Of COURSE I did. It's what this blog is all about after all. Simple pleasures. Life's little gifts. Things that make me/you/us smile, laugh, snicker, ponder, wonder, cry, shout, question and just generally appreciate the seemingly diminutive moments and things that make every day worth living.
So the subject of today's little thing? Arugula.
You heard me right Arugula is the source of my joy today. Wanna know why? (Here's another thing that's great about blogs. You can answer the question above any way you see fit but no matter what you say or think, I'm gonna keep right on typing. So it's a win/win. Navigate away or keep reading....we all get what we want.)
Oh lord - I can tell digression is going to be central to this posting. It's been WAAAAY to long. So here's why Arugula keeps making me grin.....
My sister and I (and any number of other family members who shall remain nameless) were recently thrust into a very emotionally tumultuous event. While tugging on each other's bootstraps in the midst of a number of melt downs and frustrating moments, my sister and I shared not one...but several moments of bliss centered around a humble little edible plant -- arugula -- also known as eruca sativa, rocket plant, rucola, and rocquette.
Let me back up just a bit so that I can confess a total lack of knowledge regarding the vast variety of leafy bits that make up our salads. I eat A LOT of salads and generally speaking, before now, I could really only point out a couple them by name: iceberg, romaine, cabbage, etc. Every Saturday I go to the market across the street from our condo. One particular Saturday not too long ago, I picked up some very large leafed (is that even a word?) arugula. I felt confident I had arugula prior and it looked innocent enough -- but really, who puts a taste value on leaves? I mean, don't we all judge a good salad by the OTHER things on the salad? Nuts, chicken, dressing, raisins, eggs, etc? Well, no more my friends! Because now I know the greatness of arugula and have started what seems to be a cult....of two.
I enjoyed my salads so much the week after I picked up the arugula at the market (oh, btw, try arugula in a rice wrap....AH-MAZING!), that when my sister and I were shopping for some groceries for our mom, we bought a HUGE case of baby arugula. That afternoon, my God-fearing sister became a worshiper of a new God....the God of lettuce everywhere.....ERUCA SATIVA (or to us simpletons...arugula). Yes, I've gone off the deep end and no, I don't mind if you come with or visit occasionally. I tell you what though -- I think my sister was way ahead of me in the "gone off the reservation department"....talking about eating it by itself as a snack...and how fabulously nutty it is. I think she told her poor daughter no less than 17 times how great arugula is and how central to her life it had become in just a few short days. Preach on sister! My niece? NOT impressed with our new found devotion to the leaf. We will have to work on specific initiation rituals before she is allowed into our cult. Perhaps arugula-laced banana shakes???
For my sis' benefit and anyone else who gives a whooey, here are some wunnerful qualities of arugula. One point of contention though, the below article describes the taste as peppery but I'm with sis on this one....nutty...through and through.
Health Benefits of Arugula
And if you really want to annoy people with your expansive eruca sativa knowledge, take a looky loo at this:
the language chef - arugula
No...you dirty minded children, not literally. I meant, do you want to feel something in your heart?
Because if you have a couple hours to spare and don't mind letting go of some of your belief systems....just for a little bit..... have I got a movie for you!
The Broken Circle Breakdown
Seen it? No? Well, get out there and watch it. I KNOW that it will not be for everybody but it should be....it's that beautiful. Then again, maybe it's just me. Maybe it's my bipolar, ADD, belief system and life experiences that made this such a moving experience...but I doubt it. I think it fits a lot of our molds...at least, a lot of the people I've known over the years.
There is nothing to compare it to though perhaps it's a Steel Magnolias meets Girl with the Dragon Tattoo meets Meet Joe Black meets O' Brother Where Art Thou. That was too many "meets" I know - so sue me. It's a Belgian film so be ready for subtitles but the music? You don't need subtitles for that - the music is unbelievable. Describing it as strictly bluegrass does NOT give it justice. Please for the love of all things holy (no pun intended) do NOT let the words "bluegrass" and "gospel" keep you from watching this movie or listening to the soundtrack. When they do "If I needed you" together on stage...it's almost too much for a heart to bear.
I don't want to spoil the movie...or the soundtrack by giving away too much. I do want to say that a lot of the music and some of the emotions remind me of the people I love and of my childhood. It would take too long and is perhaps to personal (even for me) to go into the context behind that. Just take my word for it. I will warn you that, no matter what you feel about religion or politics (there's a smattering of both in here), this movie will stir those emotions in you. I *think* it's best viewed with an open heart and a willingness to understand that everyone approaches tragedy and loss differently....and that we should let them. But that's just little ol' me....
It's not a perfect movie. It tends to be a little disjointed and some might find it preachy (though not in the typical sense) but it's worth your time.
....and her name is Nieva. She is our housekeeper here in the Philippines but "housekeeper" doesn't COME CLOSE to describing what an asset she is already becoming to us. She is quickly becoming a part of our little family. Cassie adores her, Zach is beside himself that she makes him two sandwiches a day. You know, in case he gets hungry later in the day. "You're a growing boy Mr. Zach." :)
But you know how I knew right away that she was "the one" and that my love for her would quickly outshine my love for my dear husband? She did this to my sock drawer:
Please note, those are folded neatly AND arranged by type.
And she did this to my t-shirts:
I'd show you my underwear drawer because it's equally spectacular but that's a little personal even for how much I tend to overshare.
I'm still allowed to brag!
My mom is a published author...several times over. Although, unless you were into historical romances in the 80s, you probably wouldn't have read her books. I have no doubt that she would have continued in her success as a writer if life...and us kiddos hadn't interfered. Now, finally, after some fierce prodding and miraculously getting her to retire, she's back at it and I couldn't be happier....or more proud.
Before you harumph at the historical romances, let me tell YOU something. First of all, she has so much more depth than steamy sex scenes. Second, who needs depth when you have the 50 Shades chart toppers. Third of all (in my head, that reads perfectly), she's not really writing historical romances anymore. She has dabbled in different genres and I think she's always wanted to write a mystery or thriller because really, that's what she likes to read most.
Long story short, she has been sending me snippits of one of her older novels that she's sorta re-writing and I'm just blown away at how beautiful the imagery and descriptions are. So much so that I felt like I should share just a couple.
[Caveat: But first, you should know that just because what you're about to read will knock your socks off, does not mean you should go stealing it and using it in your own amateur writing endeavors. This shit was born in the noggin' of my creative and intelligent mama and will belong in HER novel once published. Any thievery is verboten! I will not hesitate to send my vicious wiener dog after you. Your ankles will never be the same. This may all sound silly but it's been done before...you can never be too careful. Well, maybe the wiener dog part hasn't happened before but there's a first time for everything!]
Gasp and/or sigh as appropriate:
"The rustling cadence of the
breeze through the tops of the tall trees had stilled, as had the near-constant
noises of birds and small animals in the forest around her. It was utterly
still and completely quiet. The total lack of sound was unnatural."
"This odd assortment of
primitive structures kept its secrets well, he thought." - in reference to Mayan ruins.
"It was an unease without a
definable source, the leading edge of nervousness, of panic."
I think that last one is my favorite. "...the leading edge of nervousness..." Wha??! I mean...I know exactly what she's talking about but I never would have come up with such a beautiful way to describe it. You'd buy that on amazon or at Barnes and Noble in a heartbeat, right? Right! me too :)
