Caminantes

A few members of the Northern California Chapter of the american PILGRIMS on the CAMINO met in Sacramento Saturday for a 2 hour, six mile hike along the American River.  A lively and interesting group led by Samson, with lots of inspiring stories of their adventures on the Camino.  It seems as though everyone is going, or has been, or is going again.  The pull is quite magical, and maybe even, mystical.  There is quite a list of "things you should never miss" along the Way.  A whole new world has opened to me.  But, first things first, my new boots hurt and I only walked six miles.

Fresh local scallops - a lesson

Jim has joined in my latest obsession with scallop shells - the prevailing symbol of the path I've yet to walk. Recently we bought two beautiful scallop shells at a local shop and learned that the whole shell is from Japan and the slightly less beautiful half shell is from the phillipines. We began fantasizing about more of these shells in our home but wanted to find a better price. Jim did some research and found he could order freshs scallops in the shell from our very local fish market. Two (pounds) seemed like plenty for just the two of us and we should have plenty of shells to assuage our longing for them so Jim ordered them. They arrived today and when Jim picked them up he was very surprised to find that two pounds was exactly two very large shells. They are at least 5-6 inches across their widest part. My job it seemed was to get them out of the shell and prepare them for dinner. Of course, thinking I am the quasi chef, I was undaunted by this and quickly found instructions with google's assistance. Breaking into these creatures home was easier than I anticipated. A butter knife and a pair of gloves did the trick. Therein lies the delicate muscle surrounded by a band of membrane and gritty sand and a beautiful bed of pale red roe. The roe is considered a delicacy by some but I admit to a certain distaste for it. However, it was beautiful to look at and sometimes it is all about the visual. I carefully separated the muscle - the edible portion for me - from the membrane and the roe, rinsed thoroughly in cold running water and transferred to the prettiest plate that I could find; I believe in some bewildering desire to nestle the newly living creature in a home more closely resembling its original. Next came the juice of a fresh lime and finely grated lime peel, a dash of extra virgin olive oil, fresh grinds of sea salt and pepper and a bare hint of paprika. They needed no other adornment. Jim placed them on a very hot grill and in five minutes they were done. The first bite was heaven, orgasmic, delicate, indescribable in its outré pleasure. In Japanese they are called "hotate". The shells are scrubbed and on the deck to air. Although they are much too large to accompany me to Spain, they will surely give me inspiration in the next months. We learned that the smaller shells of the scallop are from other parts of the world only, and local scallops are the big guys. I encourage you to invite a local scallop home for dinner one day. It is sure to be a hit.

green pajamas

I woke up this morning
Wearing green pajamas
The ones I've never seen before

The sunlight crept across
The floor with determination
And I played hard to get

The smell of coffee got my
Attention with a sharp sensual
Ease I always fall for

Into the light with unshod toes, taking with me
The green pajamas
The ones I've never seen before

Steaming elixir of the gods Brightens the back of my brain
As if it were newly born
Racing towards the day as the cells gather speed

Brighter now, clearly in the Present, I glance again at the
Green pajamas
The ones I've never seen before

Through the screen door, standing
In the warmth of the Early sun,
I take the green pajamas for my morning run

Even though I've never seen them Before,
I know they want to go
naked toes into dew damp grass

Freshly mowed just yesterday
It clings to the toes
and creeps toward the green pajamas
The ones I've never seen before

No day dreaming davenport day
Only the wind in our hair will do
Swinging, singing, sunning
Me and the green pajamas

Race into the future
The one we've never seen before

The Way

Jim and I saw the movie with Martin Sheen today. It is inspiring and beautiful in many ways. Perhaps not a critical or financial success but relevant to me. Not a day goes by that I do not think about the trip and find joy in the planning. I have been looking at airline faires and train passes. Will likely book something definite soon. I think six months will fly by.

¡Buen Camino

I just received an email from my friend, Maria. She has invited me to walk with her and fellow caminantes in Sacramento on October 29th. "Caminantes"????? How can it be? Apparently there is a Northern California chapter of like minded and experienced pilgrims and I may soon join their numbers. I have never been much of a joiner but it appears that is about to change as I follow my dream of walking The Way in Spain. I can only imagine what I may learn from this group of caminantes. For one thing, my vocabulary is expanding. Maria, my walking partner and friend is bilingual and I assume I will rely on her language skills in Spain. However, it is probably a good idea for me to learn a bit on my own. Yes, another task to add to my growing list of must-dos.

p.s. I added the address and other info related to the scholarship fund near the bottom of my blog. I have discovered that you might not go to the bottom to see the info so thought to call it to your attention.

Happy sunny Friday!

Scollop Shells

A scallop ( /ˈskɒləp/ or /ˈskæləp/) is a marine bivalve mollusk of the family Pectinidae. Scallops are a cosmopolitan family, found in all of the world's oceans. Many scallops are highly prized as a food source. The brightly colored, fan-shaped shells of some scallops, with their radiating fluted pattern, are valued by shell collectors.

Shell of Saint James
The scallop shell is the traditional emblem of James, son of Zebedee and is popular with pilgrims on the Way of St James to the apostle's shrine at Santiago de Compostela in Spain. Medieval Christians making the pilgrimage to his shrine often wore a scallop shell symbol on their hat or clothes. The pilgrim also carried a scallop shell with him, and would present himself at churches, castles, abbeys etc., where he could expect to be given as much sustenance as he could pick up with one scoop. Probably he would be given oats, barley, and perhaps beer or wine. Thus even the poorest household could give charity without being overburdened. The association of Saint James with the scallop can most likely be traced to the legend that the apostle once rescued a knight covered in scallops. An alternative version of the legend holds that while St. James' remains were being transported to Spain from Jerusalem, the horse of a knight fell into the water, and emerged covered in the shells
Jim and I bought mine today.  I bought a whole one and Jim bought the half shell for me.  They sit quietly on my desk, patiently waiting to be hand carried to Spain where they will be infused with the dust, rain, sunshine, and spirit of The Way.

Words

Consider this: Words carry us through the maze and hazards of everyday life. The more of them we know, the more skilfully and artfully we navigate. Words connect us.

Putting Our Heads Together

It is sometimes referred to as Teamwork, collective bargaining, collaborating.  A village can accomplish more than an individual.  Raising my children took a village.  I am often and daily reminded of all the people in my life who supported and encouraged me - I am sure you know who you are, but do you know how greatful I am?  I don't remember the name of the book I read last week or the name of the movie I saw yesterday, but I have such vibrant memories of the times you called me, fed me, walked with me, listened to me and loved me and my children.  I may walk The Way alone or in the company of strangers, but I will take you with me in my heart.

Two Paths

I am a practitioner of the great and wonderful "multitask". This quasi sacred practice is essential to the performance of my job and it brings me peace and clean sox in my personal life. Making preparations for my pilgrimage requires it's own set of tasks and lists, many being performed and formed long before I set foot in Spain. Planning ahead makes me feel good. Planning ahead while making lists while buying equipment while reading books about the art, architecture, history and culture of the Pilgrimage Road to Santiago makes me delirious. But, I ask myself, what am I neglecting here? As a pilgrim, I will walk two paths simultaneously, bringing my tired body and my neglected soul to Spain and dropping them onto The Way. Walking together they will slowly heal and rejuvenate, with time and contemplation. This is my hope.
To get my body prepared for the many miles, I think I know how,but don't I need to prepare my spirit to receive and open to the wonders that await?