It was a relaxing Sunday. First thing, Zing and I had to patrol the mall to make sure that yesterday’s Farm to Fork festival was all cleaned up, and then we went to the next block to survey Arena construction progress. (I can’t believe that I’m so interested in the Arena, and I know it’s because Clark would be intimately involved if he were here — Clark would no doubt step over barriers, talk to the workers, and befriend everyone involved.)
Before 8 this morning people were scurrying about — many young men in lavender shirts — we couldn’t figure out what was happening, but it is a step up in the clothing department, where work clothes and hard hats are what we normally see. I think purple must be a color of the Sacramento Kings. Purple and gold? (I am completely stupid when it comes to basketball. Actually, Clark had to tell me quite a few times that the arena was being made for basketball. I knew it was some kind of sport...)
On our way back to the condo we passed two young men crouched on the sidewalk, trying to repair a bicycle. It looked like the bicycle was winning. The men may have been more than naturally confused. They were kind as we passed, fussing over Zing and calling me Miss. When we were down about half a block, I heard one of them shout after me, “Miss, we found a rose!” I turned around and saw him holding up a straggly dark red flower. “It’s for you! he said. “Here — you take it!” I know they meant well, but I didn’t go back for the rose. Instead I blew them a kiss and wished them good luck.
Then I had Sunday breakfast that Clark would have loved: coffee, berries, and warm cinnamon roll (I froze the ones from Ikea), along with reading the New York Times. Later, I went to the giant Sunday farmers market, that I’ve been hearing about, “under the freeway, rain or shine, open year-round.” They say you can get a parking spot, but that must be for early birds. I parked several blocks away, but it was a lovely morning so I didn’t really care. And Wow! Yes! It’s everything people had told me. The cheese man (one of many) described how he makes Parmesan-type cheese melt in a sandwich (Put the bread and cheese in the microwave for just a few seconds first, then grill or sauté.); the mushroom woman told me how to cook the fluted beauties that I’d bought (Keep them in the refrigerator, then sauté them for risotto, or an omelet; and the baker where I bought a tiny apple pie told me they’re not allowed to sell cookies at this market (“It has something to do with not getting kids hooked on sweets,” she said.) These are cookies made from whole wheat flour and oatmeal.
I got home about lunchtime and made myself a salad from gorgeous greens I’d just bought. The farmers had lost their utensils, so I got to scoop the lettuces up with my hands and into a bag. I recognized dandelion greens and various lettuces, none of them wilted or yesterday-looking.
I had a great talk with Mary — glad she takes a long walk, because that’s when we talk! And in the afternoon Zing and I went to Land Park, which Keith showed me when we went to the Tower Restaurant soon after I’d gotten here. It was dark then, and he described the place as big and very nice, with a zoo, but I had to imagine it. In daylight, Land Park is green and well- mowed, lots of benches and tables under large trees, many ball fields, a zoo, a golf course, and much more. All surrounded by a lovely neighborhood. (No homeless in sight). It was fun to be out in nature instead of on the city streets, but the park is not wild.
Rosa kind of guided me home, and for a while we were on one of those residential streets that has gentle dips and rises. The traffic signs said “Undulations.”
… ups and downs …
Love,
k
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| Workers in front of the arena early Sunday morning |
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| Watermelon turnips, above and Maitake mushrooms, below  |
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| My lunch: Farmers market greens fried bread, raspberries, tomatoes |
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