girlfiend

I usually avoid it because it’s not as good as Reading Terminal and it seems totally overpriced, but a few weeks ago I stopped at the Ardmore Farmer’s Market after I couldn’t find something I needed at Trader Joe’s. I couldn’t find it at the produce stand their either, and the Fiendling was fussy after waking from a nap so I left, but not before noticing the spice stand on the way out. Sunday I stopped to browse at the stand, Adriana’s Caravan, and I’m glad I did. They have everything and the woman who works there (the owner?) knew exactly what I wanted when I asked for a Moroccan spice blend and offered me four to choose from. Then when she asked what I was making and I told her I was trying b’stillas again only this time using this recipe instead of this one she corrected my pronunciation, asked if I planned on using pigeon or chicken, and when I told her chicken she said ‘good.’

I ended up buying unsweetened coconut for a thai green rice recipe, tahini just because I’m almost out, and ras el hanout for the b’stillas because I forgot the recipe and I didn’t have a shopping list, but if I’d had one I probably would have purchased the cardamom pods and allspice berries too. Anyway, I just wanted to let you know it’s there and it’s good and you can order online too if you’re even lazier than I am when it comes to wrangling a baby on public transportation with many, many shopping bags because who doesn’t leave the Reading Terminal with too much stuff to carry? And some of you may or may not recall that the last time I took the bus to the terminal I had so much stuff that I ended up leaving my purse on the bus. And parking by the convention center means I either circle for 20 minutes affair with a baby who wants OUT or pay for a lot which just isn’t an option because why pay for a lot when there’s street parking out there somewhere. (I’ve heard rumors of the $2 validated lot. I’ve yet to use it.)

I don’t know why I just made all of those excuses for not taking the bus to the Reading Terminal. But I did and they are all valid.

At least I’m semi-well-rested. The Benadryl worked the first night, but not nights two or three. But then either we upped the dose and it worked or the Fiendling just got really tired or used to the cast and he’s slept through the night the past two nights. His mood has improved some too, which means mine has as well. I’ve stupidly been using his nap time to hack away at a thorn bush in my neighbor’s yard that’s grown through the fence into mine. It’s a gorgeous bush in the fall, but the thorns are like an inch long and hurt like a motherfucker. It’s totally overgrown and my neighbors said they’d get rid of it but since it’s not high on their list of priorities I’ve been trying to cut it down some so my rose bush that got one bloom last year might get some light. It’s slow going because every branch needs to be cut into small pieces so I can dispose of it without killing myself. I’m covered in tiny scratches and when I get the one down to size there are two more to work on. I need full body armor.

By the by, did you know that this very important anniversary has passed? The Real World turns 15. That first New York season where everyone actually had lives and looked like real people and didn’t just cavort in hot tubs seems so long ago. Remember when Julie wanted to sleep in a shelter with the homeless or when she and Kevin had that screaming match in the street? And Andre was just boring all season long? Dude, I feel really old now.