the day reads success

first class yesterday - excellent!
archery today
my lost soul looking for more apartments
full service library card thanks to post card via lizzy youle

one of those days

the weather is erratic here. i don't know how i feel about it yet. 30 minutes of pure sunshine today, sandwiched by torrential rain.

i didn't really feel like looking at an apartment today but i motivated myself to anyway. it wasn't anything i was crazy about, but the women were nice and served apple cider to their 15 minute increment interviewees (a few hours of these, they said). i think drinking that apple cider was the best part of my day. it reminded me of new england - hot apple cider with cider donuts.

the present is really strange - to have to tell so many people about the same things that constitute my weekly, daily, overall schedule/me. i'm exhausted of expressing myself singularly and exhausted of apt. searching. looking at one more place tomorrow. i feel grumpy!

on a lighter note, i made an eggplant moroccan stew- the secret ingredient is bittersweet paprika. it is excellent w. herbed quinoa.

my photo endeavors feel a little bit put aside as i try to align all these living logistics. but it'll start coming because i've got the research down. i found a number of volunteer positions i'd love to participate in and i signed up for a plant taxonomy field class. a plant nutrition class is my back up plan. either way, i think it's a good idea that i try to grow my own seeds to have a better understanding of plant propagration

beyond my human beginning

1. father said, when you exhale, say goodbye. when you inhale, say thank you.

2. exhaling to speak is a dying breath.

3. every wise child is sad.

4. by home, do you mean where we start or where we live?


ah, the world to it's very depth is kindred to the human spirit; things i have been doing:

writing about new ideas
re-diving into poetry
being bummed that financial journalist bob sullivan has not replied to my email
re-thinking old ideas

japanese blood grass (turns blood red closer and closer to fall) and knotted germander and santolina


a 13 yr old weeping katsura tree

a nicely pruned japanese maple tree!

when i left this morning for a fruit tree pruning seminar, my sister was getting ready for her garage sale/haiti fundraiser. upon coming home, i noticed many things i had been looking for laid out on a rug!! slightly resentful but mostly thankful, this return of old things diffused my inkling to shop.

seminar was great!!! i know so many things about pruning that i did not know before. i met a woman who told me about the merritt horticultural landscaping program in oakland. i wonder if it is a good program? and beyond the fundamental courses they have specialty courses. the ones in aesthetic pruning look awesome!!

a little later i came upon this amazing woman, yuki! just read it, not only is she only a remarkable pruner (look at her before and after photos), but she does indian classical dance too (and apparently bass for 15 yrs)! im swooning!

anyway, the area surrounding the berkeley horticulture nursery is really sweet. bakery next to fish shop next to cheese shop next to coffee shop- your speciality block. i am really excited to see more of the east bay.

tomorrow includes:

flora grubb nursery
chinese dumpling cook off

today:
sam g and john w
making cookies for haiti fundraiser/garage sale

I just wrote to Bob Sullivan. I hope he writes back!!

88 days until health insurance!

today we baked off absinthe cigars, double chocolate chip cookies, saffron cookies, and rosemary pine nut short bread. everything tastes so good. the barista ladies made me a decaf soy dainty ole- also sooo good, 80% soy milk, 20% coffee.

and i just realized i can deduct cookbooks and sweet baking ware from my taxes!

jenness came in today, an old friend from hs. in may she is moving to (ah, i can't remember the name), but she is starting up a farm with her boyfriend. they want to have goats to birth goats. i can't wait to see their tiny cabin. she says its beautiful and i totally believe her. plus i have total respect of HOMESTEADS.

am homesick for los angeles, oy the weather! three months of that amazing sun and i am totally spoiled.

super sweet:
fruit tree pruning seminar in berkeley this weekend
experiments w compotes

yes, yes, yes!

vertical gardens!!!

just made a 17 bean and barley soup- totally necessary in this weather


first day of work! really good!