March 8--Nowadays they fry 'em up just like a donut

[zyzyly]

I'm sitting in the hospital cafeteria listening to three old guys taking about food. They have so far covered cinnamon rolls ("remember what they used to call them?"), roadside stands in San Francisco where they used to sell fresh crabs ("you'd see them as soon as you got off the bridge", and tamales ("they used to be round").

I went out walking after work yesterday and thought about how I was feeling. I realized I have been experiencing some depression. It always tends to sneak up on me. I remember one time looking out the window and realizing I hadn't watered the plants for a couple weeks. Usually it is the realization that I am depressed that takes me out of it.

I talked with Malida about it and she agreed that I haven't been myself lately. After we talked, I went into my office and tackled something I have been putting off and finished it. I guess I feel better.

I looked out the window yesterday and realized that Malida had pulled up my very healthy parsley plant. I asked her about it, and she said she thought it was a weed. She managed to leave all her weird asian herbs intact. Maybe it's my turn to garden.

Last night I finished the book I have been reading, The Years of Rice and Salt. The story starts in China in the year 1405, and ends in the present day about 20 minutes from where I am sitting, under a tree near the creek I hiked along over the winter break. I am considering what to read next. My Kindle is home charging in the meantime.

It is about time to start actively planning our trip to Thailand. We have already selected the dates, so the next step is to start shopping for plane tickets. It's been about 3 years since I have been there, and I am really looking forward to going back and seeing everyone.



The hands of a basket weaver, Tomtau Village, Thailand.

Those are the hands of the husband of Malida's grandma. Grandpa II, I guess. It reminds me that I need to start printing pictures to take back with me. One of my favorite things is finding the people I took pictures of and giving them the prints.

Those guys are still talking. They have since covered turkeys ("you can cook a 14-pounder in about 45 minutes"), raspberry jam ("I don't like raspberry jam"), and shrimp ("they on sale at the Save Mart"). Now I'm hungry.

Comments

[randomdreams]

Could you have his-and-hers gardens? We've grown (parsley, rosemary, sage) on the deck in containers.

[zyzyly]

We have his and hers gardens. This was in "his". I will probably replant in a container, as I have bigger plans for my box this year.

[ranunculus]

Great picture of the hands!

[zyzyly]

Thanks! He is one of my favorite subjects. Never smiles.

[ranunculus]

Tell him I appreciate hands that -do- something, smile or no.

[ocelot]

I am really curious to know what cinnamon rolls used to be called.

I'm in the middle of the Mars trilogy right now. Of course, this has been true for about the past 15 years. I gradually get through it, taking breaks and reading other stuff at the same time. Then I eventually finish, and decide that's it for a good while, but the something prompts me to pick it back up again. This time it was the simultaneous SpaceX landing.

I stood in line at the post office with Kim Stanley Robinson once. It was April 15th, the line was awful, and all I actually needed was a single stamp. But it ended up being worth it.

[zyzyly]

"Snails". That's what my mom called them too--the ones you would buy in the store in a package of 3. Raisin snails.

The only other book I read by Kim Stanley Robinson was one of a trilogy set in Southern California, and it didn't capture me, but I have thought about reading the Mars trilogy.

I too sometimes take years to finish certain books. I tried for years to get through Michener's The Tell, and finally just skipped the chapter I was stuck on and that did the trick.

That's cool--did you get to talk with him?

[ocelot]

I read the first book in the California series, and it really didn't do much for me, despite normally being into post-apocalyptic fiction and having grown up in Southern California. I haven't read the others.

His books are hit or miss for me. Clearly, something about the Mars series really works for me. The Years of Rice and Salt was the second book I read by him, and, while not my favorite overall, was what convinced me to give him a second chance after The Wild Shore. Science in the Capitol series was enjoyable, and I'm also in the middle of re-reading that. I finished Aurora and 2312 but didn't really enjoy them.

And yes, we did talk some. I'd been to a book signing shortly before that, and he actually recognized me before I noticed him. I couldn't tell you what we talked about, though. Probably pleasantries and "Gee, this line is long."

[zyzyly]

"I'm buying a stamp!"

[ranunculus]

Kim Stanley Robinson was one of Donald's great inspirations. Donald met him in a pub...

[ocelot]

Donald Trump?

If his political platform in any way resembled Kim Stanley Robinson's, I'd be all in favor of him, but I've yet to see any resemblance.

[ranunculus]

Very much NOT Donald Trump!
My Donald who doesn't look,act or think like Trump.

[ocelot]

Oh, ok! I was wondering!