Cookery 101

For the first half of my adult life, I was a pretty good cook--always trying new recipes: Egg rolls from scratch, macrobiotic fish-less sushi and pot roast with vegetables. 

For the second half of my adult life, single, kids all grown up, I lost my mojo for cooking.

Thanks to Jan, I'm re-learning.

I'm making spinach pie.  It calls for 6 cloves of garlic and lemon zest.  I asked if I could borrow her zester and she gave me more: a lesson on how to peel lemons and zest them!  

So today I went calling again.  Could I borrow her garlic press?  I couldn't find mine.

She reached under her cabinet and brought out a Japanese-style chopper and wooden bowl.  OH, I said, I have one just like it at home.  It had never occurred to me to use that for chopping garlic! 

So I came home again and re-read the recipe and went back: Could I borrow a small onion?  

Jan was already on her way to my house with a peach, but we went back inside and got an onion.  She is cheerfully tutoring me on the finer points of cookery.  And the spinach pie is now in the oven.

We'll see how it turns out.

Jan thinks we need one of those clotheslines you can send from one window to another, attaching baskets and bags for carrying food. 

These are the survival ideas of two women who can't abide the thought of grocery shopping in this brutal heat.  The best we can do is walk sixteen steps to each others' front doors to trade.  

Saturday in triple-digit heat

Luci (the mascot at Alamo Nails) and I went there this morning for a pedicure with Britney, my favorite, and we were greeted with hugs and a pup cup for Luci.  Britney gives terrific foot massages, and I needed one!

Meanwhile, too hot to go very far, I'm reading a good book and roasting vegetables, and Jan came over to loan me her lemon zester and show me how to use it.

Mostly, I'm vicariously enjoying reports from my children:

Day and Tom are celebrating their 26th annniversary--which is four days from now.

This sculpture lights up at night.
From each light comes the sound of a different language. 

Tom, my sweet-hearted  son-in-law

My Daisy--well, officially Tom's 

The Texans are enjoying food and customs so unlike America's, loving every day.  They are leaving Nara this morning and heading to Kyoto.

Pinks

For a couple of weeks, I've had "Joy In The Morning" on my calendar for today--reminding me of the book and movie by that name we read in the Sixties.  

But it wasn't the book today; it was Joy--who came in the morning--carrying a bouquet, a present, and a picnic lunch! 

Joy's pink blouse
and rosy cheeks
go well with my newly pink walls! 

Along with the pink crepe myrtles blooming in my front yard. 

Here's to pinks!

Here's to lifetime friendships! 

Traveling in Japan

What my family visiting Japan tell me:

They are very impressed by the quiet kindness of the people. Japanese people don't talk on trains even to their traveling companions.  Yet even wearing masks, they are "always smiling" and friendly.  

It's safe there.  Even small children (as young as seven or eight) board trains without their parents--something I can't imagine American parents allowing. 

Nathan has memorized the train routes and has taken over as guide.  He is studying the language and translation apps.  Elena--like I'd be--is just going along for the ride, not pre-planning, but she loves meeting the people. 

Elena called today (audio-only FaceTime).  "You'd love the toilets here," she said.  "They spray water on your butt!" Fourteen hours ahead of us (it's Thursday morning now) she sent a text just now, "I wish you were here with us." 

They had planned this trip two years ago, but due to COVID had to postpone it.  Nathan, at the time, had a strong interest in Japanese culture and now the whole family is loving it.  

Elena is wearing the pants she made last week. 

New-To-Me Italian Restaurant in San Antonio

Brava Braza 

I had the pleasure late this afternoon of having dinner with my dear friend, Gerlinde, at a place she recommended: Brava Braza at Sunset and Broadway.

The Italian entrees we chose were scrumptious: Eggplant Parmesan for Gerlinde and Scallions for me, served on a bed of pasta with a nutty white sauce.  We also loved the quiet of the cafe at five in the afternoon, good acoustics and an excellent waiter. 

They also have a daily happy hour from 2:00 to 6:00; piano on weekends; and a beautiful menu!

When I got out of the car, NPR was saying, "Heat index is 116!"

It is relentless, this heat, but Brava Braza is a peaceful oasis!  

A trip to Japan

This heat is so constant and extreme that we're staying inside, playing chase the rabbit and word games, watching movies and reading.  Took a quick trip to Central Market yesterday, but the 106 temperature made me think twice before taking Luci to the grocery store during the summer, the pavement way too hot for her little bare paws.

We had a quick breakfast here this morning before taking Will, Bonnie, Elena and Nathan to the airport, bound for Chicago, then Japan for two weeks.  They travel light, one carry-on and one back pack each.  Elena insisted on taking one stuffed animal, one I bought her a few years ago, her sleep-mate.  She'll need it for her 16-hour flight, along with some games and a journal.  She saved half of her carry-on to bring back souvenirs, and Nathan is planning to buy--a sword! 

I doubt TSA will let him fly with a sword.  Veronica's rolling pin was confiscated at the SA airport.

Why a rolling pin??? I asked.  As a daily runner, she likes to massage her calves and a rolling pin fit in her bag easier than her usual leg massager. 

Elena promised to FaceTime me along the way and to make a vlog for me to watch when they return on the 4th of July.  

Today the heat factor was 108, but that did not deter Janet and me.

Elena had hoped that Janet could come to one of her rodeos, and today was Janet's "First Rodeo." She drove us to Dripping Springs in her quiet, gas-free, great-graphics, multi-featured Tesla!  After the rodeo we had lunch at Leaning Pear in Wimberley--a wonderful day in spite of the heat.

Last week, Elena won first place in all three events.  Today, she fell on the first event, then didn't win either of the other two.  But she was smiling as broadly as if she'd won them all.  

We'd gotten held up in some road construction and missed her fall. "Good thing," she said.  "You'd have had a heart attack."  

On another note, I just learned that my cousin Julie was seriously injured in a car accident.  As I was thinking about that, I happened to find an old red autograph book I hadn't opened in decades.  

Here are the entries by Julie and her sister Lisa:

Dearest Linda,

When you get old and out of shape, remember the girdles are $2.98.

Love,

Julie

Dearest Linda

If all the boys lived across the sea 

Think of what a good swimmer Linda would be.

Love Always,

Lisa

How young we were, how silly!   And now this sobering tragedy.  

Back at home

The crepe myrtles have exploded into pink since I left.  Birds of Paradise, yellow Esperanza, orange butterflies on purple flowers--a profusion of colors welcomed us back to San Antonio after one of those weeks when all seems right with the world. 

Came home to newly painted peach walls

I usually travel solo these days, so it was particularly wonderful that Will coordinated his flights with mine. He was a great traveling companion.  

We visited with lots of teachers, friends, and family at Marcus' back yard Texas Barbecue party after graduation.  Went to Eastern market, several good eateries in Mosaic, and spent hours on the Leary back porch admiring Day's and Tom's landscaping.  

We enjoyed a meal at Nando's where Marcus begins work this week. 

Bonnie and Elena picked us up last night and we went straight to Janet's to pick up furry girl and watch Elena be inspired by Janet's sewing studio. 

Today we're all resting and transitioning back to a blazing Texas summer.  

Will getting a sewing tutorial from his sister 
so he can pass it on to Elena

Chilling with Tucker

June 9th in Falls Church, Virginia

 June 9, 1967--would have been my 56th wedding anniversary if I'd stayed married. 

Here are some of the people who wouldn't be here if that wedding hadn't happened--along with some members of the Leary family we were lucky to meet when Day and Tom found each other. 

Marcus, the graduate, and Tucker

Hanging party favors on the fence, Day and Tom 

Back row, Will, Jackson,  Marcus, Day, Tom, Me, Deanna (Jackson's girlfriend)
Front row
Mike and Patty (Tom's sister), Kathy (Tom's mom), Lauren (Mike and Patty's daughter.) 

Jackson, Kathy Leary, Me, Marcus

Camp Jannie

This exclusive camp offers so many amenities.  Luci is being picked up this morning for her six days of fun and love while Will and I enjoy the graduation festivities of Marcus in Falls Church, Virginia.  Pick up and delivery services are free, as is--actually--the whole week of camp with her god-parents and sisters. 

Ever since I put my suitcase on the bed in the guest room,  Luci has been acting differently.  She knows something is up.  She doesn't see her carrier ready for packing, and she's not sure yet where she's going, but I'm pretty sure by nightfall, she and Val will have had an active day of play-fighting and romps. 

Janet sent me a picture of Val with this caption: If there were ever an image of a dog praying, it would be Val thinking “please, bring Luci back.”

'

Luci has been following me from room to room, licking me obsessively, and refusing to eat her usual food.  She's watching my every move and eyeing me with suspicion. 

Maybe she doesn't want me to know what a great time she's going to have, with Janet and Bill and three of her favorite furry friends.  Maybe it's she who's going on a grand adventure and she doesn't want me to feel bad that I wasn't invited? 

Happy Friday

I got a few weeks of ease from the steroid shots, but the effects are temporary.  I decided today to get a pedicure (because it comes with a great massage) and I left there feeling better.

Brittany (at Alamo Nails, Quarry Village) is amazing! She gave me the most wonderful massage of feet, ankles, and calves.

Alamo Nails employees love dogs.  Luci met Francesca, a black and white Shih-tzu who lives in the apartments over the salon. She was showered with attention by four young woman who work there--

--Brittany, Jackie, Jackie and Jasmine.  (Yeah, two Jackies) 

Phones came out and I met Coco and Luna and all their various dogs, Luna my favorite, a Pomeranian puppy adopted by one of the Jackies.  A spontaneous party with these young women was a most happy way to spend a morning! 

"We're going to start a dog wall," the owner's daughter told me.  "Luci is going to be our first, our mascot." 

Luci was glowing with all that attention!  If she could hum, she'd be humming the Cheers theme song; 

Sometimes you wanna go...Where everybody knows your name...

She also made friends with a dog-loving third grader named Stella.  Animals have a way of bringing people together and spreading happiness, just by being who they are. 

Here's Luci with Stella and Brittany:

When I got home, Will and Elena called.  They are spending the weekend alone while Bonnie is attending a retreat on herbs in New Mexico.

After horseback riding, Will took Elena to Jo Anns for fabric so she can up-cycle some clothes.  They asked me to do a FaceTime tutorial on operating a machine I'd given Elena a few years ago.  Pretty soon they were up and running.  

What daddy does that? 

I'd never realized he was noticing so closely--me sewing when he was a kid--but he actually knew what a presser foot and seam ripper and bobbin were!

For the next three days, I'll be getting ready to head to Virginia for Marcus' graduation.  Will and I are flying there on Tuesday so we'll have almost six days together.  And Luci will be heading to Camp Jannie again--her other happy place. 

Elena's fifth grade graduation

Fifth grade graduations are a thing now, modeled on high school and college graduations.  Both my kids were promoted to middle school in short and sweet ceremonies but all these years later, first Nathan, now Elena, graduate like the big kids. 

Yesterday was--after forty-something years in and out of Helotes Elementary--my last time to be in an audience in the cafeteria/auditorium of proud Bulldog students, gold and blue.  

Parents and grandparents showed up with flowers and balloons.  Cell phones were clicking all over the place as these 11 and 12-year olds walked the stage.  Teachers read favorite quotes of each student and told a little about them--which I enjoyed most of all. 

This class of 5th graders includes many future NFL players, as well as one new superintendent of Northside School District, a few writers and artists, a couple of police officers, one firefighter, one doctor, and several veterinarians. 

When the class president spoke, he quoted Biden--to my surprise, Helotes being a pretty conservative town--calling this year's crop of graduates among the "most tolerant" of students. They are that.  Kids of 2023 seem more tolerant of differences than many parents and grandparents.  

Elena's quotation was by a professional rodeo cowgirl: Success doesn't lead to happiness; happiness leads to success.