Tasty goodness, hiking, and revisions

This photo is actually from another hike some time ago; I haven’t downloaded todays.

A quiet Saturday around here. We started the morning with a trip to our old-fashioned cobbler to drop off my favorite boots for repair. I wish I’d taken pictures in the shop, though Miguel might not have appreciated it. It feels very old-world, especially with the Portuguese radio station playing in the background. He was quite apologetic that fixing my boots–a new zipper in one, new heels and toe-taps, and repairing a small rip in one seam–would cost $50. It sounds like a bargain to me! Good flat-soled dress boots aren’t easy to find, and I love this pair beyond reason. He also gave me advice about fixing my leather jacket, which needs the lining repaired–not his line, but he assured me it would be easy to fix. (Maybe for someone else–I intend to ask my friend Lyd, who’s a seamstress by profession, for advice. )

After that, we had a breakfast at a local cafe. We joked afterward that we could have duplicated the meal at home, including the tasty homemade baked goods (OK, the ones we had on hand were different, but equally good) but it’s just fun to go out sometimes. Just in case that wasn’t enough food, we drove to the farmer’s market in Providence, meeting up with our friend David. We managed to restrain ourselves from cheeses, pastured meats, and treats such as jams and sauces this time, sticking to greens, lettuces, potatoes, onions, eggs, and one loaf of lovely sourdough bread, a rare indulgence. (My husband and I bake 99% of our bread, but we’d had a crazy week and were out.)

As I mentioned in an earlier post about the farmer’s market, it’s in a building full of art studios and galleries. We stumbled across one today that was steampunk art! An artist and an author were presenting, the artist in full garb. The author was a kids’ author and the place was full of eager young fans, so I didn’t take a lot of time to explore–maybe next time! (I wonder if they’d be interested in an evening reading/signing for steampunk erotica?)

After the farmers market, it was time for a walk in the woods. A short hike this time, only about a mile, since I was breaking in new hiking boots. Well, old ones, actually–over 20 years old!–that I found in the depths of a closet recently and am readjusting to. They’re Vasques, top of the line when they were new and still in excellent shape, but they’re much heavier than the sneakers or light boots I’ve been wearing. I felt like I was walking around in leg weights! Still, I was smiling the whole time. It feels so good to get outside. I couldn’t help thinking about the farm in Vermont I’d seen advertised: 22 acres and an off-grid house for $129,000. Jeff was tempted briefly, as was I, but he has few work prospects in that area and no realy interest in moving that far north, and realistically I don’t either, given my seasonal affective sensitivity. Still, the idea of a life that allows–no, encourages–that much outdoor living tempts me greatly.

When we came home, Jeff got started on making bread and I got to work on long overdue revisions for a book I’m co-authoring with Dayle as a Sophie Mouette title. It’s a romantic comedy, and I’d forgotten how much fun the voice is. So different from the supernatural stuff I’ve been writing lately. There’s some angst–there has to be, or there’d be no story–but it’s everyday angst, misunderstandings and personality conflicts that have to be worked through, not life-and-death battles with evil.

In some ways, the life-and-death battles with evil are easier than getting just the right balance between frothy, sexy and believable. But I”m back to thinking this is a really good book. I’d lost faith in it for awhile. My faith is restored.

More revisions, more walking, and more puttering in the kitchen tomorrow, plus sorting seeds. I love weekends like this.