Change as change. June 11, 2008

Things change, and sometimes they change in directions you could never foresee.

 

In the past year I’ve gone from a resident of the Los Angeles area — on disability, then on unemployment, then employed (for all of three weeks!) to no income at all, to giving/throwing away 37 years of stuff including the many books from my life as well as my late husband’s (I’m down to 8 boxes of stuff and two very confused cats) – to moving 450 miles north to the San Francisco Bay Area, still unemployed, on to general assistance, and back to employed again (for three weeks…).

 

Brings new meaning to the phrase, “The more things change, the more they stay the same.” I’m considering writing a book, “Feng Shui for the Transitional.”

 

 

Child of the 80’s…NOT! March 8, 2007

But from the score I got on this music quiz for that decade, I should have been–or at least the mother of one! Actually, I’m alarmed at how well I did do, 118…YIKES!

http://www.yetanotherdot.com/asp/80s.html

HOPPING JOHN! December 31, 2006

Today is the day before the start of the New Year, and traditions for good luck and prosperity are numerous. One of the good luck traditions that comes from the Southern United States is to have Hopping John on New Year’s Day. The dish dates back to the days of slavery, and was made from ingredients available to the slaves. The story goes that if you eat humbly on the first day of the year, you will be prosperous for the rest.

There are a lot of traditions like this, around a lot of different foods. My friend June’s mother, Michi, makes Corned Beef and Cabbage every New Year’s day. I have no idea where she got this tradition using this very American dish, since she herself is Issei, first-generation Japanese!

I skipped making Hopping John this past New Year’s, and look what happened — I had a heart attack! So, this year, I’ve got my ingredients at the ready, and I’m prepared to start cooking this evening, for tomorrow. Here’s my favorite recipe, of the many out there, for this tasty and hearty stew:

 TRADITIONAL HOPPING JOHN      Yield: 10 servings
 
  Recipe fron the collection of Joan Mershon
 
      4    Bacon strips [*]   

1/4   C  Onion, diced
    1/2   Bell pepper, diced
    1/2   Red bell pepper, diced
      2    C FRESH Blackeyed peas
           -or purple hull peas
           -or 2 pk (10 oz) frozen blackeyed peas
    1/2  C  Uncooked white rice
      2   C  Water
           Salt & pepper, to taste
           Louisiana Hot Sauce
 
  Dice bacon*. brown in dutch oven with onion and peppers, until bacon* is
  crisp and vegetables are soft.  Add peas and rice. then water.  Cover and
  simmer over very low heat about 20 minutes, until the rice is tender. Salt
  & pepper to taste.  Add a dash of hot sauce (to taste).

What is YOUR tradition? What little thing do you do to make the coming New Year a happy, healthy and prosperous one? Please share — we can all use a little good fortune! 

EDIT: [*] If you’re vegetarian, you can use a whole black cardamom pod (available at Penzey’s or other spice and herb sources) instead: Place the whole pod in the  beginning of the cooking time — and remove it after about 1 hour, to give a smoky taste without bacon. You can also add about 1/4 tsp. of cumin for the smoky goodness. I’ve made it that way for some veggie guests, and it rocks!  –SC

The Great Mistake December 12, 2006

It was a friendly orange plastic recipe box, and it had *so* many recipes! Family ones, from my mother, who is now gone. My mother-in-law’s showcase dinners. Friend’s fondest childhood memories. They had names varied and nostalgic, like “Saucepan Brownies”, “Evelyn’s Seafood Gumbo”, “Shroodles”, and “Lillian’s Lemon and Raisin Cookies”, each with a story or a memory.

Cravings September 27, 2006

The other day, I just *had* to have some salsa, so I poked around in the fridge and threw in anything even remotely salsa-like and a few things which weren’t. Results were surprisingly…excellent! But then, I’m one of those 15 minute, seat of the pants, wander into the kitchen, wander out with dinner types. :)

What’s the best impromptu meal you’ve ever made, and how did you decide what to put in it? Was it something traditional or a never-to-be-repeated off-the-wall delight? Do your choices while in the creative mood fall into the traditional ingredients only category, or does your mind sample tastes from what’s available and experiment? C’mon, spill the beans… 

Restless August 23, 2006

Or, more to the point, unable to sleep.

Lack of sleep robs your health, your energy and your daily routines. It steals your alertness and creativity. It impairs judgement, and endangers you. So getting enough sleep is a good thing.

The world is full of advice (most of it contradictory!) on how to get to sleep, but there are so many remedies, it’s hard to choose: Read a book, but not in bed. Always keep something to read handy at bedside. Don’t lie down until you feel sleepy. Exercise right before bed. Only nap for 40 minutes or less, during the day, to stay alert. Don’t nap before bedtime, no matter how tired you are. Have some hot milk. Don’t eat after 8 pm…

What relaxes you and puts you in dreamland? Your favorite formula for when you really, really need to sleep?

Recycling Spam August 14, 2006

Spam — the gift that keeps on annoying.

It’s something everyone seems to get, more or less, no matter how good the spamfilter. It can eat your time, your patience and your sanity. But it still keeps on coming! I say, if you can’t beat it, then use it.

The next time you’ve got a moment or two, or feel you can get away with a little goofing off, why don’t you try some Spam poetry! 

The rules are simple — you may only use the subject line, as is, lines arranged in any order to form as intriquing a composition as you can muster from what you’re given. Oh, and you must promise not to forward any of your spam to me! Poetry, yes, source material, NO!

Ahem.  My first attempt, titled

“Imposition, 8-10″

Hi, pearl-besprinkled
How much does your image cost?
Survey, discount meds
Your Montana grayling
Yam-yam-yam
Your parula blue.

What do you think, should I quit my day job?

Here’s the thing… August 10, 2006

I’m all about:  The environment; freedom; living simply; organic (when it makes sense); living within my means — or below; computers; the Internet; good Netiquette; education; libraries – a requirement for a free state; consumer’s rights; PBS and NPR, because the people must have a chance to hear a balanced view; recycling, reusing, rehabing; privacy; personal choice; science and tech; astronomy; space exploration; progressive thinking; friends; cats; laughter; music; the good life…on my terms.

I’m SO not there for:  Big Brother; Big Government; Big Corporations; the Nanny State; conservativism; the Religious Right; McMansions; Spam!; over-consumption; waste; the Neocons; Rush Limbaugh and Bill O’Reilly and all their spiritual ilk; lying; “keeping up with the Joneses” ; living above my means; social class; following rules I don’t agree with; SUVs – particularly Hummers, just who are these guys?; rudeness and stupidity; censorship; advertising; political campaigns — too long!; geo-cide; quitting.

 If you like what I’m about, welcome! If not, respectfully, Deal with it.