Yum

To brine or not to brine?  That is the question.  In recent years, I have brined like a maniac and the result was deeeelish.  But since I'm also about trying new things, I've decided to go the Kosher turkey route, which is similar to brining.  All of the taste and none of the hassle.  Quite frankly, I was all set to brine until I read on my Trader Joe's Kosher turkey that part of the Kosher prep is cleaning, soaking and salting--and that's for an unbrined turkey.  I can't think I'd really need to brine after that, so I'm simply not gonna. Nuh, uh.  Going to spend that time doing something fun.

I'm also thinking it just might be the year to free up my oven for the sides and cook my turkey on my Big Green Egg.  It's always fun to do it that way and so dang easy.  Since mine's in the back yard, I can go get it started in my pj's, with my coffee and Sis to assist me.  (She sniffs while I do all the work.)

Once the turkey goes on, I only have to check on it once, to lower the heat, after the first 30 minutes.  The down side is, if it's cold outside, I need to listen for the probe thermometer alarm to go off and if it's really cold, I'm going to need to delegate that duty.  Besides, I am busy cooking after all. (rationalization).
                                                        

My biggest challenge and change this year is going the no white refined sugar and no white flour route.  Others can have it--I'm just not doing it--and that has opened up an all new world for me to find things that work.  So far, I think I'm good on that score so this should be fun to see how it all works out. 

Let's just hope

In my honest belief that anything--and I mean anything-- can be used for a higher good, I think this whole Ebola situation actually could fall into that category.  No, I'm not suggesting that someone losing their life to this disease is a "good thing" but it got your attention didn't it?

I think the US, in it's arrogance, thinks we have most things all figured out and we're on top of just about anything that can happen to us, when the truth looks a whole lot different.  911, serious Secret Service gaffs, and numerous other examples point to the truth-- that we really don't "have it all together at all."

Enter Ebola.  My belief is NO DALLAS HOSPITAL was prepared to take care of an ER walk-in, possible Ebola patient, much less Presby.  They simply drew the black bean when Thomas Eric Duncan walked into their ER.  If you've ever been to an ER, you know the craziness that is part and parcel of what goes on in a life and death environment.  Nurses put their lives on the line EVERY DAY in the ER, and everywhere else.  Ineffective communication, no training, no protocols in place, no drills, no experience and no hazmat suits, equals disaster-- I don't care how "good" you think you are. 

In my experience, Hospital Administrators make decisions around staff based on the "bottom line" of the budget, and what they are "required" to have in place by JCAHO.  In my 36 years as a nurse and experience in Administration, I have seen education and training for nurses cut repeatedly in order for the hospital to purchase the sexiest new ___X___ that administrators think will suck in more patient dollars.  Nurses?  Maybe next year, gals.

As a female dominated profession, we have ALLOWED this treatment. We have done NOTHING to stop it because the alternative was to abandon people (patients) at their most vulnerable.  Walk out?  Unacceptable.  Let someone die?  No way.  But these same nurses are "on their own" in a hospital lawsuit. More often than not we're simply disposable. 
                                                             

So, if anything good comes from this whole Ebola scenario, I'm hopeful that nurses will unionize so they can demand protection, education, shift breaks, staffing quotas, equipment, etc.  If nurses put their lives on the line every day, they deserve at least that much.  They deserve to be treated like valued assets-- not children.                  

Lastly, I'm ready for the truth to come out about how hospitals REALLY function.  Every hospital has it's horror stories and secrets, and it's time we all got honest.  I'm ready for the US, Presby (and the CDC) to act with some humility and admit we simply don't know everything, aren't the best, the smartest, or even the kindest. And we sure as hell aren't honest.  Enough with the spin.

 Maybe... just maybe.... that might be the good that comes out of this whole Ebola thing.  I hope so.
                                               

Ouch

Thank heavens yesterday morning started out so great because after I went to check on mom, I was on a bit of a downer.  When I got there, she was out of it but looked cold (body language) so I asked her, and she sort of just squawked at me.  With  wet hair also, I figured that was a "yes" so I covered her up with a blanket and left to run get her a blow dryer.

I know...seriously...a blow dryer for a few strands of hair... but what the hell.  I got one, came right back, and proceeded to blow dry her hair.  She was like an old cat getting it's head rubbed.  She closed her eyes, leaned her head forward, and sighed as I played hairdresser.  Hair flew in every direction but this was not about style as much as comfort.  I got her brush and brushed my "creation", as I laughed at myself.  Her hair is like corn silk and fine as it comes --what little there is left.  Trying to get it to do anything was just a joke.  So, I just brushed.

                                                 
The lady who used to do mom's hair decided it was too hard and uncomfortable for mom to lean her head back for a shampoo and I suspect she'd rather do ladies that are a tad more functioning than mom.  I get it.  I really do.  
                                                 

Sounds fun, doesn't it?

This morning in the shower I had a total epiphany.  Now that we are going to have a grand baby in Nash it makes sense to think about where we'll stay when we go to visit.  Yes, we can always do the hotel scene but that's going to get old at some point and is frankly kind of gross.

So here's my idea: Benji and Andrea may buy a house at some point-- and with their permission-- my idea becomes a reality.  For their privacy and ours, what if we bought a Tiny House (movable) and parked it in their "someday" back yard?  Towable and fully customizable, we could have our own space and they could, too.  I'm thinking a tiny kitchen, Keurig or Nespresso maker, refrigerator/freezer, tiny bathroom and maybe a deck.... and, wow, we're set.  They come with full AC and lots of insulation so we'd be cool or toasty, depending on the season.

                                              

When we aren't there, they could use it for friends or other family, an office, or whatever.  They could even Airbnb it, too, for additional income.... but that could get creepy with strangers.  Maybe just friends or friends of friends. Dunno.

If/when they move, we hitch it up and take it to their next home or if we're tired of it by then, sell it as part of their house and recoup our initial investment.  When I tossed my idea out at lunch, Dadamon died laughing-- and loved it.  He broke into a huge grin and said it was a really fun idea.  He did mention stuff like code issues, how to get it in and out if they have a fence--all stuff that requires a little more research on my part--not to mention home ownership for Andrea and Benji....you know...minor stuff like that.   It's ideas, thinking, playing, researching like this, that really keeps my motor going.

And did I mention I'm dying for a Tiny House?  Well, I am.

Skillet brownies for the win

This morning I feel like a big old box of sunshine.  My slow cooker is chuffing away with a pot roast, the yard guys just finished mowing, blowing, and in a few cases raking, and I have the rest of the day to just get my happy on.  Again, that usually means cooking, or thinking about it.  My biggest quandary is what to cook next.  Sooo many choices, so little time.

Do I make zucchini bread or muffins, or one of the new little skillet brownie recipes I found?  With a blob of vanilla ice cream on top, sprinkled with toffee bits, I'm seriously leaning skillet brownies.  Plus, I get to use my teeny little individual skillets again.  And let's get real here...I get to eat one.  Or at least one anyway. 

On another note, I'm so tired of robo or out of area calls (to get around the do not call list), I'm seriously considering dropping my land line.  The ripple effect will be something to consider since several things will need to upgrade as a result but I'm about ready.  My partner will give me his automatic knee jerk "No" but he'll come around.  He always does.

The boys learned early if they really wanted something, to approach mom first and try to sell her on your idea.  If she buys in, Dadamon is simply a matter of time.  Mom will nag him for you.

**  If the boys are reading this, they are laughing their heads off.  They KNOW it's true.

Head bang, head bang, head bang...

                                                               
Today is Benji's 30th birthday and we are getting a new furnace installed.  Dang, my life is glam.  Considering our old one is a little over half Benji's age, it's time to quit putting perfume on this pig, and just get a new pig.  Since I need to be here to babysit the install, I've decided to at least use my time well and we all know that's code for cook.  I may even clean out the kitchen cabinets (and again I may not, too.)  It all depends on how hot it gets and for how long. Since we have two systems, Sis and I may be just fine. Right now is lovely.

What's NOT so lovely is dealing with the 1950's jicky construction issues of this old house.  What a hot mess.  Wait....listen...in the distance...do you hear a bulldozer?  I think I do. 
                                                    

Perfection!

After last nights big reveal from Andrea and Benji and watching FB light up with well wishes from their families and friends, I am one grateful MayMay to be.  I won't go into the story about how they orchestrated to tell the Gonzalez's and Harris' but let's just say a LOT of planning went into it and it was down to split second timing, Face Time and a Mac recording the whole thing, Benji texting delivery ninja Erin Spalding to "GO", and the doorbell wringing with no one there.  Just two adorable boxes sitting on the porch--one marked Gonzalez, and the other one Harris. Erin also did the gift wrap (which blew my mind in it's perfection and adorableness) but that's a whole different story.  If this is a look at grandparent hood, I REALLY LIKE IT already!  And we get a baby, too???  What a deal!                    

I also love the continuity.  Erin and Andrea have been close forever.  Erin was there with Marianne and me the day Andrea found her dress.  Erin was all bidness that day and told Andrea to try on her favorite dress LAST, and she was totally correct.  She was Andrea's only attendant in Capri.  And now this.  Wow.   I can't wait to see the next chapter. 

Thank you Andrea, Benji, and Erin for making such a HUGE moment even bigger!                                      

While I wait...

While I wait for the AC men to show up, I thought I might cuss and discuss for a second.  Today I know among other things that this too shall pass, whatever your this may be.  Even the Bible says "and it came to pass".  It does not say "and it came to stay".  Therefore, all the craziness that's going on in the world is temporary and the less energy and emotion we give it, the faster it will go.  Whatever we focus on, we make larger. Ditto negativity.  The only thing I know for sure that I can change, is my attitude, and concentrating on the positives always works. 

A gratitude list has been the quickest way for me to turn myself around and there's so much I've been given (and, no, I don't mean material stuff) and can be grateful for, that the list just goes on and on.  We all get down.  Just don't forget to get back up.

Yesterday morning I heard Disney voices outside and looked out to see Claire and Baby John with their nanny, walking Claire down the block to school.  Picture it...Claire all dressed up with her hair in a fetching side braid and Baby John in his shorts wearing a red baseball hat.  My face immediately split into a huge grin and I could not stop laughing.  Little stuff.  But b-i-g stuff.  The laughter, the joy, the peace.  Beats the heck out of the news any day. 

*** And the AC guy just drove up.  Funny how that works.

Wig lady

I saw one of my favorite people today at the Cleaners this morning.  If you are a Sunshine Cleaners patron, you already know who I'm talking about.  The African American lady who wears all the different wigs--depending on her mood-- and Lordy, does she have a collection. 
Today's wig was a subtle red one I've seen before, that's fluffy and full and she looks like one hot mama in it.  She's probably close to my age--hard to tell since black don't crack-- and she's just fun.  Anybody who'd wear that wig would have to be.
Dropping off my stuff, we got laughing about "back to school".  I was telling her I don't even have little kids anymore but could totally remember that feeling driving away after dropping them off for the first day....just a total WOO HOO!!!  She started laughing and said every single mom that had come in so far--and it was only 10AM--had said the same thing.  Yippeeee.

Nite, nite

It's the shank of the evening and we are just back from a walk with Sis.  She tried her best to get us to take her for a ride instead by doing the stall technique by the car but, alas, it was not to be.  We ALL needed a walk.  The stall technique is actually her way of asking to go for a ride, but when she plants her paws, it becomes the dachshund test of will aka a control battle.  Nothing new there.

As we came down the block towards home, I noticed a red Lexus had stopped in the middle of the street and I just figured they were looking at Sis.  Down went the passenger side front window, and up popped a barking, smarty pants red mini dachshund that was trying to bring Sis the big scary sh**.  I laughed so hard I almost fell down.  Sis never dignified she'd even heard all that shrill nonsense and proceeded on down the block, tongue flopping, too hot to care that some silly little mini was barking at her, on her own block. 

Yeah...you're some big scary stuff. 

I don't know about you all but this has been a hard week.  I'm glad to see it in the can.  I could use some naps, ice tea, and a good book.  The back to school, change of season energy is too amped up for me. In fact, hand me this puppy.  That will fix everything.

Sure...go ahead...open it.

Late yesterday afternoon we had a frog strangler with thunder and lightening like no other.  The mountains were obscured by rain clouds and it was coming down in buckets.  Because my partner is a weather nut, he wanted to stand outside on the elevated deck and watch.  I kid you not.  I think sometimes his common sense takes a day off.  With questionable weather in the mountains, you take shelter immediately, and lightening you most definitely do not play with.  No siree.  (If Brian and Benji are reading this they know what I'm talking about with their dad, and weather.)

And if you think I'm kidding about stuff he says and does, he just asked me if the little dissolvable detergent bubble things that go in the dishwasher "need to be opened first?"  I almost said "sure...go ahead... open it." Then he held up a long sleeved t-shirt (I made him buy), and said how glad he was he bought it.  Head bang.  Head bang. Head bang.  Sometimes he just slays me.                                      

The animal count continues and we have added chipmunks, geese, trout, and two onsite new dogs staying at the big house that just arrived.  One is a lab and no sooner was he out of the car, than he was in the river.  In out.  In out.  He simply cannot get enough and is beside himself with joy.  The second is a light brown lady boxer and water is clearly not her deal.  Not at all.  A sniff and a pat from us and she was gone, loping across the backyard.  

Lastly, I want you to know I was attacked (and survived) a moth ambush right after I turned out the light last night.  I freaked out so bad I jumped up, flipped on the light and started pounding the bed and throwing pillows around.  It was awful and why they chose me and not him, I'll never know.  The final body count was 4 and all I'm saying is, it just better not happen again tonight. 

Oh, Sis.....

Lawd...lawd...lawd.  Word from home is a certain black hound was not happy yesterday when her brother left her home alone for awhile.  Sooo much so that she dragged his clothes all the way from his bathroom floor, thank you, into the den.  The dog shrink in me says this is a twofold issue: 1) abandonment behavior by a highly emotional hound  attempting to comfort herself by lying on his clothes and smelling his smell in her spot--the den  2) a pissed off hound protest and he's lucky she didn't do worse. Either way, her dad and I have laughed our heads off thinking about her and how much effort that was.  At least she was busy. 

Dachshunds are legendary for their protest behavior.  We had a male dachshund growing up (Chips) that chewed up the blinds when we went out to dinner and left him home alone in a new place.  Another doxie that was mine, Liebe, chewed up my favorite  new shoes.  Total spite and a "back at ya"....thy name is dachshund.

                                                                                   
It's drippy rainy outside and people out back are kayaking, rafting, and having fun even if that water has to be cold as a well diggers shovel.  No matter.  We, however, are chillin', drinking coffee with the windows and screen door w-i-d-e open and reading.  Delish.

We saw the resident red marmot late yesterday afternoon and I just wish he wasn't so shy.  By the time you get your phone camera out, he's long gone.  Even if you get prepped ahead of time, he's still faster.   So far we've seen a doe and fawn (elk? it was dark), the marmot  x2, and a big black bear.  Hopefully, more to come.

Polo and legal pot stores...what a day

I tried posting earlier but kept getting thrown off our wifi.  Welcome to the mountains.  Today has been a hoot.  On our way to check out Glenwood Springs this morning, as we passed Carbondale we saw a Polo match in progress.  Screech.  Back we went to see it.  The Aspen Polo Club kicks some serious butt and the horses that board there have some snazzy accommodations in their barn. As one groom took in a horse that had just come from the last chukka, I smiled and moseyed in right behind him.  Another groom saw me and since he spoke English, laughed and officially invited me in and said I could look around.  Melt.  Horses and my love of them goes w-a-y back, so I met and loved on several.  One was even softer than Sis...and I died right there in the barn.  I'm a total sucker for a horse-- but a soft horse kills me--especially a shaved muzzle Polo pony.  They are jazzy, love to run and play polo, are incredible athletes, and just generally cool horses unless they are nutty--and some are. 
                                                           

After dragging myself from the barn, we headed on to Glenwood Springs, a late lunch, and a stroll into a rock and gem store that almost did me in.  A Turkish opal necklace that was hunks and chunks of these unbelievable pieces of blue opal that were unlike anything I'd ever seen, made. me. drool.  It called to me.    And of course I tried it on...you knew I did.  I haaad to.  I tried on lots of others, too, and finally took the gal's card and got myself out of there.  She has a big honking strand of turquiose that's still calling my name and my sweet husband offered to get me, but he's done enough.  (Hint: I still have her card so it's not over 'til it's over.  I can always call. :)

After touring Glenwood Springs thoroughly and seeing the hot springs, we headed back.  We did see two marijuana stores since pots legal here--one for medicinal use only, staffed by Med students and requiring a prescription-- and the other for more recreational purposes.  Earlier in the week we'd checked out the two in Carbondale.  Word in Colorado is, pot is bringing in more revenue than anyone ever guessed--35 million in the first 4 months-- and other than every purchase being put in a child proof white zipper envelope required by law, that's pretty much it.  When they found out we were from Texas one guy said, "Texas is our #1 purchaser.  We sell more to you guys than anyone else.  Texas should just vote and make it legal and make the money we are."  Clearly he does not know Texas. 

 
                                                 

Cleatus and Suerte

After yesterday's frustrating attempts to get here, we are finally in our spot and after a late night, we are tired but happy.  This morning we went to the Basalt Farmers Market and had a mid morning breakfast burrito from one of the vendors and bought farm raised fresh organic produce.  Music played, dogs were all over, but my favorite find of the morning was Suerte the goat.  According to her mother, she thinks she's a dog and does not hang with the other goats.  Period.  She goes everywhere a dog would go, comes and sits beside the owners as they sell their (goat) cheeses, and rests in the bottom half of a dog crate, with soft bedding.  Just goes to show you that you can be whatever you want to be, as long as you believe it in your heart.  Suerte sure does.                                  

                                              
 I've decided that no matter where we go in the world, one or more dachshunds will find us or we will find them.  After running into a younger brother of a close friend of Benji's in the Denver airport, I looked as a familiar shaped snoot nudged it's way up and out of an unzipped animal carrier.  Cleatus.  I'd have known that nose anywhere.  A brindled red mini doxie at 14 pounds, I was smitten immediately and moved in for a respectful meet and greet.  Friendly and mega sweet, he was tired and ready to get to Aspen.  Once on the ground in Aspen, he knew exactly where he was and according to his mom, knows Aspen "only as the gateway to swimming, hiking, barking and as much fun as 14 lbs. can tolerate."  Off his leash and chasing around by baggage claim, he was in his element. 

My partner just noticed "a varmit" in the yard (a red marmot) and as I listen to the sounds of the river rushing past, the clouds are beginning to gather.  I can see a father and young son upriver from us fishing and a red float-boat upriver from them, also fishing.  Paradise.  Or as close as I can get to it today.

Enough already, Oncor

Our power went off again last night for the second night in a row.  It never stays off for more than an hour or so but still...I'm over it.  Not sure what the problem is (Oncor), but when I asked my spouse what he thought the problem was (rhetorical question) he responded "someone's hacking into the power grid".  OMG.  Paranoid much?  Never mind I don't have a more plausible answer-- this one was just too Homeland for me.  After two cups of joe I'm still laughing.  He says the funniest stuff.                     

                                                  
Tonight I'm going to go around the house and unplug extraneous stuff since it seems to go off at night.  Why does it not power down during the hottest part of the day?  Beats me, girlfriend.

Update:  I am full on addicted to Orange is the New Black.  I have one more show of season one to watch, and it is just beyond good.  Now I understand why everyone is so nuts about it.  The characters are just mind blowing and the in depth character development makes you care about them, even if some of them are like psych patients I once had. 

Thank you, Nellie!

I am making Nellie Connally's Perdnales Peach ice cream with my Mr. Lemley's peaches from yesterday's Farmers Market run.  I can hear the soft purr of the electric ice cream freezer from where I am and it's music to my ears.  I have not made this recipe in over twenty years so converting it from the old timey ice cream freezers to the upscale smaller whipper snapper ones is taking some adjusting.  For example, the recipe doesn't say how much whole milk (liquid lard) to add.  It just says fill to within two inches of the can.  The can she's referring to used to hold a blubber ton more than today's cans so I am experimenting.  I have put my taste buds to the test and am guesstimating. 

My assistant gets sort of snooty when I ask for his help as ice cream making is usually his domain.  He'll take over if you waffle for even a second so you have to constantly let him know who is boss.  (You'd think he'd know by now, wouldn't you, but whatever.)  Example:  As I was reasoning through how to adjust the recipe and asked how much each freezing container held, he took the the measuring cup with my mix in it and allllllll most dumped it in-- before I stopped him.  After that, I just fired him.  I don't need an assistant that goes rouge on me.

I just checked and we are about at this stage:

Not much longer before we dump it all out and put it in the freezer to ripen, and commence the next batch.

Truth be told, I had to sweet talk my assistant into coming back-- briefly--to help me dump out load #1 and get the next batch going. I paid him in ice cream and he helped wash (lick and eat) all the remaining ice cream out of freezer container #1.  He was eyeballing the dasher, but that part had to go back into service but it won't be long before he can have that part too.  And then this:
                                                         

Need a spoon???

Hudson!!!

I'm so excited I can hardly stand myself.  Hudson's two weeks at camp is over today and he's on his way home with his mom and dad, and sisters.  Word is, he's a much more grown up young man and I bet is ready to get home and sleep in his own bed and see his dog, Finley.  He had a blast and the picture his mom just texted me speaks volumes.  Camp.  What a wonderful gift for parents to give a child. I can't wait to see him with my own eyes and hear all about his adventures!!  Yay, Hudson!!!

Today I'm all over the map

Despite what a lot of us are hard wired to believe, happiness is an inside job.  It begins with each of us being grateful for what ever is going on in our lives and looking for the lesson.  What am I supposed to be learning from all this?  Sounds easy?  It's not.  Most of us need help along the way and that brings me to sharing.

Sharing with a trusted friend (one who is safe) lightens the load and can alter my perspective-- it can give me a new way of seeing something or even just someone to commiserate with me.  I end up not only feeling better but laughing my tail feathers off.  It's the willingness to say where I am that can be tough.  I have to admit that 1) life's not all hearts and flowers 2) this is how I really feel and who I really am 3) and take the risk of putting it out there and being known for who I truly am--not who someone may want or need me to be, so they can be OK.

And finally, a friend said the most genius thing the other day that just spoke volumes for me.  She said she'd spent her entire life trying to be seen by people who could not see. Wow.
                                              

Happy 87th!

Today is mom's birthday.  My brother just texted me to find out exactly how old she is today.  I was about to text back 86 but then I did the math.  Nope.  She's 87.  Holy cow.  All year long I've thought she was 85.  Then my sister chimed in on the text that mom was actually a preemie and weighed less than 5 pounds at birth.  I'd never heard that.  No wonder she's still alive.  She's one tough old bird.  It's so funny finding out stuff you never knew about family.

The day is young.  No telling what else I'll find out today.

Ahhhhh...

I don't even want to discuss what's going on in the news today.  Too sickening so I'm going to pretend I'm Scarlet O'Hara and not think about it.  Instead, I'm going to look forward to seeing two pals who are coming over shortly for coffee and a good gab session.  IMO, that's what this world needs:  more gabbing and less arguing.  Fresh coffee and flan or banana bread, depending on what strikes your fancy, and suddenly the world looks a tad bit better.

The rain is exactly what I needed today.  A forced case of slow down further, listen to the sounds of the rain, throttle back my motor, and simply enjoy... the... day.  It doesn't hurt that's it's a lot cooler either.  After years of going pedal to the metal, slowing down and savoring time is a HUGE gift.  In my younger days, I felt guilty if I wasn't always doing something, like somehow I was wasting my life.  Today I feel like nothing could be further from the truth.  It's MY LIFE.  I get to do it any way I want and as long as I'm happy in my own skin, and not hurting anyone else, where's the bad news?  There's not any.

I've also decided getting older is the absolute nuts.  Yes, it's a trade off with losing your eyes or hearing, your metabolism screeching to a halt and not having the stamina I used to have.  There is that.  No question.  But the fun and freedom to finally be myself and who I truly am, is exponential.  Today I laugh more and angst less than any other time in my life.  I feel like my inside and my outside match.  I'm congruent.