Public Transport Musings

It's almost a given. Put me on a bus, drop the outside temperature just a little and hide the sun behind some clouds...and I will be nodding off to the rhythm of the bus on the road, my dreams punctuated with panicked glances out the window to assure myself that I've not missed my stop. These are also the times that I let my prayers run wild, putting someone or some situation into my mind and ruminating with God over what I should ask for, do, be silent about, forget.

Today, with my slowly dying ancient ipod shuffle playing my new Leonardo Gonçalves cd, ministering to my soul even in dreamland, I wandered through places in my mind that haven't been visited in a while. Prayed about things I haven't prayed about in years. I have a little bit of a perma-smile imprinted in every cell today. It makes me think of that line in "Eat, Pray, Love" where the old medicine man tells Elizabeth that good meditation will make even her liver smile. That's kind of how I feel right now.

Even though there is a lot going on that I don't really understand, it is nice to know that at least in my little semi-controllable world, things are peaceful.

Last night was street ministry. I broke up fights and ordered people to put their drugs away and yelled at an older teen who was smoking crack until he was pressured to move away. An old friend who is missing a front tooth is excited because someone is going to help him with his "inventory" so he can sell soft drinks from a styrofoam cooler on the street. But he's going to "go somewhere far away from here. Otherwise, the other kids will finish off my stock! When I figure out where I'm going to set up business, I'll let you know, Tia, and you can get a free drink!" I laughed and said that I would be happy to pay.

Another kid, who was so clean and mostly sober when I bought gum off of him three days before, in another area of town I assumed was where his family lived, was back at his old habits.

And CurlyGirl, whose blond locks are matted and wild like some 1980's rocker, looked at me with wide eyes as I hoisted my backpack onto my shoulders.
-Where are you going???
-To class.
-OH!!!!!!!!!! Have a GOOD class!!!

With a huge smile and that hair flying here and there. How could I not?

Chickpeas

It's another rainy Monday as we look forward to a chilly afternoon on the streets. This calls for comfort food for lunch. I tried this recipe and was surprised by both the simplicity and the flavor! It's vegan, has no oil added (though if you wanted an even richer taste, I think a little butter would be fabulous) and is one of the quickest "curries" I've ever made. Not to mention the cheapest!

Tanzanian Chickpeas

One chopped tomato
½ cup cooked chickpeas
1 large garlic clove
about ½ cup coconut milk
½-3/4 teaspoon turmeric and or curry powder
¼ teaspoon ground clove
salt to taste
hot pepper if desired

Mix in saucepan, bring to boil. Add more liquid (water or coconut milk) if needed. Lightly squash the chickpeas. Reduce heat and let simmer for 20 minutes to combine flavors. Serve over rice. (Can add dried unsweetened coconut to the sauce or as a garnish too!)

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Last night, getting home late from a far-away church service, I wanted something fast. Pasta. But red sauces bore me, probably because I can't get them right and my tomato-based sauces end up tasting acidy and contrived. My quick internet search led me to this recipe, which I altered to my tastes and devoured...

Chickpeas and Spinach Pasta

While you are cooking penne or other thick-shaped pasta in salted water, prepare the sauce:
olive oil
1/4 cup chickpeas
1/4 medium onion, chopped
1-2 cloves garlic, minced
salt and pepper to taste
red pepper flakes, to taste
1 T white or red wine
1 cup vegetable stock
fresh or frozen spinach, about 1/2 cup fresh, 1/4 cup frozen
cream to taste
mozzarella, parmesan, asiago cheese to taste

Cook the onion and garlic in olive oil until transparent, then add the spices and wine. Mix in the chickpeas, spinach and vegetable stock and bring to a boil. Crush the chickpeas with a spoon, add the cooked, drained pasta and toss. Mix in the cream, more olive oil if desired, and cheeses to taste. Serve immediately.

International Relations 101

Guess who's the quote for the day?

“...foreign countries, some who do not like America -- they certainly don't have our best interests at heart…”

Funny. I have this odd idea that they have their OWN best interests at heart. How selfish of them.