Yesterday the women of my family had a baking day and when my mom looked at the container I put my cookies and squares and chocolate covered pretzels in, she added some more shortbread. I told her I didn't need anymore, it was just me who would be eating it and I DEFINITELY did not need more. She ignored me and put more cookies in saying it was just in case "someone stopped by" in which case I would be happy to have the extra shortbread.

Where and when does she think I live? No one "stops by" anymore. Maybe in small towns or farming communities or something like that, but not in the vicinity of my apartment. Maybe if I lived in the fifties there would be a chance of someone "stopping by."

I just watched a movie about a failed commune and it made me want to move out to a commune (not the failed part... there's hope at the end of the movie). I think it would be cool. I always have. People would be stopping by all the time, we'd be in a perpetual state of "stopping by." My mom's shortbread would be the hit of the christmas season.

I'm also wearing my India shirt today (we went out for tandoori yesterday and I felt inspired) and that makes me want to be back at the ashram where I bought it. I would work in the garden again and sweep out the blasted buildings again and sift through the rice again. I'd love to sit on the floor again and eat with the people who had gathered there all together again. There's just something about community.

We used to have potlucks every wednesday night at my church and, as stressful as it got towards the end and as good as it is that it's over, I really miss it. It was like having an enormous family gathered for supper.

I'm looking forward to christmas when I move back into my parents' for a few days and nights. The noise, the chaos, the activity in every part of the house, the meals we'll share, the talks we'll have over tea... I'll bask in the glow of family and communal living.

In the meantime, feel free to "stop by" for some shortbread (or any other goodies). I have plenty...