Holiday Heyday

Jon says Memorial Day is his new favorite holiday. The mark of summer, beer, BBQs, sunshine, day trips, nekked babies running around. Honoring real heroes, men and women who face death by choice, and this blessed, blessed country. I love it. I really do. We're lucky to live, to have grown up, to raise NJ almost in the heart of this place, this vast nation that feels so small at times. Especially when you go into the city on a day that's filled with such a spirit of gratitude, remembrance and celebration of everyone who makes it so.

God and Seitan

I've been having lots of crazy dreams lately. Some might call them visions. Some might even call them hallucinations. I don't know what the hell they are, but, I keep seeing animals, and they aren't happy that I've been eating them. I think it's God talking to me, and he's telling me that I can't be one with the universe and all that crap (not crap really) if I'm eating things I'm not supposed to be putting in my body. It's not necessary for us to eat animals, to kill animals, to live and be healthy. In fact, it's unhealthy.

The pastor at our church spoke about attentiveness last week. Not awareness, but being attentive in everything we do, everyday. Hearing that voice, always. Hearing it, and listening to it. My meat-eating heart is breaking, but everything else is unbreaking. So, I have to go with my God-gut. I'm going to be eating tempeh- or seitan-bacon from here on out (the name irony – clearly disturbing).

Here's a recipe for a fakin' bacon BLT from my new cookbook:

1 tbsp. extra-virgin olive oil
8 slices tempeh bacon
4 slices whole grain bread
2 tbsp. vegenaise
2 romaine lettuce leaves
1 large ripe tomato, thinly sliced
1 ripe Hass avocado, halved, pitted and thinly sliced
salt and freshly ground black pepper

Heat the oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the tempeh bacon and cook, turning once, until browned on both sides, about 5 minutes total. Remove from the skillet and drain on paper towels.

Toast the bread (I like Ezekiel sprouted bread) and spread with the mayo. Place 2 slices of prepared toast on cutting board and layer each one with lettuce, tomato, avocado and bacon. Season to taste with salt and pepper. Top each with remaining toast. Use a bread knife to cut these babies up, and enjoy!

Three Years Ago Today

On May 17, 2008, I married a man more perfect for me than I could have ever dreamed up. I thank God for him everyday, but can never give thanks enough. The treasure of my life who lifted me up when I didn't know I needed lifting, he healed me before I ever knew I needed to be healed, and opened me up when I didn't know I was closed. I thought I'd been loved before. Not like this. He is my peaceful, easy feeling, my loving cup, my beautiful buzz. The river that sings sweet songs to rock my soul. The sugar in my bowl. Best friend, best guy a girl could ever have by her side. Love you baby, forever.

X Marks the Spot

I plucked a hair from an unmentionable place this morning, which means that things really are getting  back to some kind of normal. I think I have pms, and cramps. Well, Jon thinks I have pms. I even washed my hair, and craved a cigarette for the first time in like 2 years maybe. Now that is awesome. Today was the first day of radiation. Here is my new tattoo, one of four. Not the whole thing, silly. Just the very center dot. Bulls-eye. Not what I had in mind when I told Jon I was thinking of a getting a new one. Four little dots on my body forever from here on out. Four reminders not to forget how fragile, precious, lovely, amazing this little life of mine is, and what I had to do to fight for it. Tomorrow is our wedding anniversary. Can't wait to celebrate, our marriage, and so much more.

Like Mother, Like Daughter

NJ and I are very much alike, already. Aloof, stubborn, leery, inquisitive, picky (with a very discerning palate mind you), she loves language and books, to be touched – when she's in the mood. She even has unnatural leanings, already, toward beer and wine. There are only a few words she can say with near precision, and beer is one of them. Maybe we've been drinking a bit much :( She's got a ferocious sweet tooth. Cookies, popsicles and sweet tea in particular, we recently discovered, thanks to granddaddy. She dislikes people creepin' too close into her personal space and prefers to be naked at all costs. And, maybe we even look kinda the same. Just a little.

NJ (top) and me (bottom), around the same age.