Thirst: In the Clear

The settlers are moving back. The smoke is clear; the rain came today. I spent a novel week in Newport Beach with little Rachie in her new digs. I made three visits to Paper Source and at least four to Pacific Whey Cafe, both Crystal Cove and South Coast. Shameful to some, obvious to others. Must recommend the crème brulée bread pudding and the cinnamon custard triangle.

When the Roses Speak, I Pay Attention
by Mary Oliver

"As long as we are able to
be extravagant we will be
hugely and damply
extravagant. Then we will drop
foil by foil to the ground. This
is our unalterable task, and we do it
joyfully."

And they went on. "Listen,
the heart-shackles are not, as you think,
death, illness, pain,
unrequited hope, not loneliness, but

lassitude, rue, vainglory, fear, anxiety,
selfishness."

Their fragrance all the while rising
from their blind bodies, making me
spin with joy.

The Girls

Today I met a friend at The Bookworks immediately after church meetings. The Sabbath is a good day to visit friends. So, the slight woman next to moi is Alice Waters. I have known her for a long time. She just met me today and judging by the look on her face she found me fascinating.

I met Katya in the parking lot and we descended on the store in typical fashion. There was no lecture and the only thing to represent food in clear sight was the table Ms. Waters sat by to sign The Art of Simple Food. Having no book to sign, I plonked down with her and Katya snapped us. Ms. Waters has a kind voice. There was wine and cheese tasting elsewhere in the store.

I relived the Jacques Pépin lecture and signing at this same location a few years ago. It was a night to remember. Was it night? I scarcely know. But, I have his signed (en français) book to enjoy. There were fraises des bois and various creations from Fast Food My Way. KTG and I attended (and paid $10) to have Martha Stewart sign our books at a Design Expo in Salt Lake. KTG engaged her in conversation. I had her sign an asparagus page and she commented on the healthy growth of her own that year. I attended a presentation (Q & A?) and booksigning by Amy Tan also in Salt Lake. She brought her pooches in Vuitton dog carriers. I remember little else.

Today, the couple in line in front of us brought a menu from Chez Panisse, 2003. She signed it for them. They became engaged at the restaurant that evening. I heartily congratulated the fellow while his wife picked up their reserved copy of the book.

The Junior League: Who are They?

I don't belong to any civic group for which I am the poorer. If I decided to join one, it would probably be The Junior League about which I know nothing and know no one who is a member. I do know of their fruits. It appears that many of the city leagues have produced one or more cookbooks. This is no doubt to raise funds for volunteerism. But what do I know? Maybe they are like me . . . cookbook fiends. In fact, if I collect anything at all, it is matchbooks and cookbooks. Two different book forms but I do find some parallels. Statement of location, artful packaging, and tools within. Matchbooks are a dying breed in some establishments. Cookbooks have never enjoyed a wider audience.

This summer, my mother and I enjoyed sun in the pool carping about the titles from some of these small and well-mannered collections. You see, she possesses The Junior League Centennial Cookbook: Over 750 of the Most Treasured Recipes from 200 Junior Leagues. You may draw breath in the scope and let me assure you, the tome is worthy of readership. The titles of the books that make up this composite were fodder for our afternoons. We tried to find the best title (many are named for location): Gold'n Delicious from Spokane, I'll Taste Manhattan from NYC, Simply Simpático from Albuquerque. Others are simply an evocation of style: Applehood & Motherpie from Rochester, Magic from Birmingham, Posh Pantry from Kankakee, IL. The page layout in the centennial edition is quite excellent.

I don't possess any of the geographic cookbooks but I know my mother has A Pinch of Salt Lake. I did indulge to make the Pain Perdu from Epicure in Orange County on page 292. Lemon rind and nutmeg add. My family was especially pleased with the Roast Barbeque (Applehood & Motherpie) and I happily shared a container with ma très jolie soeur. She tripled the recipe a few weeks ago to feed her gigantic horde of inlaws. I would serve this with a vinaigrette coleslaw. Next on my list to try is Aunt Kay's Sesame Chicken from page 237. It hails from Utah Dining Car of the Ogden League.

Imagine my wonder as I happened on both books from Palo Alto a few months ago at the library sale in SB. One with a dust jacket, one without. Old and slim. Oddly, I had even told myself as I read the centennial that I would never find these two books. I thought they were long gone to history (after looking them up online). Truly, a find for the ages: Private Collection and Private Collection 2.