Nom de Plume

Seattle abounds in unused fruit: blackberries grow everywhere and many yards have fruit trees that their owners don’t have time to use. So I am on a one-woman mission this summer to make urban jams, jellies, and butters only using free fruit that my friends and neighbors aren’t going to use.

So far, I’ve made lemon raspberry jam, blackberry lime jam, and mint jelly. My new neighbors on the corner invited me to use their plums when I told them their plum tree gave excellent fruit. Geoff said I can use his French plums and apple tree. Elizabeth has another apple tree that she’s offered up.

There’s something very satisfying about making jam. It’s easy as pie (which, come to think of it, isn’t that easy). I like lining my jars up on a window sill where they catch the light like bottled jewels.

That’s what I’m taking, had the second class last night–and I love it.

It’s a combination of karate, judo, kenpo, and Chinese boxing. It kicks my ass, but I’m having fantasies about being able to flip Steve. I came home after my first class and showed him what I learned. He took akijitsu for a long time, and was able to defend himself; within two sneaky moves would have had me flipped on my back. Sigh. Give me time.

I’m taking it, along with Elizabeth, at Seven Star Women’s Kung Fu. Women only, which is kind of nice. In other words, we do kung fu — but sensitively. We do a lot of self-defense, recognizing that women often feel vulnerable to attack and don’t feel comfortable being aggressive. Although lack of aggression isn’t one of my particular problems, I’m still finding it extremely empowering.