Tuesday, October 20, 2009

Sunday, October 11, 2009

Top Ten of the Summer

Top Ten Things That Can Fit Into Your Hand And That I Ate On The Road Trip Across The Country (in no particular order)



  • Kyle ’s espresso in Jackson, Wyoming

  • Good good beers in Greenlake, Seattle

  • Raw chicken gizzard at Glynwood Center, Hudson River Valley, NY

  • Doughnuts from Sultan Bakery, Hwy 2, Washington

  • Charcuterie at Barb’s (devilled eggs, great cheese, salami, pink wine, etc.)

  • Crab legs from the tanks at Central Market, eaten on the porch

  • Italian plums (which I was picking in my dream last night) from the tree by the pond, Kingston, washington

  • Chamomile ice cream & the best kind of birthday cake a boy could ever want (angel food), at the Lake

  • Wintergreen lifesavers, to keep you alert on the road, on the road

  • Huckleberry milkshake from Victor Emporium, Victor, Idaho

now, what are your top ten of the summer?

Tuesday, October 6, 2009

half way there and still going


It is hard to believe we have finished the first week of October!! I can't keep up the pace if October is going to keep me moving at this rate. As you all know, David and I started the month in Spokane for Lisa and Erik's wedding. It was a very nice evening celebrating a couple very well matched and very gracious. I enjoyed visiting with Deb and Vic, Gary's brother and sister-in-law, and Grace, Gary's mother. It was unfortunate that Phloris could not be there because I know she would have loved it. She and Grace are good friends.

On returning to the west side of the mountains, David headed for San Diego and I headed home to start the "cork tile" project. It was now or never! Monday morning I moved furniture around to one side of the house and ran up to the rent-it center to get the 100 pound floor roller. Starting on the bridge by the door, I worked my way forward to the bedroom. Half way through the bridge I realized I really needed to get the tiles rolled before evening, so rather than wait for the return of neighbors I hauled the roller upstairs, doing leg presses at each stair-step. There were a few moments of worry when I thought I might tip head-over-heels and end up flying thought the door at the bottom of the stairs but I made it upstairs. I cut, laid and rolled the rest of the bridge, 2 closets and the middle of the bedroom. I finished by 11:30 pm with every muscle ready to go to bed. After washing tools and myself, I took Duffy outside and ... wait for it...locked myself out of the house!

Do we have and extra key outside? NO! Fortunately it was a full moon and a clear sky so I could see to get the ladder and climb over the upper deck. I threw myself over the deck because of course I am too short to put my leg over. Fortunately I fell onto the deck and not backwards into the rhododendrons. Always an adventure.

Today I rested! Picked Asian pears, dried fruit and looked at bathroom sinks at Loews. I think I am ready to finish the second half tomorrow. Not to worry though. I put a key outside!

Keep accepting new challenges! Where is the fun in doing what you already know?

Love, Mama Llama

Goathead Thorns

Ventured out for my first real ride, out from this city of bikes. Headed out through orchards and fields, toward Lake Berryessa. A beautiful beautiful ride - after 20 miles. The 1st 20 are spend on straight, flat roads, surrounded by row after row of trees or ploughed earth. But at least they're quiet - only the passing truck filled with rancher, pickers, or tomatoes. Here's evidence of a tomato truck that had more than it's share:


The hills - a section of coastal mountains between the central valley and nappa / the bay - are steep, dry, gold and green. And after the flat hour out, it was great to power up to the steep pass. I turned around an decided to head home a slightly different way - a busier road that kept me on the white line. I accidentally shifted of the pavement at one point, was on gravel for about 3/4 of a second, then shifted back up. But heard a click click that meant something was on my wheel and brushing against my frame. I stopped to examine and found at least 8 spiky thorns in my front tire. I pulled one out and heard a hiss.
Got out my patch kit and patched two holes in the front tire. then broke the valve when I was pumping the tire back up. So I put in the new tube I had in my bag. All was well, until I realized that I should check my back tire as well. It was already flat. Thorns removed then 3 holes to patch. The valve broke on this tube as well - need to do a better job with this tricky pump - but it was still taking air. But one of the patches was failing, so I road for a mile or so, out of the saddle, and then started walking. By the time all this patching and changing was done, and I had walked a few miles, Susan was out of class and drove to pick me up, still 10 miles or so out of town. Bear in mind, I have kevlar beaded tires that are not supposed to puncture and with which I have ridden through glass, potholes, and innumerable other undesirable conditions. But there's these thorns out here with 3 small spikes designed, like a tripod, to keep a fourth, giant spike pointing straight up, and into my tire. A few good lessons for the first day out: the mountains are farther away than they appear, stay off any gravel, and bring lots of tubes!
More info I just found: The Goathead Thorn
They really are evil little sons of female jerks!

Wednesday, September 30, 2009

a few sites and sounds

ten days now in California and i figure it's about time to get back to keeping everyone up to date on The Only Boy. It has definitely taken me a while to find my stride after a couple weeks on the road. They were definitely marvelous days though, with nothing but moby dick, dusty miles, and other people's couches ahead of me. great nights with cool mountain breezes, laughter, wine, and new places to explore. Amazing time at the lake to figure out the west coast again and get inspired to be unemployed - just means time to be outdoors, cook dinners, do projects, right?
now - out here in dusty davis. where people careen around on cruisers like elephants on a tight rope. some of these people should not be on bikes. and because there's so much emphasis on bikes, they make bikes follow the rules: they'll ticket for stop signs, lights, not having lights at night, etc. Bike friendly is not bike fun.

Moving and accompanying details have kept me over busy the last 2 weeks and have yet to fully feel unemployed. we got out here and then discovered that the place we lined up was dirty and cluttered and just kinda nasty and just wasn't going to be the place we wanted to hang out. unfortunately, we discovered this after I moved everything from the car and storage container into the house. so we talked the landlord into terminating our lease, promptly found a tiny, but amazingly cute little cottage really close to town and campus, and then started moving again. we're just about done with that. to the point of setting up utilities - trying to prove to the post office that our house exists, trying to clear up a $2,000 phone bill that someone in utah rang up with my social security number, trying to not crawl through the phone line and strangle people who work for comcast - you know, that sort of thing. but finally, the rugs are on the floor, the kitchen has been consecrated with an espresso from the stove top (though we found a replacement carafe for our coffee maker - exciting) and two beautiful dinners from the central valley bounty, and I just built a hanging rack out of salvaged 2x4s and copper pipe. when you come visit you'll scream about how cute it all is. looking forward this week to cracking the norcal cookbook that mom gave us.

in other hysterics - last week I tried to put the bikes together (after they were totally disassembled in the storage container). It was an amazing day - just like Saturday in the bike shop. Hot hot sun, and every project turned against me - the wrong tubes, broken stems, grease melted in the sun, wheel damage from shipping, and all other manner of mishap. it felt great to have gresy hands again - though I have been staying in touch with phoenix through some proposal writing etc. as well.

anyway - that's the fun list. other highlights: riding around san fran, sitting in parks, laughing with our friend Mat (visiting Sf from DC), going on a sweet hike only an hour and a half from Davis (made it to treeline - pic below), finding 2nd hand stuff for the new cottage, 100 degree days.
so that's the update - hopefully starting the real fun soon.

the hike was to "twin lake" - an appropriate first hike down here.

Sunday, September 27, 2009

Birthdays

I just want to say that I have had the best birthday week ! I gave myself permission to spend a fun day Friday playing in the kitchen because Kyrsa and Dave were coming for tapas and wine on Saturday. Since I was cooking and cleaning, I also got to drink a glass of wine in the afternoon so I could pretend to be Julia Childs.

Yesterday was a beautiful fall day, more like late summer. Kyrsa and Dave came over with a big bouquet of flowers. We sat outside and enjoyed first-course tapas with Spanish wine and Dogfish beer. As the temperatures fell, we moved inside for the second-course of tapas and more Spanish wine, followed by cups of espresso and meringues topped with roasted fruit and creme anglaise.

The full Tapa Menu included: grilled bruschetta with mozzarella and roast tomatoes, Spanish olives, fava bean spread and pita chips, roasted pears wrapped in prosciutto, gazpacho, mixed greens with avocado, Italian potato salad, fresh crab and cocktail sauce, meatballs in saffron sauce, pork cubes in peach sauce, and meringues with roased fruit and creme anglaise for dessert.Now, today, I have a beautiful day to do what ever I wish, in a clean house filled with flowers. I had dessert for breakfast with coffee and read in rocking chair. If only I can keep this plan going for 12 more months! Enjoy your days as they come, each one new and full of opportunities to choose to smile. The mantra for the coming year:
You choose how you see yourself and the world around you and are able to change that world by your vision.
Let's all make good choices out there! (Smile)
Love, Mama Llama

Thursday, September 24, 2009

Time flies when...

It is hard to believe that a month has past, to the day, since Colin's birthday! Today is not nearly as entertaining in Kingston but I certainly can't complain. We have had the "BEST SUMMER EVER" with sunshine following sunshine into September. We even managed some sun for lake visitors, so skiing, kayaking and bike riding were enjoyed by all.

On September 9, Colin and Susan drove into the lake driveway, continuing an already week long trek across the nation with stops for friends and family along the way. They really did see the best places in our land, deserving the rewards because of the sheer number of miles in between stops. We had a great bike ride from the cabin to our new favorite town, Spirit Lake. We also worked in some dock time, cooking time and a little skiing as well. There is never enough time to relax at the lake and never too much time with people I love but we did our best.

I really needed that time to gather up energy for the car shopping that faced me on my return to Kingston. The little blue Forester died on the mountain top- really the nemesis for that little car- and was not worth fixing. Bye bye little friend. So with much trepidation but with lots of support from "Saint Barbara of Theresa" I hit the dealerships. Of course I did my online work and went armed with sheaves of paper. The dealers didn't know what to do with the 2 crazy women facing them. In the end David and I drove off a lot in Lake City with a 2007 Toyota Rav4 with only 15,000 miles. I hope it will last at least 10 years because I really don't want to do that again. You KNOW how cranky I get in dealerships!

Now fall is here and pears are being processed in the canner and the dryer. The house seems empty with only David and I. Fortunately Kyrsa and Dave are coming this weekend to ease my way into the fall focus on teaching, remodeling and fiber; all the activities of the last throws of summer mixed with winter preparations. So, walk in the leaves when you find them in piles and remember continue summer explorations into the fall. Happy adventures and exploration to everyone.
Love, Mama Llama

Monday, August 31, 2009

he's how old?


another photo I thought I'd have to share. in keeping with lake-side birthday laughter, this was from 'the river' on my birthday.

Saturday, August 29, 2009

Colin's 30th Birthday

August 24 is the day the world celebrates the birth of that remarkable individual, Colin George Haspedis Dixon. His nearest and dearest usually look forward to celebrating the day WITH him at Twin Lakes. This year we all suffered without his physical presence but we kept his spirit in our hearts and thoughts, making decisions we knew he would be making for us, were he there.

The day began with sunshine on the lake and Canadian geese shouting his praises. Lynne and Linda started the day on the golf course. Amy and Erin headed into Couer d'Alene to do a little bit of work at the wifi bakery, in order to feel free of work for the rest of the week. Barb and Claudia rode bikes into Hayden for coffee, enjoying the comfortable morning on the Rathdrum prairie.

Around 2:30 pm everyone convened on the dock. Anita was already sipping her first G&T to start the celebrations off right. Sunscreen was passed around and banter shared. Lynne commented on the great waterski book in the cabin (from Colin to Barb at Christmas). Barb threw out the challenge: Hey, why don't Lynne and Claudia and I triple ski together? Lynne said, " Sure- great idea!" and we were off... I just stood there stuned while all was prepared around me and before we knew it, but after a quick G&T for courage, we where on the lake. Linda had her initiaion as a ski boat driver and all went extremely well. Who even believed it would happen- not BARB!
Of course Cameron was entertained by the episode, so Lynne asked if he wanted to ski with her and Barb. He said maybe Wednesday but Lynne and Linda would be leaving next day. As soon as Kurt got home from work, Cameron and the Haspedis blonds were out on skiis. It took a couple of tries for Cameron to get the wiggles out and feel confident, but he made it up and so did the "girls". That is what the lake is all about- passing on the tradition of prodding and pushing from one generation to the next. Great times!!

Now it was time for the kids to perform. Amy disclosed her shame at not jumping off the swinging tree 10 years earlier. Lucky days! The cocktail cruise that evening passed right in front of the swinging tree. With Erin's tutaledge, Amy followed up to the platform and quickly plunged into the water to the applause and toasts from all.

But the day was not over. After a great dinner, wine and relaxing there was just enought time for "peep smores" around the fire. The stars were bright and the evening warm. As Claudia moved away from the fire to enjoy her her perfectly roasted peep, she stepped off the patio a little higher than she judged and sprawled along the driveway. " Where is my peep?" she queried after assuring all that she was uninjured. The beam of the flashlight found it stuck to the back of her shoulder! Really, can a day be celebrated with more hilarity!

So Colin, you were missed in body but loved and celebrated in spirit. The coming year can only hold more adventures, hilarity and love with this kind of start.

Love,
Mamallama

Friday, August 14, 2009

Girls weekend and beyond

Girl's weekend kicked off August but the sunshine was not around much to show us how August in Idaho is suppose to feel. Still, there was lots of relaxing and fun to be had. Barb made us all feel like slugs by doing the Coeur d'Alene triathlon with a best ever time. She has now recognized a new training module for success: train all winter like crazy then, when the sun finally comes out, eat drink and make merry. This seems to result in equal and better times on the racing circuit. Next year she may push the envelope to see where the breaking point between training and drinking really sits.


It was a small group at the lake this summer, just Anita, Barb, Judy and I but we truly focused on relaxing. We read on the dock, swam ever so often and took walks every day to keep moving. It was actually pretty difficult to return to accomplishing tasks on Monday, when we all returned home. Judy had the most to face, what with final tasks moving into her new home and out of her old one. Clint is getting married in 4 weeks, so there are all kinds of family arrangements to make her insane as well. Even she acknowledged that is took 3 or 4 days for her to care about the insanity. That is the sign of a GOOD vacation. She is now starting to think about retiring!.
Barb is carrying on in Seattle, drinking coffee and putting on rain gear for the first time since May. We still want lots more summer and are hoping it returns for Erin and Colin so we can all play just a few more times. The boat needs a better work out at pulling skiers. I have been working on fiber projects in the wet days this week but plan a big garden weekend this weekend, to start pruning for fall and of course redesigning a couple of spots. I planted a few fall vegetable crops with hope and a prayer- green beans, peas and favas. It is surprising how dry my soil is despite all the rain. There have also been lots of kitchen tasks- drying sweet cherries from Eastern Washington,baking chocolate zucchini cupcakes, making peach pies, drying a few of the peaches before they spoil and making blackberry jam. All part of summer, with more harvests and preserving to come, I hope.
Now I am to the post office and a few errands. I hope everyone is feeling the warmth of summer and remembering to use that warmth as an excuse to enjoy the moments of living each day. It is never easy to make time when life demands many directions from you but if you don't make the time to stop and share smiles of happiness and love, all the other directions become tangled and lost. So- make time today to laugh when you might not feel like laughing and have a slow walk when you think you should be running.

Love you,