Back in the day when I was living a Jewish life, every holiday was celebrated in our home. There are fun holidays like Chanukah and Purim and solemn holidays like the Days of Awe between Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur. Those are the days for introspection and forgiveness. I haven’t always been my best self and the angst of this year has not brought out the best of my at every turn. 

I’ve been reading the tributes to Justice Ginsburg and I’ve learned so much more about her. One thing struck me in particular. No matter what she was faced with…be it pay inequity, the struggle to get into a “man’s world” and be an attorney, her husband’s cancer or her own, she never shrank from any of it. She never took a woe is me attitude. You may not agree with the causes she fought for, but you have to admit…the woman was force to be reckoned with.

There have been many strong women in my life that I have looked up to and strove to emulate…my mom, my grandma, a favorite aunt, a dear friend…even my own girls. I’m adding RBG to my list. Striving to keep suiting up and showing up is the mantel we wear now that she is gone. It’s up to us to continue to fight for the rights she fought for. If not for Justice Ginsburg, I would not have widow’s benefits from Social Security. I wouldn’t have had many of the opportunities I was afforded in my life if she hadn’t stood up for us.

So, in honor of RBG…and because we desperately need a sweet New Year…We had apples and honey last night. Fried Apple Rings and Honey, to be exact. I cut Granny Smith apples across and made thick slices. I used round cutters to cut out the center core and the outer skin. I didn’t have to peel the apples and they were perfect rings. I soaked them for a few minutes in a solution of Fruit Fresh to keep them white. Then, I mixed up a batter with all purpose flour, a little sugar, and enough buttermilk to make it creamy. I dipped each apple ring in the batter and fried in oil to a golden brown. Served on a plate while they’re hot and drizzled with honey, these were the perfect little treat at the end of a busy day. Not too heavy, not too sweet.

We worked hard all day in the back yard. We cleared everything out of there that wasn’t essential. I trimmed the monstrous Flowering Quince and Forsythia bushes while Mr. FixIt power-washed the house. I filled the back of the pickup three times with limbs and branches and hauled them over to the brush pile. In a week or so, when the branches are dried, I’ll burn them. 

It seems the work is never done. But I’ll keep suiting up and showing up…just like RBG and all the other wonderful women in my life.

❤️

“God is the one who began this good work in you, and I am certain that he won’t stop before it is complete on the day that Christ Jesus returns.”

Philippians 1:6 CEV