Sunset

Snow and Flowers

4/27/02

It's hard to believe, but there was a dusting of snow when I woke up yesterday.  Gee, Toto, we're not in California any more.

Actually, it has been wonderful experiencing a nice East Coast spring again.  It's even more languid in New England than the New Jersey kind--starts later, and moves slower.  It is good to see dogwood and redbud again.  Our birdfeeder is a big hit--goldfinches that dazzle, and we have even had a cardinal.  I'd been telling Diana that she would remember the day she first saw a cardinal, and she did.  There's nothing like them in California.

And skunk cabbage, looking so vibrant.  Daffodils nodding and bobbing in the snow, as if agreeing with whatever the wind is saying.  Some very vivid images.

That being said, where have I been.  And why do I still have a CA picture at the head of this journal?

I've been really busy at work.  And really busy at home.  We bought an oriental rug.  They brought a bunch out to the house, and unfortunately most were too small, but the one that Diana loved was just the right size.  This rug was almost exactly twice the cost of the first new car I ever bought.  I just have to let go of thoughts like that, since it was long ago, and see it as something my grandchildren will enjoy.  Right now, it is something Diana and I are enjoying the heck out of.

She is really beginning to settle in here.  She's making some friends, and has been developing quite a flair as a cook.  As a hard-working single mom of two teenagers, the squawking used to begin the minute she walked into the house--feed me, feed me!.  That dinner was best that took the least amount of time.  Now, since she isn't working, she can start cooking earlier in the afternoon.

We first got signs of this with some exceptionally creative dishes involving leftovers.  Then some main dishes began to appear.  Last night a seafood creole.  I have been attracted to her latent creativity ever since I met her, and she used to have so few outlets for it.  I had hoped that her creativity would bloom out here when she got rid of her job from hell.  I just didn't think it would show up in food.  Yum.

Actually, she is beginning to get her legs under her as a decorator, as well.  A condition for her to buy the house was that the earth-blue-grey living room had to go.  It's now painted a wonderful off white with a hint of red.  Then the rug, and some drop-dead gorgeous curtains.  And everything fitting together wonderfully.  I'm delighted again.

So today it was hanging curtains.  And investigate the computer rot that seems to have claimed Diana's and Yson's computers.

I don't want to say too much about it for now, but I am totally loving my job.  A wonderful group of people, a great company whose values are very aligned with mine, interesting technical problems, and , coming soon, a chance to get into management.  Couldn't ask for more.

The CA picture--I can't find my digital camera!  I know it's in a safe place.  I've seen it since we moved in.  But I haven't a clue where it is.  A house scouring is going on this weekend anyway, so perhaps it will turn up...

Much more to talk about, including Patriots Day (a Mass. holiday, honoring Paul Revere and Lexington and Concord.).  Got to see some colonial re-enactors, complete with fifes, drums, and front-loading muskets.  And a wonderful visit by one of my CA friends (and she sent some Peets coffee after I reported it was one of the things I missed...).  Hope time permits doing more of this journaling in the next few weeks. 

Thank you for reading.

Copyright © 2002 Pete Stevens. All rights reserved.

BACK NEXT HOME