Shine on

 

The skies cleared out just in time for the full harvest moon. This is the Chinese Moon Festival, a holiday second only to Chinese New Year and famous for sharing moon cakes.  Everyone should try a moon cake. 

 

 

One taste might last a lifetime. The crust is usually made with lard, and inside there's a thick filling of bean paste (or other things) along with yolks from salted duck eggs. That unusual combination of sweet, bland and salty so strange to American palates. 

 

Many years ago, the Asian women John worked with gave us an entire box of moon cakes. Now that was a long-lasting gift. 

 

It's a nice fall day for driving over the mountains. If only this was June, I'd be on the road about now. Now I'm waiting until the first crush of traffic dies down and it gets light.