Beau Blog

Indian Cooking Club!!!

2011-03-24T22:27:00.009-04:00

Finally, a blog entry! Above, dear Kalpana, and her menu, ready to teach us. Below, meet the spices!
Melissa, Pam and I made a good trio of students. We each listened, made notes, took pictures or got our hands in the cooking in a good way. Below, Melissa and Pam start with our kheer dessert first!

Pam is happy to be cooking Indian food!
Below, Kalpana rendering the ghee with spices to infuse each dish with its own tantalizing savor. Melissa checks the potatoes...

Look how organized she is! Each dish was carefully displayed in its "before" state with the recipe posted above. We also each got a folder to take notes in and take home.

More Indian ingredients. Ghee is used to render the flavors...
Tumeric in its glory along with ground almonds, cashews, cumin seeds and curry leaves...next one down, rose water and petals for our aromatic, cardamom-infused rice pudding dessert.

Cucumber Raita...
Tomato Dal...
Hyderabadi Anjeer Murgh = Chicken deliciousness!!! A family recipe from the north of India...
Bhagara Khushka...Seasoned Rice...
Alu Matar...Potatoes and Peas...
The whole shabang!
Melissa's geometric plate...
Dessert!
A good pairing...
Yum!

A Terrific Turkey Day!

2010-11-29T15:59:00.006-05:00

Tis The Season!

2010-11-29T15:59:00.000-05:00

instagr.am

Books on the Brain

2010-10-18T23:03:00.005-04:00

I really love the new background of this blog--all those books. I think I love it because it reminds me of something else I love--all my books! I finally unpacked a few boxes that had been sitting in storage at my parents' house for three years, and experienced a strange rush of joy. A part of myself had been denied since packing up and moving from Jersey City in 2007. I must admit, too, though, that I felt a horrible sense of detachment from some of them. It must be the time away from them and the events of that time that have made me wonder which books are worth keeping. Also, I haven't been as committed a reader as I once was. So, I don't know if it is the books I feel distance from or if it is myself. Either way, it was a bittersweet way that I recounted the passage of time. Mostly sweet, though.

I just finished reading the third of the Stieg Larssen novels about Lisbeth Salander and Mikael Blomkvist. To be honest, it just wore me out. I was expecting something more of it. But I suppose the author was a dying man as he wrote it so I will cut him some slack. I really enjoyed the first, two, though, so maybe my expectations were too high. I have moved on to something less demanding: Dexter. Yes, you may mock me.
I organized my many books when I moved in, on the bookshelves my brother and father so graciously refinished for me I took my time to carefully categorize and place them. Some books were put with other books like it---same genre, same author--some books got put in for a splash of color or texture. The end result was something harmonious and quite soothing.

Another thing that gives me peace about books is watching my students enjoy the big, glossy coffee table books that I buy at the bargain table at Borders and Barnes and Noble. They are huge and full of pictures of the world. My students are eager for free reading and, like little sponges, soak up the facts about the Wonders of the World and soldiers and architecture and mummies. It really is quite endearing.

SO....with books on my brain I make a plea for recommendations. What do you suggest?

hiatus

2010-09-19T22:45:00.004-04:00

It's a word that could describe the last two months of non-blogging. In that time I traveled to France for a friend's wedding, moved to a new apartment (pic above) , got a haircut (pic below) and started my third school year at Trinity (last pic is my dad talking to 5th graders about fossils!)

I'm happy about these events and the changes that have come with them. The new apartment has free wireless internet, which makes blogging easier. And I have a back-up wireless, too, which belongs to my school. School is so close to my apartment that I can walk. I like that.

I HEART NY.

2010-07-05T22:31:00.000-04:00

It's true. What can I say. I love it.

It's SUMMER!!!

2010-06-27T21:09:00.002-04:00

Just stopping in Houston on my way from San Antonio to New Orleans. I was at a conference with some co-workers, exploring the concept of girls and bullying. The recent popular term for it is "relational aggression" or RA. It was a helpful conference in many ways, but revealed a need for deeper understanding of the topic. When school starts, I will be thinking about it again, but for now, I am thinking about what is next.

And that is....

New York and France!!! HOORAY! Hope to have lots of pics to share of Texas, New York, and La France.

Bon vacance a toute la monde!

Haiti

2010-01-17T17:05:00.002-05:00

One of the former members of my church in New Orleans works for CNN and is in Haiti. He says that World Vision, World Relief and World Food Program are being effective. Something to consider if you are looking to send help.

World Vision:
http://www.worldvision.org

World Relief:
http://worldrelief.org

World Food Program:
http://www.wfp.org/

New Orleans in January

2010-01-13T00:53:00.003-05:00

Well, we've made it to January and have ushered in Epiphany season with some frozen disbelief. Tropical plants left uncovered have a dark, slick, greasy look as they slump over in their planters. I've pulled out the down coat I bought during my last winter in Hoboken. My roommate and I went three days without water because of a burst pipe. The cold weather is big news down here. We usually get one or two nights of freezing temps in a winter. This is a bit extreme.

I should be sleeping, but the restlessness I feel keeps my mind humming. I heard Eddie Vedder's voice on my iTunes today and I felt 17 again. This took me back to the 90's--no cell phone, no internet (especially not wireless), no blogging, no Facebook, no iTunes. I think I might have been better off then in some ways, when the discipline to use a pen and write complete thoughts on paper mostly still existed. I was forgetful, but I didn't feel overwhelmed and distracted. I had never heard of ADD anyways.

Looking back, I know this is not exactly what I imagined life to be, but that doesn't mean that this isn't where I should be. I'm just a little stunned, I guess, how out of control I seem--not wild, not directionless, but at the mercy of life. I don't like this feeling. I wish I was back in high school art studio processing my feelings with charcoals and oversized paper. At least then it was still acceptable to feel so clueless.

Ok, ok, I feel the downward spiral. I am looking for the redemptive upward angle.

Some shots from my staycation...

2010-01-13T00:25:00.012-05:00

Movie Recommendation: Zelary

2009-12-05T00:44:00.002-05:00

http://www.imdb.com/video/screenplay/vi954204441/

This movie is 6 years old, but I just recently came across it in my Netflix searching. Click on the link above for the trailer. It's a Czech film set in 1943-1945. It is awesome--but you will probably cry. At least I did.

In case you don't have Saturday plans...

2009-12-04T12:58:00.000-05:00

Arleen's Candle Party ... - pingg.com

CHEESE NIGHT--it's that time again!

2009-11-10T00:47:00.001-05:00

Tropical Storm Ida bears down on the Gulf Coast but I am still focused on cheese. Despite weather warnings (and the thunderstorms of August and September threatened worse than this), my group of cheese lovers rallied. We met again at Kathan's and shared wine, bread, salad and cheese in a simple, yet glorious combination.

1. Pont L'Eveque. I had it for the first time in the department of France called the Calvados. ( I think it is part of the Auvergne.) It was such a crowd pleaser! We had it with sparkling white wine, such a great combo.
2. Mimolette. This is the second time we have had this, I confess. This time, though, I learned that this cheese, from near Lille, France, was comissioned by Louis the 14th as a rival to the Dutch Edam.
3. Our most favorite, the orgasm of cheese, Delice de Bourgogne. A triple cream cheese made not only from whole cow's milk, but indeed from creme fraiche, the tangy touch of sour cream to our American palettes. Delish. Also great with a sparkling white wine. Proseco in this case.
4. SALAD BREAK!!! Kathan is an amazing salad savant. This one rivals Crepe Nanou.

And now, for a message from Herve' Mons...

5. Tomme de Bois Noirs
6. Gabietou
7. Lavrot

Please look these up. I am out of words....

Here are a few websites that will give some insight into cheese:

http://behindtherinds.blogspot.com/

http://curdnerds.com/

10 Common and Uncommon Cancer Causes - CarePages.com

2009-11-02T15:17:00.000-05:00

10 Common and Uncommon Cancer Causes - CarePages.com

Halloween 2009

2009-11-01T17:18:00.002-05:00

La Boqueria, Barcelona 2009

2009-11-01T02:58:00.004-05:00

Dog

2009-11-01T02:23:00.004-05:00

The dog below belongs to my friend Cara. He is named Mozart and he is a semi-finalist for a million dollar prize. This weekend for Halloween I dressed up as him.

We find out if he made the top 4 on Nov. 12. After that, we wait to see if he won a MILLION dollars. Is that crazy OR WHAT!?

Cutest Dog Competition

2009-11-01T02:23:00.001-05:00

Flamenco, Barcelona Summer 2009

2009-10-31T01:43:00.007-04:00

Read this Opinion Article

2009-10-29T20:59:00.003-04:00

James Gill speaks for most of New Orleans--From the Times-Picayune

Is Mayor Ray Nagin as dumb as he seems?: James Gill

By James Gill

October 26, 2009, 9:12AM

If Mayor Ray Nagin were as dumb as he seems, he couldn't possibly have progressed beyond third grade.

This must all be a stunt. As he prepares to exit City Hall, he is having a great laugh at our expense.

While he, his wife and assorted flunkies see the world on our dollar, he neglects no opportunity to unburden himself of some fatuous observation and make all his constituents writhe in embarrassment.

They deserve it to some extent, because they re-elected him after he repeatedly made a bozo of himself in the aftermath of Katrina. He came in for a lot of public criticism at the time and it must have bruised him, for he now appears determined to exact a terrible revenge. He has resolved to see how New Orleans likes having a doofus for a mayor.

New Orleans does not like it one bit, to judge from reaction to the latest idiocies to have escaped hizzoner's lips in an interview with the Associated Press in Cuba.
Nagin, his wife and 15 local officials flew down there for several days for the alleged purpose of studying hurricane preparedness.

New Orleans will probably be better prepared for the next hurricane anyway, since Nagin will be out of office before the season begins and it is inconceivable that his successor will not turn out to be an improvement.

The trip cost taxpayers about $2,400 a head, according to a City Hall flack, although we have learned not to trust much that comes from that quarter. Whatever it cost, it wasn't worth it, for Nagin showed in his AP interview that he learned nothing that wasn't already universally known.

Hurricane response is better organized in Cuba because the "government says, 'This is what we're doing, these are the resources we are going to deploy,' and it pretty much happens," Nagin enviously observed. Not pretty much, Mr. Mayor, but totally. In a police state and under a communist government it pays to do as you are told. But we don't cotton to tyranny here.

In the chaos after Katrina, civil rights and due process were not always meticulously observed in New Orleans, but there is no loss of freedom when hurricanes strike Cuba. There can't be because there is no freedom to start with.

Thus Nagin was indubitably correct when he observed that Cuba does "a much better job than we do of knowing their citizens at a very, very detailed level, block by block."
Revolutionary Defense Committees make sure of that. That's why so many fled the Castro regime and why Cuba ought to give any American the willies.

Nagin also suggested that Cuba didn't need to buy rice from Vietnam, but could get it "from us." Either Nagin is under the impression he is governor, or there are rice fields in Orleans Parish that nobody else knows about.

The Cuba trip was not announced in advance, which rather adds to the impression that the administration was keen to avoid public scrutiny while extracting as much fun as possible at public expense.

The administration was similarly shifty in June when the Nagins, accompanied by four other city officials, took a 10-day trip to Shanghai and Sydney. Nagin's original story was that an anonymous benefactor would pick up most of the tab. Since Nagin and his wife had already showed a taste for exotic travel at the expense of a city contractor, the identity of his latest sponsor became the topic of lively speculation.

Either that sponsor was afflicted with shyness, or never existed in the first place, for when the bills came in, taxpayers were on the hook for almost $30,000.

It is true, as a mayoral flack pointed out, that officials often take trips for purposes of economic development. But Nagin is clearly more into larks. We are asked to believe that his efforts on this occasion did bear fruit in insofar as some company somewhere - nobody would provide a name - is considering setting up shop in New Orleans. Nobody will believe it, of course. Meanwhile, according to the flack, Shanghai officials "have expressed interest in promoting New Orleans as a tourism destination."

Consider the possibility that, if they said that, they were just being polite.

It is fair enough that everyone in town should think Nagin a fool. He obviously thinks the same of us.

James Gill can be reached at jgill@timespicayune.com or 504.826.3318.

Toilet Toad

2009-10-09T14:32:00.003-04:00

Yes, this frog was in my toilet.

Get out of the kitchen!

2009-10-08T23:21:00.002-04:00

I cannot take the heat. Really. This is disgusting. A heat index of 100 degrees on an October afternoon. Bleck.

Just Dreaming

2009-10-06T00:24:00.002-04:00

Rome. Athens. Jerusalem. Istanbul. Cairo.

If I go there, I will be the perfect ancient history teacher! Ha.

2009-09-29T00:25:00.002-04:00

It's been a long, hot summer. Even after the official beginning of autumn, the heat and humidity have persisted in clinging to our frames, our brains, our hair. Tonight, after long hours at my favorite New Orleans spot, Iris, on N. Peters, the winds of a cold front seem to be moving through.

It sounds like rain, but I know it cannot be. I just walked in the door ten minutes ago! But as I peer out of my window, all the leaves suffering on the trees seem to wink at me. It's a different kind of rain--this is the cooling kind.

I feel the heat has been boiling our brains, and you know, that is only bad news.

2009-09-09T23:32:00.001-04:00

Peggy Helen Lavigne Faucheux

1927 – 2009

Peggy Helen Lavigne Faucheux, beloved wife, mother, mother-in-law, grandmother, sister, and friend entered eternal rest Saturday, September 5, 2009, after celebrating her 82nd birthday. She goes onward to join her husband of 59 years, Norman P. Faucheux. A true New Orleans original, Peggy will be remembered for her remarkable generosity, affection, thoughtfulness, and for always being young-at-heart. She will be deeply missed by all.

Left to celebrate her life and grieve her passing are her sons Guy Norman (Deanne Rowan), Jeffrey Paul (Ann Gallagher), and daughter Aimee Barbara (Wallace Faucheux); grandchildren Scott, Kevin (Lauren Hoyt), Jeanne, Ryan (Shannon Bolen), Kyle, Chase (Andrea Rapp), Jay, Norman, and Peggy; life-long friends Audrey and Robert Reeb; beloved in-laws Prudent and Gail Faucheaux, Nelson and Beverly Faucheaux, Wilson and Ann Faucheaux, Juliettte and Guy Perkins, and Susie and Wilson Toups; more than 30 nieces and nephews; friends from St. Louise deMerrilac Church in St. Bernard Parish where the family lived for 40+ years, St. John the Baptist Church in Folsom where she lived for 4 years, St. Anselm Catholic Church, Madisonville and the many residents and staff of Christwood who welcomed Norman and Peggy in 2000. Predeceased family members who joined Norman in greeting her include her parents Basilide Frederick and Barbara Hoffman Lavigne, brothers Basilide Frederick “Johnny” Jr. and Joseph Marcel, sisters Shirley L. Dudenhefer and Audrey L. Schneider, grandsons Wallace Paul and Jeffrey Michael Faucheux; as well as a host of cousins, in-laws, and friends.

Family and friends are invited to gather to celebrate her life and to mark her passing on Saturday, September 12, 2009 at St. Joseph’s Catholic Co-Cathedral, 721 Canal Boulevard, Thibodaux, LA 70302. Visitation will begin at 10 am and will be followed at noon by a Mass of Christian Burial. Interment will be in the adjacent St. Joseph’s Cemetery. Arrangements are being handled by Landry’s Funeral Home, Thibodaux, LA (985) 447-9041. “Blessed are the dead who die in the Lord”.

End of August...

2009-08-30T17:59:00.003-04:00

A quiet Sunday afternoon, I am pleased with the beginnings of things. I am actually looking forward, just a little bit, to Monday morning. Maybe it is because, right now, the job is a bit of an anchor for me. It gives me a setting in which to be significant, proactive, responsible, in the driver's seat. I pretty much don't feel that way in any areas in the rest of my life and that realization has me thinking.

Have you ever been in this spot? All of a sudden you look at your life and your patterns and your choices and you have no idea what led you here or what in the world is going to keep all these things from falling apart? It's funny though, because as I said, I am pleased with the beginning of things. I love how late August and early September are the "new year" for teachers and students. After we get our summer joy, after the sunburn fades a little and the taste of salt washes out of our hair, after the suitcases are finally unpacked and all the pictures organized and laundry done, after we buy the new clothes just to feel a bit special at the start, after we sharpen all the pencils and organize all the empty notebooks---after all of this, we wait a moment for the world to begin. And then it does, in a rush, on the First Day of School.

My friend who is expecting in a month prayed aloud in church today and spoke of God eternally brooding over his creation. I like to think of God brooding over us all year round, but I especially feel it in the beginning of the school year, probably because I am brooding over my students, feathering a kind of nest, anxious for some hatching of thoughts and ideas in the lives of kids.

I am pleased to be a teacher, see it is my gift and call, but I still want life to be an adventure for me. After this summer of incredible travel, I am more eager than ever to see more. So I gladly begin and remember the cycle of the seasons, know that God has the next adventure in his mind already and that I am simply asked to do each day as well as I can. And quite honestly, that in itself is a kind of endeavor all on its own.

2009-08-13T19:15:00.002-04:00

Ok, so I have returned home to New Orleans. Despite the jet-lag, the unpacking, the reality that work starts Monday, I am happy to be home and feel I had the best summer ever! There really wasn't anything I wanted to do that I didn't do. I saw friends, visited interesting places, ate amazing food, took fun photos, learned a lot about history, and basically stretched my wings enough to be happy about the routines ahead.

I do feel like I battled a good deal of fear and a bit of a self-confidence issue, both of which are not completely eradicated, but on the whole, I gained a lot of ground and have a good feeling for how I want to live out the rest of 2009.

When I was in France, chatting it up with the cousins, we came to the conclusion that "le monde est tres grand, et le monde est tres petit." The world got bigger for me in that I saw more of its breadth and variety, and I can now imagine just how big everything I've never seen must be. At the same time, the world got smaller for me. More of it is in my mind and memory in a kind of portable state, and I find the relationships I have all over the place keep the path I tread pretty tight. I love travel for this, and am thankful for the technology I used this time to record it. Makes these days ahead less heavy because I have been able to process as I go.

Thanks to all of you who read and kept up. It was fun to know I was writing to real people! I will be working backwards a bit to post more photos and put captions on the old ones, but with school starting in a few days, I am not sure how much I will get done!

Our French Cousins

2009-08-13T07:09:00.005-04:00

Roman Ruins in Tarragona

2009-08-10T14:43:00.005-04:00

Gaudi'd Out?

2009-08-10T10:26:00.008-04:00

la semaine qui passait....

2009-08-08T05:32:00.004-04:00

It has been almost a full week since I finished the program in Barcelona and commenced travelling with my brother. Right now, I am resting and eating well at the home of my sweet cousin Christelle. Tomorrow, we eat with the whole family, but let's just say food is not something we are worried about.

In this restful place I begin to think about returning home and beginning a new school year. It feels good, for the first time in a long time, to think about the end of a summer. I don't really want it to end, but I am not dreading either. I think the summer has been deep and fulfilling and has helped me understand the world in a better way.

The reasons there are no photos is that for the last week I have not had wireless. But don't worry, as soon as I get the chance, I will post them. Activities have included:

A visit to Tarragona, provinvical and military capital of Augustus conquest of Hispania.

Touching the Black Virgin of Monserrat (we were in a line not knowing it would take us thqt long to see it.)

Drive through Andorra---the Pyrennees are HIGH!!!!

Eating with the cousins.

Seeing Lourdes.

Tonight we eat traditional Algerian couscous after we return from an ancestoral visit to Arudy.

Tomorrow, the "big" meal.

Monday, to Carcassonne.

Tuesday, back to Barcelona and then a flight to New York.

Home in NOLA on the 13th.

Casa Battlo' by Gaudi'

2009-08-01T12:49:00.005-04:00

After being rescued from the bathroom, I made it with my brother Scott and joined the group for the tour of this house. I'll get into it later, but it's pretty amazing.

Sagrada Familia by Gaudi

2009-07-31T12:01:00.005-04:00

This is me ON THE GROUND in front of Gaudi's Sagrada Familia. From the Nativity side it is very much like the sand castles I used to make at the beach in Destin, FL. You can just see this fairy-dripping style behind me.

It appears Gaudi was intensely interested in the natural architectural phenomenon of plants--cones, webs, etc. The more you see, the more you wonder--is Intelligent Design just a figment of the conservative imagination? Can the liberal view of evolution be copied in an attempt to worship God by a devout man?? Personally, I think the purposefulness of Gaudi's efforts reflect a reformed view of God's active role in reality, and I LOVE the echo of creation he employs to dictate the structure he uses!!!

Here is me and my brother quite high up in the structure. It is so fun to see Scott here and extra fun to be in such a tall structure!!!

It is the details, the strange mystical details, the stories from the Bible, the symbolism. I try to imagine appreciating this place without that knowledge and it makes me a little glum. This place is illuminated like the Book of Kells, only on such a scale as to stun the interpreter into silence.

To Market, To Market...

2009-07-31T11:57:00.003-04:00

Snippets

2009-07-31T06:20:00.002-04:00

Yesterday, I met my brother Scott at the foot of Sagrada Familia, as planned, but still rather surprising that we managed it.

This church is something that will expand your brain.

I got locked inside my bathroom in my room and almost missed the whole tour of Gaudi's Casa Battlo'. Long story, but needless to say I was traumatized for the rest of the day.

More jamon iberico and patatas bravas for dinner, then some amazing Spanish Guitar in the equally amazing Palau de la Musica.

The theme of the day was Modernisme, the Spanish equivalent to Art Nouveau or Jugenstil. I am quite a fan.

This morning we spent a couple of hours in the Boqueria, the big market off of La Rambla. I didn't buy anything, but planned for the weekend when there will be a kitchen available.

The last two days were humid and uncomfortable, but today seems to have lifted a bit. Exhaustion is finally setting in and I think I will actually make use of the siesta time today.

There is news about a terrorist attack in Majorca, but please don't worry. We are not going that way.

Pictures to follow.

2009-07-29T19:54:00.003-04:00

Craziness. First, a lecture on Goya and discussion of using art in the classroom. Second, we are an hour late to the Picasso Museum (awesome, but then again you need TIME before an awesome tapas lunch.) Then a great discussion on the representation on Barcelona in film and I start to think of HOME. Then a WINE and FOOD tasting event and I begin to think of everything. Wine, cheese, Paella=Jambalaya??? Sad thoughts of f00d and cooking and missing Jeff. Big alcohol encouraged political conversations about race. A very human day.

BCN Day 2--Picture Post

2009-07-28T18:29:00.007-04:00

BCN Day 2--Word Post

2009-07-28T18:15:00.002-04:00

Part guided tour, part independent wandering, the first part of the day brought us through an area called Gracia. Here is the setting of a novel which in English is called "The Time of the Doves" about a young woman whose husband is killed in the Spanish Civil War. Like much of Catalan art, there is a curve to the narrative--and our assistant to the director, Sion, a 22-year old Cambridge student, is working on a new translation from the original Catalan.

I walked with my new friend Drew through Gracia after we split from the group and then we meandered through an area called the Eixample. In this place are many residences decorated in the Art Nouveau style, including two famous Gaudi structures.

After discussing poetry and the art of the Spanish Civil War and pondering the question of the last two generations silence on the issue, we went on a "field trip" to an air raid shelter built during this time (1936-1939). Here we learned about Barcelona's misfortune during this time and that in these two or so years it was bombed (by Italian planes) 194 times. The mystery of the air raid shelters remains profound and for me, this experience really did open up a new perspective on this city which I had never heard before.

For lunch it was tapas and for dinner it was tapas!!!

BARCELONA!!!!

2009-07-28T05:43:00.001-04:00

Karlsruhe, Germany with Andrea and Chase

2009-07-27T09:01:00.006-04:00

In Ettlingen on Sunday we spent time exploring the town. There was a strange photo-shoot going on near where we were eating ice cream and looking at a church. Here, in the background, one of the "models."
Just a very German-looking doll.
The grim reaper, a reminder of those killed during the first world war.
The town square of Ettlingen.
Close-Up of the clock on the tower.
Saint George slaying the Dragon, who looks quite a lot like Jar-Jar Binks from Star Wars Episode One or Dobby the House-Elf from Harry Potter. Look closely!
The Fool's Fountain.

Typical house from the 17th century.

More of the World War I memorial.

Detail from a house.

Andrea as a Roman woman in a fresco. The museum in Karlsruhe was very interactive!

We saw these kids as we approached the museum. Looks like they are having fun!

Then we tried it---it was a bit scary at the top!

Above and below--yummy German food!

I spent 3 days with Chase and Andrea in Ettlingen, just outside of Karlsruhe. They were great hosts and showed me the local sights with class. We had all sorts of debates and discussion and ATE a lot of very good German food prepared by Andrea. (She would say that it was nothing, but I am very appreciative!) So, above are some photos from those days. One of the best things was the museum in Karlsruhe which had more to offer for my teaching than even the Louvre.

Some thoughts....

2009-07-27T08:53:00.002-04:00

So, I have finally arrived in Spain. The weather is much warmer than anywhere else I've been so far, and more humid. I almost feel at home!

The residence where I live is a college, so I have a cute little one-bedroom dorm room with the bathroom en suite. It's nice and the design is pretty cool. Reminds me of something my brother Scott might cook up, only with less sunlight. There is a bit of a port-hole theme and I will take a photo this afternoon to show you what I mean. On the whole, the facilities are great--but true to the warning I received from Eric who attended the Oxbridge Program in Paris, things are a bit disorganized. We were told the wrong time for breakfast! But I do not count it a very great loss to have to go to the cafe nearby and have a bocadillio pequeno con jamon iberico and a fantastic cafe con leche.

I am in a group of about 15 teachers and let me just say, teachers are a hard bunch sometimes. There is something odd about the mix that I can't put my finger on and will have to think about it as time goes on. I think the people I enjoyed getting to know the most yesterday are all in the Spanish section and the folks in the English section with me will take some warming up to. We did, however, have a great session with a speaker about art in Spain under Franco and historiography in general, which was stimulating. We also discussed, Castillian, Catalan, Gallician and Basque languages, which was fun.

This afternoon we set off to the Barri Gothic for sightseeing and dinner at 9pm. Yay.

In Divonne-Les-Bains, Near Geneva, With the Ogdens

2009-07-26T19:03:00.004-04:00

Here we have Nathanael and Anna Grace with the two kittens, Andy and Evan. Unfortunately, I have no pictures of Zachary, who was very busy being social as 11-year-old boys must be. I had a sweet visit with these old friends, Dave and Dede and their kiddos....

Mont St. Michel Pilgrimage

2009-07-26T18:56:00.003-04:00

Les coquilles--symbol of the pilgrimage...

Just an Update

2009-07-25T06:20:00.002-04:00

Alive and well in Karlsruhe, Germany. No wireless, so I can't upload photos. I will have to do that from Barcelona where I go TOMORROW!!! Thanks for keeping up with me!

Normandy Part 2: Bayeux

2009-07-19T17:36:00.002-04:00

I would have loved to post images of the Tapestry itself, but a few words about it will have to do.

The hotel was a real treat. A bit of cash spent, but worth it. La Lion d'Or. Perfect location, very close to the tapestry, and after a long and luxurious evening with wine and a bubble bath and a shave of the legs, I awoke via the wake up call and went down for a lovely breakfast. (Buttery croissants and American style coffee.) I made it to the Bayeux tapestry by about 9:30 and beat the first big tour group it seems. And let me just say this about the Bayeux Tapestry since there are no pictures to describe it---it is freaking amazing. It is about 40 cm high and over 70 meters long!!! The display they’ve devised is perfect, wrapping in convex U-shape in a dark room, with low lights just on the tapestry. The narration that they give you included with your entrance is just long enough. Each scene reveals both an overt storyline and some subliminal messages that seem worth exploring. One of the best things about it is that there are still many questions surrounding it. I look forward to chatting about it with my kids. That was an experience I will not regret.

For the sake of some professional development I bought a video and some books about the Tapestry and about the Normans and the Saxons. I have already sent them back to the states!!

Normandy Part 1:Pays d'Auge

2009-07-19T17:08:00.004-04:00

I drive from Paris in a rental car…I LOVE the GPS more than I ever thought I would. Worth every penny.

First stop, Vimoutiers to go to the Camembert Museum--kind of run-down and damp, but very true to itself. It is really about the story of the cheese, complete with a heroine, Marie Harel. Her statue was in the town of Vimoutier and the head was blown off in the bombings of 1944. This fact was a good preview to the power the memory of the second World War has over this part of the country. Here, there is a sense that the memory of liberation is welcomed, rather than shrugged off.

Then, to Camembert itself. It's just the remnant of a village, really, with four or five farms dedicated to the cheese. I don't believe any cheese is actually made there and so it is just set up for tourists.

I, of course, ordered the cheese plate. Others looking at me must have thought I was a pig. As a matter of record, I did not finish it and the apple cider served with it was not the best pairing. Oh well. I did it. I went to a town named after a cheese I love.

Four kinds of President cheeses including Camembert, Livarot, Pont Eveque and Neufchatel were presented. In fact, I like the Camembert the least. This gives me good info for the next Cheese Night!

The sun here on this first day is warm, but not hot. Grass is green, wheat is golden, trees are dark and alive. What a lovely, life-giving place.

Exploring Normandy

2009-07-19T08:48:00.008-04:00

Le Mont St. Michel

Bayeux

Omaha Beach, American Cemetery, Colleville-Sur-Mer

Le Pays d'Auge

Because the orignal lodging plan fell through, I embarked on an epic journey (epic to me at least) through Normandy. My internet access was minimal, and so I was not able to process my experiences in a daily fashion. I will post only a few highlight photos now, since my access to the web is time sensitive and I need to go enjoy Paris. Hope these will whet your appetite for when I have more time to digest my experiences.

Finding France

2009-07-17T03:05:00.001-04:00

Hello one and all. I write from Bayeux, Calvados, France. I am on a French keyboard so this is short. Another post with pictures when I can, but let me just say this was a good idea...

Paris, mes couche-mares?

2009-07-15T16:08:00.003-04:00

Does anyone recognize this little critter from the Strange Southwark post? Looks like there's an artist getting around. I will be on the Lookout for him or her in Barcelona!!!

Paris, mon amour?

2009-07-15T15:45:00.004-04:00

My first day here I spent roaming Montmartre, one of my favorite areas in Paris. It seems to be a favorite with about a million other people, too, which makes sense. There is something so uplifting and inspiring about the combination of architecture, art, and the view. In many ways, it makes one want to pray, or celebrate, which can be like praise sometimes, at least. I've had perfect weather and Paris is even better than London in that there are no rain showers at the moment. I ended my ramble on the hill of martyrs by enjoying some red wine and a crepe au sucre. Just the kind of nibble I needed to get me back to 11 Rue Notre Dame de Lorette, to my very lovely little hotel, Hotel France Albion.

Leaving London

2009-07-15T15:24:00.006-04:00

I left London today very encouraged. It seemed that things were in my favor all the way, with so much ease and comfort in the company of Kirkley and Rebekeh, as well as other Christians who were part of their community. Knowing that there is so much safety so far from home really emboldens my wanderlust. This is true to such an extent that I am not even that worried about the fact that my free place in Paris fell through and I am hacking it out on my own. Last night, I found a nice hotel, via the internet, in the northern side of Paris, between Gare du Nord and Gare St. Lazare, just below Montmartre. I will probably only stay one night, which gives me the travel bug in an even more urgent way. As I was entering France today on the Eurostar watching the green fields rush by, I felt distinctly that I wanted to go see some of that. Striking out on my own over the next few days may mean fewer posts, so get your fill of Paris today. I hope Normandy and Brittany are in my future!

In the post below, at the very end, you will see two photos of the interior of the reconstructed Globe Theatre. I was thrilled to get tickets to be one of the groundlings for the second performance ever of Troilus and Cressida there. I have misgivings about some elements of the story line, and one twist in the playing of it, but since Shakespeare is dead and the show is still in reviews, I will let it go. I never did read the play, but now after watching the three-hours' traffic of the stage, I do want to go back to the text to see just what was implied in some of the scenes. I even made some Shakespeare buddies waiting for tickets. I am quite excited to bring this first hand knowledge to the classroom!!! Oh, and I returned to the British Museum to get a tour of the Mesopotamian Gallery and popped into the National Gallery to quiver over French impressionism again. I love museums and feel lucky and blessed to be on this adventure.

Strange Southbank

2009-07-14T21:07:00.005-04:00

Lovely London (Or, "Look kids, Big Ben and the Parliament Building!"

2009-07-14T20:51:00.007-04:00

Oxford, Photo Post

2009-07-13T16:15:00.010-04:00

Oxford, Word Post

2009-07-13T11:37:00.002-04:00

I am currently ON the bus leaving Oxford(Moving Wi-fi, anyone?) I took the tube to the Victoria bus station this morning from Rebekah's house in Bermondsey (a neighborhood in London) and was in Oxford a little after 10 am. The morning began with sun, and I wandered through my favorite place in all of the city of Oxford--Christ Church Meadows. Some intimidating clouds hovered over me and some cold wind blew, but I completed my walk and took some pictures, just as I had wanted to do.

At the wrong time, before I had found my preferred lunch location, the dark clouds above let forth their chilly summer shower. Braving winds and puddles, backward bent umbrellas, I made it finally to the place I sought--The Nose Bag. It was a bit more expensive than I really needed, but it was a nostalgic visit. It's upstairs on St. Michael's Street by the Methodist Church and around the corner from St. Michael's Hall. This was my gritty little corner of Oxford when I was here. I was happy to see it, once I finished eating, and was reminded just how tiny a spot we occupied with the Centre for Medieval and Renaissance Studies.

After this short trip down Memory (Shoe) Lane, I pursued another necessary reunion: Ben's Cookies. An American woman behind me in line, in speaking to her friend said, "They'll change your life." I wholeheartedly agree with her. I had the chocolate chip and ginger, and I am happy to say, after 10 years that cookie is just as worth the calories as it was in 1998. I have always wanted to recreate the recipe. Tastes like lots of butter and molasses.

Then the sun came out and I was off taking pictures with a happy smile on my face. My wanderings took me up toward Keble College and on my way I spotted a young graduate in his tux and gown, riding a bike. He cheerfully posed for a picture, but I flubbed it and all I got was a blurry attempt. Which is too bad, he was quite dapper.

Wandering through the grounds of Keble's red brick quad brought back more memories than most other spots, which is funny to me because I spent so little time there when I studied here. I do remember some long nights in the library there researching Milton and Bronte, and quite a few dinners at the long tables (a la Harry Potter) but the emotion I felt was surprising.

All day long I've had a song in my head as soundtrack. It comes from the television series Mad Men and it is called 'Babylon'...

By the waters, the waters, the waters of Babylon
We sat down and wept, and wept, for thee Zion.
I remember thee, remember thee, remember thee Zion.

In many ways visiting Oxford was a strange time to mourn. 10 years of my life have come and gone since the spring I spent here. I still don't feel like I know anything more about life, quite honestly, but I'll take what I can get in a summer like this one. I didn't really weep, but by the waters of the Isis and the Thames, I did remember me, as I was, and the future I imagined. Is there any getting back to youthful dreams and hopes to guide the next season of life?

Well, anyways, now I am on my way back to London, where tonight will be a quiet night, I predict. Tomorrow, more London on foot and I hope--so very much--to see a play at the Globe. We will see what happens.

Oh, and I may have some lodging difficulties in Paris, so if anyone has any ideas, let me know!!!

London, July 12th--The British Museum

2009-07-13T02:27:00.004-04:00

Waking Up

2009-07-12T06:20:00.003-04:00

I am about to grab some coffee here at 11:30 Sunday morning. I just woke up from over 12 hours of sleep and feel pretty wonderful. Yesterday, as the posts below will show you, Kirkley took me to see the Globe, the Tower Bridge, Borough Market and the Tate Modern. (All of these things within walking distance from her friend Rebekah's house.)

We grabbed some very inexpensive food at the Marks and Spencer Simply Food (a chain like Target but classier and at this location--just food). It is my new favorite store.

Yesterday we took a brief tour of the Globe Theatre in London. We were fortunate to get to observe a technical rehearsal of Troilus and Cressida. No pictures allowed, of course, and we had to be silent, but the experience was personally quite thrilling, given my love for Shakespeare.

The Neals Yard Dairy, for those of you cheese-lovers out there, is a much talked about provider of English artisan cheese.

We also saw these guys:

Cheese, Glorious Cheese!!!

2009-07-11T16:13:00.004-04:00

Borrough Market and Neal's Yard Dairy!

London, July 11th

2009-07-11T16:09:00.002-04:00

After a long but uneventful transatlantic flight, Kirkley met me at Heathrow and we went on our tired but merry way. Above are some photos from Southwark and Bankside London.

NATURE!!!!

2009-07-09T23:15:00.006-04:00

Apart from the human comforts provided at Lake Grinnell, the natural world provided many moments of adventure and peace. Above, mt favorite shot--Mark's frog. Below: a bunny, a deer, some berries, a chimpmunk and a lost Canada goose, the swans. Not pictured: the bass, some bats, snapping turtles, a blue heron, sunnies.

Family Time at Lake Grinnell--July 8

2009-07-09T17:45:00.009-04:00

I spent the day on Wednesday at the Seda's lake house. Michelle Seda Novenson is one of my best college friends, part of a small circle of women who share my Covenant roots and keep me centered. I think it's been a year since I've seen her, and this was my first visit to Lake Grinell. For Michelle, the lake is a part of who she is, memories shaped by summer sun and long evenings on the water's edge. I feel so lucky to have been welcomed here. Above, the red boat--power for water skiing, tubing, and cruising around the mysterious mountain lake.
Michelle at the helm on the search for the missing tube.

Not too bad for 10 years later and unwashed hair!!

The house on Lake Grinnell.

Matt and Levi above, Michelle and Hans below.

Kristen and Michelle.

Levi playing above, Hans smiling below. Happy kids.

Below, Mrs. Seda with her gracious smile. Mark Seda on the offensive against me in our very intense water fight. Mr. Seda firing up the grill.

As evening fell, we got into deep relaxation mode. Below, Matt fishing and two shots of Mark and the frog caught in the same spot.

...Like A Natural Woman, WOMAN!!

2009-07-08T01:11:00.004-04:00

Spending time with my friend Meg is a special treat. I was greeted at the train station by her and her 6 month old, Ivy--a cheerful babe. We went straight to the farm where her share of co-op organic veggies was waiting. In addition, we got to pick some fingerling potatoes and the last of the season's strawberries--for free. The berries were menacingly sweet, so good I could have lolled all day out there in the sun picking them and eating them as we went. The farmer referred to them as "jamberries"--but we used them for ice cream.

The rest of my time in Connecticut was spent examining this beautiful baby and the life my friend now led, enjoying the temperate climate, eating a good meal, and playing some competitive dominoes. What a lucky duck I am....

July 4/Lily's 30th (Days 4-5)

2009-07-05T23:17:00.007-04:00

Days 2-3

2009-07-03T12:10:00.004-04:00

Sometimes it is just so wonderful to glory in the mundane...

Dragging bags from one apartment to another.
Walks in the park with Rachel and baby Oliver.
Lunch on the Hudson.
Dodging rain and sun.

Chicken korma, Paneer.
Game night and beer.

Alarms going off all night in the hallway with no reason.
I'm planning to wear jeans, it's cool for the season.

Breakfast of scrambled eggs, chicken sausage.
Lounging in PJ's for the holiday Friday. Awesome.

Lunch of salad in Jersey City Heights.
Dinner in the city tonight.

Red snapper, you look dapper,
a long walk, a good talk,
near Central Park, at just dark,
fireflies, a raccoon,
the moon.
Over too soon.

Summer Odyssey Day 1

2009-07-01T17:52:00.006-04:00

So I made it to New Jersey safe and sound after a good flight and nice conversation. The two other passengers in my row started chatting, and it ended up lasting us the whole flight. One was from Slidell, the other from New Jersey, and each had stories to tell of Katrina or 9/11. It was good to listen. They each had stories about their kids, too : American University (hello DC), Tulane (hello NOLA), and Covenant College (hello Lookout Mountain!!!). It felt like a good sign that this happened, like I was surrounded by a sense of home and familiarity even as I go out adventuring, and I was cheerful and at ease in navigating my way here to Rachel and Todd's place. By the way, this is their view:

The new camera I am using has a function called smile detection. You aim the camera at people and leave your finger off the button. When a person smiles, it automatically clicks!!! I took the above photo of Abby and Rachel by the power of my own finger. Below, the picture was taken by the tiny robot inside the camera. Creepy, but cool!

Breaking bread together at a simple table...

oh, and these are simple things and old things and true things

friends that have gone the distance and loved you in your return

peace with regret, but no pain

a city that does not sleep

wine and food and laughter

reminders of who we know we are by friends that know us well

More smile detector shots!

Cheese Night #3:America!!!

2009-06-24T19:39:00.004-04:00

Ok, so I know I just reported on cheese, but that event happened a month ago. This next report is from Monday. Same deal: 8 cheeses, bread, wine, with a salad break in between. This time we had a slightly smaller crowd--only 8 people, and we even had 2 new faces. Yay! Cheese = Love.

#1 Roth Kase Knight's Vail--I realize now that I already served it, which is only slightly embarrassing. However, I can make a correction. Roth Kase is a Wisconson cheesemaker. Here are some more words about it, although I swear this is different from the last time we ate this cheese. This cheese is described as: nutty, normal and almost spreadable. It was good with white, but even better with red. The red (I prefer Zin for this one) brought out some very different characteristics than the white. (American Cow.)

#2 Roth Kase Grand Cru Gruyere Surchoix--has that pleasant graininess with its salt crystals. It provided a nice texture. Bread brought out some good feelings and flavors, and I wonder how it would fondue. (American Cow.)

#3 Humbolt Fog--this one is a new favorite, from the West Coast. We learned a good lesson about the texture of some cheeses as it changes the closer you get to the rind. The flavor of this cheese developed as it melted in our mouths. (American Goat.)

#4 Rogue River Blue--sold in the tiniest slices. It was sweet with a smoky aftertaste. We imagined it would be delicious with bacon, steak or fresh green peas. (American Cow.)

The above cheese were purchased at Whole Foods--the friendliest cheese people without a hint of pretension.

#5 Ewe's Blue, from the Old Chattam Creamery--a pungeunt, but sweet blue, made in the style of a Roquefort. This means it is more green than blue, actually. One person said this cheese is everything a cheese should be. We ended up with lots of conversation. Other comments included: "it is a pure bleu, simple...it expresses the essence of bleu...not too melt-in-your-mouth." Very satisfying--and sheep's milk!! (American Sheep.)

#6 Farmstead Menuet, Dancing Cow Farms (Vermont)--ok, so this cheese is modeled after the cheese of Normandy. It's subtle, and takes some time to develop on the tongue. It's a washed rind cheese, which means you can eat the rind, but it might be a bit gritty. The scent of this cheese was very...cow-y. Like a grassy farm, or the organic sweetness of hay in a barn. The taste was nutty, with a sweet finish. A hard cheese. (American Cow.)

#7 Coach Farms Goat's Milk, Pine Plains, NY--a designer cheese, produced on farms once owned by Coach Leather. There were NO leftovers of this one. A creamy, fluffy, salty, friendly cheese. Like creme fraiche, neufchatel, or something of the like. It is an unusual goat cheese in that it is a double-cream cheese, very rare for goats who produce so little cream. It is "oh..so tasty," according to Kathan, who said that just in pure revelry after her second bite. There is something both decadent and clean about this cheese. Why not bring it to the next party you go to!?

#8 Vermont Shepherd, Major Farm, Putney, VT--a raw milk cheese, it was saltier than the rest (maybe putting it last was a bad idea). It was mild, but made us all think of chicken soup--a kind of salty comfort. Maybe it would be better in the winter?

So there you have it for cheese nights in New Orleans. Next post should be travel related!!! Hooray!!!

Cheese Night #2--overdue report

2009-06-18T14:39:00.005-04:00

In a continued effort to get my blog up to speed before the summer roars into action, I need to report on the most recent Cheese Night event at Kathan's and Marylee's. We took a trip to Spain (in honor of my Barcelona trip this summer) and to Ireland (in homage to my Ireland trip this spring.) Below are 8 selections, four from each country.

****DISCLAIMER****I stole all these images from the internet****

Cheese #1, Dubliner with Irish Stout. Boy, I loved this. We drank it with sips of Guinness to bring out the flavor. Sara Meadows had some strong memories when tasting this. It was pretty salty, with a sweet finish. The texture was on the softer side for an Irish cheese and was overall a good starter. (Pasteurized cow milk from the Irish Dairy Board.)

Our second offering from the Kerrygold clan (Irish Dairy Board--learned all about at the Cork Butter Museum), is Cheese #2, the Iverna. The Kerrygold website has some great descriptions about how this cheese was named after Ireland herself. It has a nice, grassy, farm flavor and also pleased the crowd well. For me personally, this one tasted like Ireland. A mild, pasteurized cow's milk.

Cheese #3, Cahill Porter. Also beer related, this cheese was put up for comparison against the Dubliner Irish Stout. The consensus was that it was milder and softer that the Dubliner, it was less salty, and didn't have as much punch. It was described as "meaty" by some, and I think that's a good thing. I consider this one a bit of a guilty pleasure. Yes, just the one. (:

Cheese #4, the Ardrahan from Neal's Yard Dairy. Most of what Neal's Yard offers comes from English cows, but they've employed a few from the Emerald Isle as well, I guess. It was the softest one so far, but with a touch of bitterness. It was broad on the tongue, and got mixed reviews. It was Virginia's favorite cheese, but Emily didn't like it--it reminded her of Wisconsin Brick Cheese (which will probably be reviewed at a later date.) We realized this cheese wishes it was the next one, the Torta Serena.

Cheese #5, Torta Serena. From Extramedura, Spain, this one inspired lots of comments. With notes of eucalyptus, it drew comparisons to cognac---complex, deep, and growing more enjoyable bite by bite. It brought out the sweetness of red wine. We had a word duel and had to look up if "odoriferous" was the right word. I heard about this cheese on a television program about Spain where a chef was using it to make lemon tarts. Raw sheep's milk and thistle flower. Yum!

Cheese #6, 1-Year Aged Manchego. Who doesn't like Manchego, seriously? Consider eating it with honey and cucumber!

Cheese #7: Valdeon. A mixture of cow and goat milk, wrapped in eucalyptus. To quote Sara Meadows, "a little dab will do ya!" It was Marylee's favorite and we discovered that pretty much the only wine that could work with this was a very pear-oriented Sauvignon Blanc by Morgan. Either that, or the right red, but we had trouble pairing it. It has spicy notes, like a habenero, and dry notes like a bitter chocolate. A small taste goes a long way.

Cheese #8, Cabra Romero. Buttery, with rosemary crusting. It was the perfect end. A pasteurized goat's milk treat.

Traveller at Home-some photos of home before I leave the country yet again.

2009-06-15T18:02:00.007-04:00

New method for warding off flies?

Charles on the Sunshine Bridge.

Thibodaux, LA. Pa's cemetery.

Napoleonville, LA.

Australian Andrew and Susan at Oak Alley Plantation.

Lily pads at Houmas House Plantation.

Jazz Fest 2009
Painting in my brain.
Big daddy crawfish.
Three big crabs.

Shrimp, shrimp and more shrimp.
Mudbugs.
Lily was here to have it all!

Dublin, Ireland

2009-06-15T17:48:00.004-04:00

It's been over two months since this trip came and went and I am wistful, wishing to freeze moments, like images, and hide behind their message and their careful composition. Life itself is so much messier, like my exploding suitcase. I keep my thoughts carefully stowed, some forgotten in pockets of my brain till months later, some wrapped in plastic till they can be laundered. These images, my souvenirs, are badges, proof that I have done something significant and meaningful and personal. It is easy to want to tell the story of what we saw, but harder to actually do it. In fact, there is no story, just experience filtering experience, a camera lens the conduit.

Kilkenny Town and Its Environs

2009-06-15T17:34:00.006-04:00

Above is my favorite picture of the whole trip!

Bottom to top:
Lost lambs we herded back into their pasture at the Kells Priory.
Anxious mother sheep waiting for their lambs' to return.
Territorial mutton.
Killarney town from the church in the morning.
A stone tomb unused at the church.
Fish market.
Killarney shops and pubs.

Cashel, Co. Tipperary

2009-06-15T17:21:00.004-04:00

I've got these images in quite the wrong order, but here's part of what made this place cool. Celtic/Briton artwork infused the Christian structure, the Rock of Cashel, the seat of the diocese of Tipperary for many, many years. Had it been warmer, we might have hiked the Tipperary Way, a trail leading through the county. It's something I would go back and do someday--as would camping in County Kerry, by the way.

Emilee poses here with an unnamed abbey in the background. It has some historical significance, but I've forgotten by now.

Butter

2009-06-15T17:04:00.002-04:00

Butter, we love it. So we made a special trip on a miserable and rainy day to Cork, the butter capital of Ireland. Here, the butter exchange stands next to the small but intentional Cork Butter Museum. Here we learned about cows and butter as the earliest forms of wealth in ancient Ireland and about the modernization of the butter industry over the last 50 years. At the top, a firkin containing butter found in a bog. It is speculated as dating back to the Middle Ages. Where are the crackers?!

Ring of Kerry

2009-06-15T16:44:00.005-04:00

We took the Ring of Kerry tour, a chartered bus tour and our only one. It was well worth it to see the sights of the end of the world, without being afraid we would drive ourselves off it. After being in the bus for the tour, we feared we would get dumped off it a few times, but we survived and were better for it. This first picture is the Atlantic Ocean at almost its westernmost point. Below, a cat-shaped cloud. All these pictures, by the way, were taken by Emilee, as my battery had died.

Here I held a little baby lamb. He was snowy white and sweet. I feel bad about that lamb stew we ate the other night!
The view from one peninsula to another. On the Beara, looking at the Dingle.
Irish yardsale kitsch. Wish I had bought it.
Almost bogland above. Our fearless leader, John O'Neill below.

Killarney Town, County Kerry

2009-05-30T17:16:00.004-04:00

The Sugan (pronounced "shoo-gahn") Hostel in Killarney Town. Very cozy and comfortable. A good night's sleep and easy company. My favorite hostel of the whole trip.

The Cliffs of Moher

2009-05-30T09:11:00.010-04:00

At the end of Day 3, after our drive through the Burren, we completed our sightseeing at what many hope will be added to the official list of the Natural Wonders of the World: The Cliffs of Moher.

The Cliffs above and below. The sign however, seems unnecessary...

The Burren

2009-05-30T08:51:00.005-04:00

With the flurry of activity ending my first full school year in New Orleans, I've gotten a bit behind on postings about Ireland. So, I am going to try to get them all on here today, starting with day 3, the Burren. To remind you, the first day was County Galway. The second was Connemara. Now we move onto The Burren. Click this writing for a map close-up. The Burren is an area south of Galway. It transitions from green and rolling hills into what my guidebook described as a moonscape. Apparently, there are plants here that are believed to be survivors from the Ice Ages. There are also many Neolithic structures, like stone forts and tombs.

Emily at the Portal Tomb, above. Me below.

Moonscape?

A stone fort at Caherconnell.

Above and below, a lucky find as we were still learning to navigate using Irish maps and Irish roads. A church from who knows when.

This little fella would have gotten in our car with us and driven wherever we wanted to go. We had to leave him inthe end because his owner called him home.

The Burren is a fascinating area. I'd love to hike it in the future.

Anatomy of A Guinness

2009-05-09T23:15:00.005-04:00

This first shot was taken by Emilee, who really has the iconic eye. The rest are mine. This Guinness was consumed by Emilee while I had a cider over ice. This is in Connemara on Easter Sunday. If you look closely in the background, you can see some of the Twelve Bens and the beautiful Atlantic clouds rolling over the blue sky.

Connemara

2009-05-09T23:01:00.004-04:00

Ireland !

2009-05-04T01:17:00.015-04:00

This cemetery got us closer to our first destination and closer to Irish people (though it doesn't look it).

These pictures are from Coole Park, once owned, enjoyed and written of by my first literary love, WB Yeats.

And here, inspired by this lake he wrote:

The Wild Swans at Coole

THE trees are in their autumn beauty,
The woodland paths are dry,
Under the October twilight the water
Mirrors a still sky;
Upon the brimming water among the stones
Are nine-and-fifty Swans.

The nineteenth autumn has come upon me
Since I first made my count;
I saw, before I had well finished,
All suddenly mount
And scatter wheeling in great broken rings
Upon their clamorous wings.

I have looked upon those brilliant creatures,
And now my heart is sore.
All's changed since I, hearing at twilight,
The first time on this shore,
The bell-beat of their wings above my head,
Trod with a lighter tread.

Unwearied still, lover by lover,
They paddle in the cold
Companionable streams or climb the air;
Their hearts have not grown old;
Passion or conquest, wander where they will,
Attend upon them still.

But now they drift on the still water,
Mysterious, beautiful;
Among what rushes will they build,
By what lake's edge or pool
Delight men's eyes when I awake some day
To find they have flown away?

Got A New Camera in Anticipation of My Trip

2009-04-04T16:40:00.001-04:00

4 years ago I bought a camera for double the price and half the quality. Crazy!

This is Charlie's nose.

Two Weeks until Spring Break!!!

2009-03-28T19:25:00.001-04:00

FYI.

Emerald Isle

2009-03-19T23:53:00.004-04:00

I stumbled across this image of Ireland as I was doing some research. I just think it is so beautiful.

I am going to Ireland because I need something like this right now--an adventure. A break from the constant.

We have some blood that goes back there.

So I am meeting up with my friend Emilee who is currently living in France and just going on a boondoggle, as my dad would say.

Prayers...

2009-03-17T22:44:00.002-04:00

I arise today
Through a mighty strength, the invocation of the Trinity,
Through the belief in the threeness,
Through the confession of the oneness
Of the Creator of Creation.

I arise today
Through the strength of Christ's birth with his baptism,
Through the strength of his crucifixion with his burial,
Through the strength of his resurrection with his ascension,
Through the strength of his descent for the Judgment Day.

I arise today
Through the strength of the love of Cherubim,
In obedience of angels,
In the service of archangels,
In hope of resurrection to meet with reward,
In prayers of patriarchs,
In predictions of prophets,
In preaching of apostles,
In faith of confessors,
In innocence of holy virgins,
In deeds of righteous men.

I arise today
Through the strength of heaven:
Light of sun,
Radiance of moon,
Splendor of fire,
Speed of lightning,
Swiftness of wind,
Depth of sea,
Stability of earth,
Firmness of rock.

I arise today
Through God's strength to pilot me:
God's might to uphold me,
God's wisdom to guide me,
God's eye to look before me,
God's ear to hear me,
God's word to speak for me,
God's hand to guard me,
God's way to lie before me,
God's shield to protect me,
God's host to save me
From snares of demons,
From temptations of vices,
From everyone who shall wish me ill,
Afar and anear,
Alone and in multitude.

I summon today all these powers between me and those evils,
Against every cruel merciless power that may oppose my body and soul,
Against incantations of false prophets,
Against black laws of pagandom
Against false laws of heretics,
Against craft of idolatry,
Against spells of witches and smiths and wizards,
Against every knowledge that corrupts man's body and soul.

Christ to shield me today
Against poison, against burning,
Against drowning, against wounding,
So that there may come to me abundance of reward.
Christ with me, Christ before me, Christ behind me,
Christ in me, Christ beneath me, Christ above me,
Christ on my right, Christ on my left,
Christ when I lie down, Christ when I sit down, Christ when I arise,
Christ in the heart of every man who thinks of me,
Christ in the mouth of everyone who speaks of me,
Christ in every eye that sees me,
Christ in every ear that hears me.

I arise today
Through a mighty strength, the invocation of the Trinity,
Through belief in the threeness,
Through confession of the oneness,
Of the Creator of Creation.

CABBAGES

2009-03-16T00:10:00.003-04:00

Have you ever looked closely at the lovely head of a cabbage? It really is rather pretty--nice and solid, curling just so at the edges.

Yesterday was the annual Saint Patrick's Day parade in New Orleans. Yes, they throw green beads (as if I don't have enough) and you know what else they throw?????????

CABBAGES!!!!!

I caught these two my very self this rainy Saturday. Next I am supposed to make a soup, but I caught neither onions nor carrots, so maybe I will just get some stuff together to make a slaw.

And some of you might wonder if flying cabbages might be dangerous--yes. My friend's friend got her windsheild smashed by an errant cabbage and her insurance agent laughed at her on the phone. It was the first such claim to be made at that particular company.

Ok, my nails are green and Tuesday is St. Pat's and next month I am going to Ireland for a week's adventure. Good times.

The Mahhhdi Grah!

2009-02-26T00:17:00.013-05:00

What a day it was.

Cheese Night #1

2009-02-18T15:44:00.002-05:00

Sometimes, when a good idea becomes a reality, the result is even better than the idea you started with. For months, some girlfriends and I have been talking about having a cheese night. A chance to explore and enjoy a variety of cheeses available at the local shop, St. James Cheese Company.

Despite a major sinus issue, which I did not think dairy would help, I went on over to the cheese shop and selected 6 cheeses to share with my friends. There were two others I scooted over to Whole Foods for, which is nice because it was so close.

After a short nap at Toy's house, I brought the cheese to Kathan and Marylee's, our hostesses. Kathan made an AWESOME salad, too. Here's how the night broke down:

Choose your wine...we had Kim Crawford Sauvignon Blanc, a Zinfandel, a Shiraz and a Chardonnay.

Cheese #1: Delice de Bourgogne, a French cow's milk cheese. This cheese is basically like the most "dirty, sexy dream" you ever had, but without the shame! It's like butter, but better. This was deliriously enjoyable on a nice crusty piece of French bread. (Whole Foods.)

Cheese #2: Roth Kase's Knight's Vail, a Dutch cow's milk cheese. Excellent with Zinfandel. Ok, this is a personal favorite. It is near to the "stinky cheese" category, but it has a sort of sweet finish. This cheese is very, very good paired with Zinfandel. I don't think I'll eat it with anything else. To comment on the wierdness, one of the girls compared it to body odor--both the good and the bad side of it. Avoid the rind.

Cheese #3: a fantastic American sheep's or goat's milk cheese--somehow the name did not make it onto the wrapper. At first taste, it might remind you of cheddar, but it finishes a bit like cheese #1.

Cheese #4: L'Amuse Gouda, aged two years. Dutch cow's milk. Also good with red wine. This was a cheese some of us tasted at St. James a few weeks back. It has a caramel-y flavor and crunchy bits. It is a candy-like cheese. Also tasty with Zinfandel.

Then we took a break for salad!!! It was so delicious! Citrus and avocado!

Cheese #5: Garmay Le Drean, a raw cow milk cheese from France. Ok, this one looked amazing on the plate, the rind was rugged looking, nice and crusty, and the cheese just eased out of the sides. It was bit like brie, but with strong, earthy flavors. Some folks mentioned asparagus and boiled peanuts. To me, it tasted like the end of a long fall day when, as a kid, I would play until the sun went down.

Cheese #6: Tumalo Farms Fenacho, an American sheep's milk cheese with fenugreek seeds added. Yummy! Ok, this was a nice mild crowd-pleaser of a cheese. The fenugreek had us all talking and Suzanne even looked it up. It's an Indian spice/nut. Somewhere in between. It was such a smooth texture. Go get you some!

Cheese #7: La Casaeria Toma Blue, Italian cow's milk cheese. This one is simple--a blue cheese with a spicy finish, almost minty. Makes me wonder what the were feeding those cows.

Cheese #8: Herve Mons Gabietou, a French cheese made of both cow and sheep's milk. A nice, sweet finish. Smooth and comforting.

All in all, the combination and the sequence was perfect. I am ready to do this again!!!

But the real thing about the evening was, after a few glasses of wine and the variety of taste expereinces, conversations opened up and I really got to know the girls I was eating with better. This is so important to me as I am trying so hard to make this place a home. A night like this gave me hope that if I pursue what I love and offer myself to others I might just settle a bit and enjoy myself more.

Battle Royale

2009-02-11T00:23:00.003-05:00

So I have become one of the older generation, naive in my age, lacking awareness of the possible pitfalls I pride myself in avoiding.

I am pretty sure the culprit of the earlier mean comments are some 6th grade girls I teach. They found me via Facebook, is what I can gather.

What is most mind-blowing for me is wondering why, other than the universal human desire to annoy one's elders. Should I be horrified, disappointed, flattered? Or, like Bill Murray in Caddyshack, hell-bent on victory.

I have no plan, but life for a few potentially innocent children may get sticky from here on out.

yay.

Letter #8

2009-01-31T12:23:00.004-05:00

When I was younger, late high school and college, I used to read Rainer Maria Rilke's "Letters to a Young Poet" to immerse myself in his language and find some personal version of what I believed was true. In recent days I have realized it is time to take this up again, to read it and to remember parts of myself that I used to have so much confidence in. I also want to read and see things anew. I'm copying large chunks of letter #8 because Rilke can say things I desperately wish I had words for on my own. The poetic life, a life linking words to object and experiences, is somewhere in me, locked up. At least I can live it a little here...

Letter Eight
Borgeby gard, Fladie, Sweden
August 12, 1904

I want to talk to you again for a little while, dear Mr. Kappus, although there is almost nothing I can say that will help you, and I can hardly find one useful word. You have had many sadnesses, large ones, which passed. And you say that even this passing was difficult and upsetting for you. But please, ask yourself whether these large sadnesses haven't rather gone right through you. Perhaps many things inside you have been transformed; perhaps somewhere, deep inside your being, you have undergone important changes while you were sad. The only sadnesses that are dangerous and unhealthy are the ones that we carry around in public in order to drown them out with the noise; like diseases that are treated superficially and foolishly, they just withdraw and after a short interval break out again all the more terribly; and gather inside us and are life, are life that is unlived, rejected, lost, life that we can die of. If only it were possible for us to see farther than our knowledge reaches, and even a little beyond the outworks of our presentiment, perhaps we would bear our sadnesses with greater trust than we have in our joys. For they are the moments when something new has entered us, something unknown; our feelings grow mute in shy embarrassment, everything in us withdraws, a silence arises, and the new experience, which no one knows, stands in the midst of it all and says nothing.

It seems to me that almost all our sadnesses are moments of tension, which we feel as paralysis because we no longer hear our astonished emotions living. Because we are alone with the unfamiliar presence that has entered us; because everything we trust and are used to is for a moment taken away from us; because we stand in the midst of a transition where we cannot remain standing. That is why the sadness passes: the new presence inside us, the presence that has been added, has entered our heart, has gone into its innermost chamber and is no longer even there, - is already in our bloodstream. And we don't know what it was. We could easily be made to believe that nothing happened, and yet we have changed, as a house that a guest has entered changes. We can't say who has come, perhaps we will never know, but many signs indicate that the future enters us in this way in order to be transformed in us, long before it happens. And that is why it is so important to be solitary and attentive when one is sad: because the seemingly uneventful and motionless moment when our future steps into us is so much closer to life than that other loud and accidental point of time when it happens to us as if from outside. The quieter we are, the more patient and open we are in our sadnesses, the more deeply and serenely the new presence can enter us, and the more we can make it our own, the more it becomes our fate; and later on, when it "happens" (that is, steps forth out of us to other people), we will feel related and close to it in our innermost being. And that is necessary. It is necessary - and toward this point our development will move, little by little - that nothing alien happen to us, but only what has long been our own...

How could it not be difficult for us?

....But it is necessary for us to experience that too. We must accept our reality as vastly as we possibly can; everything, even the unprecedented, must be possible within it. This is in the end the only kind of courage that is required of us: the courage to face the strangest, most unusual, most inexplicable experiences that can meet us.....

So you mustn't be frightened, dear Mr. Kappus, if a sadness rises in front of you, larger than any you have ever seen; if an anxiety, like light and cloud-shadows, moves over your hands and over everything you do. You must realize that something is happening to you, that life has not forgotten you, that it holds you in its hand and will not let you fall. Why do you want to shut out of your life any uneasiness, any misery, any depression, since after all you don't know what work these conditions are doing inside you? Why do you want to persecute yourself with the question of where all this is coming from and where it is going? Since you know, after all, that you are in the midst of transitions and you wished for nothing so much as to change. If there is anything unhealthy in your reactions, just bear in mind that sickness is the means by which an organism frees itself from what is alien; so one must simply help it to be sick, to have its whole sickness and to break out with it, since that is the way it gets better. In you, dear Mr. Kappus, so much is happening now; you must be patient like someone who is sick, and confident like someone who is recovering; for perhaps you are both. And more: you are also the doctor, who has to watch over himself. But in every sickness there are many days when the doctor can do nothing but wait. And that is what you, insofar as you are your own doctor, must now do, more than anything else...

And if there is one more thing that I must say to you, it is this: Don't think that the person who is trying to comfort you now lives untroubled among the simple and quiet words that sometimes give you much pleasure. His life has much trouble and sadness, and remains far behind yours. If it were otherwise, he would never have been able to find those words.

Yours,
Rainer Maria Rilke

For The Record...

2009-01-25T00:17:00.002-05:00

Yes, NOLA is in all caps. Like a sideways acrostic poem--oh, I guess that is called an acronym?

New
Orleans
L
A

Doesn't work exactly how I imagined it, but that's how we do it. Except sideways: NOLA.

A plain "yes" would have worked, I am sure.

Please come!

Cheese Tasting

2009-01-24T20:22:00.002-05:00

The local Cheesemongers at St. James Cheese Shop hosted a free wine and cheese tasting last night. The three cheeses were a Parmagiano Reggiano, and aged Gouda and a Comte.

It was AWESOME!!!!

In case you didn't know. I love cheese.