We've been to school a few times in the last week as part of the back-to-school routine. The first night was a visit to their old school to help with the annual read-a-thon. They were very short volunteers and so both Bud and I were helping out. I dressed up in my colonial outfit and read stories about museums and life in the "olden days," including A Night at the Museum, Ella's Trip to the Museum, and Hornbooks and Inkwells, with Sis as my companion and time keeper. I started each discussion with a question about my outfit, since most readers came dressed in their work clothes--what did the kids think I did? Most guessed farmer or gardener! I loved that they recognized the agrarian or pastoral quality associations of the time period. And I hadn't really expected anyone to guess historian or docent. Bud did his own reading to other classes, selecting We are in a Book, The Lost Boy, and a book about a penguin discovering colors which title I forget. I'm told that Mama and Bud actually read the first book as a kind of duet, one as Gerald and one as Piggie, doing the voices. The kids all loved it!
Last night was our annual open house, our chance to meet the teachers and hear about the curricula and expectations for the year. This year we had three teachers to meet, as part of the advanced learning program in which both the kids are enrolled. We heard about the need to study multiplication facts, upcoming units on energy and also electricity, plus Connecticut geography, and about the Columbia Writers Workshop model. And, best of all, we heard all about the butterflies. The reading teacher engages the kids in a study of butterflies as inspiration for both informational and reflective writing. She told us all about how that very day the kids had noticed a butterfly wasn't doing well and so they weren't sure it would leave when they released it. So, they carefully took it outside and placed it on the butterfly bush at school and . . . lo, and behold! that butterfly took off. Joyful pandemonium broke out as the kids collectively celebrated (and no doubt the teacher breathed a sigh of relief.)
As encouraging and supportive as all the teachers sounded, I have to admit to strong feelings of academic pressure arising, all from my own memories of seeking approval and good grades in school I was one of those students you read about who studied and worked for the high grades and teacher approval, not for the learning or joy; as a group, we stressed about failure, cheated to get ahead, and weren't always very flexible or creative, looking for the right answer. And I was pretty good at all of it. But it's not what I want for Sis and Bud. Still, as I heard about rubrics and quizzes and the Parent Portal through which I can check grades in real time, those old feelings of getting good grades came right back. It will be my struggle this year and many more to come. And I will try to keep in mind the teacher's story about the person who damaged the butterfly by trying to help it (without letting it struggle on its own.)
Wednesday, September 24, 2014
Thursday, September 18, 2014
"Flash" Backs
I've been doing multiplication flashcards with the kids and had flashbacks of all the different things I've studied that way--multiplication, geometry, calculus, Latin, Greek, French, Euro and American art for orals, and now musical notes!! I had to teach them a way of using the cards--testing yourself, making piles of correct and incorrect, repeating the ones you missed. Talk about deja vu. Especially because I realize that I'm a bit rusty with my 8s!
Scotland Today
Thinking of everyone in Scotland (and really across the UK, since it affects you tremendously even if you don't get a vote) today and marveling how far we've come: approximately 250 years ago, our ancestors had to go to war to declare independence from England and today it is being decided at an election booth. I can't help but think that's progress, whatever the result is. I'm not personally vested either way--my paternal Scottish ancestors left the homeland not too long after Mary, Queen of Scots, beheaded one of them--and can't even predict which way it will go. Though, apparently in independence votes, 88% of the time the people opt in favor of it. I guess we'll know tomorrow, even if the real changes will be awhile in coming.
Tuesday, September 16, 2014
Hospice Help
With my dear aunt ill in the ICU again, Mama's grandfather in the end stages of his life in Bangkok, a friend's mother possibly entering hospice soon, and my own hospice volunteer work starting up again after a summer hiatus, I've been thinking a lot about dying, death, and hospice recently. I attended a fantastic training a few weeks ago based on the DVD entitled, Facing Your Fears: Straight Talk about the Dying Process (from a book, Dying to Know by Tani Bathi.) The video, some of which is excerpted on YouTube (tbathi's chanel), is a very straightforward, sensitive, and informative explanation of what caregivers can expect as their loved ones enter the final days and weeks of their lives. If I could, I'd give a copy to all those who needed it. Instead, here are my notes, with some alterations in order and a few additions, on death and dying for caregivers.
-=-=-=-=-
-=-=-=-=-
Signs to look for:
·
Sleep
is so important, sacred even at this time.
Patients will sleep more, coming in and out of consciousness. Sometimes they see or hear things that no one
else in the room does. These visions are
often comforting.
·
Eating: people’s bodies will not need much food at
the end and patients lose their appetites.
It can be so hard to allow someone we care about to stop eating—but encouraging
or cajoling them into eating can actually hurt them physically (constipation,
even feeding just a cancerous tumor), so not feeding them can be a gift.
·
Drinking: Patients often don’t need a lot of
liquid. Natural dehydration actually
helps the body by eliminating excess fluid that the heart has trouble dealing
with. Excess liquid can cause swelling
in hands and feet and discomfort. Signs
of natural dehydration include eyelids won’t close all the way and ear lobes
begin to droop. Ice chips or wet swabs
can help with dry lips, also lip balm.
*It is important to note that patients
don’t die because they aren’t fed or hydrated but because they are ill with
something else; not eating and drinking is a symptom of dying, not its cause.
·
Other
signs:
o Breathing: can become labored (Cheyne-Stokes breathing,
with lots of time between breaths)—but it doesn’t hurt the patient; natural
chemicals released by body can reduce pain and panic. If there is some difficulty breathing, angle
a fan at the side of patient’s face, which relaxes the facial muscles and helps
ease breathing. Also, if you breathe slowly
that helps the patient. Finally,
so-called death rattle is loud and can bother listeners but again it doesn’t
hurt or bother the patient.
o Hands and feet can become cold or even
mottled (like purple bruises); looks disturbing but isn’t bothering patient. Often a sign that death is very near (days or
even hours.)
o Lazarus Syndrome—an unexplainable surge
of increased energy and interaction near the very end; death often follows
within hours or a day.
What you can do:
o
Talk,
sing, pray—hearing is the last sense to go.
Tell family stories. Say what you’ll
remember most. Sometimes it helps to
give patient permission to go. “I’ll
love you, but I will be okay. You can
go.”
o Take photos, cards, and signs to decorate their room and nightstand. This gives you and other visitors, even the hospice team, something to talk about besides health and the obvious. Photos especially are a nice jumping-off point for bringing up good memories and loved ones.
o Take photos, cards, and signs to decorate their room and nightstand. This gives you and other visitors, even the hospice team, something to talk about besides health and the obvious. Photos especially are a nice jumping-off point for bringing up good memories and loved ones.
o
Touch
is important—brush hair, rub lotion, touch arms and hands, even crawl in bed—ill
and elderly patients can be very isolated physically
o
Question to ask yourself, “What’s the most
important thing today?”
o
Think of loved one’s energy as finite amount of
money to spend each day, save it for what is most important—ill or elderly
people’s pulse can be like that of a marathoner (normal is around 60 bpm;
theirs can be 90-120+bpm; tire quickly, even just dressing)
o
Remember to take care of yourself: eat, drink, sleep, get fresh air, take
breaks. You help the patient more when
you help yourself.
o
Patients often have some control over the time
of death—after a special date or visit, when everyone is nearby or when
everyone is gone. If your loved one dies
when you are not in the room, it was probably their choice, to make it easier
on themselves and on you.
Sunday, September 14, 2014
Again
My dear Aunt Sis is back in the ICU again. We are sending love all the way down to her and the family in Texas.
What a Weekend!
Friday: It was date night! Beloved Babysitter stayed with the kiddos while Mama and I went out to a business party. The air was cool and breezy; the sunset beautiful. We didn't see any Northern Lights, though. We ate a lot of wonderful food: lobster sliders, eggplant sliders, baked potato pizza, clam pizza, cheese pizza, black beans and rice with guacamole and tortilla chips, mushroom and kale tacos, "dirty" chocolate ice cream, mint chocolate chip ice cream, churros with orange and chocolate sauce. A great evening.
Saturday: After our usual morning of kung fu and ice skating, we spent the afternoon with one of Mama's friends from her last job, Miss N. Miss N is moving back to Japan and this was a goodbye visit. The kids loved talking to her--especially about her trips all over the world (I've never known someone so well traveled--Galapagos Island, Mexico, Canada, Iceland, Sweden, France, Germany, Italy (next month), Morocco, Egypt, Kenya, Nepal, India--and these are just the ones we talked about in passing!)--and eating the French pastries she brought. The kids did their show-and-tell show, with piano playing, drawings, Nano blocks of Himeji Castle and Neuschwanstein (yes, she'd been to both.) Sis even made her a Swedish apple pie. It was a short, but very sweet visit. And maybe the next time, we'll see her in Japan!!
That afternoon, Bud had a kung fu performance outside at a festival. Just as the team took the stage, the skies opened up and it began to pour. The kids performed for a bit, but it is too dangerous to jump and such on slippery grass; besides, the damp was ruining their silk uniforms. Believe it or not, there were still people in the audience! Bud was disappointed but brightened soon enough. Especially after we went out for sushi!
Sunday: It was our first morning of church at our new time of 11:15. And we were still almost late! But only because Ma and Gong stopped by early to bring us snacks they bought in Thailand (some seed cakes, some coconut chews, some tamarind candies.) It was nice to see them after their month-long trip. They brought other souvenirs, including a cat shirt for Mama and a bunny door hanging for Sis; I think Bud got some comic books. I was at the grocery store buying fruit for the children's service at church and lunch makings for the week when they arrived. About an hour or so later, we left for church. It was fun to see friends and to begin to settle into the new church year, with a new interim minister whom I like. After church, we went to the crafts store and then spent some of the afternoon making Sculpey food and then playing outside. We had a great homemade vegetable soup and then the weekend came to a gentle end.
Saturday: After our usual morning of kung fu and ice skating, we spent the afternoon with one of Mama's friends from her last job, Miss N. Miss N is moving back to Japan and this was a goodbye visit. The kids loved talking to her--especially about her trips all over the world (I've never known someone so well traveled--Galapagos Island, Mexico, Canada, Iceland, Sweden, France, Germany, Italy (next month), Morocco, Egypt, Kenya, Nepal, India--and these are just the ones we talked about in passing!)--and eating the French pastries she brought. The kids did their show-and-tell show, with piano playing, drawings, Nano blocks of Himeji Castle and Neuschwanstein (yes, she'd been to both.) Sis even made her a Swedish apple pie. It was a short, but very sweet visit. And maybe the next time, we'll see her in Japan!!
That afternoon, Bud had a kung fu performance outside at a festival. Just as the team took the stage, the skies opened up and it began to pour. The kids performed for a bit, but it is too dangerous to jump and such on slippery grass; besides, the damp was ruining their silk uniforms. Believe it or not, there were still people in the audience! Bud was disappointed but brightened soon enough. Especially after we went out for sushi!
Sunday: It was our first morning of church at our new time of 11:15. And we were still almost late! But only because Ma and Gong stopped by early to bring us snacks they bought in Thailand (some seed cakes, some coconut chews, some tamarind candies.) It was nice to see them after their month-long trip. They brought other souvenirs, including a cat shirt for Mama and a bunny door hanging for Sis; I think Bud got some comic books. I was at the grocery store buying fruit for the children's service at church and lunch makings for the week when they arrived. About an hour or so later, we left for church. It was fun to see friends and to begin to settle into the new church year, with a new interim minister whom I like. After church, we went to the crafts store and then spent some of the afternoon making Sculpey food and then playing outside. We had a great homemade vegetable soup and then the weekend came to a gentle end.
Thursday, September 11, 2014
Told Me So
Oh, Lambeth, I should have heeded your warning about piano practice: I have sprained my right pinky! It had hurt a little before I had started taking piano, but my doctor thinks I hurt it with overzealous piano practice. Yep, first a crochet injury, now a piano injury! It's not awful, but I'm resting it, taped to my ring finger. So, not much crochet, typing, fingerspelling, or, of course, piano, for ten days or so.
Obviously, though, I can make do.
Besides, I have to keep practicing my "Jingle Bells."
Obviously, though, I can make do.
Besides, I have to keep practicing my "Jingle Bells."
Tuesday, September 9, 2014
After-School Snack Attack
We've never been that consistent about snacks after school. Sometimes the kids are hungry when they get home; sometimes, playing is more important. And sometimes, dinner is only about an hour away. So, I'm not one of those people with an organized snack routine. We have stuff in the house that they can snack on, but that's about it.
Today, though, we made something a little more exciting: personal bags of microwave air-popped popcorn! A brown paper lunch bag, 3-4 tablespoons of popcorn. That's it. Snack. One for each of us. With the built-in entertainment of watching the bag expand and listening to the corn pop.
Perfect.
-=-=-=-=-=-=-
Paper-Bag Popcorn
brown paper lunch bag
3-4 tablespoons popcorn
salt, seasonings, cooking spray optional
Spoon popcorn into bag and seal by folding tightly and even crimping sides (do NOT tape or staple!) Place in microwave and use popcorn setting, or approximately 2 1/2 minutes. The popcorn is done when there are a few seconds between pops. Remove from microwave, pour into bowl, spritz with cooking spray if desired (so seasonings stick), and season.
Enjoy!
Mommy Hungry
Today, though, we made something a little more exciting: personal bags of microwave air-popped popcorn! A brown paper lunch bag, 3-4 tablespoons of popcorn. That's it. Snack. One for each of us. With the built-in entertainment of watching the bag expand and listening to the corn pop.
Perfect.
-=-=-=-=-=-=-
Paper-Bag Popcorn
brown paper lunch bag
3-4 tablespoons popcorn
salt, seasonings, cooking spray optional
Spoon popcorn into bag and seal by folding tightly and even crimping sides (do NOT tape or staple!) Place in microwave and use popcorn setting, or approximately 2 1/2 minutes. The popcorn is done when there are a few seconds between pops. Remove from microwave, pour into bowl, spritz with cooking spray if desired (so seasonings stick), and season.
Enjoy!
Mommy Hungry
More Piano Pride
I played a song on the piano today with notes played on different hands at the same time!!! For me, this is the ultimate accomplishment, even if it were only "Jingle Bells" with a few simple chords, played very slowly and haltingly the first time through. But it was one of my main aims for taking lessons and I'm on the right path.
Christmas carols, here I come!
Christmas carols, here I come!
Sunday, September 7, 2014
Trying New Meals for School
School starting means a fresh start for many aspects of our lives. I see September as the new year more than January, a holdover from so many years of school. And like other years, I've been trying out some new recipes, mainly breakfast and dinner: Overnight Oatmeal, Quick Waffles, Cornmeal Waffles, Broccoli and Cheese Frittata, My Anything Stir Fry, Peach and Nectarine Galette.
Overnight Oatmeal
100 Days of Real Food
-=-=-=-=-=
Quick Waffles
Cornmeal Waffles
(only makes 3-4, so double)
1 egg
3/4 milk
1/4 cup oil
1 cup flour
2 T cornmeal
2 t baking powder
2 t sugar
1/4 t salt
My Anything Stir Fry
oil (something that can stand high heat)
garlic, minced, 2-3 cloves
protein (chicken, beef, tofu--or none), cubed
vegetable--cabbage and broccoli are the favorites, also bamboo shoots, baby corn, bell peppers, mushroom, green beans
water or stock
flavoring: 1/2 cup soy sauce, 2 tablespoons sesame oil, 2 tablespoons rice wine vinegar
noodles (Sai Fun noodles soaked in hot water 10 minutes) or rice
Heat oil on high or medium high in high-sided heavy pan--I have a wok. Add minced garlic and saute briefly (usually until fragrant.) Add protein and stir till cooked through. Add vegetables and continue stirring occasionally. Add water or stock; cover and steam a bit. Add flavorings.
Serve over noodles or rice.
Mommy Hungry
-=-=-=-=-=-=-
Broccoli and Cheese Frittata adapted from Laurie David
8 eggs, gently beaten
1/4 cup cheddar cheese, grated, plus 1/2 cup more for top
1/4 teaspoon salt and a pinch of black pepper
2 tablespoons olive oil (or less)
2 tablespoons diced onion (or onion powder)
garlic, minced, or garlic powder to taste
2-3 cups chopped vegetables--whole bag of frozen broccoli florets
Defrost broccoli in microwave; drain and set aside.
Heat oil in oven proof skillet (I used cast iron.) Saute onion and garlic. Add broccoli and cook until tender, about 5 minutes.
Combine eggs, cheese, salt, and pepper. Pour into skillet, stirring once. Then cook until eggs set, about 3-4 minutes (or longer--you want them mostly cooked through.) Sprinkle with an extra 1/2 cup of cheese on top.
Broil until egg is cooked and cheese is bubbly and golden.
Remove from oven and slide egg out of skillet onto plate. Serve immediately, planning other good combinations (ham, broccoli, and cheese; potato and cheese.)
adapted from Laurie David
-=-=-=-=-=-
Peach and Nectarine Galette a la Melissa Clark/NYTimes
I have to be honest: I flubbed this recipe. I added all of the cream and egg mixture to the dough, not just 1/4 cup and so had none to brush on the crust. Also, I used white whole wheat flour instead of all purpose and we used more fruit than 3 cups, so that the crust broke. And we LOVED it!!
Overnight Oatmeal
½ cup rolled oats
½ cup milk
1 tablespoon plain yogurt
½ teaspoon honey
1 to 2 tablespoons raisins (depending on how much you like raisins!)
⅛ teaspoon pure vanilla extract
2 to 3 pinches cinnamon
Mix ingredients and refrigerate overnight for at least 5 hours.½ cup milk
1 tablespoon plain yogurt
½ teaspoon honey
1 to 2 tablespoons raisins (depending on how much you like raisins!)
⅛ teaspoon pure vanilla extract
2 to 3 pinches cinnamon
100 Days of Real Food
-=-=-=-=-=
Quick Waffles
- 3 eggs
1 cup non-fat milk
1/2 cup butter
1 tbsp vanilla
2 cups flour
1/2 tsp salt
1 tbsp baking powder
2 tsp sugar
Beat whole eggs in a bowl until thick. Beat milk, melted butter and vanilla into eggs. In a separate bowl, combine remaining ingredients. Sift into egg mixture, and mix well. Bake 3 - 5 minutes or until steam no longer escapes waffle maker
Number of Servings: 8
Oster recipe book
-=-=-=-=-=-=-
Cornmeal Waffles
(only makes 3-4, so double)
1 egg
3/4 milk
1/4 cup oil
1 cup flour
2 T cornmeal
2 t baking powder
2 t sugar
1/4 t salt
Preheat waffle iron. Blend all ingredients together in food processor or blender. Pour 3/4 cup of batter in iron. Bake 3-5 minutes.
Oster recipe book
-=-=-=-=-=-My Anything Stir Fry
oil (something that can stand high heat)
garlic, minced, 2-3 cloves
protein (chicken, beef, tofu--or none), cubed
vegetable--cabbage and broccoli are the favorites, also bamboo shoots, baby corn, bell peppers, mushroom, green beans
water or stock
flavoring: 1/2 cup soy sauce, 2 tablespoons sesame oil, 2 tablespoons rice wine vinegar
noodles (Sai Fun noodles soaked in hot water 10 minutes) or rice
Heat oil on high or medium high in high-sided heavy pan--I have a wok. Add minced garlic and saute briefly (usually until fragrant.) Add protein and stir till cooked through. Add vegetables and continue stirring occasionally. Add water or stock; cover and steam a bit. Add flavorings.
Serve over noodles or rice.
Mommy Hungry
-=-=-=-=-=-=-
Broccoli and Cheese Frittata adapted from Laurie David
8 eggs, gently beaten
1/4 cup cheddar cheese, grated, plus 1/2 cup more for top
1/4 teaspoon salt and a pinch of black pepper
2 tablespoons olive oil (or less)
2 tablespoons diced onion (or onion powder)
garlic, minced, or garlic powder to taste
2-3 cups chopped vegetables--whole bag of frozen broccoli florets
Defrost broccoli in microwave; drain and set aside.
Heat oil in oven proof skillet (I used cast iron.) Saute onion and garlic. Add broccoli and cook until tender, about 5 minutes.
Combine eggs, cheese, salt, and pepper. Pour into skillet, stirring once. Then cook until eggs set, about 3-4 minutes (or longer--you want them mostly cooked through.) Sprinkle with an extra 1/2 cup of cheese on top.
Broil until egg is cooked and cheese is bubbly and golden.
Remove from oven and slide egg out of skillet onto plate. Serve immediately, planning other good combinations (ham, broccoli, and cheese; potato and cheese.)
adapted from Laurie David
-=-=-=-=-=-
Peach and Nectarine Galette a la Melissa Clark/NYTimes
I have to be honest: I flubbed this recipe. I added all of the cream and egg mixture to the dough, not just 1/4 cup and so had none to brush on the crust. Also, I used white whole wheat flour instead of all purpose and we used more fruit than 3 cups, so that the crust broke. And we LOVED it!!
- 1 1/3 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 tablespoon sugar
- 1/2 teaspoon fine sea salt
- 1 large egg
- Heavy cream, as needed
- 1 stick unsalted butter, cut into big pieces
- 2 teaspoons lemon juice
- 1/2 teaspoon grated lemon zest (optional)
FOR THE FILLING:
- 3 cups peaches and nectarines, sliced or cubed if necessary
- 1/2 cup to 3/4 cup sugar, to taste
- Pinch of salt
- Juice and grated zest of 1/2 lemon (optional)
- 3 to 4 tablespoons cornstarch
- also, apricot jam to spread on dough
MAKE THE CRUST:
- 1.
- In a food processor fitted with a steel blade, or in a large bowl, pulse or mix together flour, sugar and salt. In a measuring cup, lightly beat the egg, then add just enough cream to get to 1/3 cup. Lightly whisk the egg and cream together.
- 2.
- Add butter to flour mixture and pulse or use a pastry cutter or your fingers to break up the butter. If using a food processor, do not over-process; you need chickpea-size chunks of butter. Drizzle the egg mixture (up to 1/4 cup) over the dough and pulse or stir until it just starts to come together but is still mostly large crumbs. Mix in lemon juice and zest if using.
- 3.
- Put dough on lightly floured counter and pat it together to make one uniform piece. Flatten into a disk, wrap in plastic and chill for 2 hours, or up to 3 days.
- 4.
- Heat the oven to 400 degrees. Roll the dough out to a 12-inch round (it can be ragged). Transfer to a rimmed baking sheet lined with parchment paper and chill while preparing the filling.
MAKE THE FILLING:
- 5.
- Toss together fruit, all but a tablespoon of sugar, the salt, the lemon juice and zest, and the cornstarch. Use more cornstarch for juicy stone fruit and less for blueberries, raspberries and figs. Spread jam on dough, if desired. Pile fruit on the dough circle, leaving a 1 1/2-inch border. Gently fold the pastry over the fruit, pleating to hold it in (sloppy is fine). Brush pastry generously with leftover egg and cream mixture. Sprinkle remaining sugar on the crust.
- 6.
- Bake for 35 to 45 minutes, until the filling bubbles up vigorously and the crust is golden. Cool for at least 20 minutes on wire rack. Serve warm or at room temperature.
- YIELD
- 8 servings
Wednesday, September 3, 2014
Piano Pride
I've started piano lessons!
Yep, having that nice, new piano just sitting in the living room, silent all day while the kids are in school (because, when Bud gets home, it's not silent much until bedtime!), I decided to take lessons. With our current, peripatetic piano teacher. She usually teaches kids but expanded this fall to include adults. And so two of my friends whose kids study with the teacher are taking, too. I've even heard we might have wine-and-music evenings INSTEAD of recitals!
And so I've begun.
I took piano the first time 20+ years ago, for three months one summer before grad school. With a teacher--a young man at the local music studio--who was still in high school, I believe! Sure, I learned some notes, I even learned hand positions for all of the keys and could cross over during some songs, but we never did any counting (like with a metronome), nor did we ever do any harmony or chords. This meant I could only play what I already knew and it was always pretty simple with only one note at a time. I can't recall if that was at my request or he didn't manage to teach me counting and chords, but looking back it seems like we rushed ahead in some areas and stayed way behind in others.
Now, we're doing it right.
Of course, I have no illusions about being a master piano player. I just want to be able to sit down and play a few songs, even from memory. Simple folk songs, definitely Christmas songs. Maybe "Happy Birthday." In talking with the teacher, we're wondering if I should learn chords so that I can play from a fake book--simple harmonies alongside simple melodies, should sound good.
I think the teacher was surprised that I could actually recall the notes of the treble clef and figured out the bass clef if I went slowly enough. I think I was surprised, too.
The kids were surprised most of all, I think, when I sat down and plinked out "Aura Lee" (aka "Love Me Tender") this morning. Bud is ready to teach me his songs!
I think I have a ways to go with that.
Yep, having that nice, new piano just sitting in the living room, silent all day while the kids are in school (because, when Bud gets home, it's not silent much until bedtime!), I decided to take lessons. With our current, peripatetic piano teacher. She usually teaches kids but expanded this fall to include adults. And so two of my friends whose kids study with the teacher are taking, too. I've even heard we might have wine-and-music evenings INSTEAD of recitals!
And so I've begun.
I took piano the first time 20+ years ago, for three months one summer before grad school. With a teacher--a young man at the local music studio--who was still in high school, I believe! Sure, I learned some notes, I even learned hand positions for all of the keys and could cross over during some songs, but we never did any counting (like with a metronome), nor did we ever do any harmony or chords. This meant I could only play what I already knew and it was always pretty simple with only one note at a time. I can't recall if that was at my request or he didn't manage to teach me counting and chords, but looking back it seems like we rushed ahead in some areas and stayed way behind in others.
Now, we're doing it right.
Of course, I have no illusions about being a master piano player. I just want to be able to sit down and play a few songs, even from memory. Simple folk songs, definitely Christmas songs. Maybe "Happy Birthday." In talking with the teacher, we're wondering if I should learn chords so that I can play from a fake book--simple harmonies alongside simple melodies, should sound good.
I think the teacher was surprised that I could actually recall the notes of the treble clef and figured out the bass clef if I went slowly enough. I think I was surprised, too.
The kids were surprised most of all, I think, when I sat down and plinked out "Aura Lee" (aka "Love Me Tender") this morning. Bud is ready to teach me his songs!
I think I have a ways to go with that.
Tuesday, September 2, 2014
Fishing for Compliments
Mama Teacher asked for my family's favorite fish recipes today and I realized I hadn't posted most of them. We're not huge fish eaters, outside of Bud's sushi obsession--the rest of his seafood favorites are shellfish. Still, we have gotten the kids to eat some mild white fish, such as halibut, Chilean sea bass, mahi-mahi, cod/scrod, sole, haddock, hake, catfish, and maybe tilapia (okay, catfish is the least mild here, I think.) These are the ones I'll eat, too. Yeah, fish. I've really been slipping as a vegetarian recently, with chicken and even bites of beef, more as bites than a whole serving. Completely lapsed. But I know I'll go back to it.
Until then, here goes:
Mama Hungry's Quick Pan-Fried Fish
Heat skillet and then add oil. Saute selected mild white fish filets; when the filet begins to brown, flip it and sprinkle with salt/pepper or better yet generous amounts of Wildtree Scampi seasoning. (Sometimes, you can broil the fliet, skin-side down rubbed with a little bit oil, on a greased baking sheet til cooked--don't flip.) Can deglaze with lemon juice or concoct a great teriyaki glaze.
For Optional Teriyaki Glaze: Meanwhile, reduce 1/2 cup teriyaki sauce in saucepan over medium low, adding 1 Tablespoon sugar, chopped scallions/shallots, garlic as desired. When fish is done, drizzle with teriyaki glaze. Kids lap it up.
Mama Hungry
-=-=-=-=-=-
1 1/2 lbs fresh sole fillets
3 tablespoons low-fat mayonnaise
2 tablespoons Dijon mustard
1 tablespoon chopped parsley
freshly-ground black pepper
1 large lemon, cut into wedges
Coat a baking sheet with nonstick cooking spray. Arrange fillets so they don't overlap.
In a small bowl, combine the mayonnaise, mustard, parsley, and pepper and mix thoroughly. Spread the mixture evenly over the fillets.
Broil 3 to 4 inches from the heat for 4 minutes until fish flakes easily with a fork.
Arrange fillets on a serving platter, garnish with lemon wedges, and serve.
Until then, here goes:
Mama Hungry's Quick Pan-Fried Fish
Heat skillet and then add oil. Saute selected mild white fish filets; when the filet begins to brown, flip it and sprinkle with salt/pepper or better yet generous amounts of Wildtree Scampi seasoning. (Sometimes, you can broil the fliet, skin-side down rubbed with a little bit oil, on a greased baking sheet til cooked--don't flip.) Can deglaze with lemon juice or concoct a great teriyaki glaze.
For Optional Teriyaki Glaze: Meanwhile, reduce 1/2 cup teriyaki sauce in saucepan over medium low, adding 1 Tablespoon sugar, chopped scallions/shallots, garlic as desired. When fish is done, drizzle with teriyaki glaze. Kids lap it up.
Mama Hungry
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Filet Provencal
A recipe from Ma. More good fish, even with the tomatoes. And all in the microwave. Works well with frozen fish.
2 small onions
2 tablespoons butter
1 clove garlic, chopped
16 oz. diced tomatoes
mushrooms
¼ cup white wine
1 teaspoon basil
6 filets—cod at ¼ lb. each
Saute onion, butter, garlic in microwave, covered, for 3-31/2 minutes.
Stir in tomatoes, wine, basil, mushrooms and heat for 3 minutes.
Season and roll fish and heat for 5-7 minutes.
All microwave cooking is done covered.
Ma
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Dot’s Trout
Butter and parsley makes fish extra-tasty. I haven’t managed to reproduce the recipe yet; Mama Hungry tried but there was perhaps too much flour.
Bread fillets in flour.
Fry in butter and parsley.
Sprinkle with parsley.
Pour lemon juice and butter over fish.
Aunt Dot
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Sole in Lemon Sauce
From our new Gourmet cookbook, this fish reminds me of Aunt Dot’s fish, with the lemon and parsley. I liked this a lot. And it is easy. (March 2005)
1 cup all-purpose flur
2-6 oz. Dover, gray, or lemon sole fillets
salt
1/2 stick (4 tablespoons) unsalted butter
1 tablespoon chopped fresh flat-leaf parsley
1 teaspoon fresh lemon juice
Spread flour on a plate. Pat fillets dry and season with salt. Dredge fillets in flour, shake off excess, and transfer to another plate.
Heat 3 tablespoons butter in a 12” nonstick skillet over moderately high heat until golden brown and fragrant. Add parsley, shaking skillet to distribute it. Add fish, reduce heat to moderate, and cook for 1 1/2 to 2 minutes, or until undersides are golden. Turn fillets over, using two spatulas, and cook for 1 1/2 to 2 minutes more, or until fish is golden and almost cooked through (it should be slightly translucent in center; it will continue to cook when removed from heat). Transfer fillets to two plates.
Add lemon juice, 1/4 teaspoon salt, and remaining 1 tablespoon butter to skillet and cook over moderately high heat until butter has melted and foam subsides. Immediately pour sauce over fish. Serve with lemon wedges.
The Gourmet Cookbook
-=-=-=-=-=-
Almond Sole FilletsA very tasty fish recipe, which we have made with and without the dill. Good both ways.
1/3 cup butter or margarine
1/4 cup slivered almonds
1 pound sole fillets
2 tablespoons lemon juice
1/2 teaspoon dill weed
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon pepper
1/4 teaspoon paprika
In a skillet, combine the butter and almonds; heat until golden brown. Put aside.
1/4 cup slivered almonds
1 pound sole fillets
2 tablespoons lemon juice
1/2 teaspoon dill weed
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon pepper
1/4 teaspoon paprika
In a skillet, combine the butter and almonds; heat until golden brown. Put aside.
Add fish to same skillet (might require more butter), reduce heat to moderate, and cook for 1 1/2 to 2 minutes, or until undersides are golden. Turn fillets over, using two spatulas, and cook for 1 1/2 to 2 minutes more, or until fish is golden and almost cooked through (it should be slightly translucent in center; it will continue to cook when removed from heat). Transfer fillets to two plates.
Combine the lemon juice, dill, salt and pepper; drizzle over fish. Sprinkle with paprika and almonds.
Internet recipe
-=-=-=-=-=-=-
Sole with Mustard Sauce
Another one of the fish recipes we experimented with weekly during the second trimester. Tasty (Spring 2005).
1 1/2 lbs fresh sole fillets
3 tablespoons low-fat mayonnaise
2 tablespoons Dijon mustard
1 tablespoon chopped parsley
freshly-ground black pepper
1 large lemon, cut into wedges
Coat a baking sheet with nonstick cooking spray. Arrange fillets so they don't overlap.
In a small bowl, combine the mayonnaise, mustard, parsley, and pepper and mix thoroughly. Spread the mixture evenly over the fillets.
Broil 3 to 4 inches from the heat for 4 minutes until fish flakes easily with a fork.
Arrange fillets on a serving platter, garnish with lemon wedges, and serve.
Internet recipe
-=-=-=-=-=-=-
Trout with Olives and Brown Butter
Another of our new fish dishes, as we try to incorporate fish into our menu at least once a week. This one was superb. And Mama served it so prettily, over a bed of sauteed parmesan asparagus. We had strawberry shortcake afterwards. It was our pre-Easter Saturday night supper (March 2005).
8 trout fillets, skin on (about 2 pounds)—we used flounder and sole without skins
1 3/4 teaspoons olive oil
coarse salt and ground pepper
1 lemon, quartered and seeded
2 tablespoons butter
2 tablespoons slivered pitted olives—we used kalamata
1 tablespoon small capers, drained and rinsed
Heat broiler. Place fillets, skin side down, on two baking sheets. Lightly rub top of fish with oil; season with salt and pepper. Broil one sheet at a time, 4” from heat; cook until fish is opaque and flakes with a fork, 6-8 minutes.
In a small skillet over high heat, cook lemon wedges until browned on all cut sides, 1-2 minutes. Remove and set aside.
Reduce heat to medium; melt butter until lightly brown with a nutty aroma, about 1 minute. Remove from heat. Add olives and capers; toss to coat. Immediately spoon sauce over fillets. Squeeze lemon wedges over top, and serve.
Everyday Food
-=-=-=-=-=-
Mama Hungry’s Tapenade Fish
3-4 sole filets
½ teaspoon minced garlic
Lemon juice
Capers
Tapenade
Olive oil
Heat equal parts olive oil and lemon juice plus minced garlic in skillet on medium. Saute fish on relatively low heat. Toss in a few capers along the sides. When fish is done, put dollops of tapenade on each fillet; warm through. Serve with a splash of lemon juice.
Note: It's good even without the tapenade.
Mama Hungry
-=-=-=-=-=-=-
Mom’s Fried Fish
Gommie made this during her October 2004 visit—we experimented with different fish we could buy at the grocery. The catfish and flounder were the best; the tilapia was nasty.
My Mom’s email correcting the recipe: After I rinse the filets I put them on a paper towel with newspaper underneath to dry. I actually salt and pepper the fish on one side before putting it in the cornmeal, placing that seasoned side down in the cornmeal and seasoning the other side. Some of the seasoning does get into the cornmeal.
The main thing is to have the oil hot (Uncle A.J. believed that to fry oysters (much the same) you should be able to ignite at match in the oil. It should also allow the fish to float in the oil. But... it can be tested by dropping a pinch of the cornmeal in the oil and it will sizzle when
ready. The burner should be medium high-to-high, but the oil should not smoke.
The fried filet can be placed on a paper towel-over-newspaper to absorb the oil.
Main rule: Serve immediately.
The main thing is to have the oil hot (Uncle A.J. believed that to fry oysters (much the same) you should be able to ignite at match in the oil. It should also allow the fish to float in the oil. But... it can be tested by dropping a pinch of the cornmeal in the oil and it will sizzle when
ready. The burner should be medium high-to-high, but the oil should not smoke.
The fried filet can be placed on a paper towel-over-newspaper to absorb the oil.
Main rule: Serve immediately.
4-6 fish filets (in Connecticut, best to worst: flounder, catfish, cod, tilapia; try rainbow trout and sole. Mom has speckled trout)
cornmeal
salt
pepper
Heat approximately 2-3” of oil in pot.
Wash filets. Mix cornmeal with salt and pepper to taste. Coat fish filets.
Fry fish in oil until golden brown. Dry on paper towels.
Serve with ketchup or homemade tartar sauce.
Gommie Hungry
-=-=-=-=-=
Pan-Fried Flounder
Recipe courtesy Martha Nesbit
4 skinless flounder-fillets
Salt and pepper, to taste
Flour, for dredging fish
2 tablespoons vegetable oil
3 tablespoons butter, divided
1 lemon, juiced
1 small bottle capers
Wash fillets in cold water and pat dry. Sprinkle with salt
and pepper. Dredge fillets in flour. Place oil and 2 tablespoons butter in flat, heavy-bottomed skillet and
heat on medium-high until butter melts. Keeping heat at medium-high, cook fish on 1 side about 3 minutes (more
or less, depending on size of fillets), until deep brown and crispy. Turn fish and cook on second side, about
3 minutes. Turn fish only once.
Remove fish to serving platter. Turn off heat. Into hot skillet, whisk in remaining 1 tablespoon butter.
Add lemon juice. Pour in capers, liquid and all. Whisk. Pour thin sauce over fish fillets. serve at once. (We didn't make the sauce).
4 skinless flounder-fillets
Salt and pepper, to taste
Flour, for dredging fish
2 tablespoons vegetable oil
3 tablespoons butter, divided
1 lemon, juiced
1 small bottle capers
Wash fillets in cold water and pat dry. Sprinkle with salt
and pepper. Dredge fillets in flour. Place oil and 2 tablespoons butter in flat, heavy-bottomed skillet and
heat on medium-high until butter melts. Keeping heat at medium-high, cook fish on 1 side about 3 minutes (more
or less, depending on size of fillets), until deep brown and crispy. Turn fish and cook on second side, about
3 minutes. Turn fish only once.
Remove fish to serving platter. Turn off heat. Into hot skillet, whisk in remaining 1 tablespoon butter.
Add lemon juice. Pour in capers, liquid and all. Whisk. Pour thin sauce over fish fillets. serve at once. (We didn't make the sauce).
Food Network
Friday, August 29, 2014
First Days
School started yesterday and we're all adjusting to the new schedule. Only the cats seem perfectly adjusted--and totally exhausted from summer days full of running up and down stairs in the opposite direction of the kiddos. They are curled up together as I type, tired and a bit chilly from the overnight high of 60F.
Yesterday started early, with the kids awaking quite cheerfully to their alarms. They were dressed and ready to go by 7:15. Sis immediately inquired about our traditional school "cornucopia," the Schultute. This year, instead of school supplies, candy, or little toys, we made coupons--extra 30 minutes of computer time, staying up late, their choice for dinner, movie night. It's the tradition more than anything else, but I think they liked the coupons.
Then they helped pack their lunches, ate breakfast, and heading outside to our bus stop-cum-driveway. Soon we were joined by a couple of other kiddos, a first grader whose grandparents speak to us in Mandarin on their daily walks (we say "ni hao" and do a lot of smiling) and a fourth grader in Sis and Bud's class who transferred schools to be in the gifted program. They all chatted happily until the bus arrived--with our same driver from last year!!
They got home similarly cheerful about eight hours later. They liked seeing their friends and liked their new teachers--they have three of them in this program--for math, science, and writing--and even change classrooms. I think they get their lockers today.
They had some forms for me and a get-to-know-you questionnaire for one teacher. One of the questions was to name five wishes. Bud said, "I wish my sister would be nice to me."
"Not gonna happen," she said.
Funny, but not always what a mom wants to hear.
They were sound asleep by 9 p.m.
The were similarly excited this morning. But my enthusiasm soon dampened a little. The other 4th grader, a girl, at the bus stop was pushing and grabbing Bud, especially his favorite jacket, even when he said no. I had to intervene. (Her mom had already left.) It didn't help that Sis thought this was fun and was pushing him too.
And then, as the bus arrived, that girl called Bud a name.
I told her that was unacceptable. It took a minute for me to realize how mean she'd been to Bud and, by then, both of them were on the bus. I spent the morning wondering what I should have done, what I should do. But I think the teachable moment has passed. (I admit to emailing the teacher a heads up, since they're in the same class and I want to shut the name-calling down.)
However, if that girl says anything again . . . .
Not how I wanted school to start.
Yesterday started early, with the kids awaking quite cheerfully to their alarms. They were dressed and ready to go by 7:15. Sis immediately inquired about our traditional school "cornucopia," the Schultute. This year, instead of school supplies, candy, or little toys, we made coupons--extra 30 minutes of computer time, staying up late, their choice for dinner, movie night. It's the tradition more than anything else, but I think they liked the coupons.
Then they helped pack their lunches, ate breakfast, and heading outside to our bus stop-cum-driveway. Soon we were joined by a couple of other kiddos, a first grader whose grandparents speak to us in Mandarin on their daily walks (we say "ni hao" and do a lot of smiling) and a fourth grader in Sis and Bud's class who transferred schools to be in the gifted program. They all chatted happily until the bus arrived--with our same driver from last year!!
They got home similarly cheerful about eight hours later. They liked seeing their friends and liked their new teachers--they have three of them in this program--for math, science, and writing--and even change classrooms. I think they get their lockers today.
They had some forms for me and a get-to-know-you questionnaire for one teacher. One of the questions was to name five wishes. Bud said, "I wish my sister would be nice to me."
"Not gonna happen," she said.
Funny, but not always what a mom wants to hear.
They were sound asleep by 9 p.m.
The were similarly excited this morning. But my enthusiasm soon dampened a little. The other 4th grader, a girl, at the bus stop was pushing and grabbing Bud, especially his favorite jacket, even when he said no. I had to intervene. (Her mom had already left.) It didn't help that Sis thought this was fun and was pushing him too.
And then, as the bus arrived, that girl called Bud a name.
I told her that was unacceptable. It took a minute for me to realize how mean she'd been to Bud and, by then, both of them were on the bus. I spent the morning wondering what I should have done, what I should do. But I think the teachable moment has passed. (I admit to emailing the teacher a heads up, since they're in the same class and I want to shut the name-calling down.)
However, if that girl says anything again . . . .
Not how I wanted school to start.
Thursday, August 28, 2014
Lost My Cookies
The recipe had nuts, cardamom, and orange zest. And it was a snowball cookie, with which I like to experiment.
And I promptly forgot where it was.
I remember seeing the recipe in a magazine, or could it have been on FB? Definitely not Pinterest. Well, almost definite. But I knew it was in the house or that I had access to it. I started looking--Saveur, Cook's Illustrated, Cook's Country, NYTimes, Taste of Home--both hard copy and online without finding anything. And similar versions I found online through general searches weren't as tempting.
Today, I found it. By accident.
I was sorting through magazines today, including a new subscription to Tea Time, and found the recipe. It was walnuts, not almonds, as I had thought; I probably made the substitution in my head, because I like almonds better.
And so here it is.
I imagine I'll be making them for Christmas this year.
-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-cookies
Walnut-Cardamom Snowball Cookies
2 cups salted butter, softened
2 1/2 cups confectioner's sugar, divided
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1/8 teaspoon orange extract
3 3/4 cups flour
1 tablespoon fresh orange zest
1 1/4 teaspoons ground cardamom
1/4 teaspoon salt
1 cup finely chopped walnuts (NB substitute almonds!)
And I promptly forgot where it was.
I remember seeing the recipe in a magazine, or could it have been on FB? Definitely not Pinterest. Well, almost definite. But I knew it was in the house or that I had access to it. I started looking--Saveur, Cook's Illustrated, Cook's Country, NYTimes, Taste of Home--both hard copy and online without finding anything. And similar versions I found online through general searches weren't as tempting.
Today, I found it. By accident.
I was sorting through magazines today, including a new subscription to Tea Time, and found the recipe. It was walnuts, not almonds, as I had thought; I probably made the substitution in my head, because I like almonds better.
And so here it is.
I imagine I'll be making them for Christmas this year.
-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-cookies
Walnut-Cardamom Snowball Cookies
2 cups salted butter, softened
2 1/2 cups confectioner's sugar, divided
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1/8 teaspoon orange extract
3 3/4 cups flour
1 tablespoon fresh orange zest
1 1/4 teaspoons ground cardamom
1/4 teaspoon salt
1 cup finely chopped walnuts (NB substitute almonds!)
Wednesday, August 27, 2014
Summer Fun: Last Day
Is the day before school really the last day of summer, or has the fun of summer disappeared a few days beforehand?
While we are certainly sleeping in, lazing about, and doing what we want, in general, we have in the back of our minds all the necessary preparations for school. Bud did sleep in this morning, the first time this summer, and awoke, stating, "Gee, I finally figure out how to sleep in and school comes tomorrow to crush it." And then he moved right into questions about his new class, including worries that he won't be able to find it. He was not thinking of all the summer-y things he could do today.
Maybe because we'd done many items on our list already:
While we are certainly sleeping in, lazing about, and doing what we want, in general, we have in the back of our minds all the necessary preparations for school. Bud did sleep in this morning, the first time this summer, and awoke, stating, "Gee, I finally figure out how to sleep in and school comes tomorrow to crush it." And then he moved right into questions about his new class, including worries that he won't be able to find it. He was not thinking of all the summer-y things he could do today.
Maybe because we'd done many items on our list already:
- Go swimming
- Attend town festival.
- Go to Broadway show (s)
- Beach trip
- Putt-putt golf
- Eat Dole Whip
- Have a barbecue
- Have a lemonade stand
- Picnic
- Go berry picking
- Minecraft-athon
- Go to farmer's market
- See fireworks
- Movie night
- Game night
- Dance night
- Old tv show marathon (ours or theirs)
- Play in sprinkler
- Go to culture festival (Scottish and Greek)
- Go to Renaissance festival
- Make jam
- Build fairy houses
- Sketching outing
- Biking
- Celebrate 4th of July
- Celebrate Solstice
- Birthday parties
- Try a new craft/art project
- Decorate chalkboard
- Purge and donate toys and books
- Backwards day
- Pajamas day
- Tie dye sheets
- Wash cars
- Try new CSA vegetable in recipe
- Community service project
- Do nothing special
I'd say that was a pretty good summer.
Monday, August 25, 2014
Summer Fun: Huzzah!
Mama and I celebrated our 17th anniversary this weekend--and in high style, by going to the NY Renaissance Festival. This was particularly meaningful because Mama and I had one of our earliest outings to the faire the summer we met 20 years ago (I've written about my love affair with fairs here.) With Goo in tow! And he was the age then that the kiddos are now. If you'd told me then that 20 years later, Mama and I would re-visit the fair with our twins, with a life in the CT suburbs and be LEGALLY married, I never would have believed it. It was a wonderful weekend (save one thing I'll get to.)
Costumes: We always like to dress up for the Ren fest. And this year the kids also got into the act. Sis wore a cloak, sword, and carried a bow (Bud's, from Texas), with a special LOTR leaf pendant we purchased for her and plastic attachable elf ears, for she is Legolas, the elf archer. Bud is Frodo, with his colonial vest, a cloak, the One Ring on a silver chain, and his little silver dagger that he was handed during the parade at the Ren Fest in Texas. He's used it in a lot of play these last 5 years. Mama and I were just general shire folk, me in a vest and skirt, Mama in a vest and jeans. We added to our costumes while we were there, half the fun of the festival. I got a flower garland, along with a belt and pouch. Mama got leather shoulder armor called a paldron. Bud got a belt and sword, plus real halfling ears. Sis added archer gauntlets. We were quite the well-dressed crew. It certainly makes the festival more fun. And we got things we can wear again for other faires, for Halloween, even for Comic Con. (Speaking of the latter, we saw several Doctors--three Tenth and one Fourth, all in costume! The first Ten was the best, English accent and all, and posed gamely for a picture with the kids.)
Food: Snacking always plays a huge part in the faire experience and we like to eat. We had the requisite huge turkey leg and funnel cakes, of course. We also really liked the fried macaroni and cheese in little triangles on a stick. Mama and I enjoyed the florentine quesadilla, with spinach, feta, mozzarella, and pesto; we also liked the little doughnuts glazed in orange juice and apple cider. Bud liked the cherry limeade, while I had a yummy orange float, like an Orange Julius only less chemically--just orange juice, ice, and vanilla ice cream.
Shows and Activities: Between snacks, we wandered the faire and enjoyed all the entertainment. My favorite, by far, was the archery. I'm not great at it, even as a Level 1 instructor, but I enjoy it; Mama and the kids do, too. We all even managed to hit near the center of the targets. We watched two chess games--somewhat like wizard chess, with human "pieces" fighting for the spots--something I keenly remember from 20 years ago. Sis really liked the sparring. She also liked the horses in the joust. We all laughed heartily at the Vixens En Garde-version of Hamlet, with a little Star Wars thrown in for fun. And of course, we saw the Birds of Prey show, with the Master Falconer showing off his Andean Condor, Black Vulture, Peregrine Falcon, and Harris Hawk. The show was extra-special after our own English falconry experience where we flew our own vultures and Gyr-falcon. On our own, we had a few sword fights with all of our weapons. We didn't stop for too many musicians (there actually weren't too many), though we danced to the drums of Wolgemut at the end of the first day.
Which brings me to the sad bit: Bud's special silver-colored dagger went missing at some point in the last hour of our two-day visit. We don't know where--and he and Mama searched high and low--and we don't hold out hope that it will be found. I was very sad, not only because he was very sad, but also because it was such a big part of his childhood these last five years. Sure, that probably means we shouldn't have taken it--I'm not sure I realized how attached I was to it until after the fact, though I knew he was--or at least tied it to him; lots of guilt to go with the sadness because I didn't notice that he'd set it down. Hindsight is 20-20. And up to that point, two whole days, he'd kept track of it. But then it was gone . . . as Ar-Ma recently said about Gong's shoes and expensive new orthotics stolen from a local temple while they were praying, somebody else needed them more than he did and it was time for them to move on (sorta like a less-evil version of the One Ring, I suppose.) That wasn't much comfort, though. But as FB often reminds us about Mr. Rogers's "look for the helpers," we were amazed at the kindness of strangers. The first let Mama and Bud back into the faire to search for the dagger, which we only found missing after we got to the car, even though they hadn't gotten their hands stamped. Several shop owners tried to help them, until the last, seeing how upset Bud was, walked them over to her boyfriend's stall where they gave him, without accepting payment, a special as yet unpainted Elvish blade. On the walk back to the car, he apparently planned how he would decorate it with runes and Celtic knots.
Shopping: Before the dagger incident, we'd picked up a few other things. The kids had a budget, but I'm the one who did most of the shopping. I always favor candles and lotions--and I actually got a candle that melts into lotion!! The other candle is one of those multi-dip/multi-colored ones that are then carved to reveal the layers--a staple of 70s living rooms, if I recall correctly; Sis chose a pink and purple one with little rainbow layers. We also really enjoyed experimenting at Nixi Stix, with professional grade juggling balls, pins, dancing wands, dancing sticks, and these Toroflex things that the kids like--think of it as a perpetual-motion Slinky. There wasn't as much great shopping as i'd expected so it took awhile to find something to send to Aunt Sis, who loved the Ren Fest and went every year; my Christmas present always came from the craftspeople.
So, all in all, we had a wonderful time, though the loss of the dagger overshadowed the end a bit. On the way home, we talked about going to faires in Pennsylvania and Maryland sometime; we laughed that later, Sis and Bud could even work them--on horseback, on violin, juggling, swordplay. It was the perfect anniversary weekend.
Costumes: We always like to dress up for the Ren fest. And this year the kids also got into the act. Sis wore a cloak, sword, and carried a bow (Bud's, from Texas), with a special LOTR leaf pendant we purchased for her and plastic attachable elf ears, for she is Legolas, the elf archer. Bud is Frodo, with his colonial vest, a cloak, the One Ring on a silver chain, and his little silver dagger that he was handed during the parade at the Ren Fest in Texas. He's used it in a lot of play these last 5 years. Mama and I were just general shire folk, me in a vest and skirt, Mama in a vest and jeans. We added to our costumes while we were there, half the fun of the festival. I got a flower garland, along with a belt and pouch. Mama got leather shoulder armor called a paldron. Bud got a belt and sword, plus real halfling ears. Sis added archer gauntlets. We were quite the well-dressed crew. It certainly makes the festival more fun. And we got things we can wear again for other faires, for Halloween, even for Comic Con. (Speaking of the latter, we saw several Doctors--three Tenth and one Fourth, all in costume! The first Ten was the best, English accent and all, and posed gamely for a picture with the kids.)
Food: Snacking always plays a huge part in the faire experience and we like to eat. We had the requisite huge turkey leg and funnel cakes, of course. We also really liked the fried macaroni and cheese in little triangles on a stick. Mama and I enjoyed the florentine quesadilla, with spinach, feta, mozzarella, and pesto; we also liked the little doughnuts glazed in orange juice and apple cider. Bud liked the cherry limeade, while I had a yummy orange float, like an Orange Julius only less chemically--just orange juice, ice, and vanilla ice cream.
Shows and Activities: Between snacks, we wandered the faire and enjoyed all the entertainment. My favorite, by far, was the archery. I'm not great at it, even as a Level 1 instructor, but I enjoy it; Mama and the kids do, too. We all even managed to hit near the center of the targets. We watched two chess games--somewhat like wizard chess, with human "pieces" fighting for the spots--something I keenly remember from 20 years ago. Sis really liked the sparring. She also liked the horses in the joust. We all laughed heartily at the Vixens En Garde-version of Hamlet, with a little Star Wars thrown in for fun. And of course, we saw the Birds of Prey show, with the Master Falconer showing off his Andean Condor, Black Vulture, Peregrine Falcon, and Harris Hawk. The show was extra-special after our own English falconry experience where we flew our own vultures and Gyr-falcon. On our own, we had a few sword fights with all of our weapons. We didn't stop for too many musicians (there actually weren't too many), though we danced to the drums of Wolgemut at the end of the first day.
Which brings me to the sad bit: Bud's special silver-colored dagger went missing at some point in the last hour of our two-day visit. We don't know where--and he and Mama searched high and low--and we don't hold out hope that it will be found. I was very sad, not only because he was very sad, but also because it was such a big part of his childhood these last five years. Sure, that probably means we shouldn't have taken it--I'm not sure I realized how attached I was to it until after the fact, though I knew he was--or at least tied it to him; lots of guilt to go with the sadness because I didn't notice that he'd set it down. Hindsight is 20-20. And up to that point, two whole days, he'd kept track of it. But then it was gone . . . as Ar-Ma recently said about Gong's shoes and expensive new orthotics stolen from a local temple while they were praying, somebody else needed them more than he did and it was time for them to move on (sorta like a less-evil version of the One Ring, I suppose.) That wasn't much comfort, though. But as FB often reminds us about Mr. Rogers's "look for the helpers," we were amazed at the kindness of strangers. The first let Mama and Bud back into the faire to search for the dagger, which we only found missing after we got to the car, even though they hadn't gotten their hands stamped. Several shop owners tried to help them, until the last, seeing how upset Bud was, walked them over to her boyfriend's stall where they gave him, without accepting payment, a special as yet unpainted Elvish blade. On the walk back to the car, he apparently planned how he would decorate it with runes and Celtic knots.
Shopping: Before the dagger incident, we'd picked up a few other things. The kids had a budget, but I'm the one who did most of the shopping. I always favor candles and lotions--and I actually got a candle that melts into lotion!! The other candle is one of those multi-dip/multi-colored ones that are then carved to reveal the layers--a staple of 70s living rooms, if I recall correctly; Sis chose a pink and purple one with little rainbow layers. We also really enjoyed experimenting at Nixi Stix, with professional grade juggling balls, pins, dancing wands, dancing sticks, and these Toroflex things that the kids like--think of it as a perpetual-motion Slinky. There wasn't as much great shopping as i'd expected so it took awhile to find something to send to Aunt Sis, who loved the Ren Fest and went every year; my Christmas present always came from the craftspeople.
So, all in all, we had a wonderful time, though the loss of the dagger overshadowed the end a bit. On the way home, we talked about going to faires in Pennsylvania and Maryland sometime; we laughed that later, Sis and Bud could even work them--on horseback, on violin, juggling, swordplay. It was the perfect anniversary weekend.
Summer Fun: Not So Much
We have bed bugs.
Or more specifically, by mid last week, I had 15 bites on my arms, many in a straight row.
That's the tell-tale sign of bed bugs, the so-called "breakfast, lunch, and dinner" bites.
I noticed them by Wednesday ish, but didn't think much of them, though I did think it was odd that there were so many, especially because I'm not really oudoorsy.
By the weekend, the bites were a plague I had itched raw. I even dreamt of being itchy and woke in the night scratching. I've never been so itchy. It's worse that chicken pox, poison ivy, and PUPS, the itchiness I had at the end of my pregnancy. And it wasn't getting better.
So this morning I went to the doctor and sure enough, as we had begun to suspect: bed bugs. The doctor suspects they're from our hotel from last weekend, in NYC, since I haven't gotten any new ones. And NYC is a known epidemic hot spot.
For me, that means steroid cream and constant Benadryl but no danger of any illnesses, like with ticks or mosquitoes.
For the whole house, it means a lot of laundry (I'm following these directions)--30 minutes in the dryer on high heat for anything fabric we've touched since last week--and exterminators coming to look for the bugs with a dog this afternoon.
And I called the hotel. Of course, they don't really believe me, since I wasn't itchy the night I was there. But the CDC says it can take 14 days for the bites to show up. And this hotel was the only one I'd been in before the bites showed up.
Luckily, I'm the only one with bites, so far. Well, everyone has one or two but we think those are unrelated mosquito bites. For now.
So, we're home, surrounded by huge black garbage bags of laundry. I figure there are 20 obvious loads . . . and then we have to discuss steam-cleaning the carpet, doing something to the couches, and what to do with the mattresses. UGH.
My skin crawls just thinking about it.
Or more specifically, by mid last week, I had 15 bites on my arms, many in a straight row.
That's the tell-tale sign of bed bugs, the so-called "breakfast, lunch, and dinner" bites.
I noticed them by Wednesday ish, but didn't think much of them, though I did think it was odd that there were so many, especially because I'm not really oudoorsy.
By the weekend, the bites were a plague I had itched raw. I even dreamt of being itchy and woke in the night scratching. I've never been so itchy. It's worse that chicken pox, poison ivy, and PUPS, the itchiness I had at the end of my pregnancy. And it wasn't getting better.
So this morning I went to the doctor and sure enough, as we had begun to suspect: bed bugs. The doctor suspects they're from our hotel from last weekend, in NYC, since I haven't gotten any new ones. And NYC is a known epidemic hot spot.
For me, that means steroid cream and constant Benadryl but no danger of any illnesses, like with ticks or mosquitoes.
For the whole house, it means a lot of laundry (I'm following these directions)--30 minutes in the dryer on high heat for anything fabric we've touched since last week--and exterminators coming to look for the bugs with a dog this afternoon.
And I called the hotel. Of course, they don't really believe me, since I wasn't itchy the night I was there. But the CDC says it can take 14 days for the bites to show up. And this hotel was the only one I'd been in before the bites showed up.
Luckily, I'm the only one with bites, so far. Well, everyone has one or two but we think those are unrelated mosquito bites. For now.
So, we're home, surrounded by huge black garbage bags of laundry. I figure there are 20 obvious loads . . . and then we have to discuss steam-cleaning the carpet, doing something to the couches, and what to do with the mattresses. UGH.
My skin crawls just thinking about it.
Thursday, August 21, 2014
Frustration
I've lost my glasses.
We were at the swimming pool and I'd removed them to use my new snorkel (that way I can swim without having to rotate my lumbar spine right now.)
At some point between then and the shower, I realized I didn't have my glasses.
And they were gone.
Not in pool area, not in locker room, not in lost and found.
I checked with lifeguards, cleaning staff, office staff. Even my physical therapist looked around. I left my name at the front desk. I called back later. And looked again and checked back today.
Later, that is, after I found my spare pair in my car--the frames were broken, some of the UV coatings were coming off, and my depth perspective was off because of the crooked glasses. But thankfully, I had the spare, because I'm still wearing them.
Apparently, I hadn't seen the eye doctor in almost two years so my prescription had expired. So, I'll wear the spare for two weeks--the eye doctor is very busy with back-to-school--then get the prescription and get new glasses.
Could be worse, surely, but it is a bit annoying.
Almost has me considering Lasik.
We were at the swimming pool and I'd removed them to use my new snorkel (that way I can swim without having to rotate my lumbar spine right now.)
At some point between then and the shower, I realized I didn't have my glasses.
And they were gone.
Not in pool area, not in locker room, not in lost and found.
I checked with lifeguards, cleaning staff, office staff. Even my physical therapist looked around. I left my name at the front desk. I called back later. And looked again and checked back today.
Later, that is, after I found my spare pair in my car--the frames were broken, some of the UV coatings were coming off, and my depth perspective was off because of the crooked glasses. But thankfully, I had the spare, because I'm still wearing them.
Apparently, I hadn't seen the eye doctor in almost two years so my prescription had expired. So, I'll wear the spare for two weeks--the eye doctor is very busy with back-to-school--then get the prescription and get new glasses.
Could be worse, surely, but it is a bit annoying.
Almost has me considering Lasik.
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