I did the things I said I would do, AA, museum for tickets, swim(1750 meters).
I got home, did a major leftover reheating for our dinner. I’m reading books. Leave it at that.
Now I am watching a DVD about the First World War. I’ve seen it untold times. It’s easier to wrap my head around the ambitions of 1914 Serbia and Germany that it is the contemporary US of A.
The swim was satisfying. I’m regaining my self-esteem. I am enjoying another yoghurt smoothie, this time with strawberries and a banana. Yummy.
“I have admit it’s getting better, a little better all the time.”- Lennon & McCartney
I am now up for the second time. I was awake from around 4 to 7:30, getting J’s snack ready, drinking coffee, transporting. Now I am awake again, reading emails, drinking yet more coffee and a strawberry/yogurt smoothie. I am over yesterday’s drama and am ready to create more.
I will to a meeting, then head down to the Museum to get tickets for the Edward Hopper exhibition for Sunday, and cap off my day with a swim.
I’m working with a new sponsor, Oliver, a gentle soul. I just like the guy. I will probably have to step up my recovery by doing stuff like meditation.
I went to my noon AA meeting today. The topic was relapse. I rarely think about drinking anymore, but food….
I eat for all the wrong reasons. I eat to mask feelings. I eat for the sublime taste of melting butter on a warm croissant. I eat to not “waste” food.
And it isn’t about being too heavy any longer. I’m talking diabetes. My mother had Type Two Diabetes. She was a depressive like me. And her diabetes took years off her life.
So this time, I’m going back to Weight Watchers and I’m sticking after I reach goal.
Oh. After AA I got a haircut. And went swimming. So we’re doing the self-care thing. Nice
We have an abundance of good news today. 1) If our prognosticating rodent friend is to be believed, we shall have an early Spring. 2)Football is over for about six months. 3) I slept almost six and a half hours in one stretch. I reserve the right to go back to bed at any time.
I suppose I will have to do something constructive today. I think I will throw crap away while listening to J. S. Bach. Then maybe I can cry.
This is what I will be doing. Not Watching. Doing any and everything but watching that game.
Care to join me?
Also not watching Lassie Come Home on Turner Classic Movies. Truth be told I like animal movies even less than I do American Football. This is uncovering stuff about me, I would just as soon ignore.
I hate movies like this. I feel even more alienated from J because she likes them.
Last night, 1 February, The Church celebrated the Vigil Mass for the Solemnity of The Presentation of Our Lord, also known as Candlemas. The priests bless the candles used during the year at the altar and The Pascal Candle used during Eastertide.
Candles are associated with light and so it is appropriate that the Mass begins around dusk, as the light of the sun wanes. The Presentation of the Infant Jesus at The Temple in Jerusalem is recounted in The Gospel of St Luke. Simeon, a pious old man, sees the Christ Child and states that he can now die (depart) in peace, since he has just seen The Messiah. “A Light to enlighten the gentiles”. This is the ancient Song of Saint Simeon. (St Luke 2: 29-32). Hence the attention on light.
Outside, the congregation lights individual candles as night falls, then follows the priest into the Church, with only the altar candles burning and the candles the people hold. Jesus is the Light of The World.
We sat behind a family of eight, Mom, Dad, a daughter and five sons. The daughter, around eight, was the eldest of the children. She was the Substitute Mom, admonishing her brothers to be quiet while Mom was out changing the youngest, still in diapers. It was one of those scenes that convey the simple love behind family life.
The Presentation marks the end of the Christmas season and the last time the Precipio is on view. It is a large depiction of The Nativity Story, taking up the entire St Mary Altar and its chapel.
This is also the last time during The Liturgical Year that Alma Redemptoris Mater is the Marian Antiphon, chanted as the Recessional at the end of The Mass. The Marian Antiphons are a series of beautiful chants,honoring Mary, Mother of God, largely ignored in the Church these days, due to a misinterpretation of the rules around the NovusOrdo Mass. The Church and the culture at large are poorer places because of their neglect.
Today I renewed our membership at the Virginia Museum Of Fine Arts. And I stayed around to check some exhibitions, Renaissance and Mannerist Art, English Silver, and the Faberge Collection of Russian Easter Eggs.
To be fair, I spent very little time with the Faberge. I just noticed a stunning icon.
Russian Icon Madonna and Child 19thCentury
The English Silver is rather impressive. I was particularly taken with this casting.
Hebe (Daughter of Zeus and Hera)
After my brief foray into Culture, I went to KubaKuba, the original in The Fan. I had the codfish cake and eggs. The fish has a nice enchilada sauce with capers.
I fixed a curry tonight with chicken, celery, carrot, mushrooms, garlic, leeks, and fresh pineapple. I used a tikka masala powder, along with some cardamom, fennel seed and turmeric. I cooked it on the stove top then garnished with raisins, hearts of palm, cocoanut, and pine nuts. I served over rice.
Well I guess it was a little too spicy and J was not that happy with it. I liked the basic idea behind the curry, but the spicing was too hot for J’s palette. I am crushed. I know it’s just one meal. Still cooking is one of the ways I feel validated by J as a human being and a husband.
I knew I was taking a risk with the tikka masala. Still I wanted her to sing my praises to the Highest Heaven.
I did my minor/major home repairs, sat around but decided I would swim. I did an early evening swim, way better than just sitting around. I’m happy I did.
Dispatches From Dystopia 