were all in range, except my cholesterol, but I know how to fix that so it will be normal by the time I go back in May.

I have to say, I'm almost looking forward to my annual Lenten sacrifice and all, just to get me off the snacks and cocktails train. Which sort of defeats the purpose of Lent, but I'm also giving up casual shopping and meat, so I'll have plenty of things to miss for serious reals.

I hadn't even thought about Lent coming up. I haven't been a practicing Catholic since I went to Catholic school, but I still try to have a Lenten ritual.

It’s good to see you, Shir

the incredibly tasty Hero breads

Hadn't heard of this, but found it is available in one of my local grocery stores.

$11 a loaf! Yikes! I'll try it once as an experiment/treat, but that price kicks it off my regular budget.

The Hero bread is stupid expensive, but as tasty as Dave's Killer bread with all the seeds. It has a ton of fiber which I need for the cholesterol too. I count it as my reward for staying on Keto. Only 1 net carb per slice! I get regular grocery store keto hamburg and hot dog buns, but Hero for sandwiches.

Just in case, How To Apologize in Ukrainian: [link] Shir, as far as the organizing? I know a guy. And some gals.(And some folks in the middle, too, probably.)