Happy New Year!
I've been skiing for the past few days at Whistler, in Western Canada. I love skiing because once you've learned the basics, it's a completely joyful sport. I also love skiing because it takes you entirely out of everyday life. It forces you to focus on what you're doing, to see the snow in front of you, and make rapid decisions all the way down the slope. There's no chance for email/texts/Instagram/technology to interrupt.
Having these thoughts about skiing reminded me of another activity that requires a similar focus and brings me a similar joy: cooking. But when I'm cooking at home, I've often allowed technology to creep in. I'll listen to podcasts while chopping; I'll text while sautéing; I'll email while a roast chicken rests. And doing all that multitasking has sometimes made cooking seem to me more like a task to complete. It's deprived me of some of its innate opportunities and pleasures. Perhaps you can relate?
In 2025, I plan to get back to the joy of cooking, to relishing the quiet of the kitchen and the focus of using my hands and senses to create food. Even if it requires me locking my phone in a safe.
Meetups in Canada
In my last newsletter I mentioned that I was heading to Whistler, and invited any of you who would be there to meet up. And meet up we did!
