Hello folks!
This is Jess... I just wanted to leave a quick note for all of you sadly Jacqueline has picked up the bug that bit me on Thanksgiving. She says to tell all of you that she'll be back when she's feeling better.
Monday, November 26, 2012
Saturday, November 24, 2012
Thanksgiving Dinner
But a quick note first: The shopping post has been postponed (pun not intended, really) until Monday so instead I give you random photos taken whilst preparing the feast...
The stage is set,
the dilled butter sauce is slowly simmering,
and the slab of salmon is ready to shine! (Poor Jess was sick yesterday and could only eat crackers so I did the salmon in the oven. It was very tasty but would have been ever so much better if Jess had been able to smoke it...and eat it.)
I guess we weren't the only ones who wanted baby bok choy since the store was out. They did, however, have some wonderful fresh snap peas and mushrooms....we didn't miss the bok choy!
Is it ready yet????????????
A simple table with a simple but flavourful menu.
Here is enough, I am satisfied (sayde he)...For folks say, enough is as good as a feast.
[1546 J. Heywood Dialogue of Proverbs II.xi.M1]
(Even the pooches had a bit of a feast since we gave them the skin from the salmon.)
To Rosie: Yup, I use caramel ice cream topping; it soaks down into the cheesecake better.
To Ms. A and anyone else who may wonder: Yes, do take the recipes I post! I'd love it if you let me know how you like them.
Good thing for the day: There is so much to be grateful for, not least of which is the privilege of having enough.
Happy weekend everyone!
The stage is set,
the dilled butter sauce is slowly simmering,
and the slab of salmon is ready to shine! (Poor Jess was sick yesterday and could only eat crackers so I did the salmon in the oven. It was very tasty but would have been ever so much better if Jess had been able to smoke it...and eat it.)
I guess we weren't the only ones who wanted baby bok choy since the store was out. They did, however, have some wonderful fresh snap peas and mushrooms....we didn't miss the bok choy!
Is it ready yet????????????
Here is enough, I am satisfied (sayde he)...For folks say, enough is as good as a feast.
[1546 J. Heywood Dialogue of Proverbs II.xi.M1]
(Even the pooches had a bit of a feast since we gave them the skin from the salmon.)
To Rosie: Yup, I use caramel ice cream topping; it soaks down into the cheesecake better.
To Ms. A and anyone else who may wonder: Yes, do take the recipes I post! I'd love it if you let me know how you like them.
Good thing for the day: There is so much to be grateful for, not least of which is the privilege of having enough.
Happy weekend everyone!
Friday, November 23, 2012
A Picture Is Worth A Thousand Words
But thankfully they don't have any calories! This is what I was working on whilst composing my cheesy poem. At least it made me chuckle; and I hope it did you as well.
Fiona...allow me to introduce you to Turtle Cheesecake...
For the crust, you need 3 c. of chocolate cookie or graham cracker crumbs and 1/3 c. of melted butter.
Mix well and press into the bottom of a springform pan...
...then bake for 10 minutes at 350 F., remove from oven and set aside. Meanwhile, put 3 bricks of room temperature cream cheese, 2 large eggs, 3/4 c. sugar, juice of half a lemon and 1 tsp. of vanilla in a large mixing bowl.
Beat with a handmixer until light and fluffy, then spoon on top of graham cracker crust...
... and bake for 4o minutes, or until a knife inserted in the center comes out clean.
Poke several holes in the cheesecake and spoon caramel topping generously over the top, then scatter 1/4 c. of pecan pieces over all.
For the finishing touch, shave half of a bar of dark chocolate onto the top of the cheesecake (I used Ghirardelli) and allow to sit for a few minutes before popping into the refrigerator.
Refrigerate for at least four hours before serving. Serves 8. Enjoy!
YUM!
Fiona...allow me to introduce you to Turtle Cheesecake...
For the crust, you need 3 c. of chocolate cookie or graham cracker crumbs and 1/3 c. of melted butter.
Mix well and press into the bottom of a springform pan...
...then bake for 10 minutes at 350 F., remove from oven and set aside. Meanwhile, put 3 bricks of room temperature cream cheese, 2 large eggs, 3/4 c. sugar, juice of half a lemon and 1 tsp. of vanilla in a large mixing bowl.
Beat with a handmixer until light and fluffy, then spoon on top of graham cracker crust...
... and bake for 4o minutes, or until a knife inserted in the center comes out clean.
Poke several holes in the cheesecake and spoon caramel topping generously over the top, then scatter 1/4 c. of pecan pieces over all.
For the finishing touch, shave half of a bar of dark chocolate onto the top of the cheesecake (I used Ghirardelli) and allow to sit for a few minutes before popping into the refrigerator.
Refrigerate for at least four hours before serving. Serves 8. Enjoy!
YUM!
Thursday, November 22, 2012
I Fibbed
Since obviously I am posting a little something today after all...See, a little something:
Nothing much really, just a wee poem which popped into my head and hammered on my brain until I just had to let it out. I call it:
'Twas the Night Before T-Day
'Twas the night before T-day, and all through the house,
All the creatures were stirring, including my spouse,
When out in the kitchen there arose such a splatter,
From Jessie Boo stirring the beignet dough batter.
The pups were circling the heater with care,
Thankful a warm spot soon would be theirs;
And Jess in her chef's hat and the spouse wearing spats,
Busily brushed away the cobwebs and bats.
When out in the gloom my blue eye did espy,
3M's dear co-worker and a bird soaked in rye;
I may have been heard glumly to mutter,
"Lock the door 'fore he sees us, the silly old nutter!"
The moon, it was gleaming on his open truck door,
As he pulled out Twinkies to dump on my floor;
Then what, to my jaundiced eye did appear,
But Cheetos, and HoHo's, and a six pack of beer.
With a six foot six driver all set to be sick,
I called to my spouse "Get rid of him quick,
Lest I forget all my manners and get out the cleaver."
Said my spouse to this friend: "You'd better believe 'er!"
"Now 3M, Now Great Scot, Now Buddy, Now Pal...
Such things you are saying to your best buddy Hal,
When I brought such goodies to add to your feast,
Of salmon, and mussels, and things made with yeast."
Like a match to tinder that's a tad bit too dry,
His words roused my temper and my words they did fly;
"Why you drunken, and smelly, and silly old moochie,
You brought nasty stuff I wouldn't feed to my poochie!"
Then suddenly to my overwrought brain did appear,
Such a brilliant idea and then did the tears,
Of laughter invade my blue eyes,
As Jess and my spousie looked on with surprise.
"Tell you what I will do, you great big galump,
So to keep you from being all down in the dump;
If you all my demands rightly meet,
I'll give you some good stuff that you can then eat."
Up to his feet the galoot sprang with a smile,
"I'll do all them chores even if it takes me a while!"
And now I report, with a wink and a leer...
He did all the clean up whilst I sat on my rear!
Alas! I awoke from this beautiful seeming,
To find, sadly, I had only been dreaming;
And seeing the dishes stacked up without care,
For just one short moment I could almost swear.
Tee Hee! Hope you enjoyed this T-day fantasy; many thanks to 3M for transcribing it whilst I cooked. Now I'm off to finish making the turtle cheesecake.....night all, and Happy Thanksgiving!
Nothing much really, just a wee poem which popped into my head and hammered on my brain until I just had to let it out. I call it:
'Twas the Night Before T-Day
'Twas the night before T-day, and all through the house,
All the creatures were stirring, including my spouse,
When out in the kitchen there arose such a splatter,
From Jessie Boo stirring the beignet dough batter.
The pups were circling the heater with care,
Thankful a warm spot soon would be theirs;
And Jess in her chef's hat and the spouse wearing spats,
Busily brushed away the cobwebs and bats.
When out in the gloom my blue eye did espy,
3M's dear co-worker and a bird soaked in rye;
I may have been heard glumly to mutter,
"Lock the door 'fore he sees us, the silly old nutter!"
The moon, it was gleaming on his open truck door,
As he pulled out Twinkies to dump on my floor;
Then what, to my jaundiced eye did appear,
But Cheetos, and HoHo's, and a six pack of beer.
With a six foot six driver all set to be sick,
I called to my spouse "Get rid of him quick,
Lest I forget all my manners and get out the cleaver."
Said my spouse to this friend: "You'd better believe 'er!"
"Now 3M, Now Great Scot, Now Buddy, Now Pal...
Such things you are saying to your best buddy Hal,
When I brought such goodies to add to your feast,
Of salmon, and mussels, and things made with yeast."
Like a match to tinder that's a tad bit too dry,
His words roused my temper and my words they did fly;
"Why you drunken, and smelly, and silly old moochie,
You brought nasty stuff I wouldn't feed to my poochie!"
Then suddenly to my overwrought brain did appear,
Such a brilliant idea and then did the tears,
Of laughter invade my blue eyes,
As Jess and my spousie looked on with surprise.
"Tell you what I will do, you great big galump,
So to keep you from being all down in the dump;
If you all my demands rightly meet,
I'll give you some good stuff that you can then eat."
Up to his feet the galoot sprang with a smile,
"I'll do all them chores even if it takes me a while!"
And now I report, with a wink and a leer...
He did all the clean up whilst I sat on my rear!
Alas! I awoke from this beautiful seeming,
To find, sadly, I had only been dreaming;
And seeing the dishes stacked up without care,
For just one short moment I could almost swear.
Tee Hee! Hope you enjoyed this T-day fantasy; many thanks to 3M for transcribing it whilst I cooked. Now I'm off to finish making the turtle cheesecake.....night all, and Happy Thanksgiving!
Wednesday, November 21, 2012
Nattering On...
And pictures too! (If blogger is bloggerific this morning.)
So we're into the final Thanksgiving stretch; I'm still trying to get the house at least somewhat presentable and the final shopping gauntlet will be finished this morning. We don't really have a traditional dinner that we have every year; we'd thought about trying it since last year's meal was such a hit, but decided naaaah, we like switching it up. This year we'll be starting out with mussels in white wine and garlic sauce, followed by a smoked slab of salmon (smoked by Jess) with roasted new red potatoes, both with dilled butter sauce. Then, if the store cooperates, we'll have braised baby bok choy and mushrooms; all of which will be followed by the turtle cheesecake I was too sick to make for Jess's birthday dinner. *Edited to add: Jess is also going to make Brie beignets for our Thanksgiving breakfast, YUM!
Last night's supper was a little something different, a very hearty vegetarian casserole I like to call...
Cheesy Green Tatties (naturally gluten free and vegetarian)
8 yukon gold potatoes or 6 russets, well-scrubbed
10 oz. frozen spinach, thawed and drained
1 med. onion, diced
2 stalks celery, sliced
1 med. zucchini, sliced into half moons
1/8 c. butter (or margarine)
1 c. low fat buttermilk
1/2 c. reduced fat sour cream
1/4 Each: parmesan and low fat shredded cheddar cheese
6 slices Each: provolone and swiss cheese
1 Tbsp. Each: dried parsley flakes and chives
1 tsp. Each: garlic powder and ground black pepper
1/4 tsp. nutmeg
salt to taste
Place potatoes in Dutch Oven and cover with water, bring to a boil and cook until potatoes are tender (you can peel the potatoes if that's your preference, I seldom do) and drain. Return potatoes to Dutch oven and place back on stove (with heat turned off) to dry.
In medium skillet, melt butter and quickly saute' onion, celery, and zucchini until just fork tender. Turn off heat and stir in thawed, drained spinach; set aside. Start your oven preheating to 300 F.
Add buttermilk, sour cream, salt, and herbs and spices to cooked potatoes and mash; adding a bit more milk if needed. You want the potatoes to be creamy but not soggy. Add vegetable and butter mixture and the parmesan and cheddar cheeses to potatoes and mix well.
Spray a deep dish pie pan or small baking dish and spoon in half the potato mixture; place half the sliced provolone and swiss cheeses over the layer. Finish spooning potato mixture into baking dish and cover with remaining cheese. Bake for 40 minutes or until cheese is bubbly and beginning to brown.
Makes 4-6 main dish servings; 8-12 side dish servings of rich, creamy, cheesy, goodness. Enjoy! (We certainly did!) This also reheats well for taking in your lunch, etc...
I most likely won't be posting again until after the big day, but there's lots to look forward to! After all, it's beginning to look a lot like Christmas around here.... see?
So I'll be providing links for some wonderful shopping opportunities, as well as Thanksgiving photos and recipes since there will be extra hands to help out. Next week it's time to begin cheapskating again and I'll give you some fun tips as well as inexpensive diy decorations I'll be attempting. Hmmm, just what could I make with a red feather boa, foam pipe wrap, and some paper doilies? Abby and Buddha are slightly worried about that one...
Ooooo, scary eyes! Lily, on the other hand, in her usual rock-star glory, doesn't see much to fret about.
From Blether House to your house....may your home be filled with joy, laughter, love, and good food...whether you celebrate Thanksgiving or not.
Good thing for the day: Sharing.
So we're into the final Thanksgiving stretch; I'm still trying to get the house at least somewhat presentable and the final shopping gauntlet will be finished this morning. We don't really have a traditional dinner that we have every year; we'd thought about trying it since last year's meal was such a hit, but decided naaaah, we like switching it up. This year we'll be starting out with mussels in white wine and garlic sauce, followed by a smoked slab of salmon (smoked by Jess) with roasted new red potatoes, both with dilled butter sauce. Then, if the store cooperates, we'll have braised baby bok choy and mushrooms; all of which will be followed by the turtle cheesecake I was too sick to make for Jess's birthday dinner. *Edited to add: Jess is also going to make Brie beignets for our Thanksgiving breakfast, YUM!
Last night's supper was a little something different, a very hearty vegetarian casserole I like to call...
Cheesy Green Tatties (naturally gluten free and vegetarian)
8 yukon gold potatoes or 6 russets, well-scrubbed
10 oz. frozen spinach, thawed and drained
1 med. onion, diced
2 stalks celery, sliced
1 med. zucchini, sliced into half moons
1/8 c. butter (or margarine)
1 c. low fat buttermilk
1/2 c. reduced fat sour cream
1/4 Each: parmesan and low fat shredded cheddar cheese
6 slices Each: provolone and swiss cheese
1 Tbsp. Each: dried parsley flakes and chives
1 tsp. Each: garlic powder and ground black pepper
1/4 tsp. nutmeg
salt to taste
Place potatoes in Dutch Oven and cover with water, bring to a boil and cook until potatoes are tender (you can peel the potatoes if that's your preference, I seldom do) and drain. Return potatoes to Dutch oven and place back on stove (with heat turned off) to dry.
In medium skillet, melt butter and quickly saute' onion, celery, and zucchini until just fork tender. Turn off heat and stir in thawed, drained spinach; set aside. Start your oven preheating to 300 F.
Add buttermilk, sour cream, salt, and herbs and spices to cooked potatoes and mash; adding a bit more milk if needed. You want the potatoes to be creamy but not soggy. Add vegetable and butter mixture and the parmesan and cheddar cheeses to potatoes and mix well.
Spray a deep dish pie pan or small baking dish and spoon in half the potato mixture; place half the sliced provolone and swiss cheeses over the layer. Finish spooning potato mixture into baking dish and cover with remaining cheese. Bake for 40 minutes or until cheese is bubbly and beginning to brown.
Makes 4-6 main dish servings; 8-12 side dish servings of rich, creamy, cheesy, goodness. Enjoy! (We certainly did!) This also reheats well for taking in your lunch, etc...
I most likely won't be posting again until after the big day, but there's lots to look forward to! After all, it's beginning to look a lot like Christmas around here.... see?
So I'll be providing links for some wonderful shopping opportunities, as well as Thanksgiving photos and recipes since there will be extra hands to help out. Next week it's time to begin cheapskating again and I'll give you some fun tips as well as inexpensive diy decorations I'll be attempting. Hmmm, just what could I make with a red feather boa, foam pipe wrap, and some paper doilies? Abby and Buddha are slightly worried about that one...
Ooooo, scary eyes! Lily, on the other hand, in her usual rock-star glory, doesn't see much to fret about.
From Blether House to your house....may your home be filled with joy, laughter, love, and good food...whether you celebrate Thanksgiving or not.
Good thing for the day: Sharing.
Tuesday, November 20, 2012
Ah well
Blogger seems to have decided to eat my prior post; guess I'll have to try again another time.
Things are crazy busy around here just now so I'll just have to try my best. Hope all of you are well, happy, and looking forward to the holiday; catch up when I can!
Things are crazy busy around here just now so I'll just have to try my best. Hope all of you are well, happy, and looking forward to the holiday; catch up when I can!
Friday, November 16, 2012
Who Would You Be...
Many many years ago...when I was as young and green as the first day of May...I lived with an old man named Two Bear. Two Bear was Tsalagi, or what you would know as Cherokee. Two Bear was a pretty smart guy who taught me a number of things; including a couple of lessons I'm fairly certain he didn't intend.
More than once, during the time we were together, he remarked: "you have all these words stuffed inside you that you just can't keep in, and one of these days all those words are going to choke you." Now, having grown up hearing what a chatterbox I was and how I couldn't keep a secret to save my life, etc.. etc... I took Two Bear's words to mean that I needed to shut up; Lesson #1.
I shut up. The words built up and built up but I choked them down. Occasionally the pressure would reach the point where the words just overflowed but I tried, oh I tried, to shove them back down. I learned to keep secrets and how not to express what I felt...not to share my thoughts. I learned how to speak without saying much of anything important and in so doing, I hid myself away. Along with learning that I needed to shut up I'd learned that I was too strange and stupid to have anything worth sharing. Is it any wonder that a woman I'd known all my life expressed the opinion, during that time, that I was better suited to the Victorian age than this one?
Then I met 3M, yes...the Great Scot of the bra comment...and found someone who treasured my words; who not only didn't think I was strange and stupid but who sought my opinions. Someone who tells me constantly that they think I'm one of the most intelligent people they've ever met. We fell in love through the words we shared and have kept talking and talking (and falling in love) since.
I began blogging and started meeting you, the wonderful bloggers who read and respond to my words...and through the Great Scot and you, have learned Two Bear's second unintended lesson.
Who would you be if you hadn't listened to the negativity...or hadn't assumed a negativity that wasn't there in the first place? Thinking about what Two Bear had said, it seems now that he could just as easily have meant that if I didn't get the words out, they would choke me.... And that, for me, is much nearer to the truth.
Who would you be?
source
Good thing for the day: The positive responses to yesterday's post...I truly was not expecting it and am very grateful and humbled.
Thursday, November 15, 2012
Not For The Faint Of Heart - A Political Rant
I'll warn you now, this is a bit of a tirade, a rant about politics. The opinions expressed in this post are most certainly my own and they are not meant to be pointed at any individual or group; instead, my opinions are about attitudes. It is not my intent to offend anyone but might I suggest you proceed with caution...
source
"Marlene Dietrich, a German who had renounced her country after the rise of the Nazis and rejected Hitler's request that she return - became an ardent and fearless supporter of the Allied Forces, performing hundreds of times for the troops as near to the front as she could get. When asked why she had traveled to war zones to entertain and comfort Allied troops, she famously, and simply, replied: ' aus Anstad'. 'It was the decent thing to do.' "
The decent thing to do..... Risking injury, death, or capture (and I can't imagine Hitler wouldn't have loved to parade around a famous prisoner who had rejected he and his party's beliefs before the world) because it is the decent thing to do. Where has that spirit gone?
I suppose it has gone the way of calm and reasoned discourse, the ability to agree to disagree, of logically investigating grand political claims or dire predictions and the people who make them...and of not making a spectacle of either gloating or grandstanding over political gains or losses. This campaign, and the verbosity since the vote was taken, demonstrates a decided lack of 'the decent thing'. It is, in fact, the occasion of one of the worst demonstrations of vitriole, hate speech, chicken little-isms, and sheer....crass....gloating and saying nah-nah-nah we won that it has been my misfortune to see here in the US.
I am sorely ashamed of us.
We have become an immoderate people more interested in scoring one off the other guy than working together to improve our country. Not only do too few of us do the decent thing, we don't even remember the importance ....the necessity....of doing so. To be as frank as humanly possible, to paraphrase the famous Pogo comic: "We have met the enemy and he is us." It won't be an elected or campaigning official who destroys this country, why should they bother since we're doing such an effective job of it ourselves? Every word of hate, of disrespect, of fear-mongering, of immoderation; every time you think in terms of Us versus Them....you, too, have placed a knife in the back of the nation. Et tu?
How many of you remember Richard Nixon and Watergate? I was young at the time but I do remember...oh I remember it very well. What I don't remember, in the midst of that mess, are threats to secede from the US; but I do recall people scrambling to pick up the pieces and support one another. It makes me wonder at what, and how much, has changed.... How dare we threaten to break apart our country because we didn't get our way? How can we be so certain of our absolute rightness that we would destroy so much to prove our point? Does no one recall the very apt saying that when one is most certain of their rightness they are most likely to be wrong?
What has happened to decency and compassion? When did moderation become a dirty word....a quality worthy of contempt and derision rather than a recognised virtue necessary to both daily life and the management of government?
We are a country divided by ideologies so extreme they threaten to rip out the heart of our nation and set us against one another and let me tell you from experience: extremists always destroy. Always. The extremists in this country are no different; they will tear down anything and anyone who doesn't match their ideal, and their parametres will always shrink so more and more are excluded. All of this for some illusion of power and rightness? I repudiate this with all my heart.
Instead, I will do Just One Thing.
I will listen, with openness and respect, to someone whose ideas I disagree with. I will listen, not so I can formulate a rebuttal but so I can truly hear what is on their mind and heart.
I will help someone less fortunate than I, not based on their ideology but on their need.
I will ask another to tell me the story of their life, and attempt to see it through their eyes.
I will live inclusively rather than exclusively; inviting others in rather than seeking ways to keep them out.
I will seek to do the decent thing.
And I will live my life in a radically moderate fashion; discarding extremism in all it's forms.
Will it make a change? I've no way of knowing, but I do know that just because I can't do everything doesn't mean I can't do anything.
If I've offended or hurt anyone, my sincere apologies...if you've read this far: I salute you, your courage and tolerance is immense!
"Marlene Dietrich, a German who had renounced her country after the rise of the Nazis and rejected Hitler's request that she return - became an ardent and fearless supporter of the Allied Forces, performing hundreds of times for the troops as near to the front as she could get. When asked why she had traveled to war zones to entertain and comfort Allied troops, she famously, and simply, replied: ' aus Anstad'. 'It was the decent thing to do.' "
The decent thing to do..... Risking injury, death, or capture (and I can't imagine Hitler wouldn't have loved to parade around a famous prisoner who had rejected he and his party's beliefs before the world) because it is the decent thing to do. Where has that spirit gone?
I suppose it has gone the way of calm and reasoned discourse, the ability to agree to disagree, of logically investigating grand political claims or dire predictions and the people who make them...and of not making a spectacle of either gloating or grandstanding over political gains or losses. This campaign, and the verbosity since the vote was taken, demonstrates a decided lack of 'the decent thing'. It is, in fact, the occasion of one of the worst demonstrations of vitriole, hate speech, chicken little-isms, and sheer....crass....gloating and saying nah-nah-nah we won that it has been my misfortune to see here in the US.
I am sorely ashamed of us.
We have become an immoderate people more interested in scoring one off the other guy than working together to improve our country. Not only do too few of us do the decent thing, we don't even remember the importance ....the necessity....of doing so. To be as frank as humanly possible, to paraphrase the famous Pogo comic: "We have met the enemy and he is us." It won't be an elected or campaigning official who destroys this country, why should they bother since we're doing such an effective job of it ourselves? Every word of hate, of disrespect, of fear-mongering, of immoderation; every time you think in terms of Us versus Them....you, too, have placed a knife in the back of the nation. Et tu?
How many of you remember Richard Nixon and Watergate? I was young at the time but I do remember...oh I remember it very well. What I don't remember, in the midst of that mess, are threats to secede from the US; but I do recall people scrambling to pick up the pieces and support one another. It makes me wonder at what, and how much, has changed.... How dare we threaten to break apart our country because we didn't get our way? How can we be so certain of our absolute rightness that we would destroy so much to prove our point? Does no one recall the very apt saying that when one is most certain of their rightness they are most likely to be wrong?
What has happened to decency and compassion? When did moderation become a dirty word....a quality worthy of contempt and derision rather than a recognised virtue necessary to both daily life and the management of government?
We are a country divided by ideologies so extreme they threaten to rip out the heart of our nation and set us against one another and let me tell you from experience: extremists always destroy. Always. The extremists in this country are no different; they will tear down anything and anyone who doesn't match their ideal, and their parametres will always shrink so more and more are excluded. All of this for some illusion of power and rightness? I repudiate this with all my heart.
Instead, I will do Just One Thing.
I will listen, with openness and respect, to someone whose ideas I disagree with. I will listen, not so I can formulate a rebuttal but so I can truly hear what is on their mind and heart.
I will help someone less fortunate than I, not based on their ideology but on their need.
I will ask another to tell me the story of their life, and attempt to see it through their eyes.
I will live inclusively rather than exclusively; inviting others in rather than seeking ways to keep them out.
I will seek to do the decent thing.
And I will live my life in a radically moderate fashion; discarding extremism in all it's forms.
Will it make a change? I've no way of knowing, but I do know that just because I can't do everything doesn't mean I can't do anything.
If I've offended or hurt anyone, my sincere apologies...if you've read this far: I salute you, your courage and tolerance is immense!
Wednesday, November 14, 2012
Words Not My Own
I've heard it said that what we find beautiful tells as much about who we are as it does about the object of our admiration...so today let me tell you this....
This is my letter to the World
That never wrote to Me -
The simple news that Nature told-
With tender Majesty
Her message is committed
To Hands I cannot see -
For love of Her - Sweet - countrymen -
Judge tenderly - of Me
Emily Dickinson
source
All photos, save the last one, are my own.
Good thing for the day: I have an idea...
This is my letter to the World
That never wrote to Me -
The simple news that Nature told-
With tender Majesty
Her message is committed
To Hands I cannot see -
For love of Her - Sweet - countrymen -
Judge tenderly - of Me
Emily Dickinson
All photos, save the last one, are my own.
Good thing for the day: I have an idea...
Tuesday, November 13, 2012
How the Great Scot Done Me Wrong
Helloooo Lovely Readers; I'm back and doing better...and trying to catch up on everyone's postings. Since I still can't sit for long periods of time I hope you'll give me a couple of days to do so!
Before I begin my tale of woe Bama Trav, as is his wont, posted an interesting question in my comments section and I'd like to take a moment to answer it... He wrote: Question. You don't have to mention locations of course but...I can't decide if you live in Europe or if you are European and living in the States orrrrr if you are married to a European and living in Europe or Married to a European living in the states or if you are Both European living in Europe or in the States and and and...
Trav, I'm glad you asked! So glad I'm even going to answer, especially as it will point out my utter sweetness and emphasise the wrongness of the wrong which was done unto me! The Great Scot, aka 3M is an actual authentic Scot from Scotland. I, aka the mutt of mixed heritage, am from Indiana in the good ole US...if you mix a little French, English, Scots-Irish and three drops of Lakota blood you have: Moi. Is it the way I say things which throws you or my spelling? Well let me explain. After nearly eleven years of wedded bliss I've picked up a number of Scottishisms; I believe it is inevitable since they are so entertaining, I've also taught the Great Scot a number of colourful Hoosier sayings, like 'happier than a pig in mud'. All very innocently colourful of course. As for the spelling, that was a deliberate decision made a wee while back when 3M was bemoaning the fact that coworkers made snarky comments about how they at least knew how to spell the English language and that perhaps 3M should learn how to speak English properly!?! (Most of the comments coming from an individual who believes that the whole of history, pre-history, etc... takes up about 5,000 years...or is it 10,000...) Call it an act of commiseration, or call it strategic solidarity, it has now become so much a habit that I don't even think about it.
Now for my tale of woe, or how 3M...the Great Scot... went from this:
Google Image
I was feeling better over the weekend but didn't want to overdo, shopping needed to be done for Jess's seafood lasagna birthday supper so 3M was kind enough to take me to the store. Feeling pangs of hunger the Great Scot decided to stop at the burger joint with the Scottish name, of course, and we went inside. Having taken a wee potty break (yes, this IS toilet humour) and being a tidy sort of person, I washed my hands and was forced to bend myself in half to dry them at one of those jet-propulsion hand thingys which hung upon the wall at about belly button height. Now, I am not a tall woman folks, about 5'3" on a good day, and having had to do time in a wheelchair I know that it was low enough that it would be difficult to get a wheelchair close enough to use it as well so why, exactly, was the lone hand dryer thingy so low? Beats me! Anyhoo.......
Having rejoined the Great Scot, who I must admit inquired after my health in a very kind way, I elected to say (since I was still feeling grumpy about having to bend myself into a pretzel) "Well at least my knees are warm."
This, friends and neighbours, is where my darling 3M messed up and done me wrong in an extra-largish sort of way; thereby providing me with the perfect excuse for years of tales, ripostes, and...hmmm....'rehabilatory revenge'. Oh yes, my darling dear forgot to engage brain before opening mouth and responded to my warm knee statement with this oh so pithy mistake:
" What? Oh, so you took your bra off in the bathroom?"
I, to my very great credit, did not scream, screech, or utter a single curse or foul word. Nope, not a bit of it. However... As my beloved spouse's eyes widened and hands flew up to cover the mouth which uttered those fateful words (a tad too late) I did unleash the Glare of Doom.
Before I begin my tale of woe Bama Trav, as is his wont, posted an interesting question in my comments section and I'd like to take a moment to answer it... He wrote: Question. You don't have to mention locations of course but...I can't decide if you live in Europe or if you are European and living in the States orrrrr if you are married to a European and living in Europe or Married to a European living in the states or if you are Both European living in Europe or in the States and and and...
Trav, I'm glad you asked! So glad I'm even going to answer, especially as it will point out my utter sweetness and emphasise the wrongness of the wrong which was done unto me! The Great Scot, aka 3M is an actual authentic Scot from Scotland. I, aka the mutt of mixed heritage, am from Indiana in the good ole US...if you mix a little French, English, Scots-Irish and three drops of Lakota blood you have: Moi. Is it the way I say things which throws you or my spelling? Well let me explain. After nearly eleven years of wedded bliss I've picked up a number of Scottishisms; I believe it is inevitable since they are so entertaining, I've also taught the Great Scot a number of colourful Hoosier sayings, like 'happier than a pig in mud'. All very innocently colourful of course. As for the spelling, that was a deliberate decision made a wee while back when 3M was bemoaning the fact that coworkers made snarky comments about how they at least knew how to spell the English language and that perhaps 3M should learn how to speak English properly!?! (Most of the comments coming from an individual who believes that the whole of history, pre-history, etc... takes up about 5,000 years...or is it 10,000...) Call it an act of commiseration, or call it strategic solidarity, it has now become so much a habit that I don't even think about it.
Now for my tale of woe, or how 3M...the Great Scot... went from this:
To This:
I was feeling better over the weekend but didn't want to overdo, shopping needed to be done for Jess's seafood lasagna birthday supper so 3M was kind enough to take me to the store. Feeling pangs of hunger the Great Scot decided to stop at the burger joint with the Scottish name, of course, and we went inside. Having taken a wee potty break (yes, this IS toilet humour) and being a tidy sort of person, I washed my hands and was forced to bend myself in half to dry them at one of those jet-propulsion hand thingys which hung upon the wall at about belly button height. Now, I am not a tall woman folks, about 5'3" on a good day, and having had to do time in a wheelchair I know that it was low enough that it would be difficult to get a wheelchair close enough to use it as well so why, exactly, was the lone hand dryer thingy so low? Beats me! Anyhoo.......
Having rejoined the Great Scot, who I must admit inquired after my health in a very kind way, I elected to say (since I was still feeling grumpy about having to bend myself into a pretzel) "Well at least my knees are warm."
This, friends and neighbours, is where my darling 3M messed up and done me wrong in an extra-largish sort of way; thereby providing me with the perfect excuse for years of tales, ripostes, and...hmmm....'rehabilatory revenge'. Oh yes, my darling dear forgot to engage brain before opening mouth and responded to my warm knee statement with this oh so pithy mistake:
" What? Oh, so you took your bra off in the bathroom?"
I, to my very great credit, did not scream, screech, or utter a single curse or foul word. Nope, not a bit of it. However... As my beloved spouse's eyes widened and hands flew up to cover the mouth which uttered those fateful words (a tad too late) I did unleash the Glare of Doom.
3M, being a Great Scot of mostly vast intelligence stuttered, stammered, and attempted to apologise...all whilst laughing of course...and all to no avail. Oh no, no, no. 3M, my dearest love, I know you will be reading this post if only to prepare a denial so I say to you: There is no way on earth you are going to get by with this one...if you'll pardon the saying...scot-free. You have doomed yourself to years of reminders, rejoinders, and ripostes, BWAHAHAHAHA!
Good thing for the day: Laughter, it's always a good day when one laughs.
Music for the day: A couple of songs for the Great Scot....hehehe. (Do be careful where you click on these, not all are family or work friendly!)
Saturday, November 10, 2012
Just A Quickie
But first a picture to brighten your day; I came across this beauty last spring in Vincennes, IN....
Isn't she a beauty! I just love to see a doll like this so beautifully restored.
After several days of yuck I finally feel better today; somehow a nasty flu bug crept in on top of the back problems. This time of year, with the cool damp and changeable weather is always 'fun' but it is my hope that I can be back in blogging form this next week.
In answer to some questions I got: I will post the recipe for the Turtle Cheesecake next week (still boggling over that Fiona? hehe) with some photos but not the seafood lasagna. Unfortunately I won't have extra hands around for photo-taking on the lasagna and the sauce requires a bit of attention. I will, however, make sure to have someone at the ready the next time I make it. Same with the recipe for Italian Potato soup; since it's a regular on the cool weather menu that shouldn't take long to appear. *knock on wood*
Thank you again for all your well wishes, you brighten my days so much!
Good thing for the day: Making chicken and dumplings, yum!
Isn't she a beauty! I just love to see a doll like this so beautifully restored.
After several days of yuck I finally feel better today; somehow a nasty flu bug crept in on top of the back problems. This time of year, with the cool damp and changeable weather is always 'fun' but it is my hope that I can be back in blogging form this next week.
In answer to some questions I got: I will post the recipe for the Turtle Cheesecake next week (still boggling over that Fiona? hehe) with some photos but not the seafood lasagna. Unfortunately I won't have extra hands around for photo-taking on the lasagna and the sauce requires a bit of attention. I will, however, make sure to have someone at the ready the next time I make it. Same with the recipe for Italian Potato soup; since it's a regular on the cool weather menu that shouldn't take long to appear. *knock on wood*
Thank you again for all your well wishes, you brighten my days so much!
Good thing for the day: Making chicken and dumplings, yum!
Wednesday, November 7, 2012
Thank You For Being A Friend
*Edited to add: Go read the very funny answer to one of my questions from Dear Helen Hartman. It made me laugh and whilst slightly painful I feel better for it. Still think I should have run over the rude git though.
And for your kind inquiries I thank you. I'm okay, just having a bit of a problem with my back. The muscles are spasming and knotting up which makes it a tad uncomfortable to sit for long...I'll be back as soon as I can.
Oh! And a belated Happy Birthday to this guy:
My stepdad aka Pop!
Hope everyone is well and happy; catch up with you soon.
Music for the day:
And for your kind inquiries I thank you. I'm okay, just having a bit of a problem with my back. The muscles are spasming and knotting up which makes it a tad uncomfortable to sit for long...I'll be back as soon as I can.
Oh! And a belated Happy Birthday to this guy:
My stepdad aka Pop!
Hope everyone is well and happy; catch up with you soon.
Music for the day:
Saturday, November 3, 2012
Lazy Afternoon
Sitting here, cup of creamer with a dab of coffee added in hand. Mobbed by furry creatures demanding to be held, talked to, scratched and petted; I am the only two-legger available, hence the undivided attention. Sleepily content as I peruse other people's blogs; the beautiful, the funny, the superbly and masterfully written. Settling down to business, ready now to write the week's menu; one Bletherskite off to a long day of work and the other still sleeping peacefully upstairs. So much to be grateful for.
There is a special day coming this week; the youngest Bletherskite, Jess, turns 36. The baby of the family living here in this house. As is our tradition, she chose the menu for her birthday dinner: seafood lasagna and turtle cheesecake, so I ponder leeks and chocolate, prawns and pecans, lobster and salted caramel.
Mmmm, mayhap I shall abandon my coffee-touched creamer and clamber back into the warm bed....
Trav, I always enjoy your poetry, I'm looking forward to reading your November poem.
Welcome to Robin Larkspur at Wiccan Writes, my 100th follower!
And Happy Early Birthday to you Jess!
*Edited for clarity: Jess is our housemate, friend, do-gooder and good-doer, bratling, and family of the heart. My baby, beloved daughter, teacher-t0-be, graphic artist, and second generation Bletherskite is called the kidling here on the blog and occasionally leaves comments as tluthal.
Here's the kidling, unique of style and book in hand.
There is a special day coming this week; the youngest Bletherskite, Jess, turns 36. The baby of the family living here in this house. As is our tradition, she chose the menu for her birthday dinner: seafood lasagna and turtle cheesecake, so I ponder leeks and chocolate, prawns and pecans, lobster and salted caramel.
Mmmm, mayhap I shall abandon my coffee-touched creamer and clamber back into the warm bed....
Trav, I always enjoy your poetry, I'm looking forward to reading your November poem.
Welcome to Robin Larkspur at Wiccan Writes, my 100th follower!
And Happy Early Birthday to you Jess!
*Edited for clarity: Jess is our housemate, friend, do-gooder and good-doer, bratling, and family of the heart. My baby, beloved daughter, teacher-t0-be, graphic artist, and second generation Bletherskite is called the kidling here on the blog and occasionally leaves comments as tluthal.
Here's the kidling, unique of style and book in hand.
Friday, November 2, 2012
November
My November Guest
My Sorrow, when she’s here with me,
Thinks these dark days of autumn rain
Are beautiful as days can be;
She loves the bare, the withered tree;
She walks the sodden pasture lane.
Her pleasure will not let me stay.
She talks and I am fain to list:
She’s glad the birds are gone away,
She’s glad her simple worsted gray
Is silver now with clinging mist.
The desolate, deserted trees,
The faded earth, the heavy sky,
The beauties she so truly sees,
She thinks I have no eye for these,
And vexes me for reason why.
Not yesterday I learned to know
The love of bare November days
Before the coming of the snow,
But it were vain to tell her so,
And they are better for her praise.
from A Boy's Will (1914) Robert Frost
Robert Frost was my father's favourite poet and he passed his love down to me. This poem, not as well known and loved as many others by this Master Poet, touches something deep inside me, speaking as it does of learning to love that which is difficult and decidedly different. It is easy to love a playful kitten, a laughing child, or a sunny May morning; less easy but perhaps better for growing our souls is learning to accept...even treasure...that charm which is not so quickly evident, and don't we all have November-ish parts of our hearts which need acceptance and love as well? "And they are better for her praise."
Yes.
Perhaps the greatest praise I can give these November days, and the days of winter to come, is that this is the time in the turning of the year when I feel myself growing more thoughtful. As the toss and tumble, hurry and scurry of the warmer months wind down there is space enough, and time, for the long, slow thoughts of tree, stone and sky to carry me out of my selfness and into the magic of we. I and thou. Yes. If the seasons were a house this would be the room of space enough and time; time for rumination, for love, for turning simultaneously inward and out. For giving of ourselves more completely, without distraction. For stretching our hearts into a shape more encompassing.
So you also think I should write, eh? Just look what you've let yourself in for...
Good thing for the day: Allowing my thoughts to wander wherever they will.
Music for the day:
Thursday, November 1, 2012
Oh You Asked For It!
I love you guys, you know that right? I really do...even though your comments about book writing got a big ole hardy-har-har from 3M. Yup, the Great Scot had a gleeful laugh at poor little ole moi's expence. Why? Well I have a story about that...literally. Oooo, that was a pun, completely unintentional I assure you.
It seems I'm not quite finished with storytelling after all. This is not a scary tale though; just an odd one...let me share it and tell me what you think; was it sincere and a coincidence or was it a nefarious conspiracy to pull my leg? (I think this guy believes it to be a conspiracy...)
Several years ago, nearly eight to be exact, I was working in a small thrift store in Greencastle. The work was enjoyable and enabled me to spot several unique treasures, but the part I liked best was interacting with our customers, most of whom were regulars. One young man, in particular, was my favourite, along with his nurse. This young man, whom I will call Stephen, came in two or three times a week with his nurse...I'll call her Kathy. Among other things he dealt with, Stephen was unable to speak clearly, his voice was low and his speech was often garbled, so most folk either ignored him or spoke over him which distressed me considerably. How de-humanising!
It took Stephen a while to get comfortable enough with me to try speaking to me, which is completely understandable. But once he realised that I was willing to take the time to listen to him, and that I spoke to him rather than over him, he would look for me whenever they came in and chatter away whenever they were close enough. Before long I'd found out that Stephen truly loved birds and anything involving space exploration so, having shared this information with the manager and other staff members, we took a great deal of delight in setting aside things to show him which involved his interests. What a privilege to see his eyes light up and that huge, joyful, smile! Kathy, Stephen's nurse, always made a point of thanking us but otherwise generally remained pretty quiet, letting Stephen have the floor so to speak.
One day, however, that all changed. Kathy asked me to step aside for a moment because she had something to say to me. I was a bit puzzled but agreed, and noted that the store manager...whom I will call Patty....had stepped up behind Kathy; as I later found out, she had noticed Kathy pulling me aside and thought it rather odd.
Odd wasn't the half of it! Kathy mumbled a bit, hemmed and hawed and turned a brilliant shade of scarlet. Intrigued and a bit alarmed (and hoping she wasn't about to have a stroke, conniption, or otherwise discombobulate the store) I asked her if there was a problem to which she said "You're going to think I'm crazy..." Feeling a bit guilty since my thoughts were trending in that direction I shook my head in what I hoped was a calming manner and assured her I was ready to listen to whatever she had to say. Kathy, a stout little redhead who was just about the height of nonsense, took a deep breath and blurted out: " You probably think I'm nuts but I've been praying about you and God wants me to tell you that you need to write a book. You really do. It will help hundreds of thousands of people so you have to write it." Then she dashed to the bathroom in the back of the store whilst I stood there with eyes bugging out and my jaw dragging along the floor. Patty the manager, bless her pointed little head, walked up and patted my shoulder then informed me I really needed to close my mouth.
Ooookay then. That was quite a facer but wait, there's more!
The next day an Old Order Mennonite couple came in the store; whilst we had several regulars amongst the Mennonite and Amish folk in the surrounding area I'd never seen this couple before. After asking my help in finding several things in the shop they finished their shopping and I rung up the couple's purchases. They appeared to be close to my own age, and I had an enjoyable time chatting with the woman about pie recipes. They started to leave, then the man turned back to the counter just as my darling manager, Patty, came up to ask me a question. Of course the man leaned over the counter, looked at me very seriously, and said: "You really need to write that book you know", then walked out the door with his wife.
Patty looked at me quite seriously and asked "so, has God said what you're supposed to write about?" then doubled over laughing. Later that day, after going out to lunch, the darling dear of a manager presented me with a stack of paper and a brand-spanking-new box of #2 pencils.
Gee...........thanks......
So what do you think? Conspiracy or command???
Good thing for the day: Mom is steadily feeling better and only has a bit of the rash left on one foot, yay!
Note to Trav: I have about 3 drops of Lakota blood somewhere and the music has the very same effect on me. Here's something just for you...
It seems I'm not quite finished with storytelling after all. This is not a scary tale though; just an odd one...let me share it and tell me what you think; was it sincere and a coincidence or was it a nefarious conspiracy to pull my leg? (I think this guy believes it to be a conspiracy...)
Several years ago, nearly eight to be exact, I was working in a small thrift store in Greencastle. The work was enjoyable and enabled me to spot several unique treasures, but the part I liked best was interacting with our customers, most of whom were regulars. One young man, in particular, was my favourite, along with his nurse. This young man, whom I will call Stephen, came in two or three times a week with his nurse...I'll call her Kathy. Among other things he dealt with, Stephen was unable to speak clearly, his voice was low and his speech was often garbled, so most folk either ignored him or spoke over him which distressed me considerably. How de-humanising!
It took Stephen a while to get comfortable enough with me to try speaking to me, which is completely understandable. But once he realised that I was willing to take the time to listen to him, and that I spoke to him rather than over him, he would look for me whenever they came in and chatter away whenever they were close enough. Before long I'd found out that Stephen truly loved birds and anything involving space exploration so, having shared this information with the manager and other staff members, we took a great deal of delight in setting aside things to show him which involved his interests. What a privilege to see his eyes light up and that huge, joyful, smile! Kathy, Stephen's nurse, always made a point of thanking us but otherwise generally remained pretty quiet, letting Stephen have the floor so to speak.
One day, however, that all changed. Kathy asked me to step aside for a moment because she had something to say to me. I was a bit puzzled but agreed, and noted that the store manager...whom I will call Patty....had stepped up behind Kathy; as I later found out, she had noticed Kathy pulling me aside and thought it rather odd.
Odd wasn't the half of it! Kathy mumbled a bit, hemmed and hawed and turned a brilliant shade of scarlet. Intrigued and a bit alarmed (and hoping she wasn't about to have a stroke, conniption, or otherwise discombobulate the store) I asked her if there was a problem to which she said "You're going to think I'm crazy..." Feeling a bit guilty since my thoughts were trending in that direction I shook my head in what I hoped was a calming manner and assured her I was ready to listen to whatever she had to say. Kathy, a stout little redhead who was just about the height of nonsense, took a deep breath and blurted out: " You probably think I'm nuts but I've been praying about you and God wants me to tell you that you need to write a book. You really do. It will help hundreds of thousands of people so you have to write it." Then she dashed to the bathroom in the back of the store whilst I stood there with eyes bugging out and my jaw dragging along the floor. Patty the manager, bless her pointed little head, walked up and patted my shoulder then informed me I really needed to close my mouth.
Ooookay then. That was quite a facer but wait, there's more!
The next day an Old Order Mennonite couple came in the store; whilst we had several regulars amongst the Mennonite and Amish folk in the surrounding area I'd never seen this couple before. After asking my help in finding several things in the shop they finished their shopping and I rung up the couple's purchases. They appeared to be close to my own age, and I had an enjoyable time chatting with the woman about pie recipes. They started to leave, then the man turned back to the counter just as my darling manager, Patty, came up to ask me a question. Of course the man leaned over the counter, looked at me very seriously, and said: "You really need to write that book you know", then walked out the door with his wife.
Patty looked at me quite seriously and asked "so, has God said what you're supposed to write about?" then doubled over laughing. Later that day, after going out to lunch, the darling dear of a manager presented me with a stack of paper and a brand-spanking-new box of #2 pencils.
Gee...........thanks......
So what do you think? Conspiracy or command???
Good thing for the day: Mom is steadily feeling better and only has a bit of the rash left on one foot, yay!
Note to Trav: I have about 3 drops of Lakota blood somewhere and the music has the very same effect on me. Here's something just for you...
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)