A last batch of gingerbread for the year

Seattle, Washington

As the clock ticked down toward the end of the year,  there was just time for one last batch of gingerbread. 2023, here we come!

Christmas and finally safe to ride again

Seattle, Washington

After a WEEK off my bike due to snow and dangerous icy conditions, I finally got back on today for a Christmas ride. Only 20 miles but I was so grateful to be riding again!

More "books on bikes":

• "Still Life" by Sarah Winman: this is a marvelous read/listen

20.8 miles

Greek Bread baking frenzy

Seattle, Washington

Yes, it's that time of the year again--when I find sesame seeds all over the house for about two weeks. That is, it's Greek Bread time! I made four batches, we ate a lot of it, and I gave out a bunch of loaves to the neighbors. The family tradition of baking Greek (Easter) Bread for Christmas continues! (But minus the red egg...)

Winter riding!

Seattle, Washington

After nearly four weeks off my bike, I finally got in a longer ride today. Happily, I only had to dodge a few raindrops, and though it was cold, it was NOT freezing. it's good to be slowly getting back into my routines, and I'm listening to a fascinating book about tuberculosis--

More "books on bikes":

• "Phantom Plague: How Tuberculosis Shaped History" by Vidya Krishnan

19.2 miles

Astrid: really great television

Seattle, Washington

I just finished watching "Astrid" on PBS. I must say it was really EXCELLENT television--mostly not too gory--and incredibly well done. Here's one review: Astrid Nielsen works in the library of the judicial police. She has Asperger's syndrome. With an incredible memory she excels at analyzing files of ongoing investigations. The district commander decides to use it to the fullest, entrusting her with very complex investigations which have remained unsolved to date. From Walter Presents, in French with English subtitles.

Watch it!

K-movies!

Seattle, Washington

Just returned from three weeks in Asia which included two long-haul flights on Korean Air. Among the many things I enjoy about flying Korean Air is the selection of Korean movies on their entertainment system. I managed to watch four of them on this trip, and all were good. Listed below in order of preference (top to bottom):

1. In Our Prime (2022): about a North Korean mathematician who defects to South Korea and the school where he works as a security guard
2. Miracle in Cell No. 7 (2013): a funny/sad prison drama about the wrongful imprisonment of a man with intellectual disabilities
3. Anchor (2022): thriller about a news anchor with a troubled childhood
4. Broker (2022): a sweet/sad comedy about two ill-fated "baby brokers" and the mother of baby they're trying to sell

See 'em all! But especially the first two--

Running out of time

Jeju City, South Korea

On my way home now via Jeju City and Seoul and running out of time to try new things. Pictured here is one of them: squid ink bread with sweet cream. No choice but to come back again to Korea soon! It's been a great week on Jeju--

Seeing what you understand -- and understanding what you see

Seogwipo, Jeju Island, South Korea

Spent my last day on Jeju exploring "Old" Seogwipo with my friend. One of the places she took me to was the Lee Jung-Seob Art Gallery. Although there is not much of his actual work on display at the gallery, it was really interesting to learn about his life and work. And to get to know his style. It was only later that day that I realized that re-creations of his work are all over Seogwipo. It's just that until I visited the gallery, I had no idea what I was looking at. Like so many things in life...

And not until I got home and unpacked the erasers I'd bought at the gallery did I finally recognize what the image on the erasers...

(See the same shape in the mural above?)

Brisk and beautiful

Seogwipo, Jeju Island, South Korea

Started out our morning walk down in the port of Seogwipo--which included a walk across this award-winning bridge. Alas, the walking path around the small island at the end of the walking bridge was closed for repairs. However, we DID get to see some of Jeju's famous women divers heading into the sea.

The weather was gorgeous, but cold. Getting into the water looked icy!

PS: That's Mount Halla in the background--

The Jeju "olle"

Seogwipo, Jeju Island, South Korea

Besides generally enjoying the scenery, food and weather of Jeju, walking the olle (or walking paths) has been a major highlight of being here. Most of Jeju's 20+ olle run along the island's coastline, and all have wonderful scenery. You can read more about the olle here. And the series of passport stamps (housed in these "horse-like" contraptions) one can acquire along the way, appealed to the dormant collector in me. It's a wonderful way to see the island--and meet folks, too!

"Books au pied":

• "The Island of Sea Women" by Lisa See (a perfect read while on Jeju!)
• "Bangkok Wakes to Rain" by Pitchaya Sudbanthad