Surf's Up

I was thinking . . . if this were August, and it was 90 degrees out there, we'd be surfing. But it's February and like 12 degrees with a 15 mph wind, so . . . we're not surfing - not just yet.

She found one....

I now am the proud owner of my own Learn How Book (copyright 1941) thanks to Kim. What a lovely treat it was to walk into her shop and have her tell me she found one for me. Grannie gave me my first copy of this book in the 1950's in an attempt to keep me busy and out of her hair. I taught myself to knit, and crochet and do other stuff with this book. And no, it didn't keep me out of Grannie's hair.

I've collected other printings over the years, but this one is my favorite because of it's lovely sock pattern. So needless to say, I'm thrilled - and knitting a pair of socks.

Thank you Kim!

For David........

Actually, I did have my camera with me...and here's the two shots I managed to take. These pictures don't do justice to the splendor . . .

Main Altar



Pipe Organ

Travels, beauty and wonder

My two friends P and J took me to meet Sr. Gerri who runs the absolutely coolest give-away shop I've ever seen. What's a give-away shop? Well, it's a resale or thrift shop that gives it stuff away, unless of course you want or have some $$ you can give the shop. And Sr. Gerri is the coolest nun I've every met. On Saturday she was clothed in a deep red pencil skirt, matching vest and white blouse, two-inch black pumps and a cobbler apron. What a sight. I've never seen a nun dressed in red!

Lots of folks came in asking for different stuff, which Sr. G gladly gave them. She had fresh fruit, veggies, bread, furniture, dishes, pots, pans, books, clothing, rugs, bedding and lots more. What an angel she is. Sr. G and me, well we had a really nice chat. Then P, J, and I went to see the chapel at the neighboring Motherhouse. Whoa, boy -- the beauty of it took my breath away - literally!

So happy to have such good friends who introduce me to such wonders - the give-away and the incredible beauty of the chapel. Too much for words to adequately express.

I need another visit and I'm taking S and J to introduce them to Sr. G.

Same answer

Apparently the formula has changed, same answer though:

howling, window rattling wind + rain = Spring time

Signs

Chirping birds + a roaring lake = Spring time

What a difference a day makes - we're looking at grass where last week we were looking at 2 ft. of snow! I'm ready for it, are you?

50 degree party

It reached 50 degrees today.

Wonder if the home town university students held a 50 degree party. Met a friend at the local coffee shop today and he asked if I was throwing such a party. Haha. Said friend knows about such parties as he is a former attendee at a few.

Actually, such a party was not "held", it happened. The first spring day the tempurature hit 50, the university vacated - students as well as some faculty - and headed to a local park where we celebrated the arrival of spring. Some years in a drizzle, some years while standing on soggy grass and some years while standing atop snow banks.

There were snow banks the year I decided to do what my mother warned me against - jumping off the bridge because someone else did. All I can say is water is darned cold when ice chunks are floating in it - but what the heck, I was young and looking for an adventure. And I got one - mighty cold walk home with all those wet clothes on - didn't think that through very well.

I'd like to think I'm smarter these days.

Good food, good friends, good times

Pizza with good friends, music with good friends and good times with good friends. And then there's that guy at Stumpjack.

You know the one - the one who's yammering about he'd like a massage during a sweet voiced song by the lovely Kelly Underwood. Hey.....David.........


And the one who'll stick his hand into the frame while you trying to get a cool shot of the fish on the wall.

And, then there's the lovely wife, always supportive, always smiling - and definitely going straight to HEAVEN!


Oh, we can't forget Ethan Keller and his fantastic looper thingy - great music there.

Thanks for a great time .....

Eating Local at the Teach In

I'm just all awed ..........

Attended and presented at a Teach In at the local university. Even though it was a long day for me, I'm reinvigorated. Great discussions were had at this teach in!

As part of a panel presentation on how food systems are affected by global warming, I was able to talk about the benefits of eating local. My little part - local foods - is something I'm passionate about. I could speak for days - nonstop - about local foods. Often times when presenting about local foods, I take the twist of talking about the wide array of local foods we have due to migration of peoples and their foods.

For example: Have you heard of Lemon Zinger tea? I love it. One of it's ingredients is lemongrass, a tropical plant - a perennial tropical plant. Lemongrass is now grown in the Midwest.

What?! Yes, when Hmong refugees came here to live, lemongrass came with them. As an adaptation to our climate, lemongrass is grown as an annual. Lemongrass can be found in local gardens and farmers markets each August. Unless, of course, I've beat you to the market and bought all the lemongrass in sight.

Enough cannot be said about all the other wonder meals I'm cooking because I have fresh lemongrass - or lemongrass stashed in the freezer. Lemon chicken: organic local whole chicken, stuffed with lemongrass, local garlic, local onions, sea salt and pepper. Roast. Enjoy.