Merci

Thank you, my dear friend. I shall enjoy these gifts as first I peer through swollen eyelids and later inspect my hopefully expanded horizon.

Lunch and a Film

Grandin Village is an area of Roanoke I enjoy exploring but don't visit as often as I once did. The Roanoke Natural Foods Co-op has been an anchor in the area for years and I used to do the bulk of my grocery shopping there because it was the only source of many of the foods I like . With the greater variety in the larger grocery stores and the proliferation of ethnic food shops in town I just don't go there as often. One unique feature of the co-op is a great deli with many vegetarian/vegan selections and is just the place to grab a quick tasty meal before heading across the street to the Grandin Theatre. Today I had a yummy sandwich of grilled tofu marinated in spicy Asian seasonings and dressed with crunchy alfalfa sprouts, julienned carrots and thinly sliced purple onion on fresh whole wheat bread.
I also tried a vegan peanut butter brownie but sadly it was not so good - too heavy and strangely devoid of flavor. Vegan baking is a challenge but I've had much better...oh well.

After lunch I saw 4 months, 3 weeks, 2 days at the Grandin. This film chronicled the 24 or so hours of one young women having an illegal abortion accompanied by her dorm roommate. The film focused on the roommate's perspective and reactions throughout the experience. She unwillingly became an active participant and victim of her friend's dilemma. The final scene in the hotel restaurant continues to haunt me - the food description given by the waiter was gut wrenching considered what had occurred in the upstairs hotel room.

After the film, I needed a walk in the cool breeze ....stopped in a Mediterranean Grocery - the talkative shopkeepers were helpful and I left with some pantry staples along with some cheese described to me as mozzarella like but more flavorful. This alley way reminded me of several scenes from the movie, however, those scenes were shot during the night and the alley ways were much longer and sinister.
Adjoining the parking lot behind the co-op I spotted this carpet of small white flowers growing under a tall, barren tree. I appreciate the renewal of life springtime brings...

British Pop

Heard this on NPR tonight - Rhino Records has released a collection of British pop...

Purchased in 1970

I watched the Jane Austen Book Club a couple of days ago.... pleasant movie viewing while knitting. My reading goal this year is to read again all of Jane Austen's works - I have several copies of Jane Austen books including the complete volume as seen in the movie, a worn exlibrary copy from a deceased dear friend's collection and my most prized copy...



...a Collier Books paperback edition I purchased for 95 cents in December 1970 at Ram's Head bookstore...

This Morning...

I shall sleep through this in the morning...goodnight.

The Rest of the Day....

A day off sandwiched between a night shift before and a day shift afterwards can easily feel wasted - this was not such a day. After sleeping until noon, I inspected my seedlings and did some meal planning for the next couple of days purchasing Thai basil and spring onions at the nearby Oriental market



to make a peanut curry vegetable casserole inspired by urban vegan.




I also whipped up a quick curry and sun dried tomato hummus with the garbanzo beans not used in the casserole.


Sadly, I heard that Cafe Soleil is closing today. I've enjoyed many cups of coffee at this locally owned coffee shop on the northwest side of town. The owner cited "not enough business" as the reason for closing. Changes small and immense continue....

Reading List

Bold, outrageous (and perhaps questionable) self disclosure promises a place on my to be read list...

Almost Spring

A early spring bloom fluttering in the breeze...
A trip to an Indian market...
A delicious veggie wrap at a bakery I've somehow overlooked...
An etching purchased at the Goodwill for 20 cents...
A refreshing alternative to the usual sugary breath mints....I am grateful for days such as this.

Thank you Pura

I received this teas cozy, dishcloth, teabags and card from my swap friend via down---to---earth blog. The tea bags will provide a welcome beverage for me at work, the dishcloth is in use on my kitchen sink and the tea cozy and card are on display on my cupboard. Thank you.

Sunday

A much needed day of rest....



Oh, here's an article linking knitting and happiness I've meant to post for a while...

Today...

Walking along the greenway with a friend I saw a dried milkweed pod....
Tiny blue wildflowers ...
Discarded shoes...
And a broken guitar that could be the theme of a creative writing assignment...

Rick Owens in New York

Read about him in the latest issue of the New Yorker...

As requested....

Almost Spring...

Something to Do After Riding in a Vehicle for 7 hours....

sandratee took the free ColorQuiz.com personality test! "Seeks success, stimulation, and a life full of exp..." Click here to read the rest of the results.

Atlantic City

Vintage 197os sign on the boardwalk...
The deserted beach save for birds ....
Apparently the sign is not taken seriously...
Stepping onto the beach the first item I saw was a disposable razor and much broken glass...
The boardwalk cats appeared well fed and comfortable...

Vintage painted building signs ...
Yellow fire hydrants made me chuckle...
Saw this NY cap hanging on a pier post - see it on Found Clothing...
Storefront in disrepair on the boardwalk...
Dilapidated motel adjacent to the boardwalk - I suppose the mortgage bubble has burst here as well...
Gaudy, rather worn Trump Taj Mahal. Atlantic City seemed to be a gritty town trying to be glamorous on a beer budget. Not my style but I did enjoy the experience...

Hands

I'm acutely aware of my hands - the work I do, the care I give - all remind me of the tremendous power inherent in those collections of bones,skin, muscle and tendons. While the nurse is caring for the critically injured burn patient adjusting and measuring fluids, monitoring hemodynamic status and closely guarding pain management another is applying splints to the injured hands. Hands are closely studied for clues as to one's essential intent. This short story read in high school haunts me still... Hands by Sherwood Anderson....

Atlantic City - Bruce Springsteen Paris 85

I've listened to "Nebraska" every couple months since it was released over twenty years ago. I plan to walk along the boardwalk here in Atlantic City tomorrow morning....