carymiller.net

photo by casie humphries

I had a bit of a blowout today with a good friend, and I’m having a hard time getting it off of my mind. When Lori passed away, most of our mutual friends pretty much went AWOL, and I’ve had to learn to live without the support network that I thought I had.

I’ve done a good job of making new friends, with a lot of work, but I really miss having some people around who really know me, or at least knew me as I/we went through this terrible loss.

Anyway, I’m afraid I may have let pent up frustrations get out of hand, and said a few things that may not have exactly described what it was that I was feeling. Really, I think I acted like a bit of a jerk.

So to my friend — I don’t know if you ever read this, but if you do, I’m really very sorry about all of that… I hope you’ll forgive me for acting like a big baby, but it was only because you’re one of my favorite people, and I’ve missed getting to spend any time with you.

I’m sorry it came out so badly.

‘night now.

Well, it’s settled… I’ve decided that come hell or high water, this time next year I will be lounging by a pool somewhere in Southeast Asia — mornings spent eating fresh fruit under a thatched roof, afternoons exploring the living temples beneath a canopy of jungle, evenings enveloped in the flowery scent of incense, guided by fireflies across the rice paddies.
But where to exactly?! Bali calls me back (as it has constantly, rather cruelly, since I first set foot on that magical island,) but I am enamored of Thailand, Cambodia, and Vietnam as well… and it would be nice to explore something new.

Well, no hurry to make that final decision quite yet, but I feel an amazing rush of good energy just making this decision. I’ve been wanting to do it for some time. Ever since Lori’s passing had become eminent (what, two or three years now?) And now that the active part of my grieving is over, I feel truly free to get out there and explore the world again.

I think it might be fun to invite a few friends to come along, but I’m not settled on that yet, either. I’m pretty sure I’d enjoy the company, and I do find that discovering new places is so much more enjoyable when you have others to share it with. But regardless, I will be boarding a fat jumbo jet in the Spring of 2010, and don’t you try to stop me…

Bless you all, as always,
C

Way cheaper than Peet’s, and sooo much tastier! (ok, doesn’t beat a Peet’s Iced Latte, but certainly beats their Iced Coffee!) It’s also much less acidic, and far fewer calories than any of those bottled drinks.

1 cup ground coffee (medium-coarse grind is best)
Milk (optional).
Brown sugar (optional.)
Clothing (optional.)

1. In a jar, stir together coffee and 4 cups cold water. Cover and let rest at room temperature overnight or 12 hours.
2. Strain twice through a coffee filter (but it’s quicker to just strain it in a French Press.)
3. In a tall glass filled with ice, mix equal parts coffee concentrate and water, or to taste.
4. If desired, add milk, sugar, whatever.

Yield: Six drinks.