Reading

Gone with the Wind.

"On came the blue lines, relentlessly, like a monster serpent, coiling striking venomously, drawing its injured lengths back, but always striking again."

Margaret Mitchell describes the Yankee attacks with vivid creativity. I am enthralled. I read every moment I get. Mitchell strikes an amazing balance between descriptive details and moving the story forward. It is a difficult dance to achieve particularly in a long story (and yes Gone with the Wind qualifies).

Despite my diligent reading, I did not meet my deadline. Kiahra did several days early.

Forgive me as I keep reading, because as "God is my witness" I will finish this book!

Swirling

My mind is swirling like snow at Christmas...because I will be hosting the holiday at my house this year...with my nephews and at least one niece...oh, and I guess their mother is coming too. And my mom and dad.

Crackling fire. Twinkling lights. Garland wrapped banister. Bow covered tree. Glow of the winter village. Stockings...lots of stockings hung by the fire.

Then the flavors of the holidays...and the visions of food dance in my head.

And a hint of San Francisco with the trolley, the Golden Gate, Chinatown...I can see the sparkling curiosity in my nephews' eyes already!

Swirling, swirling, my mind dances at the possibilities and my heart sings.

Black electrical tape.

My father could fix anything with black tape. I thought it was magic when I was a kid.

My son loves black electrical tape too.

The shin guards for hockey also include protection for the knees, so these big guards tend to shift even when covered with hockey socks, so Kade wraps the guards in place with...yep...black tape. Now he even creates patterns with the tape that stand out against the gray socks.

After practice, I watched him rip the tape away.

I was grinning, remembering my childhood memories, and he noticed.

"I love black tape, mom!"

His impish smile made me chuckle.

He is his grandfather's grandson.

Who knew a love of black electrical tape would be genetic?

City by the Bay

San Francisco beckoned again today. This glorious view is from Coit Tower, a landmark of the city. Ironically I never took a picture of the tower, as I was too enamored with the scene from the hilltop.

Our next stop was the Palace of Fine Arts--fully refurbished from the Panama Pacific International Exposition that San Francisco hosted. The World Fair celebrated the opening of the Panama Canal and sought to establish the city of San Francisco as a key port.

Last spring Fred shared a story with me...

In 1915 the World Fair graced the streets of San Francisco. As Tam Shee reminisced about her visit to the famous fair, her second son listened.

Then she turned to him, “You were there.”

“Mother,” Fred Yam gently protested, “I wasn’t born until 1916.”

“You were there,” she insisted.

Quizzically, he studied his aging mother.

Smiling, she revealed, “You were with me. I was pregnant with you.”






Strolling down the sidewalk, the palace came into my view for the first time. I was quiet...awestruck by the massive columns that greeted me. My imagination had not prepared me. We walked in silence. A solemn air seemed to permeate the structure.

Eventually, I heard Fred's voice soft beside me, "I wonder what my mother thought when she was here."

My silent reflections verbalized.

96 years ago.

Challenge

Gone With The Wind.

A literary classic I have not read.

The book itself is daunting. It is big and heavy. The pages are dense with words.

Kiahra selected this book as a challenge with the prompting of her English teacher.

Today, she challenged me to read it too.

I downloaded the electronic version. It isn't as daunting at first glance.

I think I can do it!

Then she sneaks a deadline into the deal. I have until October 7.

I better start reading!

Farmer's Market

Bread. Asiago and jalapeno. Whole Wheat Braid. Perfect soft texture on the inside. Barely crispy on the outside. Savory every bite.



Fresh fruit galore. Sweet grapes disappeared quickly. Peaches and cream are on the menu for tomorrow. Pluots munched as I type.



Bright, healthy lettuce begging for a salad.



Uncovered irresistible root vegetables. And the green beans...no explanation necessary.

I finally uncovered this farmer's market last week completely by accident. I returned today very intentionally. The variety is endless. The growers are friendly and helpful. The experience takes the drudgery out of grocery shopping. I find myself inspired. I come home and create.

Even though I drug her out of bed, Kiahra loved tasting and exploring the market--and she wants to go again.

And the best part?? This farmer's market is open year around!

Be Careful...

You may become what you do not like.

My driving is becoming suspiciously like a Californian's.

I may call it survival.

I may claim to use my horn in self defense.

I may merge at 65 mph demanding my place in the lane.

I may use all five or six lanes.

I may brake suddenly.

I may mutter under my breath sometimes.

I may pretend I am not like "them".

Though I never, ever roll through a right hand turn.

I never, ever make a stupid move because I miscalculated my destination. I always just try again until I figure out how to get there. I am polite like that.

Obviously my balance is tilted...California is definitely changing the way I drive. But dad, I promise to leave it at the state line :)