Dogtown Diary

Thu, 19 Apr 2007 15:04:52 GMT

I'm back, but just barely I came back from the retreat with a bad cough, which progressed to bronchitis, and then developed a sinus infection, so I haven't had the energy to post. I'm still not fully recovered, but I did want to put something up. Here's an image from the cover of the Spirit Rock retreat catalogue. Let me just say that it is an amazing place. That I am committed to going back on a yearly basis. And that one of these days, I'm going to do one of their 2-month retreats. I would recommend a reteat at Spirit Rock to anyone who is even vaguely interested. For me, it was a life-changing experience.

Fri, 30 Mar 2007 18:00:57 GMT

More Silence to Come I haven't been posting much lately and I'm afraid there's more of that to come. I'm leaving Monday morning for a week-long silent metta and vipassana retreat and I won't be back until sometime after the 11th. In the mean time:
May all beings be happy.
May all beings be safe.
May all beings be free.

Mon, 26 Mar 2007 18:00:05 GMT

Catching Up Here's the recipe for the fabulous Diva Dinner we made last Monday. (Sorry Divas, I just didn't have time to post it last week) Steamed Salmon and Asparagus in Parchment (The photo shows halibut, but I used salmon instead.) Heat oven to 400. Cut two pieces of baking parchemnt (15 x 15 inches) for each serving. We cooked for three, so there were six pieces. Place one piece of parchment, per serving, on a cookie sheets. Add new potatoes (sliced) then top with salmon steak (skinned). On top of that, add fresh asparagus (chopped), scallions (chopped), fresh taragon (chopped) , salt and pepper. Drizzle with olive oil. Top each serving with another sheet of parchment and fold along the edges to seal. Bake for 25 minutes. We served this with a simple salad of spinach, arugula and radiccio dressed with olive oil and balsamic vinegar. White wine. Fresh strawberries, dark chocolate and ginger snaps for dessert. Awesome! (Photo and recipe from Real Simple magazine.)

Tue, 20 Mar 2007 16:59:02 GMT

Just one more I've got more stuff to post about, honestly, but I've been crazed at work, etc etc, and all I have time for is one more of Carolyn's photos. This is another view of the beach near her house. If all goes well, I'll be strolling along it myself the last week in May.

Wed, 14 Mar 2007 20:02:14 GMT

...continued I talked to my money guy and he says to go for it. So here I go!!!!! (Another view of Guland Yu.)

Tue, 13 Mar 2007 19:41:41 GMT
Still more This one is of Gulang Yu, or "Piano Island," where there's a museum full of pianos left by the 19th century British. It looks like an opera set!

Mon, 12 Mar 2007 18:38:38 GMT
Another view How exotic can you get! Carolyn says I should schedule a layover in Shangai on my way back, so we can spend the weekend in the "big city" before I go home. I'm getting totaly psyched!