Advice from a Flamingo


Last night, at the invitation of my massage therapist, I attended the third DC Ladies Arm Wrestling tournament at the American Legion Hall on Capitol Hill. For those of you who know me–or suspect from reading my blog that you know me to some degree–going to the American Legion Hall for an evening of betting on arm-wrestling might seem just a teensy-weensy bit out of character, perhaps even something beyond anything I could have “dreamt of in my philosophy.” Not so into wrestling or costumes or betting or bad beer or anything loud. I am, though, completely into norm-bending, outrageous manifestations of spirit, of which this certainly and rollickingly is one.
I tried to take a picture of the moon and the clear, deep blue sky, when I was walking to William Penn House to lead Tuesday night yoga practice,but failed. The sky earlier in the day, though, was wildly photogenic.

As if–like chanting–you are saying the names of the divine. For if there is anything such as divinity, it is the spark in each and every one.

Puree in a blender or food processor:
peeled cucumber (seeded if necessary; use peels to garnish drinks if peels aren’t bitter)
tomatoes of any mix of colors:
assorted garden herbs and greens (based on taste and availability);
a sweet pepper of any color or variety (and a jalapeno or other hot pepper to taste)
a little minced sweet onion, white of scallion and a hint of garlic if desired (even if you are a garlic junky be gentle with the garlic lest it overwhelm the subtlety of the other flavors)
avocado
chilled vegetable stock or water
a little fresh lime or lemon juice (the acid in the juice helps keep the avocado from discoloring when the soup is chilling; a splash of white wine would also serve)
Chill the soup for 1-2 hours; do not let sit longer; garnish with chopped herbs–chive flowers are nice