What was I thinking?

Back in third grade   , I didn't seem to have that big of an issue spending three weeks on crutches. 

When I scheduled getting this small knot removed from the arch of my foot, I was thinking a couple weeks on crutches wouldn't be that big of a deal.  Since it was continuing to grow and my insurance was about to go to crap and I was between clients, it only made since to get it removed now instead of later. 

Two days after I scheduled the surgery, I got an unexpected contract late a week ago Friday at 3:30 to start last Monday.   I explained the prescheduled surgery, hoping that would only be two days of being laid up. 

Then the doc told Bob yesterday that the fibroma tumor was actually abou the size of a silver dollar, the small nodule visible was only a tiny part. He also said, no work the rest of this week. 

Thankfully I brought the laptop home and should be able to do some work tomorrow. 

The surgery was no big deal. Fire up the Michael Jackson anesthesia and away we go. 

What I discovered IS a big deal is trying to figure out how to maneuver anything on crutches. We have one step down to our great room. Trying to master getting up into the kitchen from that one step seems to be nearly impossible. 

My wimpy arms do not really want to support my weight for that little hop up.  Bob got down his walker from his spinal surgery in March, but that makes it even worse to try to get up on step to keep my left foot from supporting any weight whatsoever. 

Since we live in a two story, I spent Tuesday night in the great room recliner. 

Tonight (this post is scheduled for tomorrow morning), I am going to attempt to figure out how to get upstairs. 

At this point I'm not feeling too confident about doing that. I figure if all else fails, I'll sit on my butt and push myself up one step at a time.  Or I might tackle crawling up the steps since there is nothing wrong with the upper part of my leg. 

It should be interesting trying to figure out how to manage the stairs at work next Monday. I've not seen an elevator and before this surgery I was stupidly thinking I could put the laptop in the backpack AND climb stairs with crutches. 

I probably could have done that at 8 years old, at 54, not so much. 

Ugh. 

Burn in Hell Ariel.

Too bad he didn't do this twenty years ago. 

A least they got the right foot.

I mean the left foot.   The Sharpie the doc used to draw the arrow helped him to remember which foot to hack into. 

When Parents Won't Allow Excuses.

I found something that lets me embed a video from my IPad! NOW I'm excited. This shouldn't have been that complicated for the IPad.

Someone remind me of this guy when I'm griping about some minor temporary issue of being in crutches for the next three weeks.

No Good Guys to Root For

So just a few minutes ago I got into a somewhat heated debate on Facebook with a fellow Christian about, of all things, the TV show and the philosophy of Whale Wars and Captain Paul Watson (pirates). 

Before anyone else wants to set me straight, I think the Japanese Whalers are scum.  

Many people believe that you cannot be a Conservative AND believe we should be good stewards of the magnificent earth the Good Lord has provided us. They get confused that we believe human life  actually IS more precious than all the other creatures and that makes them believe we don't believe we should do al we can to protect this great God given gift of the earth. 

This earth and all the creatures ARE precious.  I just don't believe the Good Lord thinks that protecting baby seals or whales is of greater priority than protecting unborn babies. I do not believe God thinks that human life is of the same value as the creatures that roam the earth.

That's like saying people with children love their pets at an equal value as their children. 

Let's take an average pet loving family.  A couple in their thirties with 2 and one half kids (how can you   forget about half a boy, Pa?) with their loyal mutt friend.  

Losing a pet is hard. It HURTS. Believe me I know. It takes months and years to get over them not meeting you at the door or completely ignoring you (let's face it, I'm referring to cats here).  It's lonely, and sad and breaks your heart.  Yoi never forget them.  

But can anyone compare that lost with losing a child?   

Of course not. 

So my Facebook friend posted something about being upset that Whale Wars was not on.  

I've watched a few episodes.  And I watched the one of the supposed Japanese Whalers deliberately running over the tiny boat the anti-whalers had constructed. 

I had actually studied the film from several different angles. 

The difference in the size of their vessels is humongous.  Some of Watson's ilk decided they would stop this huge whaling vessel by deliberately running their Star Wars-like-ship right in front of the Titanic. 

If I'm recalling the story correctly, when the Captain of the Titanic realized they were heading right into the path of an iceberg, they tried to steer in the other direction and full reversal immediately. 

And that's the thing about big ships sailing in waters. They cannot stop or reverse or turn course quickly.  Yet the nimble weird looking Watson approved ship was built for speed, not might. 

As I said, I've watched the video several times.  The Japanese Whalers sounded their horns and it was apparent they were attempting to steer clear all the while, the psycho steering the anti-whaling vessel plowed on, making his way directly in front of the big ship. 

As I watched I realized it was just a big show by the anti-whaler pirates.  They wanted contact and by God they were going to get it.  Unfortunately for them the video was also on the whaling ship that told a different story than the one they played on TV. 

So who's ramming who here?  This is a picture from the whaling boat.  

The whaling ship plowed right over the top of the tiny vessel cutting it in two.  As the pirates came crawling out,  the Japanese were attempting to rescue them. 

It was an epic stunt that nearly killed the crew inside the prirate ship. They all lauded themselves as heroes and tried as hard as they could to make it look like the Japanese Whalers tried to kill them. 

I doubt if a camera crew wasn't giving them airtime they would have pulled such a stunt.  

I don't believe there are any good guys in that show.   It's sensationalism TV supported by the PETA freaks and guys like Bob Barker. 

I believe God gave us dominion over this earth to protect and defend it, but I don't believe he thinks saving whales is as important as saving the millions of babies whose abortionists hack them to death or snip their necks to murder tiny infants. 

Not the same. Not the same AT ALL. 

I Warned You

Didn't I? 

I'm still trying to get rid of this bug Bob gave me a week ago. And come Tuesday, I have to have some minor surgery on my foot. 

To make sure it heals properly I'll be on crutches for the next three weeks. So I spent most of Saturday cooking stuff that we could easily reheat for at least the next week.   Good stuff, not some frozen pizza or TV dinner. 

I first went to the farmers market to get some of summer's last sweet corn. The old farmers's wife told me they will have one more week of sweet corn. Picture me sad since we missed several weeks in late spring just when Indiana is the sweetest place on earth. 

Got a seedless watermelon to take to my brother's lake today when most of the family will be there.   I'm making some coney dogs in the morning. I have some veggies, but I'll have to see if I feel good enough to cut those up too. 

Then I headed out to the grocery and got some stuff to stock up on. Got home and grabbed my favorite pot from the under the stairs closet I cleaned out a few weeks ago. 

A couple years ago my mom bought me this magnificent beauty for my birthday. 

And it's not just gorgeous, it's fabulous too.  Although I love my Emerilware non-stick stuff, non-stick just will not brown things right. 

So I started using this instead.  Before I even got all the groceries unpacked, I put this baby on the stove and fired it up so it would be hot when I added the olive oil and the chuck roast.   It is extremely heavy, so I take extra precaution around the ceramic stovetop. If I win the lottery, I would buy the top of the line gas stove. Probably a Wolff. 

That was the second chuck roast since when I make just one we barely get two meals out of it 

Just when you think you are about to burn the whole thing you removed the roasts and place to the side. 

This darned IPad can take some pretty decent pics. I only use it for that purpose because its easier to put pics in blogs with the app I found a few months ago. 

I had this stuff lined up on the counter for the next step.   I created/improvised this recipe while we were in Florida. I can't really call it a stew or a beef roast, it's somewhere in between. But it tastes pretty darned good. 

Imagine the pepper mill here. Oh. And ignore the wine in the back.  That's just there for decoration.  Really.  When we were in Florida, I found two boxes of this kosher salt some of the renters had left.  I like it.  Bought some up here today. 

The pot looks ready.  All those nearly burnt bits just make for a richer sauce. 

Add some onions and garlic. 

A few minutes later add some beef stock, thyme and some tomato paste. 

This time of year I would normally have fresh thyme from my yard, but this year, what with the Italy trip and all,  I just didn't have thyme to plant some. (See what I did there?). 

In the menatime, this was what was going on outside right about then.  Stuffy hot. 

The clematis is taking over the swing my dad built 23 years ago. When we built the deck we had the guy add the arbor or whatever you want to call it so we could hang the swing. Then I planted the clematis. This drives Bob crazy, but I just love it when it gets like this. Usually it's all the way over the top, but Bob had tried to hack it down early in the spring.  

Guess who won. 

Another day or so and it will look like snow is covering it. 

Anyway, I threw the roasts back in the pot, covered it and let it simmer.  A little later I added the carrots.  

In the meantime, I had fresh green beans to snap and cook and I had a crockpot full of sghetti sauce. 

I wait until the beef gets really tender, then I take it out and get rid of the extra fat. I also add just a bit of corn starch to thicken it slightly.  Somewhere between a gravy and a soup. If I overdo the thickening, I can always add some more beef stock. 

While everything was simmering, I ran out and filled the bird feeders because the poor birdies had emptied them in just a couple days. I also provided the birds with a clean bath since the green scum on top was getting yucky. 

The other day I had assumed a pretty yellow finch had committed hari-kari when I found his body in the tubing in the snail that stands guard over the hummingbirds and the bathing birdies.  Poor little guy.  I unhooked his limp body from the snail and he immediately dropped to the ground.   The next day there was nothing left to be found. I'm thinking of calling the homicide detectives to see what's up with that. 

Just as I finished getting all of that done and watering some of the plants suddenly this happened. 

Why that actually looks like some long needed rain. A second round along with last night's quick shower just might green up that grass again.  We even got a late night third round. Looks like Bob will be cutting the grass come Tuesday. I might need someone to take me to surgery if that happens. ;-)

Can someone please tell me why these two utensils have the same name?  Did they run out of ideas?  All they had to do was go through some of those crackerbox housing additions and look at street names to get some creative ideas. 

And the last time I bought thyme, I actually needed chives, but the store didn't have any.  Luckily they had this anyway. 

Strangest time I ever bought thyme. Tastes just like chicken. I mean chives. 

If I Gotta Post Everyday

Like some good bloggers I know, then this is likely to turn into a food blog. 

I have no hobbies.  I work and cook. I love cooking. Some of the best days are spent in the kitchen. 

I would never want to be a chef, that would be too much like work. I just want to cook.  When I'm not cooking or working or reading online, then I'm watching shows like Master Chef.  

One of the highlights of my trip to Italy was the pasta making lesson at the Agriturismo in Tuscany.  My nephew took pictures while the other four of us enjoyed ourselves learning how to make fresh pasta, real pesto, tiramisu and bolognese.  

BTW, all these pics belong to my nephew. Which means All Rights Reserved. With the exception of the bolognese shown on the pasta. That one I had to google because we were in such a hurry to taste ours we didn't get pics. 

True bolognese (pronounced bolo NEIGH zy). should never be served on spaghetti as it needs a stronger, thicker pasta to hold up against the sauce.

My niece and I. I realize I look pretty goofy here but I was doing everything I could to hold in my excitement of getting a real Italian cooking lesson.  

In a different life, I would love to go here for some serious lessons. 

What is also noticable about any pasta served in true Italian kitchens is that the sauce should not overwhelm the pasta. We here in the states add too much sauce to our pasta. Believe me on this one. Good pasta shouldn't be swimming in the sauce. 

By the time we reached Volterra this time we had several versions of bolognese in Venice. Most were excellent, some were mediocre. 

When we saw what the first three ingredients were in the sauce, I was assuming I wouldn't care much for the recipe we were making. At least half the sauce started with finely minced carrots, onions and celery. 

What iI didn't realize that is that those ingredients are cooked down so long until they break down.  

After nearly all the liquid from the veggies have cooked away, maybe over an hour or so, then you add the ground beef.  You don't brown the ground beef and then drain in, it goes right into the pot of cooked veggies. 

Those favors meld together for another long simmer. 

The pan in the back are the stewed peppers which were a side dish.  I was shamed into trying them and they weren't horrible. 

I wouldn't touch them, even to cut them. The smell of peppers never leave your hands. This is my brother.  That is one big ass red pepper.

This is Mark, hoping to impress the sweet chef with his charm so he could marry her and live in Tuscany.  I don't think it worked. 

Back to the bolognese. Then you add some (not a lot of) tomato sauce. By the time all of those favors cook together, the bit of grease of the meat mix with the tomato sauce and put sparingly on some hearty pasta you get something like this. 

There was nothing difficult about the whole process.  And that includes making the fresh pasta. 

My sister making the first turns on the pasta maker. 

This is my sister with our beautiful host Marinella. The best afternoon was sitting and chatting with this amazing lady. We cried when we had to leave her. 

Italian food is good because they don't overpower their food and they only use ingredients that are in season. 

In nearly every part of Italy you found very few chain restaurants.  Those are usually confined to places like McDonalds or Burger King (only saw in Rome). 

We screw up our restaurants by having so many chain stores.  How could we possible have great fresh food when it's been distributed all over the US in the same way?  

Indy does have at least one good authentic Italian restaurant. Mama Carolla's is a small place on the east side of town that serves southern Italian food.  It's not Tuscany, but it's pretty darned good. 

Cheers.  Ooops. I mean Salute. 

Backfiring

In case you weren't counting, this is my 16th day in a row to publish a post after being goaded to do so by Joe.

And what has this experiment wrought?

Fewer visitors than ever before.

Of course I can always count on Jess, Ed  (my brother from another mother), Coffey, (my husband's long lost twin),  Dave  and Dana. Although she and Coffey are threatening to quit this little circle of virtual friends. 

I haven't seen Babs on here since I started this little imagined war.  I'm not even sure if my own mom is stopping by anymore.  I did get a few random hits when Jess wanted to know how many readers he actually had and I commented about that stupid Giada and Al Roker post. 

I know.  If I posted a nasty picture of the little idiot who shall remain nameless that twerked (I STILL don't know what that means) on the long dead MTV channel I bet I would be getting all kinds of people stopping by.  Probably not the kind I want, but hey a hit is a hit right?

I still wonder who it is that is coming by here from my brother's blog that is either from Maryland or Virginia. They stop by nearly daily and never leave a comment.

Oh. Wait. Hey Joe, I DID get someone from your blog after they searched this.

And come on now, yesterday's post was funny. Well at least I still remember it being one of the funniest things that ever happened to me and it was 30 freaking years ago.

Long Before Auto Correct

Decades ago, back when offices were much more proper, I had the company controller come ask me what I thought about the management retreat that had been held at the newly opened Indianapolis Zoo.

Unfortunately for him he didn't quite ask me what he intended to.  And I just couldn't help myself from answering the question he did ask rather than answering the question I KNEW he was asking. 

So Claude walked up to my office, leaned against the door and said, "Rita, so how did you enjoy the Jew?"  

Instantly his face indicated that he was shocked at what his mouth had said. 

You know those moment when later you later think, "I wish I had said...."  

Well this wasn't one of those. 

Inspiration took over self control.  

So I immediately said, " I don't recall ever having a Jew, Claude". 

Maybe it's just me, but I find this one very attractive. 

Classmates dot com

Another scam.

Yeah, like this email supposedly from someone who remembered me as

I may have been a lot of things , but cool, confident, carefree or outgoing was not among them. 

I had to get a long way out of high school before I could even guess what those words might mean. 

They Found Me

Arrived in our email inbox on Saturday.

Oh Me. Oh My. I must contact the FBI immediately. 

I realize the NSA has gotten out of control, so it's quite a relief to discover I need to CLAIM our $10,500,000 OR I'll be arrested and charged with money laundering. 

I'm kinda liking this Big Brother government. 

Wish Me Luck

Sitting enjoying this beautiful morning drinking my Ovaltine and looking out the sunroom windows. 

While filing up the bird feeders and cleaning the birdbath yesterday I found a bird had committed haricari in the "neck" of the wire snail by the bird bath. 

Mr. Finch was found hanging by the neck caught between the rounded part of the silly wire snailly thing and the neck part.  I was filling the bird bath at the time I noticed him and was thoroughly grossed out. 

Sorry Mr. Bird. I would have saved you had I known. Perhaps I should put up a sign warning the little birds not to slide down Mr. Snail's neck or they could die. 

My sabbatical ends this morning. Heading to a new client in about 15 minutes.  Supposed to be a short term (aren't they all?), 13 weeks.  However I'm working through a consulting firm and there is a lot of work that needs done with several big clients. 

Thankfully the commute this time is about 15 minutes.  I haven't lived that close to work for thirty years. I spent ten years commuting an hour each way, wasting three weeks of my life each year riding in my car. 

Off to work. 

I Just Couldn't Help Myself

Another travel story.

We were married in May 1991. Since we had his girls during the school year, we waited to take a honeymoon until July.

We decided to take our first cruise. Just a quick 3 day sailing out of Miami. That was back in the day when you could get a BIG airplane out of Indy direct to Miami. You know, the kind where there is a middle section.

We were in the middle section and most of the passengers were also heading to a cruise. I remember there was a young girl, probably early 20's who was dressed in a little sailor outfit. For some strange reason she just got on my nerves.

She was talking with everyone around her and it was all, "me, me, me". She was apparently a travel agent and was very impressed with her traveling skills.


I know if I was a better person her incessant chattering about herself on the 2+ hour flight wouldn't have bothered me. I just kept reading a magazine and holding Bob's hand.

After awhile I could "feel" her keep looking back at us. Again, I really tried just to ignore it and just kept reading, but it's that nagging feeling that drives you crazy.

When we landed of course everyone stood up but instead of going forward, the travel babe took a step or two back toward us. After a couple minutes, she politely and a little too cutsy said, "Oh my, you have a lovely ring." She was looking at my fairly new wedding ring.

OK, I know, it was a very nice thing to say and it shouldn't have gotten on my nerves, but somehow it did.
I said, "Thank you."

Then she said something that struck me as somewhat odd.

She said, "Your husband must love you very much."

I was a little taken aback. Apparently she was equating the size of the diamond with the size of the love, as if someone who might not be able to afford a nice diamond wouldn't love their wife as much as someone who could.

And I just simply couldn't resist.

I sweetly leaned into Bob and said, "Why thank you, when I get home I'll tell him that."

The shock on her and Bob's faces was all worth it.

Ilene

This drives me crazy about me.

Watching the Colts play football, I sit in my chair and lean in the direction of the goal with every offensive play. 

I'm sure that matters to no one. 

So here's a picture that has nothing to do with this post. 

I figure since my brother picked on me for the first 20 years of my life, I get to make up for it by picking on him for the remainder.  

And the Spanish Steps were built by the French. 

Say CHEEEESE.

Today's pic was much better.  Not sure why a cheese sandwich would make someone this happy though. 

Maybe this guy wouldn't scare you Dana 

I think he was happy during our hike in Manarola because he could irritate his baby sister the whole 6 kilometers up and down a mountainside. 

Zing em while you can.

My brother, CnC went on a hike yesterday. About halfway through he posted this picture of himself on Facebook.

I chided him about looking so angry.  

But he apparently didn't quite understand because a couple hours later he posted this picture asking if anyone could guess the sandwich he was eating. 

Notice the Miss Me Yet shirt?  

Anyway I told him if he didn't get rid of that expression on his face that Jeff Dunham was going to make a dummy of him. 

Of course he already has. 

Stop it already Mark.