This is about my health, the blog and where things are going and I hope you’ll take a moment to read it.
First, my health. To say it’s been troublesome for nearly the entire existence of From Scratch is an understatement and by late last year, the situation had deteriorated to the point of multiple problems. Fortunately, when communicating with the written word, distress can be shielded and I chose to do so, even through some of the most ghastly moments of my life earlier this year. That’s all I wish to say about that except:
Now, I have encouragement but not much stamina yet. I’m productive only a few hours a day. The recipes all summer have been especially quick and easy because that’s all I’ve been able to do. For two reasons the next 8 weeks or so will allow me to blog only sporadically. Number one, I need to conserve as much stamina as I can for number two: a good development. (Finally, ella! Sheesh, we thought this whole post was going to be a downer!)
I’ve sold my house and I am leaving New England. Even in the best of health, winters here can be punishing but the past two have been brutal. I won’t pretend I’m sorry to be leaving or that I’ll miss living here; I’m not and I won’t. I’ll miss some wonderful people, of course, and some of the most gorgeous scenery on earth. I’ll miss not having to lock the doors and being able to buy eggs the day they’re laid at the local hardware store, family-owned and still thriving long after a big home improvement chain opened nearby.
I will not miss the indifferent-to-bad produce I’ve kvetched about, the lousy weather year-round and a growing season that’s about 11 minutes long unless it rains the whole time or bears and deer get to the garden first. And I certainly won’t miss the lack of diversity or the bigotry, racism and anti-Semitism that’s still pervasive in Northern New England. Yes, even in Vermont, and I think you have to live here to discover that.
I’m going back to the Washington area, where this life’s journey of mine began. My soul will welcome the array of performing and fine arts available and my body will welcome a better climate, better healthy food and better pizza, I hope, for when I junk out. I need to find a place to live, I need to pack a lifetime of stuff spread out over three stories and sell off some of it, I need to do all the odds and ends that accompany a big move. So the limited stamina I mentioned needs to be focused there.
But when I get to my new place and get settled, I hope From Scratch will be better than ever. Just as people who enjoy sketching or photography are newly-inspired when they travel to a different area, so it is with foodies. I’m looking forward to once again shopping for excellent produce I used to take for granted, for ethnic foods beyond the most basic and for common items that aren’t common here. Not having to schlep to three stores to buy jicama, ground lamb and turbot is alluring. (However, if you buy a lot of maple syrup, apples and squash, this is the place to be.)
So I beg your indulgence, especially if you’re a new subscriber expecting two or three recipes a week. There will be some, but I can’t let myself feel obligated to maintain that pace during my transition. Before we know it, it’ll be time to think about cooking and baking for the holidays and we can tackle that together. I’m already planning….
{ 34 comments… read them below or add one }
All the best to you, I hope the move goes smoothly.
Looking forward to your return.
Cat´s last blog ..Daily Twitter updates
Thank you, Cat. A few months ago, when I got the idea to move, I set up a Twitter account for the blog (FromScratchBlog) so I’d have it for quick asides. It’s still protected, just one test tweet, but you’ll see my apples among your followers!
You on Twitter? Didn’t see that one coming.
Cat´s last blog ..Daily Twitter updates
Neither did I, my friend! I’ll remove the protection thing when I have something to say.
I wish you a speedy recovery and a safe move–I enjoy your food and political comments, two of my passions. Sorry that you’re leaving Vermont but understand its challenges as well as its benefits.
All the best.
Thank you so much, Catherine. I’m in NH but could almost walk to VT. My favorite restaurant in New England’s in Killington. It’s called Hemingway’s and the chef has been doing local and seasonal for many years. If you haven’t been, there’s a website. It’s a special treat.
I’ve stocked up on Grade B and maple sugar, just in case!
Where in New Hampshire are you? I grew up in Keene and my husband grew up in Lebanon. We prefer the politics in Vermont!
Believe it or not we’ve never been to Hemingway’s but your prompt has put it back on my list of places to visit. Our current favorite is the Hen of the Wood in Waterbury–have you tried it?
Best to you and a speedy recovery!
NH’s not a monolith any more than VT is. NH’s quite blue now but still has plenty of bubbas…as does VT. All I’ll say about the Green Mtn State after living in the area is that, for me and many others, its charm is in inverse proportion to to one’s proximity to it.
I’ve heard of Waterbury but don’t even know where it is. Too late now.
Thanks again for the kind words!
Ella:
I’m so sorry that you had to suffer like that. The good news is that you will thrive in your new environment.
Which Washington are you going to, DC or state? I’m assuming DC. Take your time, and get your strength back first. That is most important.
Lots of luck in your prospective new home.
Thanks, Lechat. I do mean DC and should have said so. I like it there a lot — the heat and humidity never bothered me much — and it’s a much quicker shot to NY if I wake up one Saturday and realize I can’t go another day without a trip to Zabar’s and the market at Union Square.
Good luck with your move and change of scenery and life! I hope you will feel much better once in Washington!
Yaelian´s last blog ..Lohivoileipäkakkua
Thank you very much, Yaelian! It feels right and it’s just time to do it. I struggled with the decision (this is not the best time to sell real estate, for one thing) but I knew, deep inside I should simply accept it and move on.
Ella mamala, I know that this move is the best thing for your physical and mental health! I am sending healing prayers as well as hugs of love, strength and encouragement to you as you embark on the next exciting chapter of your life. You deserve the best and I know you shall have it.
Love and hugs,
Sunny xoxoxoxoxox
Awwww {{{{Sunny}}}} – You always bring out the hugs in me! Thank you so much for your prayers and support; they’ve made a difference. It’s kind of scary to just sell up, pack up and go without even a job waiting for me but I’m hoping the perfect job IS waiting but I just don’t know it.
If you were any more special, you’d be taxable!
mazel tov! eveyone deserve new digs!
Sincerely from one jewish philly girl who understands!
Thanks, marcia. I can feel that you understand! If I don’t “see” you again in the next few weeks, Happy New Year. It’s soooo early this year!
Oh Ella,
I’m so sad to hear this. I had no idea you were having a difficult time (other than not liking the foodie amenities of northern New England and the wildlife encroaching on / destroying your garden)!
I have been grateful for how so kind and encouraging you have been, and you have such a wicked wit with many of your posts. You are a person it feels like we could be sisters in some fine and perfect place. And that even though we have not “known” each other for very long, please stay in contact when you can.
What I really mean to say is I wish the best for you and if there is something I can do, let me know.
Tess´s last blog ..Chawan Mushi (a mushroom variation)
Thank you so much, Tess. I can say that in Chinese, but not Japanese.
Please don’t be sad; I think the worst is over but, of course, we don’t have crystal balls. Now I understand why we don’t. If someone had shown me, 3 years ago, what the upcoming years would bring I don’t think I could have accepted it. I’ve always enjoyed robust health and to have wham-wham-wham was even more difficult to deal with emotionally.
You do know I’ll be giggling about Joey “Bonito Flakes” when I drive through parts of Jersey, don’t you?
Good luck. Your health is the most important thing!
Hugs!!!
katm´s last blog ..Vacation
Thanks, kat! Sometimes it’s hard to put myself first and I’m so touched that so many understand why I must right now. Hugs back at ya!
I find it tremendously forthcoming and brave that you posted this for us, your loyal readers. I know you never want this to be about an “illness” or “condition”, but it seems to have helped your readers (including this one) feel closer to you. You’ve made no secret about your unhappiness in your current location, and I’m pleased you will relocate to a more favorable environment. I was going to ask about Washington summers—but you said the heat, etc. was ok. I like to be warm, too. I’m pretty darned sure I would not enjoy a NE winter, however picturesque.
I wish you much joy in finding your place in a very exciting area, which should feed your political interests, your artistic soul, as well as your recipes. Twitter is way more fun than I would have thought, and is great for quick updates!
Many blessings, dear ella.
MusEditions´s last blog ..Lapsed Gurus falling off Pedestals
Hi, Muse – It did take an attitude adjustment to post this. I don’t usually explain away my adult behavior by falling back on “it’s how I was raised” but one thing drummed into me that still resonates is everyone has problems, nobody wants to hear mine. Couple that with the focus of a food and politics blog and a professional lifetime of having to leave myself out of my writing (it’s still cringe-inducing to begin a sentence with I) and a natural love of privacy, and there was no earthly reason to bring it up. Till now.
NYC winters can be bad too, but it’s different there. And of course, in Washington (DC), an inch or two of snow brings the city to its knees. I’ve lived through blizzards there, too, but I’m hoping El Nino, with its “all or nothing” effect on snowfall, brings nothing much. You never know, though!
Thanks for the good wishes and blessings — I’ll take all I can get and happily return the same to you!
Hope all goes well with you especially your health. Thanks so much for sharing all these with us.
Janet @Gourmet Traveller88´s last blog ..Tuscany part 3: stracchino & sausage crostini
Thank you very much, Janet. I knew this might be happening so I’ve saved the lovely meme you tagged me for so I’d have something to post during the “drought.”
I’m so happy for you. From this distance, you appear to be involved in what I call “intuitive planning” – a strange phenomenon where decisions seem to rise, fully formed, out of nothingness, when in fact they’re the natural result of a long, if subterranean, process.
I smiled at this: It’s kind of scary to just sell up, pack up and go without even a job waiting for me but I’m hoping the perfect job IS waiting but I just don’t know it.
During a three month period in 1990 I quit my job, flew to Hawaii, sailed to Alaska and came back to Texas, where I sat down at a table and said, “Now what?” I had no home, no job, enough money for a year and no idea what was next.
There were some bumps but it worked out beautifully, and I know it will for you, too. Step by step is the way to go, nurturing yourself along the way and keeping a sharp eye out for all the unexpected gifts and pleasures that will come to you.
We’ll be anxious to hear
shoreacres´s last blog ..The Refrigerator Called Life
Thanks, Shore. I’ve really never done anything this impulsive and if it were an area new to me, without old friends and contacts around, I’m not sure I’d be doing it. It’s still scary though!
As for “anxious to hear” — as you’ve seen, I tend to suffer (and celebrate) in silence; this blog is not about me. But if there are moments that make me squeal with delight, I’m sure I’ll share one. If my next step works out half as well as yours, I’ll certainly be squealing!
I have just discovered your blog (looking for a bolognese recipe!), and I just want to let you know that I sincerely hope the relocation is as smooth as possible and that the change will help your health. I know that Washington has some beautiful land, and the political landscape is quite nice in parts as well. Hopefully you can enjoy all that is upcoming in life. I fully understand the trials that serious health issues bring to not only you, but family and friends as well. Be well and keep up as you can.
Thank you, Diane. I appreciate your thoughtful comments. Much as I hate the process of moving and all the packing/unpacking, I am looking forward to going back.
More important, though — I hope the Bolognese recipe and slideshow here helped. I loooove Bolognese!
Hi Ella,
You kindly commented on my blog earlier this summer, and I’m quite ashamed that so much time has passed before I returned to yours. As always, I was greeted by your insightful and provocative prose. This entry is no exception.
Thank you for sharing with your readers. I admire your persistance, your commitment, your intellect… and your honesty! I hope that your move will improve your physical and social environments. Bon courage!
Danielle´s last blog ..Farm Share, Week 2
Hi, Danielle. Not a problem and my apologies for the tardy response, but I’m just swamped by the move. Thank you so much for the encouraging words; things are moving more quickly than I expected and I think it’s the universe’s way of telling me to just get the heck away from here!
A most interesting post.
Your comment;
‘its charm is in inverse proportion to to one’s proximity to it’
quite excellent.
unstranger´s last blog ..Gay Pride Week in Limerick
Thank you very much — and cead mille failte!
BTW, one of the funniest cartoons I ever saw showed a guy in a car and the sign on the road said, “Welcome to Nantucket, sister city of Limerick, Ireland.” It took a beat to get it but when I did…
I missed this post, Ella. I am so sorry to hear about your health. I hope things will get better for you at your new abode. Sending you (((hugs and best wishes))))
Have you moved yet?
Hi, bead. Thanks so much for the support. {{{Hugs}}} to you too.
I get a little stronger every day, but I’m still not the ella I used to be. In time, I hope. I’m paying someone to help pack up my acres of books today; the movers will be here tomorrow to pack the breakables & artwork and begin loading the van. The house will be empty by Friday afternoon! I haven’t been able to get down there and find a place, but I’m hoping it won’t take too long since I have a few possibilities picked out. (Natch, my favorite is too expensive…)