xtcian

11/4/02 There is a liminal

11/4/02

There is a liminal between seasons, a time that is neither fall nor winter, and the Hudson Valley has definitely entered that state. It's been creepy cold (something like 15 degrees below normal for almost a month now) and sogging wet which is probably why the original Brits and Dutch who settled this valley liked it so damn much.

The liminal has its own beauty, even if there's no fun to be had between the "crisp afternoons of fall football" and the "sledding and hot chocolate fun of a winter snowstorm." If it's 39 and drizzling, there should be some account of it.

Where: Route 22, Columbia County. Time: 1:45pm. Weather: Suicidal.

Best to busy yourself with projects during times like this, so Tessa has been writing her Scottish coming-of-age screenplay, and I've been doing all the little things that make the farmhouse a little less fratty, and more like a place that my stepmom could stomach. My own mom can sleep anywhere and be happy, but I'll have a few cool surprises for her too.

We were supposed to go back to the city today, but the immeasurably depressing weather and Tessa's flu cultivation – made staying easy. Of course, I dragged her ass to the Home Depot in Kingston (across the Hudson and down a bit) so I could let loose my primal yawp, allowing her no rest. We also ate at Ruby Tuesday's, which, as corporate food goes, is still pretty shitty. It's not even as good as Applebee's, which in turn, isn't as good as Bennigan's, which isn't as good as TGIFriday's, which can't hold a candle to Chi-Chi's. What is it about strip malls and food – does all that asphalt leach out the flavor? My "ribs" tasted like 7-11 burrito meat, although the "spinach con queso" appetizer was pretty forkin' good. I think they put Mini-Thins in it, because afterwards, I was ready to rawk corporate-food style!!!