If you live in California (rather, now most of the West Coast), the sky has been especially eerie this week. The current gray sky in Sacramento reminds me of living in Western Washington ten years ago. Which, isn’t entirely bad, except the skies are rather moody due to smoke, not a refreshing rain shower.
Writing | In Progress
Over the weekend, we drove to Auburn to the confluence of the American River. Certainly not to escape the 109 degree heat (which is kind of inescapable here), but to escape to slightly better air quality. Even driving a mere hour north and east was a relief to the lungs, for a few hours. Not to mention, sitting in the rushing river rapids was like a free ice bath. Check out my latest blog post for a short photo-poem from that experience.
Kitchen Kernels
Let’s be honest, I haven’t felt like cooking much this week. On Wednesday, I mustered up enough energy to wrap a piece of salmon en papillote (cooked in parchment paper) and bake in the oven at 350 for ten minutes. The wrapped paper package steams the food inside and is a technique you can do with any protein. Did I mention it requires very little cleanup (minus any prep work)?
Kitty Kernels
Speaking of getting all wrapped up, can we talk about Nezu the cat? A cat of all the colors - gray and white and black and orange! - she’s a cat that demands your full and undivided attention. She’s the calm, mellow presence to her energetic orange brother cat. This week, she’s been hanging out in her little cat condo cave, sleeping. Or making grumpy faces. Or making silly faces. Or, some combination of those activities.
How have your pet friends been faring with the shelter and/or smoke? Do they sense something is amiss with the humans home more/all the time?
How I’m Surviving All the Current Events
Attending
Animal Run: Bay Area Charity Races for Animals, 5K, 10K, 1/2 marathon, and Canicross (run with your dog) anytime, anywhere this September! The upside to the shelter is getting to participate in events gone virtual. Beyond the race director being a friend and one of the coolest people around, I’ve witnessed this now-third year event develop from the ground up. This year’s entry fees will help support the Animal Legal Defense Fund in Cotati, California.
Reading
“The Eye Exam” by Faith Adiele: Without giving too much away, this 10 minute read explores and explodes the complexities of race, microaggressions, and identity all during a visit to the ophthalmologist.