I love making my lunch out of my front yard. My lunch salad today has lettuce, french sorrel, two kinds of arugula, kale, russian red spinach, a little cilantro, lots of sugar snap peas, a little basil, and a bit of radish - all from my front yard, just two steps from my door.

And I have a small bag of autumn olives - the trees around the common house are loaded with sweet ripe berries now. Lunch heaven. And I had the sugar snap peas for breakfast too, mmm. They're all coming "ripe" at once.

Had rice milk again this morning with my WeetBix. I've developed a scary obsession with those delightful breakfast biscuits. There's something so enticing about soggy WeetBix in ice cold soymilk that not even chocolate can provide. No sarcasm there; honestly, it's such a delicious thing.

And how are your mornings going, hmm?

I need to dig up some of the mint which has spread even further and get it into pots for giving to people, and also plant my apple pips into little dessert pots which I collected. I am definitely learning the whole "never throw it away - it can be used for seedlings" thing now!

In other news, I've made my first test batch of catnip bug repellent. It's apparently 10 times stronger than deet at repelling mosquitos. In 2 weeks or so, we shall see!

I wonder tho, how much rum should I put into 1/3 cup of the stuff for a spray bottle? And will Malibu mango rum work? It's all I have..

I'm.. sunburnt? That's what I heard people call it at least. Maybe heading out to the beach wasn't a good idea. :-(

I love soft rainy days...the way the water mists down and leaves everything slightly damp and fragrant, how it gives the light such softened, gentle edges, the musical sound of the individual drops sprinkling the pavement. And they always feel like some kind of alternate time...like the weather is encouraging everyone to stay inside and enjoy their creature comforts, just relax and be at peace.

I was not indecisive with the cobbler I made today--my first ever and I made up the recipe! Strawberry, mango, cinnamon with cinnamon biscuit topping. It was a little too juicy, but the biscuit topping soaked up the fruity sweet goodness. Hooray for desserts! And awesome people to share them with.

Today's salad- fresh herb salad mix, pea shoots, chickpeas, half an avocado, some diced cucumber, half an heirloom tomato, fresh mint leaves, shiitake vinaigrette, black pepper and a diced scallion. Yum!

I also have biscotti.

Where has it been all my life???

It is this wonderful almond cookie thing slathered in a chocolate shell and sprinkled with more almond. Mmmnhg. It's sweet and crunchy and firm right up until it's dunked in the also wonderful cinnamon spice coffee and then it becomes fluffy and decadent.

I need to bring some of these to Despair. They would cheer her right up.

THE BASICS

Name: Death.
Age: I've been around a few centuries, anyway.
Gender: female.
Likes: long walks in the moonlight, being barefoot in the grass, floppy hats and anything tasty or lovely to smell!
Dislikes: mean people.
Strengths: well, I'm omniscient when I choose to be, but I find it so limiting.
Weaknesses: like all creatures I too will eventually die, of course.

THIS OR THAT
(Please provide a short explanation as well)

Optimistic or pessimistic? Oh, optimisitic, I'd say. I mean, inevitably, no matter how much people shy away from me, I meet them all eventually anyway.
Leader or follower? Obviously I'm what follows everything else.
Introvert or extrovert? Bit of both?
Mature or immature? Whereas I'm far from childhood, I find it's important to keep some childlike wonder about things.
Violent or peaceful? I'm the peace that comes after whatever violent act might have ended you.
Selfish or altruistic? Neither, really, I just am.
Rude or polite? Depends how you treat me.

JUMP DOWN THE HOLE

How do you present yourself in the company of friends? Whereas most people are pretty shocked to see me, I try to make them comfortable for what's coming next.
And in the company of your enemies? If you cross me I am what so many assume I am- the worst thing that could ever happen to you.
And what about the company of strangers? No one is really a stranger to me. I've met them all at least once, and I will meet them all again.
How do you react to people insulting your beliefs (your faith or your opinions in general)? Whereas I do get people occasionally saying they don't believe in me, I most assuredly believe in them.
And people insulting your loved ones? I'm loyal to those I spend the most time with, yes.
And what about people insulting you? I try not to be overly vindictive if I can help it. After all, now as you've met me what worse could possibly happen to you?
Are you better at coping with physical or mental pain? Physical. Physical wounds heal faster.
Are you better at defending yourself physically or verbally? Neither, really. I'm not really put here to fight with.
Do you prefer to assault people physically or verbally? I don't tend to assault anyone.

×÷·.·´¯`·)»that movie meme
1. Pick n of your favorite movies.
2. Go to IMDb and find a quote from each movie.
3. Post them here for everyone to guess.
4. Fill in the film title once it's guessed.
5. NO GOOGLING/using IMDb search functions!

Right. and off you go..

a.)Stay awake, don't rest your head. Don't lie down upon your bed. While the moon drifts in the skies... Stay awake, don't close your eyes. Though the world is fast asleep, though your pillow's soft and deep, you're not sleepy as you seem; stay awake, don't nod and dream... Stay awake... don't nod... and... dream.
b.)Vice, Virtue. It's best not to be too moral. You cheat yourself out of too much *life*. Aim above morality. If you apply that to life, then you're bound to live life fully.
c.)Eckhart saw Hell too. He said: The only thing that burns in Hell is the part of you that won't let go of life, your memories, your attachments. They burn them all away. But they're not punishing you, he said. They're freeing your soul. So, if you're frightened of dying and... and you're holding on, you'll see devils tearing your life away. But if you've made your peace, then the devils are really angels, freeing you from the earth.
d.)You know, I used to be in the music business, but now I'm what you might call retired. It's a refined name for bum.
e.)I am a loner, a crazy wide eyed loner on a doomed mission to Venus to battle with the 3 headed mega beast but on the way I caught cornflakes disease.
f.)-What the hell is wrong with freedom? That's what it's all about.
- Oh, yeah, that's right. That's what's it's all about, all right. But talkin' about it and bein' it, that's two different things. I mean, it's real hard to be free when you are bought and sold in the marketplace. Of course, don't ever tell anybody that they're not free, 'cause then they're gonna get real busy killin' and maimin' to prove to you that they are. Oh, yeah, they're gonna talk to you, and talk to you, and talk to you about individual freedom. But they see a free individual, it's gonna scare 'em.
g.)Back where I come from there are men who do nothing all day but good deeds. They are called phila... er, phila... er, yes, er, Good Deed Doers.
h.)Over the years, I came to know a great many grownups. My opinion of them never improved. In time, I stopped showing my drawing, and never again mentioned boa constrictors, elephants, or stars - instead, I would talk about golf, money, politics, and neckties, and everyone was pleased to have met such a sensible man.
i.)She used to go to this playground. See, they made an area in the park. Gave 'em money for swings, and little wooden animals, and there are these plaques on the sides of the swing, bottom of the horse: 'From Alice's mom and dad. In Memory of Alice, who used to play here'. And of course, Alice goes back there all the time. And when you see the parents take their child from the swing, and see the sign... They hold on to their son and daughter, so tightly, clinging on for dear life. And yet... The capacity that people have to love... Where does it go?
j.)I only distribute pigs to early risers, and Fern was up at daylight trying to rid the world of injustice.

Hey! Did you know that it's Beautiful Women Month? Well, it is and that means you, ladies!!! ♥

Also, Passover starts tomorrow night
I'd like to wish anyone who celebrates it ZISN PESACH! :-)


As for myself.. I cannot concentrate for the life of me! I'm just thinking about sushi.. I should have a nice Bento for lunch.

I promised myself I'd start thinking about meaningful things now and again and posting on them, and my reflection of the day was this- I hate that I have a lack of hate sometimes.

My hate is transient at best it seems. I get fair miffed at someone for something, have a good yell at them for it- I like to think I'm fairly forward in this, after all, and then, having doneso it's just sunshine and flowers again. Is this right? There's so much injustice and things to focus upon and be annoyed about, but they rarely effect me. Once I have filled my quota of hate, I seem unable to hate again for a time.

I hate that.

I'm acutely aware of being strange for doing the things I like to do. I like to take aimless walks late at night, and just look at the small details of what's around me. I stop for birds. I pick up pennies when I find them. I stare at things for long periods of time, just because there is so much to see.

I'm always glad when I have time to go to the bookstore all by myself and
spend as long as I want looking around without having to keep an eye on or listen out for anyone but myself. Pure heaven, I tell you.

Anyway, I did my usual and hit the bargain books section, and I picked up three coffee table books, one of famous English gardens, one of Japanese
prints, and one about the culture and history of tea.

Oh, you didn't know? Tea has quite the long and fasinating history.

Isn't he just the most precious thing???

Now that's odd..

{{..aand I'll pick up pings later. ;-)}}