Killing the Bay

I was surprised that C had our linens come out so brilliantly white. "You just gotta be toxic sometimes," C said knowingly. I guess my environmental years of avoiding bleach are over.

Salamander Census

Today I lifted a paving stone only to find a family of crickets, a slug, and a sleepy salamander cohabiting underneath. It looked quite cozy. Well- maybe the salamander is known to snack on a few crickets now and then. But I am now inspired to design the perfect salamander living quarters from all my paving stones.

Memories of Soonchun

My mother told me that when she was a little girl, she used to go with her mother to the yarn store in the fall. Walls crammed with yarns of so many colors, such stores no longer exist. My grandma would pick out the yarn for the year to take to the knitters store. Back then, machine knit sweaters were more expensive than hand knit so grandma would order machine knit sweaters for the entire Cho clan.

Indian Rock Picnic

Starting the day right with steak and eggs with a few capers from Aeolian Islands, Clees and I huffed and puffed up to Indian Rock. Actually Clees leisurely pedaled while I had a heart attack. A strenuous cycle is all worth it when you have a basket filled with MT TAM triple cream, last of the autumn figs, and some obligatory almonds and dried cherries. I brewed some cocoa with hazelnut milk. Berkeley living is easy living.

Academy of Sciences

Miss Sof who had sadly moved away last year to join her family in O.C. came back to us for a visit. So we tripped out on watching fishes at the newly renovated Academy of Science.

Slow Food Nation

These whimsical creatures were the most wonderful part of Slow Food Nation. I wanted to stuff this sheepish lobster under my shirt and take it home with me. Don't worry little lobster, I won't eat you.

I don't want to recount my general disappointment. Ironically a woman at the cheese line told me to hurry it up because there was only a half hour to run around before it all ends. Waiting in long long lines for very small bits of not entirely the best food I've had made me wish I should have donated money to Oxfam instead.

Isle of Man

One of the loveliest places I've gone, I went expecting the most boring few days full of mutton and bad moustaches. I have never been so unexpected enchanted. The beauty of the island and the sleepy farms- Clees briefly had moments of seeing himself a Manx sheep farmer. I was yukking up all the modes of transport- steam train, various electric trains, horse tram, bus, taxi.

Seven Treasures from the Sea

My neighbor Larry made us a most delicious dinner with the bounty from his recent gardening efforts. The menu started with house-cured anchovies and bacalao y papa, then a second appetizer course of crab cake and a calamari salad with home grown baby zukes so buttery, one wonders how a squash can taste so rich. The main course was scallops, shrimp, baby octupus, and sesame encrusted Ahi tuna. The dessert- home made oreos with mascarpone filling. I love Larry!

good bye long strands

My husband's bike buddy k-dog has long soft jesus hair. He has been talking about the unthinkable recently. He said normally when he has dreams about his tresses being cut, he feels terrible. But last week- he dreamt that he felled his locks and became a handsome Irish guy. He was alright with that. It must be time.

C and I started yoga classes at the Berkeley Y. Our instructor with super buns is all about bringing joy out from our hearts. The first class, she sang a Sanskrit song. Yesterday she brought a bell for ringing during our corpse pose. Even though I giggled a few, the yoga worked it's magic on me.