Little Fires Everywhere - Page 69

She had, in short, done everything right and she had built a good life, the kind of life she wanted, the kind of life everyone wanted. Now here was this Mia, a completely different kind of woman leading a completely different life, who seemed to make her own rules with no apologies. . . . Mrs. Richardson found this peturbing but strangely compelling. A part of her wanted to study Mia like an anthropologist, to understand why -- and how -- she did what she did. Another part of her -- though she was only vaguely aware of it at the moment -- was uneasy, wanted to keep an eye on Mia, as you might keep your eye on a dangerous beast.

This passage sings, not only with the language, but with the progression through the emotions. We go from the the deliberate, built-up perfection and satisfaction of Mrs. Richardson's life, laid out like a lego construction in the passage just before this one, to the wariness and sense of impending danger that  Mrs. Richardson experiences Mia to be, simply for choosing to live differently, for living "with no apologies." This is rich and the sense of cultural differences being so deep as to be anthropological resonate throughout the work so far.

Dawn on the Greenway

Another morning on the Greenway.

I saw a bunny and lots of people with their dogs -- who knew that walking the Greenway at 7 was a thing? I'm usually there a little earlier, so I suppose I miss these fine folks. There was a track team  using it to train, and I even ran into some people I know from other walks of life. I love this town.

Afterward, there was a need for bacon, which turned into a need for a salad with bacon and tomato and hard-boiled egg, which turned into a need for avocado dressing with bacon.

Yes. There is a recipe. You're welcome.

Lemon Avocado Vinaigrette

• ⅓ cup olive oil
• Juice of 1 lemon
• ¼ cup white wine vinegar
• 1 dipper full raw honey - about 2 Tablespoons
• dash sea salt
• ¼ cup diced onion
• 2 cloves garlic
• 1 large avocado, pit removed and flesh scooped out
• ¼ cup bacon grease, with some bits of bacon (secret ingredient!) -leave out for vegetarian option, which is still amazing.
  

Put everything but the bacon grease in a food processor and blend until smooth. Slowly pour the bacon grease and bacon bits into the food processor, while running, until incorporated. Pour the results into a mason jar. Makes about 3 cups. Store in the refrigerator for two to three weeks, if it lasts that long.