generosity

time sits heavy
with my arm held tight
and
the garden knows i can only look
and
wish the weeds to disappear
i sneak between the plants when no one is looking
and
pull a few
the ones with shallow roots

and
friends have been generous
bringing food 
from their kitchens
and
a big box of chocolates
to  help with the healing
of a humerus* fracture

shaped like an L

*the large bone in the upper arm

below are some recipes for the meals wonderful friends cooked for us    

                          moroccan spiced chick pea salad

3 cans chickpeas, rinsed and dried
1/2 cup red onion, diced
1/3 cup red pepper, diced
1/2 cup apple, diced
1/2 cup mint, chopped
1/2 cup cilantro, chopped
1 cup dried cranberries 
1 lemon, zested and juiced
3 tbs red wine vinegar
1 tbs honey
1 tsp cumin
1 tsp cinnamon
1 tsp curry powder
2 tsp salt
1 tsp olive oil
mix together in a big bowl

keeps in the fridge for up to 5 days

                                                      ............and another

organic chicken thighs - bone in skin on - olive oil - sweet paprika and salt  - bake 1 hour @350

this was so good that i ate a piece standing by the stove,  even before it was plated.

no more skinless boneless chicken thighs for me!

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another friend made a big pot of chicken soup,  based on the recipe for 'homemade chicken stock' from barefootcontessa.com. with quantities and ingredients adjusted 

   the addition of dill added a subtle flavour and i will add some in my next batch

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when i asked the chef for the recipe for her paprika chicken and olive orzo dish, i received this response   'with regards to the recipe i don't actually have one. i made it up as i went along-memories of previous meals.' she then added 'i'm relieved it worked out.'  me too!

..............and another 

the delicious meal we were gifted didn't have asparagus or spinach 

the lemon stole the show!

                                                         .................................................

2 friends adapted a chili recipe from the moosewood cookbook. they said that they reduce or eliminate the bulgur, ' then use whatever vegetables we have. Always red/yellow/orange peppers. Always the lemon and we put cheese on when we eat it.'   

they said 'we think it’s because of the spices they use that we keep using that recipe.  But it’s always slightly different each time. ' 

https://recipeland.com/recipe/v/moosewood-vegetarian-chili-20786 

 with huge gratitude 

i'm still in the immobilizer holding my shoulder and arm close to my body, so again i'm typing with only one hand-  so no capital letters or proper punctuation that needs 2