There is a Wrong Way to Celebrate Thanksgiving

This year, Thanksgiving is an empty space. Usually there is family. But several members of my extended family blame me for unrest and there is a very large gulf. So holidays are diced into rotating portions of time and energy. Sometimes there is good food, my favorite meal of the year. But I am rarely […]

Processing Trauma of Childhood Hunger

Last week, my therapist and I picked up with EMDR to process more trauma. We intentionally defined a period of my childhood that was brutal, 1979-1983, or the years of 4th to 8th grade. Historically, EMDR has been quite helpful with my lesser traumas and anxiety. The hard stuff hasn’t cooperated and we’ve respected that. […]

Here’s How a Plastic Bag Ban Can Work with Grocery Stores like Giant Eagle

tote bags food bank

Pittsburgh is one step closer to a ban on single use plastic bags. The bill will be up for a final vote at the Tuesday, April 12 meeting, and if passed will go into effect on April 12, 2023. Essentially, you will have to pay $.10 per paper bag or bring your own bag/box/etc. One […]

We’re on a Meal Train and We Love This Stuff

Casseroles when people are ill

Some lovely friends set up a Meal Train for us – it is a software/website resource that allows organizers to recruit folx to bring food to people in tough times – during a loss, an illness, a new baby, etc. Illness is our category. I’ve been writing a lot about that and the associated challenges. […]

My Pandemic Pittsburgh Wedding Cookie Table

Pittsburgh Cookie Table Pandemic

Our wedding cookie table looks a little different than at a typical wedding. I have to admit this one was a little tough – having a cookie table at my wedding reception was one of the things I genuinely look forward to experiencing. While I didn’t attend a lot of weddings growing up, cookie tables […]

Transphobic Sandwich Shop Owner Removes Content, Issues Non-Apology

Portogalla Peppers N'at Transphobia

So Robert Portogallo seems to realize that transphobia is bad for business. He removed the content about Dr. Rachel Levine, Secretary of the Pennsylvania Health Department. And added a non-apology. If you take a look at this thread, you will see the heart of the problem. Bob Portogallo posts some “funny” content and it unleashes […]

New #ThingsToDo: a List from Elijah, Age 8

Elijah Explains how kids can make pretzels

Total Lists Submitted: 10 Total Amount Raised for Food Pantry: $100.00 (out of $1,000.00 possible) This is our new project #ThingsToDo where we invite youth to create and share a list of things to occupy time and cope with boredom. You’ll fine the details at this link. Your young people are welcome to participate. Here’s the cool thing – in […]

Q&A with a 30-year Employee of a Grocery Store

Groceries

I feel like my company is doing the best they can and listening to our concerns and adjusting to help us. I feel customers are not. Many of us who have worked retail and/or grocery retail in the past have some appreciation for what our neighbors in those jobs are experiencing, or perhaps more accurately, […]

Q&A: Northside Eatery Bistro To Go Offers No-Contact Delivery & More to Keep Serving Comfort Foods

Bistro To Go Delivers

Highlighting some neighborhood restaurants that are serving the community with specific questions about their new COVID-19 policies and procedures. Bistro To Go has been a long-time friend with delicious comfort foods. I noticed tat they’ve added in-house delivery to nearby communities so I asked them to give us an update. If you business would like […]

Toilet Paper, Sanitizer, and Social Anxiety in a Pandemic

Toilet Paper, Grocery Shopping

Here’s what I don’t understand – why are items that are available in restricted quantities NOT available to buy online or via a curbside shopping service? Is it logistics? Too few employees to take half a delivery of TP, alcohol, and wipes and set it aside to fill deliveries/shipments and put half on the shelves? […]