Hey, Garkyfans and readers: I owe you an apology. I’ve totally neglected my blog; those of you who know me in real life know why I’ve been so lax with the updates. For those of you who don’t know me in real life, or for those of you who haven’t talked to me in a while, Hook and I are no longer together. I’ve been preoccupied with finding a new place, moving, and unpacking; I’m more or less settled into my new apartment (all the way out here in the mid-Sunset: holla?), though I still need to pick up a few odds and ends: a knife sharpener, a fruit bowl, and perhaps a few prints from Etsy.
I’ll admit, I was a mega-slacker about cooking for myself for a little bit, but I’m back on track. In what way, you ask? With fresh basil!
One of the first post-move purchases I made was an organic basil plant. After the moving crew had unloaded all my stuff, and after I’d unpacked enough boxes to feel like I’d accomplished real work, I walked four blocks north to the Safeway — my new Safeway. I’d eaten nothing but Muesli all day and I was hungry in a way I haven’t been for months; I could feel my stomach churning inward on itself. Standing in an unfamiliar grocery store, I thought, “Man, I can have any of this. What should I even eat?”
I smelled basil, sharp and sweet. I flashed back to Berlin, where I ate my first Caprese salad after an all-night party; frazzled as I was then, the Caprese salad, followed by pizza and sparkling water, calmed me — it was food made by somebody’s mother. I needed comfort food, and in this moment, Caprese salad was it. I grabbed a pot of basil, a few tomatoes, and a ball of fresh mozzarella.
Once home, I arranged the tomato slices and mozzarella wedges on a Wedgwood plate; I splashed the slices with balsamic, arranged basil, and set myself a place at my new table.
Listening to Lou Reed and sipping a beer, I felt alright.
It’s been a long few weeks, but I’m back in full force.
Garky Eats. 
Kate G–I love you! Wishing you the best on your new ventures in food and friendship.
Also: Pete and I just moved as well and we have a little garden in our backyard. We are growing basil, tomatoes, chinese cabbage, beets, and cucumbers. I wanted peppers, but the plants out there right now are a house warming gift from my daddy and those are the beauties that he brought. Mucho amor!
Jeepers, Garks, I sure am sorry to hear that.
Your Caprese looks positively garkilicious. (Yes, that’s right, you’re now adjectivalized. I tend to do that. Hinken’s been “hinksterific” for years now.) I recommend muffins, by the way. I find comfort in fiction and muffins. Each in myriad varieties.
Friends, thank you for your comments — you are heartwarming! EB, I did not know that you & P moved — I need your new address stat! Also, if you’d like to do a guest post about your garden, I’d be honored to have you submit 🙂
Sarah, I’m stoked to be adjectivalized! I agree about the muffins — I haven’t made any yet, but I have made from-scratch pizza, which is pretty comforting.
In any event, I’m doing well: my kitchen will be up to snuff in no time flat(!)
Still reading, still lovin’ it, still McMissin’ you NDW-style.
s
Hell yeah, lady! I’m McMissin’ you, too. You around this weekend? (Will contact you via traditional means, i.e., Gmail.)