2002-10-09 - 6:14 p.m.

October 8

21:25

A lady came to my door this morning and knocked, calling out in Korean. I answered, "Just a minute," and scrambled out of bed. Good thing I wasn't any faster. She tried the knob, the door gave a bit (being held shut by a bungee cord). She gave a stout pull, thinking the door was stuck, and the bungee cord flew over my head and slapped resoundingly against the wall. I musta been a sight! Bed hair, sleeveless undershirt and panties. She pointed to the washer, after recovering from her startlement, and I said, "Okay, Sure," and closed the door.

Even without my glasses, I could see it was a gorgeous day, so I proceeded to get dressed and get out in it.

Once the lady was done with her wash, I put in a small load and ran errands while it churned. We've got a cool, clear Siberian high pressure system right now, breeze out of the north-west and terrific for drying clothes.

Then I went around to the pharmacy and replenished my cold medicine and picked up some diarrhea pills, just in case. I haven't had to buy any since last fall, but it seemed prudent. Every now and then, I come across someone who needs some and I always try to carry a package of them in my "first aid kit," a.k.a. purse.

I got out and strolled in the sun during the warmest part of the day. It felt really good. Then grabbed an hour's nap and went out again around 4:30 p.m.

The persimmon trees in people's yards are full of fruit and I got a couple pictures. I headed up to the hairdresser's who did such a good job on my hair in July, and got a cut. She made it look really nice this time, too. She had fun with it also: my hair waves easily with heat and brush work. She fluffed it up like milkweed pods opening.

A young farmer was selling potatoes near there, so I got a little more than one and a half kilograms (about 3 lbs.) for US$1.60, really nice russets.

Then I went up to the temple and clambered around (it's a steep, terraced hillside) taking pictures of plants and a cat who lives up there. The low sun made for some really nice effects. Note: That thing that looks like a horse trough in front of the Kwan Yin/ lady bodhisattva statue is designed to hold votive candles, so they don't get blown out by the wind or set the dry grass afire. The monks don't cut the grass as often as westerners would, and they leave it to mulch. Someone has put in a lot of work recently. There was a large pile of hydrangea trimmings in one corner of the rock garden. The featured fall flowers there are pink and purplish-red cosmos. They look delicate against the coniferous plantings. There are pruned junipers, angular Korean pines and cedar hedges. It's a really nice place, peaceful and pleasant. I was charmed to see a couple little boys, one with a toy bow and arrow set, playing in the garden area. It reminded me of how my brothers and I played "Cowboys and Indians" when we were that age.

Coming back down the hill, I met a grandfather and grandson pair, selling fruit. The grandson was delightful; he had a list and called out the fruits in both English and Hangul. I got one of the huge Asian pears. I smiled all over him. He reminded me of Annie, a friend in Maine with Down's syndrome. He smiled back at me and said "Bye, bye," which I cheerfully dittoed. Smart and good-hearted grandfather to have a partner like that.

I came along home and cooked up one of those good russets for supper with an onion, half a carrot and a couple slices of ham loaf. It seemed to call for cheese, so I shook a goodly amount over the mashed potato. Next time I get some butter, I might make "Heaven and Earth," the German potato-and-apple casserole. I miss my "Amherst Co-op Cookbook." That recipe is in there, from Katja Hahn D'Errico. She put in a lot of ethnic vegetarian recipes that are really excellent.

Well, I'd best get this up on line and go to bed. Thanks for stopping by.

Happy Trails!

~ Sil in Corea

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