The Girl Who Learned To Kneel

For the week of September 7-13:

WHAT I’M READING: Eat, Pray, Love by Elizabeth Gilbert. Read the book and note the distinction she makes between the meditation she does at her Ashram in India, and her description of Vipassana. My dad has done two ten day Vipassana retreats—the really tough stuff—where you meditate for hours without moving a muscle. I have profound respect for that man! Personally, I am starting with 10 minutes, and making allowances for the odd scratch or limb adjustment.

WHAT SIMON’S READING: This is a category worth adding. Gives a sense of the balance (or lack thereof) emanating from our abode. Currently, Simon is doing a SECOND thorough reading of his beloved book on pH (The Ultimate pH Solution by Michelle Schoffro Cook), and apparently getting very pumped to make us recipes that will alkalize us like nobody’s business. I await the Tofu Scramble and Herb Spelt Bread with bated breath.

WHAT I’M WATCHING: The presidential speeches; my first episode of The Closer; those new high-fructose corn syrup commercials (sponsored by the corn industry) on Utube. We are not duped.

WHAT I’M LISTENING TO: A group of mothers at Peets talking about their children. Well, it’s actually one mother dominating the discussion as she sews sequins on a ballet costume. I feel I might actually vomit or do something hateful. Now she is standing on the table and showing off her jeans being held up by velcro (okay, she’s not actually standing ON the table, but it feels like she is). Apparently she can’t afford to send her children to baseball AND get her pants altered. This is what she is telling the group. Did I mention we’re sitting in Peets?

Oh, thank God. They’re leaving. All trudging off to their minivans.

WHAT I’M WEARING: A tanktop when I should be wearing a moomoo. Today a man stopped his truck and rolled down his window in the grocery store parking lot to exclaim: “Wow, you’re ready to pop!” Thank you, strange man for sharing your valuable opinion about my belly. I had forgotten that birth was a public event subject to public commentary!

WHAT I’M EATING: What Simon calls a ‘Tomatillo Party Wrap.’ His little creation after discovering tomatillos at the Riverside Farmer’s Market.

WHAT I WISH I WERE EATING: Well, though I partook of this delicacy yesterday afternoon, it’s something I could eat over and over and, in fact, SHOULD eat over and over. Indeed. French toast with my mail order Sourdough Farmer’s bread. Incredible. Simon was equally delighted.

WHAT I’M SNIFFING: My sandy towel at Topanga Beach. Made me feel like I was camping in Ontario for a moment. The smell of tenting and its surrounding leisure!