A Democrat Leaves Texas

Yesterday’s gubernatorial race was perhaps enhanced in a small way by my own race to the polls. I foolishly waited until the last minute—almost literally, with only five minutes to spare until the election closed—to vote for the first time in Massachusetts. It was close, with a late bus forcing me to take a subway that would drop me almost a full mile away from my assigned voting area, obliging me to practically run even though I was overloaded with all my schoolbooks. I shoved aside dogging flyer distributors who were insistently pushing their political agendas right outside the polling place. I argued with election officials who eyed my Texas driver’s license suspiciously and almost refused me my hallowed right of citizenship, until I presented my science museum membership card that proudly proclaimed that I did in fact live here. I fumbled with the foreign ballot system that involved yet a new permutation of marking and verifying and inserting into ballot boxes. But finally, I voted.

And, how satisfying it was to wake up in the lovely state of Massachusetts and discover that almost ALL of the fine people I voted for won their races! This was quite a shock, let me tell you. I come from a land where, if you are a liberal, this does not happen. I actually live amongst people who share my same values. How lovely! How satisfying! My vote doesn’t count any more than it did in Texas—the races aren’t close in either state—but what a wonder sensation to feel part of the victory.

Birthday Binge

Last night a friend of a friend made me the most delicious birthday dinner. We had endive boats with apple, arugula, and manchego cheese, braised lamb with fig current sauce, acorn squash filled with yam puree, and sautéed kale. For dessert we had baked pears with a fig balsamic reduction on vanilla ice cream! Apparently, he’s graduating from cooking school. And apparently, it was worth his time and effort to go there.

For some reason, these pics make it look like we had this dinner in the 70's, but don't be fooled--this meal rocked us in '06.

1st course - delish dish engineered by Paula

main course - Toby's masterpiece with complementing acorn squash creations conceived by Paula

dessert - Toby wins and provides me with a reason to go on living for another 31 years: I may run into this dessert again!