Orange Chopsticks

The table is set at this Asian restaurant where shiny orange chopsticks await diners

Stopping in West Covina, California, on our way to Santa Barbara, we were hungry for some Asian food and took in a meal at a small Malaysian place. Caroline had the Nasi Goreng while I opted for the Bami Goreng – hers was a rice dish, mine noodle.

Penang Malaysian Cuisine in West Covina, California

When we lived in Germany, we would make frequent trips to Amsterdam, where we often ate at Mr. Moto’s, an all-time favorite Indonesian fast food joint, which now seems to have merged into a new Asian-style Mongolian BBQ.

Celebrity Photo Gone Wrong

Garrison Keillor of Prairie Home Companion performing in Scottsdale, Arizona

From a row far far away in another galaxy comes this photo of Garrison Keillor of A Prairie Home Companion fame. Caroline and I had to peer through a telescope to watch Garrison during this performance at the Scottsdale Center for the Arts here in Arizona. I shot this image without flash at 6400 ISO with a 14000mm lens, but shooting under such poor conditions I was only able to capture this blown-out featureless blur. Next time I’ll bring my 4 billion candle-power flash. Regardless, we truly enjoyed hearing a feature-length presentation of the news from Lake Wobegon.

Juniper Ridge Soap

Five of the six available natural fragrances of soap from Juniper Ridge

Another order of soap arrives except this time I don’t just order three or four, I go for a dozen. Juniper Ridge makes wildcrafted natural soaps using wild harvested plant materials to fragrance their soaps. My favorite is the Coastal Sage. If you have never been along the Pacific coast or you now live far away and would love a reminder of a spring going into a summer day, try buying a couple of these and see if you too don’t keep coming back for more. You’ll also find their products at the Muir Woods National Monument in Northern California if you can drop by, mail order though will probably be easier. Juniper Ridge is a small company that has terrific customer service. Call them at 1-800-205-9499 or visit their website.