A Stroke of Insight

This is one of the more incredible and inspiring speeches I have seen. The hope that this woman derives from what most would consider to be a devastating life-altering experience made me cry...and lends to me the hope to view my own experiences in a more positive light.

Let Me Tell Ya

The list of things in this world that I love more than Fredericksburg peaches is short. Very Short. I know that Heaven will be chock-full of their sweet juiciness, with the fuzz already washed off. Despite the fact that peaches tend to make my lips and face itch & swell, I will not stop eating them. And if I ever happen to go into anaphylactic shock while eating a Fredericksburg peach, I would die (or come close to it) happy. Between Fredericksburg peaches and chocolate? The peaches win, hands down, every time, no questions asked. And if you can't get them where ever it is you happen to be, they are worth the pilgrimage.

And so it was that the family made a pilgrimage this weekend. Actually, the plan was to go see my parents, but I warned Clint before we left that the was NO WAY IN HELL that I would drive through Fredericksburg and not stop for peaches. So, I got my peaches. And they are everything I have dreamt about for months, and more.

Also in the top 4 reasons to go to see my parents? The Bounty. Mom and Dad now have the garden of their dreams out in Mason, and it often produces more than they can eat (as a well-tended garden often will do). This weekend we brought back cucumbers, cherry tomatoes, more yellow squash than I can possibly eat (Clint won't...squash, anyone?), green beans, onions, a cantaloupe (for Max, as Clint and I agree in our distaste for this), and homemade pickles. I can already tell that the 2 jars of pickles is not even close to enough...I'm sitting here eating some, now! I foresee lots of yummy vegetable cooking this week...

I Can't Hear You

Trying to distract myself from the fact that red wine and ice cream are definitely NOT going to help me lose that extra 10(+) pounds that I want to lose by...what else? drinking red wine and eating ice cream. Some of you stronger willed people out there might call it hopeless. I call it delicious.

A Confession.

I have a confession to make.
I love food.
I love everything about food.

I love growing it. I love cooking it. I love eating it. I love talking about it. Comparing recipes. Trying new foods (both cooking and eating). I love nutrition and the way that food nourishes the body. I love the psychology of it and the way that food nourishes the soul. I love the politics of food, and trying to eat in a manner that can make the planet a better place. I love the history of food and the way that different cultures traditionally prepare food. I love the communal aspect of food-growing, cooking, eating, and enjoying.

I would almost always rather spend money on food than stuff. I simply figure that you HAVE to eat to survive-there really is no other option-so why not thoroughly enjoy it? I really enjoy going to the grocery store, but it can make my day to go to a farmer's market (or farm, or farm stand). Today I got to go to Boggy Creek Farm (picture, above from their website), the grocery store, AND I made pesto. I don't think anything could wipe the smile off my face.

I lied.

I have been taken aback by people's generosity over the last few weeks, and was blown away again, today. This includes people we don't even know... Not that it is my faith in humanity that has been shaken, but you have all confirmed what I knew to be true. Thank you.

Now if we can just do something about this curse/karma/luck/whathaveyou....

Taking a Break

I'm having a hard time coming up with anything positive to say, which, despite my normally snarky commentary, really bothers me. Life has thrown us many a curve ball over the last year (prompting the creative of this blog to begin with), but lately it has become beyond ridiculous. I'll be back once I've got a firmer grip on reality. If such a thing is in my future.

And the Bullshit continues...

I am really, seriously, starting to fear where this downward spiral we call 'life' around here is going. I wish I were kidding or being sarcastic right now, but I'm not. Clint just called me. He hit someone on his bike going about 40 on hos way home from work. There's a crime scene unit on their way out. The guy wasn't breathing. Clint's bike is destroyed. I don't know details. This is his 3rd day on the new bike.

I'm done. I don't know what that means right now, but I have just about had it with whatever 'it' happens to be. Apparently, life can't handle the fact that I am a happy person and is bound and determined to beat it out of me. It's winning.

Priorities Intact

here i sit, my life's a model kit
but i burned the instructions and the pieces don't fit
i eat spaghetti o's, turn on the stereo
and keep in mind my best case scenario

i'm without serious doubt, i'm within my constraints

and it just clicked, the things that make me tick
get thrown against the wall and i keep what sticks
i wish with all my might that i had a cause to fight
but i can't argue with myself on this lonesome night

i can't complain. lost less than gained
strive for progression
my futile needs are all i feed
it gives me indigestion

-Austin's own The Impossibles