The Fifth of July

Years ago, when my sister was at the University of Texas studying for her MFA, I visited her and was lucky enough to see her perform in The Fifth of July. On this day, literally July 5, every year since, I am transported back to that small, dark theater watching her act. Though I don't remember very much about the play, it is nonetheless, a lovely memory of sisterly togetherness at a time, both of us post-undergrad, when we were forging a more adult relationship. We are such good friends, and I feel very lucky about that. So, El, even if (as I believe) The Fifth of July was actually a grim tale, I remember it fondly. Chin-chin! Jack felt totally crappy all day yesterday, and 10:30p last night found me laying a cold washcloth on his forehead and reading Chapter 19 of The Prisoner of Azkaban to him. He was just radiating heat and was completely congested but finally fell asleep and remained so until 8a this morning (not so his little brother; grr; good thing he is extremely cute). He managed to complete his new X Wing Starfighter in one afternoon and was terribly proud. You know when you expect a gift to last a littttlllle longer? C'est la vie.

After Mr. O finally managed to pry me from bed this morning, he suggested we make waffles together. Great! He got his apron, helped me do everything (even make Mommy some coffee!), and as I pulled these beauties from the iron he said, "I am not hungry, Mom. I just thought it would be a fun activity." Oh, mon dieu. What will these children do next? I convinced him to take a bite of mine (delicious) and then he willingly ate a half of one. Tom enjoyed some, and hey, waffles freeze well.

Happy 4th!

Sadly, though today is my sweet Jack's 7th birthday, he woke with a 101+ fever and has felt lousy all day. He couldn't even stomach a bite of his birthday blackberry pie. Fortunately, new Legos, books and a Harry Potter wand have kept his attention!

We had T's parents over for a birthday lunch of Balsamic-glazed baby back ribs, corn on the cob, Mark Bittman's potato salad, hibiscus iced tea and blackberry and sour cherry pies. I'm full as a tick! The sun has come out, and we're making our way through a lazy, lovely afternoon. Hope you're all well.

Pies, pies, pies

Earlier today, with six pounds of ribs and 6 ears of corn in one hand, and Percy on the other, I got flipped off by a lunatic woman who had stopped in the pedestrian crosswalk instead of just before it. A stop sign! A crosswalk! A bus stop! Benches! Was it really a surprise that a pedestrian might be walking by? Because she deigned to stop (the law), I and my dog-n-parcel entourage opted to cross the street in front of her car (my right) at which point she started gesticulating offensively, and as soon as Percy's paw had cleared her wheel, she roared off in a fit of rage. I gave her the go-and-die look and hoped she didn't kill someone before she got home. The kids were on the wrong side of fantastic early this morning so after getting effed off by a crazy lady, I decided to throw in the towel and stay away from all people as best I could for the remainder of the day.

In the meantime, I made two chocolate-almond cakes and while they cooled, two pies. I LOVE PIE!!!

Jack asked that blackberry pie be his birthday breakfast, and I felt that a 4th with sour cherry pie would be superb. So, both! While they cooked, I iced those gorgeous Reine de Sabas and then tossed them in the freezer. Et voila!

Presently, curried cauliflower is roasting in the oven as are some collard green and chorizo handpies. At 7:44am tomorrow morning, my oldest little sweetheart, Jack, will be 7. Aah. Have I ever told you the story of the night he was born? I had my first contraction at 2:10am and we quickly realized they were like a minute apart. We called the doula, she said "go to the hospital." Tom went to wake my parents, I plugged in my curling iron. My Mom came up and said, "what on Earth do you think you're doing?!" I unplugged the curling iron, and we left. T smuggled White Star in that evening, and that was that. Wasn't he a beauty? Still is, inside and out!