| In 2003 we moved
from our long-time home in New Hampshire, exchanging the rugged
stability of the White Mountains for Indiana's level farm land.
Quite a difference, but I find the broad expanses of yellow,
green and brown fields eye-opening, and I follow the progression
of the growing season from spring planting to fall harvest with
constant interest. After living in a tiny village, where a half
hour trip brought me to a post office and general store, it is
a treat to be able to choose among activities at the Indianapolis
Museum of Art, the State Fair Grounds, Downtown, and numerous
colleges and universities, and drive no more than a half hour
to any one, or all. I knew I had made the transition from country
to city life when I sold off the Rav4 I had needed to negotiate
my own driveway and moved into a sedan with my first automatic
transmision--to better negotiate traffic and stoplights |
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Sun in January |
When the fields
turn brown and the sky is gray, we escape to sun by flying to
Spain. Our apartment in Roquetas de Mar (Almeria) is in the center
of town, within walking distance of the mercado de abastos
and up-to-date supermarkets, a modern shopping mall complete
with Computer City, a new performing arts center, and an old
(built in 1500) Andalusian fortress turned art gallery. Most
importantly, the Mediterranean is just "around the corner,"
where 17 miles of palm-lined promenade are available for daily
strolls and people-watching. Relying on public transportation,
our bikes, and our own feet to move about restores a deliberate
pace to life, and helps to counteract the effects of abundant
Spanish wine, fresh-baked bread, and tempting tapas. |
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The rhythm of moving between two homes shapes the year and offers
ample opportunity for refreshing viewpoints. But we still enjoy
travel, whether it is offered through visits to family in Denmark,
Argentina and the United States, work-related trips, or just
curiosity about the world around us.
Cooking in many styles is a favored activity
of mine, and wherever I go I make long visits to markets, collect
recipe postcards, joyously and energetically try others' culinary
creations, and treasure the availability of facilities to try
out my own.
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