Vintage Postcard

Cruising the old neighborhood streets of Glendale, you will most likely happen upon citrus trees dropping their liquid jewels.



Chances were also good for me that Amy would appear gem-like and pose in front of a preferred High Street.



We sheltered from the rain in her salon where I sewed a square of grandmother's flower garden and she discussed vampires with Kiki, her stylist. We visited the new Henry's and wove around Ikea. I bought only muted tones. In Pasadena, we weighed the cost of orange no-crack handcream and a tissue cashmere scarf. She perused salt cellars. I did not buy shelves for my spices. We acquired coconut products at The Body Shop. Peanut butter M&Ms spilled on the wet pavement. I did not lose the case for my phone. I came home with The Reliable Wife, a book Amy devoured in 1.5 days. My kiki was not found wanting. She grilled. A day and a half in the life.

The Great Rains

One year the long rains failed.
That is a terrible, tremendous experience, and the farmer who has lived through it, will never forget it. Years afterwards, away from Africa, in the wet climate of a Northern country, he will start up at night, at the sound of a sudden shower of rain, and cry, "At last, at last."

Out of Africa
Isak Dinesen

Oh, What Do You Do in the Wintertime?

When all the trees are taken down, the carolers wrapped and stored, and the car loaded with donations for charity, it is time to recap our weeks of holiday. I have seen loved ones: Susie and Rachel at Victoria's wedding in Portland

Donn and Nancy traipsing through Snow Canyon

Brendan and Karen and some gingerbread men all in the warmth of home, as well as the usual players in St. George.

I quilted a dark-toned quilt for mother and father during five hours on December 22, sewed the binding in secret until time ran out, and wrapped it with its pins for Christmas morning. A plush white confection of a dress jacket for Taylor. A Snowy Day for Buddy. Among the goods at Christmas were a miniature Victorian book to write one's Christmas gifts, all of Shakespeare's sonnets, three cookbooks: Ten, Apples for Jam, and Falling Cloudberries with its dreamy cranberry sorbet cover, gift cards, a phone.

Our favorites foods were cherries glacés, lamb with mint chutney glaze, tomato bisque, and seven-layer bars.

At our house the talk for days of neighbor Louisa's birthday and her prospective gift.

I learned to play Mancala. We played 20 Questions, the board game, where I guessed Charles Darwin in one clue and could not guess Shoes after 20 clues. And, Taboo. We tastetested Heath vs. Skor. Heath won from all but myself. They complained it stuck in their teeth. I expect that from toffee. Hummphf. The talk of the houses was eggnog. Who likes it (the boys), who doesn't (the girls).

Our Sadie was put under to remove a mole on her paw. We showered her with TLC.

For the remainder, I plan to cook with barley, try to finish the large jar of Spanish olives, hang two gourds, buy bike shoes, and snap a million photos.