NEAR DARK

Thanks Frank, it's in the queue. Of course, my queue is so big that it'll probably be a year before I see it, but at least I don't have to think about it now.

And bummer, I missed Consuela's hair too.

I need a haircut.

I've been looking there as well as other places, but why specifically Craig's List? It's a bit harder to search there than some other places -- what benefits do you feel like it offers?

I've had good luck with it, that's all.

Emily, don't bother driving. You might like highway driving, but will you like it in a rented truck/minivan?

Be absolutely ruthless on your side of the country. Toss, toss, toss. I tossed most of everything that I couldn't ship via Amtrak (so freaking cheap compared to most options), and bought anew here. It was the most straighforward and economical thing to do.

Okay, so I did drive, and there were things (like my computer) that couldn't go Amtrak, and I wouldn't have wanted to wait for anyway, but if you have to ship a few things a different way, it's still cheaper. And the discipline of tossing now is good for you.

I just woke up. Am screwed. On the up side, the migraine is gone. And the dreams I was having aren't true. Also, I'm eating apricot mango Greek yoghurt.

The down side is pretty obvious, even if you don't know I was supposed to get the car washed at around 4:30, but had a lay down instead.

I hate it when that happens, ita. I hope you feel better, and that the car wash is the only thing you missed.

There were other errands that should have been done, but nothing pressing. I'll lie to myself and tell myself I'll do them tomorrow, but between teaching in the morning and fighting some blue belt candidates in the afternoon, it's a wee bit unlikely.

I so very rarely nap that long. Half an hour, hour tops.

Hopefully they are things that can wait until next week/weekend then.

I am trying to figure out what to serve for brunch next week. I seem to be stuck after bubbly and OJ.

I seem to be stuck after bubbly and OJ.

Peach puree.

That too.

Oddly, I think maybe I should have some food too.

I'm writing about Catalina, and this is ita:

Parked in front of the fireplace, draped in a Winter coat and huddled under a blanket, ita quietly read a book, looking like a Hip Hop version of Whistler’s Mother. Despite spending several Winters in Montreal, Michigan, and the UK, ita has never lost her Jamaican internal temperature control and sleeps in wool socks in Los Angeles in June.

Oh Allyson, that's priceless.

Lee, I recommend a frittata. You can cook it ahead of time and leave it to cool while you meet and greet the guests. Or waffles, as they can rest in the oven.