Watery feet on warm wood after swimming in the ocean

...or this strange and alluring sculpture that has something to do with the Tibet Prayer Festival...

Warm sahlep on a cold day

It's cold, cold, cold outside, and inside. I am dreaming of some warm, cinnamon-y sahlep.


M. brought some back from his most recent trip to Istanbul, but he says it isn't that great.

I think it is fabulous.





For more on sahlep, made from the roots of orchids, click here.























Check out the old photo of a sahlep seller in Istanbul, above - and a new photo of a sahlep seller in Istanbul, also above...an enduring winter tradition...............

jazz standards - from someone who does not read music, but feels it...

Altan Gurman's simple lines with strong messages