remembrance of things past*

As I type this in my light-filled living room with the sound of the sea in the background, I am listening to Thomas Hampson anquish through the role of Macbeth in Verdi's opera of the same name. I didn't want to miss this one; I saw/heard Hampson in concert at the Mondavi Center a few years ago and have been a huge fan ever since. He's also being celebrated today for his 25 years of performances at the Met. Mr. C, meanwhile, is tending to a big bonfire in our next door lot, getting rid of the season's fallen palm fronds, various piles of leaves, cuttings and other garden debris. He decided the wind direction was right ~ to the east, away from the house ~ so lit up the pile. Can you imagine doing this at home? He'd be in San Quentin in a heartbeat!

But on to other things. Last night at Dago's (where I had shrimp and set aside half for today's "opera salad") I was taken to task by Neighbor Nelson for my non-appearance in this corner of cyberspace. Therefore, what follows is what I can recall of the frantic, crowded past two weeks.

Yes, Alex and Em did come for a week's visit. We went up to Tlaquepaque for the weekend where we tore around doing shopping, eating and generally celebrating Em's 18th birthday. We came home on Monday only to get ready for my second annual Let's Have Lunch for all my women friends in Cuyutlán, at least those who were here. Tables were very colorful, covered in a variety of oil cloth, bright plates, printed napkins. It's Mexico, after all!

It was a salad event with guests contributing their favorite salad additions. We had a fine spread with shrimp, chicken, black and white beans, a variety of veggies and dressings.

My foccacia turned out beautifully.

Mr. C contributed a luscious strawberry ice cream for dessert. Then we all sat around talking until the late afternoon. I needed a nap when it was over!

Alex and Em managed to get in some reading and relaxing time. Alex took a long walk on the beach and came home with a somewhat serious sunburn but I think managed to avoid blistering by slathering herself with aloe gel. By the time she went home she had just a nice tan. As you can see, the lovely Emily ~ the hit of the lunch party if reports from guests are to be believed ~ has inherited the New Yorker gene from her great-grandparents, grandparents and parents.

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But every now and then she came up for air.

She is currently awaiting news from the various colleges to which she has applied. She should have news within the next 10 days or so and then will know where she might find herself come September.

While she was here Alex was contemplating a new job. Longtime readers of this edifying site may remember that when she was here last year she had just started a job as the Director of Development at CSU Dominguez Hills. In November she heard about a job at Whitman College in Walla Walla, WA. She decided to explore that possibility and lo and behold! She has been hired in their Development Office and will start June 4! She has found a charming little house to rent. Now it's just a matter of moving all her treasures 1080 miles while racing around getting Em ready for graduation on June 2. I am absolutely thrilled for her and it sounds like the job will offer her the chance to do exactly what she's most interested in! I'm planning to fly up to WW to lend a hand and give the International Mother's Seal of Approval. As if she needs it!

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* Apologies to Proust