Sweetness

Melissa's Stud, Isaac

Melissa, Ben & Isaac

Anna and her looker, Namoi

John & Naomi

Michael, Naomi & Me

A Feast

Tonight's dinner: baked chicken, corn on the cob, salad and beets. YUM. The only thing we didn't purchase from the market? Spices! Sadly, Michael was at the office tonight, so he missed the delicious meal - but the leftovers will be twice as good!

A couple of weeks ago, Michael and I went to see "Food, Inc." The movie reinforced messages learned in Nutrition Ecology, the most powerful course I took in graduate school. Taught by Joan Gussow, it changed my whole world view. Joan (and Toni) linked the ideas of chronic disease, climate change, globalization and culture with food in a way I had never heard before. Because of this class, Michael and I purchase almost all of our produce from the farmers market. We try to eat more seasonally. We eat at home and never drink bottled water. I don't say this to sound uppity, but to explain how our behaviors changed because of this one way to see the world.

Well, "Food, Inc." inspired yet another. Michael, a devout animal lover and meat eater, left the theater and said that we were no longer buying meat from the grocery store. Tonight I made our first chicken from the market. It was EXPENSIVE - twice what I usually pay at the store. But I sure felt better preparing it.

And that chicken was delicious!

UPDATE: And here is Sarah's dinner, and Aunt Jessie's dinner :)

Summer Storms

One of the best sounds in the world.

Distractions

My afternoon's efforts to distract myself from my hubby's absence: spending 2 hours sitting outside at a cafe, drinking lemonade and tea:

Somewhere Else

I've been reading Barbara Kingsolver's stories from Virginia lately. And what a dreamer I've become because of them! Both "Animal, Vegetable, Miracle" and "Prodigal Summer" are set on farms in small towns in the Shenandoah. Kingsolver is a biologist as well as an author, and her love of nature comes through loud and clear in both pieces. They have both left me longing for a little piece of land, somewhere around Charlottesville, where Michael and I can grow our own food and live a quieter life...

We would be bored in two minutes, and I know that, but it's fun to dream. From "Prodigal Summer":

"In all her troubles she had never yet stopped to consider her new position: landholder. Not just a mortage holder, not just burdened, but also blessed with a piece of the world's trust."

Secrets

Country

As everyone who knows me will attest, I adore country music. I think living in New York has made me an even bigger fan, with songs romanticizing small town life, riding tractors, sitting on porches, and enjoying each stage of life. The songs are simple, loving and generally very uplifting. Most glorify marriage and encourage you to savor life.

But country also has a political dimension that I very much appreciate. This city is as blue as it comes, and the longer I'm here, the more I assume everyone feels the same way we do. I mean, doesn't everyone support gay marriage and ending the war in Iraq? No, actually, they don't. And listening to country keeps you grounded in the outlook many Americans living outside of this blue city share.

During the 2004 Presidential election, I prayed for Kerry to listen to country. Toby Keith and other artists wrote songs about soldiers sacrificing their lives in war, about the anger they felt after September 11th and the depths to which people were willing to "fight" back. It just never felt like Kerry understood the country music mindset. And then, praise God, Obama played LOTS of country at his rallies. And country music stars let him.

All this to say that when I heard Brad Paisley's new song, "Welcome to the Future," with a whole verse about race relations in a post-Obama America, I got excited. The whole CD is fantastic, but this is my favorite verse:

I had a friend in school,
Running-back on a football team,
They burned a cross in his front yard
For asking out the home-coming queen.

I thought about him today,
Everybody who's seen what he's seen,
From a woman on a bus
To a man with a dream.

He-e-ey...
Wake up Martin Luther.
Welcome to the future.
He-e-ey...
Glory glory hallelujah.
Welcome to the future.

Here's the original song:


And here is an awesome reprise:

Lazy Days

Michael will tell you all about our fabulous Saturday in Pennsylvania here. We had a relaxing getaway out of the city, and now we're back for a beautiful Sunday. Sadly, Michael is in the office.

Our two months of rain in May and June really changed the City. People are now doing all they can to take full advantage of any beautiful day we have. I think more of us are clamoring for some sunshine, finding our own spaces on this crowded island to soak up some rays and enjoy the blue skies.

Today, our sky looks like this:


And so many of us are doing this:

Can you see the man sleeping on the bench in the sunshine? Perfect.

Traveling

On a bus from New York to Bethleham to visit James, soak up the sun at a blueberry festival, possible enjoy dinner at Emeril's Chop House, and try our hands at the slots. Sounds lovely, doesn't it?!

Today, at the market, I found corn, nectarines, peaches, yellow and red beefsteak tomatoes, and the real thrill: cantelope! Between these delicious goodies and the humidity of the past week, I think summer has officially arrived!

The view from our bus is a pleasant one: green all around, with some rolling hills as well. Love just listening to country and looking out the window.

Life is good.

Motivation

This is worth watching - in just 56 seconds, you'll see why we work so hard!

Barbara

From "A Prodigal Summer":

"Soon it would be warm in here, the chill of this June morning chased outdoors outdoors where the sun could address it."

Just Right

A quick spin around City Hall Park to warm up. Paul Simon singing, "Diamonds on the Soles of Her Shoes," an uplifting soundtrack thanks to my iPod shuffle. Bright blue skies and marshmellow clouds.

Just right.

One Thing

A girlfriend and colleague of mine recently spent four days at a yoga retreat center. She reported wonderful things, despite the fringe folks who do nothing but eat raw food and meditate all day every day.

She said the best lesson, or reminder I guess, happened when a teacher challenged her with, "What if we really only did one thing at a time?"

I've been realizing that it one reason I love my quiet hour in the morning. I might be reading or checking email, or (a behavior Michael likes to mock me for) just staring out the window. But that's it. No fancy business. I'm focused inwardly, giving myself time and space to wake up and enjoy some peace. Once the day gets started, multitasking abounds! At work I'm thinking about responsibilities at home; at home I'm thinking of my never ending to do list. When watching TV, Michael and I are both likely to be playing on our phones or with our computers. But not now. From 650 to 8, I'm doing one thing at a time.

It's a nice way to live.

Spotlight

Reading After Work

Heaven

Clouds

A Nearby Park on Sunday

Gambling

Drinking

Curiosity

Yesterday, while walking home, I passed an adorable 2-year old boy. He was out with his nanny and her friend, happily waiting for them to finish up their conversation. The two adults were clearly smitten with this kid, smiling down at him and rubbing the top of his head multiple times as I waited next to them for the light to change color. It was, in a word, adorable!

And then, I looked more closely at this boy and realized he was carrying: A HAMMER! It was so amusing, and made me wonder what kind of battle the boy put up before leaving his home that lead him to walk around the Village with a hammer in his right hand. Too cute.

[Posted with iBlogger from my iPhone]

Summer Sunshine

Well, what an amazing weekend we just had! In fact, I think it was the best since my birthday! Henry came to visit us, and since he's the most relaxed, easy-going guy I know, it made for a utterly relaxing few days. Henry is just so chill about everything, willing to do whatever we're in the mood for. So, we spent a lot of time like this:

And like this:


We took full advantage of the glorious weather, spending most of our time outside, lounging by the water, walking around town, shopping at the farmers' market and riding the Staten Island Ferry.

To celebrate the 4th, we followed in last year's footsteps and went to a Staten Island Yankees game. Michael and I have decided that this is the best way to enjoy the fourth in New York. We manage to avoid crowds, spend time outside and on a boat, enjoy a baseball game (and all the food it implies), and see a great fireworks display. The baseball field is always full of families, and shrinks New York down to an enjoyable, small-town size. And, this year, the weather could not be beat!

The Staten Island Yankees Stadium

Henry & his friend Anna

One of the highlights of this outing is always the ride on the Staten Island Ferry. It takes on special meaning on the 4th, given the incredibly view of the Statue of Liberty. Michael and Anna both commented on how lucky we are as New Yorkers to see this symbol on a regular basis. We're always so humbled on the Ferry to see tourists running from one side to the other in order to catch a glimpse of this beauty. Cameras come out, as do elbows, as people clamor towards her.