January 29, 2021

“Hey Honey. What’s new, what’s interesting?”

This is the warm greeting I’m met with from Ang first thing in the morning; before coffee, and before any of my work gets started. Ang, however, is already deep into restocking the Market with a full array of prepared meals. She’s surrounded by sheet trays, simmering pots, and a cutting board stocked with vegetables ready to join one of those ongoing projects. I’m still trying to piece together a cohesive sentence. 

The greeting is as much ritual as it is a shorthand joke. We’ve lowered the bar enough to always have something that meets the criteria of either new and/or interesting (we really let anything pass). Ang will usually regale me with stories that trace her years in the industry, almost always bookended with a lesson worth putting away somewhere. 

She’s a steady hand whose transitioned from the (egg induced) madness of brunch coverage, to an entirely more predictable routine. It may lack some of the pace that Ang is used to, but she’s always quick to remind you that any work is better than none.

“By the way, the cookies don’t have nuts today.” 

A perfect end to morning conversation is a reminder to have a homemade treat with my coffee (complete with allergy warnings).