Rain and soup

Rain again, tonight and tomorrow, so the forecast predicts. I’m worried about our ceiling; the leaks have become worse with each rain. We’ve borrowed deeper and wider buckets, an act of anticipation and protection. Furniture has been pushed aside, rugs rolled up and/or removed.

Our building is two years old. Until legal matters are settled, here’s life in our living room, during times of rain.

Last Monday we had a final lunch in New Mexico, beef soup at Casa de Fiesta Mexican Grill, in Albuquerque’s Old Town Plaza. Simple and delicious, I attempted a recreation for tonight’s dinner. (Simple and delicious are my kind of cooking!) I call it “Hamburger soup.” This comfort food I’ll remember when I hear water dripping, during the night.

- PJ

Memories of red chili

Returned home last night, back to work today. Here’s Easter Sunday dinner, prime rib and pozole, both were great.

Memories of that pozole will distract me, until I learn how to make an authentic red chili sauce.

Yesterday morning we returned to an art gallery in Santa Fe, one we visited Sunday afternoon. And yesterday morning we “came to an agreement” with the owners. Now the wait, until two paintings arrive. Ah, thoughts of red chili sauce, and paintings!

I received an email from France magazine saying the submission I made on 4 April has been passed to the editorial team. Not sure if that means I've cleared hurdle number one, or standard procedure is being followed. The response was prompt, however, and that's good news.

- PJ

Easter in Santa Fe

It’s been a beautiful day in Santa Fe. I thought the Plaza would be empty today, stores and restaurants closed, sidewalk vendors home with their families. It was hopping.

I was stopped for speeding the other day, just beyond the Santa Fe Opera area. Speed limits in New Mexico change radically: 35, then 45, then 55, then 45, then 60, then 45…yikes. Lost in all those changes, my mind was stuck, I suppose, with the 75 mph limit on Interstate 25 (there’s no 75 mph in California, that I know of!). So I didn’t notice I was doing 76 mph in a 65 mph zone, I only noticed pedestrians walking along the side of the Interstate, something illegal in California. The policeman who stopped me understood, and issued me only a warning. He explained they were patrolling the area heavier than usual since it was Holy Thursday and those pedestrians were on a religious walk. I wondered if their destination was Chimayo, but didn’t ask, I only thanked the officer and got the heck out of there. Then I realized our rental car had cruise control.

Dinner tonight at Milagro, back to Los Angeles tomorrow.

- PJ

New Mexico

I’m in Ojo Caliente, New Mexico, where I face a day of soaking in hot mineral waters.

Now, though, I type, sitting in bed, while coffee brews and morning sun streams in.

The book signing I mentioned, two posts ago, produced a nice surprise: Ed Mayes, Frances’ husband, was also there, as well as Steven Rothfeld, photographer for a few of her projects. Ed is genuine and outgoing. While Frances signed my eight books, Ed and Steven made me feel at home. Both signed books they’ve been involved with.

Back home after the book signing, I made a submission to France magazine, via website, which now accepts submissions. Then it was off to New Mexico, that evening.

Yesterday, we drove around the Piedra Lumbre area of Abiquiu; one short visit shows why Georgia O’Keeffe remained so long.

And so, surrounded by beauty, I hold good thoughts that perhaps I’ll get a publishing credit this year, a step forward for Half Italian.

- PJ

Coming up

This weekend, I’ll visit my uncle and Carlin, two prominent characters in Half Italian. I conclude Half Italian‘s preface with the thought that peoples’ lives are like treasure chests, full of gems. Carlin just keeps tossing me gems, whether she intends to or not; a visit with her often provides something to write about.

On 4 April, I’ll meet one of my favorite authors, Frances Mayes, at a book event at the Getty Villa. Then it’s off to New Mexico that evening, for Easter weekend. Two days at Ojo Caliente and two in Santa Fe. I’m ready.

- PJ