Tonight’s adventure took me back to Wholefoods. Central Market is fabulous, but Wholefoods is my happy place. Wholefoods is to me what Tiffany’s is to Holly Golightly. Always has been, even back in Boston. But the Bowie’s Barbecue counter at the Lamar Street Wholefoods is my very, very happy place, full of happy people and chatty counter assistants who give me free cobbler, free frosted mugs of root beer and free smiles and conversation. It’s my favorite place to eat when I’m in Austin alone. Which I am for another 3 days.
Dinner tonight: a brisket wrap with so, so hot fresh green chilies, pickles and onions; a frosted mug of organic rootbeer; lots of sampling and education on tea varieties (particularly the ancient pu-erh variety) across the way at the tea counter; and then, because even after all the tea and rootbeer my tongue was still sweating from the oh-my-god-so-hot chilies, a cup of fig orange/chocolate chipotle gelato (there are so many yummy flavors you have to sample at least two at a time).
Walking back with a full belly, I paused as I crossed over Shoal Creek on 5th Street…the sound of the cicadas and the warm, soft air on my bare arms suddenly made my heart leap. I’m home. imhomeimhomeimhome, beat my heart. imhomeimhomeimhome, chirped the cicadas. All this time in my head I’ve been thinking I’m a northerner, but my heart knows I’m…I’m right where I’m supposed to be. Where the cicadas chirp in the summertime, where the air is warm and velvety soft, where people are kind, even if they do talk kind of funny…even if I’m starting to talk kind of funny again too…
It may just be about finding contrast. I went to Burlington, Vermont in search of a home away from Lafayette. And Burlington with its beautiful mountains and hardy hippies was a gracious, gentle home to me in my college years. I went to Boston to find a home when I retreated lost and heartbroken from New Zealand. But Boston was all hard knocks and tough love and never could find it in itself to be a home. I came to Austin to find a home away from cold, surly Boston. And I’m home again. Back where I started. Go figure.
I’m in my happy place.
this entry makes me very happy.
Heather - So glad to hear you are feeling so happy, full and free. Chris (Den’s friend)
As I read your latest post, I am sitting out on the porch; I, too, am bathed in the warm, redolent southern air listening to birds and bugs singing.
It’s good to know that you feel at home there. Can’t wait to visit you and see for my self.