Summer!

It really feels like summer, doesn't it? I took my first bike ride last night (you'd be proud of me, it was only about 2 miles, so I didn't go overboard--for once, no "bicycle butt" for me) back to our old neighborhood and got the chance to visit with some old neighbors for a few minutes before pedaling back home. I've been eating my breakfast on the patio and my lunch out there on my days off. Can't convince Durwood to carry our supper out there yet, but I'm working on it. Last night he made sesame chicken with rice and I roasted a cauliflower with garlic and olive oil in the oven. We've discovered that if we micro-steam a head of it, we have leftovers, if we oven roast it, there's nothing left but the aroma. It's a snap to make too, just cut a head of cauliflower into bite-size pieces and toss it in a big bowl with 2 tsp. of olive oil, a clove of garlic minced, and salt and pepper; stir with a spatula until mixed well. Preheat the oven to 425 degrees, then spread the cauliflower on a foil-covered (easier clean up) cookie sheet, and roast for 25-30 minutes, turning once with a spatula to prevent sticking and promote even browning. The edges get a little brown and crunchy and it is To Die For. Eat all up and squabble over the last bits.

June 30--Isle of Skye, Inner Hebrides. Dara pushed up the last few feet to the top of the hill to look out over the range as it dipped and rose as far as she could see. This hiking trip on the Isle of Skye in Scotland had been a dream of hers since she read about it as a girl. She glanced down the trail behind her to see the others strung out like colorful beads. Only Collum the trip leader and guide had reached the summit ahead of her. "'Tis quite a sight, don't you think?" he said offering her an energy bar. She shook her head and reached into the pouch at her hip for some almonds and dried fruit. "It is beautiful," she agreed, "I could sit here and watch the colors change all day." A shout from below told them that Harold, the neediest, most demanding member of their party was on his way toward them. Collum rolled his eyes and stowed his half-eaten snack in his pocket. "Better go and escort "Lord" Harold. There'll be no end of complaints if I don't." Dara was glad to have ten minutes alone in the soft light and cool breeze of the hilltop. She took a few pictures of the small still lake far below and watched a kestrel soar over the near-barren slopes.

Those were the softest but emptiest hills I'd seen. Beautiful picture, though, almost like a watercolor. Enjoy your day. Ooh, there's writer's tonight. Yay!
--Barbara