Saturday, June 21, 2008
Hunza Adventure
Below are some pictures of the recent trip to Hunza. It was an amazing trip with many adventures - I wish we could sit and chitchat for a couple of hours and I would tell you all about it! But as they say, a picture is worth a thousand words! Blessings be upon you!
Sunday, June 8, 2008
A Love Affair to Remember
Hello all. I have been cooking a lot lately (I think I said that in the last entry) and I wanted to share with you a little bit about this on-going love affair. Yes, it has been a consuming and steady passion of mind since I was a little girl. Frankly, I don't understand people who don't like to cook. I respect their decision not to indulge in this so pleasant enterprise but find them, in the words of my British friends - a little dodgy. Sometimes I even like them and we become great friends but, just between you and me, they are still a little strange. Are they just too impatient to take the time to create? Do they have a secret aversion to getting their hands dirty? Was it a childhood phobia that caused them to break in hives when they came within fifty feet of a mixing bowl? Or perhaps their mothers were such good cooks that they never tried to learn and consequently reached adulthood thinking boiling water was a culinary accomplishment.
My first dish (at the age of 4) was scrambled eggs. As the years progressed, I migrated to that 1970s heavier than cast iron, old faithful - the casserole! I learned to make pie crust about the age of 10 or 11 - the first recipe I tried was an oil pastry and it was a dismal failure (yes, I have had my share of those - I just don't take them to parties!) I finally tried a basic betty crocker (good ole Betty!)crust and have used that ever since. As a teenager, I did Christmas and Thanksgiving dinners - my brother Danny still remembers those meals with fondness or so rumor has it.
Now Danny - he's another story. There was the time when I came home from college and arrived to find basically nothing in the house (food wise, that is - there were still a few sticks of furniture lying around). Now there was a family reunion on the calendar for the next day. Heaven forbid one should show up at a Walker/Baker/whatever, whatever, family reunion without GOOD food and PLENTY of it in tow. So I scrounged around and came up with butter, flour, milk and bananas. Well, being the creative and talented cook that I am, I made a banana cream pie. Proceeding to the next day - the six Walkers packed in a car on the way to the family reunion (wouldn't you like to be a fly on that wall) - we stop at Wal-Mart. I leave the pie in the backseat of the car. Having concluded our business at Wal-Mart, we proceed to return to the car. Danny sits down - you guessed it - right in the pie!!!! Cheers, Danny!!!!!!!!!! That was not the only time he sat in something of a similar nature but we will save that story for another time.
Proceeding in the cooking history - the next great milestone was California. Yep, you heard right - the state. Now some of you know this place to be a heathen and godless land. One of my cousins, who shall remain unnamed, even wished it to fall into the sea. Fortunately, she made this statement when I was no longer living there. Be as it may, they do know how to eat. California changed my taste buds and my cooking habits forever. There was a Whole Foods very close to where I lived. As an unripe 23 year old, I would wander in just to look. I didn't buy very much but I sure liked to read the names on the packages. Things like Italian Gorgonzola,
corn tamales (oh, those were heavenly), biscotti, and more pasta than you can shake a stick at. I ate my first Chinese food and my first Indian food during this time in CA. From the first bite, I fell in love with Indian food. The spices were so familiar but used in such different ways - and then cool, soothing yogart to mellow out the spices.
So my premise has always been if I can eat it, I can cook it. Slowly, I began to learn to do things a little differently. Along the way, there was a move back to South Texas - Mex-Tex capital of the world. Throw in a little chili powder and some cheese on top and - voila!!! The best Mexican food in the world.
Currently, I am on a dessert kick. My dessert making had stayed stuck somewhere in the 1950s - pound cakes, boring (but homemade) pies, cobblers, just same old, same old. So now I am scaling new heights. Most lately I have tried a recipe for lemon raisin scones. The next week I changed the recipe and made chocolate chip scones with a hint of orange flavor. And just yesterday, I made a cherry crostata. It tasted great but I call it the ugly baby - loved and worked on but still a little wrinkled. Well, it was supposed to look rustic, ok. Let me know if you want the recipe - I would be glad to pass it along.
My first dish (at the age of 4) was scrambled eggs. As the years progressed, I migrated to that 1970s heavier than cast iron, old faithful - the casserole! I learned to make pie crust about the age of 10 or 11 - the first recipe I tried was an oil pastry and it was a dismal failure (yes, I have had my share of those - I just don't take them to parties!) I finally tried a basic betty crocker (good ole Betty!)crust and have used that ever since. As a teenager, I did Christmas and Thanksgiving dinners - my brother Danny still remembers those meals with fondness or so rumor has it.
Now Danny - he's another story. There was the time when I came home from college and arrived to find basically nothing in the house (food wise, that is - there were still a few sticks of furniture lying around). Now there was a family reunion on the calendar for the next day. Heaven forbid one should show up at a Walker/Baker/whatever, whatever, family reunion without GOOD food and PLENTY of it in tow. So I scrounged around and came up with butter, flour, milk and bananas. Well, being the creative and talented cook that I am, I made a banana cream pie. Proceeding to the next day - the six Walkers packed in a car on the way to the family reunion (wouldn't you like to be a fly on that wall) - we stop at Wal-Mart. I leave the pie in the backseat of the car. Having concluded our business at Wal-Mart, we proceed to return to the car. Danny sits down - you guessed it - right in the pie!!!! Cheers, Danny!!!!!!!!!! That was not the only time he sat in something of a similar nature but we will save that story for another time.
Proceeding in the cooking history - the next great milestone was California. Yep, you heard right - the state. Now some of you know this place to be a heathen and godless land. One of my cousins, who shall remain unnamed, even wished it to fall into the sea. Fortunately, she made this statement when I was no longer living there. Be as it may, they do know how to eat. California changed my taste buds and my cooking habits forever. There was a Whole Foods very close to where I lived. As an unripe 23 year old, I would wander in just to look. I didn't buy very much but I sure liked to read the names on the packages. Things like Italian Gorgonzola,
corn tamales (oh, those were heavenly), biscotti, and more pasta than you can shake a stick at. I ate my first Chinese food and my first Indian food during this time in CA. From the first bite, I fell in love with Indian food. The spices were so familiar but used in such different ways - and then cool, soothing yogart to mellow out the spices.
So my premise has always been if I can eat it, I can cook it. Slowly, I began to learn to do things a little differently. Along the way, there was a move back to South Texas - Mex-Tex capital of the world. Throw in a little chili powder and some cheese on top and - voila!!! The best Mexican food in the world.
Currently, I am on a dessert kick. My dessert making had stayed stuck somewhere in the 1950s - pound cakes, boring (but homemade) pies, cobblers, just same old, same old. So now I am scaling new heights. Most lately I have tried a recipe for lemon raisin scones. The next week I changed the recipe and made chocolate chip scones with a hint of orange flavor. And just yesterday, I made a cherry crostata. It tasted great but I call it the ugly baby - loved and worked on but still a little wrinkled. Well, it was supposed to look rustic, ok. Let me know if you want the recipe - I would be glad to pass it along.
Thursday, May 29, 2008
Walnut Raisin Scones
Hello all. I have been a baking mood the last few weeks. It is not so much that I like eat (which I certainly do!) but more for the creativity of the thing. Also, it seems that I have tons of people in and out of my house on a daily basis (house help, language teacher, language coach, friends, neighbors) and I like to have something on hand to serve them. The other day I made scones for the first time and they came out very well. I am going to post the recipe below. Also, I plan to try these with chocolate chips and orange zest instead of the raisins and lemon zest. If anyone gets there before I do, let me know how yours turn out. Bon Appetite!
Walnut Raisin Scones
2 cups all-purpose flour
2 tablespoons white sugar
2 teaspoons baking powder
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 tablespoon grated lemon zest
1/2 cup butter, cubed
3/4 cup chopped walnuts
1/2 cup raisins
3/4 cup buttermilk
2 tablespoons buttermilk
2 tablespoons white sugar
2 tablespoons chopped walnuts
Powerdered Sugar
1.In a large bowl combine flour, sugar, baking powder, baking soda, salt and lemon peel.
2.With a pastry blender or 2 knives, cut in butter until mixture resembles coarse meal. Mix in all but 2 tablespoons of the nuts and the raisins. Mix in buttermilk with fork.
3.Gather the dough into a ball and knead for about 2 minutes on lightly floured board.
4.Roll or pat out 3/4 inch thick. With a chef's knife cut into 3 inch triangles. Place, spaced 1inch apart, on a greased baking sheet. Brush tops with remaining 1 tablespoon buttermilk; sprinkle with the remaining sugar and the nuts.
5.Bake in center of 425 degree F (220 degrees C) oven about 15 minutes or until nicely browned. Dust with powerdered sugar if desired. Serve warm with butter or jam.
Walnut Raisin Scones
2 cups all-purpose flour
2 tablespoons white sugar
2 teaspoons baking powder
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 tablespoon grated lemon zest
1/2 cup butter, cubed
3/4 cup chopped walnuts
1/2 cup raisins
3/4 cup buttermilk
2 tablespoons buttermilk
2 tablespoons white sugar
2 tablespoons chopped walnuts
Powerdered Sugar
1.In a large bowl combine flour, sugar, baking powder, baking soda, salt and lemon peel.
2.With a pastry blender or 2 knives, cut in butter until mixture resembles coarse meal. Mix in all but 2 tablespoons of the nuts and the raisins. Mix in buttermilk with fork.
3.Gather the dough into a ball and knead for about 2 minutes on lightly floured board.
4.Roll or pat out 3/4 inch thick. With a chef's knife cut into 3 inch triangles. Place, spaced 1inch apart, on a greased baking sheet. Brush tops with remaining 1 tablespoon buttermilk; sprinkle with the remaining sugar and the nuts.
5.Bake in center of 425 degree F (220 degrees C) oven about 15 minutes or until nicely browned. Dust with powerdered sugar if desired. Serve warm with butter or jam.
Saturday, May 10, 2008
Wednesday, April 23, 2008
Pomp and Circumstance
Hello all! I have been in Lahore for the past week and just got back. It was a good trip - I went for an orientation to the country I am currently living in. We covered such diverse topics as cooking, politics, and culture.
Lahore was very cosmopolitan and quite classy. There were nice restaurants, great places to shop, and lots of history to take in. I did several touristy type of things, including seeing the ruins of one of the Mongol palaces. This place is called the Royal Fort and has tons of history. It was constructed by the great Mongol king, Akbar the Great. It is mostly in ruins now but if you let your imagination soar, you can imagine all the grandeur and pomp of the ancient East. What captured my attention the most was what our guide politely referred to as 'the women's quarters.' Another words, the king's harem. In the mind's eye, I could see beautiful dancing girls, dark men with flashing white teeth lounging on opulent cushions, and smell the exotic foods, fit for a king. There was also a private entrance for the family and a parking area for the elephants.
We also did the border ceremony at Wagua - the border between India and Pakistan.At sunset every evening the guards lower their respective flags of India and Pakistan. There is a cermony that goes with it and people of each nation fill the stands to cheer their country on. It was a good show, including a great deal of posturing and gesturing between the guards (the countries really don't like each other and it shows!). I think, all things told, this was Pakistan at it's best - full of extravagant gestures, pomp, and cleaner than I had ever seen it.
Lahore was very cosmopolitan and quite classy. There were nice restaurants, great places to shop, and lots of history to take in. I did several touristy type of things, including seeing the ruins of one of the Mongol palaces. This place is called the Royal Fort and has tons of history. It was constructed by the great Mongol king, Akbar the Great. It is mostly in ruins now but if you let your imagination soar, you can imagine all the grandeur and pomp of the ancient East. What captured my attention the most was what our guide politely referred to as 'the women's quarters.' Another words, the king's harem. In the mind's eye, I could see beautiful dancing girls, dark men with flashing white teeth lounging on opulent cushions, and smell the exotic foods, fit for a king. There was also a private entrance for the family and a parking area for the elephants.
We also did the border ceremony at Wagua - the border between India and Pakistan.At sunset every evening the guards lower their respective flags of India and Pakistan. There is a cermony that goes with it and people of each nation fill the stands to cheer their country on. It was a good show, including a great deal of posturing and gesturing between the guards (the countries really don't like each other and it shows!). I think, all things told, this was Pakistan at it's best - full of extravagant gestures, pomp, and cleaner than I had ever seen it.
Friday, April 4, 2008
Mother to Son
Mother to Son
Well, son, I’ll tell you:
Life for me ain’t been no crystal stair.
It’s had tacks in it,
And splinters,
And boards torn up,
And places with no carpet on the floor—
Bare.
But all the time
I’se been a-climbin’ on,
And reachin’ landin’s,
And turnin’ corners,
And sometimes goin’ in the dark
Where there ain’t been no light.
So boy, don’t you turn back.
Don’t you set down on the steps
’Cause you finds it’s kinder hard.
Don’t you fall now—
For I’se still goin’, honey,
I’se still climbin’,
And life for me ain’t been no crystal stair.
Langston Hughes
Well, son, I’ll tell you:
Life for me ain’t been no crystal stair.
It’s had tacks in it,
And splinters,
And boards torn up,
And places with no carpet on the floor—
Bare.
But all the time
I’se been a-climbin’ on,
And reachin’ landin’s,
And turnin’ corners,
And sometimes goin’ in the dark
Where there ain’t been no light.
So boy, don’t you turn back.
Don’t you set down on the steps
’Cause you finds it’s kinder hard.
Don’t you fall now—
For I’se still goin’, honey,
I’se still climbin’,
And life for me ain’t been no crystal stair.
Langston Hughes
Wednesday, April 2, 2008
A Corbin Tale
OK folks. I have a Corbin tale for you. Just as an update, Corbin got fixed (ummmm...I am not going to explain that one for all you non-animal lovers out there) on Sunday. I think they gave him too much anesthetic and he was extremely groggy and throwing up (who says I've never been a mother???!!!!!!!!!!!!!!). Yes, yours truly cleaned it up. On Monday he was draggy and not his usual self. I was very worried about him and wondered if his personality was permanently altered. Ha! Have no fears - he is now back in full Corbin form. I rather suspected that he was feeling better yesterday when he tried to bit my hand at his usual ungodly hour (about 7:00 am). So he bites the hand that feeds him - he doesn't really care - he knows he will get breakfast anyway.
However, this morning, he reached new heights of peshu badness. I was sitting quietly in my living room, minding my own business when I hear a commotion going on downstairs. The mother from downstairs and one of the daughters come dashing up the stairs, Peshu in the lead. The mother was chasing Peshu with a broom and he was moving rather quickly for a cat who had surgery two days ago. Now the family downstairs is very good and they NEVER do this sort of thing - so I knew something was up. It turns out Peshu had a baby bird in his mouth. Broom or no broom, he was not going to let go of this bird. After being chased up the stairs, into my store room, and out of the store room, he was finally persuaded by the broom (with the mother behind it) to drop the baby bird. As an addendum for all you bird lovers out there, the bird did survive the ordeal and appears to be recovering nicely. Actually, the bird will probably fare better than Peshu when I get aholt of him - that's country talk for getting my hands on his scrawny little body. He is still hiding out at the moment but I am sure he will emerge shortly - after all, lunch is pending and he missed his morning snack - feathers and all.
However, this morning, he reached new heights of peshu badness. I was sitting quietly in my living room, minding my own business when I hear a commotion going on downstairs. The mother from downstairs and one of the daughters come dashing up the stairs, Peshu in the lead. The mother was chasing Peshu with a broom and he was moving rather quickly for a cat who had surgery two days ago. Now the family downstairs is very good and they NEVER do this sort of thing - so I knew something was up. It turns out Peshu had a baby bird in his mouth. Broom or no broom, he was not going to let go of this bird. After being chased up the stairs, into my store room, and out of the store room, he was finally persuaded by the broom (with the mother behind it) to drop the baby bird. As an addendum for all you bird lovers out there, the bird did survive the ordeal and appears to be recovering nicely. Actually, the bird will probably fare better than Peshu when I get aholt of him - that's country talk for getting my hands on his scrawny little body. He is still hiding out at the moment but I am sure he will emerge shortly - after all, lunch is pending and he missed his morning snack - feathers and all.
Wednesday, March 26, 2008
Sam Houston
Do you ever have things to do that you intend to do as a tradition and never quite get around to it? I'm funny like that. I have things that for years I have planned to do as a tradition and never quite get around to it. Like playing Michael Card CDs on Sunday morning. I haven't done that in years but if you ask me, it is still my tradition. Also, I have a tradition of eating Chinese food on my oldest nephew's birthday - don't ask me why. I have never eaten Chinese food with him but on the anniversary of his 1st birthday, I was sitting in a Chinese restaurant at the exact moment he was born. Traditions are funny things - they do not have to be observed to be remembered.
Another thing that I have never done and intend to do someday is bake a cake for Sam Houston's birthday. Sam Houston's birthday is March 2nd and coincidentally, March
2nd is also Texas Independence Day. For all you non-Texan (ummm, heathen) folk out there, Sam Houston was one of the greatest of Texas legends. A giant of a man, he had many faults, some private and some very public. At one point in his life, he was called 'Big Drunk' by the Indians he lived with. Later in his life, he sobered up and married a Baptist preacher's daughter (second wife - the first wife left him mysteriously and neither of them ever talked about it). Anyway, he was a Tennessee governor who basically left the office in disgrace and came to Texas. History was waiting for him. He came to Texas just in time to get involved in the sticky politics between Texas and Mexico. At that time, Texas was under Mexican rule. Sam Houston was the hero of the Battle of Jacinto and the first president of Texas. He died during the Civil War, opposing slavery but never seeing the end of the story.
In memory of Sam Houston, here is a recipe for Sam Houston Cake. I have not tried this recipe so if anyone does make it, please me know how it comes out - another March 2nd will be here soon and there are traditions to be observed.
SAM HOUSTON WHITE CAKE
3/4 cup butter or margarine
2 cups granulated sugar
3 cups sifted flour
3 teaspoons baking powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 cup milk
1/3 cup water
1 teaspoon vanilla
1/3 teaspoon almond flavoring
6 egg whites
Cream butter until soft and light. Gradually add granulated sugar and continue creaming several minutes to incorporate as much air as possible. Combine flour, baking powder and salt; sift three times. Add flavorings to milk and water. Add flour alternately with liquid to creamed mixture; beat well after each addition. Beat egg whites until stiff, but not dry; fold immediately into batter, blending well but do not beat. Pour into three greased and floured 9-inch layered pans. Bake at 350 F., 25 minutes. Cool five minutes, then turn onto cooling racks and remove pans. When cool, fill and frost with:
SHINY CHOCOLATE FROSTING
Melt three 1-ounce squares unsweetened chocolate over hot water. Remove from water and stir in 3 cups sifted confectioners’ sugar, 1/4 teaspoon salt and 1/4 cup hot water. One at a time, beat in 3 eggs’ yolks. Beating well, add 1/4 cup melted butter, a little at a time, and 1 teaspoon vanilla. Spread between layers and over cake.
Another thing that I have never done and intend to do someday is bake a cake for Sam Houston's birthday. Sam Houston's birthday is March 2nd and coincidentally, March
2nd is also Texas Independence Day. For all you non-Texan (ummm, heathen) folk out there, Sam Houston was one of the greatest of Texas legends. A giant of a man, he had many faults, some private and some very public. At one point in his life, he was called 'Big Drunk' by the Indians he lived with. Later in his life, he sobered up and married a Baptist preacher's daughter (second wife - the first wife left him mysteriously and neither of them ever talked about it). Anyway, he was a Tennessee governor who basically left the office in disgrace and came to Texas. History was waiting for him. He came to Texas just in time to get involved in the sticky politics between Texas and Mexico. At that time, Texas was under Mexican rule. Sam Houston was the hero of the Battle of Jacinto and the first president of Texas. He died during the Civil War, opposing slavery but never seeing the end of the story.
In memory of Sam Houston, here is a recipe for Sam Houston Cake. I have not tried this recipe so if anyone does make it, please me know how it comes out - another March 2nd will be here soon and there are traditions to be observed.
SAM HOUSTON WHITE CAKE
3/4 cup butter or margarine
2 cups granulated sugar
3 cups sifted flour
3 teaspoons baking powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 cup milk
1/3 cup water
1 teaspoon vanilla
1/3 teaspoon almond flavoring
6 egg whites
Cream butter until soft and light. Gradually add granulated sugar and continue creaming several minutes to incorporate as much air as possible. Combine flour, baking powder and salt; sift three times. Add flavorings to milk and water. Add flour alternately with liquid to creamed mixture; beat well after each addition. Beat egg whites until stiff, but not dry; fold immediately into batter, blending well but do not beat. Pour into three greased and floured 9-inch layered pans. Bake at 350 F., 25 minutes. Cool five minutes, then turn onto cooling racks and remove pans. When cool, fill and frost with:
SHINY CHOCOLATE FROSTING
Melt three 1-ounce squares unsweetened chocolate over hot water. Remove from water and stir in 3 cups sifted confectioners’ sugar, 1/4 teaspoon salt and 1/4 cup hot water. One at a time, beat in 3 eggs’ yolks. Beating well, add 1/4 cup melted butter, a little at a time, and 1 teaspoon vanilla. Spread between layers and over cake.
Tuesday, March 18, 2008
Saturday, March 8, 2008
The Weaving
The Weaving
The weaving that made me
from the cradle
was a wondrous thing
Tales of ancient days
And times beyond the years
Troubadours of word and song
sagas of legend thrilling
beyond imagination
of great houses
that rose and fell
on a sovereign’s sigh
Stories of giants and shepard boys
Of prophets that could whistle
chariots from the sky
A vineyard stole and a king rebuked
A God who could make people see
And then weep for their blindness
And now I am old
Old than my years, it seems
Yet the stories have never
Become child’s fancy
A God who interferes in human affairs
How quaint!
Yet a lame man stood tall
And a boy named Laughter
Rode his old father’s bony knee
And I believe
Oh, I believe
Every jot and tittle
And I crave the day
When I can hear the story
From Tamar’s lips
And see Paul’s eyes blaze
and to see Moses point his finger
In majestic command
I long to see Job throw back his head in laughter
And hear the poetry dance in Isaiah’s words
And the reminisces will be long
And deep
And the words will roll on forever
And forever
Slow and steady
Majestic and stately
A little funny
And a belly roaring good time
And finally,
My head pillowed on folded arms
As I fall asleep to the story,
A child again
rrw
Winter 2007
The weaving that made me
from the cradle
was a wondrous thing
Tales of ancient days
And times beyond the years
Troubadours of word and song
sagas of legend thrilling
beyond imagination
of great houses
that rose and fell
on a sovereign’s sigh
Stories of giants and shepard boys
Of prophets that could whistle
chariots from the sky
A vineyard stole and a king rebuked
A God who could make people see
And then weep for their blindness
And now I am old
Old than my years, it seems
Yet the stories have never
Become child’s fancy
A God who interferes in human affairs
How quaint!
Yet a lame man stood tall
And a boy named Laughter
Rode his old father’s bony knee
And I believe
Oh, I believe
Every jot and tittle
And I crave the day
When I can hear the story
From Tamar’s lips
And see Paul’s eyes blaze
and to see Moses point his finger
In majestic command
I long to see Job throw back his head in laughter
And hear the poetry dance in Isaiah’s words
And the reminisces will be long
And deep
And the words will roll on forever
And forever
Slow and steady
Majestic and stately
A little funny
And a belly roaring good time
And finally,
My head pillowed on folded arms
As I fall asleep to the story,
A child again
rrw
Winter 2007
Friday, March 7, 2008
I'm Back
All,
I am back in my city from Thailand. I arrived late Monday night. The last couple of days have been rather low key - I have been recovering from the vacation :)I now have a working camera so I will posting pictures on my blogsite more often. Corbin is doing fine - feisty as ever!
I am back in my city from Thailand. I arrived late Monday night. The last couple of days have been rather low key - I have been recovering from the vacation :)I now have a working camera so I will posting pictures on my blogsite more often. Corbin is doing fine - feisty as ever!
Sunday, March 2, 2008
Painting Pictures of Egypt
I found a song that so perfectly describes my feelings right now. It is a lot of Houston and a little bit of Thailand. It is by Sara Groves and off of her 'Conversations' CD. Here are the words:
Painting Pictures of Egypt
I don't want to leave here, I don't want to stay
It feels like pinching to me either way
The places I long for the most are places where I've been
They are calling out to me like a long lost friend
It's not about losing faith, it's not about trust
It's all about comfortable when you move so much
The place I was wasn't perfect but I had found a way to live
It wasn't milk or honey but then neither is this
The past is so tangible, I know it by heart,
familiar things are never easy to discard.
I was longing for some freedom, but now I hesitate to go
I am caught between the promise and the things I know
If it comes too quick, I may not recognize it.
Is that the reason behind all this time and sand?
If it comes too quick, I may not appreciate it
Is that the reason behind all this time and sand?
Chorus: I've been painting pictures of Egypt, leaving out what it lacked.
The future feels so hard and I want to go back.
But the places that used to fit me cannot hold the things I've learned,
and those roads were closed off to me while my back was turned.
Painting Pictures of Egypt
I don't want to leave here, I don't want to stay
It feels like pinching to me either way
The places I long for the most are places where I've been
They are calling out to me like a long lost friend
It's not about losing faith, it's not about trust
It's all about comfortable when you move so much
The place I was wasn't perfect but I had found a way to live
It wasn't milk or honey but then neither is this
The past is so tangible, I know it by heart,
familiar things are never easy to discard.
I was longing for some freedom, but now I hesitate to go
I am caught between the promise and the things I know
If it comes too quick, I may not recognize it.
Is that the reason behind all this time and sand?
If it comes too quick, I may not appreciate it
Is that the reason behind all this time and sand?
Chorus: I've been painting pictures of Egypt, leaving out what it lacked.
The future feels so hard and I want to go back.
But the places that used to fit me cannot hold the things I've learned,
and those roads were closed off to me while my back was turned.
Saturday, February 23, 2008
Elephant Riding
Today was a fun day and I really want to tell you about it! My day started officially started about 8:25 this morning. I was supposed to meet a group from our conference for this elephant tour. So I hurriedly finished breakfast and went out to the front of the hotel to catch the tour. Since no one I really knew well was going, I was essentially going by myself. So when I get to the front of the hotel, I say "elephant tour?" They say "Yes, yes, the van by the juniper tree." So I get in the van and off we go. We traveled for about an hour outside of Chiang Mai into the mountains. The scenery was beautiful. It was like being in Kentucky or Tennessee but the houses were on stilts. The rainy season lasts for 6 months out of the year, causing the river to rise, hence the stilts. When we arrived, we first took bamboo rafts down the river. This was a totally cool experience. The bamboo rafts were exactly that - pieces of bamboo with little wooden seats on them - Huck Fin goes to Thailand! The ride down the river lasted a good 45 minutes, I would say. It was so peaceful! The river was shallow and in some places the bottom was only a foot or so down. The rafts were powered by our Thai guides poling the rafts with long bamboo sticks. The river was winding with gentle bends and draping greenery on the banks. When we finally arrived, we were taken by ox-cart to the elephant boarding zone. Also, let me add that this whole set up was run by a certain tribe and we were taken to their village. The tribe is called the Lee Sue people. They sold handicrafts in their village. I got a beautiful carved black vase. By this time, I had made a couple of new friends, and one of them, a lady named Cynthia from Nebraska, was my seat partner for the elephant ride. We were told the elephant that we rode on was pregnant. She did seem rather hungry as there were several stops along the way where snacks (sugar cane, bamboo, bananas) were being sold to the tourists so they could feed the elephants. Every time we arrived at one of these stands, she put her trunk up in search of her snack. The elephant ride itself was rather bouncy as a lot of it was going down steep trails. After the elephant ride, we were served an excellent lunch on the patio overlooking the river.All in all, it was a lovely time and a very fun day .
OK - here's the best part. After the tour is over, the lady who arranged the tour came over to collect money. I say, "I've already paid" - I had paid the night before. She looks a little puzzled and to make a long story short, when it was all sorted out, I had been on the wrong tour all along! Apparently, there were several elephant tours leaving from the hotel about the same time and I got the wrong one! However, I have to say that it was probably a better tour that the one that I had originally planned to go on. Also, I made some new friends and had a great time - perhaps God in His Wisdom arranged the 'wrong' tour to the be 'right' one after all!
OK - here's the best part. After the tour is over, the lady who arranged the tour came over to collect money. I say, "I've already paid" - I had paid the night before. She looks a little puzzled and to make a long story short, when it was all sorted out, I had been on the wrong tour all along! Apparently, there were several elephant tours leaving from the hotel about the same time and I got the wrong one! However, I have to say that it was probably a better tour that the one that I had originally planned to go on. Also, I made some new friends and had a great time - perhaps God in His Wisdom arranged the 'wrong' tour to the be 'right' one after all!
Wednesday, February 20, 2008
From a Tropical Place
I am in Thailand attending a conference and on vacation. I will be here until early March. This city is in northern Thailand and is beautiful. I am enjoying my time here. I got a lens for my new camera yesterday so I should have pictures to post very soon. In the meantime, the mild tropical climate is great - the city is nestled in the foothills of a mountain range. So far I have done the conference thing, the local Zoo, a luxurious spa treatment, and a bit of shopping. But to quote Joshua, age ten, "you know the best thing about being here is that the electricity hasn't gone off once!"
Friday, February 8, 2008
Rugs
Rugs, especially handmade ones, are a speciality in this area. I have had one family member who has requested a rug for this part of the world. If anyone else would like a rug, let me know the following information:
1) how much you want to spend, including postage
2) approximate size
3) colors preferred
4) handwoven or machine woven
I woud be more than happy to look and see what I can find! Here is a picture the rug I got for my cousin. This is one is handwoven, made of silk and wool.
Monday, February 4, 2008
Wool Thief
Ok - I have another Corbin story. This cat does something funny everyday - there is no lack of material regarding him. Today I was talking on the phone in my living room and I happened to glance up at the stairs that go to the roof. I observed my peshu (cat in the local language) trotting as fast as his little legs would carry him down the stairs with a large hunk of something in his mouth. Upon investigation, I learned that he had made off with Grandma's wool. The grandmother of the family downstairs takes old blankets apart to reuse the wool - this is something traditionally done in this country, so I understand. Anyway, on sunny days, she will go up on the roof and do this. This not the first time I have found bits and pieces of wool on my floor but this is first time that the little stinker has dared to take so much. I kid you not - he had a piece of wool in his mouth that was probably half the size of him. He looked very disappointed that his play pretty had been taken away when it was return to Grandma and the roof. Oh, such a naughty boy!
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