Desert Magnolia

Last night it rained. Really hard. Some parts of the city were flooded, it rained so hard. We needed it. Our parched desert, while in shock at the time of receiving the water gift, is already lusher and greener looking. Yes, that's a relative term, but the desert has a way of becoming incredibly, richly, lush when moisture comes. There's a blue green fuzz that appears, and little wildflowers pop out that have been just too dry to bloom before. There's a heavenly scent that wafts across the area that soothes, brings a smile to a desert dweller's face, and cools. As it was a Monday, and it had been a long, intense day, we opted for a funny movie with our dinner. Dinner was marinated, grilled chicken thighs, grilled potatoes w/sourcream and chives and sauteed garlic green beans accompanied by a Hogue Riesling. It was good, it was light, it was delicious. And we opted for funny. The InLaws, original version, with Peter Falk and Alan Arkin. I've seen it a few tim...

Today is one of those days when the ridiculous blends with the serious. When, at nearly a quarter to five on a busy day nearing the end of a highly productive yet slow moving week..I want the day to be o.v.e.r. This evening I wish to contemplate the following: Whether one should, in fact, wear a colored lipstick with a purple blouse or simply go with a clear gloss. Whether purple of any shade is really a good idea for an olive-complected lass like myself. Tomorrow's outfit..pick a theme, ensure it's ready for prime time, then assume the character of the outfit by the time it's time to don it and hit the freeway for work. Throwing pots on the wheel. Reruns. Netflix offerings of the week. Library offerings. MUST replenish my reading pile...I'm thinking of picking up every single vamp novel I can find and comparing them.  Don't ask what will comprise my rating scale. The weekend to come. Without the son. Who leaves early early on Saturday. And who wil...

So, when we were stockpiling for the recent graduation gala event, we bought a lot of stuff. Food, of course, party supplies, decorations, plates, cups, etc. And lots and lots of beverages. We keep an extra 'frig in our garage for just this purpose. We store our annual green chili crop in the freezer part, and use the refrig for chilled beer and martini glasses, and a supply of cold beverages. It's kind of old fashioned, but it works for us. Anyway, I decided, upon observing the very very stuffed nature of the 'frig prior to the party, that turning the temp down was a very good idea. To chill all that liquid. Before the party. Which it did. But in the post-party cleanup/emotional letdown/exhaustion, I forgot to return the 'frig to the normal setting. Which made the Diet Cokes on the top shelf get very very cold. So cold, in fact, that they froze. And expanded, which liquid tends to do when it's frozen. They got so cold, they exploded. Two of them. All over t...

Anyone who knows me knows pot and I don't really get along. I don't object to it. I think if you enjoy it, you should smoke it. A friend of mine once observed, he'd never seen a stoned person pick a fight in a bar, but he'd seen plenty of drunk people initiate scuffles. He had a point. But for me, the dry mouth, the munchies (I am always hungry anyway...why would I want to exacerbate that???), the red eyes, the general stupidity...aren't desirable. For me, a glass of wine does the trick. It relaxes me, I view it as a food, if I drink too much I get sleepy before I get too silly (usually), and so that's my relaxation choice. But recently, in spite of my obvious preference for fruit of the vine over cannabis, I could have smoked a joint and been more in tune with the movie. It was well done, in that Tim Burton overstated way. It was funny, ironic, a social commentary in many ways. Lewis Carroll had to have been either smoking hashish or imbibing in absyn...

I've reread a few of my last posts, and recognize a wee bit more seriousness than I've shared in the past. Perhaps, I need to lighten up a bit? Or, maybe now is exactly the right time to be exploring some of the harder topics, resolving those that prove resolvable, and to bask a bit in the emotional dissonance that currently prevails. I'm not sure yet, but am pretty sure that no matter what I think I can control, some of the seriousness is going to bleed through. Cuz in many ways, it's a seriously wonderful/transitional time. But I promise not to linger too long on weighty topics.  It's the least I can do.

At graduations. At celebrations. At preparations and reparations and salutations. At heat. Ungodly, unseasonable heat. That renders one breathless after just a few minutes out in it. It was that hot. On graduation day. And during the multitude of parties following. But we stayed hydrated, stayed focused, celebrated with students and friends alike. At red chili and tortillas, bagels and cream cheese and salmon, baked brie w/almonds and honey and crackers, kebobs of beef and chicken, veggie trays and chocolate fountain and fruit and marshmallows and pretzels to dip, deviled eggs and guacamole and queso and chips. At mimosas and Tecate and agua and champagne and white wine and red wine and Hansen's sodas and graduation cake. And many umbrellas that provided much needed shade, and misters that brought the patio temperature down into the human range. There's a lovely calm on the flip side. There's an acceptance of completed rites of passage, an optimism (yes bitters...

Of Mom arriving. Today, 3 p.m. Of son returning from college. Today, 9 p.m. Of Daughter graduating. Saturday, 10 a.m. Of graduation party. Sunday, 11 a.m. So far, all details are falling into place, but I have to say, it's a bit to manage. There will be laughter. There will be celebration. There will be tears and toasting and nostalgia and hugs and old stories retold. And there will be food. Lots of food. Cooked with love. All is, then, as it should be.

My friend JL loaned me her Moonlight DVD set, and guess what? I can't seem to stop watching it. I'm on the last disk of the four, and, halfway through, have started to feel anxiety about it ending ! Thank you JL. You knew this would happen, didn't you? You even kind of warned me in that casual way of yours that this series is equivalent to the Weather Warden books, only it has pictures that move. You knew I'd like that. It has everything required to make for GREAT beach TV: Vampires Great clothes. (love the wardrobe choices...very hip but glam LA casual..) Sexual tension. (see the Vamp part..duh) Pretty cast. (Honestly, I didn't know abs could get that ripped in real life and not be part of a super hero costume. Seriously...) Good guys. Bad guys. (very very bad..like supernatural, undead bad) Beautiful settings...lofts, nicely decorated ritzy apartments, etc. Ambiguity. In plot. In intent. In characters. Enough to keep things pretty interest...