JOURNAL ARCHIVES BIOGRAPHY LINKS PHOTOGRAPHY POETRY
|
|
Ariel, who has had breast cancer, has just come through surgery, and is now undergoing Chemotherapy, has begun to lose her hair. She sounds cheerful enough over it, but I cannot help but wonder what pain and fear lie behind that smile. She is just getting on with what she has to do though. For Thanksgiving, I gave her a picture of herself as a child, which, I admit, is how I think of her still. The camera caught her with a shy smile, holding a guitar in the warm glow of spring sunshine. She was a delight then, as she is now. My emotions over her situation are so intense that they can catch me off guard and well up, pouring out suddenly as tears. This kind of display is not one that she needs to witness, so that I carefully measure my words to her. As she bravely faces the adjustments to Chemotherapy and the needs of her children, she must remain ever vigilant of the man who threatens their safety. His behavior, although it is at times unlawful, remains unchecked by legal or social sanction. A little violence goes along way. He enjoys his freedom, his money, and uses his privilege in society to ensure that Ariel and her children live in a constant state of fear and awareness. They have lived this way for years. I have always hated the saying "all's fair in love and war".
Today the sun shines. The last of the leaves are a bright yellow and the world looks wonderful out there. The temperature is less than ten degrees centigrade, too cold to sit out and read. I have moved my chair in the living room to face the window, a large expanse of brilliant blues and yellows. It is here that I take my afternoon tea. I have been busily reorganizing the kitchen. Essentially, the kitchen has been Attila's domain since we moved here. He loves to cook and I love to let him enjoy himself. Since he has been so busy, I have moved into the kitchen with an eye to efficiency. Of course, I make no major changes without first consulting the "domestic god" Attila. He is very easygoing and actually enjoys change, so that the whole experience is quite pleasant. One of the results of spending more time in the kitchen is that I have been inspired to cook. Yesterday I stewed the last of the fresh garden tomatoes with our own basil and oregano. This concoction went into a simple casserole, which included pasta, sautéed onions and garlic and tangy cheddar cheese. Tonight we will enjoy the generous leftovers and some fresh Orange Loaf. I have not yet made the Mincemeat. This year I will make a double batch, so that I can give it as Christmas gifts. Luna has been asking about Mincemeat lately so that I think she and Janus would enjoy having some in their freezer. Attila and I both enjoy it as the central ingredient for quick and easy Mincemeat Squares.
Earmuff season in the kitchen is over, I am afraid. Attila arrived home after a cold rainy day outdoors and silently turned on the furnace. My experiment in home economy has ended in warmth. I am enjoying the fruits of my failure, with warm toes and fingers. Another of my fashion statements has fallen by the wayside. |
RECIPES :: Cast Worldly Distractions  The Last Blooms By the Easy Chair The Wise and Foolish Virgins by Don Hannah Airwaves Wind in the last of the leaves. On the Screen Coronation Street Weather 18:18 PM EST Temp: 5` C Humidity: 65% Wind: SW 17 km/h Barometric:103.1 kPaSunrise 7:54 AM EST Sunset 6:21 PM EST |
Page by Page: A Woman's Journal
|
