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-   -   Class of March 2013 - Part 23 (https://www.soberrecovery.com/forums/newcomers-daily-support-threads/319401-class-march-2013-part-23-a.html)

Gilmer 01-21-2014 06:20 AM

The Mini-Appetizers: (skip if you found the last post tedious!)

1. "Garden to Table." They grow very tiny radishes in their garden. They served one in a terracotta planting pot, with a base of goat cheese and "dirt" of crushed pumpernickel. There was a tiny squeeze bulb tube of sweet vinaigrette. I pulled up the small white mild radish and ate it with the vinaigrette: delicious. Even the greens were good--a tad sweet, even. After the radish was gone, I ate the goat cheese and pumpernickel with a spoon. Really good!

2. Green olive madeleines. There were two tiny madeleines (fully formed, but tiny) that tasted like standard madeleines, but with a hint of saltiness.

3. Sherry-maple emulsion with gingerbread. This was a fluffy liquid served in an eggshell! I personally am not affected by sherry in food, so it was fine. It tasted like heaven!

These are what the chef sends out to delight the patrons while they are waiting for their first course. I was duly delighted!

If anybody wants to know the restaurant, PM me. It is in the sticks, in Boyce, VA.

Saskia 01-21-2014 06:52 AM

Gilmer, I wouldn't be surprised if the chef especially appreciates patrons who don't drink since they will appreciate his work that much more! It sounds totally delightful!

MeSoSober 01-21-2014 07:43 AM

I'll post more later, but wanted to pop in and let you all know I moved last Thursday, only got internet access at my parents' two days ago, and when we got it my keyboard and mouse were still at my old apartment, which is why I haven't been around.

Anyhoo, my mother had spoken to me on more than one occasion about one of her neighbors, V., whose daughter-in-law, S., was an alcoholic. My mom told me what a sweet person S. was and how likeable she'd been on the few occasions when my mom had bumped into her (on at least one of these occasions my mother could tell that S. had been drinking). S. was divorced from V.'s son, but the two of them had a child together, a really sweet and happy girl who also happens to have a developmental disability. I've met the child before.

This morning my mother got a call from V. S., the alcoholic daughter-in-law, was found dead yesterday in Roanoke, which is about 45 minutes or so from here. There was no one there to identify her so the police had to take a picture of a tattoo on her foot or her ankle so that a family member could identify her. V. told my mother that when the police showed the photo to S.'s ex-husband so that he could identify her, that he just broke down. I think her drinking had been the primary, if not the sole, reason for their divorce. S. has another daughter as well, so two kids lost a mother yesterday.

We don't know the cause of death yet, but given that S. was only in her thirties and an alcoholic, it seems a safe bet that it was alcohol or drug related.

So sad. And another stark reminder of what's at stake for all of us.

Love to all!

Gilmer 01-21-2014 07:47 AM

Hope you will soon feel comfortable in your new home base, MeSo. Glad you are now fully equipped to post with us!

So horrible about S. So young.

MeSoSober 01-21-2014 07:47 AM


Originally Posted by tootsl1 (Post 4421569)
Hi guys, well, it's my last 24 hours in Scotland for a few months, I head off tomorrow. For those who care to know times, I fly from Edinburgh to London Heathrow at 14:15, fly from Heathrow to Logan at 16:35 arriving at Logan around 1900 local time.

We will know you're here when we look up and all of the colors around us instantly appear more vivid. And we find ourselves surrounded by singing woodland creatures. And all the stoplights in our path turn green. :-)

Welcome to the States!!

Saskia 01-21-2014 07:48 AM

MeSo, how very sad!

digdug 01-21-2014 08:18 AM

Toots - I hope you're flight isn't delayed. We're expecting 8-12 inches of snow over the next day, but I don't know about Boston. But maybe you'll get to step off the plane into a winter wonderland lol.

Duff - I know of several rehabs that do equine therapy. Apparently (and this is just what a counselor told me once), it helps people in recovery see that horses have the ability to stop when their life is in danger, even when their rider is commanding them to do so. No horse is going to run a cliff. But us alcoholics, we will run straight off that cliff if it means another drink. Plus they're cute and you can pet them :)

Gilmer - this is why I spend my money at fancy restaurants. I love the experience. It makes me feel special for a few hours. It triggers all the good chemicals in my brain with all the new flavors and textures. And then I can walk home feeling good, rather than stumble home feeling like crap.

Wehav - congrats on 11 months!

Meso - good luck at your parents' house. Just keep the momentum that you've built up over the past few weeks going. And you will never have to end up like S if you want. It sucks that I personally know what it feels like to basically die from alcoholism. But it motivates me because I just cannot put my family through that again. My birthday is in a few weeks and my mom is insisting that we go out to a nice dinner because she said, "this birthday is special." I'm turning 32 so I didn't think what was so special about it. Then she broke down crying saying she didn't think I would ever have another birthday again. 10 months after my coma, she is still deeply affected by it.

Today is a snow day. But I stocked up on enough food that I don't have to leave the apartment. Stay warm and safe, east coasters!

Babs1234 01-21-2014 08:27 AM

MeSo---hi ---I want to tell you how sad that makes me feel about S. How terrible and she was young. and now those children have no mother. Again, I would like thank SR for being here. You guys, I for one don't know where I would be if it wasn't for you and all the support. We really do have a lot to be thankful for.
Babs

Gilmer 01-21-2014 08:31 AM

Let us know when your birthday arrives, DD! We want to celebrate it, too! :) It's such a blessing that you're alive and sharing your life with us!

Oh, by the way--on my way out to the mountains, I was listening to the radio and heard a blast from my past: "Katmandu," by Bob Seger. My buds and I used to love Bob Seger with our Genesee light. Are you familiar with him, DD? I doubt you'd care for him--too subtle for you, no doubt. :lmao

Babs1234 01-21-2014 08:34 AM


Originally Posted by Gilmer (Post 4422268)
Let us know when your birthday arrives, DD! We want to celebrate it, too! :) It's such a blessing that you're alive and sharing your life with us!

Ditto on that Gilmer.
Babs:Dance7:

Saskia 01-21-2014 08:37 AM

Toots, a friend in the Boston area said they are forecasting 6-12 inches of the unmentionable white stuff plus temps in the range of 0 - 9 F for the next 4 days. So we can blame you for bringing this upon us :lmao

Gilmer 01-21-2014 08:51 AM

The wicked Polar Vortex has come back just to welcome you, Toots!

Northlander 01-21-2014 09:24 AM

Hi Marchers:

Gilmer, the menu sounds amazing. And congratulations for not having a glass of wine. I understand the temptation, particularly when you're alone.

WeHave, what are your plans for your 1 year anniversary? Mine will be March 1 and since my husband and I don't talk about my drinking and now lack thereof (I tell people I quit drinking to support my quitting smoking), not sure what to do except eat a wonderful meal like Gilmer had.

Life, holding you in my thoughts.

Big love to Sassy.

MeSo, good luck with your new living arrangements. I hope you and your family will settle into a new, comforting routine.

DD, so happy you are here to celebrate another birthday. Your mom has the right idea on how to celebrate.

Toots, Toots, Toots. Big old vortex to welcome you to the States, but probably no worse than your winter last year in the UK. When you are able to get out and about, my first recommendation is a big Italian meal in the North End followed by a visit to Modern Pastry for dessert.

Duff, I took a horseback-riding class about 10 years ago (only horses I saw in Philly were beneath officers or pulling tourist carriages) and really enjoyed it, but of course I would since I generally prefer animals to people.

Mick, if you can check in from time to time, I'd love to hear from you.

Hey Babs - how's trix in ND, neighbor?

Marcher and Dee, hope all is well in the land of tomorrow and not too hot.

Struggled yesterday with SAD and it didn't help that I visited FB and some of my animal rights friends posted pictures meant to outrage and horrify. Really, I don't need to see this stuff, it just sends me into a tailspin so I "unfollowed" them. Couldn't get the images out of my mind all day, starting to wonder if I'm OCD on top of SAD. Feeling a bit better today and heading to the gym for a very vigorous workout.

Big love Marchers and apologies if I missed you. Slow brain today.

digdug 01-21-2014 09:24 AM

Not a Bob Seger fan lol. I just listened to Katmandu and it sounds just like Old Time Rock Rock and Roll. Very original. :rolleyes2 :slaphappy

Here's my song of the day - perfect for a relaxing snow day at home:



Link for the fruity users: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RUXI4ky8NvM

digdug 01-21-2014 09:26 AM

Sass - yeah. Just got off the phone with a co-worker in Boston. She's leaving the office early today before they get hit tonight.

Gilmer 01-21-2014 09:34 AM

To tell you the truth, I wasn't as thrilled with "Katmandu" as i was when I was 18, either. I just get a kick out of the fact that you grew up the polar opposite to me--I was totally blue collar. When I got to Smith, I freaked out. It was as though I was on another planet! I didn't last there.

Gilmer 01-21-2014 09:37 AM

North, big love right back atcha! I hope your forecast will have much sunshine soon.

Babs1234 01-21-2014 09:47 AM

Hi North ---get your shovel out again.:biggthump
it's snowing and we are suppose to get 40 below windchill.
They aren't kidding when they say don't put those mittens away yet!!!
Hello fellow Marchers !!!! Hope everyone is doing well.
Babs

wehav2day 01-21-2014 09:51 AM

Hi guys was gonna write a nice response because you all are awesome and very much in my thoughts.

Then meso's entry really hit me. My little brain started spinning. I was that kid. That lovely, kind hearted woman with a tortured soul was my mother. I found her. I called 911. That kind of thing never leaves you. My heart goes out to that family...

Sorry guys. Feeling really ambivalent about posting this. It's so mememe. That just took the wind right out of my sails. Meso, thank you for posting. We are all on a journey. It's so very important to face our stuff so we can move forward. It's not a bad thing when stuff comes out again when you think you are past it. It's just that peeling the onion thing I suppose. With every layer you deal with you will uncover a little more light. Silly metaphor and feel like its unlikely I'm making sense. But this really puts another bit of punctuation on the reality of what we all are facing, eh?

Gilmer 01-21-2014 09:56 AM

Wow, WeHav. I'm so sorry.

Thank you for posting it.

Duffster 01-21-2014 10:06 AM

Toots! It's not too late! Call the airline and change your ticket to fly into Florida -- you can wait it out here until those crazy temps start to thaw :)

Babs1234 01-21-2014 10:08 AM

WeHav---I just want to hug you. I'm soooo sorry.
Babs

Saskia 01-21-2014 10:11 AM

WeHav, (((((hugs))))). If we posted all sweetness and light all or most of the time, there wouldn't be a need for us to be here. We share the good moments and the tough ones. I can't possibly imagine what you went through but am not surprised that it hit you hard.

Saskia 01-21-2014 10:17 AM


Originally Posted by Duffster (Post 4422461)
Toots! It's not too late! Call the airline and change your ticket to fly into Florida -- you can wait it out here until those crazy temps start to thaw :)

Duff, I hope you realize that if Toots does that, you will probably have a blizzard and icy temps in Florida. Just my opinion ;)

Duffster 01-21-2014 10:17 AM

Aw WeHav, I'm so sorry. No, I can't imagine that something that horrible and sad would ever leave you. How strong you must be.

tootsl1 01-21-2014 10:34 AM

We have however far you have come on your life journey, that wee girl who found her mother will always be inside you. Cherish her and love her and comfort her.

Mesoso, sorry to hear about S but glad you are getting settled and able to get back on line. Stick close!

Gilmer I wouldn't know whether to eat that small or frame it! Sounds like the chef was a real artist. What a wonderful experience.

Erm, I don't think I appreciate getting the blame for the freezing weather hitting the area, especially as I put a specific order in for warm sun! In triplicate! Some bungler obviously misfiled it! Perhaps an alternative transport will be necessary! :abcq:

If I am delayed or redirected, so be it, no point whinging, I have a big book, my fruity tablet, my laptop and the ability to bore strangers into a coma, so I will be fine! ( I probably will still whinge though!)

BuddinK 01-21-2014 12:06 PM

Toots, part of the adventure is when and where things will go off course, whenever I traveled somewhere I always looked forward to those unknowns, (except traffic jams, I still hate those)

When I was in Tonga, I had to go to Samoa for a week, my flight back to Vava'u was delayed for a week. Meanwhile they put my luggage on a random flight to somewhere, I never did find it, fortunately nothing worth anything in there. Did get back to Tonga later that night, but only to the capitol and not to my island group.

A flight from Trinidad to Tobago, I arrived at the gate 10 minutes before the flight was supposed to leave, airline said "the plane looked full enough so they left" Got to see Trinidad that night and had a great meal.

Gilmer 01-21-2014 12:06 PM

Toots, this is something I've been wondering for a long time: how do you pronounce "whinge?" Is it like wing, or is it like hinge?

In America, we whine.

tootsl1 01-21-2014 12:32 PM

Hinge, Gilmer, and we whine here to, and b1tch and moan and mump and grump and groan. In all we are a cheerful nation!!! X

Duffster 01-21-2014 12:48 PM


Originally Posted by digdug (Post 4422251)
Duff - I know of several rehabs that do equine therapy. Apparently (and this is just what a counselor told me once), it helps people in recovery see that horses have the ability to stop when their life is in danger, even when their rider is commanding them to do so. No horse is going to run a cliff. But us alcoholics, we will run straight off that cliff if it means another drink. Plus they're cute and you can pet them :)

Well I have never looked at it that way! How brilliant! The program just recently started and apparently it's taken off like wildfire. I was so impressed when they told me about it yesterday. It makes me happy to know that those horses that nobody wanted are helping people recover and find peace in their lives.

North, I too tend to prefer animals to people. And I absolutely detest those FB posts. Sounds like we share a lot of the same friends. I pretty much backed off of FB for a while for that reason - it really affects me and stays with me too.

Gilmer, your private dinner sounds absolutely divine. Glad you were able to enjoy it for all of it's deliciousness.

Everyone else in the storm's way stay warm!!!!!!!!!!!


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