Day 243

Housework day. Every day I make the bed, clean the sinks, and pick up items sot the house is always neat. Then the floors get attention. Today is tea and stories so I will have a clean and welcoming home. I exercised yesterday beginning with stretches, mat, and an attitude of appreciation for my body’s willingness to move. I walked twice, ate on the food plan, worked in the yard, the simple pleasures I enjoy. And I get to do it again today.

Prompt: describe a piece of furniture from your childhood

When I was about twelve years old we went on a trip to San Francisco. I don’t remember where my mother and brother were, but I was in Chinatown with my father. We walked by Sun Yet Sen park and my father said we were going to lunch in a special place. We went down a side street and into a long walkway. The place was called Hang Ah Alley. Inside I was overwhelmed by the display of Chinese art, lights, colors, sounds, and smells that were unfamiliar. We were shown to a corner table of black carved wood that was intricate and interesting. I rubbed my hands over the carvings of dragons, strange birds, and serpents on the chair arms. The chair had a high back and I did not want to lean on the carved wood. The whole scene was so different and so visually stimulating that I’m sure I stared around with my mouth open. I kept my hands on the carvings as though they were holding me in place. We sat and food was brought without any ordering. I remember a noodle dish that was lemony, full of water chestnuts, vegetables and meat that I didn’t recognize. It was a memory that I have fully intact. It was also my first experience with being a minority as we were the only white people in the place. It was also rare to have time with my father alone.