Halloween

I don't know what the kids downtown did for Halloween. (Drink and break windows?) I was planning to lay low and carve a pumpkin. On Friday I went to a party with my housemate, Susan, her sister and friend. That part was full of people I didn't know. I talked to the people I came with, a brain surgeon (by profession), a hospital chaplain (also by profession), a woman with large pink beehive hairdo and a tall guy dressed up like Toto, some vampires and witches, one of which had me salsa dancing in the living room. I went as a dead person, but I'm wasn't pale enough to look dead.

On Saturday I woke up ready to tackle the world. I did laundry! I went to the farmer's market and found apples I have never seen before--Ruby Jon. Ruby Jons are the color of plums on the outside and fade from magenta to white on the inside. They are good for eating and baking. And I bought them from a man that was bonkers over apple pie. I bought pumpkins and invited Nikki, Paulus and Harue over to carve them.

(Paulus and Nikki in a state of delight.)

(Harue, Paul and Nikki. My pumpkin is facing forward.)


(The four pumpkins glowing on the front steps.)


(Harue in 3-layers of pumpkin with 4 pumpkins.)

Strange Exchange

Stranger: "Excuse me. How do you spell recipe?"
Me: "R-E-C-I-P-E."

True story.

Bike Ride

Finally I am feeling better even though my nose is still running.

I went for the best bike ride today! It was sunny and warm outside, like Summer. I rode the Capital City Trail and enjoyed the scenery. The trees were red and orange and purple and yellow. In the Arboretum there was one stretch that was the most beautiful oak trees. Their bark was black and their leaves were radiant yellow. Add some sun and awe--brilliant.

Last week I received an email from Juan Luis Pino Peña (the vegetable man with the vegetable van). He got the letter I sent three weeks ago and replied with an email. I didn't even know he had email. I responded to his response this evening (con un recurdo de los robles y sus hojas amarillas).

I am going to Chile in January for more adventures. Want to join me?


(The Pacific Ocean having a good laugh at my expense; I got caught between a sand barrier and a large incoming wave resulting in an amazingly ungraceful and unsuccessful flop onto higher land. My camera has never been the same.)

Head Cold

(Chilean souvenir: head cold medicine with a burst of caffeine)

Pictures of the Dogs

(Holly)


(Finn)

In the Mail

I love getting mail! Today I received a Cocal Gracias tee-shirt, making me one of the first to have one. It comes at a good time when I've ditched all of my old tee shirts for teacher clothes, but need something to wear while I print with Warrington. You too can get your Cocal Gracias tee shirt which looks good and funds a great project. There is an official Cocal Gracias web site where one can order the DVD—tee-shirts should appear there soon.

(The new Cocal Gracias tee!)

You Gotta Love Puppies

On Friday Tracy and I went to visit some puppies at Mary Escalante's house. I've become such a sucker for dogs.

(T, Puppy and Mary's friend Glenda with her dogs)


(T and puppy)

(Puppy and stick)