Chica in Chico: Week Three

Since I haven't posted for over a week, I feel like I have some catching up to do. The week was more up and down emotionally than it had been in the previous two. Perhaps my slump was predictable. I have now been in Chico for three weeks and some of the newness is starting to wear off. Also, the reality of not having many friends here is becoming clear. I have had some periods of feeling isolated and these periods were intensified by technology and communication glitches. Now that I no longer have a landline, I am using my cell phone exclusively. Because of that, I should not have been surprised when Verizon notified me that I was almost out of voice minutes. But I was surprised and will need to be more attentive to voice usage. Can't wait until the 19th when I can call people again!

More disturbing than changing my cell phone habits was the realization that my elderly computer had finally reached the point of no return. My operating system was so old that I could no longer upload photos and I couldn't even upgrade Firefox, the main browser I use. My gmail contacts were no longer accessible and the computer was crashing at unexpected times. So, yes, I am writing this from my new computer, which is a happy occasion except of course for the price tag. I'm not sure exactly when it happened, but somewhere in the last few years, having a computer became a necessity for me. Now, along with everything else being new, I will need to learn my way around the new MacBook. But I really love Apple products, so I am hoping for the best. Got to love Steve Jobs!

So, here is the week in review:

Started working in the yard for real. Pulled up a mini mountain of morning glories that were strangling other plants. Back yard is much cleaner, although pulling up morning glories felt slightly sinful.

Planted a winter garden in pots on the patio. With any luck, we will have broccoli, cauliflower, cabbage, arugula, baby bok choy, kale, spinach, and cilantro in just a few months.

Continued with lots of biking. Weather has mostly been in the 50s in the morning and getting into the 70s in the sunny afternoons. We had one day of clouds and cool temps, which seemed to correspond to my slump.

Met the neighbors and really like them! They are huge bike and garden enthusiasts, so we have lots in common. They invited me on a 35 mile bike ride up to a small neighboring town called Paradise. Very challenging ride, but rewarded with great coffee, spectacular views, and most importantly for me, some much needed companionship.

Went on a bike tour of about a dozen gardens in Chico (led by our neighbor), ending with the community garden about a 10 minute ride from our house. They have 15x15 garden spaces available, so I am considering whether or not I should do an actual winter garden, in addition to my patio/pots garden. Send me your thoughts!

Practiced my cooking skills--had fun finding recipes and experimenting with them in the kitchen. The most successful meal of the week for me was Pan-seared Salmon with a Pumpkin Seed and Cilantro Pesto. Please send me your favorite recipes to help keep my recipe box full.

The week ended with dinner with the neighbors.....sitting outside on their patio on a clear and warm night, eating some wonderful food and enjoying delicious California wines. Great to have some new friends, even though I am missing my old ones. But I am Minnesota bound in just over a week, so hope to see many of you soon!