Tuesday, August 18, 2009

When in Doubt, Make Pesto



I used to love Tuesdays, my Saturday (because of my crazy work week). But since Jake died, on a Tuesday (7 weeks ago today), the allure of that day has lost some of its luster. It's OK, I'll get over it, but ... meh. Do people still say that?

It's really hot and really humid which means I'll probably opt to spend much of the day indoors, never a great thing for me. Spending time outdoors is a major component of my Plan to Stay Sane.

I'll get out there at some point to sweat and squint, take pictures, think about things until my brain begins to sizzle, and no doubt I'll enjoy the glass of cool water, cool shower, ice cold beer sequence that is my practice after a big bike ride or walk. After that I'm going to make pesto marinated chops and a nice crisp salad. A delicious dinner never hurts anything, does it? I'll be happy to shop at Whole Foods, a company I respect a great deal ever since I worked there, that has been unfairly maligned in all the recent furor over health care reform. And I'll clean my room, too, something I always enjoy.

All things considered, this is not going to be such a bad day, even though it's hot. But it's Tuesday and therefore I'm a little bit discouraged just because. Such is the way of grief, I guess. Oh well.

31 comments:

Elizabeth said...

Hope your day is medium serene.
Yes, they have gone quite ape-shit about whole foods, which i think is a pretty good store.
I have decided not to respond in a knee-jerk sort of way to any propaganda from right or left
without at least a moment's reflection.
How easy it is to get into the I'm right all the time mode.
I love Tuesdays because that is the day we had our hair washed in the dim distant days when we were not allowed our wash our own hair ( did I live on a different planet in my youth? yes, dear reader, I did.

ellen abbott said...

Tuesday has become my Monday since we travel from one house to the other on Monday and at best, the most I can get done is catch up on business related correspondence and phone calls.

I love the pic of the bricks.

Unknown said...

The brick picture is really quite amazing. Hope you have a good day!

NanU said...

Make pesto!
Yes indeed. And if the power goes out, Save the Pesto. When I lived in LA years ago on the night of their last big earthquake all the power went out of course, so my friend Linda, always a cool head in an emergency, immediately took all her homemade pesto out of the freezer and brought it over to my place where we sat eating it with spoons in the dark. Couldn't let it go bad...!

Jopanofmanypets said...

I say meh!!! but it might have traveled over hear from the states. all i know is that my twin sister (who is more cool than me) also says it so i think its still an 'in' word. i don't know why but the whole concept of a word being in fashion amuses me.

Alicia @ boylerpf said...

I definitely say meh and while you're at it, make that pesto...sounds yummy! Tuesdays can be relief from Mondays...at least that's how I look at the day. We don't have a Whole Foods around here, but our kids in Denver love the place...

cs said...

Reya, sorry I've dropped out a bit and just read today that Jake died. I send warm feelings toward you.

A Concerned Citizen said...

Please, please come to my place and help yourself to some homegrown basil instead of buying it at Whole Foods -- I am still drowning in it.

Jen said...

I love to spend time on soul food when I am feeling down. Something about cooking something beautiful just feels like therapy.

Deborah said...

hope you feel better sweetheart

much love

Ronda Laveen said...

Mmmmm, pesto! I just love the smell of fresh basil. Sometimes I buy a bunch at the farmers market and use some the sprigs just to scent my house and massage room.

The brick photo is moving. In it I see you missing an invisible Jake, the heat of summer, the cool respite of shade and a few fallen leaves...the harbinger of fall. I find it easy to slip that photo on.

Reya Mellicker said...

Adrianne - the pesto (in which the chops are now marinating) is made completely from your basil. I stopped by this morning ... maybe you had the dogs with you because I expected them to react but I didn't hear a single bark.

Elizabeth, THANK YOU! I believe the Bush administration was so traumatic for our country, and polarized us so completely, that everyone, even the folks I usually agree with, are ready to light their torches and burn down the house. Only one person I've talked to, who decided to boycott WFM, had even read the editorial. Sheesh.

NanU - I'm so happy you have a name! Though Science Girl was a pretty cool handle, I like NanU. Yes. SAVE THE PESTO! What valiant heroes you were during the earthquake! Bravo!

Thanks cs, it has been a hell of a summer. I need to drop by and visit you as well.

And yes Jopan, words that are in fashion - wow - it is funny!

Reya Mellicker said...

Glad you like the brick photo. I thought it looked lonely.

Steve of Shadows and Light has some special name for those reverse shadows ... alien eyes? Can't remember.

Amy said...

Oh, I hope your Tuesday turns out to be a pleasant one.

Tuesday is sort of a non-day to me. It's not the first day of the week, it's not "hump day" it's not almost the end or the end! Hm. Maybe I'm wasting my Tuesdays.

Shalom, Reya.

larkspur said...

Reya, yes, the brick shot does look lonely, but look at that lovely patch of sunlite!

steven said...

hi reya, i'm on the third leg of the cold water, cool shower, coolish beer right now - just in from a long bike ride away for a day and a bit to visit my mum.
a lot of unpacking my dad's flying away and the grief and associations that have emerged from that.
the picture of the bricks is my favourite of all the ones i've seen you post.
it's simply beautiful.
reya - jake's memory has been so honoured by all that you are feeling and sharing and especially how you feel it. he must have loved you so much. steven

Rosaria Williams said...

Reya, you managed to create a very poetic post in your last one about Washington; and here you are on Tuesday making pesto pork chops. How is that for more poetry. Did you know you can make pesto with other herbs such as mint, for a Greek touch.

Reya Mellicker said...

Rosaria I have never tried making pesto with mint. Do you still use pine nuts? Sounds delicious.

I am pro-pesto - and I vote!

Steven, thank you. Jake and I were best friends for many years. We had our ups and downs, but yes, we did love each other completely.

Glad your bike ride helped you release more of your own process. Love to you, Steven, much love.

kbrow said...

Pro-pesto, here, too. Y'know, cleaning house ALWAYS helps me to feel saner. I think that's the only reason (besides having to get ready for a move, LOL) my house ever gets cleaned. A happy by-product of potential craziness.

Reya Mellicker said...

Clean house = clean mind/heart. At least for me.

Plus it's an instant gratification process. I love cleaning unless I have to rush through it.

Tom said...

Ah...it is nice to have a day during the week to regroup..mine is Wednesday...Too I love the bricks and anti-shadow! Be happy:)

Tess Kincaid said...

Hey, I just polished off a pesto pork chop, myself! :)

The Bug said...

Pesto porkchop sounds great - You guys are making my Little Caesar's pizza seem very ordinary!

Reya Mellicker said...

In case anyone is curious: the pesto pork chops were fabulous.

Mary Ellen said...

Hi, Reya - hope you have a restful and cool night after pesto and chops. I have been keeping my head ducked down to an extent from all of the vitriol flying around so hadn't heard of anything re. Whole Foods. So would just keep shopping there (on occasion) anyway. Keep up the good spirits.

Dan Gurney said...

I love the red smiles on the white brick wall! You're a photographic genius.

Your post reminds me of my Grandpa's advice:

Think worthwhile thoughts.
Eat real food, not too much.
Get plenty of sleep.
Exercise outdoors.
Enjoy the company of friends and family.

Delwyn said...

Hello dear Reya

yes,

'tis grief
'tis normal
'tis passing
'tis right...

Happy days

Lisa Ursu said...

Love the brick pic Reya. That is fantastic!
Please don't take this link as a plug for myself, I just thought this poem was for you today
http://theywillnothaveme.blogspot.com/2009/03/for-friend.html

Val said...

Reya - would you ever think of adopting a new canine pal? there are so many that need good homes and it wouldnt detract from Jakes memory at all? x

Barbara Martin said...

The light reflection on the bricks is amazing, Reya.

Pesto pork chops and a crisp salad might make my dinner tonight.

lettuce said...

i still say meh