An Ordinary Thursday
Originally published on The JOLT News on February 13th, 2025
Through the divine nature of God and serendipity, I happened to have Thursday, Feb. 6, free to do whatever I wanted. I could have stayed home and binged watched my most recent show, but I decided to seize the day and explore downtown Olympia. Here is what I found on what could have been just an ordinary Thursday.
Bayview School of Cooking free event
In the Kitchen with Courtney Kelley: 'Kimchi & Miso Explosion'
Courtney Kelley’s “Kimchi and Miso Explosion” was an adventure that I enjoyed even more than I expected. Kelley taught this class with a natural kindness, honesty and humor, and prepared us for the little surprises that always come when trying something new in the kitchen. Participating in the audience was a heartwarming, joyous and delicious experience.
The first recipe showcased was the “Miso Caramel Thumbprint Cookies.” Confession: that recipe did not sound at all like my cup of tea. However, I think a lot of growth can happen when you step outside your comfort zone, so I paid attention with an open mind.
When it came time to sample these creations, I asked for a sample of just the caramel. This was proof of just how welcoming this class was because I would typically never feel comfortable enough to ask for anything like that -- sometimes being gluten free can be awkward in these settings.
Kelley was very kind to me and poured some caramel in a sample cup for me to try. Tasting the caramel was almost an out of body experience: it was salty, buttery, sweet, with the tiniest hint of savory umami. This was the best caramel I have ever had, and I am beyond grateful to have the recipe.
Other recipes were made and mentioned, but another enjoyable element added to class was sampling the cheeses, tapandes and fruit. I was amazed to find that Rebel’s vegan cheese made from cashews was entirely satisfying (their Gruyère was my favorite). Once again, stepping out of my comfort zone was rewarding.
I invite you to explore both Bayview and Ralph’s Thriftway and discover those items that add pizzazz to your palate and make your cooking worthy of the most refined audiences (which can include just yourself).
To learn more about the Bayview School of Cooking and to find new recipes, visit: https://bayviewcatering.com/schedule/.
‘Dear Evan Hansen’
Attending “Dear Evan Hansen” was one of the best decisions I have made for my human heart and often chaotic mind. Throughout the show, I laughed, I cried, and watched others around me hug their loved ones. We as the audience shared a rare emotional experience that was both healing and uniting.
Michael Fabisch was phenomenal as the title character and gave an entirely raw performance, channeling some of the same nuances Ben Platt brought to the original Broadway show and movie while still making the character his own. Bre Cade brought honesty and humanity to Heidi Hansen, as well as powerhouse vocals. Together, these two created a family dynamic familiar to all of us who come from divorced families.
The set design was innovative, containing multiple screens hanging from above that mirrored phones and computers. These screens allowed the audience to observe the social media presence in this story and even provided clever reminders using common cell phone icons to silence phones and to not take photos or videos.
From where I was sitting in the audience, I could see what was going on in the stage wings. Occasionally, I allowed myself to glance in that direction and on what such glance, I saw a stagehand dancing to themselves and completely rocking out to the music being sung on stage.
This sight was heartwarming and relatable and gave me an even greater appreciation for the team that put on this production. As the stage and its wings showed, everyone invested their all into this performance. I am so glad the full house gave a standing ovation at the end; it was entirely deserved.
Together, we were reminded that no one is excluded from feelings of loneliness and insecurity, and that we all want to be seen and cherished. May we all be gentle with our human hearts and do what we can to show kindness to all we interact with.
I was glad to see mental health and suicide prevention resources in the lobby for those who needed them. Many resources can also be found here: https://www.thurstoncountywa.gov/departments/public-health-and-social-services/community-wellness/mental-health-resources-suicide-prevention.
https://www.thejoltnews.com/stories/an-ordinary-thursday,18752?