Baby Got (Sprained) Back or Driving Miss Erica

Gracie and her gigantor paws during a nap

I spent most of the weekend sprawled on the couch because I sprained my lower back last week. After a mostly sleepless night on Thursday, C. and J. shuttled me to and from the urgent care clinic on Friday. (Thanks, guys!) Since then, I've been communing with my heating pad, taking meds., and doing some world-class snuggling with the catbots. Shifting does a number on the injured muscles, so I've also been abstaining from driving. (Anyone want to recreate Driving Miss Daisy?)

Cannellini with Garlic Sausages

This morning, I visited with J.'s family and welcomed the sun back with a brief walk along the lake. Then I read a bit of the Sunday paper and my book (Stacy Schiff's Cleopatra: A Life). After waking up from my muscle relaxant-induced nap, I made David Rocco's Cannellini with Garlic Sausages (Salsiccie e Fagioli). The recipe calls for rosemary, but I also added a bit of sage to add more depth. I also watched approximately five minutes of Sarah Palin's speech from Saturday, which was about as much as I could stomach. (What can I say? I have a low crap threshold.)

I think this evening holds a bath, some reading, and perhaps an episode of Upstairs Downstairs on PBS.

Elections

I'm looking forward to Monday and Tuesday of this week. Monday, April 4 is the anniversary of Martin Luther King, Jr.'s assassination, so multiple protests and events are scheduled to honor Dr. King's legacy. These efforts are also meant to inspire people to vote on Tuesday, April 5. Meet y'all at the Capitol tomorrow and see you at the polls on Tuesday.

More Wisco Film Festival + Invisible Cars

Just a quick post before doing some yoga.

Last night, I saw the Norwegian film, A Somewhat Gentle Man, at the Orpheum Stage Door. Diane and Dave were nice enough to save us seats, so we had the pleasure of chatting with them before the movie. The film itself was darkly funny, and it was great to see star Stellan Skarsgard in a film from his native country. Afterward, we grabbed a drink and a Greek platter (yummy herbed feta, fluffy pita, cucumbers, olives, and tomatoes) at Nick's--and artfully ignored the caravan of hipster menfolk who descended upon the table next to us.

This morning held coffee, reading the Sunday paper, and a somewhat blustery walk by the lake. At about 1pm, I started doing some chores. This evening, I'll see my last film of the Wisco Film Festival (*sob*), Win Win with Paul Giamatti. I'll let y'all know what I think.

Bright and early tomorrow morning, I'll take my car in to--once again--have a door repaired. Last week, a guy backed into my parked car in an east side neighborhood. Since this is the second time someone has backed into me within as many years, I'm beginning to wonder if my lovely little automobile is invisible. Perhaps she somehow gained super powers without my knowledge. :)