laundry the world over

I love seeing laundry hanging outside.

It is an intimate look inside daily life that would otherwise be hidden. Hanging my clothes on the line is one of my simplest pleasures - summer and winter (it was my job when I was a kid). It is a [very effective!) act of resistance to the soul sucking force of modern convenience. You don't have to fire up the nuclear power plant or drown a thousand acres to dry your clothes. The mother of all nuclear power producers, unconditionally and unlimitedly offered to us!

But I have to admit that my soul's satisfaction comes from the colors, shapes and textures that the wind sets to dancing right there in my back yard.

Lev sent this from Morocco, a glimpse into a Berber family's life he saw while passing by on a bus. You'll need to click on the picture to make it big enough to see.

Here's my laundry today on a glorious spring day here in Chico, CA. Isn't it lovely?

I spent last weekend in Berkeley with Lev's brother. Peter had had a brief but serious health crisis, so my friend Charles and I cooked dinner for us all.

We will be leaving here soon, probably next weekend we will power up Magnolia and turn her face to the rising sun. Stay tuned.

one saturday in spring

While Lev (Andy) is touring the wonders of Egypt and Morocco (also known as working!)what have I been doing? Here's a little snapshot. Starting with a cup of coffee at Bobbie's cart in the farmers market.

Buying vegetables for the week. Eating local is a rich palette when you live in California - very different than living in Vermont. Avocados, oranges, lemons, every broccoli family member, lettuce (though not the stupendous variety you find at a farmers market in August in Vermont) kiwis, apples, almonds, walnuts...

They say these are the BEST TAMALES around, and certainly every Saturday people are standing 3 deep in front of this cart.

Within minutes of the drummers arriving and starting to play, these girls shed an initial shyness and were rockin and rollin.

Riding my bike through the neighborhoods on the way home.

The magnolias are blooming along with the almond and peach trees in the orchard around our steel magnolia.

Cooking dinner as the sun was setting.

The grass growing around Magnolia attests to how long we have been parked here in Chico. Leaving here will take some tugging I think.