Stopping to Smell Roses

I realize that a lot of my posts are wither about my day job or my days off and maybe not so much about printing or new ideas or the piles of fun wonders I have been creating.  Winter is for hibernating but I can't seem to get  up to full excitement speed.  I've been a little bit sick, very tired and working a lot at something that isn't my love.  That's just what I am doing for now.  How do I combat the lethargy that comes with being tired and sick? All the good ways: walking, small adventures, and remembering to take care of myself.

That's why you get a lot of photos of days off in the park.  You can't work all the time, no matter how much you love what you do. You still need rest and fuel.  Today I took a break from designing the new postcard to go fro a walk at the Oakland Rose Garden.  And what timing! Everything is in bloom (except one poor plant, misnamed "eternity").   I went to the rose garden last year for the first time, but foolishly rode up and over many hills to arrive.  It is tucked on the backside of a hill, in a secret little valley.  It is small and though the flowers are amazing, the whole park is under maintained and a little wild.  All of which makes it the perfect walking spot on an April afternoon.

Things are happening. Our garden is in a state of indecision as we prepare to find a new living space in Oakland. Plans for summer are made.  Maybe I will stop picking up extra shifts and finally make Eric's book and Janet's business cards.  I have been working on things I am not ready to share but maybe that will change.  Meanwhile I have big plans for 3 kinds of pizza this weekend for friends coming to visit this weekend on tour.  And I have been receiving many postcards from y'all and new subscribers, so thanks everyone! I better get to work!

This was my favorite, the Audrey Hepburn

Day Off

Luckily I have a smart sweetie who knows a good opportunity and convinces me to go to the country with our friends instead of trying to print next month's postcard when the printshop is closed anyway. So off we go, somehow only 70 miles from Oakland, there are levees and endless farmland where our friend has a small farm. She invited us there with a bunch of others for pumpkin picking and food and pie tasting and music. I helped sell squash and pumpkin and, in return, came home with a giant soup pumpkin, a jack-o-lantern-to-be and a belly full of pie. Who knew acorn squash pie is so good?

Andy wandered around the farm and took these great photos. As the sun went down, tired and wine-happy, we reluctantly got back in the car to drive to the city to our house which is finally officially well-stocked with food. Now if only I wasn't too tired to cook all week. Though I have 3 part-time jobs, they equal full-time work plus commuting. And this sinus sickness won't let go. But I have my three favorite postcards cheering me on and tonight, we might try and run the Vandercook in our garage.

On Top of the World

Last week I attended my final classes, wrote papers, took the tests, all with a bit of detachment. I knew it was almost over. I attended my final presentation, got mysepf a bike and climbed the 250 stairs to the top of the duomo. Italian students seem to have numerous superstitions about graduating and one prevents your from ascending anything where the view might be lovely. My diploma isn't coming for months, but I felt like I could at least visit the weirdest view in Milan. I brought some wine and sunglasses and enjoyed every moment. I hope it is this nice in July because I am going again, These photos do not begin to describe the awesome.

Florence, part I

I had two days off of school this week so I took the train to Florence to visit some of my art history lessons. I went two years ago, but this time there were no crowds, no heat, and short lines. It was supposed to rain, but it held off for 2 days while I walked up and down hills at the edge of town and sat for a long time on ledges overlooking tuscan hills that are famous for a reason.



On the second day, I waited at a bus stop while ominous clouds formed overhead. I stepped on the bus and it began to pour. The bus sped through the city center and then up the backside of a hill, up a twisty road lined with glittery wet trees and huge fancy houses. It dropped me off in front of a beautiful church. The clouds were clearing, the sun was setting and lights turned on all over Florence. I sat inside the church to listen to vespers sung by Benedictine Monks before walking home in the dark.

Che bella luce!

My third day in Milan I slept in a little. It stopped snowing and the sun was out. I stopped in the park near my apartment to check on its post-snow progress. It was covered and quiet and lovely.



I had planned on running errands for school, getting permits and passes and such but I forgot my passport at home. After navigating the Italian university cafeteria (wine as a fountain drink!) and a necessary post-meal coffee, I accepted the sun and relatively warm weather as a gift, busted out the map and walked to the duomo.



Maybe I don’t mind the snow because it is not as cold as it could be. There is no ice and the sun was out. By the time I got the duomo, it was mid-afternoon and the light was lovely. The snow stuck to the many outcroppings on the building, on outstretched arms of saints, and to tree branches.



I walked around the Galleria, window shopping, bought a book in English and Italian, felt so smart for navigating it all in Italian. The sun was going down, the moon was coming out. I passed the public gardens, the moon was coming out. I walked until it was almost dark, stopping at a sleek bar for a drink and snacks. By then, the long walk and lovely light had its toll. I am not sure what I was saying to the waiter, but immediately an English-speaking waitress helped, gave me the “house special” and I sat myself, embarrassed. But the best thing about embarrassing yourself in front of strangers is, well, they are strangers. And I may never see them again. So I sat at a table near the window, watched the last of the day’s light disappear between the buildings, and took the subway home.

Shhh...don't tell

A friend recently told me they almost miss Baton Rouge sometimes. Some days, its all right here. Friday I was riding to work when I heard music so loud I thought I was missing a block party. Which I was, apparently. At the city bus station. Which is danger of losing lots of money from the city due to some short-sighted budgeting. (Who cuts weekend and night service while trying to make the city more viable and expand business?!). Bus drivers and riders were bustin' it out at lunchtime on a Friday. And when I got to work, these flowers greeted me.

Sweet!

Perhaps you've noticed that a few of my posts are about food. I really like to eat. When I have time, I like to cook, too. This summer, it was too hot to bake a birthday cake in July so I waited until yesterday. This being Louisiana, it was still too hot and humid for the fudge icing to set and the amazing vegan marshmallows kept attempting escape. We brought a big slice up to the garden plot, weeded, planted more lettuce and cucumber, and snacked on sweets as the moon came up.