18 January 2007
I know a lot of lip service is paid to the enjoyment of simple things, but it can be difficult to reduce the clutter around you and actually make time for it. I feel like I'm getting there. In the midst of (or, if I'm being hopeful, the tail end of) a very stressful period, it really is the simple things that have made me happiest.
Minnie is learning about mirrors. She sounded her warning bark the other day, and I spied out all of the windows, wondering if the postman was outside, before I realized she'd just seen my image in a mirror. Yesterday, she reclined on her dog bed while I painted bookcases. I looked over to see her watching herself (you can see the nose smudge from her curiosity). Every now and then, she'd try to look at me in the mirror, but that other dog kept getting in the way, following her every move!
That broken mirror, by the way, belong out in the trash. Sometimes the garage seems so far away. As a side note, look at Minnie's fantastic ears. Top quality. Perfect triangles!
I can't remember how the mirror thing tied in with my thoughts on simplicity, but there you go. One of the biggest improvements to my life in recent weeks has been the huge reduction in the amount of television I watch. There are only three shows I make a point to watch (Bones, House, and Scrubs), and that's only 2.5 hours a week. That's not to say I don't sometimes look for a program, but I never turn the TV on before 7pm these days.
Instead? I listen to NPR (actually Minnesota Public Radio). For me, this was always a 'I really should...' sort of thing, but when you're used to being inundated with graphics and whizz-bang effects, it's hard to make it a habit. Now I listen to the news channel throughout much of the day, and I'm completely addicted to it.
I waited on the edge of my figurative seat all this morning, waiting for the clock to change to 12:00, so I could buy tickets to Prairie Home Companion. There are three shows in February, and I was so sad when I missed out on the tickets (they're hugely popular around here). A few days ago, they announced that there would be three extra non-broadcast Friday night shows. After stalking Ticketmaster, I came away with two excellent seats to the February second show, and one super excellent seat to the show two weeks later. So excited. I'm still coming to terms with the fact that I won't be allowed to dance during the Be-Bop-A-Re-Bop Rhubarb Pie theme, though.
This post is just all over the place. Let's end with some food:
My pal Mo and I went to dinner the other day, when she was in town (and we had the BEST meal I've ever et at my favourite Indian restaurant), and she asked me if I cook a lot of meals for myself. I wasn't quite sure how to answer, because I don't really consider heating a Quorn fillet and making veggies to be cooking. But a look in my cupboards reveals mostly ingredients, so it must be true. I do eat tinned soup, but I don't have boxes of 'tip into a pot of boiling water' meals or microwave entrees or even jars of pasta sauce.
Now that I've realized it, I'm very proud of this fact, because it's what I've always wanted. When I feel like pasta, I want to chop an onion, fry it up with some mushrooms, and make a quick sauce from cream and eggs (and herbs). I could care less how other people eat, but this is what I want for myself, and I'm so happy I've got here. I've long held the belief that the more you do for yourself -- the closer you are to 'the basics' -- they happier you'll be. I think I'm finding out it's true.
p.s. -- I keep forgetting to say: If somebody would like to do a trial run of my carrot cookie recipe, leave a comment. First person to call dibs 'gets' to do it. Please make sure you'll be able to bake them in the next day or two. I always change things as I go, so I can't be sure what I've written down is actually what I used.
Oh! I would love to try your cookie recipe if it isn't too late already!
posted by Nancy at January 19, 2007 01:15 AM
darn. i've been waiting for you to post your carrot cookie recipe, and i'm not the first comment person. i could have made them saturday. :(
posted by rachel at January 19, 2007 04:46 AM
Perfect ears indeed, I'm mucho impressed.
Love what you say about the food thing. I like your relationship with food, and I'm surprised you've not veiwed yourself in this way before now.
Yay to home made food and simple pleasures.
posted by cally at January 21, 2007 05:45 PM