If you like the action in your books to be interpersonal, rather than just murder and mayhem, give "The #1 Ladies' Detective Agency" series a try (Alexander McCall Smith). I'd read the first four books before, then got to watch HBO's series by the same name, starring Jill Scott and Anika Noni Rose. While slightly different than the linear narration of events in the books, the TV series was absolutely excellent and left me looking for a second season.
After watching the series, I reread the four books that I had and ordered five more (all except the newest one).
Order some Bush Tea (Rooibus - plain) from Select Teas. Sit back and enjoy the gentle stories of people and their lives in Botswana. Alexander McCall Smith writes from his personal knowledge of Botswana and the peoples of Africa. Most interesting is his ability to write from (what I call) a woman's perspective. The books are full of the small details that shade our lives. You get a feel for the vast Kalahari desert, life in a dry land, an appreciation for the old courtesies and way of life in a land foreign to many Americans. Part mystery, part travelogue, and part social observation, the books are truly enjoyable.
Thursday, July 23, 2009
Books I Am Reading - Part 1 - Eating Alone
I just finished reading "What We Eat When We Eat Alone", written by Deborah Madison and illustrated by Patrick McFarlin. I was introduced to this book by the Christian Science Monitor website book section, which I check weekly. Patrick started asking travel acquaintances what foods they ate when alone and it turned out that people were happy to discuss this very private activity.
Some of the more unusual (strictly in the mind of the beholder) meal menus included: crackers crumbled in milk; matzos crumbled in coffee; a sauce made with yogurt, mustard, and crumbled feta; and lots of food cobbled from what was in the frig and pantry (fungible greens, starches and proteins).
Tonight I tried the blue cheese sauce (cream with blue cheese melted in it). Pan browned a T-bone, chopped fresh mushrooms browned with the steak and then left in the pan as part of the sauce. Turned out delicious. There are 100 recipes in the book along with some very cute art work. I have several recipes to try including Salsa Verde made with tomatillos, the above mentioned yogurt sauce, and pasta with greens.
My own solo foods start with canned whole hominy (white preferred to yellow but both OK). Drain, dump into a bowl, cover and nuke about 1.5 minutes (you'll hear some popping). Pour off the excess water, add butter, salt, and pepper. Several years ago I found out that my youngest brother also eats this as I do - comfort food for when we are tired, don't feel well, or just haven't any appetite.
Hersey's Mint Chocolate Chip Ice Cream is also a favorite for a light meal, if suffering from congestion, or if a scratchy throat is noticeable. If your significant other shows signs of congestion, it is also acceptable to share this, strictly for medicinal purposes.
When alone for supper, any form of taco is fine. Cook several burgers (put extras in frig for next night's tacos). Slightly warm two corn tortillas under a broiler, in a toaster oven, or in a toaster (rotate while toasting). You want it slightly crisping but not cracking crisp so you can fold it. Take one cooked burger, slice it into three "sticks" and lay them down the center of the tortillas. Smear sour cream on one side of the tortilla along the burger sticks. Add your favorites - chopped or slices of onion (cut in half across and lay the onion strands along the burger), avocado or guacamole, salsa, grated or slices of cheese, and lettuce. Fold tortilla around this, grasp with an overhand hold, and munch while holding a paper towel in the other hand. Messy but uplifting in flavor and a high satisfaction quotient. To make it even easier, use a can of refried beans in place of the burger. Heat about 1/2 cup in microwave and refrigerate the rest. Smear the heated beans down the center of the tortillas and then add your favorites (see above). Note that the salsa should be under the cheese and lettuce to control drips and mess.
Left over pizza and spaghetti are delicious eaten cold. You get a totally different taste when these are cold.
From my Father, I learned to eat plain yogurt with brown sugar mixed in it (leave some lumps so that you get the yin and yang of tangy and sweet). Dannon Plain Yogurt (regular, not low fat) makes a very nice quick dessert fixed this way. Also from my Father I learned to eat whole wheat berries. We used to buy them at the feed store when I was young. Now all health food stores carry whole red wheat berries. Rinse a cup and put into a sauce pan. Add maybe 3 cups of water and bring to a boil. Simmer covered for about 1/2 hour (may foam over a bit). Remove from heat, leave in the water, and store in the frig when cooled. Next day, scoop some out with a slotted spoon and put in a cereal bowl. The wheat berries should be split and chewy. Cover and heat for 1 minute or so in the microwave. Sprinkle on sugar, pour on milk just to the top of the cereal, and eat. This can be a meal or a snack. I leave the berries in the cooking water for about three days and they grow more tender each day. The taste and texture is so different from processed cereals, different even from oatmeal.
Some of the more unusual (strictly in the mind of the beholder) meal menus included: crackers crumbled in milk; matzos crumbled in coffee; a sauce made with yogurt, mustard, and crumbled feta; and lots of food cobbled from what was in the frig and pantry (fungible greens, starches and proteins).
Tonight I tried the blue cheese sauce (cream with blue cheese melted in it). Pan browned a T-bone, chopped fresh mushrooms browned with the steak and then left in the pan as part of the sauce. Turned out delicious. There are 100 recipes in the book along with some very cute art work. I have several recipes to try including Salsa Verde made with tomatillos, the above mentioned yogurt sauce, and pasta with greens.
My own solo foods start with canned whole hominy (white preferred to yellow but both OK). Drain, dump into a bowl, cover and nuke about 1.5 minutes (you'll hear some popping). Pour off the excess water, add butter, salt, and pepper. Several years ago I found out that my youngest brother also eats this as I do - comfort food for when we are tired, don't feel well, or just haven't any appetite.
Hersey's Mint Chocolate Chip Ice Cream is also a favorite for a light meal, if suffering from congestion, or if a scratchy throat is noticeable. If your significant other shows signs of congestion, it is also acceptable to share this, strictly for medicinal purposes.
When alone for supper, any form of taco is fine. Cook several burgers (put extras in frig for next night's tacos). Slightly warm two corn tortillas under a broiler, in a toaster oven, or in a toaster (rotate while toasting). You want it slightly crisping but not cracking crisp so you can fold it. Take one cooked burger, slice it into three "sticks" and lay them down the center of the tortillas. Smear sour cream on one side of the tortilla along the burger sticks. Add your favorites - chopped or slices of onion (cut in half across and lay the onion strands along the burger), avocado or guacamole, salsa, grated or slices of cheese, and lettuce. Fold tortilla around this, grasp with an overhand hold, and munch while holding a paper towel in the other hand. Messy but uplifting in flavor and a high satisfaction quotient. To make it even easier, use a can of refried beans in place of the burger. Heat about 1/2 cup in microwave and refrigerate the rest. Smear the heated beans down the center of the tortillas and then add your favorites (see above). Note that the salsa should be under the cheese and lettuce to control drips and mess.
Left over pizza and spaghetti are delicious eaten cold. You get a totally different taste when these are cold.
From my Father, I learned to eat plain yogurt with brown sugar mixed in it (leave some lumps so that you get the yin and yang of tangy and sweet). Dannon Plain Yogurt (regular, not low fat) makes a very nice quick dessert fixed this way. Also from my Father I learned to eat whole wheat berries. We used to buy them at the feed store when I was young. Now all health food stores carry whole red wheat berries. Rinse a cup and put into a sauce pan. Add maybe 3 cups of water and bring to a boil. Simmer covered for about 1/2 hour (may foam over a bit). Remove from heat, leave in the water, and store in the frig when cooled. Next day, scoop some out with a slotted spoon and put in a cereal bowl. The wheat berries should be split and chewy. Cover and heat for 1 minute or so in the microwave. Sprinkle on sugar, pour on milk just to the top of the cereal, and eat. This can be a meal or a snack. I leave the berries in the cooking water for about three days and they grow more tender each day. The taste and texture is so different from processed cereals, different even from oatmeal.
Tuesday, July 21, 2009
Deer in the Yard
We've been seeing a doe and two fawns in the back yard. Friday I was able to snap this photo of the doe. Called her in with my own imitation fawn baaa. That was really very cool.
Findley Lake Watershed Foundation Annual Meeting
Saturday 7/18/09 was the annual meeting of the Findley Lake Watershed Foundation. Meet and greet started at 7pm in the gym at the Community Center. Kudos to the folks who provided the snacks and water as it was much appreciated.
Ed Mulkearn started the meeting with an introduction of the board members including new member Scott Henry. Scott is taking up the late Don LaRose's job of caring for the fish and fishing in the lake.
Mark Matrozza reported on the condition of the lake (C-SLAP report) and noted that the 2008 C-SLAP report showed modest improvements in clarity of the lake. Jeff Horner reported that the clarity reading he just completed was also quite good. Dennis Luce gave a summary of the current weed harvesting efforts. While the south pound area had some significant weed growth at the start of harvesting, that was now under control and the rest of the lake was in good condition. A short hiatus in running the harvester was in the works.
Jeff Horner reported on attending the NYSFOLA meeting, going to educational programs, and generally being able to talk to other "lake" people. He reported that Findley Lake is very highly regarded because of the amount of years the lake has been studied and because for such a modest size lake we have a functioning weed harvesting program. He also reported on the latest edition of the "Laker" newsletter. He plans to do three a year. Through the efforts of Dennis Luce and Jeff, a new and improved website for the Foundation is up and running at: www.findleylakewf.org. The newsletter is reproduced on the web in color and, as more information becomes available, the website will be expanded and updated. Check it out and then pass on the web address to your family and friends. There is a contact link for any suggestions that you might have for additional content or features.
Marci Schwab reported on this year's membership numbers. While down about 15 members to date from last year's total, donations for harvesting in addition to the dues had helped keep the total dollars up. If you haven't paid your 2009 dues yet, you can download an application at the Watershed Foundation's website : www.findleylakewf.org
Scott Henry reported on the fish stocking plans. He also noted that fish are being taken without regard to type and size limitations. As he pointed out, if younger fish are removed from the lake (illegally), fishing will decline. Make sure all parties fishing from your docks and boats have a current copy of the NYS Fishing Guide (free at the Town Clerk's office).
Comments from the audience included questions about the well water testing currently being done, concern regarding lack of enforcement of both the counter-clockwise rotation for boats and the lack of attention paid to the no wake zone. Whether there are buoys or not, the no wake zone has been established and is 100' from shore. Again, anyone using a boat or jet ski needs to adhere to this restriction. Speeding inside of the no wake zone can have catastrophic results should a swimmer or object be struck. Excessive wave activity near the shore leads to more shoreline erosion and more nutrients and particulates being washed into the lake.
A presentation was made after the adjournment showing how the bed tax revenue was being split and showing examples of projects that had received prior funding. The Findley Lake Small Island Project, under the Nature Center's aegis, is one of the projects currently being funded.
Usually the annual meeting tends to be stuffy and hot but, given the strange weather this year, it was comfortable. There was a lot of good information provided by the board and attending members. Congratulations to the Watershed Foundation for another successful year!
Ed Mulkearn started the meeting with an introduction of the board members including new member Scott Henry. Scott is taking up the late Don LaRose's job of caring for the fish and fishing in the lake.
Mark Matrozza reported on the condition of the lake (C-SLAP report) and noted that the 2008 C-SLAP report showed modest improvements in clarity of the lake. Jeff Horner reported that the clarity reading he just completed was also quite good. Dennis Luce gave a summary of the current weed harvesting efforts. While the south pound area had some significant weed growth at the start of harvesting, that was now under control and the rest of the lake was in good condition. A short hiatus in running the harvester was in the works.
Jeff Horner reported on attending the NYSFOLA meeting, going to educational programs, and generally being able to talk to other "lake" people. He reported that Findley Lake is very highly regarded because of the amount of years the lake has been studied and because for such a modest size lake we have a functioning weed harvesting program. He also reported on the latest edition of the "Laker" newsletter. He plans to do three a year. Through the efforts of Dennis Luce and Jeff, a new and improved website for the Foundation is up and running at: www.findleylakewf.org. The newsletter is reproduced on the web in color and, as more information becomes available, the website will be expanded and updated. Check it out and then pass on the web address to your family and friends. There is a contact link for any suggestions that you might have for additional content or features.
Marci Schwab reported on this year's membership numbers. While down about 15 members to date from last year's total, donations for harvesting in addition to the dues had helped keep the total dollars up. If you haven't paid your 2009 dues yet, you can download an application at the Watershed Foundation's website : www.findleylakewf.org
Scott Henry reported on the fish stocking plans. He also noted that fish are being taken without regard to type and size limitations. As he pointed out, if younger fish are removed from the lake (illegally), fishing will decline. Make sure all parties fishing from your docks and boats have a current copy of the NYS Fishing Guide (free at the Town Clerk's office).
Comments from the audience included questions about the well water testing currently being done, concern regarding lack of enforcement of both the counter-clockwise rotation for boats and the lack of attention paid to the no wake zone. Whether there are buoys or not, the no wake zone has been established and is 100' from shore. Again, anyone using a boat or jet ski needs to adhere to this restriction. Speeding inside of the no wake zone can have catastrophic results should a swimmer or object be struck. Excessive wave activity near the shore leads to more shoreline erosion and more nutrients and particulates being washed into the lake.
A presentation was made after the adjournment showing how the bed tax revenue was being split and showing examples of projects that had received prior funding. The Findley Lake Small Island Project, under the Nature Center's aegis, is one of the projects currently being funded.
Usually the annual meeting tends to be stuffy and hot but, given the strange weather this year, it was comfortable. There was a lot of good information provided by the board and attending members. Congratulations to the Watershed Foundation for another successful year!
Saturday, July 4, 2009
Lovely July 4th Boat Parade
Beautiful weather and imaginative decorations thrilled the enthusiastic crowd at the Findley Lake Boat Parade on July 4th. With a theme of College Football, the rivalry was intense. Eight motorboats and six pontoon boats went head to head, striving to win the peoples choice Grand Prize. When the over 150 votes were counted, the overwhelming win for the Crum Family's "Wossamotta U" pontoon boat returned the traveling Breter Cup Trophy to them for another year.
The five judges for the Motor and Pontoon Boat divisions did not let offers of candy or other favors intrude on their serious deliberations. First Place in the Motor Boat division was awarded to Anderson Family, who decked out their boat and themselves in a sea of red for OSU. Second place went to the Proctor/Kelleher Family decorated as the ever-popular Notre Dame. In the Pontoon Boat division, First Place went to the Schneider Family who were Penn State Proud. Second Place went to the Jusiak Family saluting the University of Findley Lake. Many participants stopped by the judging tent to thank the Findley Lake Community Foundation for organizing this year's event.
The five judges for the Motor and Pontoon Boat divisions did not let offers of candy or other favors intrude on their serious deliberations. First Place in the Motor Boat division was awarded to Anderson Family, who decked out their boat and themselves in a sea of red for OSU. Second place went to the Proctor/Kelleher Family decorated as the ever-popular Notre Dame. In the Pontoon Boat division, First Place went to the Schneider Family who were Penn State Proud. Second Place went to the Jusiak Family saluting the University of Findley Lake. Many participants stopped by the judging tent to thank the Findley Lake Community Foundation for organizing this year's event.
Wednesday, July 1, 2009
Wacky Wren
I could hear the wren singing from inside our house, with all the windows closed. He was really carrying on. Then I could hear little feet landing on the pellet stove exhaust pipe.
Carefully peaking out the window, I found my little wren removing pieces of grass from the nest in the pipe. He wasn't taking them to another nest, he was just flying to the fence or a branch and dropping them. Back and forth he went, stopping each time to sing and then remove a bit of the nest.
Maybe the missus didn't like the softness of the nest. Certainly there is enough dog hair hanging in the net on the fence, suitable for lining a nest.
Listening to him sing is really uplifting. He has so much enthusiasm and the song is so cheerful. What a nice musical interlude he gave me today.
Carefully peaking out the window, I found my little wren removing pieces of grass from the nest in the pipe. He wasn't taking them to another nest, he was just flying to the fence or a branch and dropping them. Back and forth he went, stopping each time to sing and then remove a bit of the nest.
Maybe the missus didn't like the softness of the nest. Certainly there is enough dog hair hanging in the net on the fence, suitable for lining a nest.
Listening to him sing is really uplifting. He has so much enthusiasm and the song is so cheerful. What a nice musical interlude he gave me today.
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