Silence

I spent one week in silence, with minimal Internet and phone.  In this time, I cleaned house.  I revered my ancestors.  I cooked food to share with others.  I attended community events.  I also wrote long hand in a notebook.  Now I am in beast mode, and in a good way.

Birthday dream

I celebrated my thirty-six birthday on Friday, July thirteenth. I spent my birthday planning my dish for a potluck the next day. I made salmon stuffed eggs and salmon stuffed eggs au gratin, with white sauce, cheese and bread crumbs. I also made corn bread in cast iron. I went to bed and dreamed this:

A man knocked on my door asking for work. He looked like a hoodlum with his narrow eyes and du rag. Three older men already in my living room all agreed that I should not help this man. I shut and locked my door and walked toward my kitchen. Within seconds, the man unlocked the door, entered my home and threw an explosive that killed my three male friends. I grabbed my mobile off the counter, darted out the back door and hopped the fence.

It was nightfall when I reached the sidewalk. I carried corn bread baked in a square pan into a women's boutique. I set down the pan and looked into a full length mirror. I wore a clingy white top and long skirt split up the middle, a modern contrast to the vintage inspired fashion in the boutique. I selected a corn muffin in a star shape from the food table and ventured outside into the dark.  That's it.

7 mos

Belle is seven months old tomorrow. Today she measured in at 11 lbs, 15.2 oz, 25 inches and 42 cm head circumference. Her height and head are on a growth curve while her weight is not. Despite it all, I believe those baby food pancakes are working. She gained seven ounces in one week. I am pleased.

Pancake

Belle ate her first pancakes yesterday.  I added to one box of Jiffy cornbread mix 3 tablespoons of soybean oil, 2 egg yolks and 6 ounces of Gerber apple, banana and strawberry puree.  Belle took one bite and fell in love.  I want to try it with a vegetable puree next time.