About Coronavirus 2020
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What’s the best thing you’ve streamed? Most useful thing in your freezer? Dream day when this is all over? In search of inspiration—and, let’s be honest, a bit of voyeurism—we’re asking Washingtonians (current and recently-former) how they’re passing the time and getting through quarantine. Here’s Holley Simmons, co-founder of The Lemon Collective and owner of the Petworth floral shop She Loves Me. (The store is closed but still delivering and hosting workshops.)
Best podcast I’ve listened to: The Jada Pinkett Smith episode of On Purpose. It’s an old one, but I only just now heard it.
Best virtual event I’ve attended: I FaceTimed with my grandma in Richmond while she watched the Wendy Williams Show. We are both extreme extroverts and were desperate for the company.
Song/album on repeat: Fiona Apple’s latest
Most useful thing in the freezer: Dinosaur-shaped frozen chicken nuggets
Least useful thing in the freezer: All those stock-piled bananas that I’m kidding myself about turning into banana bread
Quarantine goal: Make a decent English Muffin. My first two attempts were … lacking to put it gently.
Favorite comfort food to make at home: Bowl of rice with a poached egg
Go-to at-home cocktail: Tecate with a lime
Worst part of the day: When Netflix asks me if I’m still watching The Office
Best purchase: Spindrift grapefruit sparkling water monthly auto delivery via Amazon
Favorite quarantine activity: Playing virtual Settlers of Catan with friends
Working out or not working out: I try to do yoga every day! I have a few friends that I FaceTime with and we press “play” at the same time on the same video. It’s encouraging to have a partner.
Person I’d most like to spend a day quarantined with: My bestie AJ Dronkers,, [associate editor of EdibleDC]. I miss him something crazy!
Favorite place at home to quarantine: My sunroom where I have full-length conversations with my plants.
Most memorable quarantine fail: Clogging every drain in the house three times over. See next answer.
Best coping mechanism: Flower arranging! We are continuing to do deliveries, so my apartment is serving as a de facto flower shop. Twice a week my living room is FLOODED with fresh blooms. It’s been a great creative release for me and a lovely way to kill time.
Dream day once this all ends: Dancing in a crowded, sweaty room, doesn’t matter where.
Kristen Hinman has been editing Washingtonian’s features since 2014. She joined the magazine after editing politics & policy coverage for Bloomberg Businessweek and working as a staff writer for Voice Media Group/Riverfront Times.
