After preaching at the First Presbyterian Church of Rumson, New Jersey, Noushin Framke hosted a wonderful lunch that included purple flowers. To view. Not to eat.
12 February 2017
Category Archives: Food
A smile
They came in and sat at the table beside me in the restaurant. A big man, bigger than me and a child, probably 6 or 8 years old, his grandson. I had never seen them before. I doubt I will see them again.
Their conversation turned to cookies and specifically to cookies made during the holiday season.
The man explained how the child’s grandmother made cookies for Christmas using a cookie press. He described the process of creating the dough, adding food color, putting dough in the press, and squeezing it.
As I listened, the years fell away and the miles disappeared, and I stood once more in the kitchen of a house where I was raised. I could feel the warmth of the oven and smell the sugar and butter in the air.
I watched as my mother carefully pressed out cookie after cookie, changing the dough and changing the tip. The trays went into the oven. And the cookies came out and were placed on towels where some were decorated with sugar or rainbow sprinkles. The taste played anew on my tongue.
When I headed into the night, I said to the man, “My mother made those too. Thank you for the memory.”
And I smiled.
See you along the Trail.
The Until We Meet Again Tour – 25 August 2016, part 1
The anticipated venue proving unavailable, the Until We Meet Again Tour went to lunch at the North River Lobster Company. The experience included a 45-minute cruise on the Hudson. Others shared the river; tall buildings were on view.
The Until We Meet Again Tour – 23 August 2016
The Until We Meet Again Tour played three venues today.
First the tour visited Kirsh Bakery and Kitchen for a conversation with Bob Brashear.
The second stop involved a wonderful, touching farewell party at the Presbyterian Ministry at the United Nations.
The evening gig included Tricia, son Sean, and nephews Adam and Bryan for dinner at Frankies 570 Spuntino.
Filed under Family, Food, New York, Presbyterian Ministry at the United Nations
The Until We Meet Again Tour – 21 August 2016, part 2
As noted in the previous post, the highlight of the Until We Meet Again Tour was brunch at Community Food and Juice with my dear friends Nicole Kung and Desi Aldorando. I should point out that my dear friend Boxster joined us.
Boxster and I met during my first massage treatment from NK Body Philosophy. Boxster, or Mr. B. as I sometimes call him, sat under the table. We have been friends ever since.
The photo is by Nikki Kung, Boxster’s mom.
The Until We Meet Again Tour – 21 August 2016, part 1
The Until We Meet Again Tour spent a good portion of the day cleaning the Shire. A good workout involving the treadmill and a workout designed by NK Body Philosophy took place.
But the highlight of the day involved brunch at Community Food and Juice with my dear friends Nicole Kung and Desi Aldorando. Among the many people I will miss when I leave New York, I suspect that Nikki and Desi are among the friends I will miss the most. And they are among the friends I will figure out how to meet again.
The Until We Meet Again Tour – 22 July 2016 – birthday edition
The Until We Meet Again Tour took an interesting turn on this birthday.
The plan had been to go to the office to do some more cleaning and packing for the move.
Yesterday afternoon, however, my colleagues in the organization Ecumenical Women found themselves without a facilitator for a retreat. Would I help them out, they asked. Of course I said yes. I thought I might go to Riverside Park for a bit after the retreat ended.
The retreat was held at 475 Riverside Drive, right around the corner from the Shire. It ended at 1:00 but conversation lasted until 4:30.
Walking back to the Shire, I realized how oppressive the heat was today, and may be the rest of the weekend.
I went to the gym around 6:00 as planned. After the workout, I decided I did not want to do the heat. I ordered dinner.
And then began watching The Lord of the Rings films. That’s usually a Christmas activity with Tricia and Eric, Sean passes, but we did not find time for it last Christmas.
With the city under a heat advisory most of the day tomorrow, this seemed like a moment when I might have time to watch all three. The Balrog just grabbed Gandalf. We’ll see where things end up.
And there was cake today as my colleagues celebrated my birthday, singing twice.
See you along the Trail.
The time is now
Nicole Kung, NK Body Philosophy: It isn’t the falling that matters. It’s the getting back up.
Alfred Pennyworth: Why do we fall sir? So we might learn to pick ourselves up
Bruce Wayne: You still haven’t given up on me?
Alfred Pennyworth: Never.
In my efforts at self-care, I have fallen often.
I have learned how to pick my self up.
Family and friends, long-time and new, have never given up on me.
As the year comes to a close, with holidays and football games and all sorts of challenges ahead, I begin again. Again. The time is now (also from Nicole).
As in the recent past, I will attempt to post results on Steps along the Trail. You are welcome to follow. Or not.
See you along the Trail.
Done
Much done
once done
begin anew.
Half done
not done
begin anew.
Words said
deeds show
begin anew.
26 October 2015
The Shire
Manhattan, New York
Purple flowers – Grace Bickers’ home
Thanks to Grace Bickers and her family for a lovely dinner with Tricia, Ryan Smith, Sera Chung, and me.
Grace, Sera, Ryan, and I all worked together for a stretch.
Grace’s family even had a purple flower in the window.
1 August 2015
Louisville, Tennessee
Along the Graybeard Trail 