raindrops and gazpacho... (click here)

It is a night of delicious sounds...distant train whistles and the steady pattering of rain...

Tomorrow brings a day of experimentation. I am off to the farmer's market (I will bring my camera...) to chose the freshest most beautiful ingedients for a special Spanish recipe that I am learning to make. It is called "Gazpacho" and is served chilled, so perfect for the blazing weather of the past few days. The recipe I will follow was given to me by a good friend who cooks very well.

(Ingredients:4 cups cold V8 or tomato juice1 small minced onion (Vadalia or red)2 cups freshly diced tomatoes1 cup minced green or Italian pepper1 tsp. honey or rice syrup1 large garlic clove minced1 diced cucumber4 scallions choppedJuice of 1/2 lemon Juice of 1 1/2 limes2 Tbsp. wine vinegar1 tsp. basil1 tsp. tarragon1/4 cup freshly chopped parsleyDash of ground cuminDash of tabasco sauce2 Tbsp. extra virgin olive oilSalt and fresh ground pepper to taste(Can also add canned pineapple with juice) Combine all ingredients and chill for at least 2 hours.)

I'll be sure to report back on this...smiling...and perhaps there will even be comments...

Fireflies...

I noticed the fireflies today...I look for them every year. I think today was their first day of flickering. I saw one recently but it was still too small to light. I wonder how long they live...

Bicycling around the neighborhood...

I have been reading a book called "Simplify Your Life: 100 Ways to Slow Down and Enjoy the Things that Really Matter" by Elaine St. James... Thank you, Elaine. It is wonderful...

Read it as soon as you can. Life gets better immediately, I promise.

I have been cleaning out the porch, organizing materials, and de-cluttering my life.... I have finally realized that I don't need all that stuff. Everytime I am able to let go of something, I can actually feel more air surrounding me... fresh clean air. I can think better with less distraction and it feels so good to know exactly where everything is.

In all the stuff, I found my bicycle buried in the back porch, full of dust... Wow! what a find!
I have been using the equipment at the gym...and there is no scenery...and no wind in my hair, which I really love. I have begun to ride everywhere. Of course, I am carrying my camera in my pocket. I can't wait to see what I will see out there. I will also end up thinner, stronger, and happier by cold weather... amazing...and its been there the whole time...