Crumbs From the Corner: Adventures in Woolgathering

Thursday, July 31, 2008

Treasure Hunt (3)



"Continuity gives us roots; change gives us branches, letting us stretch and grow and reach new heights."
-Pauline R. Kezer

Spouse and I went out for breakfast this morning in Cambridge- not typical of us in the slightest. In fact, in recollecting, I remarked that the last time we ate breakfast together in a restaurant was three and a half years ago, with Mater in Las Vegas.
I well remember: Mater's perpetual and inexplicable insistence on referring to our hotel as the Tropicano when it was in fact the Tropicana; the vast range of food at the buffet and the priceless expression on Mater's face as she perceived the latter.
I digress. I was reflecting on the unexpected breakfast experience of this morning. Pondering, I was, on a delightful little cafe right across the street from Massachusetts Institute of Technology; a tidy corner which had the air of being a favourite haunt of students, and the sort of place that one would expect to overhear a good deal of serious discussion taking place.
I was served two eggs, sunny-side-up and perfect, two pieces of buttered toast, delicious potatoes and a bottle of orange juice.
I quite like breakfast at home, with my hot, sugary tea and my familiar cup with its design of an elephant, and perhaps a bagel or some homemade bread. In truth I have not missed dining out for breakfast because I would rather wake up slowly and in my own fashion, and eat at my own pace in my own kitchen.
Still, once in a while, a change is the very best medicine, and the most overlooked. After all, I only have to think of Mater, of how happy she was to explore a breakfast buffet for the first time in her life, to see what wonders change can do for the soul.











9 comments:

Tom the Piper's Son said...

Tea from an Elephant Cup - a metaphor for a flood of memories!

* loving your posts!

mouse (aka kimy) said...

ah but breakfast out in america does not include black or white pudding nor fried tomatoes!

let me be the first (after mater) to wish you a very happy birthday!!

p.s. I lost your address....please send again to kyanoshik at gmail dot com

I can be a flake! especially in summertime when the living is well.... whatever!!

xxx

Beth said...

Is it your birthday? Happy Birthday--that gives this week even more meaning, it was a birthday week of exploration. I've enjoyed your trip to Cambridge very much.

Pappy said...

Hi Ele and Spouse, Hope you continue to have a great trip. I have been reading your posts on my reader, but I've been off my usual comment runs for a few days now. Glad you are enjoying yourself. I did not miss the mysterious reflections pictures and try as I might, none of the non-sophisticated photo programs I have could give me a clue. You shall remain forever veiled. Pappy

Anonymous said...

Beautiful town. Must have been most enjoyable.

Steve

hele said...

I love the quote, the mix of continuity and change; I love your breakfast and elephant cup and I love the shared Tom Waits concert.

And have a superfantsticwonderistical birthday filled with moments of joyfulness.

polona said...

small pleasures can be so rewarding...

it's your birthday? well, i wish you a happy one!

Jaime said...

The secret is out. Happy Birthday, lovely one!

As you talk about breakfast, I am reminded of another post of yours....it was about pancakes (or crepes?) with sugar and lemon juice. I have not forgotten that, and I'm dying to try it! Tell me, is it pancakes or crepes? And is it granular sugar or icing sugar? It all sounds so yummy!

Phyllis Hunt McGowan said...

Tom, I wrote about the cup a long time ago, at http://akosmic.blogspot.com/2008/03/stepping-stones-1.html
-I haven't done a 'part 2' yet, but I will one of these days. The cup always brings back memories.
I thank you for your kind words! Much appreciated.

Kimy, ah, no, but I did love what I had this morning. I miss the sausages mostly.
You let the proverbial cat out of the birthday bag ;) I didn't see that one coming, but thanks for your good wishes. They don't call you Mouse for nothing- you gather information like crumbs of cheese. And, just so you know, Spouse didn't remember my birthday, and neither did I, until we saw your comment early this morning before we set off. So thank you!

Beth, it is, it is my birthday ;) That Mouse- up to her wonderful tricks.
I'm glad you enjoyed reading my Cambridge stories- I looked forward to it for so long and it was worth every second of anticipation. The week ending on this day was a nice icing on the cake :) Thanks for your good thoughts.

Texican, I'm now winding down from the trip, and not doing much commenting of my own- I'll be up and running tomorrow.
Well I did promise to see what I could do about a bit of my reflection, and I'm glad you caught it. Sorry that your programs didn't decipher the code that is I. Too bad :)

Steve, it was a fine experience. I loved it. I was completely happy for the entire week, even elated.

Hele, I got all your good thoughts coming at me on the breeze in Cambridge.
"uperfantsticwonderistical"- I love it. Thank you.

Polona, thanks for the birthday wishes. This week was about small pleasures, as you said- somebody else's experience in Cambridge might be nothing like mine, but I did what made me happy!

Jaime, yes, it seems the secret is out ;) Kimy deftly got the information from me and I'm glad because I got all these lovely thoughts and comments.
About the pancakes: we made some last week and I realised I like crepes more than pancakes. So, we made it more milky, less thick, so it would be flatter in the pan and thinner. I use granular sugar. And something else new I tried was mixing the lemon juice and sugar in a small bowl before pouring- all I used to do was drip the lemon juice on the pancake/crepe, then sprinkle sugar. I'm sure it works both ways but mixing first seems to make a more consistent flavour all round. I can't wait to hear how yours turns out. You should then invite us all for some.

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