I am trying to eat more beans. Recently, I ruined a pot by over salting. Today, I’ve cooked the beans to mush. Still learning.
Wednesday, November 13, 2024 →
The red fox nabbed one of our hens today. I ran outside, fox dropped chicken, neck was broken and it died shortly after. I buried it in the woods and locked the three remaining hens inside the coop.
Wednesday, November 13, 2024 →
While we were driving through the vineyards of Napa Valley last week, I told Erin that I expected the Republicans to quickly propose a constitutional amendment to allow Trump to run for a third term. Wouldn’t you know it, today’s headline says Trump is already joking about another term. #madness
From Napa to Sacramento to Pt. Reyes National Seashore and across the Golden Gate Bridge to San Francisco, this has been a fun week away. So good to see our daughter, Anna. We were mesmerized by beauty of the land and sea but also horrified by the misery of the homeless. Headed home now.
Most Saturdays I visit the Carborro Farmers Market (North Carolina). Today I am on the other side of rhe country at the Davis Farmers Market (California).
In a surreal bit of timing, I’ve spent the last few days in Napa Valley. While my present state of mindfulness is bliss - a serene inn with Bouchon Bakery croissants at the door each morning, good wine, perfect weather, time with Erin - I feel a lingering worry for the future. #rested&ready
It’s been a busy few days with family visiting from Austin, Wilmington (NC), and Rhode Island. Today we went to the food truck rodeo at Durham Central Park. Beautiful day, fun times, good food and drinks. Last night was dinner at Acme in Carrboro. Tonight a show at Cat’s Cradle.
Just registered for the Uwharrie Mountain Run (Feb. 1, 2025). I’ll run the 8-mile race this time around. Previously I did the 20 and 8, and both times it was cold!
Walk To Vote
Sunday, October 27, 2024
Microcast from Carrboro Town Plaza just after I cast my ballot. Transcript
Josh Ritter is out with a surprise mini-album, ‘Heaven, or Someplace as Nice’ and he sent a special vinyl pressing to 21 record stores across the country. See list [here](mini-album ‘Heaven, or Someplace as Nice’). I’d love to visit these on my travels, but how to bring home records safely?
When they fall
Tuesday, October 15, 2024
Today’s news cycle has included quite a few articles (like this from WaPo) about the Trump rally that was interrupted as a couple of attendees passed out. The reports focus on the seemingly bizarre behavior of the candidate, who played deejay and “swayed and bopped” on stage for nearly 45 minutes. I’m quite against Trump and the Republican Party this election, but I didn’t immediately smirk at this. Something that happened near me recently made me pause and consider the room, so to speak.
Yesterday I finished reading If You Can’t Take the Heat by Michael Ruhlman. Today I wrote a blog post about how much I enjoyed this teen/YA novel and why I liked the Cleveland references. 📚
More enjoyable live music this weekend at Cat’s Cradle: First the energetic reggae-jam-rock collective The Hourglass Kids (with the frenetic Appalachian thrashers Bongfoot) Friday, then the young brother-sister group The Wildmans (with Appalachian Americana singer Dori Freeman Saturday.
Toast to Mereva
Thursday, October 10, 2024
Right about now, on the other side of the planet from where I’m sitting (Chapel Hill, North Carolina, U.S.A.), Mereva Timante is getting married in Port Vila, the capital of the Republic of Vanuatu. Mereva was just a small child of 2 when Erin and I arrived on the island of Paama as U.S. Peace Corps Volunteers in 1997. Her father and mother, Noel and Leah, hosted us during the two-month training period and then, when we returned to Liro Village as our assignment, they became our constant friends and teachers.
That fun wine tasting the other night? Turns out to have been a Covid spreading session, too. At least 4 people, including my wife, got the virus. I’ve got the slightest of sore throats, so maybe I have it, too, though I did get the flu shot yesterday so my immune system might be a bit confused.
For dinner tonight, I made Peppers Stuffed with Feta (Piperies Gemistes me Feta), one of my favorite recipes from the once-great Saveur Magazine. I used poblano peppers from Carrboro Farmers Market.
Found what I wanted at the Carrboro Farmers Market this morning - roselle calyxes. Will make syrup today and family will enjoy it in seltzer throughout the winter.
Whoa, my new batch of hot sauce is good, sweet and quite hot. I just tasted it and developed hiccups.
Played soccer this morning. Now watching soccer as I make another batch of hot sauce - in the garage so house doesn’t fill with fumes. Later I will walk the annual Carrboro Music Festival.
There’s a member of Micro.blog community that I would like to contact for help on something sensitive regarding a family member in his city. I can’t find a direct way via the web (i.e., no email and I’m not on Facebook). I don’t think M.b has a ‘direct message’ feature. Do I have options?