Kira joined us for an idyllic summer overnight, which went by much too quickly, as summer is wont to do. She arrived before noon, and we promptly made our way to the patio and pool, where we lounged in silly sundresses and posed like silly people. Kira is usually game for anything, and we relaxed into the easy banter that comes from knowing someone for twenty-four years and counting.
Snacking on white bean dip and chips, fresh cherry tomatoes from the garden, and a fizzy lemon mocktail, we lounged languidly before a relaxing dip in the pool. The sun was peeking out from the occasional patch of clouds, and the air was hot – all of it making for ideal swimming pool weather. We stayed there for quite some time as I tried to help Kira advance in her swimming lessons. We made a bit of headway, and after exhausting ourselves we headed upstairs to the attic for a brief meditation.
Kira loves a pasta dish, so for dinner I made this recipe of Cacio e Pepe – simple and tasty and surprisingly substantial for summer – along with a side plate of tomatoes, mozzarella, balsamic vinegar and fresh basil leaves. A day of swimming always leaves one extra-ravenous, and food tastes better when one is ravenous.
We descended to the cool space of the cellar, where we watched ‘Swept Away’, mostly for the beauty summer scenes. It was better than I remembered it. Spent from the sun and heat of the day, we slept hard, and the next day we did more of the same before she departed and the week wound itself up again. It was a beautiful visit from a beautiful friend – one that we promised to make happen again in the fall.
