I’m celebrating the beginning of my next trip around the sun in my usual fashion: by getting in my car and driving until I feel that I’ve found where I want to stay. After a stopover in Pismo Beach last night, I continued my way up Highway 1 to enjoy some gorgeous views of the Pacific — when it was visible through the fog, that is — and cruised into Monterey, where I’ll be spending the next few days. It’s been hot in San Diego, so I’m enjoying the cooler weather and gray skies here.
Obligatory moment of reflection by the water:
Hello again. June’s gloomy gray skies are in full effect along the coast here in San Diego:
Taken from the Coronado Bay Bridge, June 29, 2009.
This final day of a nearly two-week break from work was quiet and good: my neighbors’ children played outside on their new skateboards under a weak sun, the washer and dryer whirred and hummed through their cycles, and over several cups of coffee I caught up with my online reading and began reassessing my goals for the year. I’m almost halfway to my next birthday — which is where anything resembling a Resolution with a capital-R gets made for me — and January feels as good as any to pause and reevaluate.
I haven’t cooked since the year began because there were plenty of leftovers to consume, but tonight I pulled out my big green dutch oven, fully intent on doing something with the dried beans waiting in the cupboard. The result was a mash-up and loose interpretation of two of Mark Bittman’s recipes: one for Tuscan-style white beans, the other for Southern-style black-eyed peas: into the pot went the black-eyed peas, followed by potatoes and sage, then garlic, salt and pepper, and some of the leftover ham. I diced a few tomatoes that needed to be used before they spoiled, along with two small onions for a last minute crunch. Swirled in some olive oil to finish, and voila: a tasty and filling meal, perfect for a chilly evening.
Now, I’ll pack a lunch for tomorrow, iron my clothes, find a box for the plant I brought home over the holidays, and clean out a work bag that I haven’t thought about since leaving the office last month; I might even go to sleep before midnight for once. Yep, it’s back to work, kiddos =)
I participated in a gift exchange last month where my only request to my secret gifter was to surprise me. When a box arrived in the mail this week, I happily tore it open and found two wrapped packages. The smaller package revealed a movie, a lovely ginger-chocolate bar, tea, temporary tattoos, a pencil, and a copy of Ray Bradbury’s The Illustrated Man. Busy jumping up and down with glee, I almost forgot about the larger, second package, which contained this fantastic item:
That’s what I call a surprise! It was easily the best gift exchange present I’ve received yet.
