Yesterday morning, I relaxed on the deck as delicate streams of smoke rose from a burning cone of incense, forming elaborate swirls in the nearly-still air. I caught a glimpse of movement on the road, through the trees below and behind the house; first, an adult doe ambled by, then a fawn, and finally another adult doe. The pair of serene sights were just coincidental, of course, but I sensed they were profoundly and purposely peaceful, as if they were intended to envelope me in an embrace of tranquility. That placid atmosphere lasted only a short time, but long enough to shape my thinking for a while—smoothing the rough edges and softening what later would become a somewhat angular day.
Too much of the rest of the day focused on trying to sort out healthcare appointments. My normal oncology appointment schedule was disrupted by the oncology nurse’s two-week vacation, which will almost double the oncologist’s already tight schedule. Other obligations are being added in the near-term: a meeting with an attorney and, sometime before long, a visit with an ophthalmologist who specializes in damage to/diseases of the cornea. Two more MRIs will be added to my normal medical appointments next month. Ach! I would rather relax on an inflatable float in a large, private swimming pool. The sound of water lapping the edges of the pool would quiet the burdens bouncing around in my head.
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If the weather forecasts are reliable, we can expect cooler temperatures—both day and night—on September 3 and 4. Eventually, the on-again, off-again stifling heat will reach a longer pause; I will then sit on the deck and soak in the cooler weather with espresso in the morning and, to a limited extent, wine or a mixed drink (gin & tonic) in the evening. Listening to the sounds of birds and watching the creatures flit from twig to twig is entertainment for the geriatric set. Though I sometimes make gentle fun of myself for appreciating such raucous merriment, I always—even as an arrogant young man—have enjoyed the simplicity of such pastimes. Hearing people mock others for their preferences—especially deriding people whose choices tend to be rather sedate—tends to make my blood boil. My affinity for tranquility can be overwhelmed by my desire to inflict excruciating retribution against such inconsiderate bastards. Have I deviated from the path of serenity, again?
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While mi novia was out playing mahjong yesterday, I summoned a little energy and a touch of creativity. I thawed and chopped a bag of frozen smoked brisket, added canned kernel corn, pinto beans, and fire-roasted tomatoes, and then jazzed it up with cumin, chile powder, garlic salt, and pepper. We had an early dinner not long after mi novia returned from her weekly foray into the world of high-stakes gambling. A one-pot dinner like that is incredibly simple to make and quite enjoyable to eat, even when my appetite is not especially strong. A big Greek salad is another wonderful meal that I should (but rarely do) make regularly. I need nothing but the salad and the dressing to make me happy; the recipe I use is always some variation of this:
Greek Salad
Ingredients
Greek Salad Dressing
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1/2 teaspoon Dijon mustard
- 1/4 cup good red wine vinegar
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt
- 1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
- 1/2 cup high-quality olive oil
- 1/2 cup fresh lemon juice
For the salad
- 1 English cucumber, cut lengthwise and sliced ¼-inch thick
- 4 cups chopped Romine lettuce
- 1 green bell pepper, chopped into 1-inch pieces
- 1 red bell pepper, chopped into 1-inch pieces
- 1 yellow bell pepper, chopped into 1-inch pieces
- 1 pint grape or cherry tomatoes, cut in halves
- 6 ounces feta cheese, cut into ½ inch cubes*
- ½ red onion, sliced in half rounds
- ½ cup pitted Kalamata olives
- 16 black or green olives
- ⅓ cup fresh mint leaves
The dressing is good on almost anything, by the way.
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Phaedra becomes more appealing almost every day. Still, though, she should not tear up rugs (or furniture or anything else) with her claws. She should understand and speak English, as well. And she should respond to my commands. Or requests.
