culinary adventures

One of the most entertaining aspects of my new life is food. Ever hear of that old Japanese proverb that says for every new thing you eat you add 40 days to your life?  I think it's more likely to be a trade-off between adventure and the negative effects of fried food.

So far I haven't tried too many new things: fried green tomatoes, hush puppies (not real puppies, just dough, fried of course), boiled peanuts (surprisingly addictive but don't overdo it), Cheerwine soda (tastes like cherry cola with extra caffeine). peach butter (extremely sweet), and biscuits and gravy (gross).  I have not yet tried fried bologna although my new southern friends swear by it.

Anything else in particular I should seek out?

fireflies

My friend Renita convinced me to write in this blog in a more regular fashion. I will try to post things here that are too long or thoughtful for facebook.

My favorite thing about living in Tennessee is fireflies. They started pretty early in the spring, and have continued off an on with different species having different colors and behaviors. Evidently nearby it's possible to see synchronized fireflies, which blink on and off en masse like a giant string of christmas lights, but I'm not sure if I'll be able to see it this year. The current batch have a lovely golden light, like miniature suns. They hover just over the grass, head up and light down, and then turn on their light and rise slowly about 6-12 inches. Then they turn the light off, slowly drift back down to the grass, and repeat. They start up at dusk when there's plenty of light to see them and their little suns are a subtle glow. As it gets darker, the effect is even more lovely. Occasionally one will fly over to investigate me or Pip, or drift up into the trees or deeper into the woods, but mostly they stay over the lawn. Sitting on the deck looking down over the lawn it's like sitting in an airplane flying over a bunch of small towns on the 4th of July, each with their own tiny golden fireworks display.

welcome

This summer, my dog Pip and I moved from San Francisco to Knoxville, Tennessee. I'm the one with the opposable thumbs and driver's license, she's the one with stripes and an enthusiasm for squirrels.

Although I have traveled a lot, I have never lived in the south, so it's a bit like moving to a foreign country. The only thing that's the same is the money, which goes much further here. If you're from the south, you may be amused or irritated at what I find remarkable. If you're not, I hope you are entertained.

The name of this blog is a reference to the insane idea I had of picking up from a perfectly wonderful life and fabulous friends and moving across the country all by myself (OK, with Pip) at the age when most people are putting down deep roots and growing families. It's also a reference to migrations in general, and bat migrations in particular, which is what I've come all this way to study.

This blog is dedicated to the memory of my father, who passed away just two weeks ago on the eve of my unlikely migration, and who will never get to share this with me. Let's all enjoy it for him!