Wednesday Rambling

Shipping is a terrible thing to do to vegetables. They probably get jet-lagged, just like people. ~Elizabeth Berry

So ... the hubs went to the doctor yesterday. We had to wait almost 45 mins (this drives me a little crazy -- if they make an appointment, we shouldn't have to wait. They should build in padding around them or something because it's just plain rude and inconsiderate), during which time he nearly got up an left.

He finally went in to the doc and then came out with a smirk. Uh oh...

Yep -- doc says it's only a bad sprain. She advised rest and elevation. She offered an inflatable cast, which he declined and she even said he was cleared for hockey in two weeks. He felt very vindicated and poo-poo'd my overreaction.

I'm glad it's nothing worse, but this will make it THAT much harder to get him to the doctor the next time something happens. Oh well...

He came home, and told his boss who immediately ordered him to work from home all week.

While I agree it's probably best, it really makes things tough around here. We'll see how much hair I pull out before next Monday...

I had a couple comments yesterday about making pickles. Jennifer Shirk mentioned wishing she knew how to make her own pickles and Ceri Hebert (the one to blame for getting me watching the "Extreme Couponing" show) said she might plant cucumbers to do her own.

First: making pickles is ridiculously easy. I used to grow my own dill, etc., but now I'm lazy and buy the seasoning packs. You use that plus salt to make your brine. You put the cucumbers into the jar, pour brine over the top and hot pack them. Poof... done.

Second: I learned from my first year making pickles that the best ones for eating (the long, skinny "burpless" kind, IMHO) are not good for making pickles (they get REALLY mushy). So I'll be planting two kinds of cucs this year: the burpless for eating fresh and the pickling cucumbers for making my pickles.

Sadly, my DH has decided he prefers store bought sweet relish over my homemade and I don't eat the stuff, so I have about ten jars that just sit there ... I'd give it away, but I want my jars! LOL... I'll figure something out some day.

Canned fruit and jam is also super easy to make, especially applesauce which I plan to make in massive quantities this year. I'll try to document it all on the Healthful & Homemade blog later in the summer.

Happy Wednesday!

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You Are Growth Oriented

You maintain your focus on your goals. No matter what, you're not going to let life distract you. You can handle multiple projects and are always ready for another one. You love to multitask. You are amazingly energetic. You don't just get second winds - you get third and fourth winds. You always have a piece of advice or wisdom to share. You've learned a lot during your life.

The Japanese Pattern Test

HAHAHAHAHA... it's actually pretty darn close.

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Fun, Fun, Fun!

A true friend is one who thinks you are a good egg even if you are half-cracked. ~Author Unknown

Yesterday, I met with a friend of mine -- multi-published author, Allie Boniface. She's up in my neck of the woods doing some author appearances and having a grand old time.



We met for lunch and talked for ... oh, 2 1/2 hours... pretty much non-stop. Her DH was there, too, and patiently let us gab. We talked about our beginnings (we "met" at WVU -- Allie was one of the first people I "met" in a romance writing class), and how far we've come since then. That was... oh... six years ago, maybe?

We talked about the future (she kept asking, "What are you working on NOW?" because she knows I'm busy, but wants to encourage me... thanks, A). We talked about her coming up here again to join me for appearances up here after "One Love for Liv" comes out in print.

We talked about LASR. We talked about her cats, my cat and dog. We talked about gardening. And the time flew by.

It pretty much made missing the RWA conference in SF worth it.

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Some randomness...

So, the older I get, the more I look like my sister. Isn't that funny? She's blonde and blue-eyed, but I think the resemblance is uncanny.

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DD played a Wii yesterday. My neighbors watched her for me while I met with Allie, and they have one. DD had a blast, though she says her muscles are sore! LOL... And now, she has a Wii on her Christmas list.

I told her not to hold her breath.

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I realized yesterday that the summer is nearly over! I have to get DD's letter of intent to homeschool in to the school district TODAY. How did the time go by so quickly?

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I canned ten quarts of pickles on Tuesday. Ten. Quarts. And I still have more cucumbers than I know what to do with. That's okay -- I'd rather have too many, than not enough!

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I've decided the voles are definitely gone. It's been quite some time, and still no holes. Now, I just need to redo the dirt pile that was my garden.

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Why do weeds grow faster than the stuff I plant?

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You Are a Chocolate Flavored Popsicle

You are hedonistic. For you, summer is all about indulging your five senses. Some people may call you spoiled, but your simply the type of person who knows what they want. You have sophisticated tastes. You like sweet things as much as the next person, but you don't like cheap treats. You're much more drawn to the dramatic in all aspects of life - including dramatic desserts.

What Flavor Popsicle Are You?

Hedonistic? ME? And, since when is a chocolate Popsicle "dramatic"? LOL...

What About Love?

Forget love - I'd rather fall in chocolate! ~Sandra J. Dykes

I've been missing my dog, Bailey, quite a bit lately. It's been nearly a year since she crossed the rainbow bridge, and I still think about her pretty much every day. I imagine that will change with more time, but it's still pretty raw and I'm easily brought to tears by her memory.



I love my new dog, Dakota. I do... but I find myself comparing my feelings. Do I love her as much as I loved Bailey as a puppy? How much would it hurt if I lost her now? Will I ever love her as much as I loved Bailey? Will it be the same kind of love?



All this led me to think about feelings of love in general. For instance, I have a family member I love very much, but there are times I don't like her. She's difficult to be around, though I understand that has changed a bit. She can be very negative and judgemental, and for someone like me -- who already struggles with feeling low -- it makes life difficult. But I love her.

OTOH, there are other family members I love AND like. Does that mean I love them more? Or just differently?

What about romantic love? If I loved someone before my DH, but didn't marry him, does that mean I loved him less than my DH? Or just differently? Does love go away or do you always love someone?

How do you quantify or categorize love?

I'm feeling terribly philosophical today. Or maybe I just need another cup of coffee.

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I'm going to make pickles today. I have... well, a LOT of cucumbers. Lots, and lots, and lots. I gave away several, but I really like pickles and wanted to try my hand at it. We'll see how it goes. I hope it doesn't flop like my strawberry jam.

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DD gets to see a sugar glider today for her Summer Reading Program! She's so excited. We have to be there early, and we have a lot to do today, but that's okay. After all, how often do you get to see a sugar glider up close?

Exactly.

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You Would Make an Okay 1930's Wife

You have some of the attributes of an ideal 1930's wife... but you probably didn't intend it to be that way. You don't buy into retro gender roles, though you do embrace your femininity at times. A 1930's man may find you passable, but you probably wouldn't want anything to do with him.

Would You Have Been a Good Wife in the 1930s?