finding beauty in the weeds

A June morning when I am finally motivated enough to weed my unusually unruly vegetable garden.

For the first time, I have chosen to focus on herbs rather than vegetables, hoping to keep things simple. It is only at Tom’s urging that I bought two tomato plants to join the chives, parsley, rosemary, thyme, basil, oregano and sage that populate the majority of my raised beds. Despite my careful planning, there are now almost a dozen tomato plants thriving in their midst — offspring of past tomato plants. The mystery of their variety will gradually reveal itself.

Anyway, the mundane chore of weeding doesn’t often attract me. But today I have at least felt obligated enough to attempt the chore. And as I am working my way through the boxes, I begin to smell the most wonderful things. Basil. Tomato. Oregano. Parsley. The fragrant air makes the chore so much more bearable.

 

a trip to Aspen

Probably the nicest business trip that I’ve done. The Food and Wine Classic in Aspen was in a gorgeous setting with a relaxed atmosphere. The production of video content for In the kitchen With David was very well done, and the live show on Sunday a success!

 

a year and counting

May Day has a whole new meaning to me this year. A year from my target ‘retirement’ date. I say ‘retirement’ because I realize that it may not be a typical retirement. Does anyone have those anymore? I may very well be doing some other sort of job. But the point is, that I intend for it to be on my own terms… Of my own passion.

The milestone gives me a fresh perspective on what’s happening today. And what I want to accomplish in the next twelve months. It’s generated an excitement in me for not only my next adventure, but also for this one.

And I’m ok that 5/1 could possibly turn into 6/1, 7/1, or even 8/1 depending on the circumstances. Even the planner in me can comes to terms with that. It’s a milestone none the less.

 

spring at last…

A beautiful 70 degree today, and one can really appreciate the flowering trees and greening grass.

I forget how relaxing a ‘rock’ in the rocking chair on a beautiful evening can be. Guess I will be a really good old person!

 

the IPad effect

I hate to admit it, but the iPad has had a bigger effect on me than I expected. I am embarrassed to say that I have consumed far, far more content than I have created. And much of it mindless. I believe there were some early critics that predicted this.

But after a year of almost constant contact with my iPad, I vow to look at things differently this year. Ironically, I am planning to buy the next version, but with the hopes that Tom will embrace some new technology if I give him my hand-me- down.

That could be the biggest advancement of all. Imagine. Being able to send Tom and email or message electronically. Something most of us take for granted. But a novelty for Tom.

Stayed tuned for this next frontier!

 

3 days without an iPad…

Oh, to wake up in the morning… and find your iPad dead.  A crushing blow to the start of the day.

At first it was difficult to believe.  If I just plug it in.   If I push the buttons in a different order.  If I attach it to the computer.  But nothing.  Dark.  Blank.  Nada.

The hardest thing was admitting that it really did affect me.  Does that make me a bad person?  The first 24 hours were the most difficult adjustment.  But on day two and day three, it wasn’t so bad.  Maybe I’m still a functioning human being without a tablet attached.

In my often dramatic way, I told the story to all my co-workers.  But in reality, I survived.

 

Dylan’s a year older

Its Dylan’s birthday today. Actually, the date we adopted him. Sometimes it’s hard to remember a time when we he hasn’t been around. Other time we look at each other and say ‘Do you realize we have a DOG?’

He has certainly changed our lives. Definitely for the better. There are so many ways he makes me smile. The tinkle of his tags as he walks into a room. The sound of his nails on the tiles. The moan that he gives during a really good rub. The feel of his tongue trying to get a treat out of my fist. The softness of his fur. His cute little smile.

What a miracle that we found him.

 

the next fifty years

As I’m thinking of winding down my career and doing something – dare I say – that really interests me, I am thinking that this is the perfect opportunity to reinvent myself.

Well, I may not want to reinvent myself, but it is a nice feeling to think that I could if I wanted to.  I realize now that much of my sense of self has connected with my work.  Somehow I now feel like I have more control over who I am and more freedom to do what I want.  What a great feeling.

But with that comes a sense of responsibility.  I have a much higher expectation for my next fifty years, knowing that I’m not so heavily influenced my parents, friends, being concerned about what others thought of me, etc.

So, here’s the big question… how will I make the next fifty years really count?

 

the strange case of the missing fainting goats

Who could resist the vision of a 100 acre sustainable farm and gardens to roam at will? Especially with the promise of sheep, cows, and fainting goats.

The Glasbern Inn was just such a place. Only 1.5 hours north of West Chester in the Leighigh Valley. Several charming cottages in addition to the main barn and farm-house made for a lovely retreat. And the variety of vineyards on the nearby wine trail were an added bonus. A jazz concert in the barn of one of the wineries made for a perfect afternoon.

The only disappointment? No more fainting goats.

 

la dolce far niente

The sweetness of doing nothing. A skill I want to cultivate.

It typically hasn’t been easy for me to relax and do nothing. To just savor my surroundings, to completely engage with the person I’m with, or just to let my thoughts run free.

But I’m getting better at it. I see the appeal in it. I’m able to enjoy a weekend without a flurry of activities, or sit on the porch gazing over the vineyard without direction.

There is something very peaceful and rejuvenating about doing nothing. Strength training for the soul…