The dried sunflower head from the farmers market has been added to the front porch fall basket. We'll see if any creatures decide to have a nibble or drag it off. Which would be perfectly ok.
The squirrel's have discovered and sampled this gourd in the last week.
They left this one, along with the pumpkins, completely alone.
Meanwhile, these leaves are hanging on as it someone had securely pegged them to a clothesline... to withstand gale force winds.
The maple just said it was done and dropped most of it's pretty red/orange leaves.
Just a few stragglers left. Chris gathered them up and I put them all over my flower beds. A winter boost for the soil.
Meanwhile, this beauty down the street is stunning, especially when gazing up from under the canopy.
My experiment in eating fermented foods is going well. As in, this stuff is good!
I like to imagine it's doing all sorts of healthy/beneficial things for my body as I eat it.
This is one of those "flight of ideas" posts. You know where I want to show you pictures of things so I make up a loose story to go with them. Or not. Basically these are all the non-leaf fall photos I have taken lately.
First up is this pot of buttery mums with white collars.
Followed by fall morning walks with stupendous clouds.
This was on the way to work one day last week when I went in later than usual, and my drive coincided with this amazing sunrise.
I did a presentation at work that day, and after something like that, I treat myself by going to The Filling Station Coffee Garage that is close to the med center. It's important after a presentation to sit, sip, and reflect.
And then they called my name and I went to the counter and grabbed my Gillham bowl (shown below). An amazing concoction of quinoa, avocado, black beans, pickled red onion, pumpkin seeds, radish, and cilantro, topped with an egg and lime crema.
An assortment of flavors and textures so pleasing I was certain I had died and gone straight to the bistro dining hall in heaven where lunch is served from 11am until 2pm. If you are in Kansas City, get to one of the filling station coffee locations and order one.
For today I have compiled a list of things that are still happening.
The leaves are still turning.
The Quails continue to meet for dinners, and always have dessert at the end, in particular when there is a crème caramel on the menu.
New walks are being found, some with fungi growing on stumps and things hanging from the trees. It's a fact that a lunch, packed and eaten out of doors, at a picnic table, after a hike, is a sublime experience.
Old walks carry on, with new clouds passing overhead.
In these last in-between days of late summer and early fall, there are candles inside and outside.
I am having races with myself to finish projects, promising myself the possibility of new creative endeavors to start on.
Just because I have not begun a new year of "school" does not mean my body and mind does not continue to return every year to the idea of new beginnings in the fall. Meanwhile, the leaves are falling and I am arranging coffee dates. Times reserved for holding warm mugs in hands, talking with friends. Coffee talk is the adult version of recess on the playground.
As I take my walks I look forward with great expectation to the full on fall colors, while continuing to enjoy what is happening now.
Living immediately because our whole future lies in uncertainty. That is a quote from someone, but I'll be darned if I remember who.
A mish-mash of good things from the last weeks. Walks, zinnias, the white truffle garlic bread with house made ricotta appetizer, making Barb and Nancy pose at the little cafe table, pickling peppers and making simple syrup, watching a robin who was delighted that I turned on the sprinkler, and eating cake.
One Red Robin, hopping on branches, drinking from cracks in the sidewalk, digging up worms.
More good things than one should be allowed in a short span of time. I am not reporting it though. Except to you.
This past weekend was a potato salad eating, porch sitting, butterfly watching, needlepointing, watercoloring, kind of holiday here in Kansas. After the morning walk I watched the butterflies drift on the breeze, searching for just the right flower. Quite contented was I as I watched. Brother and I have discussed how the observation of birds (and the like) has become so entertaining as we enter our more mature years.
I think the fountain should be cleaned. But I didn’t get to it. Yet.
Thanks to Ann, I made the BEST, carrot/beet salad. I happen to love beets and carrots any way you want to fix them, but the dressing is what sends this over the moon. Spicy in an exotic way that makes me feel like I am on vacation, having lunch in an open air market. In case you are interested, and you should be, here is a link to the recipe. Moroccan Grated Carrot and Beet Salad link. Did I mention it also has raisins?
I am clipping bouquet after bouquet of zinnias, loving every minute of the cutting, arranging, admiring.
Evidence of unusual activity in the flower patch above. Who did this with such precision so as not to dislodge the petals left in their wake on departure?
The change of seasons has me wanting to complete the projects I have been working on for months. I need to clean out my creative work que to let other ideas find their way to the forefront.
Map #2 of the Cotswolds completed during a FaceTime session with sister. Exploring before the exploring is quite enjoyable.
These are all the "things" from this past week. Good stuff that caught my attention or flitted through my mind. Possibilities dreamt about. Some have pictures to go with, some don't. This way you have to insert your own visual which is likely just as good. Maybe better.
On a morning walk I spied a group of 5 neighborhood kids who met up at the corner to all ride their bikes together to school. Backpacks on their backs that you know were likely filled to the brim with stuff they can't wait to get into. Oh how I loved my new supplies. Right this second I can smell a freshly sharpened pencil as if I were standing in front of the pencil sharpening apparatus in Mrs. Berg's second grade classroom. The metal kind you operated by hand, that was affixed to the chalk board near the front of the class.
Above are the the pickled peppers and garlic I mixed in with the grilled corn from last week's market. It turned into a most pleasing simple salad.
You may not want to hear more about zinnias, but holy moly! They are on fire.
The peach/blueberry/yogurt/honey breakfast that happens almost every single day during fresh peach season in Lawrence Kansas.
It's gonna be a hot one this week here in Lawrence. Temps in the 100's. There is a quilt I want to work on. A top I want to cut out and start sewing. A needlepoint I want to finish. The spirit wants many things but the body wants to sit and stare. I am almost done reading one book and listening to another. I am in that predicament of wanting to know what happens but dragging things out because I will miss these casts of characters when I am done. Ideas for trips to the ocean, or the mountains, or the desert, or a quaint village in a foreign country want to be fleshed out. This is the current state of mind/body/spirit in Lawrence Kansas. How 'bout you?
Before I head to the market in the morning I feel compelled to show you a few things related to last week. Starting with the elderberry lemon cake which was fantastic. The elderberries add a little pop/crunch and a very faint blackberry taste that paired perfectly with the lemon.
My zinnias are pumping out the flowers like nobody's business and did not suffer from lack of attention while I was gone. Zinnias are tough, and I have them trained not to rely on being over-tended.
The sweet corn last week was stupendous! I did make the grilled corn, zucchini, red onion, pickled jalapeño, splash of lime thing I told you about and it was like eating summer in a bowl. Will make again.
The succulent pot out back also survived perfectly fine without me and in fact, is starting to send up some spikes with flowers. You gotta love that.
A recent rundown of routine events which are really nothing to write home about, but account for a large part of life, include having coffee while watching the birds on the old building right outside the window. Hopping, chirping, pecking ... normal bird stuff.
Another great blue heron sighting, same body of water, same branch sticking up from the water, but facing a different direction this time. No less glorious the second time around.
Quick pickling and corn shucking after the market. Sometimes when I do these things after the market I like to imagine that I am in a farmhouse in the middle of Kansas, living that life. For just a few hours though because, well, air-conditioning...
A walk at the Baker Wetlands, where a new (to me) sign has been put up to warn of the dangers of playing on the rocks by the river.
It IS ok to play with the little rocks though.
Peach #2. I will attempt not to show you peaches 3 and 4 but I can't promise. They are so pretty.
Finally, here is something I did not take a picture of - while wandering around the house, I happened upon my boxed-up wedding dress in the closet. It was packaged after the wedding 42 years ago, made a brief appearance when one of my nieces put it on for a lark at a shower about 15 years ago, and has been taking up space since then. It was dropped off at a donation spot this week, along with a box of unused, un-needed "decor" items. Ahhhh.... I feel like I have lost 10 pounds whenever I clear something out that someone else may need/want.
Summer things happening around here include the beginning of the weekly quick pickling of cucumbers and red onions. No summer would be the same without them.
The coneflowers are looking good in the garden. I do love that the birds carry the seeds all around the garden and you never know where a good crop is going to pop up from year to year.
First vase of zinnia's, cut from the seeds that volunteered up from last year.
A decidedly "unsummer" thing is the making of granola, because for some reason it sounded so good and I needed to have some with blueberries and yogurt for breakfast. I only made a small batch. Just to satisfy the craving. Because I could.
The sunflowers from last week's market are looking nice on the table.
Oh, and another decidedly summer thing was this glass of white sangria that I had while out with the Quails at the Pressed Penny Tavern in KC a few weeks ago.
It was tasty. If you live in the area and you decide to go, be sure and start your meal with the Brussels sprouts. They are the best. Seriously good. If you like a Reuben, they make a good one. Mary Joan ordered one, Jamie and I went for the polenta, but then ended up eating 1/2 of Joan's reuben.
And one final more "summer" thing... I was driving over for a massage earlier today and Castles in the Air by Don McLean came on. Lordy it's been a while since I heard that. Music from the 70's always reminds me of Panama and the beach and summer. Go with me on that logic. Happy memories.
A recent hodge hodge of things you may or may not need to know about...
the oak leaf hydrangea is having an especially good bloom this year, the geraniums are getting used to their pots,
the Japanese fern was really happy after our recent rains...
the delight of a really good latte at a favorite coffee shop...
...and the quirkiest of things I have been meaning to tell you about is the cereal bar I discovered when I went to get a refill on my new favorite cold brew at the Java Break in Lawrence.
The thing that kids dreams are made of. Cereals - you get to pick 3, plus all sorts of interesting toppings,
as the sign says... "eat that mutha down". I gotta find an 8 year old to go with me.
I think these gnarly looking beets from the farmers market last week are so beautiful.
I simply washed and trimmed them and roasted them in the oven. They have made my salads this week extra interesting.
This week's peonies - just as nice as last week's crop.
I have been waiting and waiting for cherries to get to the store and finally yesterday I found these. They are quite tasty but not (in my opinion) as good as the Rainier cherries, which I hope to find around here soon.
Why is it so much fun to put them in your mouth, pop off the stem, and work that pit out? And if you are sitting outside and no one is around, seeing how far you can spit it.
I am still thoroughly enjoying the Julia Louis-Dreyfus podcast Wiser than Me. Today I listened to the interview with Ruth Riechl, who had some great tips for those of us following behind her in this thing called getting older.
I can use all the help I can get.
P.S. What I really want Julia to do is give Marti Huff a call and interview her. If any of you are friends with her, please give her this tip from me.
The Huff girls tripped on over to Lawrence this week to have lunch with me. Will you please get a load of that fabulous dress Marti is wearing? Yes, the one with the Mola yolk/collar. Raise your hand if you know about Molas. They are the most intricate, colorful appliqué embroidery, done by the Kuna women who live on the San Blas islands. All of this known to me because of living in Panama in the early 1970's. Anyway, I just thought it looked stunning on her, and now you know about Molas too.
We discussed places to eat in Kansas City and "huff marks" - the rating system used by the Huff women to determine the likelihood that they will be eating there. There are no strict rules, it's all based on gut feelings.
We spent a most pleasant few hours talking about anything and everything anyone felt like chewing on. Books are always a topic, none of us got up to see the Coronation but we talked a bit about "The Crown", someone had a chicken salad sandwich which led to a discussion about what we each put in our tuna salad - there was general agreement that a touch of dijon mustard is essential to the mix. There were also consultations made with our calendars to pick our next lunch date in June. It's important to get these dates set... mostly because it's so much fun to look forward to them.
P.S. Today on my walk I heard a Baltimore Oriole. I will try not to tell you everyday what I hear with my new bird ID app, but I am not promising anything.
I felt some of you might want to hear the full report on the strawberry breakfast tart. The one from the Farmers Market this past weekend.
Dangerously good. Perfect ratio of filling to crust. Lots of pure strawberry flavor and not overly sweet. The crust was firm but flaky if that makes any sense, and the drizzle of frosting was exactly right. There will be another one in my future.
The stock and allium are doing well. I am now a fan of dropping a pre-1982 penny in all my vases, and trying to change the water at least every other day. We'll see how long I keep up this new habit.
In other news, let me recommend highly this new album by Joy Oladokun - Proof of Life. I read about her when I was flipping through the NYT a few weeks ago and of course gave her a listen. Then immediately went and purchased the album. I have been listening non-stop.
And I haven't even mentioned the art work on the cover. Says the person who sometimes chooses wine and books based on the label/cover. Not this time, but it is an added bonus.
Let's talk daffodils today shall we? I have been waiting and waiting and waiting some more for the arrival of bunches of them in the grocery store for the American Cancer Society's Daffodil Days. Finally, on Saturday morning, I found some!
I rushed them home, trimmed the ends, put them in vases, and placed them where I could enjoy them the most.
Early this morning, more were open. So beautiful.
Spring things are happening a little later here this year, but they are happening. I have a wonderful crop of buds on my redbud tree right now.
These will open into the most beautiful flowers very soon. While I miss the 2 small cherry trees that formerly lived in this spot, I have been delighted so far with this redbud tree.
This morning I made a solo venture to one of my favorite coffee shops. A signpost of recovery. It was wonderful to sit, sip, write, think, listen, smile, be happy to be here.
Right as I got out of my car I spotted these slightly different variety of daffodils.
So beautiful against that lovely distressed brick background.
And just like that the weekend is almost over. Tomorrow I am back to work again, feeling revitalized and ready. Lunches packed, uniform at the ready. The trend that started on post op day #30 is continuing. Thank every single one of you for your well wishes.
May I suggest that if you have surgery, and are off for a month, the week you are going back to work you schedule a drive into town like you are going to go to work, but instead go out and have dinner with your friends? That's a confusing sentence, I know. So let me explain...
3 days before I had to go back to work, I met the Quails at Il Centro in KC to celebrate Mary Joan's birthday. I knew if I could do that, I would be ready for work. It was wonderful to be laughing with friends, the meal was great, and my endurance was on point.
So, this past Friday, back to work I went. It was harder in some ways and easier in other ways than I anticipated.
When you walk in the office to this on your desk, the love and support does amazing things to get you through the day. The walking was hard, but do-able, being with patients was the best, no passwords were messed up, I did not forget how to do my job. Whew. Now that the first day has been conquered, the rest will fall into place. I work with some of the BEST people. I also have ice packs in the freezer in my office.
Getting back into that groove seems to have helped me. Today Chris and I went for the best walk I have taken since surgery. It was only about a mile, but it was pleasant, mild soreness only - no serious discomfort.
I am not counting any chickens, but my fingers are crossed for more of the same! Oh it was wonderful to be out of doors with some sun and a breeze and the birds...
Prior to my surgery, I made sure I had all the supplies I would need for stitching, sewing, knitting, writing, and all other manner of projects I would be working on during my month of recovery. It makes me laugh to think how my pre-surgery mind thought my post-op recovery was going to go. Kind of like this... nap during surgery, wake up, work with therapy, go home, take a nap or two, do PT daily, read books, finish up all unfinished stuff, go back to work.
What I did not anticipate was that I would be so tired. Jeez. I have been napping like nobody's business. Seriously. After breakfast, in the afternoon, AND before supper - a quick lay down as well. Well you don't know what you don't know, until you do.
Sister and I did a FaceTime call the other day and while she sketched amazing things, I worked on a bunch of hexies for a project. They are kind of addicting to make and I am a little over halfway through.
They are going to turn into a pillow at a sewing get-together next month. Which gives me plenty of time to finish them.
Kansas has been true to form this week with temps in the 60's one day and the teens the next with rain then snow. There are signs of spring approaching though. Chris and I got out and took a couple of walks on the nice days which was completely wonderful.
Once again, I want to say how excellent it has been to get Marco Polo's, texts, e-mails, and cards from people checking in to see how I am doing.
I will be stocking up on feel-better cards myself to send to anyone and everyone who has a sniffle or a scrape in the future.
What I have found is the first two weeks after surgery went by in a blur, a blur of just learning how to get in and out of bed, moving around the house, and being grateful surgery itself was over. Weeks 3 and four seem harder because you want to push your fast forward button and get better more quickly. Except I can’t find the fast forward button on my internal remote control. Getting good sleep at night is challenging because of the difficulty finding just the right position. I have a serious case of the princess and the pea syndrome and can feel every tiny wrinkle underneath me. All of this is just to normalize the recovery experience for anyone going through something similar. The other little secret that everyone says is normal but no one talks about, is feeling blue, sad, downright depressed in some moments. I am glad to have Chris around to be able to take off my “happy face” with him if I need to. My brother and I also FaceTime regularly and discuss the chapters in the books we are writing (in our minds) about the travails of recovery.
French toast with blueberries and sausage is a very good breakfast when your body is knitting itself back together. It sends a message to new parts, that are getting acquainted with older parts, that the boss (you) are going to be treating them right. Plus, French toast is known to encourage the production of endorphins.
I sliced the bread extra thick but neglected to take that into account when soaking it in the custard before baking. It was still quite acceptable on the deliciousness scale.
The calendar tells me it has been 19 days since surgery. These are the thoughts that run through my mind in no particular order: Will I be ready to go back to work in 10 days? Should walking still be somewhat uncomfortable? Why does it feel like I still need this cane? Maybe I should use more pain pills? And of course, the inevitable middle of the night, "hey what's that and why does it hurt?"
I am reporting on all of this because we humans just want to be sure we are "on track" don't we? We like to be sure that we are having a "normal" recovery. We change our expectations from having the fastest recovery ever in the history of this particular surgery, to being in the "acceptable" range.
Whenever a healthcare provider moves into the "patient" role, all our words of support, encouragement, and sound advice regarding how hard to push it and when to use analgesics play around in our heads. Chris asked me the other day if going through this will change anything I do as a part of my work. The answer is a resounding YES! What I will do a better job of is educating patients and their families about how they are going to second guess themselves at every single turn, driving themselves crazy with all of the uncertainty and expectations. Then I will hand them a card that says "You are YOU, different from anyone else that has ever had this done, YOU are going to recover at YOUR pace and no one else's, and when you start thinking differently, send me an email and I am going to lovingly remind you of this". There will also likely be a hug involved, depending on our relationship.
I will then tell them that French toast with blueberries, sausage, and syrup can have a very soothing effect on whatever ails them.
Today it has been 17 days since I came home from the hospital. How is that even possible? To mark this milestone, a lunch date was arranged with my wise counselor Marti Huff and her co-counselors who specialize in laughter and distraction therapy. Oh how wonderful to be out in the world carrying on like a regular person, granted with the aid of a trusty cane.
Marti reminded me of what her mom used to tell her ,"everyday, in every way, I am getting better and better", which is a helpful mantra as one starts to second guess themselves regarding the speed of their recovery. There was also discussion about reminding ourselves in the middle of the night, when all things can seem like more than they are, that... "this too shall pass". When you have a counselor who is 99, and has lived through all the things that life has thrown at her, and is thriving, you feel great comfort in her wisdom. I sure do.
We toasted ourselves with a glass of wine, discussed potential future outings, and enjoyed sweet potato wedges, Brussels sprouts, a lyonnaise salad, lentil and sweet potato Shepards pie, and an earl grey creme brûlée.
The scheduling of outings is as important as solving 5th grade math problems when one considers the cognitive and emotional aspects of recovery from surgery.
On post-op day #9 a corner was turned. The corner that put me out onto walking better street. A smoother glide. Of course there remain times of discomfort. Which I fully expect to continue for awhile. Here are some other things that are enhancing my recovery this week. Photos of my great-niece Katharine.
Naps in bed in the sunshine with books by the bed, friends sending me photos of quilts they are working on, ideas of things to create bubbling up all around, dreaming of the gooey butter cake I saw online this week and deciding when will be the right time to make it. It was a "St. Louis style" gooey butter cake. How could it be bad?
Chris procured a pill splitter for me so I could cut my pain pills in half and feel like I can get just the relief I need and not feel woozy the next day. Hurrah. I am a fan of the "lowest most effective dose" with the fewest side effects. Sometimes it takes a bit of practice to find that sweet spot.
Regular video's and photos of my great fur niece and nephew from sister. I swear I can feel them right here with me.
It's a well known fact that purring promotes healing.
Thank you all so much for your ongoing comments and support as I recuperate from surgery. While I have been doing exercises at home, and had a full 45 minute session at the rehab place yesterday, I want you to know about some recovery techniques I am investigating to see if they add anything to the traditional plan.
Today there was a drive in the fresh air and sunshine while we slurped up a shamrock shake. Those who know me are aware I typically choose not to use my good calories on anything "fast food", but for some reason today it sounded good. We haven't had one for a few years and they are mintier, than they used to be, the green is more artificial if that is possible, and we both enjoyed it. One is plenty to split between 2. They do have 10gm of protein by the way. Which is important in recovery.
For my cognitive re-training, sister is sending me 5th grade math problems to see if I can figure them out. Math in 2023 is not the same as it was in 1967 or 68 which is when I think I was in 5th grade. I could turn that into a story problem but I won't. So far I have successfully completed 3 of the 5 she has sent. One was a real hard one that I got wrong because I had never heard of a "tape diagram" before, which you need to understand to be able to do. Jeez! I am taking great comfort in the fact that Marti Huff (one of the wisest people I know) got the same answer as me when I sent it to her to do. I am saving the last problem for later tonight after I take a nap then eat dinner. Math problems are fun when you don't "have" to do them and you are not getting graded. Sister always gives me lots of encouragement.
P.S. I wish you could have seen my face on Tuesday at therapy when Jarred the physical therapist said our next exercise would be to "get up from a seated position without the aid of your arms". He promptly raised the level of the platform on which I was seated, which made it easier, and we are still getting along famously.
Good morning from Tall Tales Headquarters where I am beginning day 5 of post-op recovery. At this exact second I am sitting on the couch, ice packs in place, afghan covering my legs, cup of coffee in hand, relishing this moment of feeling things are healing in my body.
Thank each of you for all the good vibes you sent out into the universe for me. I have felt each one nudge me from the place you sent it from. Such comfort. How to fully explain the immensity of the loving kindness and concern I have felt surrounded by? The closest I can come is a feeling of light and protection enveloping me, Like I am moving through the world sheltered from any possible harm. What a feeling. It makes my cry.
My hospital experience was top notch. I was at the KU campus at Indian Creek in Kansas City and the attention to my safety, comfort, and well being was amazing. Emma and Martha were 2 nurses who stood out in a sea of stars. How good it feels to be on the receiving end of such excellent care.
I am up, walking, have started therapy, am giving up the walker for the cane today. Chris has been on duty non-stop at home. Cooking wonderful meals and making sure I have every little thing I need.
Please know that every single e-mail, text, call, Marco-polo, FaceTime, card, flower, book, and good wish have been, and continue to be appreciated. I shall be posting updates as “007” and I complete our bonding and prepare for all our future adventures together.
P. S. Sister suggested the name 007 for my titanium/ceramic hip and as soon as she said it I knew it was right.
We had some big white snowflakes today in Lawrence. But just for about an hour or so. Nothing stuck to the ground. It was the perfect morning for a late breakfast, steel cut oats topped with big giant blueberries, walnuts, some yogurt and maple syrup. Coffee to sip. A glance through the paper. Nowhere to go.
Cold weather makes me want to stay inside and make stuff. Coincidentally, I scribbled down a list in my journal the other day of things I want to get going on. Today I worked on three. Let's begin with the triangle quilt. As you can see, it has not yet been started.
I have wanted to make one since Pam Garrison brought her's to art retreat #3 (I think) in Palm Springs years ago. Solid triangles, sewn together in strips. She told me she got the idea from Elise Blaha and today I found her old post of a baby triangle quilt she made. It was fun to look at in preparation for embarking on mine.
I made a few practice cuts on some scraps to be sure I understand how this is going to fit together. I'm glad I did. This stack of Kona Solids (fat quarters) was acquired a while back with just this purpose in mind... plus a few other projects I have thought of for using the scraps I am going to have afterwards.
My needlepoint project also got some attention. I think I am just past the halfway point?
This cowl was also begun. Yarn purchased in Lincoln when we went over the summer. It's a combination of linen and silk and is very nice to work with.
Sometimes I think if I just did one thing at a time, I would complete things more quickly. But I'm just not built that way. My hands and my mind like to skip to and fro and I feel compelled to go where they lead me.
Daybreak on the first day of 2023 was foggy, quiet, gentle, atmospheric.
End of day was the same, no fog, but still quiet and peaceful.
In between these 2 pictures, we did not hurry and we did not scurry.
There was brunch at home, after which we tested ourselves for COVID for the 1st time since the beginning of the pandemic. We have never had symptoms and never had a need to test before. Several family members have turned up positive since our Christmas get together and because we had tests on hand we decided to use them. To see what it was like? Because the tests are going to expire soon? For the experience? Whatever. We did it.
Both negative, for which we are grateful. It would prefer not to start the new year testing positive. But in the back of my mind I still think it's likely that we will all get it sooner or later. Who knows? I don't dwell on it, a good mantra for 2023 is a favorite from Marti Huff... "don't trouble trouble, until trouble troubles you". I am going with it.
On the very last day of 2022, as I looked through photos from the past year, I selected these as some of the great moments.
There was also Marco Polo'ing done with Peggy and Annette - dear friends since our days together at Marymount. We had a wonderful, hair-brained, hastily planned, 36 hour trip to Omaha in November and have been communicating using MP since then. So much better than texting. It's an ongoing conversation that can dangle and get picked up anytime one of us feels like it. Delightful.
Sister and I started talking about a lace curtain, which led to talk of Sweden and Norway, which resulted in getting out our Stockholm travel journals and doing video "flip through's" to send each other. Why don't I paint more? I loved every single thing I did in that journal. I will have to post that video here on the blog. Sometime.
I pulled out my "binding supplies" that are carefully stored in an old dish that I think Dottie told me belonged to our grandmother - Mama Fina. I don't think she kept sewing stuff in it, but she might have. I sat in the sun in the dining room and hand stitched some binding. I also dearly love that strawberry pin cushion that Pam Garrison made me more than a few years back.
Looking back, that's what you do on the last day of the year right? Let memories filter through without any one getting stuck. We also played Clue and drank champagne. Chris and I have determined that Mr. Green is a serial killer and must be stopped.
Happy last day of 2022 to all of you. I hope you are toasting in the new year in whatever way best pleases you. As for me, I am going to go and wash my face and put on my pajamas right this second. I will be raising my glass to all of you in complete and total comfort. That is what pleases me more than anything.
Having this week between Christmas and New Year's mostly at home (as in not working), is foreign and quite pleasant. I have never had a job where business was closed during this week. Sitting around and enjoying the decorations and music feels luxurious. But also there is a part of me thinking "shouldn't I be getting ready for something?" I continue to enjoy looking at the pictures Dottie sent. One below from Christmas 1979. I am impressed with Angie's placement of greenery over the mantle. We never talked much about our shared love of decorating for the holidays. Just another one of those things you don't think about until it's too late.
Chris and I pulled the Clue game out of the basement and figured out how to play it with 2 people. This after trying to play CaseFile on Christmas Day and finding myself thoroughly confused. Sometimes it makes sense not to muck up a classic with too many gimmicks. Says the great-aunt anyway. As of 12/29 at 3pm we are nose to nose with our skills of reasoning and deduction.
Today I poured the last bit of eggnog into a glass and toasted the month of December. With the coffee chaser to make the whole experience last just as long as possible. Sip sip slurp.
I have been reading short stories, finishing up a hat and some fingerless gloves, moving along slowly on my needlepoint, going to bed early, sleeping in until 7:30, staring at the tree, wondering what everyone else is doing, hoping NOT to see anyone start getting virtuous or productive yet. There will be time enough for that AFTER the beginning of the New Year. Right now I am leaning deep into some serious loafing and am finding it has its merits.
Tonight it's a few favorite recent moments. Great moments, some brief, some longer, just the things that make life sweeter. Lets start with a lunch out shall we? I am giving Wheatfields high marks for a most excellent lunch with the Huffs last week.
The quiche, salad, sandwiches, bread, all delicious and I haven't even gotten to the lemon tart, the carrot cake, and the panne cotta. Marti told me about her old neighbor C.J. Doney, AND how her grandmother, every October, would recite this poem to her...
"Come little leaves, said the wind one day Come o'er the meadows with me and play; Put on your dresses of red and gold, For summer is gone and the days grow cold..."
Can you imagine anything more wonderful, than at 98 years old having this memory of your grandmother? Me neither. Except now I have THIS memory of Marti Huff reciting it in Wheatfields and every single trip there (especially in October) moving forward will be better for it.
Somehow I missed uploading this purple daikon and watermelon radish (from Mellowfield farms) photo into my market post. No matter, now you have seen it. Once again, Mother Nature on display in her absolute finest. Which brings me to the butterfly on the zinnia out back before the cold snap.
For a bit of complete escapism, with lovely characters, scenery, and a sweet story line, you may want to watch Mrs. Harris Goes to Paris. Trailer embedded below for your viewing pleasure. We watched it on Amazon Prime for less than three bucks!
The mums on my front porch below. I took 3 old pillow cases that were no longer fit for use, slit them up one side, and covered each pot with one. Secured on the side with a clothespin, voila! - they survived the frost.
Finally, real quick, Ohio street is where I "leaf peeped" after the farmers market this week. The colors this year are unrivaled. I think I say that every year. I always mean it too.
When I looked up and saw the light in the leaves, it was like the a shot from a movie where some kind of a vision or spectral sighting happens. It didn't, but it sure could have. Right there on Ohio street.
A hodge-podge view of the transition from summer to fall, in no particular order. Flowers left in the garden for the birds makes me happy. Seeing birds partaking of them makes me double happy.
Nearing the end of the Zinnia season.
Neon Pothos clipped and brought in for wintering over. It did so great in pots with the caladiums this year. Hopefully it will root easily and I will not forget to add water to the jar over the winter.
Halloween banner and other "trip-trap" put on the mantel.
Jade plants and dracaena trifasciata pots moved back inside and gourds arranged on porch along with fall pillows. I bought these years ago at the grand bazaar in Istanbul. They are badly faded, not meant to be left outside, but that's where I love them best. Maybe next fall will be the year for new pillow covers. There are so many fun fall and Halloween fabrics.
Old cross stitch hung up.
It's time for pumpkin baking too, as soon as that last piece of banana bread has been consumed. Maybe I need a piece right now? I just saw a recipe somewhere for a hot toddy too. With honey and camomile tea - it called for Rye but Bourbon sounds better to me. Is it just me or is Fall feeling especially delightful so far this year?
During my post-vacation return to the activities of everyday life I have been doing extremely important things. Such as:
Meeting up with the Huff's for lunch. Stonefruit salad with kale, burrata, crouton, chopped hazelnuts. It was divine and only bettered by the piece of lemon meringue pie for dessert - the filling was tart and rich with an almost lemon curd quality to it. The meringue was whipped into a state of absolute creamy perfection and then torched. To. Die. For. We discussed books, field sobriety tests and heel to toe walking. I think the topic of forgetfulness came up but I can't be sure.
Washing my cantaloupe Hoka's. Which were beyond filthy. Wow did they come out clean!
Taking a morning walk, checking in with the natural world. There was a tree with a whole lot of turkey buzzards in it - holding their wings open to dry in the sun? Not this tree that is falling slowly into the river, a big tall tree, it reminded me of the cormorants in their trees on the beach around Summerland
Making banana bread even though it is pumpkin bread season because these 3 bananas required using. Since the last batch I made, I have become a firm believer in baking the bananas before putting them in the batter. Sort of the same way toasting nuts and roasting vegetables intensifies their flavor.
Cutting zinnias.
There was other stuff, but this covers the highlights.
P.S. If there is a more divine color combination than pink and orange I would like to meet it.
In follow up from the farmers market last week let me just say this cantaloupe was flavorful, soft and firm (if that makes sense), and was the perfect addition to my lunches for work. I am a fan of pepper and a speck of salt on my cantaloupe. That's how Angie always ate it.
The bag of tiny potatoes was made into "smashed" crispy potatoes. Olive oil, salt, pepper, into a 375 degree oven for 20 minutes or so, slight cooling period, then coated with combination of melted butter, olive oil, chopped chives, grated parmesan, smashed with the bottom of a measuring cup, back in oven at 425 degrees for about 15 minutes or until crispy. Success! I made potato salad with the second half of the bag. Little potatoes are creamy and dreamy any way you make them.
There was an Oh My Gouache Art Zoom this past Sunday that was tremendously fun. We painted together from parts near and far on ZOOM. Each of us working on what we wanted to...the combined collective energy of a group of like minded individuals invigorates me. Here is what I worked on.
Flying birds, leaves, and a self portrait on toned paper with colored pencils. Good clean fun.
Other activities this week have included a walk by the river and a "hot Indonesian" latte at La Prima Taza, one of the oldest coffee spots in Lawrence.
Unbeknownst to me, there is a crowd of regulars that brings their chairs and sets up a coffee klatch on the sidewalk outside on Wednesdays at 9:00am. I can not say if this is a recurring weekly event, but I will say they all ordered "my regular" drink, and the barista greeted them by name. Just one more thing to love about Lawrence, Kansas.
1. Made biscuits and a few jars of pickled cucumbers and onions. I discovered recently that pickles and onions are a wonderful accompaniment to spicy beef and broccoli. The perfect foil to the whole soy/sesame/oyster sauce/umami thing.
2. Went for an early morning walk and saw sunflowers at the middle school down the street. In that first morning light they were magnificent. Anything + early morning light = beautifulness.
3. Went over to the county election office and voted in person early. I accidentally on purpose took 2 stickers that said I voted.
4. Mixed up a wine spritzer of sorts so I could use up the last 4 strawberries before they went bad.
5. Admired my very own patch of coneflowers. After pulling weeds. Which was NOT fun, but nonetheless required attention.
Finding things to do that are "fun" is essential to living a contented life. For me.
An early morning walk on a weekday, with no expectations, yielded all of this.
I saw this quote on line today from Henry David Thoreau which seems made for this experience. "You must live in the present, launch yourself on every wave, find your eternity in each moment." Right on HDT.
After almost an entire month of not being able to walk without discomfort (which totally took the mental health benefits out of it), I have been back at it for the past 3 days. Church of the glassy river, Baker Wetlands, pond down the street... how I missed you.
Oh the mysterious ways of the body and the reaction of the mind. What is this? When will it go away? What should I do to make it better? Is this making it worse? You know the drill. Can we talk about aches and pains for a minute? Not to roll around in them so everyone will feel bad for us, but rather to understand them as a part of life that come and go. Often with no rhyme or reason... not one that we can pinpoint anyway. A cloud that has blown in that will surely blow away is a great metaphor from Tara Brach (or maybe Pema Chödrön) for the suffering in life.
This has been a great wake up call for me on the importance of STRETCHING and making time for it before and after walking. The next time I am plagued with some unpleasant sensations in the body my plan is this: acknowledge, accept, and remember it's a cloud. Then I will speed dial my massage and physical therapists, who by the way are my "team" as much as my primary care doctor and all the "specialists" out there. Fabulous women these two.
When Johnny and Annette were visiting Tall Tales Headquarters recently, we had Margaritas and Bloody Mary's. Not at the same time.
The luxury of having your own personal bartender, who cleans up after himself, and has a wicked sense of humor, can not be overstated.
The fact that he is a dear friend and married to one of my dearest friends ... ok, enough said.
In other news, these zinnias all re-seeded themselves from last year. Best crop of volunteers ever. I took care to break up the dried flower heads last year and throw them around at the end of the season. Seems like it paid off. It also helps that these zinnias are in my back garden where it is sunny and sort of protected from the harsh winds here in Kansas.
I am very much enjoying listening to The Trojan Horse Affair podcast. I am not sure where it is going, but it's so interesting and a commentary of sorts on these times we are living in? If you like a podcast, give it a whirl. Excellent to knit along to.
In addition to cleaning the bathrooms before our guests arrived, the sewing area got neatened up.
This may or may not turn into a smallish pillow for the chair at my desk at home. Old jeans + scraps = real good fun.
While we are on the subject of sewing, I reinforced a buttonhole on these yard-mowing shorts for Chris recently.
I told Chris they come with a money back guarantee. I am in love with the whole mending movement - in theory anyway. I need more practice which will of course make things closer to perfect
There was a meeting of the Huff Lunch Club recently. Items discussed included the universal appeal and good looks of a pair of Birkenstocks at any age, the importance of incorporating creative endeavors into a life, and carrot cake.
That's all I have to report today. Did I mention that we ate carrot cake in addition to discussing it? We did. It was good. We were glad.
Here's a quick update on the happenings at Tall Tales Headquarters this Memorial Day weekend.
I fell hook line and sinker for these groupings of fat quarters at Sarah's Fabrics in Lawrence - Here There batiks by Marcia Derse.
This neck warmer, which is in no way needed right now, came off the needles and got blocked. It turned out exactly as expected. I asked the chair to model it for you and it was most obliging. Thrown over the head no extra looping, lays perfectly, wonderfully soft. Pattern is the Ensata Cowl by Amy Van de Laar from Brooklyn Tweed. Yarn is Peerie (fingering weight) also from Brooklyn Tweed. Colorway is Treehouse and is a bit greener than it looks in this photo. This yarn is a dream to work with.
Because something always has to be on the needles, I started this Color Affection wrap by Veera Valimaki using these yarns that were in my stash and seem to go together pretty will... time will tell. Pattern available on Ravelry.
My wonderful local bookstore, The Raven, won Publishers Weekly bookstore of the year and I couldn't be prouder. Yay for local bookstores and all those who shop there.
Strawberry season will not be lasting much longer... I am taking advantage of every local strawberry I can eat.
Fabrics are being washed for cutting, pressing, sewing.
Succulent pots were planted out back today. All caution to the wind. Do what you want. It may work out, it may not. Angie's plastic birds that have lost their wings were added to the mix along with shells, rocks, and other morning walk finds.
Amidst all the sadness in the world right now, the Mulvenon's have welcomed Maya Louise into the family. Hope springs eternal. Welcome to the world baby girl, you are so loved. Already.
One might think that working part time instead of full time would translate to more not less blogging. What I am finding though, is that the extra time is going instead to sitting and thinking. Thinking about stuff like "No Mow May" which helps the bees.
There is also the thinking and eating activities, as in how will I use the farmers market purchases. At this time of year it's pretty much just clean and eat. Strawberries with blueberries and yogurt, asparagus with greens and hard boiled eggs in a salad with a mustardy vinaigrette.
Deciding if one piece of cake will make 3 desserts or only 2. This coconut/lime concoction may be my new favorite from the Chonky boys. Moist with a pop of lime in the frosting and the chew of the flaky coconut.
The annual cleaning, filling, and plugging in of the fountain.
Watching the rain on the hosta leaves.
What I am actually finding is an unburdening. Letting go of the need to "do" without a reason. Especially some self-imposed rule that needs to be let go of.
Chris and I are talking about a drive to Tulsa. Who's been? On our agenda at this moment is The Philbrook Museum of Art, a botanic garden, and I just stumbled across Knit Stars which looks amazing. What else have you done there that we should investigate? Do tell.
Weekends have a new freshness to them, when every Monday is not a work day. There is time for piddling. Selecting flowers for the first mini flower arrangement of the season, sitting on the front porch after pulling weeds. There is soil to be turned and amended, mulch to be laid, all in good time.
My mind turns to thoughts of road trips to see Brother and Dottie and Sister. How would it be to jump in the car and go. Would I decide halfway to Albuquerque that it was a bad idea? No way to know except to try...
These are the week-old tulips right before I tossed them. Let me age like a tulip please.
I was a few minutes late for my date with the sun this week. It started without me, which was fine.
The tree sparrows are nesting in all the houses at the Baker Wetlands.
Green grasses are pushing up.
Trails beckon and the wild phlox is blooming.
Oat milk lattes are a new favorite. Very creamy with a nice mouth feel.
My finds from the beaches of California are sitting on my table and I am moving them around on different surfaces. It's addictive making patterns with different combinations.
In entertainment news, which you know will be old because Chris and I are the last one's to see whatever the new thing is. We started Atlantic Crossing last night. Gripping is how I would describe it. It is based on some thread of truth - how much I don't know, but I am seriously down a rabbit hole of looking up what was happening in Norway in WWII. We are watching on Amazon prime. There is only one season, 8 episodes.
I was telling sister about it until she reminded me that she told me about it eons ago. She also told me I would get down on my knees and thank her when I followed her advice and watched Last Tango in Halifax and Seaside Hotel when we are done with this current series we are watching.
Spring weather in the midwest can translate to glorious skies. Here is a perfect example from last week.
Looking up the river and across to the other side, the reflections of the remnants of the storm on the water were wonderful.
Just straight up was pretty good too.
Especially as I turned for home and the sky got blue. This year we have had a wonderful bloom on the redbuds which are native to the area.
Really marvelous.
This has not a thing to do with clouds or storms or redbuds, but the birth of a leaf is pretty cool when you can catch it.
On this morning walk I ran into quite a few birdwatchers. They told me the migration websites had indicated conditions were excellent for spotting warblers. It's nice to talk to someone who is just completely delighted with what they are doing and happy to answer questions.
After the walk there was time for a latte and playing around with my new brush pens. One of the nicest things about working part time is this sense of opening up, slowing down, making time for just hanging out.
The very best thing about the snow on Thursday was not that it was pretty. Which it was.
Nor was it the way this cardinal stood out among all the white and gray and brown. Which it did.
The BEST thing about the snow was when these 3 budding entrepreneurs rang the doorbell, shovels in hand, and asked if we needed the driveway cleared. Heck yes we need it cleared! Could we do it ourselves? Of course, but that is not the point. Not when you have 3 kids who want to make some money and are willing to work for it.
They organized themselves quickly, one on the porch and front walk, the other two on the driveway. Within 25 minutes they had it cleared. I thought that was record time given that we had about 3 inches, and it was a bit on the heavy side. We paid them what it was worth (more than they asked) and advised them (in true great-aunt Alice fashion) not to sell themselves short at the next house.
P.S. I might have told them to come back the next time it snows. Which could be tomorrow.
Happy Saturday ( or maybe Sunday by the time you read this) from Tall Tales Headquarters. I treated myself to the 12 dollar tulip bouquet from the grocery store today. Because I, like the rest of the world, am in need of comfort.
I finished reading Crying in the H Mart last night. A memoir by Michelle Zauner, whose mom died when the author was in her early 20's. I think it was so insightful, at her young age, to realize that she may only have a short time with her mother, and she chose to go be with her for the last months of her life. I don't see a lot of people who do that. No judgement here, it's just hard when we are caught up in our own lives filled with work, kids, spouses, obligations... to just put all that on hold.
Also, this book made me want to explore the entire world of Korean food. She describes it all so vividly, including how her mom taught her to appreciate it. The book is recommended, if you are in a place where you are able to read about a daughter losing her mom to a terminal illness. Not everyone is right now.
Is this photo below not the MOST adorable picture ever? I think it's the authors mother and aunt.
On this regular Saturday there was a visit from my dearest of dear neighbor cats, Harvey. Talk about comfort.
He was just enjoying the sun, sniffing the grasses, and was up for a giant squeezer hug from me.
That's it tonight friends. Be well wherever you are in the world.
Over the holiday weekend, after it turned too cold outside for humankind, I made another mitten for the holiday garland, filled the bird feeder (twice), and examined the frost on the northeast facing bedroom window upstairs.
Upon completion of those chores, sister and I did some Art Zooms where I engaged in tree painting and drawing, from ideas found on holiday cards and instagram. So many good ideas for having fun.
After that I got the bright idea to hem up the new flannel shirt Dottie sent me for Christmas. You may think that's too many pins to use, but on an edge with curves, the more the better. For me.
I drank many cups of hot tea to stay warm and tried to catch up on back editions of the the book review from the NYT. Sometime during all of that the idea of adding a tree to the pygmy forest worked it's way into my mind.
The last very last page of Everyday Journal #7 was finished, a new one begun, and I took a photo of the Christmas tree for posterity. Do you recall where you have placed your Christmas tree in every home you have ever lived in? Nowadays, when we take photos of everything, most people could scroll back and look. But I can't remember where it was in our first home in Lawrence... back in the late 1980's.
The tree was completed just in time for supper and now it's back to work tomorrow. Happy 2022 everyone, whatever it brings, there will surely be moments of joy wrapped up somewhere inside it all.
Tonight as we prepare to enter a new year, begin a fresh journey, one foot in front of the other, heading into the future... I can't help but look at a few good moments from the past year. So hard to only choose nine, and isn't that a good thing?
Happy New Year's Eve from Tall Tales Headquarters where Chris is making pizza for dinner and our entertainment for the night is watching Holiday from 1938 with Cary Grant and Katherine Hepburn. After the movie, a book is waiting by the bed. I hope your plans are ones that bring you the same sense of simple satisfaction.
My very, very, very, most, most, most, favorite thing about having a few days off in my immediate future is thinking about all the things that I could do. Whether they get done or not, does nothing to diminish the absolute pleasure in letting my mind flip through all the potential options.
A few things that have been occupying days off recently have included updating my inspiration board, delighting in autumn window displays, and fall flowers on the table.
There was also setting the table for dinner guests, something not done in a very long time. Enjoying in-person conversation with family over a meal of ham and beans and cornbread.
Watching the leaves turn and fall off the trees, saying goodbye to the bougainvillea for another year, and cutting down some of the dried zinnias also got done. Chores don't necessarily top the list of things I am excited to do, but it sure feels good to get them done.
I also stumbled upon the image below from Lion Brand Yarn, which fueled my long held desire to make a granny square afghan or throw or blanket of sorts.
I quickly sent the image to the Prairie Makers to see if anyone else would be interested in a granny square discussion/project. We shall see if anything comes to fruition. As I said at the beginning of this post, I am a person easily satisfied simply with the contemplation of creating. The large rolodex of ideas in my mind has unlimited storage space available. And that friends, is a very good thing.
A few things of note lately on the local front. Dashiel is loving his new digs on Massachusetts street.
The blueberry scones are almost as good as the orange cranberry scones from Chonky Treats. I can't help it, I have a bad habit of loving my first love best.
My latest knitting project is happening right in time to blend with the Halloween color scheme on my table.
La Prima Taza - maybe the oldest (and certainly one of the finest) coffee shops in Lawrence has opened it's doors again. If you go when it's hot get the "Iced Indonesian" and if it's cool outside ask for it warm - I personally like it "half sweet" too. It's a treat.
The Dahlias are going strong. With a few added zinnias to fill in as the week went on.
The Halloween banner is up and the rest of the decor will soon follow. I like sitting in my living room looking around at all the treasures made and collected through the years.
Finally, in the last 7 days, I have received my annual flu shot, a covid booster immunization, and a TDAP injection. I feel invincible. Nothing more than a sore arm with each shot. I am ready to move ahead into whatever this fall is bringing my way. I am dreaming of adventures near and far. Even when they only happen in my mind I like thinking about them.
I heard a line today from someone about how it is easier to recall memories that are unhappy while sometimes the good ones glide by and are lost. I wonder if that is so. Maybe? I know I can recall with absolute clarity various incidents when someone has "done me wrong". I could recount very specific details to you, even years after the fact.
Wouldn't it be great if we could go in for a mind cleanse? A procedure of sorts where you could isolate things you would rather just forget about... if only you could let it go. Think about the space that would provide for your good memories to breathe and emerge renewed, with greater color and depth.
I am forever on the path of trying to look for the good in the everyday, thinking this will lead to a more peaceful, satisfied life. It's just so darn easy to get tripped up by things we can't do a thing about. At least not in the present moment.
Now this Brookie, pictured above, is something I do have control over, that is simple and delicious, can be eaten in several sittings and I am pretty sure when I recall it in years to come it will have grown even more epic in flavor and pushed some bad stuff out of my head.
It's kind of an example of more is more. A sharp contrast to last night's post when I did not wax poetic for so long about the file cabinets in my brain, or my theories about a good life. In case you are wondering, the Brookie is an unusual combination of a crisp chocolate chip cookie, a deep, dark, moist chocolate brownie, and cream cheese frosting all rolled into one attractive package. It's available from those Chonky fellows at the Lawrence Farmers market. I think we have 4 or 5 more markets until the end of the season in case you were wondering.
Tonight it's pictures snapped here and there that are part of everyday life. Regular moments that said "hey take a picture of me". The moon setting out the back door in the very early morning. Cherry tomatoes on the counter. Blooming succulents. Mist rising from the pond on a 48 degree morning. Freshly washed dishes. The way this plant, whose name escapes me at this exact moment, has done so well all summer and seems to be getting pinker as the temperatures cool.
Pretty soon (as in I should be doing it right now), the fall gardening tasks will have to be started. Selecting succulents to winter-over, dumping out the pots of annuals, cleaning the pots before it gets cold, doing some weeding…. I always appreciate it in the spring when I have done a reasonably good job in the fall. That's the thing - telling my current un-motivated self, come April I will be paid back in dividends for the energy invested now. I like trying to trick myself like that. Sometimes it even works.
Last night, in our imaginations, Dottie and Mary Ann and I planned a rendezvous on the Mendocino headlands. We were to meet at 6:30 am by the big tree in front of the white house and from there would proceed out to the trails that wind around the coast above the ocean.
After our walk we would make our way to the Good Life Cafe and Bakery where I would get avocado toast, Dottie the tofu stir fry, and either a strawberry danish or biscuits and gravy for sister. When planning an adventure in the mind the more detailed it can be the better.
This was the walk taken instead. Which was equally glorious, though I would have appreciated the company of my sisters.
After a weekend of work it feels good to get up early and re-acquaint myself with the joys of an early morning ramble, especially when part of it involves a light sprinkle, and an encounter with 2 deer.
