#eclecticle

Eating My Feelings

I hope you might hold space for the truth that all your body wants from you is for you to live in it, and that your body is working every day to make that happen.

- Ijeoma Oluo

At this point 2020 is just half over and it has been a roller coaster ride of emotions. My family downsized from our home of almost 15 years to a new neighborhood and a much smaller existence. There have been uprisings, reckonings, and increased attention around racial inequity spurred by the killings of George Floyd, Breonna Taylor, and a list of black and brown bodies that seems to keep growing. All of this during a raging pandemic that has many struggling with choices of how to keep themselves, their families and their community safe. Daily, folks are trying to keep themselves housed and fed. We're seeing beloved parts of our community shuttering for good as we grapple with this “new normal”. I have been having a lot of emotions to deal with.

If I were eating my feelings, this would be a meal that has me bloated and full to bursting. It would be a wretched meal that neither sustains nor nourishes -- leaving a sour taste in my mouth like milk having just gone off. A pitiful meal indeed. 

Canapés of fear. Antipasti of anxiety that I continue to pick at throughout the meal. Depression soup, helplessness salad, and finishing off with a deflated soufflé of exhaustion for dessert. 

But I have not been eating my feelings. I've been feeling them. Sometimes collectively while at other times they tumble over each other, one right after the other --  nonstop.  I have been taking them in and trying to transmute them into hope and action. Hope for what may be and the action to hold people and systems accountable for their words and allyship. Hope that this long-term struggle for change is making a difference. Action to continue to push so that the world is more accepting, equitable, supportive and loving. I am seeing the beginnings of a positive step forward in this country’s history and it is whetting my appetite for the potential of things to come.

“Do not get lost in a sea of despair. Be hopeful, be optimistic. Our struggle is not the struggle of a day, a week, a month, or a year, it is the struggle of a lifetime. Never, ever be afraid to make some noise and get in good trouble, necessary trouble.”

— John Lewis

What I’m Eating:

Belgian Style Cinnamon Waffles

I have NO idea why it didn’t occur to us to add cinnamon to waffles, but now that we have I’m not sure if I will be able to go back. This batch of Belgian Style waffles came up crispy golden on the outside and deliciously fluffy on the inside. And the hint of cinnamon made us want to throw together another batch to top with ice cream and chocolate sauce for dessert.

What I’m Reading:

A restaurateur and his partner in rural Minnesota find opportunity for their business and a chance to pass along his mother's legacy of making a difference. (NYT Paywall?)Two Chefs Moved to Rural Minnesota to Expand on Their Mission of Racial Justice

After a brief California update, this  article from the NY Times (paywall?) talks about a universal basic income pilot in Stockton CA. This may be a good indicator of how the program might work in other municipalities across the state. California Today: Should Californians Get Guaranteed Income?

Writing about what red palm oil is and what it represents Yewande Komolafe brings us a broader discussion about who is talking about food systems and how. The Problems With Palm Oil Don’t Start With My Recipes 

What I’m Listening To:

Podcast: East Bay Yesterday Episode 60 "We were being erased” The woman who saved California’s Black history   Liam O'Donoghue introduces us to Delilah Beasley Author of the book “The Negro Trailblazers of California.”  With little education or means, Beasley spent nearly a decade interviewing African American elders and digging through crumbling archives to compile a book that rescued dozens of notable Black figures from historical oblivion.

This was a really interesting talk given by local award winning social entrepreneur Jamie Facciola. Jamie’s work on developing local solutions to circular economy challenges has been covered in BBC News, Fast Company, GreenBiz and on the KQED podcast Rightnowish, which profiles the "movers and shakers that shape the place we call home."Sustainability Essentials Webinar - Circularity in Furnishings With Jamie Facciola

What I’m Watching:

This made my week! 

Dancing and music are one way this couple are using to improve their mental well being.

What are the moments that have changed the direction of your life? Were they huge clanging events, or were they more subtle? Happening right under your nose without you realizing what was going on.

It's taken me a couple of weeks to watch this Ted Talk by Traca Savadogo (Sorry Traca 😁) I've watched it twice now. What struck me was the idea that we are already "In the room where it happens", to borrow a lyric from Hamilton. We just need to show up, be present, and engage.

Had my husband not taken the chance to approach a perfect stranger, we would not have the life we have shared over the last 20+ years. Had a former neighbor not struck up a random conversation on the bus, I would not have begun singing, culminating in some of the closest friendships I am still fortunate to have.

Figuring out how to be present and participate in the moment is not a skill everyone is born with. For me it takes a concerted effort to get out of my head. In social situations I generally don't begin conversations. I was not born with that gene. 

To make up for this perceived shortcoming, I have made an agreement with myself. In a social situation If someone engages me, I make it a point to ask at least one question that may further the conversation. This strategy has paid off in positive ways. I end up feeling more connected and discover new and interesting things.

The challenge becomes deciding to ask those questions -- having those, as Traca puts it "Curiosity Conversations". Allowing ourselves to participate in those subtle moments that just may change our lives. It is an ongoing process, and I believe we're all the better for it.

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What I’m eating:

From croissants to tarts to the morning buns, baked goods from FOURNEÉ BAKERY are a worthy treat. The first time I had a chocolate croissant I was a fan. #protip grab an extra pastry to enjoy the next day with your morning tea or coffee. You're worth it!

What I’m reading:

A good soufflé is *totally* my jam. So HUZZAH to the return of the soufflé! “Soufflé, Boomer” by Adam Erace 

In the ongoing battle of child nutrition, the current US Administration is cutting back on Obama era lunch reforms. And I'm not convinced it's a good thing. Trump’s USDA Weakens School Nutrition - Yet Again

This interesting article from Robin Caldwell for Black Southern Belle not only brings a celebration of Low Country Rice and the folks that cultivate it, but also introduced me to the BEAUTIFUL work of artist Jonathan Green. Low Country Food Heritage Celebrating Rice Culture

Omar Tate takes us on his journey to share his history (*our* History?) through a Black lens and the Honeysuckle project. The Wisdom of the Giants

What I'm listening to:

The interior design of a space, whether work space or eating establishment, can convey so much about not only the owners of a space, but who they are expecting to serve. Is it comforting or sterile? Designed for hanging out or for a quick “grab and go”? Ambiance means something.

Coffee Shops In Gentrifying Neighborhoods: Why Design Matters

What I’m watching:

This how-to vid from Emmy at Emmymade In Japan's YouTube channel combines science, technique, and a new (and easy) addition to your dessert making arsenal. I wonder how it will work with instant strawberry or chocolate mix.

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It can be hard to recognize the significance of an event, or experience, right when it is happening. We get caught up in what’s going on around us at the time and miss the true significance until later, if at all.

Like a recent field trip to San Francisco where I attended an author’s panel at MoAD (The Museum of the African Diaspora). I followed that up with dinner at Rambler -- a very cool spot just at the fringe of Union Square. 

That I was able to experience such a high level of artistic programming, hospitality, and breaking of bread -- in spaces that were overwhelmingly centered on/by people of color (POC) blew my mind. In the moment I enjoyed talking and eating with friends. But it was only on reflection that I realized, everything about that day was full of black-folk and brown-folk magic. From MoAD, to the FOH manager and exec chef at the restaurant, to my dining companions. All of them were folks of color. How fortunate I was to have had that experience!

Or the Laotian Noodle making class in Downtown Oakland. I was there to learn how to make Lao noodles for Khao Piak Sen (a really incredible Lao chicken noodle soup). 

In the moment I focused on learning the noodle making, which came out pretty good IMHO. On reflection, I realize the diversity of the class was a rare privilege. I was learning alongside a wide range of folks whose cultural and culinary traditions were different from mine. That kind of diversity just doesn’t happen everywhere. It’s one of the things I love about living in Oakland.

As we move into the new year -- gleefully leaving 2019 behind -- I am grateful for all of the experiences I have had this year. My hope is that we all have more and more opportunities to talk, laugh, and enjoy great meals together. Happy 2020 to us all! 

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...[B]ut the past was an easy meal, after all. I could taste it again anytime I wanted, and memory, and it would always be perfect and true. 

N.K. Jemisin , “Cuisine Des Memoirs”, How Long ‘Til Black Future Month?

What I’m eating:

 Apple Stuffed Beignet - Brenda’s Oakland

This Apple Stuffed Beignet is really the stuff of dreams. Deep fried to a golden brown, this freshly made doughnut contains the filling of the best apple pie. The other beignets on the menu are okay, but this one right here? Steals the show.

What I’m reading:

See's Candy has always had a presence in my life. Growing up there was always a box present at our house. I can still remember discovering the chocolate suckers (AMAZING!). Come to find out, my late mother-in-law worked at the factory at some point in the past. I'm a huge fan of their truffles -- especially raspberry and Dark Chocolate Chip (Hint-Hint). This profile from the SFChron may just explain why the venerable candy maker has survived the test of time. A celebration of See's Candies 

Some very good food for thought, and a well written piece by Kayla Stewert on why *participation* matters in the food sphere. “To Value the Breadth of Black Cuisine, You Have to Photograph It” 

 This was a fun read about the 20 words that changed how we communicate now. "The English language changes so fast it’s sometimes hard to keep up."

What I'm listening to:

Artist: The Ananda Project

Selection: Cascades of COLOUR (WAMDUE BLACK Mix) https://youtu.be/XpC6Xn0jsX8

Changing My Mood For The Better

When times are hard, do something. If it works, do it some more. If it does not work, do something else. But keep going.

--Audre Lorde

Not a lot got done last week. Could be Mercury retrograde. Could be more of the minutiae of life getting to me. But I think it just might be the shorter fall days.

Like many folks, my mood tends to cycle throughout the month. Top of the month, life looks rosy. Mid month, not so much. Fall months are harder to motivate than summer months.

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A lifetime ago, I worked for a major regional retailer. Our offices were in a converted warehouse and during the winter I saw precious little sun.

It took me a bit to figure out that the lack of sun -- coupled with a fair amount of work stress -- was affecting my mood and my ability to focus well at my job.

Over time, I made a few changes. I changed to full spectrum light bulbs. I made it a point to go outside during the day to walk in the fresh air and sunshine. I gifted myself with earlier bedtimes and more sleep. In time my mood brightened and I found myself more productive.

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So this week, knowing myself as I do, I knew I needed to make a concerted effort to change things up. Change my scenery to help change my mood.

Forcing myself out of the house, I went on a reconnaissance mission for a new bedroom chair. As luck would have it, I came across two chairs that would be great for the living room. Not what I wanted, but definitely what I needed. And they were super inexpensive. Retail therapy for the win!

Riding the buzz of that major score, I decided treated myself to a good slice of pizza. One of the things about living in Oakland is that we have some solid pizza. Not only did Leaning Tower of Pizza have great specialty slices, but the music was all 80's funk and soul. By the time I left, my mood was definitely on the upswing.

After lunch, I gave myself permission to hang out at Lake Merritt for a bit. Finding a patch of sun and a bench, I just sat and chilled. Breathing deep and getting centered -- taking a few minutes to not worry or stress or be anxious about...well...anything. I could feel myself starting to be more calm. More energized. Ready to face the rest of the day.

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It is so easy to get caught up with the noise inside your head. It is for me at any rate. But remember to be gentle with yourself and take a breath. And, trust me when I say. A little pizza, some 80's funk, and a walk by a lake can do you a world of good.

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If you’re new here, ECLECTICLE Is my “Eclectic Listicle” of the recent things that have been happening in my world. It is a regularly occurring place to toss out items of interest and information. My hope is that you will enjoy it and find something useful. So, let’s get going.

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What I’m eating:

Slab Pie

Made the first Fall pie of the season for a friend’s housewarming. In lieu of the traditional apple, i added some pear to the mix. It was received pretty well. I’ve been a traditional pie and cobbler guy all these years. Give me a 9” round pie pan and I’m set. Who knew that this would turn out to be a thing? I think slab pies and I are going to have a good future!

What I’m reading:

BRILLIANT reporting and well assembled piece. This gripping story from Tara Duggan and team at the SF Chronicle is compelling in the read as well as the storytelling. https://projects.sfchronicle.com/2019/the-fishermans-secret/

This piece by Mayukh Sen for Southern Foodways is simultaneously an homage to an amazing chef of her time, and also an inspiring story of a true maverick. https://www.southernfoodways.org/a-comet-called-raji/

"In a region where bulky backpacks are the norm and where leaving stuff in your car is usually an expensive mistake, the problem of where to put your things when you’re dining out or drinking is a prescient one." Yup. I feel you. An ode to the purse hook: https://www.sfchronicle.com/restaurants/article/An-ode-to-the-purse-hook-14823947.php?t=c65d3c0e42

This is just FULL of awesome! That’s all I’m going to say. A delightfully artistic take on our electronic friends that take up so much of our time and attention. https://mymodernmet.com/andrew-rae-phone-buddies/

I have always had issues with seating that looks good, but is just not comfortable. The Philippe Stark Ghost Chair comes instantly to mind. These chairs have been the bane of many people’s existence, yet they are still pretty ubiquitous in restaurants and cafés for a variety of reasons. https://www.vice.com/en_us/article/xwbppz/dear-restaurants-this-chair-sucks?utm_source=vicefbus

What I'm listening to:

Artist: Foxy Song: Get Off

It's not the destination, it's the journey.

My youngest is now a college freshman. The trip across country had no major hiccups and transitions were smooth. Everything culminating with Move In Day. I managed to cry only once -- that's my story and I'm sticking to it.

Welcome class of 2023.

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8:00am Move In:

Check in at the dorm is in full force. As we pulled up at the curb, bright young upperclassmen -- brimming with the energy that can only be attributed to youth, quickly offer us help with our baggage. They have a pretty good system down. Like they've done this before. This may not be a bad process after all. 

Carts and suitcases, dorm fridges and bodies glide back and forth in a seemingly endless procession. New students trying not to look worried while their responsible adults have expressions that mix relief with sadness and anticipation. A father hustles past with a broom and a bucket of cleaning supplies. Sporting a alumni t-shirt still creased from the campus bookstore, he beams with pride. Over there is a look that says, "I'm tired, but we made it.”  Coming down the hallway are a mother and son, both wearing the same face, with a look that says "What have we gotten ourselves into?" I am feeling all of that. I wonder if it shows?

2:00pm Cookout:

Late lunch/early dinner at the dining hall. I had been expecting a big smoker or a large grill, but given the weather, I can understand. Tables have been set up outside in the middle of the road. The likely intention is so that people can eat communally under the cypress and dogwood trees and the bright blue sky with puffy white clouds. But it's in the 80's with humidity, so like many families, we opt for eating inside. #2 (my youngest) seems to be doing pretty well at this point. His usual stoic self. Myself, I am made happy by the fact that the dining hall serves chocolate and vanilla soft serve ice cream. Maybe things will be alright after all.

7:00pm President's Welcome and Parting Ceremony:

We gather in the historic Memorial Chapel -- all straight back wood pews and stained glass windows. Parents and families to the right, incoming students to the left. The parting ceremony, a long-standing university tradition begins. The words of the university president are stirring and impassioned. There is an acknowledgement of student leaders and staff. There’s music and reflection. Searching the opposite side of the standing room only crowd I see #2. I wonder what he's experiencing in this moment. Hard to tell. Still undemonstrative as ever. We, the parents, are reminded that our young folks will now need us in a different way than before. They will now have to navigate this space for themselves. We can cheer them on from the sidelines, but they need to walk this new path -- independent of us. Okay so maybe I teared up a little here. My son’s journey for this next stage of life has begun. His success is within him. And the forecast for the journey is good. No major hiccups. Transitions will be smooth.

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 “Why do you go away? So that you can come back. So that you can see the place you came from with new eyes and extra colors. And the people there see you differently, too. Coming back to where you started is not the same as never leaving.” 

― Terry Pratchett, A Hat Full of Sky

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If you’re new here, ECLECTICLE Is my “Eclectic Listicle” of the recent things that have been happening in my world. It is a regularly occurring place to toss out items of interest and information. My hope is that you will enjoy it and find something useful. So, let’s get going. 

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“Look on every exit as being an entrance somewhere else.” 

― Tom Stoppard, Rosencrantz and Guildenstern Are Dead

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What I’m eating:

 Waffle House

This just HAD to happen. Out here in the West Coast we don't have Waffle Houses, but it is truly a southern thing. The 24 Hour diner chain has over 1500 company and franchise owned restaurants and when I saw that we would be right near one I though when would I ever get the chance to try this again? It was everything I wanted from a diner and then some. Even #2 got steak, which made him happy. Thanks Waffle House for the good breakfast!

What I’m reading:

I have a certain affection for the celebration of uniqueness and the art of remaking something at once thought broken and irreparable into something whole and new. Here is an interesting piece on a local artist doing just that.  San Francisco's Master Of Modern Kintsugi 

This feature of Rachel Bolden-Kramer by Sarah Henry for EdibleSF has me thinking of more ways to stretch my family's food budget as well as how and what we eat. The Last Black Woman In SF Wants Everyone To Eat Well

SF Weekly reports yet another era ending transition as San Francisco's Haight Ashbury Free Clinic and Tenderloin Health Services close and transitions services. Haight Ashbury Free Clinic Tenderloin Health Services To Close

In this article from Heather Knight at the SF Chron I see very similar parallels to what is happening here in my East Bay town. Why Are More Mentally Ill People Wandering SF Streets? 

What I’m Listening to:

Tank And The Bangas

I’ve been a fan of this group out of New Orleans for at least a year now and they continue to delight and entertain me with their turn of phrase and catchy music. Check them out in the video to one of their newest songs:

Hot Air Balloons - Feat. Alex Isley

What I’m watching:

Pop-Tarts

First off, I will plant my flag on this: Pop Tarts have GOT to be warmed/toasted. Period. Cold Pop-Tarts are just, well, wrong.

Second, if you are a bit of a baking geek like I am -- and if you can get through all the snark and condescension at the beginning, spend the half hour and give this a watch. It’s kinda fun

My apologies for being late. Best laid plans and all. I had intended to push the button Thursday on this installment, but sometimes “life” happens. 

And that's the thing about life. It is full of randomness. The unplanned and the unexpected. And for someone that is a bit of a planner, that can be a tough pill to swallow. Having things change suddenly can trigger us. We freeze, we get anxious, we run and hide and even, on occasion, we stand up and face the maelstrom head on -- defying the odds and managing the outcomes. It’s a crapshoot. How we respond (react?) to those moments where life challenges us is what informs how we navigate our various roles in the world -- be it parent, partner, friend, sibling, or child.

This last week has shown me that I need to actively think in a different way. Much of it can be chalked up to concentrating more on self care -- deep breathing, better sleep, mindfulness, and also trying to be better at listening. 

By truly hearing what is being said, without judgement, we can respond more fully and not just react to every knock that comes our way. Especially when in the middle of the stress and drama that we find ourselves in. 

Observing without judgement keeps us grounded and centered enough to handle a great deal. That action dampens the noise in our heads to a dull roar. If we pay attention, there is learning that can happen within the struggles. Stuff we can use for the next time -- ‘cause there’s always a next time. With that mindset, before we know it, we’ve made it to the other side. Now we can rest and recharge. Ready for the next way the wind blows. 

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 When you finally learn that a person's behavior has more to do with their own internal struggle than you, you learn Grace.

-Allison Aars

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If you’re new here, ECLECTICLE Is my “Eclectic Listicle” of the recent things that have been happening in my world. It is a regularly occurring place to toss out items of interest and information. My hope is that you will enjoy it and find something useful. So, let’s get going. 

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A decade or two on the rocks gives a person character.

- Alice Hoffman, “Practical Magic”

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What I’m eating:

Here’s How is a new bar in Oakland’s Uptown District and it did not disappoint! Looking forward my next visit and bringing friends😉🙋🏿‍♂️. 

Everything was very thoughtful and balanced. The food made sense. The ingredients in the drinks all worked together. But that Head On Popcorn Shrimp Popcorn snack 🤯?! I may have liked that better than the Fried Chicken Sandwich, which was juicy and full of flavour. 

#SWSeats #DrinkLocal #EatOakland #DrinkOakland #chickensandwich

What I’m reading:

A gem of a find that makes me enjoy living in Oakland even more! Take a look at these 101 Reasons To Love Oakland. I’m pretty sure that if you live here, you have even more of your own! #OaklandLove #LoveMyTown

101 Reasons to Love About Oakland

Two years old and this article in YES! Magazine us still relevant. Bit of a long read, but worth it.

My White Friend Asked Me on Facebook to Explain White Privilege. I Decided to Be Honest

I have already decided and that would be a hard pass.

Fast Food Drive Thru License Plate tracking?

This is a wonderful bit of visual joy. And I need to make that cobbler soon! 

A Juneteenth Dinner Party That Celebrates the Recipes of Freda DeKnight and Edna Lewis

What I’m Listening to:

Thoroughly interesting group of stories about some of the foods that have California roots. Check out this broadcast from The California Report Magazine.

Golden State Plate: The Backstory Behind California Born Food And Drinks

What I’m watching:

Taco Chronicles

Netflix

The warm fragrance of newly made bread envelopes my senses and awakens my brain, tempting me to get up from my nap -- the much needed response to a day out in the energy draining sun of the California Delta. 

It has been months, if not years now that we have been making our own bread. A cost saving endeavour that, once instituted, has proven an indispensable pleasure. And by we, I mean The Spouse.

My husband has truly taken to the job. He's presented us with various versions of bread from soft white everyday to sourdough. He's kneaded and shaped the simple ingredients of flour, water, yeast and salt to create hamburger buns, dinner rolls, and pillowy soft sandwich bread for slicing. 

This is his thing. Something he's gotten so good at that, through repetition and experience, he does it effortlessly. And how great is it that the boys and I get to benefit?

I would wager that there are skills that we each have, but fail to recognize. Talents that we may even take for granted. Ones that we have mastered through time and practice. Walking, talking, using chopsticks. All of these require time and effort to achieve. 

Some of us sing or play an instrument. Paint or do accounting. Cook a perfect burger and make a great cup of coffee. Each of us are good at many things, in so many ways. Big or small, it behooves us to take the time to acknowledge and accept that. Celebrating our talents is a way to affirm and take care of ourselves. With practice even self care becomes a talent in itself.

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[Museums] must position themselves as learning communities, not impenetrable centres of self-validating authority. If they do not, museums run the risk of becoming culturally irrelevant artifacts. -Olga Viso, the director of Minnesota’s Walker Art Center, 

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If you’re new here, ECLECTICLE Is my “Eclectic Listicle” of the recent things that have been happening in my world. It is a regularly occurring place to toss out items of interest and information. My hope is that you will enjoy it and find something useful. So, let’s get going. 

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Pruning works -- if we're brave enough to try it. - Gustavo Arellano, "Canto LXVII: I Trimmed it on the Grapevine"

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What I’m eating:

Shishito Peppers:

I recently spent the day in the Sacramento Delta at R. Kelley Farms. Ron Kelley's farm produces some of the most luscious fruits and vegetables around. Picking our own green and plump shishito peppers was one of the highlights of the day. Simple to prepare, the fresh and tasty peppers -- blistered and finished with olive oil, garlic and Maldon Sea Salt, made a great addition to that nights dinner. 

R. Kelley Farms specializes in growing a wide variety of peas and beans, including  black-eye and purple hull peas, as well as green beans, speckled butter beans, and cranberry beans. They have some of the reddest tomatoes, sweetest corn, and the most delicious melons this city kid has ever seen.

The African American -- family owned farm has been producing it's seasonal fresh and healthy vegetables for over two decades. You can purchase the fruit and veg already harvested, but the most fun is being able to pick your own!

What I’m reading:

This article speaks to what is possible when communication and trust are created and put forward. How Albuquerque Hopes to Meet the Unique Needs of Urban Native Americans

This is a SUPER cool idea that I hope spreads. If You See Your Bartender Wearing This Pin, It Means They Aren't Drinking 

SUCH a fascinating read. Diana Kennedy has dedicated a lifetime to the study of Mexican Cuisine. What an interesting peek behind the curtain (homage?) as she transfers much of her reference materials to a repository for care and maintenance. Diana Kennedy Says Goodbye To Her Cookbooks

What I’m watching:

This was just too beautiful not to share.

Organizing an outing with a large group of folks can be daunting. In these modern times, apps or social media can prove helpful, but there is still some heavy lifting involved. Reminders to everyone: “Bring a chair”, “Who can bring ice”? “Can you please bring a green salad, we have too many people bringing paper plates”. I’ve found the most enjoyable dining experiences to be the relatively intimate ones with no more than 4-6 people. And the dining excursions are more successful with fewer cats to herd.

A small group makes it easier to talk with each other. Conversations that invite input from more than one person at a time are more textural and rich. Those discussions are way more interesting to participate in. To be inclusive, and thus invite more perspectives, what better way than a group of six, or less, arranged in close enough proximity that everyone has the chance to weigh in? You can all talk about the refreshing tang of the lemon vinaigrette gently caressing the little gems, the vibrant spiciness of the Romesco sauce blanketing the shrimp you are all devouring -- using your fingers -- because it’s that kind of meal.

MFK Fisher in “Meals for Me” writes “...[S]ix can dine well at a table. More, even one or two are dangerous, and beyond ten deadly.” I have sat at those tables, maximized for density and not for the convivial enjoyment of the guests. Trying your best to maintain a conversation with the person on either side of you -- or both simultaneously. A positioning that leaves each of your table companions with only one half of the conversation -- at best. 

I champion the notion that the level of connection between humans sharing in one of the most basic of human rituals is enhanced by a more intimate group. Yelling your opinion about the latest episode of your favorite TV show across a vast white table-clothed expanse is less than ideal.

When sitting down to a small group meal there is something that provides a level of sustenance beyond food as nourishment for our bodies. We feed ourselves with the companionship and communal interaction that happens by sharing a meal and a space. Lingering in conversation over the last beautifully smoked beef rib under the bright summer sun. Digging into the velvety smoothness of a perfect caramel pudding with two of your closest friends. There is a sublime pleasure that comes from the intimacy of sharing a dining experience with a right-sized group of folks. And, truth be told it’s so much easier to divvy up the check at the end.

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I shall dine late, but the dining-room will be well lighted, the guests few and selected

- Walter Savage Landor 

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If you’re new here, ECLECTICLE Is my “Eclectic Listicle” of the recent things that have been happening in my world. It is a regularly occurring place to toss out items of interest and information. My hope is that you will enjoy it and find something useful. So, let’s get going. 

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When one door closes... try the door again, try different keys, knock louder, jiggle the handle, that’s how doors work.

-Lisa Q. Fetterman

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What I’m eating:

Occasionally I will come across a recipe that sounds not only too good to be true, but too uncomplicated to prepare. I’m here to tell you that this one from Bon Appetit is really all that. The addition of crunchy and slightly sweet corn to this pasta dish underscores how versatile Cacio e Pepe can be. May chicken next time or Chorizo? Give it a try! Bon Appetit’s Corn Cacio e Pepe

What I’m reading:

Going to eat with someone who's much more versed in a cuisine (an expert?) Can be SO rewarding. Sharing a meal with a person who has an understanding of the food and culture gives you context -- enhancing the dining out experience. Restaurant Reviewing Needs a Revamp

Pulling from his research for the book “Smokelore: A Short History of Barbecue in America”, author Jim Auchmutey wrote a piece for The Washington Post about barbecue myths. Entertaining and brief read! Five Myths About Barbecue

I have a certain draw and fascination with the art/cultural programs of the New Deal/WPA. In my hometown I used to walk into the main post office and stare at the WPA Era mural by Gordon K. Grant above the main counter area -- wrapping around the rest of the interior, just below the ceiling. This project from Topic Magazine is interesting in its snapshot of a then -- *and a now*. Federal Project No.2 Re-examining America

Food for thought. How valid is this perspective? Agree or not, there appears to be a growing problem in our urban living conditions and it is unclear on which solutions are the best. It is equally less clear if the remedies that exist are too little it too late. 'We all suffer': why San Francisco techies hate the city

What I’m Listening to:

Guy Clark has been providing flowers and smile to this same neighborhood for over 38 years. Truly a special person who really has seen a lot in his time. You can read the piece, but it is so much better to listen. It really is a delightful story. Meet The Flower Guy Who's Watched The Castro Change Over 38 Years.