Live from New York...

Hello from New York!

This is the first post I have made on the road. I am at Erin's apartment in Brooklyn writing on her old laptop.I feel very independent since I am here all alone. Erin headed to Portland this afternoon for a work meeting and I head home tomorrow afternoon. Until then I am on my own in the big city.

I have had a great vacation. Getting away always gives new energy and new perspectives. I hadn't even seen the news until this evening. I hate to pass on the bad news that the New York doormen are heading to strike and may not be turning up for work tomorrow. Thankfully I will be able to come and go without a problem.

Beyond the concerns of homeowners on the upper East-.side, New York has been great. I had a wonderful visit with Carol and Jim. Avon was celebrating Spring in the very best way-trees in bloom and tulips in all hues. Carol and I walked and talked as we always love to do. We ended our visit with a short stop at the Museum in Hartford. Carol gave me her tour of the best works there. It is GREAT art museum.

I was so inspired by Hartford that I made this a vacation of museums. Friday night I met Erin after work and we checked out the Biennial at the Whitney. It was really a great collection including the last years of Biennials and this years new collection. Sunday we stopped in at the Neue Gallery- a post modern German collection in an old mansion that was originally the home of Cornelius Vanderbilt III. Otto Dix was the featured exhibition along with lots of Klimt. It was very interesting and impressive. After a walk through Central Park we headed to MOMA for a look at an incredible exhibit of photojournalism spanning the 1930's through the 1970's with people on the streets of nations all over the world during the everyday life as well as during the dramatic events of the times. We also took in a great Picasso exhibit there. So much more but we only had a certain amount of artistic curiosity so we headed home for wine and dinner.

My entire visit has not been museums. Saturday there was fun in the lower East side then dinner at home with Jenni. Jenni was great. She is creating a wonderful and exciting project and I loved hearing her share about it. We had a very easy but delicious dinner. After buying artichoke stuffed gnocchi in a pasta specialty store, the hard work was making salad and sauce. That meant all the more time for visiting and wine.

Monday I explored and corners of Brooklyn from Crown Hill to Park Slope. You would think that with all this walking I would be able to find my way around New York and Brooklyn like a native. You would not know me though- I still have a hard time orienting myself and tend to turn the wrong way when ever I can. All the more fun.

SO, there you have the story of a great week exploring and relaxing and sharing. Now I head back home to garden projects, blanket weaving and school classes. Not much for me to complain about at all. So love to you all,
Mama Llama

I'm off!

It is early Monday morning and I am off to New York to visit Erin. I start the journey at Lynne's with a visit to the doctor then catch an early flight tomorrow morning. This weekend was a whirl wind of activity in the garden and some last minute packing. I always take too much when I pack in a hurry but...oh well.

I arrive Tuesday evening then Wednesday morning head to Avon for a visit with Carol and Jim. It will only be an overnight but will include lots of good visiting and nice times. Maybe a visit to the art museum as it has been awhile since we were last there. I am planning a visit to MOMA also- I haven't been there for awhile and the last visit was a run through.

I can't promise to post while traveling but I will talk to you soon. Call on the cell if you need my wisdom or just want to chat.

Love,
Mama Llama

Easter Week Happenings

Really, Colin said it all in pictures. Having him here with Alex in tow made the day more fun than any day should be. Wrestling, poking and dyeing Easter Eggs too!

But everyone has gone home, leaving me with wind and rain as company. All my plans for gardening and catching up with the weeds have been put aside because of the cold weather. Instead, I am spinning and trying to finish up the last 4 blankets before the warm weather returns. Then I can enjoy garden work.

As I spin, my mind wanders into territory that usually remains hidden. I see into the future and find problems to solve there, rather than deal with today's mundane reality. I still want a bi-weekly classroom survey asking 12 multiple choice questions about student descriptions of their own success in school, home work completion and reasons for all. I want a study done for an entire year with the same set of question repeated every 2 weeks. It might lead to a different level of performance by students and a better understanding by teachers of what lies behind these problems. SO there is my "meandering " during spinning. Now will someone in the universe please get to work.

I also solve a practical problems-like what to do as the chicks get bigger and outgrow the gerbil cage?
Here is the answer! So many uses for a car-top carrier... The chicks went crazy this afternoon with all the room . They are still in the corner of the kitchen because it is way too cold outside for their little bodies. I have chicken wire over the top so they can't start cruising the sun-room for bugs but maybe I should let them out occasionally to hunt. If only they didn't poop every 10 seconds.

So for now Spring is indoors- little plants starting in the sun-room and chicks in the kitchen. Just typical northwest weather. We know we will have warm days again. When they do surprise us, we will run outside to appreciate every ray. Enjoy the sunshine where you find it this spring and all the adventures that lay ahead.
Love,
Mama Llama

Easter Friends

By great luck, easter in seattle. by sunday, the rain and wind had been tamed and mom had protected the candy bowl long enough for jelly beans and peeps to join delicious salads, champagne, chocolates and cheeses at Lynne's.

Easter Peeps

Happy Holy Week!(A week set aside to remind us that bad things happen to good people)

Has everyone stocked up on peeps for the coming Easter weekend? Here in Kingston the peeps are filling up the kitchen to overflow.Now we bigin! With 2 Buff Orpingtons, 2 Barred Rocks and 2 Rhodes Island Reds we are chicken people. Our 6 chicks are very small but growing rapidly in their kitchen gerbil-home. Unfortunately, it will be six months until they prove their worth, depending on whether they are hens or cocks, of course. Sacks Feed assures me that this particular supplier has a very good record of providing hens so we can only hope for no offering to the hatchet! The next big agenda is the tractor but it will not be put into use for another 5 weeks so I have time. I did order some plans just because I think it might save me several mis-measurements. I will keep you up to date on my progress.

Along with chicks, Spring is supplying lots of lovely flowers and weeds. The rain this week is slowing down my yard projects but last week I had a great day exploring Seattle with my ESL student and enjoying the delicate beauty of Spring in the Northwest. It is always fun to see home with new eyes.

This week has time for plenty of indoor projects and Easter preparations. We are planning a brunch at Lynne's since she is still a bit inbound. Anita will be there, as will Colin. I am looking forward to starting April with celebrations and smiles. March did not start as well as we might like (roof gymnastics).

It's Spring!

March 21 and officially Spring!
Happy warm weather to everyone and many more smiles ahead. Today I worked until 6:30 in the garden and it was still light when I came in to make dinner. The wonders of Spring ! The bunnies are combed and the goats are sheared- we are all ready to move into the growing season. With the mild winter I just keep adding more garden projects so I can't say I am ahead of the game this year but the early garden work has sure been more pleasant.

This weekend David and I had a very special treat to start the new season. We shared dinner with Glen and Kathy Wilson then attended the Bremerton Symphony, where Kathy plays second cello -her responsibility for the past 30 years. The Symphony is always first class and an enjoyable evening but this performance was the best ever. Featuring old world music from Spain and new world music from South and Central America, there were many unbelievable delights.
The solo violinist was a 20 year old Bremerton musician who studies and performs years in England. She was outstanding! There were conch shells and 20 different percussion elements in the South American pieces. Tons of fun and very festive for heralding the season of fertility.

With such an amazing start, this Spring is certain to be full of amazing events. Number one is Kyrsa's new job working in the soon to open tasting room of Airfield winery. Airfield is one of several Yakima wineries opening tasting rooms in Woodenville, in a cooperative tasting community. It is very exciting that Kyrsa will be able to try out her new knowledge of wine and get in on the ground floor of a new idea in wine marketing for the Seattle area. I for one can't wait to visit her at work.

The Spring will also bring new visitors to Tulin Road. They will be staying in the old gerbil home. Keep your eyes open for their arrival and all the new development in the area.

Until then, safe and happy travels to Erin and Colin and good wishes for laughter to everyone.
Love,
Mama Llama

Colin says...

well. i tried a dozen times to comment on the blog and it's not working. will look into it.
but here's what I was going to comment!

I DO wish we had a picture of you cruising around on the back of the tandem. Other favorites from the visit: eating burritos in the car in golden gate park, walking down valencia getting project ideas, slumber party night and extremely lively games of banagrams and scrabble, wine and grocery shopping. and thanks for not mentioning how chubby I am now.

From Mama Llama: We did have so much fun doing all these things. I only lost my footing on the tandem pedals once at the intersection! Pouring rain did not keep us from our burritos and it was just lucky we didn't have more time at the great book store on Valencia. The new ice cream store on Valencia was extraordinary (ginger saffron ice cream after Indian food!!!) and they game me a free vanilla bean TWICE. There is really no chubbiness happening in Davis though the flat road are not keeping Colin in the tip top biking shape of D.C.
I guess there will need to be more bike rides out to the mountains 40 miles away!

Davis or bust

Before I forget one glorious moment or bite, I must share my long California weekend with you. Starting from Bainbridge, I rode ferry, lite rail, airplane and bus to arrive on Colin and Susan's doorstep. Actually Susan had to come out to the curb and guide me into the little, secret alley that leads to their wonderful bungalow between C and D street. It is tiny and well organized, as Colin and Susan constantly accomplish. There are beautiful little touches everywhere and a kitchen that both are accomplished at using- TOGETHER?

I know this because they prepared wonderful food for me all the days I visited. We had fresh vegetables from the student farm where Colin works and harvests, prepared in amazing ways. I will share the most complicated menu with you- a Christmas gift from them both.

First Course: Winter salad with celeriac, endive, radicchio and a Caesar-like dressing finished
with truffle oil and pumpkin puree with kalamata olives

Second Course: Rosemary pasta dressed with caramelized onions and aged Gouda and sauteed beets and beet greens served with horseradish yogurt

Third Course: Pan-seared Cauliflower steaks with capers, caper berry and golden raisin relish and a fresh mixed greens salad

Dessert: Citrus pie with whipped cream made from fresh squeezed oranges, lemons and zest

...and of course there was wine. We even had roasted brussel sprouts one night and I am now a convert to that vegetable treat.

Besides eating... Colin and I visited the new San Fransisco Academy of Science. We did have burritos at a wonderful Mission District restaurant for lunch and met Susan for an amazing dinner at Dosa's in the Mission District, serving outstanding Indian food.

I walked and biked through Davis exploring the Arboretum gardens, Student Farm and pea patch as well as amazing display gardens all over and almond trees in bloom along every street. We hiked the hills above Lake Barriessa just south of the Napa and looked down from the ridge of the mountains so that we could see both east and west. We had planned to add wine tasting to that adventure but thankfully were forced to change plans. We all agreed we would have collapsed long before getting home if THAT had been the program. Instead we headed back to the cottage and had a wine tasting there!

I can't think of a more delightful and inspiring vacation. During quiet moments I read Giai's Garden and planned new garden projects with Susan's help in improved designs. Now if I could only duplicate the Davis sunshine I might even be successful- those people don't really garden down there- they just throw seed to the wind and harvest the bounty! But at least I can dream!

Four holidays in one day

Valentines & Chinese New Year, all on the same weekend. Plus president's day plus Rabi'I. What a treat! And it brought a little bit of spring down to california.
the last couple days got into the upper 60's, which, after a dry weekend, inspired this clover like ground cover weed that is everywhere to shoot out little yellow flowers. I think I'm allergic to them.

Anway... some highlights of the weekend, per the pictures below:

After a bunch of traffic heading into SF made it, after dark, to a campground susan had found that had a dry platform for the tent and a dry sauna to relax in. we cooked asparagus and sausage over the campfire, drank some conundrum, then cooked some oysters over the fire. in the morning, a beautiful walk down to the beach of Ano Nuevo (an appropriate place for the holiday). meet our sea lion friend below. he was humongous. dew and tiny spider lines as we brewed coffee and watched the waves.

Then off to Big Basin to set up camp #2. On the way, U Pick kiwis off 101. The vines, bare of leaves now, started producing back in november so we figure the u pick is a just a good way to get the last hidden fruits off the trees. back and forth to the big trees of big basin a few times - 40 minutes through super windy roads and little 'hippie towns' (as described by someone giving us directions) - as we searched for food and entertainment in Santa Cruz. we slept in the car since the ground up there never dries out and we didn't have a tarp for under the tent. a little cramped, but safe from the raccoons. a short hike through big basin. we plotted longer hikes on 'skyline to sea' for later in the year, then back over hill and dale to Davis.

Rains are back this weekend. but time for projects, ideas, and plans for a coming year of adventures.

Here're some photos:

Mardi Gras is Over

Did you eat pancakes last night- if not you can try again today just to start the Easter season right. Remember that regardless of faith connections and differences, life is best celebrated each season and this season we are preparing for Spring.

In the northwest this year it is particularly easy to celebrate Spring preparations because of our mild weather. Monday I stepped into my new boots and began garden clean-up in earnest. I even broke out the chocolate garden soap to keep my grimy fingernails clean(ish). Today the sun is shining and I plan to head out to the vegetable garden for the first time, so this will be a short hello to all just to remind you to celebrate the moments of each season.

There are always good reasons to keep busy but don't make yourself too important in the universal scheme of things. You are responsible for putting your best self forward into the world but you can not control the outcome or response .

For Lent, let's all try to think more about bringing happiness into the world and less about self-sacrificing. I think there is enough imposed sacrifice and suffering right now to more that meet the requirement. The world, small and large, needs a reminder that fun still exists, people still laugh and we are all important.

As our Lenten preparations for Spring (which will come to the East coast someday), let us all make time to mail a card to a friend, call someone and chat for a moment, take a walk to clear our heads, go to bed early and, most of all, realize that happiness is the best preparation for the joy that is Spring. Being a good person is being happy and sharing your happiness so despite the occasional obstacles in our paths and the walls blocking our view to the future, make Lent the time to pronounce happiness as our goal and share it.

Mother Theresa is quoted as saying: We can do not great things- only small things with great love. Let's try doing some small things for others with love and joy.

Happy pancake dinners.
Love
Mama Llama