Well, I now have all of the proper identifying materials to be a New Hampshire citizen…license, car and voter registration, bank account, YMCA membership…I’m feeling a bit overcommitted and stripped bare of my previously “citified” existence. Even going in and out of Manchester, Concord and Portsmouth…it’s rural here…and wonderful, don’t get me wrong, but I’m nearly dizzy with all the clean, fresh air and open space. So just for some toxins, I came to Border’s and am having a fat chocolate chip cookie with my cup of joe!!

Okay, BTD news…with the interviewing at school sites and other housekeeping stuff of the last week, I’ve yet to locate any Mexican or Asian markets…so my small store of contraband supplies from Cali is running out. I desperately need rice noodles, good Jasmine rice, Japanese chiles, chile sauce and Vegata. Thankfully, the parsley and cilantro are in season, so they’re fresh and bouncy at the regular market. There is a Trader Joe’s in Nashua, and I should be scoping it out later this week. The great thing about the regular markets is all the fresh Atlantic fish…but I have to check into where it comes from, because NPR was talking about lead content for expectant (and preparing to be expectant) mothers. I don’t want to have a system full of lead and other nasties, no matter how yummy the flesh is!

There have been no hiking trips yet (became oppressively muggy this week), but plenty of adventures and exploring. I’m looking forward to a chill fall for many outdoor excursions. I plan on spending lots of time in Maine, because I think I really like Portland…perhaps that is where I’ll hang my hat once I’m back on my feet. It has the hustle and bustle of a city center, with the working port and wilderness all around. How can you go wrong there? You may ask yourself…but the cold, Amanda, the cold!! Well, ask me again in January, but after seven years in warm, warm Southern California…cold is relative and I’m not going to notice the difference between central NH cold and southern ME cold!!

Last notes for this blog…WHY DON’T YOU WRITE TO ME!!?? I feel so unloved!! If there are any New Englanders out there, contact me!! Where do you shop, play and wander? I grew up in NY, but am still learning New England!! Give me suggestions, pointers…heck, invite me to come play!! Tee hee…okay, okay, I’ll lay off the desperation for now…it’ll get busy once school starts in a couple of days anyhow!!

Until next time…be well…