Seeking Solitude in the City

I know that I have previously referenced the notion of solitude. I don't have anything more profound to say about it, but in my book, solitude always sounds more romantic in theory than it becomes in actualization.

My previous post explored the stark and quiet alone-ness I experienced late in the day and late-season at my aunt's lakeshore cottage. I did not detect one living soul, human or animal (okay, animals may not have souls, but I hope there are a few non-allergenic ones that make it to heaven) for miles around--and I was uneasy. I know there were deer in the forest, but deer are very quiet creatures.

If you are alone in an upstairs bedroom with the windows shut, reading (praying, meditating), you might experience a measure of solitude. But if you live in the middle of a city with neighbors near, there is always a dog barking down the street, a truck rattling over a speed bump, or especially lately, a firecracker exploding near by. And the birds have been really noisy this year--even at dusk. Or am I just becoming more annoyed with noise, the older I get?

It is difficult to find a place or a time that is both quiet and alone. I have experienced being miles distant from civilization many times, but I am almost never alone. And of course our smart phones now keep us connected at all times.

A pre-season exploration of the perimeters of Acadia National Park on Mt. Desert Island, Maine a few years back, with all its coves and forested areas, provided some escape. I will never forget "Thunder Hole"--at night, with a flashlight handy. You can google for a video of this unique spot.

I recall that hiking in the Rockies (with the family) provided a beautiful break from our more normal, peopled existence. An August ride up to the continental divide was quiet and surprisingly chilly.

My childhood farm at night, with stars the only light, felt pretty remote--but it was never silent. Sounds carry for miles in the country. I would analyze the train whistle triads from 5 miles distant through my open second-story bedroom window screen. Our neighbors a mile away claimed they could hear the alarm calls of our peacocks.

But today I experienced a tiny taste of solitude as I walked through a park alone. Even though there were streets with a modest amount of traffic nearby, there was not one soul in the park. I wonder how many cities have that kind of emptiness in their parks on a beautiful sunny (about 68-70 degrees) mid-morning. (Certainly not in Beijing!) I did not know whether to be happy or sort of sad, that all this lovely space was vacated--like the rapture had occurred.

I had met two friends for breakfast. Having never eaten at this restaurant, I had decided I would eat whatever G recommended. Well, she said the French toast was good. An hour later, with my stomach laden with that lump of bread and maple sweetness, washed down with lots of coffee, I felt the need to walk it off before heading home--so I crossed the street into the park.

"Children" playing in the park.

With the recent abundant rain, the fishing dock was inaccessible,

although tales were being told of previously caught fish:

A moment of respite, if not quiet, prevailed in the park,

and I am thankful to live in a place where one can occasionally escape people and enjoy the sights and sounds of nature!

Epcot - Topiaries and Teapots

Lady and the Tramp are soooo cute!

The topiaries that dominate the park during the Flower and Garden Festival are simply *amazing. How do they do it?

Well, as we were wondering aloud about it, a night worker who was taking his father to the park in a wheelchair overheard our conversation and told us that they have 15 topiaries in process for each character! Imagine that.

Some of the ways they use plant material are very creative. Here is a closeup of the tail of a Lion King figure--I think Mufasa.

Lion Tail

A cute panda in China

Dragon with "mist"

Twinings sponsored the teapots in the UK

Delightful Daisy Teapot

Erica snapped this monster's photo--

and this one.

These towers of flowers are everywhere.

The characters transform at night--is this Cinderella?

Epcot - Feasting at the Festival

beet pop - $1

What would a festival be without food? And drink! It was hot and we slaked our thirst in at least 4 countries!

Lunch was on the run and on the street. I couldn't manage the food and a camera but I recall some tasty tacos and a watermelon and goat cheese salad.

Later the girls sampled a beet lollipop!

Midday we cooled down at a little gem in Mexico,
La Cava del Tequila. I had a Coffee Mexcal Margarita
that was completely refreshing. Erica had the flight and Rebecca enjoyed a Jalapeno Margarita.

tequila flight and chaser

La Cava del Tequila bar

What a beauty, all dipped in pink Hibiscus Himalayan salt!

The next stop for refreshment was in Germany and I needed a coffee. I have no photos to help me recall what adult beverages the girls might have consumed.

Following the Herman's Hermits concert we again needed to cool off, this time in the Rose and Crown Pub in the UK. I had a Stella Artois to go--the bar was very busy and we soon took our beer to the street.

The girls set their beer down to meet Pooh and Tigger. Tigger was kind of crazy--I'll spare him the embarrassment of a photo.

We were getting hungry now and headed back to France to be on time for our reservation at Monsieur Paul, a newly remodeled upstairs restaurant that is upscale and yet allows for casual guests. I wonder if Rebecca knew that this was the most expensive restaurant in all of Disney! She looked pretty shocked when she saw the bill!!! I was her guest but chipped in a little for the meal, which was the best I've had in a long time. What a great way to end a Mother's Day!

The food was all fabulous. After that Stella and then sipping a bottle of red wine from the south of France--and having very little to eat--I was a little bit silly and garrulous. Our waiter was accommodating, but there was a slight language barrier and my girls were wishing I would just be quiet (shut-up) and enjoy the food!

The website menu I checked didn't have all the food, so I don't have all the entree names and descriptions. I should have had the beef, since a filet beats chicken any day, but Rebecca's Red Snapper with scallops of potatoes simulating scales, with fennel, in a rosemary sauce was a work of art. I wish I could think of the appropriate adjectives that would do justice to the rich tastes of these dishes, but I will let the photos do the talking. Click on them and once again, drool!

What an elegant place setting!

Erica digs in to the Truffle Soup

Three Chocolate Cake with chocolate ice cream

Epcot and a Herman's Hermits Concert - Mother's Day Weekend in Florida

When you visit a theme park you know there will be crowds and that it will be expensive, but I recently found that there also will be things to learn and some surprises along the way. And it will be a feast for the senses!

One of those surprises, as we were strolling through Epcot May 12, on Mother's Day, was happening upon a live Herman's Hermits concert. Peter Noone is now 65 and prancing around stage and singing the old hits just like he did when I attended a concert in Sioux Falls, South Dakota in the 60's. Apparently he has recently put himself on a successful diet and he looked great from a distance. He was my first and favorite, a few years before the other big British invasion band hit our shores--The Beatles.

What was more surprising is that both of my 30-something girls knew all the words to the old hits! It was a feast for the ears that brought me way back in time.

Not so much a feast for the eyes was all the grey hair in the audience, aging hippies with pony tails and this totally Disney dude:

My girls know how to navigate a park and we got our fast passes in a timely fashion. The simulated ride over California was pretty cool, with breezes, and even a whiff of orange as we passed over an orange grove, a little surprise for the nose.

Another highlight was the guided tour "Behind the Seeds." Our guide was from Iowa:

The guide shared a taste of the gardens with us - freshly sliced cucumbers.

Winter Melon

One "Cinderella" pumpkin required a hammock

Bananas!

Erica snapped this photo with her phone.

Every plant was productive and every leaf was perfect. It is a controlled environment where thousands of lady bugs are released strategically to control some of the undesirables.

Look at this perfect lettuce:

The lettuce was planted in a bi-color Mickey-ears pattern:

Erica took this photo on the ride--our guide for the seeds tour is in the back.

Even this hose was wound perfectly by a Disney staffer:

Next: The food (including feasting in France) and a few adult beverages along the way.

Festivals, Food and Fun in Florida - Mother's Day Weekend 2013

So my girls in Florida have probably been wondering if I would include some posts from Mother's Day weekend, wondering what I would say about what a good time I had with them. The memories and images and tastes are already fading, but I have photos to remind me. Since my computer remained crashed (BSOD) for awhile, I wondered whether I would even be able to save the photos, which had not been backed up. But here I am.

I will start with some of the good food I enjoyed. I did manage to enjoy at least three notable restaurants and one cool bar and I have way more photos than I should include here!

The first day (Friday) I went to lunch with Erica at Hawkers--a new (2011) place that was new to both of us. https://www.facebook.com/hawkersstreetfare

Erica loves Asian fare and we ordered and shared some tasty stuff. She also consumes liquids like a fish and had several beverages in addition to ice water, including some Vietnamese beer and this Thai iced tea:

Pad Thai

Fried green beans 

That evening was my bacon-burger night, but the next day, on Saturday afternoon we drove to New Smyrna Beach and shopped a little before dinner. I had never seen this section of the coast before, including the drive-on beach. I took this photo of succulents for Marissa, thinking of her obsession with them and wishing she could have been included on this mostly "girls weekend."

We dined at The Garlic, arriving early on this Saturday evening so we would not have to wait in the long line that had formed by the time we left.

It would not be a good place for vampires. There are sacks of garlic hanging everywhere! But my entree could have been mistaken for something a vampire would enjoy. It was a giant meatball, set in a rich red sauce. Hmm. No wonder my blood was good to go last week when I donated to the Red Cross! The entree was the size of a bocce ball and could not have been finished in one sitting. I shared a taste here:

My Bocce Ball entree
Sadly, I see my still missing glasses on the table

One more closeup!

Click on this and drool!

I photographed the other entrees as well:

something ducky

something fishy?

I understand that the kids had taken the husband there when he last visited. It is a unique place with an old country indoor/outdoor ambiance. It was late-afternoon hot but there are warmers and a fireplace available. The restaurant is very popular; in fact, there was some annoying construction going on, as they are expanding the facility to accommodate more guests.

I waddled out with a box of  left-over Bocce Ball and ate it again for Monday lunch. It was not drop-dead-to-die-for-delicious. It was pretty good Italian country fare, but the presentation and the big-ball concept was unique and worth trying once. I am saving all foodie expletives for the French food we ate on Sunday night in France at Epcot. The Asian, the Bacon-burger, the Italian--nothing compared.

Next: Eating and drinking our way through the countries at the Epcot Flower and Garden Festival.