Potatoes in the Mist

Recently I finished a book where bureaucracy was the enemy - The Astral Library by Kate Quinn. I have to say this is accurate. It also dovetails with Hannah Arendt’s “banality of evil.” My building has been harassing me about insurance. My insurance people just emailed them what they wanted. (The building wouldn’t accept it directly from me.) So I think it might be over? Unless the building demands a physical copy. L’enfer c’est les autres… Update: they sent an email saying, “You’re all set.” I can’t believe it. Eric says, “We gotta celebrate.”

 The kids are driving up to New York for the 4th of July weekend. I’ll be flying. When I planned the trip, I thought it would be cooler than Florida. It will actually be hotter, going into the triple digits on some days. So I feel a bit foolish. But we will be going to California from NYC in mid-July, and that is reliably cooler. Eric and I had a great time in Europe. Zoe (who wants to be called Chris now) was unable to come because of a broken ankle. Eric and I swam in the Aegean Sea and saw Harry Styles in concert (a fun sing-along). I’m still on the fence about whether to move back to NYC in 2029 (when Chris graduates) or stay in Florida. NYC is much cheaper for me because I only pay maintenance on the apartment there, instead of full rent. But Florida lets you avoid the winter. I haven’t really put roots down there, though anything can change, I suppose. Maybe I could go there for the winter…

 Eric and I spent a few days in Key West. I love it there. You can bike everywhere, no need for a car. 

 I saw this on my morning walk 🌈

 I’m not a big movie person, but I saw 2 good ones recently. Project Hail Mary - science fiction with ET vibes, and Crossing Delancey - cute 80s movie set in NYC. I also saw this cute Hello Kitty train.

 I’ve never tried any of Nigella Lawson’s recipes, but this coffee ice cream caught my eye. And it’s served on a brioche bun, which is interesting. 

 Feeling emotional. Eric is going to University College London. It’s exciting though. 

 I tried this avocado salad from Smitten Kitchen. Amazing. The red onion isn’t necessary; the dressing, lettuce and avocado are enough. 

 I just finished watching the Gilmore Girls revival. I heard it was “controversial,” but I liked it. I hope they do another one.

 I tried a sandwich today that was blog-worthy. No photo, unfortunately—it was gone too fast. I got it at The Love Loaf in North Beach. Ham, melted Brie and fig jam on a croissant. 

 I made peach crumb muffins from Smitten Kitchen Keepers. Delectable 😊

 I hadn’t made one of these in ages…since New York, maybe. But it was as good as I remembered. I had mine with Nutella, but Eric likes Bonne Maman jam.

 Kyoto is beautiful.

 The kids and I are in Kyoto. It feels like the real Japan, less citified than Tokyo. Coming back from dinner, we saw a river with stepping stones, and waded across. 

 The kids and I had such a good time in Fort Lauderdale today. We went to El Camino, where I had fish tacos and a strawberry margarita, and then we took a boat down the river (for free). There was a dog named Brian on board. 

 Hi blog! It’s been a while. Eric took this picture of the eclipse. We weren’t on the path of totality, but in 2045 we will be.

 Today Eric and I rode our bikes from Sunny Isles to Dania Beach. It was over 16 miles round trip. We passed through Hollywood, which has a honky tonk beach section, and then we went through a more rustic area that had Nantucket vibes. After I turned around, he continued to Fort Lauderdale. It was a nice ride, and a bit of an adventure, but unfortunately I didn’t take any pictures.

 I signed up for a 5K and now I’m addicted. 12 called me Speed McQueen 😊

 I am excited! The kids and I are going to see Billy Joel and Sting in Tampa. 

 I took a long bike ride today. About 15 miles. Most of it was on a path by the ocean (first sand, then paved). When I got home, I had 2 pumpkin waffles with maple syrup and strawberry Greek yogurt on top. It was very satisfying.