Shabbat, Shavuot, and so on

Sunday night through last evening was Shavuot, the Feast of Weeks (seven weeks after Passover), celebrating the giving of the ten commandments (in the exodus cycle) and the first fruits (in the agricultural cycle). Given the incredibly hot and humid weather, I did most of the actual cooking before Shabbat, then supplemented with last-minute salads and such. And even though the holiday is traditionally a time for eating dairy foods, in the heat, that often felt too heavy. So, ( I made food. )

Since I had an invitation to dinner the second night, I decided not to leave any candles lit, nor a hot plate or burner on; the weather was just too sticky. This worked out well, except for early Monday evening, when the power went. I saw and heard the fan slowing, and realized that not only would I be hotter, but the food in the fridge and freezer might need to be ditched. I'm so glad the power came on a couple of hours later, before I had to leave, so I knew things would (likely) be fine.

I hadn't realized the extent of the problem, though: when I was walking through Central Sq. around 7 pm on Monday, not only were most businesses closed, but Mass Ave inbound was blocked off. Later I heard that there was a fire at the McDonald's, but that didn't seem enough to explain it all. And I'd already gotten power back, too. Walking back still later (1 am), there were still utility crews out working in Central. I don't know why there were problems with major generators (LJ has all answers :-), but it's a bit concerning, because this isn't the worst heat we've had.

And I'm amazed at how quickly the weather turned, too. I know, New England weather is variable, but a 40+ degree (F) change in a day is still unusual.

Anyway. It was very nice to have an invitation for the second dinner, with excellent conversation and food, and a good reason to get out of the house and walking (I've been feeling sluglike in the heat).


Overheard on the extremely overcrowded T this morning: there's only one Arabic interpreter in MA.

First farm share pickup

I got a share in Red Fire Farm (out in Granby), and today was the first pickup (at Harvest, in Central Square). The loot:

• two heads of lettuce (I chose two heads of red leaf, though there was green leaf, too; I've been preferring the redder greens (though that sounds chromatically challenged, somehow))
  
• a pound of spinach
  
• a bunch of hakurai (sp?) turnips with greens (I ended up with two, actually, since I have yet to appreciate radishes)
  
• a bunch of young garlic with greens
  
• half a pound of mixed salad greens
  
• 15-20 stalks of herbs (chosen from oregano, thyme, dill, parsley, and cilantro; I chose the first three only)

I'm a bit surprised (and pleased) that they already have non-greens. I'm definitely looking forward to the rest of the season.

In future, the way it'll work is that they'll give the poundage for the week, and I'll get to choose from what's there, which is very cool (allowing the avoidance of cilantro, green peppers, radishes, and the kinds of kale I don't like). But with the season's slow start, this week it was much more descriptive.

Note to self: bring more bags.