Wednesday, July 05, 2006

On Today

Today I have taken joy in experimentation, in smoked meats, in the cokong of rice. Today I have taken joy in creation, and in exploration. I have read, worked, played, loved, taught, learned.

Today I have knit in the sunshine with the wind on my shoulders under a blue sky while my daughter played laughing on the grass. Today I have seen the baby tomatoes and smelt tomato plant smell on my hands.

Today has been a good day.

Miscellany

sun on tomatoes

length on a scarf, knitting growing daily

tea - always tea

conversation with a like mind

chilled white wine on the 4th of July

fireworks

Monday, July 03, 2006

Rhythm

I want in life
the insistent rhythm of Frost's
Snowy Evening

Each day a sweep
of easy wind and downy flake
like poetry

fit to my life
and my life fit to it in patterns lovely
and dark and deep

- not habit, nor routine, nor schedule

Rhythm

Sunday, July 02, 2006

On Today

Today I have taken joy in rice, and in the fresh scent of newly dried clothes, and in knitting. Today I have taught, and learned, worked and played.

Today I have loved, and been loved, and known peace.

Today is a good day.

On Work.

Work pleases. To create something is deeply soothing and satisfying at the same time, when work is undertaken for it's own sake.

Work need not oppress, depress or repress the worker. It can be a avenue of spiritual growth and solace, an expression of creativity and passion, and the home of joy.

Work is a good thing. I do not know why our culture has forgotten this.

Mise En Place

First you review your recipe - do I have everything I need in sufficient quantity? Do I have the proper tools ready and at hand?

Then one gathers. The sieve is in the dishwasher - get it out. The bowl is in the cupboard. The pot is dirty - wash it. I will need six spoons, but have only two - have the basin filled with soapy hot water for washing them.

Then measuring, and preparing - two cups of chopped potatoes, one stalk of celery, chopped. A tablespoon of salt. Each thing called for made ready and set out.

Then I am ready. Then, can I cook.

Mise en place of the mind is more difficult. How does one know what the recipe is? What the ingredients? What preparations are required for a day? For a lifetime?

What I Like

I like

early mornings

hot tea

green scents

music

fountain pens

knitting

embroidery

writing

reading

the color blue

handkerchiefs worn in the hair

flowers on the table

placemats

tomatoes