It seems appropriate to end a 11 day trip with a postmodern visit with friends. The internet, and specifically LJ, brought us together for more than a year online. I found sunflowerriver while looking for people/communities with similar interests in sustainability and land stewardship. How joyful to meet the "real" people with monikers such as aisa0, yarrowkat, desertwind and supremely huggable korith. I am so impressed with their dedication and commitment. It inspires me to do just a little bit more in my own urban setting.

I'm headed home to central Illinois this afternoon. I still have annual leave so I'll take Thursday off, but go into work on Friday - let's face it, I love my job and I miss it. I brought some work (a manuscript) but kept my promise to myself not to work when there was so much more to experience along this journey in the desert southwest.

The old area (pyramid composters) with falling down cold pile.



Reorganized area with compost tumblers.

Finally, items on the home improvement list are getting knocked off.

( Yes, indeed, I have skills )

Warm chocolate brown.

cooking for my "new" friends today.

salsa with 3 kinds of peppers & masa tortillas

spice rubbed pork loin
steamed green beans with thyme

caprese salad (tomato, mozarella, basil & balsamic vinegar) with baguette slices

fruit, granola & yogurt parfaits (blueberries, strawberries, peaches, apples, almonds)

peach pie

Tonight, I accepted an invitation, spontaneously, to go out and play darts with some new friends. It was 8:30pm and I am usually getting ready for bed. All the excuses flew through my head but my mouth said, "yes." So I went and had a great time. I didn't turn into a pumpkin. Yes, it's late for me, and I'm ready for bed but tomorrow is holiday so I can sleep in. (reminder: one of my 2009 goals was to find a new circle of friends not predicated on work or alcohol)

...your friend starts out a sentence with "After the zombie apocalypse, I'll be able to..." and you don't even bat an eyelash?

Second. Why does it seem that everyone is referencing the zombie apocalypse today? Did I miss an important announcement?

Also
14. Develop a new social circle of friends that is not predicated on work or alcohol.

I started to repair the gate. It took me an hour and a skinned knuckle to admit defeat and call my new friend, L, to help repair the garden gate. She came over with a friend and promptly evaluated the situation, determined what was needed, obtained needed items, and fixed the gate. It took about two hours. We sat around and chatted for another hour. They liked my house and garden. L and her friends are a new group of people I am hanging out with through the efforts of L. We went to the German restaurant on Friday night. They called me the interpreter since I speak/read a little German and was familiar with the different German foods. A nice night, only a few people were drinking out of the 14 there. They have a regular first friday get together.

On Saturday morning, I went with my PT to the Farmer's Market. We acted as role models for each other when it came to cookies and fudge. I introduced her to the healthier alternatives like home grown veggies and grass-fed, local meats.

M&M and I are planning to go boating on the lake after work on Tuesday or Wednesday.

A good weekend.
A good week ahead.

Tailgating was fun with M & M and Brother T's wife, K. We got there early enough to get a spot near the grass. Chicken wings, brats and dogs. Fruit salad. Cole slaw. Chips. Diet soda. Alas, no beer, wasn't necessary. Sox won 4-0. Uninspiring baseball game. Fireworks show afterwards.

I got some sun and reddened up; I normally darken instead of burn...the meds do indicate some sun sensitivity. I put on 50 spf sunblock after about 30 minutes.

( crankiness from being tired )

More gardening today. Lawn mowing. Laundry. I may organize the garage a bit. Ride the bike.

My hands seem recovered, though my knuckles feel stiff and the swelling is more hard than squishy. I start my larger dose of dmards today.

The farmers market on the riverfront opens next Saturday. Excited.

Gods, I am totally exhausted from Brother T's wedding weekend and family.
Brother T is spending time with his bride's family in New York City before they fly home to Lima, Peru. I love my family. I didn't go to work today, but will stop by the office for a few hours after supper and then head to the riverplex.

Detox!! Green Tea. Fiber. Exercise. Steam. Meditation.

My 1998 car reached the limit of my repair versus buy new one. I was going to have to put in another $1200. Yes. Still cheaper than payment. But. I was looking down a dark tunnel. So. Having watched prices of vehicles for the last 6 months, I found a 2008 Chrysler Sebring Touring Convertible with 13K miles (program car) for just under $15K. The credit union ranked it with NADA as $16.5K; KBB was $17.9K; Last year, the price was $19K (new, it was $28K). With my trade-in above KBB, it was $13.5K well below my upper comfort zone. I did opt for a maintenance contract since I am going to change the oil every 3K miles for $20 or more a pop and I might as well do it at the dealer for warranty issues and maintenance. I also got a "new car" warranty at $30/month (as opposed to a used car warranty). Vehicles are much more complex than 10 years ago. I took a look at the "repair" prices for the 16 different computer systems. Did you know that the gas pedal sensor sends a signal to the fuel pump rather than use a cable? Yikes! Perhaps I won't need it, but peace of mind.Bonus: FlexFuel for E-85. There is only one E85 station in our area, but I tend to take weekend drives that way along the river so I don't anticipate a problem fueling up.

Yes, honestly, somewhat ego-driven as well. Silver steel metallic. Simonized. I like the image that I have of myself driving this convertible.

Upon getting pre-approval with the credit union, the loan specialist told me I have "near perfect credit." Win!!

I am going to check with them about refinancing my home mortgage from 7.15% to <5% and perhaps a shorter term.

I need to update my monthly budget as I now have a car payment, and I am sending money to the parental units for their health care. I still have a healthy cash position for my emergency fund. I may pay down the car loan quickly because the cash is sitting at 3% while the loan is at 4.74% unless I can find some short term CDs.

I am scheduled to attend a retreat with the good Benedictine Sisters at St. Mary's Monastery in Rock Island, IL this weekend. I need some time alone and in community to clarify my inner voice.

Finally, I want to thank you, my friends, for your journal entries. I love reading them and sharing your lives in a small way.

Today, I received cards, flowers and fruit from friends near and far expressing sympathy and empathy for Tig's passing beyond this world. The tears flowed; yes, from sorrow and grief; but now tinged with comfort and a budding awareness of happiness. I can now read *your* comments through tears of comfort rather than all consuming grief. Thank you my friends.

The Center holiday potluck is today. I used frozen green beans from my garden.

fresh green beans, blanched or steamed
1 tbsp butter (or EVOO)
1 inch fresh ginger, minced
1/2 cup sliced almonds, toasted

Combine. Serve. Enjoy.

My friend, Jack, from Taiwan, has set me up with my new obsession: Pili (Puppets) from Taiwan. Reminds me of Kung Fu Panda. Quite popular in Taiwan. 1000 episodes over 3 generations. Hand puppets about 1 meter tall. Intricate plots and yet not. Much Tao. Much Zen.

I once asked you
how it feels
standing in the rain;
you said nothing.
Now I finally understand
why you couldn't say a word.


Video not the best quality. The PILI site in Taiwanese is better if you can puzzle out the kanji. Jack let me have some of the music from the series. Dazzling.

Title of this entry borrowed from a "life story" title posted over on southernpm's journal. It tickled me.

for korith

(sorry about the 30 second commercial at the beginning)

You've heard the adage, "It's better to give than receive." The adage implies a 50-50 mixture - someone who gives and someone who receives. I have been having a hard time asking for or accepting help. I think there's a lesson here about humility. It's hubris on my part to think that I can control everything in my life and that I can go it alone. In this situation of my life, I need help. I am dependent on people. This is not weakness. This is human. I need to learn to accept it. I need to allow others to give. I need to receive their help with grace and gratitude. I'm trying.

for traceroo

curled upon a piano
influenced by a kiss
knowing eyes see all

perfumed in oblivion
silent and dark
journeyed across the barren landscape

for a weeping desire
confounding the will to act
beautiful after a fashion

I am home for the holiday and aside from a couple hiking trips planned, I have nothing on the books except to hang at home, read and relax.

In the continual development of my left/right brain creativity sources, I have been conscientiously trying new things, breaking out of my comfort zone, and even been spontaneous once or twice.

joad77 once posted a "focus" request for lj friends to comment with a couple of sentences which he then turned into a short story for his lj friends. I thought I'd modify it and ask you, my lj friends, to play along if you so desire.

If you would like, please comment and provide anything from a simple, "yes, please" to a couple of words or sentence or whatever. I'll use your input, free associate with what I know about you, and turn it into some creative work - poem, story, verse, music, still life photo, or something. I'm not sure what form it will take - that's the fun!

There's something deeply satisfying when a great friend walks by at breakfast, stops, caresses my neck and cheek, and whispers in my ear, "Good morning, beautiful."

southernpm challenge me to name 10 things I like starting with the letter G:

1. Gardening
   
2. Gaggles of Geese
   
3. Giraffes
   
4. Gravity (in all of its dimensions)
   
5. Geckos
   
6. Gingerbread
   
7. Gaps (there is no number 7 in my list making)
   
8. Greens
   
9. Granite
   
10. Gratitude (properly expressed with grape products)
    

My BFF Jill is departing in 8 days for France with her family. I spent yesterday evening with her at a local winery. A perfect evening. Warm. Beautiful sunset. We agreed to be penpals - not just email, but real letters so we can include special items like, perhaps, pressed flowers or leaves.

She invited me to visit so I am looking at the possibility of taking a European vacation or lecture circuit in 2009 or 2010.

acceptable development
continued infusion of change
not a simple task
achievement complete in partial images
masked in smiling contentment
I am afraid

for aisa0 in his entry at http://aisa0.livejournal.com/160165.html