What I'm Listening To

This week, I put together a compilation of a dozen or so new (or new-to-me) songs, and it came together pretty quickly. Listening to through it again this evening, I stopped to reflect on why each one was appealing and why I likely included it; here are a few thoughts:

1. Valentino, Diane Birch. Its quirky and upbeat arrangement contrasts with its lyrics of longing.
2. You are the Best Thing, Ray LaMontagne. Oh, those opening horns! 'Nuff said.
3. Good Enough, Girlyman. The group's harmonies are always stunning, but a few lines of this song always give me goosebumps: "No one makes the rules you see/ You are in charge of destiny" and later "Here's my existence / Put it on a shelf". Powerful.
4. Little Plastic Castle, Ani Difranco. I can entirely relate to this line..."They say goldfish have no memory / I think their lives are much like mine / And the little plastic castle is a surprise every time." The surprise of constantly (re-)discovering a mundane fixture in one's existence is somehow appealing.
5. Sky, Joshua Radin. One of my newer finds, artist-wise, and I'm really digging him. I'm still processing the overall storyline of this song's lyrics, but this particular couplet appeals to me "This is the way I need to wake / I wake to you." I love the intimacy of this image.

Perhaps I'll dive into the remaining songs later...

All for now.
~A

Spreading Joy

The traffic on Route 3 North this evening was slow enough that I could crack the window open enough for Jake to stick his head out. He stood up on the arm rest, leaned against the still-showing part of the window pane, his ears laid back against his head, his eyes squinty, and his nose going a mile a minute. It was obvious it provided him joy.

And tonight, the joy was contagious. I noticed three separate drivers pass by, look at Jake, and drive by with smiles. I smiled to see them smile, and perhaps that little spark of joy was carried forward in other ways.

First Ride

Today, I took my first good, long ride on my bike for this season. I'd been out a time or two prior, but those rides brief and intended to feel out adjustments.

This ride started and ended at Breakneck Hill Farm, and wound past Hopkinton State Park and included a quick stop at Baypath Humane Society. All told, I logged about 10 miles in the saddle today -- not bad for a first ride! The bike felt pretty good; the one exception being the bars, which began to make my shoulder blades ache in the last two miles or so.

As I've reflected on the experience today, I've realized I missed probably 80% of the scenery through which I was riding. But I have keen memories of working through the mechanics of the bike and my body -- shifting, balancing, spinning, breathing, and pushing through muscle burn. With time, practice, and repetition, I expect that experience to flip-flop.

It helped, too, to have a companion on the ride. J knew the route, and coached me through what was coming next, talked me through how to attack a certain hill, and just plain encouraged me by being there by my side.

I look forward to the next ride and the next adventure. But it might need to be in a few days -- I have some aching muscles that need to recover before I think I can hop back on the bike and enjoy it as much as I did today...

Poem: Rambling

The afternoon is alive
With birds, bees, and spring's first blooms
My companion and I wander
Drunk and delirious in a cool forest dell
The seductive scent of honeysuckle
Triggering morsels of memories
In sudden succession
As quickly as they've come
They flee from thought
And I return to rambling.

--ACP 5/8/09

Sunset from 37,000 feet

I took this en route from Manchester, NH, to Baltimore, MD, to visit a dear friend.

Sunsets are often romanticized, but they sure do disappear quickly. The captain called the passengers' attention to the sunset when it was about 1/2 way down. By the time I got out my iPhone, turned it on, and got to the Camera app, it was at this state -- just barely peeking over the horizon. I experienced the same thing in Mexico last summer, watching the sun set over the ocean.

It's beautiful nonetheless, though fleeting.

Today was an OK day after all

Yesterday, I was down. Probably a 4 out of ten, and today I was emotionally a 5. But reflecting on the day, there were things that happened, or didn't as the case may be, that colored it in a positive way. For example:

1. My car was NOT stolen from the employee parking lot for the second day in a row. That's a good thing, in my opinion.

2. I received no email, or other written communication, that contained an interrobang (?!). That, too, is a good thing. Especially after yesterday...

3. There was no call from doggie day care pointing out - again - the rash my dog has on his underbelly. Which I've been treating aggressively with pills, creams, shots, and special food for the last 4 years.

4. I ate both fruit and vegetables today. (And, no, I'm not counting ketchup as a vegetable.)

5. I spent exactly $6.35. Seems like just a little bit of money compared to my recent shopping excursions, so I feel like I'm getting back to normal from a spending perspective after my move.

6. I explored a new way home -- without a map. Only had to turn around once, and I found the Melting Pot along the way. It's really not that far from my apartment. Bonus!

7. I decided what to get a friend for their birthday. And I feel good about the decision.

Not an extraordinary day, but overall not too bad...

Birthday Diary

The Morning
My actual birth "moment" passed unacknowledged, at 1:25 this morning. But for the true start of my birthday, I woke to the tweets of two birds calling and responding to one another. It wasn't the cacophony of true spring, but rather a premonition of the season ahead.

Jake jumped on the bed when he heard me starting to stir and curled up next to me. He promptly started to snore in his signature doggy style (which is a half-growl, half-nasal wheezing). We cuddled for a few, then I rolled out of bed and began to crack open the mini blinds.

Everything is grey. The outside thermometer reads 41 degrees, tolerable but not inviting. I suited up to take Jake for his walk and was greeted with cold, sharp, tiny yet light drops of rain the moment we stepped out. It didn't stop us from walking the full way around the neighborhood, probably a half hour walk roundtrip. About three-quarters of the way into it, though, my nose was running and my lips were numb, and Jake had started to slow his walk. It seemed like we might never get back into the warmth of the apartment. I admit, that's rather dramatic, but it sure felt cold and raw and as though I'd rather be anywhere than there.

When we got back, I made Jake wait in the hall while I grabbed a towel. He wasn't happy about that -- both waiting in the hall and being dried off, but he stood patiently enough and was rewarded with breakfast. He's now snoozing in his bed, happy as a clam.

Then breakfast for me -- a Bays English Muffin, introduced to me by a kindred spirit, and now a regular part of my routine. That kindred spirit and I connected with a quick chat, in fact, as I enjoyed my breakfast. That's always re-energizing, and has reset my morning on a more positive note.

Now it's time to get moving, as I've a busy day ahead. Off to the shower. More later...


Mid-Morning
After getting ready, I shuffled Jake into the car, and off we went to the groomer's. He was the first one in there, but as we were checking in, two cats also arrived. Yowling something fierce. Poor Jake was overwhelmed by being their and the raucous, and to top it off, the groomer assessed him as matted (which isn't true) so who knows, he may come out of this shaved...

I hopped over to Target and spent an hour there wandering around. Looked at a lot of things -- some interesting vases and potpourri for decorating, some put-it-together-yourself furniture (TV console and bookcase), some baby things for my niece, various kitchen things, and more. While I was there, I got two Happy Birthday texts. Struck me as odd, frankly, especially since I'd expect one of those greetings to have been a phone call. But the text allows "send and forget" without the obligation of engaging in conversation. I could go on and on about that, but won't.

Despite contemplating spending hundreds of dollars on stuff I frankly didn't really even need, I walked away having bought three items: a lightweight stockpot (so I can cook Beef Burgundy in my cast iron pot and make mashed potatoes as an accompaniment for the party I'm hosting later with my family), 4 plastic cups (sadly, made in China), and a 3-piece outfit for my 6-month-old niece, Haley.

Pulling into my parking spot at the apartment, I dialed my former mother-in-law's number. She and I share the same birthday (or rather, I was born on her birthday...), and despite how our relationship has changed this past year, I felt it was the right thing to do to call and wish her happy birthday. I expected to get the machine, having been told she'd be at the casino celebrating. That was not the case and I got her live. It's hard to explain the shock and surprise I heard in her voice, and I got the impression she wasn't planning a similar type of outreach to me. I deliberately drove the conversation -- happy birthday, how are you? how are you celebrating today (since you appear to be home...), how was your birthday dinner last night? and so on. It was civil enough, but I didn't want to linger. That I made the call at all is a big step for me.

That behind me, I sprinted from my car to my building. It's raining in earnest, now, dripping from the eaves and puddling on the pavement. My task now is to pick up my apartment, vacuum and clean, and prep for dinner. The Beef Burgundy recipe is one handed down to me by my mother, and something I know everyone in the family will eat. It is my first time making it, though, so we'll see how that goes. I'm serving mashed potatoes (as I mentioned) and fresh green beans with it to round out the meal. I have biscuits I can throw in the oven if needed, and my mother's bringing the Carvel ice cream cake I requested. The only thing I don't have for the party is balloons...

The neighbors above are stomping around and talking now, so I guess it's safe to vacuum.

The Afternoon
After vacuuming and cleaning the bathroom and kitchen, most of the afternoon was spent preparing dinner. I have to say there's nothing wrong with a recipe that starts with 6 slices of bacon, as the Beef Burgundy recipe does. I used my green cast iron pot, which I just adore, and found the process of making this beef stew-like dish calming and rewarding. The steps were simple and straightforward, and the timing between them allowed me to be deliberate about each one, so I wasn't rushing between steps. I also managed to nosh on some bread and cheese during the process, which served as my lunch.

I only had to make one phone call to my mom to clarify a step in the recipe, and only made one in-process trip to the store (for more onions). As anyone who cooks regularly can attest, you cannot underestimate the value of a good, sharp knife. I'll need to upgrade mine in the not-too-distant future, likely. They're passable for the moment, however.

Prepping and cooking took me straight through the afternoon, and I zipped out quickly to pick up Jake from the groomers. They put a blue bow in his hair, poor guy. He smells good now, and happily, he emerged unshaven.

Then, the family arrived and the standard chaos ensued.

Everyone seemed to enjoy themselves and ate well. We played Cranium after dinner, though I think people were just humoring me as the birthday girl. We abandoned the formal roll-and-move-around-the-board approach for a more impromptu approach of passing the "Star Performer" cards around the table.

The Evening
I helped pack everyone up just about a half hour ago, and set to finishing up the dishes, most of which fit in the dishwasher. I put on some tunes (Dave Matthews, "Everyday" album) and sat down to finish up this post.

Reflecting back on the day, I anticipated what I'd need to do to keep my spirits up and feel I was successful with that. There are probably a handful of things I'd have liked to have been different, so overall, I'd say it was a happy birthday.

Here's to another year older, another year wiser, and another year happier.