Pizza math

Cannon Beach, Oregon    

JIT Christmas baking

Seattle, Washington

Got started really late on the Christmas baking: Christmas Day, in fact. But at least I had time and energy to deliver Christmas breads to our neighbors on the day-of. Some traditions survive!

Christmas Eve happiness

Seattle, Washington

And then, despite it ALL, my godmother arrived on our doorstep with my FAVORITE gingerbread cookies. Thank you, S!

Gingerbread 2020

Seattle, Washington

Well, there's not MUCH room for Christmas gatherings this year, but at least we did our annual gingerbread. A decided to go for a 2-dimensional (Rusheen!) gingerbread house this year which, in a way, is a perfect metaphor for this year: 2-dimensional. 

(Did I mention we love red hots around here?)

Lussekatter (but I call them Luciakatter)

Seattle, Washington

Tried my hand (again) at lussekatter today. St. Lucia arrives again, and boy, is it dark out there...

This bowl, this spoon

Seattle, Washington

This morning as I began baking, I found myself thinking about being in Mongolia in the fall of 2009. Eleven years ago we were well into that first really hard winter. I brought very few cooking utensils with us to Mongolia, but this bowl and this spoon made the cut. They served us for three years in Mongolia and two years in Jordan and now another six years in Seattle. And it's still the only mixing bowl and wooden spoon I use.

People who know me well know that I am a true minimalist--but with a real sentimental side for stuff that one accumulates in life like letters, photos, and other memorabilia. So there's the irony: one bowl and one spoon--and boxes of memories.

The baking turned out well, though: calzones for the family (minus me) skiing trip to Crystal Mountain!

Cold weather riding

Seattle, Washington

While I was concentrating on how to get in the hours for riding as precious daylight disappears at the rate of three minutes a day, I forgot another hazard: the cold! I am really not very good at balancing the need to stay warm on the bike and not overheat. Which means that on mornings like today I end up FREEZING on parts of my ride. Like on the downhills and the faster straightaways. But it was a lovely fall ride anyhow and sunny/warm for a bit at the end. Spent most of the way singing along to my Spotify playlist, but also enjoyed Part 6 of the Dolly Parton's America podcast. Do not miss this series!

44.1 miles

Every ride a gift

Renton, Washington 

Last Friday after nearly a week of dreadful wildfire smoke, I was more than ready to get on my bike. In fact, I did get on my bike on that last afternoon as the smoke began to clear here in Seattle--with help from the rain. But then the rain started in earnest. Another week later, when I finally got on my bike late this afternoon, the skies were blue, early fall was in the air, and all I could think was "every ride is a gift." It's funny how things get more precious when they are taken away.

Rode south to Renton and then north up along the east side of Lake Washington to SR 520. Down at the Renton Municipal Airport I found the flags flying at half-staff for RGB. We shall miss her.

31.5 miles

The sky an evil color

Seattle, Washington

The past 48 hours or so have reminded me a great deal of Mongolia: wildfires burning all over the west and the air unsafe to breathe up and down the coast. Makes me wonder (seriously) how we managed three winters in Mongolia. I have no doubt that the experience left me more cavalier (in some ways) and more appreciative (in others) of the amazingly wonderful place we live in here in the Northwest. Here's the Montlake Cut looking east...scary stuff.

Green breakfast

Renton, Washington

I headed out south this morning for a medium-length ride that would combine the southern and middle loops of Lake Washington. Got down to Renton and decided I needed a green tea latte. It wasn't terribly picturesque, but I found a Starbucks outlet in the Target at The Landing, and enjoyed a fine green breakfast in the parking lot where the trees are starting to turn. Such a lovely morning, I hardly noticed the cars...

33.3 miles

Thursdays are mine! (End-of-summer edition)

Seattle, Washington

Headed out early-ish this morning on my "final" Thursday ride of the summer. Coolish but promising to be warm by the time I got home. When I left the house I hadn't quite decided which way I'd go but somehow I wanted it to be a Big Ride. I've never done Lake Washington CCW and this was the day. Down to Seward Park, Renton and then north again all the way to SR 520 and the Sammamish River Trail. And on to Redmond, Woodinville, Bothell, and south again. Fall in the air and yet blue skies and sun. Glorious finish to a wonderful summer of riding.

Oh, and my audio book version of "The Great Influenza" by John Barry came through yesterday so I started listening to that (no ear buds!) on my final 10+ miles. Lots to learn!

55.5 miles

Scandinavian morning

 Lopez Island, Washington

This morning I set out early for a bike ride before starting my remote workday. The sights and smells of Fisherman Bay reminded me so much of my time in Särö, an island community near Kungsbacka on the west coast of Sweden, that I could almost taste it. And that was 37 years ago. Compounding the experience was the fact that I was listening to "Copenhagen," the L.A. Theater Works piece about Niels Bohr and Werner Heisenberg, as I rode. Sometimes you just get TRANSPORTED to another place and time.

Thursdays are mine!

Seattle, Washington

Ever since I (happily!) started working full-time back in March, I "lost" my Mondays as a dedicated riding day. As this summer proceeded, I decided I would reclaim a riding day by taking Thursdays off for some weeks. The results have been delightful: rides in all weathers and of varying lengths. Today was no exception: 51 glorious miles, including a detour to Lake Forest Park for a socially-distanced visit with a friend. It has been lovely--and I'm not done yet!

51 miles

Raspberries at Remlinger!

Carnation, Washington

What do I remember of childhood summers? River Ranch Girl Scout camp, endless days at Madison Park Beach, reading a LOT, the Popsicle truck, and berry picking in Carnation. Summer is here and there are a lot of things that are off-limits this year. But berry picking seemed like a fun and socially-distanced activity. Off to Remlinger Farms! The raspberries were divine, the sun hot, customers wore masks in line but not in the rows (no problem, I'd say!) and we had a fine time.

My first trip to this place was more than 50 years ago. Wow.

Masks, finally

Seattle, Washington

After weeks of "making do" with a random assortment of face coverings, I FINALLY got down to making masks for the family. I am not totally satisfied with the result (elastic would be nice) but they are reasonably comfortable, the fabric reminds me of another time and place (Malaysia!), and I can wash them. Anyhow, it's a good first attempt. Seems like we might be at this for a while...

Riding to a new soundtrack, part III

Seattle, Washington

Set out EARLY this morning on the Big Loop (I-90 + SR 520 + Sammamish River Trail + BG). How is it that Seattle summer days can be so cold sometimes? The rain started as I headed east across the lake, and I nearly froze for a good part of the 4-hour ride. But after two hours of Sunday Edition, I switched to L.A. Theater Works and THOROUGHLY enjoyed listening to their 2-part production of "Stick Fly." No, I hadn't heard of it either, but it's a funny/serious story about an African-American entomologist who is meeting her fiance's family for the first time. It was wonderful and, again, made the miles fly by. Don't miss it!

43.7 miles

Riding to a new soundtrack, part II

Seattle, Washington

Again this morning I headed out early for the Big Loop, my new favorite longer ride. It starts hilly over Mercer Island, and then starting in Redmond, the last 20+ miles are mostly flat. But what has really made the difference is listening to a new soundtrack. For months and months I listened to basically the same songs on Spotify. They DO make me happy, but in recent weeks I started to feel that all this time on my bike could be put to "better" use. Today, after listening to Morning Edition, I listened to two podcasts on NPR One called "Rough Translation"--the June 24 edition "So Long, Black Pete" and the June 10 edition "The Global Legacy of George Floyd." They were educational, fascinating, AND the miles flew by without me looking at my watch.

Don't worry, I listen to my podcasts (or streaming) withOUT earbuds to keep myself alert. But I am a total convert. And I am learning a LOT!

43.7 miles

BLM: Lopez Island

Lopez Island, Washington

I have been coming to Lopez Island since about 1970. Let's face it: the islands have always been a very "white" place, although more and more Hispanic families have moved to Lopez in recent years. Thus I was astonished (and pleased!) to find Black Lives Matter signs all over Lopez on this most recent trip. And particularly moved by this memorial to African Americans who have died at the hands of law enforcement. THIS is part of what people mean when they say "this time it's different." Yes, there is a LONG ways to go but if BLM can make it to Lopez (and all over small town America!), I think it's a sign of hopeful things to come.

Re-connecting

Lopez Island, Washington

Yesterday afternoon as we were waiting in the ferry line in Anacortes, I heard a familiar name called over the loud speaker: "Will Blank Blank please return to the ticket kiosk for a lost item." Now, this person's name is not so unusual, but I was pretty sure it was him. No answer at first when I texted, but several hours later I got confirmation: yes, it was him.

Later that evening we met my friend and his son down at Fisherman Bay harbor as them disembarked from their boat. So much fun to re-connect after several years--and especially in the middle of socially isolating global pandemic.

And, as another bonus, he gave us some freshly caught shrimp to try. I tried my hand at peeling them (ouch, those guys have sharp edges!) and cooking them, too.

A wonderfully pleasant surprise all around!

Time for a flat

Lopez Island, Washington

Headed out this morning for a ride. Barely made it to the main road before I realized that my front tire was flat as a pancake. Came home and set to work. A tiny leak in the inner tube sent a steady stream of bubbles into the water-filled sink. I haven't changed a flat in a long while, but today I am grateful that if it was time for a flat, I HAD time for a flat, too.

A subsequent test ride seems to suggest that I succeeded...and she's off!

SR 520 + SRT + BG = Big loop

Seattle, Washington

Headed out just after 4pm; the weather was gray. Headed east across 520, and the gray tuned to a drizzle. The weather app had looked promising, but before I could turn north, the weather went south. I got rained on for almost 35 of the 40 miles. Doesn’t feel like it should have been so cold after the lovely weather we’ve been having. But a spring rain can be COLD. By the time I rolled into the basement after 8pm, I was almost too cold to get undressed by myself. But it was a lovely ride anyhow. I am grateful!

40.6 miles

Notes on the Northern Loop

Seattle, Washington

Friday late afternoon and another "work from home" week ends. A beautiful, warm afternoon; to the north! I ride up to the north end of Lake Washington and head east and then south again up, up, up Juanita Hill. Normally I would never do this route on a Friday afternoon, but traffic is still lighter than usual. Still, I hate the cars whooshing by as I head DOWN Juanita Hill. Just as I get ready to head onto the 520 bridge, I see three gentlemen coming at me in matching spandex. "Mongolia" their jerseys read. I am so surprised I can't produce even a word of Mongolian before they are gone.

Crossing the lake on SR 520, I start to slow down, but the sight of Mt. Rainier is stupendous. What a gorgeous, gorgeous evening to be out and riding!

33.2 miles

I wish you were here

Seattle, Washington

I recently spent several days on Lopez, working remotely and riding my bike. My daughter taught me how to make a playlist on our Spotify account, and I set up possibly the most eclectic "riding songs" playlist possible. Hours riding in circles on Lopez blasting, among other things, a song by Alpha Blondy called "I wish you were here." Somehow it felt like an anthem for the last weeks: a year ago I was in Uzbekistan with my daughter. Right now my father is trapped in Europe and my mother in Arizona. Wish you were here. Or: I wish I was THERE. The song itself was a favorite of a house guest from Equatorial Guinea whom we hosted several years ago.

Yeah, I wish you were here--

Listen to the Alpha Blondy version here.

Pink Floyd's "Wish You Were Here"

So, so you think you can tell
Heaven from hell
Blue skies from pain
Can you tell a green field
From a cold steel rail?
A smile from a veil?
Do you think you can tell?

Did they get you to trade
Your heroes for ghosts?
Hot ashes for trees?
Hot air for a cool breeze?
Cold comfort for change?
Did you exchange
A walk on part in the war
For a lead role in a cage?

How I wish, how I wish you were here
We're just two lost souls
Swimming in a fish bowl
Year after year
Running over the same old ground
And how we found
The same old fears
Wish you were here

May Day flowers, the web version

Seattle, Washington

Dad is in France, more or less "stuck" for the duration. Today when he headed out for groceries, he found most of his usual stores closed. But why? May Day, of course. I think the United States is one of the few countries that does not celebrate May 1st as some kind of Worker's Day. But then there is also (or related somehow?) the tradition of delivering May Day flowers.

So, Dad carefully collected these flowers on his walk today and, poof, like magic, they were delivered to my computer across the endless miles.

Happy May Day!

Pi Day 2020

Seattle, Washington

COVID-19 has arrived, and it's time to spend more time at home. Even if we can't share them, we decided we'd better carry on with our annual Pi Day baking tradition--and get ready for St. Patrick's Day, too.

On the eve of International Women's Day

Seattle, Washington

It slowly dawns on us that there will be no normal socializing for weeks to come. So I spend my last dinner party enjoying dear friends and good food--and absorbing information on public health theory and practice from the one guest who is working on the front lines of the emerging epidemic. Thank you, AL!

Walking Bordeaux

Bordeaux, France

This trip was not at all about seeing the city of Bordeaux, but as chance would have it, I had two train layovers there and this afforded me an unexpected chance to see a bit of the city. On the way “in” there was only enough time to go down the street from Gare Saint Jean and admire this church. This afternoon, however, I had more than two hours to play. Time enough to leave my luggage at the station and walk several miles around town. Mostly I wandered along the Garonne river where many folks were out strolling on a Saturday afternoon. As an added "bonus," my walk intersected with a protest march (the Yellow Vests, I think) which was accompanied by a hoard of black protection-clad police. I even had time to buy an interesting pastry as I rushed back to the station. The architecture of the older part of the city is wonderful—the city gate which lies along the river is particularly spectacular. Bordeaux was this trip's unexpected bonus!

Waiting for the bells

Civrac-en-Médoc, France

It's my last morning in Civrac, and as I lay in bed watching the sky begin to lighten, I realized that I was waiting for the bells. Every morning at 7:30am the church bells of Civrac go crazy. The sky grew lighter and lighter and yet, no bells. Finally, I checked my watch and it was 7:42. Then I remembered: the bells peal repeatedly at 7:30am every day--but NOT on Saturday and Sunday!

It's been a wonderful week here in the Médoc; this afternoon I zoom off to Paris and then home across the Atlantic. But I will miss those 7:30 bells--and the others that chime throughout the day. It's been a long time since I've been in such a quiet place. In fact, there's a way in which these bells remind me of the call to prayer in Jordan that would sound out across the quiet landscape of Madaba...

Biking the Gironde

Civrac-en-Medoc, France

Civrac lies in the northern part of the Medoc, just southwest of the Gironde Estuary. The Gironde Estuary is the confluence of two big rivers (the Dordogne and the Garonne) and as makes its way to the sea, the Medoc forms a peninsula bound by the Atlantic on one side and the Gironde on the other. 

Biking in this area is wonderful—totally flat and with many small roads that are virtually without cars. Google Maps (for bikes) does an excellent job picking out the best (and least traveled by car) routes. As one reaches the Gironde, a wide open stretch of water greets you—with more of France on the other side. The serenity and relatively stark winter beauty is lovely...

Menu de jour

Queyrac, France

Restaurant le Saint Roch is dad’s favorite restaurant in the area around Civrac. I got to eat there twice (open for lunch Tuesday-Saturday, 12 noon to 2pm!), and it was great fun. There's something comforting about choosing from the menu du jour, knowing that your whole meal is set, the decisions are simple and there's even a chance to improve ones French vocabulary. Dad and I enjoyed the ambiance, the food, and generally the chance to partake in a type of “lunch culture” that I have never experienced before. Bravo, Myriam and crew!

En le tabac

Begadan, Bordeaux, France

Civrac has not a place of any kind to buy food, prepared or otherwise, but just over the hill to the north lies Begadan. In this marvelous tiny town there is a Epecerie (tabac/presse as well) and to my great joy, Dad showed me that we can get a petite petite dejeuner at this place (pictured here). 

I never thought I could drink coffee without milk, but needs must—and the fresh pain-au-chocolate made the whole world right. 

Once a few necessities were purchased and Loulout (the stunning basset hound) properly admired, we were off: Dad drove home and I enjoyed the mile plus walk home. 

Simple things can be very good.

Adventures in Carrefour

Lesparre-en-Medoc

Today it was off to Carrefour for the second time in four days. We have got the lay of the land by now so today's adventure was quite a bit faster. 

Some highlights include the little blue doo hickey that one must carry around in ones wallet in order to free a shopping cart from the rack. But even more interesting (on the other end of the tech spectrum) are the price "tags" in the store—see image. 

Basically, I have a lot of questions: Can the prices change throughout the day? Are there dips or peaks in pricing at different times of the day? Is the pricing at all related to the number of boxes remaining of a certain item? Could these electronic price tags be hacked? 

Why such interest, you wonder. Perhaps it’s my math brain but ever since I’ve shopped for groceries, I’ve found myself memorizing the prices (though not in a conscious way) as I pick out my items. Time and time again, I find discrepancies between the posted price and what shows up on the receipt. Seeing those electronic price tags threw an element of my world into uncertainty: theoretically at least, the prices COULD change between when I memorize them and when I find myself reviewing the receipt. That would be a game changer—and not in a good way!

The Atlantic beckons!

Soulac-sur-Mer, France

Our destination for the day was the lovely seaside resort town of Soulac-en-Mer. It's a pretty sleepy place this time of year but good for a stroll nonetheless. We toured the church that was rescued from the advancing sand dunes in 1868—Notre Dame-de-la-fin-des-Terres (Our Lady of the End of the Earth). 

Ancient sarcophagi lay outside the church as it was all I could do to restrain myself from testing one out. But fortunately decorum and respect prevailed. Lunch was hard to find but at last we found a restaurant and sat for a while over our food. Thanks, Dad!

Market day

St. Vivien-en-Medoc, Bordeaux, France

Dad and I took a drive to Soulac-sur-mer, stopping in St. Vivien to see the Wednesday farmers market. The guidebook promised a “bustling” market which, I imagine, is more true in the summer, but it was fun to wander around, sample a bit of cheese, admire the vegetables and wonder at the candied hibiscus flowers. Glad we stopped.

Moulin country

Civrac-en-Medoc

Yesterday I first learned that the Medoc was windmill country when we stopped by the house of Dad’s friends, and they had this wonderful windmill ruin in their yard. They also showed me a book of all the historic windmills in the area—of which theirs is one. I next discovered (or re-learned) this fact again today when I set out on my first bike ride in the area: there was wind aplenty as I rode across the flat landscape—which helped me to learn this windmill fact in a much more physical way. I shall not forget it!

The saga of the mink blanket (continued)

Seattle, Washington

I am happy to say that I am back on my bike and taking on the hills of Mercer Island once again. As I headed through Bellevue, I decided to stop in at Hmart to get some kim chee. And there it was: another mink blanket! Now we have THREE and there will be no more squabbling about who doesn't get one. Getting it home on my bike was ridiculous, but I did it!

Learning from my daughter

Enroute BZE-LAX

We fly a fair amount but until this morning I had never tried any of the games on the airplane--despite repeated requests over the years. Today, with my book finished, I gave in at last and tried Bejeweled. At first I tried it "blind" without much thought to strategy. Then my daughter offered some hints. And then I was hooked. It felt like gambling (not that I've ever gambled); my score went higher and higher and I couldn't stop. When it FINALLY all came to an end, I made a firm decision: no more airplane games for me. Too addicting.

(On the upside, the flight to LAX almost COMPLETELY vanished.) Almost home!

The Belize Zoo: don't miss it!

Mile 29, Western Highway, Belize

In general I've pretty much had it with zoos. My daughter is older (though she still loves animals), so we don't "do" zoos much anymore. Before our drive back to Belize City someone recommended that we stop at the Zoo, but I was still highly skeptical. Then we read the guidebook and learned that all the Zoo's animals are native to Belize and that all its animals were either rescued animals, given to the zoo, or born in captivity to existing zoo animals. That sounded good to me--and rest of my family was enthusiastic. It's actually a really wonderful place with very natural settings for most of the animals. It's actually a challenge to see/find some of animals in their enclosures. Although we were only there about an hour, it was definitely worthwhile!

One word of warning, however: apply some mosquito repellent before entering or you will pay....

Moonglow: Read it!

Hopkins, Belize

I have always been a big reader, but I just haven't felt like reading for the past year or so. Truthfully, I've watched a lot of murder mysteries in the past year (mostly of the Midsommer Murders or Father Brown variety). This vacation in Belize was a chance to try reading again--without distractions or interruptions. I chose Moonglow by Michael Chabon because it's been on the bedside table for months casting me mildly reproachful glances--and because I still remember how much I LOVED The Amazing Adventures of Kavalier & Clay however many years ago I read it.

Vacation was just what I needed to really sink into this book--especially one as "confusing" as this one is in terms of how it unfolds. The space race, World War II, mental illness, and a great family drama all rolled into one convoluted, fascinating, and suspenseful story. It takes a while to figure out how to read this book, but if you hang in there long enough, you will marvel at the thing...5 stars!

The power of smell

San Ignacio, Belize 

We are staying at the Venus Hotel in San Ignacio, Cayo District, near the Guatemalan border. It's a simple place (though for New Year's Eve we checked into the super-nice Family Suite). The free breakfast is also very modest: bread, margarine, jam, peanut butter, bananas, toast, biscuits, coffee, and tea. This morning as I opened the loaf-of-bread shaped Tupperware to get some bread out, I caught a whiff of "blah white bread," and I was ABSOLUTELY transported to summer 1977 when I visited my aunt and uncle in Barbados.

Smells often have the power to transport me. The mere wisp of a smell will take me back decades in time or continents away. I caught a whiff of coal smoke the other day, and it was Nanjing in 1987. But what's particularly striking about today is that that white bread is so bland and flavorless it's amazing that it has ANY smell at all. And yet, in an instant I was 11 and sitting in my aunt's breakfast nook in an old plantation house in Barbados. Though perhaps I was remembering Girl Scout summer camp in the 70s...