Sunday Music: A Day Without Rain, Enya

Album Title: A Day Without Rain

Why I Bought It: I went on an Enya kick after hearing "Orinoco Flow". I bought three albums, and will probably buy more in the future.

What I Like (Languid): "Flora's Secret". I like the rhythmic structure - the steady strings in the background, and the quick drum riffs at the beginning of each verse. I'm not sure what the song is about, but it evokes lush imagery in my mind.

What I Like (Pastoral): "Wild Child". Again with strong and simple rhythm, suitable for a stately formal dance. This one, for me, has the feel of old-style shepherds-and-nymphs poetry.

What I Like (Somber): "Pilgrim". A solemn but somehow uplifting meditation on life's journey.

What I Like (Driving): "Tempus Vernum". Mysterious, vaguely threatening, and powerful.

Overall: I like pretty much everything on this album. "One by One" (formal and thumping), "Lazy Days" (just what it sounds like), "Only Time".... This is music to close your eyes to and let it wash over you. A lovely album.

Full of Beans

This week, after leafing through the Moosewood Cookbook, I decided to make the simply-but-deceptively-titled Cheese Beans. Beans (I went with pintos) are, indeed, the main ingredient, and half a pound of Monterey Jack went into it as well, but so did two Granny Smith apples, four tomatoes, and a largish white onion. (Not to mention the wine, chili powder, and dry mustard.)

The recipe says it provides six servings. I suspect that will prove an undercount. There was enough of it that I couldn't fit it all into my big casserole dish, even with the smaller supplementary dish thrown in. I had to put the pot with the excess in the fridge while the two dishes went into the oven. At the moment, all three are there (after considerable rearranging to make room).

I just finished the first batch. It needs time to mingle; some bits were very tasty, others blandish. It should be better tomorrow.