One sun ray shyly poking out of the clouds, and I am already in a better mood.
My headache is gone and my smile is back. Why am I so weather-dependent?
California weather was one of the main reasons behind my choice to move here from Italy, I recall. Once decided that I did want indeed to come living in the U.S., I ruled out New York (where it would have been much easier in terms of opportunities for my professional career,) and unanimously voted for the City of Angels.
I never regretted it. But last year down-pouring and this year little taste of what could happen again made me wonder. Should I just swap homes with my friends in Seattle? Rain-lovers to their bones, they are complaining about the unusual and sudden drought they experienced recently.
So much for the weather. I'll spend some time in the kitchen today cooking for my friend Daniel, who's coming to dinner. Daniel is 25, and one of the most accomplished people I know. The guy is amazing, Harvard MBA material despite his almost-ghetto background. Most recently, he turned out to be a lot of fun too. After focusing on his business goals for three years straight, he realized that he has a right to enjoy life more on his own terms. And I have been so privileged to observe his amazing rebirth.
Daniel likes meatballs so I am going to dig out grandma's recipe for her special ones. I am the family depositary of four incredible books of recipes, all in her beautiful penmanship with collages of clippings from women magazines of the Fifties. Too bad I can't really follow recipes, I find it so boring. But they work as inspirational tools.
Oh yes! I'll be working magic alchemy in the kitchen and forget about the still unsettled weather out of the kitchen window. I bet I can even lift Moki's mood, as depressed as mine by the gray sky, bribing him with a juicy meatball. Lucky dog, I don't follow the rule of no-human-food to the dog either.
Rules are also just inspirational tools. Strict adherence to them is not my thing. Philosophy works better but my "rule" for that is, if it can grow corn, then it's a good philosophy; if it cannot, I don't need it.
I am the lucky Daniel who not only got the savor Gloria's magnificent meatballs - but had the pleasure of being sniffed by the even luckier Moki!!!
Thank you Gloria - you are a truly amazing friend!
Posted by: Daniel | October 21, 2005 at 02:59 PM
Mi casa es su casa, Daniel. Will always be for you.
Posted by: gloria | October 22, 2005 at 07:59 AM