Serving Waitsburg, Dayton and the Touchet Valley
Serving Waitsburg, Dayton and the Touchet Valley
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Since moving to Waitsburg about 18 months ago, I've noticed the noun "gift" has morphed into use as a verb. The "gifting" started my first morning here. I clumsily made it through the obstacle course in my rented cottage, strewn with 40 boxes previously shipped here and the eight suitcases that I brought with me on the plane, to answer the front door. There stood Karen, with a smile, two bottles of wine, and invitations to a New Years' Day Brunch and a birthday party. Invitations to parties and...
I know that we cannot remain a "sheltered at home" state forever; so I need to start facing reality. I am not usually a procrastinator, but since sheltering, I have seen a definite change in my behavior. Since I know I will be home all day again tomorrow, what's the rush? The dirty laundry will still be dirty, the dust will only have grown (like my grey hair) and my windows will still be foggy. Today is Monday, and the start of a new week; thoughts of my mother came flashing into my head. She...
This was actually the title of an "essay" assigned to my sister for Mother's Day when she was in 4th grade. My mother treasured this master literary work, it was the only childhood memento that she saved from any of us. None of our homemade cards, shell art, lariats or wood carvings made at camp were found among her treasures, just this paper. The title aptly suited my mother. She was a superstar; I miss her every day. She was a good sport, had a wicked sense of humor, could hold a grudge...
We planted trees today, three apple and one Chinese persimmon. More flora and fauna to impatiently watch and wait, along with my vegetables and herbs. As I mentioned last week, I am my father’s daughter, no patience! From my mother, I inherited her stellar sense of direction, her need to have a fully stocked pantry with backups for everything and unfortunately, her “black thumb.” So, not only am I impatient, I am not very optimistic about a large bounty. About two weeks ago we started plant...
Last July 4th holiday was the first time Daniel visited Waitsburg since we originally bought the house around 15 years ago. But, like the movie The Moneypit, the work and financial outgo is still ongoing and outgoing. During that first visit, even in the heat of the summer, he took it upon himself to build bookshelves for my 25 boxes of books. Floor to ceiling shelving against every wall in the upstairs bedroom and it is now our upstairs "library." His vacation was spent at Home Depot, behind a...
We finally finished unpacking all of Daniel's books (all 30 boxes of them), and his totes full of kitchen equipment, including a vast amount and variety of spices and a treasure trove of chemicals. The majority of the bottles, packages and tools are foreign to me. He looked at me with his usual one eyebrow raised show of disdain as I rolled my eyes at the jars and packets we were moving into the pantry. But I admit, I'm becoming a believer. He has become extraordinarily accomplished in the...
I am not complaining about our "new normal;" I believe the doctors and the scientists, I will adhere to social distancing guidelines, I have been washing my hands until they are raw, I will not travel, I will do my best to help mitigate the spread of this virus. But I will not succumb to becoming a couch potato or a hermit. I am luckier than so many; I don't have children in school, no worries about day care, home schooling, aging parents or compromised immune systems. I have a fully stocked...
If it was karma, please accept my apology. I know I said, "phooey!" defied Shakespeare, and didn't heed his warning to "beware the Ides of March," so, if that's why we're now watching spring change into winter again, please accept my apology. Intellectually I know I'm not powerful enough to dictate the weather patterns, but I don't want to feel as though I jinxed it. Sadly, my daffodils are snow bound and my car will keep its snow tires on a little longer. However, there is some good news. It's...
A recent interview in The Waitsburg Times with Markeeta Little Wolf, managed to simultaneously inspire and embarrass me. It was a reminder of just how complacent I have become with recycling since moving here. In California we had curbside bins for glass, plastic, paper, yard waste, and regular trash. Recycling was easy! Although a bit more challenging here, Markeeta has inspired me to become more aware of the little things that I can do to make a difference. California and Washington are simila...
Thank you for letting me whine about my cold. Monday I woke up feeling much better, my energy is back, along with my appetite! So after my workout at the Y, I treated myself to breakfast at Bacon & Eggs in Walla Walla. I am convinced that spring is on the way, I see daffodils blooming, shades of green driving through the wheat fields and the sun is shining. Phooey on you Mr. Shakespeare, bring on the Ides of March. There are two big spring holidays (although not until April), that celebrate one...
Currently I live alone. That will change March 1, when Daniel moves here, but right now, I have no one to whine to, except my dog. Sorry, but I am using you (whoever reads this), as my "shoulder to whine on." I'm sick, it's just the common cold, but it's uncommon for me. I'm the one who takes care of everyone else and deflects any germs that venture into my space. I'm an active person who unfortunately is also a klutz, I get injured, not sick. Broken bones, sprains, strains, tennis balls to the...
Truth is, I am old enough to remember when we honored Washington and Lincoln on two different days in February, and celebrated with two school vacation days. I choose to continue that tradition. I celebrate Washington’s Birthday first, because I love cherry pie! We’re told of the fable, that when asked if he had chopped down the cherry tree, George confessed to the crime, because he could not tell a lie. Lying (or truth), can be a tricky concept. Most of us are taught that “honesty is the best...
Last week, I was so excited. There, on the south side of my house shooting upwards to the fog shrouded sun, were sprigs of daffodils. Yay! Spring has sprung and I am ready for some sun. I started to fantasize about lighter clothing, lighter food and maybe even an outdoor tennis game. Then, boom! Rain, snow, cold and flooding. I am back to being mud-bound. I don't remember seeing this much mud in my house since the last flood in Los Angeles about 5 years ago. I keep sweeping, dusting and...
Months ago, when I was first asked to write this column, I made a list of holidays and events to write about, and the foods that would be fun, interesting, maybe traditional or unexpected. Oops! Super Bowl Sunday was on my list, but, I admit, I forgot. I never developed a strong affinity for football. Maybe, it’s a result of six years playing flute in marching bands, while the worst teams ran back and forth across the field. This year I did watch the game with friends, while feasting on a v...
They say it's a "poor workman who blames his tools." I have good reason to dispute that. I've found in sports, luck beats skill any day. A few years ago, I was coerced by my boss to join my colleagues and play golf at his country club. My prior golf experience was on a par-3 course, using my late 88-year-old aunt's left-handed golf clubs (I'm right-handed). I acquiesced, went to Roger Dunn golf shop to purchase an entire set of clubs, irons, putter and bag for $69. I felt the shame of golf club...
It's still January and gloomy, so I'm still in soup mode. I continue to stare at my Instant Pot, while trying to muster up the courage to use it, but right now, I'm sticking to my stock pot. However, here's an interesting anecdote to my Instant Pot saga. When Daniel, (the chef), was here over the holidays, he used the Instant Pot to make tomato sauce. While it was venting, the steam coated the cabinet door. Being "clean as we cook" people, he rubbed down the cabinet with a kitchen towel, and...
It's these gloomy, overcast days that put me in the mood to cook stews or make a big pot of soup, with homemade bread. It could be ten degrees below zero with three feet of snow on the ground, but if the sun is out, I'll eat a salad. Sun and salads go together, this is probably still Los Angeles' influence on me. We've had plenty of gray days lately, and I know there a more to come. Also, it's January, when many of us have pledged to lose weight, go to the gym, eat healthier and other "take...
I love to host parties, but I also enjoy being a guest. I don't have to clean my house and since I still don't have a dishwasher, cleanup is not my job! But, like most things in life, there are some guidelines to consider on how to be a gracious guest. Because I want to be invited to parties again, I mind my manners, offer to help, and show appreciation to the host/hostess. I've hosted several parties; I know that even a potluck entails a lot of work for the host. One rule of thumb I try to...
I just returned from a quick trip to Southern California, which started with a visit to my sister in Laguna Hills. Conveniently, I scheduled my flight to arrive at dinner time because Laguna Hills has a very dynamic Asian community, and I was ready for some good sushi or Chinese food. We settled on a wonderful Chinese restaurant, where the special that night was Peking Duck. Needless to say, we enjoyed it! Two days later, I headed up to Los Angeles for work and to visit friends, where I happily...
About 3 years ago, I announced to my friends that I was planning my farewell to Los Angeles to move to Waitsburg. Obviously, the first question was, "where?" I explained, it's a bedroom community of Walla Walla, and of course, who hasn't heard of Walla Walla? Evidently my friends hadn't. Their faces had that look of "what the heck are you thinking?" followed by a blank stare, and then, they regrouped and asked, "Aren't you going to miss the sun? Doesn't it rain all the time there?" Hey guys,...
As it stands now, my ex-husband, Daniel, the chef, will be moving to Waitsburg this spring. After spending Thanksgiving with him; well, to quote Yogi Berra, “it’s déjà vu all over again.” It’s been 10 years since we’ve lived together, and I forgot what it’s like to live with someone whose life is food. Admittedly, I love being the beneficiary of great meals, but sometimes, the quest for perfection, and the persnickety preparation is more entertaining than the outcome. Some things have changed...
Thank you to my new Waitsburg friends, I am so fortunate. The community effort Thanksgiving spent with so many new friends was truly a treat. The amount of food and wine bordered on obscene, and the number of pies was obscene. But there are those times when obscene is worthwhile, and a plethora of pies is one of those times. They were all homemade, delicious, and worth every additional mile I need to run to work off the calories. My ex-husband, the chef, Daniel, visited me here in Waitsburg,...
As most of you know, I moved here last December from sunny, Los Angeles, just in time to experience what was noted to be the coldest, snowiest winter in 15 years. I’m not a sentimental person, nor do I spend a lot of time reflecting. I have one speed and one direction, “fast and forward.” However, this year I have made an amazing revelation: There’s more to a holiday than shopping the sales. Waitsburg is a town that gracefully and respectfully moves from one holiday to another. Celebra...
Let’s all acknowledge that there are just some things that stand the test of time as perfect partners. Who can argue the perfection of peanut butter & jelly, bacon & eggs; where would we be without Proctor & Gamble or Johnson & Johnson? And let’s not forget perfect couples, Fred & Ginger, Simon & Garfunkel, Huntley & Brinkley (dating myself) Batman & Robin, me & George Clooney (a girl can dream). But, it’s Thanksgiving, so we pay homage to the classic duo of turkey and stuffing! In culin...
My fear of using the pressure cooker is rational and understandable. My first experience with this kitchen monster, was when my mother was in a rush to make chicken soup; she decided to use the stainless-steel stove top pressure cooker, so we could have the soup that evening. I’m not sure of the specifics, or what was the catalyst for the catastrophe, but suddenly my sister and I heard a loud blast from the kitchen, screams followed by colorful words I didn’t even know she knew, a loud his...
