Mark and I watched half of Monday night football with the TV on mute. That was awesome! LOL
I don't even recall what the announcers were babbling about but Mark and I blurted out at the same time "give it a REST....puLEASE...." or something to that effect. And then I said, "I wonder what it would be like to watch an entire football game on mute?"
So we did. I missed the crowd noise - but nary an over-analyzed, speculative, off base, idiotic, irrelevant attempt at commentary was to be heard from the peanut gallery!
Tuesday, December 8, 2009
Monday, December 7, 2009
Deer Hunting
Shot gun deer hunting kicked off this weekend and I always feel a little nervous about it. You can hear gunfire from about every direction and where I live - it would not be impossible for a stray shot to come my way if I were in the wrong place at the wrong time. So, as is the case every year, the dogs are either gated in next to the house or kept in the kennel and I avoid walking outside most of the weekend.
For the first time, Mark got a license and went hunting with our neighbor. I believe our neighbor played a large role in talking him into it - so, he went and before he knew what happened he had sacrificed an entire weekend and ended up with a deer. I have to tell ya, I am not real jazzed about this either...
I had the conversation with him about how we always admire the deer from afar, and I cannot wrap my head around being able to kill anything... and I thought he felt the same. Well, he does and he doesn't, apparently. He didn't go just for the sake of killing something, but with the intention of assisting the over population and of course having some to eat. I am not jazzed about that either (the eating part). So I had another conversation with him (after I spent most of yesterday afternoon choosing my words carefully....).
I asked him if he would be upset if I didn't eat any of it? Our neighbor is processing it and plans to mix it beef and pork and make sausage - or some other form of mystery meat product and then some tenderloins or something. I will try it - and I have eaten venison before- so I don't know where this weirdness is radiating from. We plan to give some away over the holidays to a food bank that takes fresh/frozen meat or to some neighbors that I know would really appreciate the extra bulk in their freezer. So, in that light, I don't mind it as much.
I was thinking more about it today and I think as I get older, I start to consider where our food really comes from I suppose. The meat you buy in the store has becomes less and less of a "product" to me and more and more about what lengths "man" now goes to in order to get "meat to the masses", so to speak... I don't eat much meat these days, I still like it, but there are alot of layers to that decision. I am finding that I feel much better and look much better if I get my protein from plant sources. I do eat more fish than I used to, as well....eh, whaddya do.... it's a personal decision and maybe some day I will be a meat-free'r altogether. I don't have any opinion for or against eating meat, just the "originating" side of it I guess.
One thing I do know for certain is that while M was hunting over the weekend, he spied a couple hunters shooting guns from the comfort of their vehicle parked on the roadway. Another cross section of "man" that leaves me less than impressed. To that end, I am certain these individuals must be the responsible persons for the empty beer boxes all over the roads this morning.
I have zero time for that nonsense and once again it proves for every group of people that get it right, there will always be a cross section people who would not have a clue if it were tied to their back, stuffing a sock in their mouth. Alcohol and hunting do not mix. Even I know that much.
On to the blizzard tomorrow! WOOHOOO! I think I will take some pictures and post them throughout the day so check back! Let's just see how daring Mother Nature is feeling!
For the first time, Mark got a license and went hunting with our neighbor. I believe our neighbor played a large role in talking him into it - so, he went and before he knew what happened he had sacrificed an entire weekend and ended up with a deer. I have to tell ya, I am not real jazzed about this either...
I had the conversation with him about how we always admire the deer from afar, and I cannot wrap my head around being able to kill anything... and I thought he felt the same. Well, he does and he doesn't, apparently. He didn't go just for the sake of killing something, but with the intention of assisting the over population and of course having some to eat. I am not jazzed about that either (the eating part). So I had another conversation with him (after I spent most of yesterday afternoon choosing my words carefully....).
I asked him if he would be upset if I didn't eat any of it? Our neighbor is processing it and plans to mix it beef and pork and make sausage - or some other form of mystery meat product and then some tenderloins or something. I will try it - and I have eaten venison before- so I don't know where this weirdness is radiating from. We plan to give some away over the holidays to a food bank that takes fresh/frozen meat or to some neighbors that I know would really appreciate the extra bulk in their freezer. So, in that light, I don't mind it as much.
I was thinking more about it today and I think as I get older, I start to consider where our food really comes from I suppose. The meat you buy in the store has becomes less and less of a "product" to me and more and more about what lengths "man" now goes to in order to get "meat to the masses", so to speak... I don't eat much meat these days, I still like it, but there are alot of layers to that decision. I am finding that I feel much better and look much better if I get my protein from plant sources. I do eat more fish than I used to, as well....eh, whaddya do.... it's a personal decision and maybe some day I will be a meat-free'r altogether. I don't have any opinion for or against eating meat, just the "originating" side of it I guess.
One thing I do know for certain is that while M was hunting over the weekend, he spied a couple hunters shooting guns from the comfort of their vehicle parked on the roadway. Another cross section of "man" that leaves me less than impressed. To that end, I am certain these individuals must be the responsible persons for the empty beer boxes all over the roads this morning.
I have zero time for that nonsense and once again it proves for every group of people that get it right, there will always be a cross section people who would not have a clue if it were tied to their back, stuffing a sock in their mouth. Alcohol and hunting do not mix. Even I know that much.
On to the blizzard tomorrow! WOOHOOO! I think I will take some pictures and post them throughout the day so check back! Let's just see how daring Mother Nature is feeling!
Thursday, December 3, 2009
Wednesday, December 2, 2009
Post Thanksgiving Thanks!
I feel like I occasionally lose touch with this thing. Crazier still is that I can actually just completely forget about blog, email, Facebook and a computer (unless of course I need a recipe!). I don't forget, however, about the people who I am able to keep in touch with, thanks to this computer. You know who you are!
For as "unregimented" as my life may appear on the outside (not currently "employed" by definition), I manage to keep my days jam packed with a very wide variety of things and I have grown to like this about myself. I never used to be this way. Another "post health episode" silver lining? I dare say- I don't know. All I do know for certain, is that I understand the importance of using one's time wisely and as I continue to work on this little nugget of wisdom, I am eternally grateful for the realization. Now onto other things...
I have been doing a lot of cooking the past couple of days. Not so much just people food, but Lucy (the border collie) presented herself the other morning with the most pitiful case of diarrhea I have ever witnessed in a dog. She is on a bland diet for about 5-7 days. I will spare the details, but she was miserable and looked miserable and the kennel was an absolute horror. (Mark got that fun cleaning job.) Since she is an "outside dog", the possibilities for what could be ailing her are as infinite as the stars.
I called my former boss/vet and he confirmed what I already knew to do - and he added that I could also give her Pepto Bismol to try and get the bowel movements to ease up. I tricked her into eating it in her food and it was the ticket. Now, I have to boil hamburger and white rice for her every morning while her insides take a rest. (Hmmm - this sounds familiar....LOL) She is on the mend and her bath is on tomorrow's list of things to do.
Our Thanksgiving was about as uneventful as one can be and that's okay. For the first time ever, we met some family at a small restaurant for a buffet, and then went to a house later for dessert (well, not just any house...we knew them ;)
I made lefse again a few days prior to T-day and I think I am getting pretty good at it. I seem to remember something different about it every time I make it. I was pretty little when I watched my mother roll out one after the other - and sometimes it's as though she is right there with me.
Out of no where I remembered a couple little things she used to do - and it made a night and day difference in the finish product.
I never knew my mother past my age of 16 and her age of 46, but I miss that I cannot call her, or have her here to help me with the things mothers and daughters would do together. I never had an adult relationship with her and I miss it. It seems sad to type that and I get a little misty thinking about it - but I am so thankful I can remember what I do remember about her, so that is quite alot in the scheme of things, I suppose. This will be Mark's first year with both of his parents gone and I can already tell this is on his mind.
I can't imagine which one is more difficult? Never having the adult relationship with your parents at all (like me) or having an awesome relationship with your parents and it is taken away before you even know what happened, like Mark. I realize there are just certain things in life we are unable to fit in our earthly schematic, so I don't spend too much time "fellowshipping" with loss and sadness. But it does occur to me from time to time.
If I have learned anything in the past couple of years, it has taught me the importance of a days time, the importance of choosing our words carefully, the importance of relationships, and the importance of putting all of life's undesirable events and feelings into a livable perspective.
I believe fellowshipping with God and not life's events or problems has saved me from a lot of sadness and inner turmoil. Among other things, "casting your care" comes to mind as I type this. (Psalm 55:22)
But, beyond all of the reminders of loved one's who have passed, it was a great holiday and we had some friends in town we had not seen in a few years. We had the luxury of seeing them several times over the entire week. I even managed to avoid any huge food intake mishaps and I believe my discipline is alive and well (for now anyway!) I find I am a much happier person if I force myself to do a few good things for myself every day. I am sleeping like a baby again and that is a very good thing. Once I lose discipline, sleepless nights are soon to follow.
Well - that is quite enough of me for one post - I was all over the map on this one - but I guess it is what it is....the dribble born out of being home alone on a Wednesday night while my husband builds a bank.
Thank you and goodnight, Irene.
You, too, LFF.
For as "unregimented" as my life may appear on the outside (not currently "employed" by definition), I manage to keep my days jam packed with a very wide variety of things and I have grown to like this about myself. I never used to be this way. Another "post health episode" silver lining? I dare say- I don't know. All I do know for certain, is that I understand the importance of using one's time wisely and as I continue to work on this little nugget of wisdom, I am eternally grateful for the realization. Now onto other things...
I have been doing a lot of cooking the past couple of days. Not so much just people food, but Lucy (the border collie) presented herself the other morning with the most pitiful case of diarrhea I have ever witnessed in a dog. She is on a bland diet for about 5-7 days. I will spare the details, but she was miserable and looked miserable and the kennel was an absolute horror. (Mark got that fun cleaning job.) Since she is an "outside dog", the possibilities for what could be ailing her are as infinite as the stars.
I called my former boss/vet and he confirmed what I already knew to do - and he added that I could also give her Pepto Bismol to try and get the bowel movements to ease up. I tricked her into eating it in her food and it was the ticket. Now, I have to boil hamburger and white rice for her every morning while her insides take a rest. (Hmmm - this sounds familiar....LOL) She is on the mend and her bath is on tomorrow's list of things to do.
Our Thanksgiving was about as uneventful as one can be and that's okay. For the first time ever, we met some family at a small restaurant for a buffet, and then went to a house later for dessert (well, not just any house...we knew them ;)
I made lefse again a few days prior to T-day and I think I am getting pretty good at it. I seem to remember something different about it every time I make it. I was pretty little when I watched my mother roll out one after the other - and sometimes it's as though she is right there with me.
Out of no where I remembered a couple little things she used to do - and it made a night and day difference in the finish product.
I never knew my mother past my age of 16 and her age of 46, but I miss that I cannot call her, or have her here to help me with the things mothers and daughters would do together. I never had an adult relationship with her and I miss it. It seems sad to type that and I get a little misty thinking about it - but I am so thankful I can remember what I do remember about her, so that is quite alot in the scheme of things, I suppose. This will be Mark's first year with both of his parents gone and I can already tell this is on his mind.
I can't imagine which one is more difficult? Never having the adult relationship with your parents at all (like me) or having an awesome relationship with your parents and it is taken away before you even know what happened, like Mark. I realize there are just certain things in life we are unable to fit in our earthly schematic, so I don't spend too much time "fellowshipping" with loss and sadness. But it does occur to me from time to time.
If I have learned anything in the past couple of years, it has taught me the importance of a days time, the importance of choosing our words carefully, the importance of relationships, and the importance of putting all of life's undesirable events and feelings into a livable perspective.
I believe fellowshipping with God and not life's events or problems has saved me from a lot of sadness and inner turmoil. Among other things, "casting your care" comes to mind as I type this. (Psalm 55:22)
But, beyond all of the reminders of loved one's who have passed, it was a great holiday and we had some friends in town we had not seen in a few years. We had the luxury of seeing them several times over the entire week. I even managed to avoid any huge food intake mishaps and I believe my discipline is alive and well (for now anyway!) I find I am a much happier person if I force myself to do a few good things for myself every day. I am sleeping like a baby again and that is a very good thing. Once I lose discipline, sleepless nights are soon to follow.
Well - that is quite enough of me for one post - I was all over the map on this one - but I guess it is what it is....the dribble born out of being home alone on a Wednesday night while my husband builds a bank.
Thank you and goodnight, Irene.
You, too, LFF.
Tuesday, October 27, 2009
Photos and things conquered today
Sunrise a few weeks ago:
One of our trees before the leaves fell.
My morning walk today! With the fields sans crop, it creates literally acres of places to walk - and I have some fabulous company!
This is our house as it disappears!
One of our trees before the leaves fell.
My morning walk today! With the fields sans crop, it creates literally acres of places to walk - and I have some fabulous company!
This is our house as it disappears!
Into the sun...
just seems endless....
just seems endless....
I am growing to really enjoy this walk/jog every morning and plan to take advantage of this until the snow makes it too treacherous.
Conquered today:
How to prepare and eat a fresh artichoke. Thank you, You Tube...I never knew they were so good!
Baked Kale. Just like potato chips - and as addicting.
I changed out the humidifier filters and "stuff". Mark normally does this but has not found the time.
In a word or two...
Had a great walk this morning. As I was heading down the road, I noticed that the all of the beans have been harvested out of the field next to our property, so I took my walk in the endless field instead. It was, in a word, awesome. You can just see for miles and miles and it was so quiet (aside from the dogs racing by me in delight every few minutes). Tomorrow I am going to take the camera and post a picture - absolutely lovely. I will have to enjoy this while it is still warm enough and there is no snow to contend with.
Friday night we made our usual trip to Cedar Falls for the Friday the 13th bonfire. I have talked about this before - but I just love this ritual. No one is ever invited...you just go, bring food and it is a different mix of people each time. We got down there around 7:30 p.m. which is much later than usual - we met some friends at Old Chicago to eat and that was ...in a word, CHAOS. Wall to wall people and kids, a soccer team and every other imaginable club and group of people. We managed to get a table after waiting about 20 minutes which was way better than I expected. But I have to say it was sensory overload in that place. Naturally, my chair was next to the table of about 25 16 year old girls and there was no shortage of whacks to the back of my chair as the gal behind me left the table about 49 times during the meal. "Uh...SORRY!" she would say and then run off giggling - after about 20 times of that she just stopped saying anything at all and I just smiled to myself ....Ah to be 16 again and have the ability to drink glass after glass of sugary red soda!
We were at this party until 2:30 in the morning. It was one of those evenings where it felt like about 10:00 and I was shocked when I finally saw the clock. By the time we got to a hotel and to bed we managed only a few hours of sleep. Mark had to be home by 9:00 which translated to leaving by 7:00. I struggled yesterday - too much to eat, too much smoke inhalation (second hand and fire smoke) and a lack of sleep had me feeling like a total train wreck yesterday. Worth it? I don't know about that - but it was fun. Will have to be more careful about the smoke on both counts next time. Nasty, nasty....
Last week I resurrected a fun past time from the 70's - in a word, DECOUPAGE! I had honestly forget about this long forgotten process of shellacking anything within arms length! I am not even sure how it occurred to me - but I had fun looking for things to make forever ageless under a clear film of GLUE!
I ended up collecting some leaves from some of my favorite plants from this summer and made a small leaf box that is pretty darn cute! Rather proud of myself on this count since it was such half baked idea and the materials cost me all of about $3.00. Now that I have a bit of a technique to it I plan to take it one step further - I think the possibilities could be endless. Even the bottle says, "Decoupage ANY surface, to any other surface." Any Surface. ANY SURFACE. Do you see how this could be so tempting to go outside the lines with this one?
Are you kidding, any surface? Really? Well now, let the shellacking begin! Pictures to come!
Friday night we made our usual trip to Cedar Falls for the Friday the 13th bonfire. I have talked about this before - but I just love this ritual. No one is ever invited...you just go, bring food and it is a different mix of people each time. We got down there around 7:30 p.m. which is much later than usual - we met some friends at Old Chicago to eat and that was ...in a word, CHAOS. Wall to wall people and kids, a soccer team and every other imaginable club and group of people. We managed to get a table after waiting about 20 minutes which was way better than I expected. But I have to say it was sensory overload in that place. Naturally, my chair was next to the table of about 25 16 year old girls and there was no shortage of whacks to the back of my chair as the gal behind me left the table about 49 times during the meal. "Uh...SORRY!" she would say and then run off giggling - after about 20 times of that she just stopped saying anything at all and I just smiled to myself ....Ah to be 16 again and have the ability to drink glass after glass of sugary red soda!
We were at this party until 2:30 in the morning. It was one of those evenings where it felt like about 10:00 and I was shocked when I finally saw the clock. By the time we got to a hotel and to bed we managed only a few hours of sleep. Mark had to be home by 9:00 which translated to leaving by 7:00. I struggled yesterday - too much to eat, too much smoke inhalation (second hand and fire smoke) and a lack of sleep had me feeling like a total train wreck yesterday. Worth it? I don't know about that - but it was fun. Will have to be more careful about the smoke on both counts next time. Nasty, nasty....
Last week I resurrected a fun past time from the 70's - in a word, DECOUPAGE! I had honestly forget about this long forgotten process of shellacking anything within arms length! I am not even sure how it occurred to me - but I had fun looking for things to make forever ageless under a clear film of GLUE!
I ended up collecting some leaves from some of my favorite plants from this summer and made a small leaf box that is pretty darn cute! Rather proud of myself on this count since it was such half baked idea and the materials cost me all of about $3.00. Now that I have a bit of a technique to it I plan to take it one step further - I think the possibilities could be endless. Even the bottle says, "Decoupage ANY surface, to any other surface." Any Surface. ANY SURFACE. Do you see how this could be so tempting to go outside the lines with this one?
Are you kidding, any surface? Really? Well now, let the shellacking begin! Pictures to come!
New shows - fall - gripes...GO HAWKS!
My new favorite show is Destination Truth on the Sci Fi (Sy Fy) channel. I have seen a couple episodes, in part, before today - but I was home and cleaning and was so sick of the stereo that I switched to television - landed on that channel and by the end of today - I am totally hooked. Interesting television for a change. By about 2:00 p.m. , with my can of Endust in one hand and my dust rag in the other, I was mesmerized by this show. The "truth"part is quite commendable. I won't elaborate on the show here -but I think I will try and stay up and watch the new episode tonight. I would say the episode on Chernobyl is the most noteworthy so far.
I have tried to make a post here, a few times, over the past couple of days and I keep getting error messages, so this post feels like another effort in the unknown. Last night, I typed a much different post - a novel at best , it was all windy (like I get) - and hit "publish post" and it was gone into the stars and sky. I typed it again - just because I apparently have that weird faith that surely the first problem was not my fault and my post was so brilliant that a second send will just fly away into the cyber universe on wings sprinkled with pixy dust. Not so.
In any case - I had some lovely pictures from the weekend. Sadly our way to perky border collie out smarted the cackling squirrel the other day and killed it. I have not been that horrified in a long while. So, I will not be posting the pictures I took of the squirrel the other day in the bird feeder since he/she is no longer with us.... But these two pictures are nice:
Sadly - I cannot post these either..... wtf is wrong with BLOGGER?
I am going to cut my losses here. I have tried to add a couple more and I am getting alot of system grief in the form of little triangles with exclamation points and "auto saved failed" that just keep popping on top.
I have to take a moment to give a shout out to the Iowa Hawkeyes!! We will be at the Northwestern game this weekend in IA City and looking for 10-0!!! GO HAWKS!
I have tried to make a post here, a few times, over the past couple of days and I keep getting error messages, so this post feels like another effort in the unknown. Last night, I typed a much different post - a novel at best , it was all windy (like I get) - and hit "publish post" and it was gone into the stars and sky. I typed it again - just because I apparently have that weird faith that surely the first problem was not my fault and my post was so brilliant that a second send will just fly away into the cyber universe on wings sprinkled with pixy dust. Not so.
In any case - I had some lovely pictures from the weekend. Sadly our way to perky border collie out smarted the cackling squirrel the other day and killed it. I have not been that horrified in a long while. So, I will not be posting the pictures I took of the squirrel the other day in the bird feeder since he/she is no longer with us.... But these two pictures are nice:
Sadly - I cannot post these either..... wtf is wrong with BLOGGER?
I am going to cut my losses here. I have tried to add a couple more and I am getting alot of system grief in the form of little triangles with exclamation points and "auto saved failed" that just keep popping on top.
I have to take a moment to give a shout out to the Iowa Hawkeyes!! We will be at the Northwestern game this weekend in IA City and looking for 10-0!!! GO HAWKS!
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