Today's HAWMC prompt asks for a recreation of the week's best conversation. Something I enjoy pointing out in the Linguistics class I teach is the power of speech as a means of bringing something into existence. Even beyond performative speech acts (like "I pronounce you man and wife;" "I name this ship Sachem"), we create relationships, gifts, connections, and so much more, purely through our use of language.
One of my favorite conversations this week was one I wasn't involved in! But I was involved in the conversation that spawned it. Yesterday, Phil's daughter called from the library (where she works) to say a book had come in for Phil. I confessed to her:
"I thought I'd knocked that 'flu on the head, but as soon as I went out on Friday, I started to feel bad again, and it ended up I couldn't sleep last night---it was my turn to wake Phil up!..." (sympathetic noises from Amy) "I really want to go get a good hot shower or steam at the gym--but of course it's Easter, so everything's closed! Phil said I should ask Leslie (Amy's mom) if I can soak in her tub." Amy said, "Well, if you don't feel comfortable asking mom, you can take a shower at my place, but my water pump's on the fritz so I've been taking power showers, which might not be what you need right now. And you know mom would love to share her tub." "OK, thanks so much. I know you're right about that."
A few hours later, the phone rang again, and Amy was up at Leslie's and had evidently told her about our conversation. That's the favorite conversation that I didn't even hear! So it was Leslie on the phone, saying "Come on up! Any time you like!" I said "I don't know if I should go anywhere tonight or wait until tomorrow." Leslie said, "I think the sooner you can sweat some of that crud out, the better, and the tub's just sitting there waiting for someone to soak in it."
So, Phil, Terry and I all went up to Leslie's, providing the bonus that Terry got to see Leslie's spectacular panoramic view and visit with her and Amy. And I spent probably 45 minutes in that big tub--big enough for me to lie full-length, or, if I curled in fetal position, I could float back and forth like a veritable fetus. I was grateful for the conversations that took place in my head in there too, this first moment for weeks that I disengaged from everything and just lay quiet in hot water. My thoughts went directly to the poems I'm working on, and it felt so good to have that time to process on them.
I'm so grateful both to Leslie and Amy--I felt so cared about and nurtured, and deep-muscle-relaxed, and I slept so well last night--an unusual thing indeed of late. At this point, I may not make it to our Easter/Passover celebration, which was sort of my idea in the first place, although I'll definitely send Phil laden with goodies. But this time, I'm getting over the 'flu for sure!
Recipe: Chocolate Maca Mojo (Sugar Free, Vegan, Raw)
Terry really appreciated the maca in the original version of this, and she doesn't need to avoid chocolate, so I thought this new version would take it to the next level. I knew she appreciated goji berries, so I added those and cacao nibs for texture. I've mentioned before that I think maca and coconut taste wonderful together: I think a hint of spice makes them even better, so I included some cayenne in this version.
The measurements are a little eccentric, because 3/8 cup cacao butter was what I had, but I think it'll make sense.
Ingredients:
3/8 cup cacao butter
1 cup coconut butter (or "creamed coconut," which comes in 7oz blocks, a little under a cup)
3 tablespoons powdered xylitol
1/4 cup cacao powder
1 1/2 T maca
"a good pinch" cayenne powder
"a good pinch" vanilla powder
"a good pinch" salt
3 tablespoons cacao nibs
3 tablespoons goji berries, chopped
How-to:
Melt the cacao and coconut butters together, and then simply add all the powders in gradually and stir very, very well. Once there are no lumps, stir in the cacao nibs and goji berry pieces.
What was YOUR favorite conversation this week? And gosh, aren't I lucky with my friends?
