what do these have in common?
I made them in the past few days.
The squash dish was an improv attempt to to use up one of our squash from the fall - yes, one of the ones that froze, but actually turned out to be fine. I put it in small chunks in a stoneware dish with onions, garlic, salt, cayenne, olive oil & water, plus assorted dried herbs (also from the garden) crumbled on top. Baked for about 45 min., it was quite delicious ... especially with pine nuts added!!!
Granola was my mom's recipe - start with 6 cups of oat flakes, add assorted nuts & seeds etc. (sunflower, pumpkin, chopped almonds, sesame, wheat germ, cranberries) and bake @ 325 for a while - add a heated mixture of water, oil, honey, vanilla, salt & maple syrup.
YUM! Smells great, too!
The hummus and falafel were a great way to use up the crock pot of chickpeas I'd cooked up several days ago. Falafel dinner on salad with tahini sauce was wonderful and reminded us why we like to eat healthy & at home.
Monday, December 28, 2009
Friday, November 27, 2009
Havens magic escapism
Ive been escaping the last week into the magical world of Candace Havens. Her novels about witches and warlocks have captivated me, not because of their magic but for the down-to-earth comfy-cozy-homey life they portray. The small-town Texas setting reminds me of things I loved about the south - warmth, nice people, cheap flights and a sense that you could get anywhere you wanted. Then of course, she has great decorating scenes, close friends, romance and lots and lots of food: cooking, restaurant dining and eating in general. Mmm! Sometimes its good to be in the perfect small town, even if you are being pursued by the underworld.
No to sugar
This non-sugar kick has been going on and on ... really since mid-May. My body-mind connection has finally internalized on some level that sugar makes me feel bad, that I dont want to feel bad, so I dont want sugar. When I have sugar, I feel my throat get scratchy and my ears hurt. So I have been consciously making other choices, even when I crave sweets and there is some pretty-looking refined sugar readily available.
That isnt to say I dont have sweet things in my diet, because I do find that I need something sweet at times (though a lot less than before). Maple syrup, a semi-refined sweetener, is one that I use in salad dressings and on pancakes (Sunday morning wonders). I like naturally sweet teas like licorice and acai berry. My husband also makes dessert sometimes - yogurt, honey and bananas is a favourite, sometimes with unsweetened chocolate melted and poured over top. We also discovered a raw local chocolate bar made with coconut milk and coconut sugar which I am enjoying.
Looking forward to continuing this. Now, if I could find a substitute for chocolate mousse ...
That isnt to say I dont have sweet things in my diet, because I do find that I need something sweet at times (though a lot less than before). Maple syrup, a semi-refined sweetener, is one that I use in salad dressings and on pancakes (Sunday morning wonders). I like naturally sweet teas like licorice and acai berry. My husband also makes dessert sometimes - yogurt, honey and bananas is a favourite, sometimes with unsweetened chocolate melted and poured over top. We also discovered a raw local chocolate bar made with coconut milk and coconut sugar which I am enjoying.
Looking forward to continuing this. Now, if I could find a substitute for chocolate mousse ...
Saturday, November 21, 2009
Food!
Food is good! Cooking is fun! Nutrition makes us happy!
This morning we awoke to a spring-like day. Warm, sunny with a brief hail shower. A late fall blessing. We biked down to the local organic food grocer and were happy to see that the organic nut people were there. We bought a big bag of raw, unpasteurized organic almonds & the healthiest-sounding chocolate I've ever heard of: cocoa, coconut sugar, coconut milk. And the taste: MMM! The rest of our bag and basket was quickly filled with yams, yogurt, eggs, avocados, zucchini, bananas, kale & 3 bags of local salad greens, arugula and all.
At home we got the crockpot going for the first time and filled it with one of my Mississippi inventions. I think I'll call it rootshroom tomstew. Sweet potatoes, potatoes, onions, mushrooms & tomatoes with some salt, cayenne, olive oil & water. Sweet M thought it was delicious. So did I!
We also had delicious omelette with cilantro & cheddar.
All this great food is reminding me that cooking can be fun. And that in order to cook, you need to stock your fridge & pantry with plenty of good, fresh & basic ingredients. Add to that all my cookbooks which are newly moved over to our kitchen, and I'm getting excited by the possibilities.
This morning we awoke to a spring-like day. Warm, sunny with a brief hail shower. A late fall blessing. We biked down to the local organic food grocer and were happy to see that the organic nut people were there. We bought a big bag of raw, unpasteurized organic almonds & the healthiest-sounding chocolate I've ever heard of: cocoa, coconut sugar, coconut milk. And the taste: MMM! The rest of our bag and basket was quickly filled with yams, yogurt, eggs, avocados, zucchini, bananas, kale & 3 bags of local salad greens, arugula and all.
At home we got the crockpot going for the first time and filled it with one of my Mississippi inventions. I think I'll call it rootshroom tomstew. Sweet potatoes, potatoes, onions, mushrooms & tomatoes with some salt, cayenne, olive oil & water. Sweet M thought it was delicious. So did I!
We also had delicious omelette with cilantro & cheddar.
All this great food is reminding me that cooking can be fun. And that in order to cook, you need to stock your fridge & pantry with plenty of good, fresh & basic ingredients. Add to that all my cookbooks which are newly moved over to our kitchen, and I'm getting excited by the possibilities.
Wednesday, November 4, 2009
Back to the books
Last night I cooked another mediocre curry. This one came about just like most of the others.
The day before I thought it would make sense to put on some chick peas. After all, chick peas go with almost everything. I put on a big pot while running around the house doing other chores. Brought them to boil; turned them off; let them sit. By the end of the day: magic! They'd sucked up the water and looked done. Since they looked done, I didn't bother to test to see if they were really cooked through.
The next night: long day of work, tired out, appointment after work, meeting in the evening. Naturally, cooking something nutritious to eat fit right in. I grabbed whatever greens were in the fridge; added curry and tumeric; and simmered the whole mess. Then threw in the chick peas 15 minutes before I had to leave. They were not cooked through. The curry powder became gelatinous - from what, I don't know, as I clearly haven't figured out the magic of a good curry. The flavour was too cumin-y, not rich enough. The spinach was a bit stringy.
Overall: I'm officially going to find an amazing recipe for chana masala and cook it, following the recipe as closely as possible. I'm ready for home-cooked meals that are actually worth eating. And no more wasted chick peas!
The day before I thought it would make sense to put on some chick peas. After all, chick peas go with almost everything. I put on a big pot while running around the house doing other chores. Brought them to boil; turned them off; let them sit. By the end of the day: magic! They'd sucked up the water and looked done. Since they looked done, I didn't bother to test to see if they were really cooked through.
The next night: long day of work, tired out, appointment after work, meeting in the evening. Naturally, cooking something nutritious to eat fit right in. I grabbed whatever greens were in the fridge; added curry and tumeric; and simmered the whole mess. Then threw in the chick peas 15 minutes before I had to leave. They were not cooked through. The curry powder became gelatinous - from what, I don't know, as I clearly haven't figured out the magic of a good curry. The flavour was too cumin-y, not rich enough. The spinach was a bit stringy.
Overall: I'm officially going to find an amazing recipe for chana masala and cook it, following the recipe as closely as possible. I'm ready for home-cooked meals that are actually worth eating. And no more wasted chick peas!
Monday, October 12, 2009
Happy exhaustion
I can't believe how much we've got done around here this weekend. 3 day weekends are miracles!
The garden is cleared out. Vegetables are harvested. Plants are cut down and composted. Shelves are painted. Storm windows are being put up. We have a mantel for the fireplace. Winter clothes are out, summers are put away, and we've consolidated into one closet. Curtains and curtain rods have been purchased and are being put in place. it is, in essence, a transformation
My week starts with a meeting tonight. In the 2 hours until that time, I plan to rest. And eat. And unwind as much as possible.
The garden is cleared out. Vegetables are harvested. Plants are cut down and composted. Shelves are painted. Storm windows are being put up. We have a mantel for the fireplace. Winter clothes are out, summers are put away, and we've consolidated into one closet. Curtains and curtain rods have been purchased and are being put in place. it is, in essence, a transformation
My week starts with a meeting tonight. In the 2 hours until that time, I plan to rest. And eat. And unwind as much as possible.
Sunday, October 11, 2009
Harvesting
Oh for a camera!
A couple nights ago the forecast was for a "killing frost": -9 overnight. M&I decided to bring in what we could, and so once it was dark - because we were running around busy until then - we went out and brought in as many green tomatoes as we could. Towards the end M brought out a big spotlight that he uses for work, and we cleaned out the cherry tomatoes, many of which actually were ripe. M very wisely brought in 1 squash, and we got the cabbages too.
And the frost: it really was killing. In the morning all the plants were wet (some frozen) and hanging over. The squash were frozen - devastating!!! And apparently we shouldn't have left the rosemary out either, which personally is the most upsetting to me.
We harvested more yesterday: brought in the remaining squash, picked the leeks, and M got a huge tray of purple grapes. We passed the leeks, grapes and some of the green tomatoes on to mom (she makes a great leek & potato soup). The green tomatoes we laid out in cardboard boxes in the pantry. The rosemary: brought it in, hoping it will survive.
Today is processing day. I plan to cut up the squash and freeze it in smallish portions for making curries etc. in winter. I think also we'll cut and dry some more of the herbs - so far I've been laying them on a plate, but think I'll try tying and hanging. We might have another go at fried green tomatoes. And more garden work awaits as well, such as mounding the roses.
A couple nights ago the forecast was for a "killing frost": -9 overnight. M&I decided to bring in what we could, and so once it was dark - because we were running around busy until then - we went out and brought in as many green tomatoes as we could. Towards the end M brought out a big spotlight that he uses for work, and we cleaned out the cherry tomatoes, many of which actually were ripe. M very wisely brought in 1 squash, and we got the cabbages too.
And the frost: it really was killing. In the morning all the plants were wet (some frozen) and hanging over. The squash were frozen - devastating!!! And apparently we shouldn't have left the rosemary out either, which personally is the most upsetting to me.
We harvested more yesterday: brought in the remaining squash, picked the leeks, and M got a huge tray of purple grapes. We passed the leeks, grapes and some of the green tomatoes on to mom (she makes a great leek & potato soup). The green tomatoes we laid out in cardboard boxes in the pantry. The rosemary: brought it in, hoping it will survive.
Today is processing day. I plan to cut up the squash and freeze it in smallish portions for making curries etc. in winter. I think also we'll cut and dry some more of the herbs - so far I've been laying them on a plate, but think I'll try tying and hanging. We might have another go at fried green tomatoes. And more garden work awaits as well, such as mounding the roses.
Life
Life has been busy lately. And with a new job, I suddenly feel like I can't blog anymore. Not only because I'm feeling busy most of the time, but because I have a job. At a university. Where people know me. And could look me up online. Even while teaching I didn't feel that constraint, but now with a permanent job, I worry about what I put out online. Even though I realize my readership is low and not growing :). But still: I don't feel the freedom anymore to write about my life and experiences because of how they might affect my work.
I have not come up with a way to deal with this yet.
In the meantime, I might post about something innocuous ... like harvesting vegetables.
I have not come up with a way to deal with this yet.
In the meantime, I might post about something innocuous ... like harvesting vegetables.
Thursday, September 3, 2009
Last night
I took the bus home from work with a friend. Back at the house, M&I put supper together - mixing up the chick peas that we'd soaked from a few nights ago with other ingredients to make falafel. M's definitely held together better than mine - either better skill, or the flour we added must have helped. We chopped up tomatoes and cucumbers (from our and my mother's garden) and mixed up a lemon tahini dressing.
I labeled and jarred the herbs we put out to dry last week - French tarragon, winter savoury, a bit of rosemary, marjoram - and went outside to cut a bunch more, including some lemon balm. M looked online to see what lemon balm is good for. Apparently, everything. We put it all to dry in the back room - slow drying in the dark.
After eating and talking we cleaned up, then got down to work on finance stuff. Budget, receipts, reno plans. Finally, after 10 we wrapped things up and went to bed.
A great night at home.
I labeled and jarred the herbs we put out to dry last week - French tarragon, winter savoury, a bit of rosemary, marjoram - and went outside to cut a bunch more, including some lemon balm. M looked online to see what lemon balm is good for. Apparently, everything. We put it all to dry in the back room - slow drying in the dark.
After eating and talking we cleaned up, then got down to work on finance stuff. Budget, receipts, reno plans. Finally, after 10 we wrapped things up and went to bed.
A great night at home.
Sunday, August 23, 2009
Sugar
Sugar + sick do not mix. In fact, sugar + health often = sick. My processed sugar intake has dropped over the years, and over the past few months I've really noticed that I can avoid sugar for longer and longer stretches. I've noticed that when I do have sugar (and particularly ice cream - dairy + sugar = double ouch) my ears hurt. And I don't like that.
Before going to Europe this May I cut out sugar almost completely, and largely avoided it during my trip (including Paris, though I did buy a few pastries - I was not prepared to take sugar avoidance that far!). Since I often get sick when I travel, I wanted to be sure my immune system was in optimal health. And since sugar depresses the immune system for 14 days, I wanted to avoid having ANY sugar. Not a perfect record, but far more cautious than in the past.
I came down with a cold a week ago, and have been avoiding sugar for a week. I'm quite amazed at how relatively easy it has been - including not eating my mother's amazing peach cobbler (and apparently delicious ice cream). I think I'm finally making a strong mental connection between sugar and how it makes me feel - so when I think about sugar, its appeal is reduced. The exhaustion and unpleasantness of being sick just were NOT worth it to me.
However, long-term no-sugar diets will be a challenge if I choose to go in that direction. Even during this week, relatively easy though it's been, I've had a few sugar cravings (getting stronger the longer I'm off the stuff) - highly specific, such as DQ cherry shakes and my mom's gingersnap cookies. And we in fact have some of those cookies in the freezer. I didn't eat them this week because I was sick. I am not sure how much longer I can hold out.
Before going to Europe this May I cut out sugar almost completely, and largely avoided it during my trip (including Paris, though I did buy a few pastries - I was not prepared to take sugar avoidance that far!). Since I often get sick when I travel, I wanted to be sure my immune system was in optimal health. And since sugar depresses the immune system for 14 days, I wanted to avoid having ANY sugar. Not a perfect record, but far more cautious than in the past.
I came down with a cold a week ago, and have been avoiding sugar for a week. I'm quite amazed at how relatively easy it has been - including not eating my mother's amazing peach cobbler (and apparently delicious ice cream). I think I'm finally making a strong mental connection between sugar and how it makes me feel - so when I think about sugar, its appeal is reduced. The exhaustion and unpleasantness of being sick just were NOT worth it to me.
However, long-term no-sugar diets will be a challenge if I choose to go in that direction. Even during this week, relatively easy though it's been, I've had a few sugar cravings (getting stronger the longer I'm off the stuff) - highly specific, such as DQ cherry shakes and my mom's gingersnap cookies. And we in fact have some of those cookies in the freezer. I didn't eat them this week because I was sick. I am not sure how much longer I can hold out.
Monday, August 17, 2009
New Start
Back in town after 3 weeks away - how do 3 weeks go so quickly? two of intensive training and a hotel with cable tv and sudoku, then a week on the Island with my husband. Useful and interesting though it was, I'm glad to be home. We feel ourselves settling into life and getting a rhythm and momentum going. It's exciting, and I'm glad to be here doing these things. A cold has slowed me down, but I'm eager to get back out into the garden, tackle the morning glory that's trying to take over parts of the garden, clean out the tomatoes, plan life together with M. Sister is in town, and friend comes to stay tomorrow - our first overnight guest - and being here for them with this busyness is rewarding. And after the dislocation of the intense heat, this cooler weather feels like fall. And fall feels, not like an end, but like the beginning as we sink deeper into our family rhythms and life in the community.
Wednesday, July 22, 2009
Inspiration
I'm cleaning out my computer files in preparation for work (clean slate, fewer distractions, simplification = productivity and peace) and came across this quote, which inspires me to be noble, be an adult, and be grateful for all that I have:
Anybody can be happy in the state of comfort, ease, health, success, pleasure and joy; but if one will be happy and contented in the time of trouble, hardship and prevailing disease, it is the proof of nobility. Thanks be to God that that dear servant of God is extremely patient under the disastrous circumstances, and in the place of complaining gives thanks.
(Abdu'l-Baha, Baha'i World Faith - Abdu'l-Baha Section, p. 363)
Anybody can be happy in the state of comfort, ease, health, success, pleasure and joy; but if one will be happy and contented in the time of trouble, hardship and prevailing disease, it is the proof of nobility. Thanks be to God that that dear servant of God is extremely patient under the disastrous circumstances, and in the place of complaining gives thanks.
(Abdu'l-Baha, Baha'i World Faith - Abdu'l-Baha Section, p. 363)
Writing: July 22, 2009
Writing regularly. It is a process.
I'm kind of amazed to find how hard it is even to regularly post, at the end of each day, about the writing or non-writing I've been doing. I feel that getting THAT little step done will be an important part of systematizing my writing process.
To report: I worked on my paper last week. I have only a small pile of articles to read through and incorporate, then general re-writes, then send it out for feedback before submitting.
However, last week I was offered a job, which I accepted, so now I'm excitedly working to finish everything I need to before starting on Monday (Sunday, I guess - since I have to go to Vancouver for training). Things slowed down a bit writing-wise, but not work- or productivity-wise. I was up before 5 this morning, and there would be no going back to bed! Projects include urgent garden stuff; file organization; financial planning; car details; coordinating vacation plans (with husband, friends, employer); seeing people; and work on the house. It is all good. And I'm going to get back to it.
I'm kind of amazed to find how hard it is even to regularly post, at the end of each day, about the writing or non-writing I've been doing. I feel that getting THAT little step done will be an important part of systematizing my writing process.
To report: I worked on my paper last week. I have only a small pile of articles to read through and incorporate, then general re-writes, then send it out for feedback before submitting.
However, last week I was offered a job, which I accepted, so now I'm excitedly working to finish everything I need to before starting on Monday (Sunday, I guess - since I have to go to Vancouver for training). Things slowed down a bit writing-wise, but not work- or productivity-wise. I was up before 5 this morning, and there would be no going back to bed! Projects include urgent garden stuff; file organization; financial planning; car details; coordinating vacation plans (with husband, friends, employer); seeing people; and work on the house. It is all good. And I'm going to get back to it.
Thursday, July 16, 2009
Writing: July 16, 2009
Back to it!
I am nearing completion of my paper on Kyrgyz citizenship. I have a reasonable draft (not solid, but not bad). Now I am finishing a review of the literature to fill in some holes. I've got 4 articles (read yesterday and today) to add. After that, I have 6 - 8 more that are relevant that I'd like to read and add. I also have some smaller items - BBC news reports and others which fill in the cracks.
After this, I have my field notebooks which I haven't actually reviewed in a long time. I want to go through and pull anything extra from that.
There are some notes I need to add to the methods section as well.
And finally, read through and edit, pulling the different sections together.
This really is not a little job, but I can get it done in short order, I know.
Tuesday was not a productive work day. I wasn't feeling well, and spent time reading, working on the house and yard, visiting my family, and doing other productive but not writing-related work.
Monday and Wednesday were great for morning reading, moderate for afternoon writing. Today I got a great morning reading session in and am trying to keep it going :) I also want to head to the library and the bank, and have a couple friends to call ... but the joy of finishing adding this information to my article, and getting this pile of paper off my desk, is also quite a tempting call. Maybe I really can fit it all in.
I am nearing completion of my paper on Kyrgyz citizenship. I have a reasonable draft (not solid, but not bad). Now I am finishing a review of the literature to fill in some holes. I've got 4 articles (read yesterday and today) to add. After that, I have 6 - 8 more that are relevant that I'd like to read and add. I also have some smaller items - BBC news reports and others which fill in the cracks.
After this, I have my field notebooks which I haven't actually reviewed in a long time. I want to go through and pull anything extra from that.
There are some notes I need to add to the methods section as well.
And finally, read through and edit, pulling the different sections together.
This really is not a little job, but I can get it done in short order, I know.
Tuesday was not a productive work day. I wasn't feeling well, and spent time reading, working on the house and yard, visiting my family, and doing other productive but not writing-related work.
Monday and Wednesday were great for morning reading, moderate for afternoon writing. Today I got a great morning reading session in and am trying to keep it going :) I also want to head to the library and the bank, and have a couple friends to call ... but the joy of finishing adding this information to my article, and getting this pile of paper off my desk, is also quite a tempting call. Maybe I really can fit it all in.
Monday, July 13, 2009
Good books
About 4 years ago I started keeping a journal of all the books I read, with a brief summary or at least a phrase commentary on the book. I intended it as an example of modeling reading behaviours for my teacher-training students. Oh, and it fulfilled my organizational need to track things; and satisfied my love of books as I paged through and fondly remembered all the insights gleaned from books past.
In fact, writing about books I read goes back further than that. When I lived in Moscow I would carry back piles of books in my bag, reading on the metro (1 - 4 hours per day). To help me absorb what I was reading I started sending long and undoubtedly boring emails full of insights and plot summaries and personal reflections to select and undoubtedly grateful friends.
Since getting married and moving around a lot, maintaining that list just has not been a high priority. And I feel okay about not recording "re-read 'Secrets' by Gunn for the second time; still enjoying the combination of christianity, faith and romance with the small-town appeal of Oregon." But there are some books I read that I want to remember, not just so I can go back and find them again, but also because remembering the book reminds me of the ideas, which enrich my life and add to my thinking.
This leads to ...
Some books I've been reading lately.
Reviving Ophelia by Mary Pipher. Amazing non-fiction book by a psychologist from Nebraska about the cultural assaults faced by females in America as they transition from childhood through adolescence. She argues that our culture needs to address the multiple pressures put on young women; to provide safe spaces and relationships for them to experiment and develop their identities; and to develop families of communication and community and cultural supports so that they can be protected from serious damage. She contrasts the 50s - relatively safe and carefree, but homogeneous and not accepting - with the 90s - more diversity is allowed in some respects, but the levels of sexual assault, abuse of drugs (including alcohol), eating disorders and depression are greater. we need to develop a society combining best of both time periods: socially diverse and strongly connected, with a greatly reduced role for media and role models of masochism, chauvinism, materialism and reductionist female imagery.
Natural Family Living by Peggy O'Mara. A wonderful overview of alternative perspectives on children and parenting, from pre-conception through adolescence. A few perspectives that stuck with me.
1) The insanity (and significant negative psychological and physical impacts) of considering babies "manipulative" when they cry, or expecting 6-month olds to learn how to be "independent" by crying things out and self-soothing. The developmental tasks at this age are attachment and self-confidence, developed by having the parent there to connect with and learning self-efficacy by having your needs met when you announce them (which is by crying).
2) The tremendous benefits of breast-feeding for child and maternal health and well-being.
3) The heightened risks of injury and death to babies and mothers through the use of drugs and surgical interventions during pregnancy and particularly childbirth.
Racial Healing: Institutes for the Healing of Racism by Reginald Newkirk and Nathan Rutstein. They identify racism as an illness, growing out of the events in the history of North America that created institutions and ways of being that create racial identities. They talk about the importance of tackling the internalized racism held by all members of our society by creating safe spaces where the roots of racism can be acknowledged and individuals can process and move beyond whatever racist beliefs they hold. It's a process of personal transformation that is needed; political and legislative solutions, though a part of the solution, are not enough. Political correctness moves us away from getting to the heart of the problem.
Having the Decorators In by Reay Tannahill. This is the sequel in a series about Dame Constance de Claire, the effective head of a large estate in medieval England. Multiple delightful characters, castle-level intrigue, and romantic confusion that always resolves itself are combined with wonderful period details and an eye for the amusing in human character.
In fact, writing about books I read goes back further than that. When I lived in Moscow I would carry back piles of books in my bag, reading on the metro (1 - 4 hours per day). To help me absorb what I was reading I started sending long and undoubtedly boring emails full of insights and plot summaries and personal reflections to select and undoubtedly grateful friends.
Since getting married and moving around a lot, maintaining that list just has not been a high priority. And I feel okay about not recording "re-read 'Secrets' by Gunn for the second time; still enjoying the combination of christianity, faith and romance with the small-town appeal of Oregon." But there are some books I read that I want to remember, not just so I can go back and find them again, but also because remembering the book reminds me of the ideas, which enrich my life and add to my thinking.
This leads to ...
Some books I've been reading lately.
Reviving Ophelia by Mary Pipher. Amazing non-fiction book by a psychologist from Nebraska about the cultural assaults faced by females in America as they transition from childhood through adolescence. She argues that our culture needs to address the multiple pressures put on young women; to provide safe spaces and relationships for them to experiment and develop their identities; and to develop families of communication and community and cultural supports so that they can be protected from serious damage. She contrasts the 50s - relatively safe and carefree, but homogeneous and not accepting - with the 90s - more diversity is allowed in some respects, but the levels of sexual assault, abuse of drugs (including alcohol), eating disorders and depression are greater. we need to develop a society combining best of both time periods: socially diverse and strongly connected, with a greatly reduced role for media and role models of masochism, chauvinism, materialism and reductionist female imagery.
Natural Family Living by Peggy O'Mara. A wonderful overview of alternative perspectives on children and parenting, from pre-conception through adolescence. A few perspectives that stuck with me.
1) The insanity (and significant negative psychological and physical impacts) of considering babies "manipulative" when they cry, or expecting 6-month olds to learn how to be "independent" by crying things out and self-soothing. The developmental tasks at this age are attachment and self-confidence, developed by having the parent there to connect with and learning self-efficacy by having your needs met when you announce them (which is by crying).
2) The tremendous benefits of breast-feeding for child and maternal health and well-being.
3) The heightened risks of injury and death to babies and mothers through the use of drugs and surgical interventions during pregnancy and particularly childbirth.
Racial Healing: Institutes for the Healing of Racism by Reginald Newkirk and Nathan Rutstein. They identify racism as an illness, growing out of the events in the history of North America that created institutions and ways of being that create racial identities. They talk about the importance of tackling the internalized racism held by all members of our society by creating safe spaces where the roots of racism can be acknowledged and individuals can process and move beyond whatever racist beliefs they hold. It's a process of personal transformation that is needed; political and legislative solutions, though a part of the solution, are not enough. Political correctness moves us away from getting to the heart of the problem.
Having the Decorators In by Reay Tannahill. This is the sequel in a series about Dame Constance de Claire, the effective head of a large estate in medieval England. Multiple delightful characters, castle-level intrigue, and romantic confusion that always resolves itself are combined with wonderful period details and an eye for the amusing in human character.
Friday, July 10, 2009
Writing: July 10, 2009
Thought I had a meeting this morning; I didn't; but I did have a useful and good phone call that went into my writing time. And my desk was really disorganized. And I had some semi-urgent online business to take care of. Most of my morning was spent dealing with these things, creating order, and trying to start work. Then I did. And it was fine. I added a few articles to my article, did a bit of editing. However, it's really clear to me that I need a clean, clutter-free space and a ready-to-go list of what I'm doing that day in order for me to get a jump on work first thing in the morning.
So, that's what I'm going to do. I need to be prepared the night before, so I will be, and I will write. I plan to get a good draft of this article by some time next week and send it off for feedback. Then I can move onto writing the next one, or rather, revising the report into an article.
So, that's what I'm going to do. I need to be prepared the night before, so I will be, and I will write. I plan to get a good draft of this article by some time next week and send it off for feedback. Then I can move onto writing the next one, or rather, revising the report into an article.
Tuesday, July 7, 2009
Writing: July 7, 2009
Refocus, refocus. I've been prioritizing interview preparation and learning for the last few days. That and making space in the file cabinet since we just moved it over and want to merge files. It is amazing how paper can accumulate - I'm ready to let some of it go. Spent a number of hours getting rid of documents I will not read again (practice statistics exams, anyone?) and moving some information to my computer so I could get rid of the rest (list of articles I used for teaching a course on environment & resources - if I ever teach it again, I'll have the list and can also look for new articles. But really, it's not likely that I'll teach it again). And of course, most of what I discarded was printed on one side, so I have a big new pile of scrap paper (yay for re-using paper!).
I'll be back at my writing on Friday, though I have a volunteer meeting in the morning that I will probably attend, connected with the welcoming community project. I left the paper feeling excited to continue, so I'm eager to get back to it.
In other news, plants in pots dry up quickly. We let the basil on the deck go 2 days without water, and it was showing it. Fortunately it perked right back up.
I'll be back at my writing on Friday, though I have a volunteer meeting in the morning that I will probably attend, connected with the welcoming community project. I left the paper feeling excited to continue, so I'm eager to get back to it.
In other news, plants in pots dry up quickly. We let the basil on the deck go 2 days without water, and it was showing it. Fortunately it perked right back up.
Friday, July 3, 2009
Writing: July 3, 2009
Another good day!
9:30 - 11:30: spent an hour moving a couple bits of info and recrafting my introduction. Now it's kind of interesting and has a good flow. Then read through and revised the lit review section, and switched to APA headings.
Lunch: yeah, read stuff, wrote emails, ate. Got started a bit late. Oh well.
Afternoon: I'm just finishing up now. I found some articles for the lit review, which I continued to revise; found some books and articles related to the topic; revised and sent off notes related to a future project. Now i just need to see if I can access a journal search site from home, and make my list of work to do tomorrow.
Next priorities: reading and adding in articles to the lit review; aligning the literature with the paper; APA format for the references; and preparation for my interview (research, talking with someone, and finding an outfit).
9:30 - 11:30: spent an hour moving a couple bits of info and recrafting my introduction. Now it's kind of interesting and has a good flow. Then read through and revised the lit review section, and switched to APA headings.
Lunch: yeah, read stuff, wrote emails, ate. Got started a bit late. Oh well.
Afternoon: I'm just finishing up now. I found some articles for the lit review, which I continued to revise; found some books and articles related to the topic; revised and sent off notes related to a future project. Now i just need to see if I can access a journal search site from home, and make my list of work to do tomorrow.
Next priorities: reading and adding in articles to the lit review; aligning the literature with the paper; APA format for the references; and preparation for my interview (research, talking with someone, and finding an outfit).
Thursday, July 2, 2009
More Garden
This is my favourite bed. It's the first one me made and planted. It has mainly low-water plants, which I like. It's been thrilling watching how well they have grown and filled in the bed! The hen and chicks in particular have grown, sprouted babies and are sending out shoots into new areas. It gives me great hope for the rest of the yard, as the plants we've put in the ground this year mature through the summer and next year.
Writing: July 2, 2009
I have some writing I gotta wanna gonna get done in the next month and over the summer. So I'm going to post each day about my writing process as a way to increase my accountability and motivate me towards getting it done.
Today: I'm working on a paper on Kyrgyz citizenship. I started writing at 9:35 and worked pretty steadily through until around 11:35. That's my planned 2-hour morning writing slot. I described the model, finished writing up the findings and did a rougher version of the conclusions.
Lunch kind of took over after that with reading blogs and making hummus and checking email and doing dishes. Then I went to buy bulk goods (because Thursday is 10% off day) which lead to a stop at one of my favourite thrift stores "Bibles for Missions" which was having a store-wide 50% off sale ... so it was 2:45 before I was home, then spent some time talking with M, then it was almost time to leave for my haircut (in preparation for next Thursday's job interview). This describes a fairly typical afternoon of productivity but procrastination.
I did sneak in about 10 minutes of editing in the afternoon, and I'm going to do a bit more tonight. Then make a new list and start fresh tomorrow.
Today: I'm working on a paper on Kyrgyz citizenship. I started writing at 9:35 and worked pretty steadily through until around 11:35. That's my planned 2-hour morning writing slot. I described the model, finished writing up the findings and did a rougher version of the conclusions.
Lunch kind of took over after that with reading blogs and making hummus and checking email and doing dishes. Then I went to buy bulk goods (because Thursday is 10% off day) which lead to a stop at one of my favourite thrift stores "Bibles for Missions" which was having a store-wide 50% off sale ... so it was 2:45 before I was home, then spent some time talking with M, then it was almost time to leave for my haircut (in preparation for next Thursday's job interview). This describes a fairly typical afternoon of productivity but procrastination.
I did sneak in about 10 minutes of editing in the afternoon, and I'm going to do a bit more tonight. Then make a new list and start fresh tomorrow.
Tuesday, June 30, 2009
Things I've learned about writing
1. Make a list the night before of the writing I'll be doing the next day.
2. Create a timeline of my writing projects for the next month to keep me focused, inspired and on track.
3. Set aside time to write. Schedule it. Write it down.
4. Write in the morning. If I start writing in the morning, I may continue in the afternoon. If I don't, I may not write that day.
5. Use qualitative data software to manage and move my data around, rather than working with hard copies of interviews. Others will not agree, but I realized from a recent project how much easier it is to have quotes from interviews sorted by the software: I can find and copy exact quotes, can pull together all similar quotes in a few strokes, and can count up occurrences of particular themes. Trying to do this on paper is needlessly time-consuming.
6. Remember how much fun writing is! And how satisfying completing writing is!
7. Have a writing group, writing partners and even a writing coach. They will motivate you and provide accountability.
8. Create a clear, uncluttered workspace.
9. Share your writing with others. Send out drafts to others and review each others' work.
10. Have deadlines and fun get-aways before which you must complete certain projects. This invariably gets me writing much faster than I do otherwise.
Some reminders to myself of what helps me get my writing done. Now, back to my list for the day!
2. Create a timeline of my writing projects for the next month to keep me focused, inspired and on track.
3. Set aside time to write. Schedule it. Write it down.
4. Write in the morning. If I start writing in the morning, I may continue in the afternoon. If I don't, I may not write that day.
5. Use qualitative data software to manage and move my data around, rather than working with hard copies of interviews. Others will not agree, but I realized from a recent project how much easier it is to have quotes from interviews sorted by the software: I can find and copy exact quotes, can pull together all similar quotes in a few strokes, and can count up occurrences of particular themes. Trying to do this on paper is needlessly time-consuming.
6. Remember how much fun writing is! And how satisfying completing writing is!
7. Have a writing group, writing partners and even a writing coach. They will motivate you and provide accountability.
8. Create a clear, uncluttered workspace.
9. Share your writing with others. Send out drafts to others and review each others' work.
10. Have deadlines and fun get-aways before which you must complete certain projects. This invariably gets me writing much faster than I do otherwise.
Some reminders to myself of what helps me get my writing done. Now, back to my list for the day!
Sunday, June 28, 2009
Lessons from the Garden
This weekend we filled in the new raised bed in our front yard and planted the potted vegetables that have been sitting around for a week or more. We transplanted a few things into the new bed too. I went on weed patrol through the front and side, focusing on three invaders I'm not fond of: dandelions (my apologies to all natural gardeners out there), this green thing with round leaves and one deep tap root, and a bamboo-like invader that's started popping up everywhere, and whose roots are very hard to find and pull. I learned a lot from the garden.
1. If the soil is fertile, things will grow. After the construction, and because it wasn't a particularly intensively gardened yard, there were many areas of plain dirt, and lots filled with random plants. We've worked as quickly as we can to create and fill beds, but we can't do it fast enough. Whatever we don't fill with plants that we choose, other plants have taken over. Something will grow - and that is great and exciting - but also a big responsibility. If we're responsible for the soil, we need to plant things that we think are good to grow: vegetables, herbs, kindness, generosity, compassion. We can't just let the soil "make its own choices" about what it wants to grow because that leaves it to chance and the whims of opportunistic invaders, instead of reflecting stewardship of and care for the soil.
2. While trying to uproot the bambooy reedy things, I noticed that a lot were growing in the neighbouring church parking lot. I don't know if they grew there first, or in our yard first, but I took my bucket, digger and hot self over there and uprooted what I could. It doesn't matter that it's the not our yard - what grows in one area will spread, without fail, to contiguous areas. We need to be aware of the environment around our yard, and work with our neighbours to make it an environment full of plants we both want to see growing and share with others.
3. In our helter-skelter attempts to get our entire yard landscaped in a season (without external help) we've been planting in stages. We had some plants go in the ground in early May; some went into big pots instead of garden beds; and some have been sitting in little transplant pots for a few weeks while we got around to building a bed. I've been delighted over the past couple of weeks to see how they have grown in the first bed we planted. Many of the plants have quadrupled in size, are spreading and occupying the bed the way we'd hoped. Those that were planted later are a bit smaller, but the space, nutrition, light and opportunities in a good garden bed have also enabled them to grow more than if we'd kept them in small pots. Things need to be planted in a healthy, nourishing environment that gives support and room to grow.
1. If the soil is fertile, things will grow. After the construction, and because it wasn't a particularly intensively gardened yard, there were many areas of plain dirt, and lots filled with random plants. We've worked as quickly as we can to create and fill beds, but we can't do it fast enough. Whatever we don't fill with plants that we choose, other plants have taken over. Something will grow - and that is great and exciting - but also a big responsibility. If we're responsible for the soil, we need to plant things that we think are good to grow: vegetables, herbs, kindness, generosity, compassion. We can't just let the soil "make its own choices" about what it wants to grow because that leaves it to chance and the whims of opportunistic invaders, instead of reflecting stewardship of and care for the soil.
2. While trying to uproot the bambooy reedy things, I noticed that a lot were growing in the neighbouring church parking lot. I don't know if they grew there first, or in our yard first, but I took my bucket, digger and hot self over there and uprooted what I could. It doesn't matter that it's the not our yard - what grows in one area will spread, without fail, to contiguous areas. We need to be aware of the environment around our yard, and work with our neighbours to make it an environment full of plants we both want to see growing and share with others.
3. In our helter-skelter attempts to get our entire yard landscaped in a season (without external help) we've been planting in stages. We had some plants go in the ground in early May; some went into big pots instead of garden beds; and some have been sitting in little transplant pots for a few weeks while we got around to building a bed. I've been delighted over the past couple of weeks to see how they have grown in the first bed we planted. Many of the plants have quadrupled in size, are spreading and occupying the bed the way we'd hoped. Those that were planted later are a bit smaller, but the space, nutrition, light and opportunities in a good garden bed have also enabled them to grow more than if we'd kept them in small pots. Things need to be planted in a healthy, nourishing environment that gives support and room to grow.
Tuesday, June 23, 2009
The night time is the right time
to plant.
After a day-long conference, I was exhausted. I met up with M then headed home ready for one thing: bed. And maybe a book. But then I looked at those sad, wilting plants and I knew I had to get them into the ground. After a quick change into my (apparently cute) Brody overalls, I got to it. M got home shortly after, around 7:15, and we started gardening.
Interrupted by one more family looking at the motor home we're selling. One family with the CUTEST DOGGIE!!! Classic russet dachshund, stumpetty legs, gruffety bark, officious busy sniffing around! And a sweet, sweet older dog who came up and asked me to rub her head. Okay, back to our story.
With all of the four-to-a-pot plants I bought, we must have had at least 40 plants to get into the ground. M started expanding one of our rock walkways, widening and lengthening it, and weeding around it. I started with the front bed, which is a combination of decorative succulents and flowers, plus vegetables (tomatoes, cabbages, basil). I added more plants to the existing succulent bed, to the non-walking edge of the bed M was working on, and the new bed we made on the weekend. Weeded the side of the house. Watered the tomatoes. Weeded all over the place. Watered the new plantings.
Then M got inspired to build the frame for the front vegetable bed we want to do. He is still out there working - I stopped, after 2.5 hours of garden time. I am amazed at how much energy I can get from gardening. Everything I put in the ground feels like a worthwhile accomplishment, but there is so much to do that I don't want to stop. It may be the most motivating activity I engage in, possibly even including spider solitaire.
10 p.m. already ... NOW I'm ready for a bath!
After a day-long conference, I was exhausted. I met up with M then headed home ready for one thing: bed. And maybe a book. But then I looked at those sad, wilting plants and I knew I had to get them into the ground. After a quick change into my (apparently cute) Brody overalls, I got to it. M got home shortly after, around 7:15, and we started gardening.
Interrupted by one more family looking at the motor home we're selling. One family with the CUTEST DOGGIE!!! Classic russet dachshund, stumpetty legs, gruffety bark, officious busy sniffing around! And a sweet, sweet older dog who came up and asked me to rub her head. Okay, back to our story.
With all of the four-to-a-pot plants I bought, we must have had at least 40 plants to get into the ground. M started expanding one of our rock walkways, widening and lengthening it, and weeding around it. I started with the front bed, which is a combination of decorative succulents and flowers, plus vegetables (tomatoes, cabbages, basil). I added more plants to the existing succulent bed, to the non-walking edge of the bed M was working on, and the new bed we made on the weekend. Weeded the side of the house. Watered the tomatoes. Weeded all over the place. Watered the new plantings.
Then M got inspired to build the frame for the front vegetable bed we want to do. He is still out there working - I stopped, after 2.5 hours of garden time. I am amazed at how much energy I can get from gardening. Everything I put in the ground feels like a worthwhile accomplishment, but there is so much to do that I don't want to stop. It may be the most motivating activity I engage in, possibly even including spider solitaire.
10 p.m. already ... NOW I'm ready for a bath!
Monday, June 22, 2009
Transformation
2 workers
3.5 hours
approx. $50 worth of supplies (dirt, rock and plants)
We transformed the weedy, dirty, jumbly side of the house near the tenant's entrance into something that makes me smile. But I don't know how to get the pictures off the camera! Or more accurately, I don't know where the cord is. Before and afters to follow.
It was more work for a smaller area than I expected; but it was a reasonable amount of work for what we got. It went from ugly to attractive, and makes me smile now every time I walk by. We still need some more plants to fill it in, but we hope that these ones will grow quickly and crowd out the weeds that are sure to compete.
UPDATED:
Before pictures
After pictures
3.5 hours
approx. $50 worth of supplies (dirt, rock and plants)
We transformed the weedy, dirty, jumbly side of the house near the tenant's entrance into something that makes me smile. But I don't know how to get the pictures off the camera! Or more accurately, I don't know where the cord is. Before and afters to follow.
It was more work for a smaller area than I expected; but it was a reasonable amount of work for what we got. It went from ugly to attractive, and makes me smile now every time I walk by. We still need some more plants to fill it in, but we hope that these ones will grow quickly and crowd out the weeds that are sure to compete.
UPDATED:
Before pictures
After pictures
Friday, June 19, 2009
Garden neglect
I've been at a conference this week, and my garden has suffered. Not even half of the plants from last weekend have made it into the ground. Most of the have been watered fairly regularly, but they've looked better. Some of the plants on the deck have dried out. Weeding ... not really. And the rhubarb continues to grow by leaps and bounds.
Gardens demand regular attention. I know this in my head, but my body can get tired. But taking care of the plants is a parental responsibility that I have. I guess the big challenge is building the garden up while also maintaining what is already there.
Today I plan to pick more lettuce for salads. The arugula is flowering - not many days left to enjoy it. The lettuce keeps growing and is not yet at full size - I've been picking the big outer leaves. Some herbs are ready, so we can use those, but I haven't fully determined where yet. We have more lovage than I could ever use. Maybe this weekend we'll get some more beds established, more weeding done, all the rest of the plants into the ground; and maybe soon we'll have a system established to keep the gardening flow going: plant, care for, harvest, process.
Gardens demand regular attention. I know this in my head, but my body can get tired. But taking care of the plants is a parental responsibility that I have. I guess the big challenge is building the garden up while also maintaining what is already there.
Today I plan to pick more lettuce for salads. The arugula is flowering - not many days left to enjoy it. The lettuce keeps growing and is not yet at full size - I've been picking the big outer leaves. Some herbs are ready, so we can use those, but I haven't fully determined where yet. We have more lovage than I could ever use. Maybe this weekend we'll get some more beds established, more weeding done, all the rest of the plants into the ground; and maybe soon we'll have a system established to keep the gardening flow going: plant, care for, harvest, process.
Sunday, June 14, 2009
The 3 Rs
Writing, Renos and Rgardening
I'm sure there's a great word to describe landscaping, gardening, etc. that begins with an R ... regardless, these are my 3 big activities of late. I'm writing a paper/ preparing a presentation for a conference this week at the university. Only 1 full day left to work on it. Indeed a test for procrastination!
The work on the house continues - today was cleaning out the pantry and fooding it, general cleaning and reorganizing. Tomorrow Mick's going to work on the bathroom tiling - I may help - and we've got our priority list down to keep getting this house more and more livable. But just the cleaning etc. we did today makes it feel so much better.
And my personal favourite, the yard. A friend's mom was cleaning out her garden and gave me some lovely flowering perennials - yay!!! Those are nicely populating our new front bed. Another friend got back from an intensive planting session where, over the course of a month, she got acres of food started for this year. She's offered to help with ideas and planting! I did a second seeding for our greens - lettuce, spinach, arugula (one of my personal faves). Then, I went plant-crazy on Saturday and brought home a couple boxes of landscaping plants, herbs and vegetables - plant sales are irresistible to me. And then a friend had a friend with some tomato plants to give away, so we picked those up last night. Still have some extra if anyone is interested.
I've been steadily putting the vegetables in - since we don't have a new veggie bed, I'm mixing them with the front flowering bed. I weeded out one set of paving stones and put down some more pearlwort - we are hoping it rapidly takes over. I've placed the other plants where we want to plant them - maybe next weekend we'll get another load of rocks (to make raised beds) and dirt. I'm going to transplant the mint somewhere cooler and add cilantro (which has not been super successful yet). And we have a good idea now for one bed on a side of the house. It's along the tenant's walking path, so it would be nice to make it presentable.
So much to do! Top priority tomorrow, though, is the presentation. It will be DONE and AWESOME by the end of the day.
I'm sure there's a great word to describe landscaping, gardening, etc. that begins with an R ... regardless, these are my 3 big activities of late. I'm writing a paper/ preparing a presentation for a conference this week at the university. Only 1 full day left to work on it. Indeed a test for procrastination!
The work on the house continues - today was cleaning out the pantry and fooding it, general cleaning and reorganizing. Tomorrow Mick's going to work on the bathroom tiling - I may help - and we've got our priority list down to keep getting this house more and more livable. But just the cleaning etc. we did today makes it feel so much better.
And my personal favourite, the yard. A friend's mom was cleaning out her garden and gave me some lovely flowering perennials - yay!!! Those are nicely populating our new front bed. Another friend got back from an intensive planting session where, over the course of a month, she got acres of food started for this year. She's offered to help with ideas and planting! I did a second seeding for our greens - lettuce, spinach, arugula (one of my personal faves). Then, I went plant-crazy on Saturday and brought home a couple boxes of landscaping plants, herbs and vegetables - plant sales are irresistible to me. And then a friend had a friend with some tomato plants to give away, so we picked those up last night. Still have some extra if anyone is interested.
I've been steadily putting the vegetables in - since we don't have a new veggie bed, I'm mixing them with the front flowering bed. I weeded out one set of paving stones and put down some more pearlwort - we are hoping it rapidly takes over. I've placed the other plants where we want to plant them - maybe next weekend we'll get another load of rocks (to make raised beds) and dirt. I'm going to transplant the mint somewhere cooler and add cilantro (which has not been super successful yet). And we have a good idea now for one bed on a side of the house. It's along the tenant's walking path, so it would be nice to make it presentable.
So much to do! Top priority tomorrow, though, is the presentation. It will be DONE and AWESOME by the end of the day.
Friday, June 12, 2009
Herbal magic
I've been experimenting with some of the delicious herbs growing this time of year - some of them in our own yard! I'm having the most luck right now with rosemary ... the cilantro has gone to seed too quickly, or not grown at all. Basil is now doing okay, though not flourishing brilliantly as I'd like. And we have a lovely lemon mint in the front that is just fine. Oh, and the lovage - the first one we planted - is taking over the pot it's in.
Some of my favourite new combinations.
Cilantro as a dessert herb: cilantro with pineapple. Even, possibly, with chocolate! Definitely mixed into a fruit salad.
Basil: so far, I'm sticking with the standby and chopping it up over pasta. I know there will be other tastes to explore.
Rosemary: delicious lightly fried with eggs. I also am feeling it would be good mixed with almond milk, though I don't know quite how to do this yet, or in what format.
Lemon mint: with chocolate, of course! Or as a mixed green to munch with a main course.
Some of my favourite new combinations.
Cilantro as a dessert herb: cilantro with pineapple. Even, possibly, with chocolate! Definitely mixed into a fruit salad.
Basil: so far, I'm sticking with the standby and chopping it up over pasta. I know there will be other tastes to explore.
Rosemary: delicious lightly fried with eggs. I also am feeling it would be good mixed with almond milk, though I don't know quite how to do this yet, or in what format.
Lemon mint: with chocolate, of course! Or as a mixed green to munch with a main course.
Sunday, June 7, 2009
Coming home
After a long flight, I was met in Vancouver by my sweet husband. We decided to spend the night there to visit with my sister. A great day - hanging out at the house, wandering around the city, and time with my sister & brother in law.
The next day was our marathon road trip home. First a stop to see friends and their adorable lovely children. Then we took a back route - Highway 7, north of the Fraser River. A Salvation Army thrift store held us up for almost an hour, followed by lunch at ABC restaurant (shockingly delicious spinach strawberry salad and brie mushroom veggie burgers). Next stop was at M's friends' home for a visit and eggs from their chickens (what a great idea!). We were further waylaid by another antique store - this at a random corner on the road, a going out of business old-school grocery store. We poked around the back, passed up a gorgeous accordion (black, white and silver ... but I don't play, and I don't think I'll be learning any time soon) but got some drawer pulls and a glass globe lamp. Driving off we thought about trying to swing a deal to refurbish and re-sell the old counter/display case in the back with its perfectly working drawers and wonderful old oak finish. However, since we didn't remember the name of the town or the store, we realized this wasn't going to work.
Then on to Hope and a filling bowl of lentil soup. This was our final meal choice, after we realized the smoothies were full of high fructose corn syrup, the pie was sad-looking, the cakes ... well, we didn't need cake. Then driving and talking into the evening, a small nap for me, and home by 10. A full, fun and filling trip home.
The next day was our marathon road trip home. First a stop to see friends and their adorable lovely children. Then we took a back route - Highway 7, north of the Fraser River. A Salvation Army thrift store held us up for almost an hour, followed by lunch at ABC restaurant (shockingly delicious spinach strawberry salad and brie mushroom veggie burgers). Next stop was at M's friends' home for a visit and eggs from their chickens (what a great idea!). We were further waylaid by another antique store - this at a random corner on the road, a going out of business old-school grocery store. We poked around the back, passed up a gorgeous accordion (black, white and silver ... but I don't play, and I don't think I'll be learning any time soon) but got some drawer pulls and a glass globe lamp. Driving off we thought about trying to swing a deal to refurbish and re-sell the old counter/display case in the back with its perfectly working drawers and wonderful old oak finish. However, since we didn't remember the name of the town or the store, we realized this wasn't going to work.
Then on to Hope and a filling bowl of lentil soup. This was our final meal choice, after we realized the smoothies were full of high fructose corn syrup, the pie was sad-looking, the cakes ... well, we didn't need cake. Then driving and talking into the evening, a small nap for me, and home by 10. A full, fun and filling trip home.
Swiss chocolate
A chocolate lover's dream: glass display cases with piles of chocolate - big sheets of chocolate, all kinds of chocolate, piled up in long rows.
I brought home a sample pack with 5 kinds. All luxuriously creamy and filled with pure goodness
1) strawberry berry-liciousness
2) almond and pistachio white chocolate yummy
3) crispy biscuit and milk chocolate goodness
4) dark chocolate nutty citrusy lip smacker
5) white chocolate lemon peel nuggety wow
we have just 2 chunks left ... then it's gone ... good-bye, chocolate sheets!
I brought home a sample pack with 5 kinds. All luxuriously creamy and filled with pure goodness
1) strawberry berry-liciousness
2) almond and pistachio white chocolate yummy
3) crispy biscuit and milk chocolate goodness
4) dark chocolate nutty citrusy lip smacker
5) white chocolate lemon peel nuggety wow
we have just 2 chunks left ... then it's gone ... good-bye, chocolate sheets!
Friday, May 15, 2009
Spontaneity
Some people find me adventurous and fun. Others think I'm more organized and ... well ... structured, to choose a somewhat neutral term. Personally, I think I'm both, often at the same time. Recently, encouraged by my husband, I've decided to explore the spontaneous side - with full rational consideration of the reasons and consequences.
He found a great charter flight to Europe, and is sending me for my birthday. I made the decision in one night, and am leaving in 4 days. For 2 weeks. By myself. This is, for me, a pretty spontaneous decision. I am doing a writing project right now which I need to complete by mid-June. NEED to, as in I have a conference presentation. And it means missing a few meetings and drumming classes and other things. And well ... "hello mom, i'm going to Europe on Tuesday" is not completely usual for me.
But on the other hand, it makes perfect sense. I'm unemployed - no time commitments. The fare is good. I really really wanted to go to Europe this summer. The house is in the middle of renovations. And if I don't go now, when will I go? This is a great opportunity, and when I think about how I want to look back on my life, I'd like to think that I said "yes" to 2 weeks in Europe rather than "no, I should probably spend some time at the library" - particularly since writing is possibly THE most portable of all work.
I leave Tuesday - my priorities now are cleaning my room, finding the right bags to carry (this is a very complex task for me. They need to be light but easily portable, smallish for sure; I want wheels in spite of the guidance against them because I hate sore shoulders and find that I actually DO use the wheels a lot; but wheeled bags are heavier, hence you can carry less; and I need a day bag that's big enough for a book, journal, water bottle and food but small enough that it's comfy. But it would be nice not to look like a complete tourist with a gaudy backpack, and I have no idea what this option would look like in practice, or where to find it), packing, and getting some urgent work done on my writing. And a bunch of other things on the list.
Back to it.
He found a great charter flight to Europe, and is sending me for my birthday. I made the decision in one night, and am leaving in 4 days. For 2 weeks. By myself. This is, for me, a pretty spontaneous decision. I am doing a writing project right now which I need to complete by mid-June. NEED to, as in I have a conference presentation. And it means missing a few meetings and drumming classes and other things. And well ... "hello mom, i'm going to Europe on Tuesday" is not completely usual for me.
But on the other hand, it makes perfect sense. I'm unemployed - no time commitments. The fare is good. I really really wanted to go to Europe this summer. The house is in the middle of renovations. And if I don't go now, when will I go? This is a great opportunity, and when I think about how I want to look back on my life, I'd like to think that I said "yes" to 2 weeks in Europe rather than "no, I should probably spend some time at the library" - particularly since writing is possibly THE most portable of all work.
I leave Tuesday - my priorities now are cleaning my room, finding the right bags to carry (this is a very complex task for me. They need to be light but easily portable, smallish for sure; I want wheels in spite of the guidance against them because I hate sore shoulders and find that I actually DO use the wheels a lot; but wheeled bags are heavier, hence you can carry less; and I need a day bag that's big enough for a book, journal, water bottle and food but small enough that it's comfy. But it would be nice not to look like a complete tourist with a gaudy backpack, and I have no idea what this option would look like in practice, or where to find it), packing, and getting some urgent work done on my writing. And a bunch of other things on the list.
Back to it.
Friday, May 8, 2009
Home-made Beauty
I've found a couple other home-made solutions to some skin care issues I've had. I'm THRILLED to find these easy, natural recipes as opposed to the cost, waste and toxicity of most drugstore solutions.
Intensive skin care.
My hands have been DRY and GROSS from all the gardening, cleaning, etc. I had a Mary Kay 4-part product for exfoliation and moisturizing, but it was chock-full of chemicals, including red dye (really! why do you need carcinogenic red dye?).
Solution:
Granulated sugar + grapeseed oil
Put some granulated sugar into a glass.
Starting with dry hands, pour about a teaspoon of sugar into your palm; add about a tablespoon or less of grapeseed oil. Rub all over hands like a scrub for a minute or more. Then rinse - the sugar dissolves, leaving you with exfoliated, oiled hands. Dry gently and let the remaining oil absorb.
Facial scrub.
I used to use St. Ives, but hey, they have chemicals too, and are really rough.
Solution:
almond oatmeal scrub
In a food processor or coffee grinder, blend up 1/2 cup oatmeal and 1/2 cup almonds. Mix and add 1 tbsp chamomile flowers (or a chamomile teabag - that's what I did).
Spoon out a teaspoon or so into your hands, add some water to make a paste, and rub your face.
Rinse off.
Bonus: smells like a yummy oatmeal muffin!
Intensive skin care.
My hands have been DRY and GROSS from all the gardening, cleaning, etc. I had a Mary Kay 4-part product for exfoliation and moisturizing, but it was chock-full of chemicals, including red dye (really! why do you need carcinogenic red dye?).
Solution:
Granulated sugar + grapeseed oil
Put some granulated sugar into a glass.
Starting with dry hands, pour about a teaspoon of sugar into your palm; add about a tablespoon or less of grapeseed oil. Rub all over hands like a scrub for a minute or more. Then rinse - the sugar dissolves, leaving you with exfoliated, oiled hands. Dry gently and let the remaining oil absorb.
Facial scrub.
I used to use St. Ives, but hey, they have chemicals too, and are really rough.
Solution:
almond oatmeal scrub
In a food processor or coffee grinder, blend up 1/2 cup oatmeal and 1/2 cup almonds. Mix and add 1 tbsp chamomile flowers (or a chamomile teabag - that's what I did).
Spoon out a teaspoon or so into your hands, add some water to make a paste, and rub your face.
Rinse off.
Bonus: smells like a yummy oatmeal muffin!
Different visions
I'm doing some reading about models of citizenship education for a paper I'm writing. A few have described how there are different visions of how "we" want citizens to act in the world - and these result in very different educational models for producing citizens. One article describes 3 different types of citizenship visions: personally responsible - someone who is a good person and helps others; socially active - someone who gets involved in organizing local activities; and justice-oriented - someone who looks at the root causes of social issues and lobbies to change them.
There was a neat CBC interview this morning that highlighted how these different perspectives can result in different ways to address social problems. A BC minister of something was talking about a study on domestic workers and caregivers and some of the problems they face - from being pushed to work more hours than their contracts, through outright abuse. The interviewer asked: are there any structural reasons for this? And he talked about some - that workers stay in the homes of their employers; that they suffer the consequences of reporting abuse; that we don't subsidize day-care in Canada, leading for a need for workers. The Minister didn't see any structural issues. He said that a majority of workers (from what he knows) are happy about the program. It seemed he just saw the need to tweak it - versus address the global economic imbalances that produce the program, or the inherent power imbalance in these particular relationships.
Theory in real life: yes!
There was a neat CBC interview this morning that highlighted how these different perspectives can result in different ways to address social problems. A BC minister of something was talking about a study on domestic workers and caregivers and some of the problems they face - from being pushed to work more hours than their contracts, through outright abuse. The interviewer asked: are there any structural reasons for this? And he talked about some - that workers stay in the homes of their employers; that they suffer the consequences of reporting abuse; that we don't subsidize day-care in Canada, leading for a need for workers. The Minister didn't see any structural issues. He said that a majority of workers (from what he knows) are happy about the program. It seemed he just saw the need to tweak it - versus address the global economic imbalances that produce the program, or the inherent power imbalance in these particular relationships.
Theory in real life: yes!
Tuesday, May 5, 2009
New love
I LOVE the garden! I feel quite materialistic saying this, but it has made all the difference to me to be working on a piece of property that we own, compared to working on anyone else's land. In the first place, we're right there. Get dressed, walk out the door and there's the garden. Though that implies quite a high degree of laziness, the ease of access lowers any barriers I might have to gardening. Combine this with the fact that my husband and I are both excited, feeling creative, and not bound to any particular vision of the garden - I'm freed up to do what I/we want, and don't have to answer to anyone else. Oh, the freedom from external control! No worries about making "mistakes" - just fun and enthusiasm over what we can do. Then, of course, it's ours - our home, our nest, and for the first time, working outside - on the yard - is an extension of my home-making instinct. We're making the place beautiful for us to enjoy, for our friends, and down the line, for our property value. And I have an amazing husband who quickly and easily brings in loads of soil, a pile of rock, or whatever else we need, and works it and builds it and makes it beautiful.
And then: gardens are so beautiful!!! We're putting in walkways, enclosed beds, all kinds of herbs and succulents and flowering and other plants (preferably perennial and low water varieties). Each few hours brings dramatic changes, or the promise of them when the plants grow in and take over. I didn't know how much I'd love doing this, and I'm thrilled that I do. I've started doing more reading about gardens, more research, and am looking forward to seeing how it develops over time.
And then: gardens are so beautiful!!! We're putting in walkways, enclosed beds, all kinds of herbs and succulents and flowering and other plants (preferably perennial and low water varieties). Each few hours brings dramatic changes, or the promise of them when the plants grow in and take over. I didn't know how much I'd love doing this, and I'm thrilled that I do. I've started doing more reading about gardens, more research, and am looking forward to seeing how it develops over time.
Delicious local meals
Yum yum yet again! Have to share two new recipes.
Fresh beet salad
Makes enough for a small serving for 4.
One medium or large raw beet. Wash, cut off ends, peel, then grate with a medium size grater.
Add:
1/2 cup or so of chopped walnuts
1/4 cup or so of chopped cilantro
Salt (not too much)
Olive oil
Mix - eat - yum! Tastes fresh and nutty and chewy.
Garlic nut greens
Fry on low heat garlic (5 - 10 cloves, roughly chopped) and nuts (flaxseed, almonds, some combination) in olive oil.
Add washed & medium-chopped beet greens and/or swiss chard - only cut off the tail of the small beet; stir and fry, adding water if you need.
Also yum yum!!!
The best part is, once we really get the garden growing, we can grow or locally source all the main ingredients! My parents have walnuts and they grow here, so it's just the olive oil and salt that aren't local.
Fresh beet salad
Makes enough for a small serving for 4.
One medium or large raw beet. Wash, cut off ends, peel, then grate with a medium size grater.
Add:
1/2 cup or so of chopped walnuts
1/4 cup or so of chopped cilantro
Salt (not too much)
Olive oil
Mix - eat - yum! Tastes fresh and nutty and chewy.
Garlic nut greens
Fry on low heat garlic (5 - 10 cloves, roughly chopped) and nuts (flaxseed, almonds, some combination) in olive oil.
Add washed & medium-chopped beet greens and/or swiss chard - only cut off the tail of the small beet; stir and fry, adding water if you need.
Also yum yum!!!
The best part is, once we really get the garden growing, we can grow or locally source all the main ingredients! My parents have walnuts and they grow here, so it's just the olive oil and salt that aren't local.
Wednesday, April 29, 2009
The Garden
We've been doing some work outside on the yard, and it's really starting to look like something! On Saturday it was warm and sunny at long last. A beautiful change - I felt my personality changing in the warmer weather (nothing like not shivering to improve my mood). We pruned, organized, laid out bricks for a walkway and some beds, got a big load of dirt, planted some seeds and bulbs .... and I'm excited. I love gardening in theory, so it's a relief to find that once I get out there, I also like it in practice.
I realized how much I have to learn, too, and that's exciting. Like, what do you prune, when and how? Where and in what conditions do particular plants grow best? What plants should you grow together to maximize yields and minimize pests?
Together with some helpful input from my mom, we planned out what vegetables to grow, and which to start from seed vs. seedlings. We're trying to grow heritage varieties where possible, then organic, though for seedlings that might be harder. I'm feeling ambitious, but it's also our first year doing this, and we're still finishing the house, so we'll do what we can this year and not sweat it if it's not perfect.
We want to grow as many usable and edible things as possible in our yard, vs. purely ornamental things. We'd also like perennials and things that re-seed; and things that grow best in drier conditions, since that's what's best for the region. However, I do want at least one bed of low-growing succulents & groundcover. We're also going to minimize lawn and - at least according to this plan - have lots of structured space: bricked out beds, paths, raised planting beds, a pergola for vines (grapes maybe?), and then berry bushes.
Planned plants:
Lots of herbs: basil, rosemary, mint, chamomile
Greens: swiss chard, kale, lettuce varieties, arugula, chicory, spinach
Roots: beets, and going to try potatoes (with the tire/potato structure thingie that we've heard about).
Other veg: tomatoes, zucchini, beans
Other STUFF: sunflowers, lavender, and berries - hopefully raspberries & blueberries.
Yum!
I realized how much I have to learn, too, and that's exciting. Like, what do you prune, when and how? Where and in what conditions do particular plants grow best? What plants should you grow together to maximize yields and minimize pests?
Together with some helpful input from my mom, we planned out what vegetables to grow, and which to start from seed vs. seedlings. We're trying to grow heritage varieties where possible, then organic, though for seedlings that might be harder. I'm feeling ambitious, but it's also our first year doing this, and we're still finishing the house, so we'll do what we can this year and not sweat it if it's not perfect.
We want to grow as many usable and edible things as possible in our yard, vs. purely ornamental things. We'd also like perennials and things that re-seed; and things that grow best in drier conditions, since that's what's best for the region. However, I do want at least one bed of low-growing succulents & groundcover. We're also going to minimize lawn and - at least according to this plan - have lots of structured space: bricked out beds, paths, raised planting beds, a pergola for vines (grapes maybe?), and then berry bushes.
Planned plants:
Lots of herbs: basil, rosemary, mint, chamomile
Greens: swiss chard, kale, lettuce varieties, arugula, chicory, spinach
Roots: beets, and going to try potatoes (with the tire/potato structure thingie that we've heard about).
Other veg: tomatoes, zucchini, beans
Other STUFF: sunflowers, lavender, and berries - hopefully raspberries & blueberries.
Yum!
Professional assistance
I've been trying for a month or two to get my taxes done. When I lived in the States I did them myself for 5 years, and those forms - especially for an international student who is trying to get deductions - were HARD. So how hard could it be to do my taxes myself in Canada?
Well, add together several university jobs, about 5 different contracts I didn't pay taxes on, plus marriage; combine with confusing online applications that cost money anyways, and a rapidly approaching deadline with other commitments on the horizon.
Result: Hello wonderful family taxman!
He's been doing our family's taxes for years - he did mine when I lived in Canada before. So I called, and he made time to see me THAT AFTERNOON.
And thank heavens for him - because of all the contracts, I would have ended up paying taxes. And I didn't know how to count medical expenses. And I didn't realize a number of other costs that I could deduct.
Final result: instead of paying taxes, I get a refund - one I can feel good about, too.
YAY for professional assistance!
Well, add together several university jobs, about 5 different contracts I didn't pay taxes on, plus marriage; combine with confusing online applications that cost money anyways, and a rapidly approaching deadline with other commitments on the horizon.
Result: Hello wonderful family taxman!
He's been doing our family's taxes for years - he did mine when I lived in Canada before. So I called, and he made time to see me THAT AFTERNOON.
And thank heavens for him - because of all the contracts, I would have ended up paying taxes. And I didn't know how to count medical expenses. And I didn't realize a number of other costs that I could deduct.
Final result: instead of paying taxes, I get a refund - one I can feel good about, too.
YAY for professional assistance!
Thursday, April 2, 2009
New ag bill in the US
that could impose even MORE regulations on farming, and potentially impose centralized, conventional farming standards to all farms - even organic.
This new bill, from what I gather, isn't getting much publicity. It is sponsored by big agricultural companies such as Monsanto that have previously worked hard to eliminate organic foods, eliminate seed saving, and turn all food production into company profit.
Here's a link to info on the bill.
http://salsa.democracyinaction.org/o/568/t/1128/campaign.jsp?campaign_KEY=26714
This new bill, from what I gather, isn't getting much publicity. It is sponsored by big agricultural companies such as Monsanto that have previously worked hard to eliminate organic foods, eliminate seed saving, and turn all food production into company profit.
Here's a link to info on the bill.
http://salsa.democracyinaction.org/o/568/t/1128/campaign.jsp?campaign_KEY=26714
Home cookin'
Here are some dishes I've made recently that went down well.
Cauliflower & Potato Curry Fry
-on LOW, sizzle some spices (coriander, cumin, paprika/pepper, curry, some green stuff - mixed Italian herbs). Stir a lot.
-add onions & garlic. Stir a lot.
-add chopped up cauliflower & potato. Add some water; sprinkle on salt. Cover & steam, stirring occasionally.
-add chopped up pepper (red pepper! yum!) and mushrooms; steam some more and stir
-serve over quinoa - equal parts quinoa & water + salt & some extra water :)
YUM!
Quinoa & Broccoli Casserole
-boil up quinoa & red lentils with salt (rinse the lentils well first). They don't have to cook through - just get them going.
-in casserole dish, mix up chopped vegetables - broccoli, cauliflower, pepper, etc. Cover in olive oil & mixed spices - Italian, paprika, coriander/cumin
-add lentil/quinoa mix - stir it all up well
-cover with cheese - or mix chunks of cheese throughout (cheddar, mozza and/or feta)
-cover & bake for 45 min. - 1 hour at 350/375 celsius
EXTRA YUM!
We made these & others mainly with the veggies we're getting from the Saturday Urban Harvest organic veggie sale. I'm learning to use all the food in the fridge. It is a big challenge - I sometimes forget what I have. But we're doing it and eating well at home.
Cauliflower & Potato Curry Fry
-on LOW, sizzle some spices (coriander, cumin, paprika/pepper, curry, some green stuff - mixed Italian herbs). Stir a lot.
-add onions & garlic. Stir a lot.
-add chopped up cauliflower & potato. Add some water; sprinkle on salt. Cover & steam, stirring occasionally.
-add chopped up pepper (red pepper! yum!) and mushrooms; steam some more and stir
-serve over quinoa - equal parts quinoa & water + salt & some extra water :)
YUM!
Quinoa & Broccoli Casserole
-boil up quinoa & red lentils with salt (rinse the lentils well first). They don't have to cook through - just get them going.
-in casserole dish, mix up chopped vegetables - broccoli, cauliflower, pepper, etc. Cover in olive oil & mixed spices - Italian, paprika, coriander/cumin
-add lentil/quinoa mix - stir it all up well
-cover with cheese - or mix chunks of cheese throughout (cheddar, mozza and/or feta)
-cover & bake for 45 min. - 1 hour at 350/375 celsius
EXTRA YUM!
We made these & others mainly with the veggies we're getting from the Saturday Urban Harvest organic veggie sale. I'm learning to use all the food in the fridge. It is a big challenge - I sometimes forget what I have. But we're doing it and eating well at home.
Wednesday, April 1, 2009
Canada
We went to see "One Week" on Sunday - we actually planned and got out of the house in time for an early show - yay! All I knew about it was road trip. I didn't realize that the trip is across Canada. It was an unexpected delight to watch a movie filmed in, and about, my own country. I really like the States, and lived there for almost 6 years (a fact which oddly seems to surprise people who know me). And I love movies that take place in cool parts of the States, like Tennessee, or the south, or even less well known locations. But for some reason, a film in Canada was comforting and invigorating in a way that other landscapes are not. It was familiar. Canada felt like a place I know - a place with 2-lane highways running across it; prairies and forests; farm scenes; the ocean; all of it. It is home, in a way I hadn't felt before.
I definitely recommend the film as a love story about Canada.
I definitely recommend the film as a love story about Canada.
Sunday, March 22, 2009
Compost
Now for something a bit lighter. M is working outside today, cleaning up the yard and building lots of awesome things for us. We really hope to get upstairs by May, so we can rent out the basement.
In the meantime, though ... I helped him build our composter! It's got 2 sides, lids, and a lift-up opening at the bottom so we can dig out the awesome compost once it's produced. I helped measure (usually accurately), used a nail gun for the first time (with most of them going in the right place) and helped him place it and level it. Yay, a place to put all the smelly, green, hairy compost we've been generating!
M's other project now is to make some raised beds for our garden. Boy, that is awesome - I'm so psyched.
In the meantime, though ... I helped him build our composter! It's got 2 sides, lids, and a lift-up opening at the bottom so we can dig out the awesome compost once it's produced. I helped measure (usually accurately), used a nail gun for the first time (with most of them going in the right place) and helped him place it and level it. Yay, a place to put all the smelly, green, hairy compost we've been generating!
M's other project now is to make some raised beds for our garden. Boy, that is awesome - I'm so psyched.
Growth
This past fasting period was a strange one for me. I was sick for a lot of it, and my body was not responding well to fasting this year, so I didn't most days. I usually find a bit more time for prayer and reflection, but with that, too, time flew by. I had a few wonderful mornings, up early and with time to read a great book with stories about prayer. But by and large, I was mainly just trying to survive emotionally and physically and very eager for spring. I wanted very much to reap some of the benefits of personal growth it promises, but struggled to find the time and energy to engage with change.
Now, just a few days after it's over, I'm re-learning about all my faults and the many things I need to work on. In the past few days, I've insulted a whole horde of people, mainly unintentionally. I've displayed my inadequate levels of compassion for those whose ways of being offend me (and why am I offended anyways? What is so wrong about bad manners, high heels and being more reserved - even if I interpret it as snobby and stand-off-ish?) I've relearned about how rapidly I judge those who strike me as superficial or hypocritical - which is very quickly - and that I then don't treat them with the love, understanding or warmth that I think I need to show to everyone I meet. In general, I am not displaying respect for the dignity, individuality and creativity of everyone I meet - I'm using my values as the standard for evaluation.
And I am deeply disturbed by this. We're here to build unity. I can only build unity if I see others with an eye of oneness. To me, this means looking to them and expecting great things; being open and curious to learn more about why they do and say the things they do; and watching my words and actions so I express respect for others regardless of their positions. Because much as I might dislike certain behaviours - let's take talking and laughing during a musical performance as one pertinent example - I can't engage with those people and expect change unless I approach them with an attitude of respect.
Telling them to shape up - shut up - shhh - be quiet - simply antagonizes them, pushes them further into their behaviour, and creates camps from which neither of us wants to retreat. I certainly have no desire to apologize for telling people to shush during a musical performance. I'm sure they aren't willing to admit there was anything wrong from talking and joking if they weren't enjoying themselves. But then we end up stuck in our uncomfortable positions, neither giving way, and not moving any closer to unity - or to reforming our own character. From my side, I could learn that I can't control others, and find ways to ask people to be quiet that might be more respectful. For them, they might learn more appreciation of different cultures and develop a deeper understanding of ... good manners :)
So clearly, this isn't a change that will be easy. I still have my ideas of how people should behave. But until I let go of those and approach more people openly and positively, I will continue to make myself miserable by harping over other people's faults, all the while cementing the weaknesses in my own character by judging others, and then truly making myself miserable (and unhealthy, cancer-ridden, etc.) by obsessing over it indefinitely.
In spite of knowing all this, I still am not sure how to move forward with it. I know I need to change. I want to change. I acknowledge that change will be painful and I am open to it. But I know how elusive true transformation can be, and how easily my mind falls into judgment. But that's where we get back to the power of prayer, combined, I hope, with the power of action.
Any other suggestions?
Now, just a few days after it's over, I'm re-learning about all my faults and the many things I need to work on. In the past few days, I've insulted a whole horde of people, mainly unintentionally. I've displayed my inadequate levels of compassion for those whose ways of being offend me (and why am I offended anyways? What is so wrong about bad manners, high heels and being more reserved - even if I interpret it as snobby and stand-off-ish?) I've relearned about how rapidly I judge those who strike me as superficial or hypocritical - which is very quickly - and that I then don't treat them with the love, understanding or warmth that I think I need to show to everyone I meet. In general, I am not displaying respect for the dignity, individuality and creativity of everyone I meet - I'm using my values as the standard for evaluation.
And I am deeply disturbed by this. We're here to build unity. I can only build unity if I see others with an eye of oneness. To me, this means looking to them and expecting great things; being open and curious to learn more about why they do and say the things they do; and watching my words and actions so I express respect for others regardless of their positions. Because much as I might dislike certain behaviours - let's take talking and laughing during a musical performance as one pertinent example - I can't engage with those people and expect change unless I approach them with an attitude of respect.
Telling them to shape up - shut up - shhh - be quiet - simply antagonizes them, pushes them further into their behaviour, and creates camps from which neither of us wants to retreat. I certainly have no desire to apologize for telling people to shush during a musical performance. I'm sure they aren't willing to admit there was anything wrong from talking and joking if they weren't enjoying themselves. But then we end up stuck in our uncomfortable positions, neither giving way, and not moving any closer to unity - or to reforming our own character. From my side, I could learn that I can't control others, and find ways to ask people to be quiet that might be more respectful. For them, they might learn more appreciation of different cultures and develop a deeper understanding of ... good manners :)
So clearly, this isn't a change that will be easy. I still have my ideas of how people should behave. But until I let go of those and approach more people openly and positively, I will continue to make myself miserable by harping over other people's faults, all the while cementing the weaknesses in my own character by judging others, and then truly making myself miserable (and unhealthy, cancer-ridden, etc.) by obsessing over it indefinitely.
In spite of knowing all this, I still am not sure how to move forward with it. I know I need to change. I want to change. I acknowledge that change will be painful and I am open to it. But I know how elusive true transformation can be, and how easily my mind falls into judgment. But that's where we get back to the power of prayer, combined, I hope, with the power of action.
Any other suggestions?
Wednesday, March 18, 2009
Lookin' good
My hair was getting out of control, so I returned (after about 6 months) to my cool stylist. She also agreed that my hair lacked ... style. We settled on 2 inches off and layers. Layers always sound good! Bring out the curl, you know. Very appealing.
Since she straightens my hair when she cuts it, the style looked at first like that famous 90s icon, Jennifer Aniston. I had the Aniston, and I worked it for a few days. Then I washed it. The result was a little less fashion icon, a little more mullet. Or poodle, perhaps (hey, I'm not complaining. At least it brought out the curl!). Mom thought it looked like Farah Fawcett. Hmm.
The day after washing, it took yet another turn: 80s lead singer in a rock band. Wild and shaggy and, yes, layered all over. I wonder why I always forget what the end result of cool layers is?
In any case, I'm enjoying it. Reminds me of my hair in high school, in a really fun (non-traumatic) way.
Since she straightens my hair when she cuts it, the style looked at first like that famous 90s icon, Jennifer Aniston. I had the Aniston, and I worked it for a few days. Then I washed it. The result was a little less fashion icon, a little more mullet. Or poodle, perhaps (hey, I'm not complaining. At least it brought out the curl!). Mom thought it looked like Farah Fawcett. Hmm.
The day after washing, it took yet another turn: 80s lead singer in a rock band. Wild and shaggy and, yes, layered all over. I wonder why I always forget what the end result of cool layers is?
In any case, I'm enjoying it. Reminds me of my hair in high school, in a really fun (non-traumatic) way.
Friday, March 13, 2009
Colour
First, I really would love a new digital camera. Because then this entry would make more sense.
M & I very carefully chose our colours for the house. We chose quite a few, but we wanted colour!
Then stuff went on the walls and we weren't so sure.
The lovely muted purple I chose for the office is kind of ... pale Barney/ kid's toy bright.
The gorgeous bluey-green we picked for the sunroom roof & feature walls (so cheezy I know - but there are a couple of the old exterior walls in that room and they're got the wonderful siding on them) is actually ... green. Bright old-school green.
This colour thing is hard!! And while "paint is cheap", sure, it is not THAT cheap. Anyhow ... we'll see what we decide to do.
M & I very carefully chose our colours for the house. We chose quite a few, but we wanted colour!
Then stuff went on the walls and we weren't so sure.
The lovely muted purple I chose for the office is kind of ... pale Barney/ kid's toy bright.
The gorgeous bluey-green we picked for the sunroom roof & feature walls (so cheezy I know - but there are a couple of the old exterior walls in that room and they're got the wonderful siding on them) is actually ... green. Bright old-school green.
This colour thing is hard!! And while "paint is cheap", sure, it is not THAT cheap. Anyhow ... we'll see what we decide to do.
Tuesday, March 3, 2009
Talking to myself
Whenever I'm extremely stressed - not just the typical overload, but over-the-top, can't cope, deeply upset - I talk to myself. I find myself saying phrases to myself in an uncontrollable manner, negative thoughts surfacing from somewhere in my subconscious and emerging as mutters under my breath.
Today was a day like that. Feeling awful for most of the day. Then a bad class. Epically bad. I couldn't let it go, and felt worse than I had earlier. Walking away, I found myself muttering all kinds of things to myself: that's awful; I hate my job; I can't do this; go away; you suck; you should quit (note how my subconscious often talks to me, not just for me); I'm never going to get married (I don't know quite what this one means ... it seems disconnected from anything to do with my immediate stress, and serves as an all-purpose criticism. Nice!).
I do know that my work is not sustainable. I hope to make some progress on figuring out what to do and working more effectively (I've signed up for a coaching program to get me going). But work that regularly leaves me feeling like inflicting violence on myself is not really a healthy option.
Here's hoping the home organizing/ environmental coaching work plan works out!
Today was a day like that. Feeling awful for most of the day. Then a bad class. Epically bad. I couldn't let it go, and felt worse than I had earlier. Walking away, I found myself muttering all kinds of things to myself: that's awful; I hate my job; I can't do this; go away; you suck; you should quit (note how my subconscious often talks to me, not just for me); I'm never going to get married (I don't know quite what this one means ... it seems disconnected from anything to do with my immediate stress, and serves as an all-purpose criticism. Nice!).
I do know that my work is not sustainable. I hope to make some progress on figuring out what to do and working more effectively (I've signed up for a coaching program to get me going). But work that regularly leaves me feeling like inflicting violence on myself is not really a healthy option.
Here's hoping the home organizing/ environmental coaching work plan works out!
Saturday, February 28, 2009
Moving in
So we're almost in the basement! M was spending some nights here while working on it. My first night was the night before our trip - it was more convenient than staying at home (though we still didn't get out of town until around 1).
It is almost, almost finished down here. The handles & shelves are on/in the kitchen cupboards, which was big: now we can unpack food & dishes. the bedroom is so cozy! the shower, which I used for the first time, is wonderful: beautiful tile-work, M! There are still a few dusty things to do, though, so I've been holding out, but I think I'm going to have to give in and move in :) Which I will do with pleasure, 'cause I like it here. We just need groceries! Today I brought over a pile of groceries my mom picked up for us at Costco and they're being unpacked now (not by me - I kind of hurt my ankle going ice skating :( ).
It will be really good to be in one place. I realized that it's been quite unsettling to be between locations. Not to mention the clutter I've been living with for months, as things from the wedding piled up. Can't wait to stretch out, unpack properly, and start making a home.
It is almost, almost finished down here. The handles & shelves are on/in the kitchen cupboards, which was big: now we can unpack food & dishes. the bedroom is so cozy! the shower, which I used for the first time, is wonderful: beautiful tile-work, M! There are still a few dusty things to do, though, so I've been holding out, but I think I'm going to have to give in and move in :) Which I will do with pleasure, 'cause I like it here. We just need groceries! Today I brought over a pile of groceries my mom picked up for us at Costco and they're being unpacked now (not by me - I kind of hurt my ankle going ice skating :( ).
It will be really good to be in one place. I realized that it's been quite unsettling to be between locations. Not to mention the clutter I've been living with for months, as things from the wedding piled up. Can't wait to stretch out, unpack properly, and start making a home.
Tuesday, February 24, 2009
This is not a joke
So I was checking out the National "No call" list again, because we were woken on Fri. morning by 2 separate automated telemarketing calls. And I discovered something bizarrely wrong with the no call list.
The purpose of the list: sign up so that you will not receive telemarketing calls.
Scroll down the link for telemarketers, and read the information about how you can purchase the No Call list for your company to use!
That's right. That secret, secure list sponsored by the federal government, designed to guarantee our freedom from the evils of marketing? They sell it. To marketers. To call us and harass us.
It is beyond comprehension, and so completely wrong. It confirms every cynical frustration you ever had with the government. And just plain makes me mad.
The purpose of the list: sign up so that you will not receive telemarketing calls.
Scroll down the link for telemarketers, and read the information about how you can purchase the No Call list for your company to use!
That's right. That secret, secure list sponsored by the federal government, designed to guarantee our freedom from the evils of marketing? They sell it. To marketers. To call us and harass us.
It is beyond comprehension, and so completely wrong. It confirms every cynical frustration you ever had with the government. And just plain makes me mad.
Monday, February 16, 2009
Resolutions
There are a couple of things I do and don't do in my life that, if/when I change them, will greatly enhance my well-being. I've been kind of trying to do them for a while, but it is now time to really focus on them. To move from a LONG list of to-dos and embrace the need to reshape my life to incorporate these two new priorities.
1) Work effectively. I have a lot of projects I want to do. A LOT. And I can work hard. But I also waste time, or don't get things done as effectively as I need to. I've blogged before about ways of becoming more effective at work. Now, I'm taking this as a top priority. I want to jump in and do the work that needs doing, and to work 'til it's done. So that I can then focus on having fun with the same intensity.
2) Regular exercise. I simply don't exercise enough. It has nothing to do with body image, and everything to do with health. I want my heart to be health and keep me going for many, many years. I want my years to be filled with life, not disease. I want to keep calm, happy, vibrant and stress-free. Exercise will enable me to do all these things. I need good exercise at LEAST 3 times a week. Ideally? I would get real exercise every day. I need to do this, and need to do it NOW.
1) Work effectively. I have a lot of projects I want to do. A LOT. And I can work hard. But I also waste time, or don't get things done as effectively as I need to. I've blogged before about ways of becoming more effective at work. Now, I'm taking this as a top priority. I want to jump in and do the work that needs doing, and to work 'til it's done. So that I can then focus on having fun with the same intensity.
2) Regular exercise. I simply don't exercise enough. It has nothing to do with body image, and everything to do with health. I want my heart to be health and keep me going for many, many years. I want my years to be filled with life, not disease. I want to keep calm, happy, vibrant and stress-free. Exercise will enable me to do all these things. I need good exercise at LEAST 3 times a week. Ideally? I would get real exercise every day. I need to do this, and need to do it NOW.
Saturday, January 24, 2009
Fugitive
With the cold weather, our cat has been asking to come in more and more. And resisting being put to bed in her basement room.
The other night when it was time for bed, I couldn't find her. I started stalking her room to room through the house, upstairs and downstairs. Under beds, around corners. Finally, I looked in the hall closet. Not on the side with the coats. I slid the door over slowly ... bent down ...
AUGH!!!
... a pair of gleaming eyes in a furry face, nestled in a box of rags at the back of the closet. It was a bit scary. But once I realized that she didn't have any weapons, it was fine. She came out of her hiding place and was willing to be led away.
The other night when it was time for bed, I couldn't find her. I started stalking her room to room through the house, upstairs and downstairs. Under beds, around corners. Finally, I looked in the hall closet. Not on the side with the coats. I slid the door over slowly ... bent down ...
AUGH!!!
... a pair of gleaming eyes in a furry face, nestled in a box of rags at the back of the closet. It was a bit scary. But once I realized that she didn't have any weapons, it was fine. She came out of her hiding place and was willing to be led away.
Friday, January 23, 2009
Is this wrong?
I've been a lot hungry lately. A LOT. Eating ... I want to ... I'm actually going home soon so I can eat.
And as I was walking down the hallway a bit earlier, I noticed something outside the bathroom door. It looked like a baked Ruffles cheddar flavoured potato chip. And I almost ... almost ... reached down and grabbed it. And, well ...
I was hungry. It was just an impulse, and I wouldn't, at least from a public space. But man, that sounds really yummy to me right now.
And as I was walking down the hallway a bit earlier, I noticed something outside the bathroom door. It looked like a baked Ruffles cheddar flavoured potato chip. And I almost ... almost ... reached down and grabbed it. And, well ...
I was hungry. It was just an impulse, and I wouldn't, at least from a public space. But man, that sounds really yummy to me right now.
Thursday, January 22, 2009
Technopoly
I've only read 1/3 of Neil Postman's book on the ways in which the role of technology in society has changed over hundreds of years. But I've read enough to pick up the spirit.
Someone came to my office today to get my speakers to work. Very helpful for previewing video clips for class. And, um, occasionally fun things. I've waited 5 months to do something about the lack of sound from my computer. And he fixed it all right. But in the process, something changed in my screen view. And now the font is too small. Too too small. I strain my eyes looking at the screen. Since this is where I spend all day at work, this is not good! I called tech support. Their advice? Play with the display options. Um, I've been doing that. I''ve played around with ALL the options. And it still sucks.
Then I've been trying to scan this one chapter from a book for class readings. I'm trying to save paper by making PDFs to put up online. The photocopy I made wasn't a great quality, so it's hard for the students to read. I tried yesterday for quite a while. The result: maybe 30 emails to sort through, only 5 or so of which produced legible images. Went back today, and got some help. Scanned the whole chapter!
Maybe got an additional 5 or so pages I can use.
One of my old profs saw this in action and while leaving, asked if I was having a technopoly moment.
Yes. The answer is yes. Yes, yes yes. I am ready for the revolution: people against computers.
Someone came to my office today to get my speakers to work. Very helpful for previewing video clips for class. And, um, occasionally fun things. I've waited 5 months to do something about the lack of sound from my computer. And he fixed it all right. But in the process, something changed in my screen view. And now the font is too small. Too too small. I strain my eyes looking at the screen. Since this is where I spend all day at work, this is not good! I called tech support. Their advice? Play with the display options. Um, I've been doing that. I''ve played around with ALL the options. And it still sucks.
Then I've been trying to scan this one chapter from a book for class readings. I'm trying to save paper by making PDFs to put up online. The photocopy I made wasn't a great quality, so it's hard for the students to read. I tried yesterday for quite a while. The result: maybe 30 emails to sort through, only 5 or so of which produced legible images. Went back today, and got some help. Scanned the whole chapter!
Maybe got an additional 5 or so pages I can use.
One of my old profs saw this in action and while leaving, asked if I was having a technopoly moment.
Yes. The answer is yes. Yes, yes yes. I am ready for the revolution: people against computers.
Southern Nostalgia
I think it's the weather. And also feeling a bit busy (there's a lot going on here). And maybe also hearing from old friends. But I am definitely missing Mississippi.
It's kind of strange that I would, because those two years were probably 2 of the hardest of my life. I was far far away from family. I had a job that was really not a good match with me, which I was so stressed about I couldn't do the work to succeed at it (and ultimately did not succeed, quite dramatically), was quite depressed and anxious for a lot of the time, felt isolated and foreign and not understood, and left feeling like my life was not working in most important ways.
But well ... Mississippi was WARM. Warm for months and months and months. Warm all evening; all night. So warm you couldn't camp out in a tent in summer or you'd suffocate. Wearing tank tops most of the year warm. Blissfully warm!
And lush. You might not realize it, but forestry was one of the major industries on which Mississippi was built. And they still have lots of trees. And rivers, which I was fortunate enough to have a guide for. And riverbeds you could walk in. Warm.
And cool accents and a kind of diversity you don't experience here in Kelowna (one of the least diverse cities in Canada). Cool music and local groups I went to hear (okay, in smoky venues. Something I don't miss). But um ... it was warm enough, and close enough, that I did go out, a lot, to experience the cultural events in Jackson.
And I did neat things there. I took a sculpture class for 6 months and worked in clay, hand modeling (fun fun fun!!!). I helped friends organize and de-clutter their homes (awesome, amazing!). I got to visit some small and old and cool towns around the state (oh, and the history! Wonderful). I wandered on walks around my neighbourhood, which I miss a lot. I shopped regularly at second hand stores. I lived through a major hurricane.
And I had a car, highways, a cell phone and cheap gas. I could travel and see places, and though I could have done more, I did. I was mobile, active, connected and free.
And it was warm. I don't think I can underestimate this. Life in a semi-tropical region felt exotic and full of life in a way that life in the cold though lovely north can't reproduce for all its charms.
Missing Mississippi, though I'm very glad to be here too.
It's kind of strange that I would, because those two years were probably 2 of the hardest of my life. I was far far away from family. I had a job that was really not a good match with me, which I was so stressed about I couldn't do the work to succeed at it (and ultimately did not succeed, quite dramatically), was quite depressed and anxious for a lot of the time, felt isolated and foreign and not understood, and left feeling like my life was not working in most important ways.
But well ... Mississippi was WARM. Warm for months and months and months. Warm all evening; all night. So warm you couldn't camp out in a tent in summer or you'd suffocate. Wearing tank tops most of the year warm. Blissfully warm!
And lush. You might not realize it, but forestry was one of the major industries on which Mississippi was built. And they still have lots of trees. And rivers, which I was fortunate enough to have a guide for. And riverbeds you could walk in. Warm.
And cool accents and a kind of diversity you don't experience here in Kelowna (one of the least diverse cities in Canada). Cool music and local groups I went to hear (okay, in smoky venues. Something I don't miss). But um ... it was warm enough, and close enough, that I did go out, a lot, to experience the cultural events in Jackson.
And I did neat things there. I took a sculpture class for 6 months and worked in clay, hand modeling (fun fun fun!!!). I helped friends organize and de-clutter their homes (awesome, amazing!). I got to visit some small and old and cool towns around the state (oh, and the history! Wonderful). I wandered on walks around my neighbourhood, which I miss a lot. I shopped regularly at second hand stores. I lived through a major hurricane.
And I had a car, highways, a cell phone and cheap gas. I could travel and see places, and though I could have done more, I did. I was mobile, active, connected and free.
And it was warm. I don't think I can underestimate this. Life in a semi-tropical region felt exotic and full of life in a way that life in the cold though lovely north can't reproduce for all its charms.
Missing Mississippi, though I'm very glad to be here too.
Wednesday, January 21, 2009
Strong Women
I saw some amazingly strong women this weekend. Women who have a firm, unshakeable connection with the spiritual realm and the source of guidance. Women who know what their mission is and are pursuing it. Women who have made and continue to make sacrifices to achieve these goals - and do it with pleasure, not regret. Women who are there for other people, giving support and encouragement and not letting them wimp out of contributing their share. Gentle, loving, compassionate, but fierce and firm and strong. It was really inspiring.
Of course, these are also women who don't seem to cry. I'm sure they do - I just couldn't imagine it. Whereas I was welling up every two minutes with something else inspirational. I think this can be a good thing. I don't think it's weak at all. But I am curious about these different ways of approaching the challenging and inspiring and touching experiences of life.
Of course, these are also women who don't seem to cry. I'm sure they do - I just couldn't imagine it. Whereas I was welling up every two minutes with something else inspirational. I think this can be a good thing. I don't think it's weak at all. But I am curious about these different ways of approaching the challenging and inspiring and touching experiences of life.
GTD
I'm trying to learn how to Get Things Done.
That inspirational conference in Vancouver last weekend (http://news.bahai.org/community-news/regional-conferences/) really motivated me to use my time effectively. With so much service to do, not to mention life to enjoy, why waste time fooling around on the computer? Procrastinating? It's a waste of ability, resources, and TIME. However, getting myself to do what needs doing is still hard.
Some things I'm working on.
1. Lists. I need DETAILED lists of what I need to do - in order - to get me to do them. Each item needs to be discrete enough that max. an hour of work (sometimes 2) will get it done. That way I can make progress. I need these lists at the START of my day - so, make them up the night before - so that as soon as I sit down to work, I know what to do.
2. Organized work spaces. When there is clutter, I can't think. I also can't seem to get my lists together, which you will see is important point #1. Putting things back, filing, and acting on all the little to-dos that fill my desk are important in this process.
3. Do the big things first. I am working on this :) It challenges me - when I hit something hard, I want to stop. But getting the work done first is SO rewarding. Relatedly, though I love starting my day slowly, I find it can set me up to get nothing done that day. At least, nothing of the substantive work I have to do, which is what then weighs on me and stresses me out.
4. Related to the above - no email before noon. Or later. Once I open email (personal, that is) it's all downhill. I start checking other websites, wonder which message to reply to ... time vanishes.
So, my renewed goals:
1. Make a fresh list each night of what I need to do.
2. End each day by clearing up my workspace - I will pic away at that and at my home office situation over the next month.
3. Take time at the end of the day to get some of those little things done, so they get done but I don't take time in the morning to do low-priority items.
4. NO EMAIL BEFORE NOON. PERIOD.
That inspirational conference in Vancouver last weekend (http://news.bahai.org/community-news/regional-conferences/) really motivated me to use my time effectively. With so much service to do, not to mention life to enjoy, why waste time fooling around on the computer? Procrastinating? It's a waste of ability, resources, and TIME. However, getting myself to do what needs doing is still hard.
Some things I'm working on.
1. Lists. I need DETAILED lists of what I need to do - in order - to get me to do them. Each item needs to be discrete enough that max. an hour of work (sometimes 2) will get it done. That way I can make progress. I need these lists at the START of my day - so, make them up the night before - so that as soon as I sit down to work, I know what to do.
2. Organized work spaces. When there is clutter, I can't think. I also can't seem to get my lists together, which you will see is important point #1. Putting things back, filing, and acting on all the little to-dos that fill my desk are important in this process.
3. Do the big things first. I am working on this :) It challenges me - when I hit something hard, I want to stop. But getting the work done first is SO rewarding. Relatedly, though I love starting my day slowly, I find it can set me up to get nothing done that day. At least, nothing of the substantive work I have to do, which is what then weighs on me and stresses me out.
4. Related to the above - no email before noon. Or later. Once I open email (personal, that is) it's all downhill. I start checking other websites, wonder which message to reply to ... time vanishes.
So, my renewed goals:
1. Make a fresh list each night of what I need to do.
2. End each day by clearing up my workspace - I will pic away at that and at my home office situation over the next month.
3. Take time at the end of the day to get some of those little things done, so they get done but I don't take time in the morning to do low-priority items.
4. NO EMAIL BEFORE NOON. PERIOD.
Thursday, January 15, 2009
Best food ever
M & I spent Boxing Day in Victoria - wandering, shopping, sightseeing. What a cool city! M lived there for a year, so it was neat to be back somewhere he knew from years before. We went around the Parliament buildings, saw a cool futuristic old-school car in the museum, and checked out too many shoe stores in addition to the bookstores.
It was almost time to catch the ferry to Port Angeles so we decided to grab something to eat. We were right by this vegan restaurant and it was crowded but we ended up at the counter. I had a beet salad and M had an almond burger. And it was the best food I've ever eaten. That salad: yummy, crunchy, fresh, amazing! Beets, nuts, cilantro and so much other goodness! Then the almond burger: rich, creamy, nutty and amazing. OH for an amazing vegetarian restaurant!
It was almost time to catch the ferry to Port Angeles so we decided to grab something to eat. We were right by this vegan restaurant and it was crowded but we ended up at the counter. I had a beet salad and M had an almond burger. And it was the best food I've ever eaten. That salad: yummy, crunchy, fresh, amazing! Beets, nuts, cilantro and so much other goodness! Then the almond burger: rich, creamy, nutty and amazing. OH for an amazing vegetarian restaurant!
Tuesday, January 13, 2009
Bookstores
One of the best things on our honeymoon was book shopping. M & I both love books and bookstores. I started the trip with a record 17 books brought from home - yes, crazy - and just added to it.
We started in a small second hand store in Ucluelet - I picked up 3 books to read, M found one.
In Victoria we found an amazing, huge store that stocked mainly second-hand books. They had a great kids section - lots of older authors, not just the usual kids' series most stores sell. We got a few books as gifts, a few more for me :) Then we went into Munro Books, which is exquisitely beautiful (that ceiling! So worth shopping in).
In Tacoma we found the brilliantly stocked King's Books - cavernous, not so beautiful, but with rows and rows of BOOKS! I found one on technology in the middle ages, which I think will satisfy my "old things" craving for a while. M pulled down a book that's oen of my long-term favourites (Guns, Germs & Steel) - I'm glad to have it in the family now. We also checked out the University of Washington bookstore and I found a book on Latitude - how it was discovered/calculated. Relevant for my job!
Finally, in Seattle we made our way to the Elliot Bay Book Company - the ultra-cool, ultra-big store, with stairs and places to sit and lots and lots of fun. I'd had an impression of what it would look like - more modern somehow, like a monster-Chapters, but cool - and unfortunately, this affected my reaction to the store, which under normal circumstances I would have been drooling over (oh, their racks showing employee picks! Truly fabulous!). I think I was suffering from book and spending burn-out, though, and just couldn't browse like I wanted to. I had enough books! It would take months to read them! And I didn't have a lot of money!
I bought one book (a cheezy Christmas one, on sale - which was actually a good read for the genre) and that concluded the book shopping. I'm reading the 2nd book now, on the history of women healers, and really enjoying it.
Books. Always a good way to spend time.
We started in a small second hand store in Ucluelet - I picked up 3 books to read, M found one.
In Victoria we found an amazing, huge store that stocked mainly second-hand books. They had a great kids section - lots of older authors, not just the usual kids' series most stores sell. We got a few books as gifts, a few more for me :) Then we went into Munro Books, which is exquisitely beautiful (that ceiling! So worth shopping in).
In Tacoma we found the brilliantly stocked King's Books - cavernous, not so beautiful, but with rows and rows of BOOKS! I found one on technology in the middle ages, which I think will satisfy my "old things" craving for a while. M pulled down a book that's oen of my long-term favourites (Guns, Germs & Steel) - I'm glad to have it in the family now. We also checked out the University of Washington bookstore and I found a book on Latitude - how it was discovered/calculated. Relevant for my job!
Finally, in Seattle we made our way to the Elliot Bay Book Company - the ultra-cool, ultra-big store, with stairs and places to sit and lots and lots of fun. I'd had an impression of what it would look like - more modern somehow, like a monster-Chapters, but cool - and unfortunately, this affected my reaction to the store, which under normal circumstances I would have been drooling over (oh, their racks showing employee picks! Truly fabulous!). I think I was suffering from book and spending burn-out, though, and just couldn't browse like I wanted to. I had enough books! It would take months to read them! And I didn't have a lot of money!
I bought one book (a cheezy Christmas one, on sale - which was actually a good read for the genre) and that concluded the book shopping. I'm reading the 2nd book now, on the history of women healers, and really enjoying it.
Books. Always a good way to spend time.
Sunday, January 4, 2009
Major advance in skin care
I think I'm finally figuring out what to do for my skin! It can be both oily and dry, sensitive and flushed and flaky. These new treatments - which are incredibly simple and cheap! - seem to be working.
I've started dry brushing my body with a boar-hair brush before showering. This loosens the dead skin, which comes off easily in the shower. Here's one article on it - different ones recommend slightly different methods, where to brush, etc.:
http://www.epicureantable.com/articles/adrybrush.htm
Though I used to exfoliate while showering, I'd still have dead skin rubbing off after the shower. Now, no dead skin! And my skin feels silkier and smoother. And it's good for my health with minimal effort on my part (BONUS!).
I've also discovered grapeseed oil as an amazing moisturizer for my body. It goes on easily and quickly (more quickly than shea butter, which I still love but which takes longer to warm with my hands and rub in). It isn't greasy, either. I bought a big jar and refill a small pump jar in the bathroom.
My face was also sometimes dry and flaky. I've started drinking more tea, which has amazingly made a difference (herbal tea; basically, hydrating more fully!). I've switched to the face products I've heard dermatologists actually use: washing with Dove soap, moisturizing with Oil of Olay (with SPF 15). And I now put on enough moisturizer, on face AND neck, to really create a barrier against the cold. I would like to find a more natural moisturizer, but like the SPF and my skin responds to it well. We'll see what I come up with.
The only remaining problem is my hands, which are dry and utterly disgusting-feeling in winter. I've tried all kinds of moisturizers, exfoliation, and am not sure what else might work. I get creeped out by how my hands feel, so finding a solution is next on my priority list. Suggestions?
I've started dry brushing my body with a boar-hair brush before showering. This loosens the dead skin, which comes off easily in the shower. Here's one article on it - different ones recommend slightly different methods, where to brush, etc.:
http://www.epicureantable.com/articles/adrybrush.htm
Though I used to exfoliate while showering, I'd still have dead skin rubbing off after the shower. Now, no dead skin! And my skin feels silkier and smoother. And it's good for my health with minimal effort on my part (BONUS!).
I've also discovered grapeseed oil as an amazing moisturizer for my body. It goes on easily and quickly (more quickly than shea butter, which I still love but which takes longer to warm with my hands and rub in). It isn't greasy, either. I bought a big jar and refill a small pump jar in the bathroom.
My face was also sometimes dry and flaky. I've started drinking more tea, which has amazingly made a difference (herbal tea; basically, hydrating more fully!). I've switched to the face products I've heard dermatologists actually use: washing with Dove soap, moisturizing with Oil of Olay (with SPF 15). And I now put on enough moisturizer, on face AND neck, to really create a barrier against the cold. I would like to find a more natural moisturizer, but like the SPF and my skin responds to it well. We'll see what I come up with.
The only remaining problem is my hands, which are dry and utterly disgusting-feeling in winter. I've tried all kinds of moisturizers, exfoliation, and am not sure what else might work. I get creeped out by how my hands feel, so finding a solution is next on my priority list. Suggestions?
Saturday, January 3, 2009
Yummy
I baked a squash the other night. As I was scraping the seeds out, I remembered the last time I'd eaten yummy squash seeds. So I put them in a bowl and after the squash was baked (incidentally - not very yummy and kind of bitter), I put them in the toaster oven for about 20 minutes. No rinsing or cleaning off, just baked them as is.
YUM! The lingering squash gave them a buttery flavour, the toasting made them crispy, and their smaller size ensured I could crunch the whole thing - shells and seeds - without having too much roughage.
YUM! The lingering squash gave them a buttery flavour, the toasting made them crispy, and their smaller size ensured I could crunch the whole thing - shells and seeds - without having too much roughage.
Freestyle: embracing the fantasy
As I continue dreaming about having a week-long "Freestyle" TV marathon, I came across a hilarious article in the Washington Post about a woman whose apartment was chosen for Freestyle:
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2006/06/21/AR2006062100519.html
So apparently it's not fully free, and not always as stylish as the home-dwellers would like. So shattering! :)
But still, strangely, it doesn't change my love of the show. The fantasy of living in the lovely homes and apartments they have - beautiful wood floors, big windows and lovely floorboards and moldings; of owning great furniture and basics they can use to decorate with what you have; and the pleasure of a beautifully coordinated room where I feel at peace.
Still a fan!
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2006/06/21/AR2006062100519.html
So apparently it's not fully free, and not always as stylish as the home-dwellers would like. So shattering! :)
But still, strangely, it doesn't change my love of the show. The fantasy of living in the lovely homes and apartments they have - beautiful wood floors, big windows and lovely floorboards and moldings; of owning great furniture and basics they can use to decorate with what you have; and the pleasure of a beautifully coordinated room where I feel at peace.
Still a fan!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
