... though I spent most of the day in a quandary, debating within myself on Friday. Trying to know whether I would spend the night in Decatur and have to get up in the wee hours to drive for two hours to be at work at 6:00 a.m. Trying to gauge where to sleep: whether I would be so tired I could not safely drive back to sleep in my own bed on Friday night, or whether it would be foolish to take a chance on being so weary I might doze off while driving 72 m.p.h. south on I-185.
In the end, at ten o'clock on Friday night, the decision was to 'take a chance'. I was listening to a talking book that has been really interesting, enough to keep my awake for the two hours from Atlanta to get home and fall into bed at nearly midnight. And get four or five hours of sleep, then drag my weary bones to work before daylight.
I woke in the middle of the night to a bright light alarmingly flashing in the house. The florescent bulb that is always on in the kitchen was attempting to burn out. After I got over with heart-racing panic, I went and turned it off. Then back to bed to sleep another hour or so before slouching off to meet the time clock.
The 'tipping point' in the decision making process: when I was driving through downtown Atlanta, I noticed a man on the sidewalk. Literally. In front of one of those pull down grates that keep people from entering the exit in a parking deck. A little alcove off the sidewalk, but right out there on the public thoroughfare. He was making his little pallet to lay down, going to bed on the sidewalk. As soon as I got to the next corner, where I had to stop for a traffic light to change, I got out my little book of thankfulness.
And wrote: "Home - a place to be warm and dry, sleep safely."
Saturday, October 3, 2015
Friday, October 2, 2015
drivin' in the nearly rain...
...this morning when I left home in the dark and drizzle. Just enough stuff dripping from the clouds to have to keep the windshield wipers on the entire time. Headed to metro. to spend the day. As usual trying to get into town and off the highly-trafficked interstate highway before the millions who commute. So I left home at just after five o'clock and arrived in Decatur about 7:00 a.m.
Getting periodic email notices about events that occur at the gardens and greenhouses at Perimeter College, that sorely tempt me to buy things to plant. It has not yet been convenient for me to attend on the days the greenhouses are open for sales, but sucker that I am for native plants/perennials: I am hoping to go today. I wrote some months ago, back in the early summer, about going to the gardens where a former instructor/retired professor at the college has planted a gazillion ferns from his world travels. Sadly, I am must confess: also a fool for ferns.
I understand from the email that the Perimeter College botany students propagate the plants that are for sale. I am lead to believe they are mostly plants that are native to our region, either state or southeastern US and will be hardy when planted in our area. I don't really feel the urge to plant anything else in my yard, but am pretty sure if I go, I can find something that is tragically lacking and desperately needed to complete my local landscape.
Getting periodic email notices about events that occur at the gardens and greenhouses at Perimeter College, that sorely tempt me to buy things to plant. It has not yet been convenient for me to attend on the days the greenhouses are open for sales, but sucker that I am for native plants/perennials: I am hoping to go today. I wrote some months ago, back in the early summer, about going to the gardens where a former instructor/retired professor at the college has planted a gazillion ferns from his world travels. Sadly, I am must confess: also a fool for ferns.
I understand from the email that the Perimeter College botany students propagate the plants that are for sale. I am lead to believe they are mostly plants that are native to our region, either state or southeastern US and will be hardy when planted in our area. I don't really feel the urge to plant anything else in my yard, but am pretty sure if I go, I can find something that is tragically lacking and desperately needed to complete my local landscape.
cookin' at work again...(dijon crusted pork loin)
...on Thursday afternoon, which is one of the two 'half days' at the Aprons booth. There are, in this particular store, a couple of days each week, that the cooking demo. only runs in the afternoon, during what is commonly known as 'drive time', when there is the most customer/foot traffic passing through. Tuesday and Thursday are the two short days. The hours of operation for the food demonstration are different from store to store, depending on demographics. I assume based upon obscure, technical, confusing set of carefully chosen and highly classified numbers having to do with geography/location, traffic patterns, P & L, etc.
The recipe I prepared three times on Thursday was probably really good, but since it started off with parts of a hog, I did not taste it. And told a number of people who stopped long enough to have a brief conversation I would make it with chicken tenders/strips if doing it at home. There are enough flavorful ingredients involved that the end product would be tasty with any type of protein you choose to use.
You dip the (meat of your choice) in spicy mustard then coat with crunchy crumbs to insure it will come out of the oven nice and crispy. And make this wonderful topping/sauce to add as you serve. The sauce being so yummy you might want to save to drink out of a cup, though the recipe recommends you could serve over gnocchi as a quick side dish.
The pork loin available at my workplace is vacuum packed, and averages just over two pounds. My suggestion to customers who sounded like they would make it at home: take the roast selection back to the meat dept. to have them cut it in half. Put the other half in the freezer for another meal, or in the crock pot to cook overnight.
I don't usually remember to bring the recipe home to be able to give specifics. But thought it sounds both good and easy, so likely be something I would make though changing the meat to one I would actually eat. I would not put the effort into making a dish I would not consume.
The following recipe is from Aprons. I hope I will not go to jail for repeating it here... perhaps I should alter to avoid a long sentence due to copyright infringement? Ingredients and measurements are according to recipe, though I have changed the instructions slightly in self defense.
Dijon-onion crusted pork prep. time: about 25 minutes
1 Tbs. canola oil (I just sprayed the metal baking sheet with non-stick cooking spray)
3/4 cup French fried onion rings, coarsely crushed
1/2 cup panko bread crumbs, combined with onions in zip top bag
1 pound pork tenderloin, sliced about 1 inch thick (or alternate meat of your choice)
2 Tbs. spicy mustard + 1/2 tsp. kosher salt + 1/4 tsp. pepper, mix in bowl
Topping/sauce: 1 oz. sharp white cheddar cheese. shredded
1 cup roasted garlic Alfredo sauce
1 can (6 ox.) mushroom steak sauce (combine these three in micro-safe bowl to heat)
Preheat oven to 400. Coat baking sheet with oil. Coat meat with mustard mixture, then place in zipper bag with crumbs to coat. patting to insure good coverage. Place meat on cooking sheet, bake for 10 min., then turn and bake 6 or 7 min. more. Check with meat thermometer for doneness: 145 degrees.
Heat topping/sauce ingredients and serve over meat. Serves four.
The side dish on the same recipe card sounds so yummy I would like to eat the whole thing, though the recipe indicates it serves four. Which means I would have to go lay down and rest after consuming the bowl of caprese salad. It's the basil pesto that calls my name.
8 oz. fresh mozzarella cheese, cubed
2 medium tomatoes, coarsely chopped (home grown would be wonderful!)
1/4 cup plain, unflavored low-fat Greek yogurt
1/4 cup basil pesto sauce
Dice cheese and tomatoes. Combine pesto and yogurt in medium bowl, add cheese and tomato. Stir just until well coated. Even better if it sits a bit to improve melding of flavors.
Several customers/tasters reported the salad was 'bland', and suggested salt. I do not routinely pick up a salt shaker, as the person who eats my cooking at home always salts before tasting. I rarely add salt to anything I prepare, knowing he will cover his food with salt prior to picking up a fork, But a little sprinkle of coarse salt might help to give it more flavor.
The recipe I prepared three times on Thursday was probably really good, but since it started off with parts of a hog, I did not taste it. And told a number of people who stopped long enough to have a brief conversation I would make it with chicken tenders/strips if doing it at home. There are enough flavorful ingredients involved that the end product would be tasty with any type of protein you choose to use.
You dip the (meat of your choice) in spicy mustard then coat with crunchy crumbs to insure it will come out of the oven nice and crispy. And make this wonderful topping/sauce to add as you serve. The sauce being so yummy you might want to save to drink out of a cup, though the recipe recommends you could serve over gnocchi as a quick side dish.
The pork loin available at my workplace is vacuum packed, and averages just over two pounds. My suggestion to customers who sounded like they would make it at home: take the roast selection back to the meat dept. to have them cut it in half. Put the other half in the freezer for another meal, or in the crock pot to cook overnight.
I don't usually remember to bring the recipe home to be able to give specifics. But thought it sounds both good and easy, so likely be something I would make though changing the meat to one I would actually eat. I would not put the effort into making a dish I would not consume.
The following recipe is from Aprons. I hope I will not go to jail for repeating it here... perhaps I should alter to avoid a long sentence due to copyright infringement? Ingredients and measurements are according to recipe, though I have changed the instructions slightly in self defense.
Dijon-onion crusted pork prep. time: about 25 minutes
1 Tbs. canola oil (I just sprayed the metal baking sheet with non-stick cooking spray)
3/4 cup French fried onion rings, coarsely crushed
1/2 cup panko bread crumbs, combined with onions in zip top bag
1 pound pork tenderloin, sliced about 1 inch thick (or alternate meat of your choice)
2 Tbs. spicy mustard + 1/2 tsp. kosher salt + 1/4 tsp. pepper, mix in bowl
Topping/sauce: 1 oz. sharp white cheddar cheese. shredded
1 cup roasted garlic Alfredo sauce
1 can (6 ox.) mushroom steak sauce (combine these three in micro-safe bowl to heat)
Preheat oven to 400. Coat baking sheet with oil. Coat meat with mustard mixture, then place in zipper bag with crumbs to coat. patting to insure good coverage. Place meat on cooking sheet, bake for 10 min., then turn and bake 6 or 7 min. more. Check with meat thermometer for doneness: 145 degrees.
Heat topping/sauce ingredients and serve over meat. Serves four.
The side dish on the same recipe card sounds so yummy I would like to eat the whole thing, though the recipe indicates it serves four. Which means I would have to go lay down and rest after consuming the bowl of caprese salad. It's the basil pesto that calls my name.
8 oz. fresh mozzarella cheese, cubed
2 medium tomatoes, coarsely chopped (home grown would be wonderful!)
1/4 cup plain, unflavored low-fat Greek yogurt
1/4 cup basil pesto sauce
Dice cheese and tomatoes. Combine pesto and yogurt in medium bowl, add cheese and tomato. Stir just until well coated. Even better if it sits a bit to improve melding of flavors.
Several customers/tasters reported the salad was 'bland', and suggested salt. I do not routinely pick up a salt shaker, as the person who eats my cooking at home always salts before tasting. I rarely add salt to anything I prepare, knowing he will cover his food with salt prior to picking up a fork, But a little sprinkle of coarse salt might help to give it more flavor.
Thursday, October 1, 2015
a cautionary tale...
... for those who might not be aware of the value of paranoia. In our world of lurkers and peepers who seem to have electronic eyes and ears, it pays to be careful with any personal information. I have heard two people in the past couple of days comment about 'misplaced' debit cards. Which may or may not be actually lost, possibly in the washer or dryer, or may or may not have fallen into the hands of devious miscreants. So you cannot be too careful with valuable personal property or privileged info.
So here is my suggestion. Not original by any means, but worth knowing about and pretty simple to do. It's not going to actually save you any grief or aggravation should you lose, misplace or have your wallet stolen. But it will definitely make what you will have to do after the fact a much less painful.
Go to the nearest copy machine. At work, at the library or at the copy/office supply store. Put everything in your wallet down on the glass and make copies. Front and back. Photo ID, credit cards, insurance cards, anything that your routinely carry on your person and would struggle to find numbers to cancel or replace. Put this info. in a safe place like file cabinet, or where you might store valuable papers like power of attorney, will, etc. Let people who would need to know where they can find the paperwork.
If you are away from home, and disaster should befall, or out of the country and have a crisis, someone needs to know where to find the important paperwork you will need. So be sure you have it stored in a place family members have access to. Putting your Living Will in a safe deposit box is not a smart idea, as it will take a court order following legal snarls to access - and by then: you are gone.
Go - right now. Make copies of everything in your wallet. Except money. That's a federal offense.
So here is my suggestion. Not original by any means, but worth knowing about and pretty simple to do. It's not going to actually save you any grief or aggravation should you lose, misplace or have your wallet stolen. But it will definitely make what you will have to do after the fact a much less painful.
Go to the nearest copy machine. At work, at the library or at the copy/office supply store. Put everything in your wallet down on the glass and make copies. Front and back. Photo ID, credit cards, insurance cards, anything that your routinely carry on your person and would struggle to find numbers to cancel or replace. Put this info. in a safe place like file cabinet, or where you might store valuable papers like power of attorney, will, etc. Let people who would need to know where they can find the paperwork.
If you are away from home, and disaster should befall, or out of the country and have a crisis, someone needs to know where to find the important paperwork you will need. So be sure you have it stored in a place family members have access to. Putting your Living Will in a safe deposit box is not a smart idea, as it will take a court order following legal snarls to access - and by then: you are gone.
Go - right now. Make copies of everything in your wallet. Except money. That's a federal offense.
Wednesday, September 30, 2015
literacy tutoring again...
...at the elementary school on the south side of town. The same two little four year olds from pre-K class who are in need of a little boost to help them with developing reading skills. One was absent, so I retrieved the second and went to sit in the lunchroom and read with her. The book is 'Silly Sally', and yes, it is sincerely silly. The little girl had been reading with other tutors for the past two days, and remembered a lot about the story, even though it is mostly illustrations/pictures with a minimum of words, lots of repetition. She was very talkative and wanted to tell me all about the book before we even sat down to get started. We read, did the little work sheet and read it again.
I thought I would be finished in record time. But when I took #1 back to her class, the second one came in, late, so we got her binder, with her very own copy of 'Silly Sally' book and read. She seems to be more hesitant, maybe just shy. But hopefully with volunteers reading a series of books five days in a row, she will catch on, with repeated exposure to the illustrations and printed words. Gradually begin to absorb the basics, with a bit of one-on-one attention. Have experience with interpreting pictures, catch on to sight words, develop needed skills and begin a love of reading, and explore the world of books. Learn what wonderful things await those who delve into literature.
I thought I would be finished in record time. But when I took #1 back to her class, the second one came in, late, so we got her binder, with her very own copy of 'Silly Sally' book and read. She seems to be more hesitant, maybe just shy. But hopefully with volunteers reading a series of books five days in a row, she will catch on, with repeated exposure to the illustrations and printed words. Gradually begin to absorb the basics, with a bit of one-on-one attention. Have experience with interpreting pictures, catch on to sight words, develop needed skills and begin a love of reading, and explore the world of books. Learn what wonderful things await those who delve into literature.
the marshmallow study...
...is something you probably read about. It came up on public radio this morning, with someone telling how children are tested by tempting them with marshmallows. (Which would be a no-brainer for me, as marshmallows are on my list of things I hope to never put in my mouth again.) Someone did a test/research project where small children are given the option of eating the marshmallow right now, or postponing the eating. If they can resist the temptation to grab and gobble, they will get two marshmallows after fifteen minutes. Some did, some didn't. Some ate it immediately, while some were able to restrain themselves long enough to double the pleasure.
You would, of course, have to know about marshmallows - and I am sure there are lots of places in the world where little people do not have the marshmallow experience. And then you would have to have the self control to be able to wait, which is generally not a strong suit for youngsters. Plus and abundance of patience. Able to sit and fidget for what would seem like forever when you were looking at the temptation, right there before your eyes and feeling like the clock was running backwards, interminable seconds slowly ticking by.
The study was mentioned in reference to how people can make financial decisions. The kids who were able to wait out the timer, and double their pleasure by receiving the second, after the allotted time were more likely to be 'savers'. Better able to discipline themselves as they mature to set funds aside for some large goal that would not be instantly available. Postponing fun today, in the effort to gain some greater desired object in the future.
This made me think about the people I raised, who are financially independent, fully functioning adults. I've had conversations recently about 'rainy day funds' and the importance of setting aside a portion of income to invest/grow/accumulate interest over time. Hopefully to start now, with the idea of interest making interest, compounding over time to create a decent nest egg for retirement years. Much of the investment advice for those of middle age or later is directed at looking out for oneself, rather than being pressured into supporting the next generation. So the 'interest' you take in savings or investing should be focused on assuring the next generation you will not be dependent on them.
Years and generations ago, it was not uncommon for homes to be multi-generational within one dwelling, with grandparents, aunts/uncles/extended family to live under the same roof as a younger couple with children. Not always the perfect situation, but often a necessity. I've let my family know of a long term health care plan that will cover aging issues should I not be able to live independently. We all hope that never happens, but like a Good Scout: better to Be Prepared.
You would, of course, have to know about marshmallows - and I am sure there are lots of places in the world where little people do not have the marshmallow experience. And then you would have to have the self control to be able to wait, which is generally not a strong suit for youngsters. Plus and abundance of patience. Able to sit and fidget for what would seem like forever when you were looking at the temptation, right there before your eyes and feeling like the clock was running backwards, interminable seconds slowly ticking by.
The study was mentioned in reference to how people can make financial decisions. The kids who were able to wait out the timer, and double their pleasure by receiving the second, after the allotted time were more likely to be 'savers'. Better able to discipline themselves as they mature to set funds aside for some large goal that would not be instantly available. Postponing fun today, in the effort to gain some greater desired object in the future.
This made me think about the people I raised, who are financially independent, fully functioning adults. I've had conversations recently about 'rainy day funds' and the importance of setting aside a portion of income to invest/grow/accumulate interest over time. Hopefully to start now, with the idea of interest making interest, compounding over time to create a decent nest egg for retirement years. Much of the investment advice for those of middle age or later is directed at looking out for oneself, rather than being pressured into supporting the next generation. So the 'interest' you take in savings or investing should be focused on assuring the next generation you will not be dependent on them.
Years and generations ago, it was not uncommon for homes to be multi-generational within one dwelling, with grandparents, aunts/uncles/extended family to live under the same roof as a younger couple with children. Not always the perfect situation, but often a necessity. I've let my family know of a long term health care plan that will cover aging issues should I not be able to live independently. We all hope that never happens, but like a Good Scout: better to Be Prepared.
Saturday, September 26, 2015
drivin' in the rain...
...on Friday morning. Leaving home about 5 a.m., hoping to get around the edge of Atlanta before traffic got bad, but after it got light enough to see and be on the defensive. As well as noting the appropriate signs and exit to get off the chaotic perimeter highway head north to TN.
To spend the weekend with some of my fave-o-rite people who live at the base of Lookout Mountain in the little community of St. Elmo. Along with the barking-est dog in the world, a schizoid cat and rabbits in a back yard hutch. The baby bunnies have gotten old/big enough to look like rabbits, instead of naked little things you don't want to touch - so we spent some time petting and handling to try to domesticate. They hide their little faces, squinch up their little pink eyes, flatten their little grey ears in an effort to become invisible. Apparently not realizing their fur is bed-sheet white, and hoping to disappear from sight: if they can't see you, a large toothy predator,you cannot see them.
We went out to eat at a local restaurant: very noisy, good food (though I only ordered a dinner salad and a dish of mac-n-cheese) and good company. Met the in-laws who were celebrating their wedding anniversary. And found themselves thoroughly amused by the fact that they bought each other identical 'happy anniversary' cards. Now we can start wondering how much longer before they start looking alike? Becoming mirror images/identical twins.
To spend the weekend with some of my fave-o-rite people who live at the base of Lookout Mountain in the little community of St. Elmo. Along with the barking-est dog in the world, a schizoid cat and rabbits in a back yard hutch. The baby bunnies have gotten old/big enough to look like rabbits, instead of naked little things you don't want to touch - so we spent some time petting and handling to try to domesticate. They hide their little faces, squinch up their little pink eyes, flatten their little grey ears in an effort to become invisible. Apparently not realizing their fur is bed-sheet white, and hoping to disappear from sight: if they can't see you, a large toothy predator,you cannot see them.
We went out to eat at a local restaurant: very noisy, good food (though I only ordered a dinner salad and a dish of mac-n-cheese) and good company. Met the in-laws who were celebrating their wedding anniversary. And found themselves thoroughly amused by the fact that they bought each other identical 'happy anniversary' cards. Now we can start wondering how much longer before they start looking alike? Becoming mirror images/identical twins.
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