And later is now, today, the day after yesterday. I worked hard all day, had to get the place presentable, prepare the food, with lots of little rests between so I could keep going. You’ve all done that, I’m sure, whatever your plan of action was..

It was worth it, warm enough we could have a glass of wine on the balcony by candlelight. (t’s almost dark at 7 now and dark night by 8.) I had everything set up: pre-chopped (celery, red and green peppers) partly cooked (sugar snap beans), cooked (arborio rice), and sautéd seasoned (shallots,, red onion) and leftover turkey breast, plus mango chili sauce, and splashes of soy sauce and Szechuan sauce in the rice. After the prep, done ahead, it took me 2 minutes to combine everything in the wok and then, after several thorough stirs, 5 minutes at high heat, covered, to bring it all to the table. My friends stayed with me, talking while I “cooked”.

We kept on talking. We had a lot to say. It was late by the time I finally went to bed. I was tired. This morning I’m still tired, also serene, calm and comforted.