Rock Creek Park. Valley Trail, Washington, DC. |
With the change in the air comes a boost in my writing. My dissertation traces the twenty-year history of the United Nation's work in one small area. Beyond the usual library work, It involves travel near and far, finding finding funding for such travel, archival access and what will likely be a couple of hundred interviews. Never mind all the writing. Deciding where to start, since August when my proposal was approved, has been daunting. While the narrative interests me, the immensity of a project whose final value might be considered esoteric at best, has been discouraging.
When I fall into writing paralysis, that last bit is usually the cause. Why spend years working on a project that few will likely read, whose importance is rather limited, whose result will be a degree that I am only 60% confident that I will professionally need (and even then not for another decade or two). Never mind that I am not spending these months in a nice job and professional community, not making money that will further our own goals of paying off loans, saving for a home and yearly travel abroad. When I think about it that way, what a waste. I should walk away. And usually tell Christopher as much quarterly over some anguished supper.
When I start to think about what I'd want to do instead, though, my answer is always to move forward with my writing. In my past as a researcher and advisor, it is writing - the clear, creative and helpful process of conveying and convincing - that always excites me most, whether my own (telling the story of a community in Uganda surviving famine and war, or explaining why labor disputes in Cambodia tends to resolve more easily than conflict over land), or mentoring my students to tell their own stories more personally and effectively in their own writing. Nothing gives me more professional pleasure.
Now that a wickedly hot summer has given way to a temperate fall, I feel my writing and focus begin to settle as well. It's welcome.
And on that note, I leave you with a fall favorite around here: kale pesto with a garlicky, walnutty bite.
Heidi Swanson is a household name around here, and when reaching for a cookbook or scanning a blog in planning for supper, it is always Heidi's that we go to. Her recipes are wholesome, creative, nourishing and delicious. Not a dud in the bunch.
This pesto is inspired by her winter pasta recipe, but uses fewer ingredients, zero stovetop time and comes with a bit of a bite. We serve it on pasta and on pizza, either as the sauce base or in globs (my preferred method). Christopher likes it on crackers. Either way, a marvelous way to get your kale with a raw garlic edge. Try it and serve it to friends and lovers from whom you don't mind potent kisses.
Kale pesto
based on Heidi Swanson's recipe for Winter Pasta
1 bunch of kale (I prefer lacinato, but use what you've got)
1/3 cup walnuts
1/3 cup parmesan cheese
3-4 cloves garlic
Olive oil (enough to reach desired consistency)
A splash of lemon juice (optional)
Salt and pepper to taste
De-stem and rinse/dry the kale, and put the leaves in your food processor. Add the walnuts, parmesan and garlic. Puree.
With the machine running, add the olive oil, checking as you go for consistency. You'll probably use 1/3-1/2 cups. If desired, add the lemon juice at this point.
No comments:
Post a Comment