Passer Mortuus Est. *

I'm not one to get all upset over "songbirds" such as the fetishizers on the Audubon websites seem to be: it's a nomenclature based on brain structure (aka passeriformes), like with many things, used for emotional effect. Many of the Songbirds in my backyard, in fact, are what's known as both Nuisance Wildlife and Invasive.

This said: had the upsetting case today, where the black cat brought in an Invasive bit of Nuisance Wildlife* to finish off. Didn't occur to me that the Poor Thing wasn't a toy until I separated her from it.

Since the injuries were such that Heroic Measures would have only prolonged his misery, I had to take him outside and kill him myself, before giving the little guy a decent burial.

Came back in and had a good cry.

***

* http://waiting-for-april.blogspot.com/2010/04/even-further-inspired-by-aforementioned.html

* * Male House Finch - invasive to the NE USA; crowd out the other, native, less aggressive finches

Stormy Weather.

At its start, the storm didn't feel like it was going to be a terribly powerful one.  As the day progressed, however, the wind certainly picked up strength.  For the first time in a good while (a decade, at least), lost power for more than a few minutes. 

After about 1/2 a day, things switched back on.  It's still kind of raging out there, though.  And the next Spring tide will be coming in, soon, which will cause more problems.

Took a short walk around the neighborhood to see the extent of damage.  Was whipped about a fair bit by the wind:  Big girl that I am, who knows  how to keep steady in wind, needed at a couple points to grab a lamp post to not be blown into the street.  Kind of scary, kind of exhilarating.  Not anything I'd want to be out in for an extended period, though.

Thinking good thoughts for all the folks who had to evacuate due to the tides.  For all the First Responders, all the Folks keeping us safe, clearing downed branches, getting our electricity back up, helping to back up an already overtaxed infrastructure.  

Romantic Mood Lighting:  as everything here's dependent on electricity, just prepped up a simple snack of cheese, pickles, crackers, tinned fish.  The big treat was braving the elements for a warm drink from Dunkin:  meh.  Power finally did come on; rested in candle light for a bit, though, as it was so relaxing.

Weighty Issues.

Rang in the New Year overweight, as always, and, as always, Sad.  That was the main impetus for Dry January.  Well, that, and the fact that, if I shed problems like onion skins, I'd get to the root of Things.

Don't know that that's what's happening, but do know that not drinking alcohol leads to wanting to cut back on caffeine, which leads to a whole bunch of other things.

In one of my stronger, more inspired moments of late, opened a box containing a journal dating back from 2012, where I found myself 20 lbs lighter than I am now ... Fretting about how I needed to lose 10 lbs.

I've always been chunky.  I probably always will be.  Doesn't mean that I'm not healthy or athletic; just means that I am Bigger than what current aesthetics dictate.

Let's us not worry so much about weight / being thin, and worry more about the body chemistry issues.  Cholesterol is fine, but could be better.  Blood sugar is fine.  Blood pressure is only high when I stress out over going to get it checked.

This is me back in 2009 - same as in 2012, when I was all upset over things.  2018 me *loves* this portrait of me, chunky as I may be.

Mating Season?

I'm a middle-aged woman, hewing pretty closely to the stereotypical image, at least in appearances, maybe, of the ladies of my area.  As such, such banter is rare for me to encounter, especially in this day and age.  Still:  Spring was in the Monday Afternoon Air, and it Felt Good.

Anyway, had been craving a veggie sandwich on (hopefully) sourdough; ended up with a very nice baguette instead.  Along with a beautifully ripe avocado, a good-smelling tomato, some cheese and carrots to grate up, a small luxury jar of cornichons, a can of garbanzos in case hummus might be necessary.  Stood in line with my purchases, when, suddenly, an older gentleman* stepped in line in front of me.

Me - ...

Gentleman:  "Sorry.  I forgot my wallet.  Need to pay, you know."

Me - ... "(slow:  very tired, and, funnily enough, when I find someone attractive looking I get tongue tied).  *Mumble* - I forget my wallet all the time.  My keys, too."

Gentleman gets his item rung up.  "Oh Wow!"  It was one cabbage - granted, an organic, hand raised, grass-fed cabbage.  Still:  it cost $8+.  "That's okay.  I can afford it.  Life is Good.  I am looking forward to my cabbage."

Me - deadpan - "Brassicas are worth their weight in gold, sir."

Gentleman - "I'm sorry?  What did you just say?"

Me - "Brassicas are worth their weight in gold, Sir."

Gentleman - "What?  What?  What do you mean?"

Me - "Brassicas, you know:  Cabbages, broccoli, cau-lee-flower.  Kale."

Gentleman - "Yes, yes, I know, but:  how does a young woman like you know such a word?  You must be very, very intelligent.  You are young, And Smart!  For knowing such a big word."

Me - "Brassica is a relatively short word (gesture an inch with my thumb and forefinger).  I know longer ones than that."

Gentleman -  "So young and so intelligent !"  (He kept repeating this!  It was weird!)  Started telling me about the cooperative he managed for years, and about, how one could go to the market and find cabbages of the same size for $.35.

Me - "Wholesale, I'm assuming.  At the market in Chelsea?  Of course they'd be less expensive.  You've got an organic / hand nurtured one from a Cambridge retail establishment.  Give it a couple weeks, though, and you'll see the prices go down on conventional ones."

Gentleman - looking at me directly, now. "Or for free.  In my garden. ... again ... how does such a woman know such a word?  You haven't told me."

Me - ....  "I like to eat them.  (Folks in line were getting restless).  Thank you, Sir, and enjoy the rest of the beautiful day.  Also:  enjoy that lovely example of Cruciferous Gold."
***
Housemate said he liked the "Cruciferous Gold" touch.  Determined that the fellow wasn't so much chatting me up as expressing surprise at my being not so dumb as I look.  


* Older for me.  I'm a relatively well-preserved woman in her late-mid 40s.  He was somewhere between mid 50s / 60s.

Classics is starting to look better and better.

Think that the Secret History of Empress Theodora is sounding far more interesting than current postulation onTom Ashbrook's Public History.  

Maybe I do need to get my Greek Up. 

Food for thought.

From my hippie tea tag line tonight:  ain't it the truth, though.

As bemusing as it is to see "Game Day" become another merchandising holiday along the lines of Valentine's Day, Halloween, etc, I will admit to appreciating the sales. Since the local grocery store had, among other things, avocados at a ridiculous price, gave in and took a distribution on my 403(b) to stock up.

Sitting here, gazing at my pile of Green Gold, cannot help but feel like I beat the system ... not unlike an investor in Bitcoin, or Precious Metals. I'm thinking of my avocados as having Intrinsic Value, like what the guy on the radio commercial says about gold. Unlike gold, however, their value isn't immutable. I'm going to have to figure out a way to store/use these things that have a habit of turning to compost all at once.

Love my green smoothies and guacamole. Could live on avocado toast. Not crazy about the eggs baked in the half-fruit that was all the rage on the internet a while back. Read somewhere that they could be used to make a particularly rich chocolate cake.

Any other recommendations / recipes would be welcome, along with storage tips.  

Turd Purrguson.

So, I was sitting here knitting away, minding my own business, when I heard first hissing, then The Charge of the Light Brigade, followed by a loud *crash.* Turned around and saw that, during their wrestling match, the black and gray angels ripped the curtains down from the front window.

Not just the curtains, mind you, but the rod and the fixtures, too. Now, if this had happened in the back of the house, would have left repairs until the morning. As it was in the front and we face the now glass enclosed hospital emergency waiting area, figured I'd jury rig something so that we'd not be offering up an all night peep show.

While I was doing my split on the cat tree and sofa back, trying to get the curtain rod to balance without the fixture, felt two sets of eyes on me: Black Cat's baleful glare and the Gray Boy's Turd Purrguson look. I call it the Turd Purrguson look, because the only other creature I've ever seen do as good an impression of Burt Reynolds in the Cannonball Run aside from my cat is Norm MacDonald. It's more than a little bit unsettling.

By the way: I can't believe this sketch is nearly 20 years old; as many times as I've seen it, never ceases to amuse. Interesting, too, is that it's one of the rare scenes where Will Ferrell plays the Straight Man.

Might be worth it to wait until the latest kombucha's ready if I want something fermented.

So wanted a beer tonight, so checked the offerings at the local package store. Slim pickings, indeed, in the non alcoholic section: one bottle of the Fre red wine (did not like their chardonnay), a different chardonnay, some sparkling apple juice, and the last six-pack of St. Pauli Girl. 

Figured that, coming from Germany, the beer couldn't be too bad. Had a nice head, a pretty amber color. Smelled like a lager. Ooh, but the taste...bitter, almost like bile. Not good; actually gave me a headache.
Oh well.

Dry February.

Dry February is somewhat of a misnomer, as this month's going to be all about hydrating and getting the electrolytes balanced up.  I'd really like to reduce the caffeine intake as well.

It's interesting how eliminating one item for a good period (in my case alcohol for a month) could cause one to focus on other aspects needing improvement (fatigue, bloating, difficulty sleeping, needing the mind to just calm down).  Along with the rehydrating, I'm incorporating some yoga, tinkering with the diet, and getting outdoors more.  Motivating for that last item is a challenge, as it is midwinter here.  Still, I generally feel better after even a few minutes of fresh air / natural light if we're having any.

Will see what happens.

In Vino Veritas.

Day 31 of Dry January.

As it was somewhat of a special occasion, decided to try a nonalcohlic wine, if only for the ceremonial cork pop. I knew the 'chardonnay' was going to be underwhelming; didn't realize it would be so darn sweet.

Lesson learned: for the next little celebration, I am going to find a nice bottle of water and make a show of opening that. Will be less expensive, not to mention better tasting.

The pictured fish cake was very nice, by the way. Oh yes, and since January was so enjoyable, will probably continue this project into February.

Dirty.

As in a martini, though this seems more like a savory Manhattan, if you can wrap your mind around that idea. 

Smoky, with a bit of a bite. Needs a bit more tweaking - bitters, maybe? - but definitely a keeper.

It's just 1/2 iced smoked (Lapsang Souchong) tea, 1/2 club soda over ice with a healthy splash of brine from the pickled vegetables and a couple shakes of hot sauce.  

Skål!

A savory, Scandinavian concoction I came up with from tonight's dinner prep leftovers. 

Who knows? What gets imbibed over the next couple nights could be just as surprising. For now, am going to call this my favorite of the drinks. 

Aquavit would make a nice addition, but is not at all necessary. Especially if you toss some crushed juniper and caraway in, as I did.

For two:

- 1/2 c. Sauerkraut juice
- Approx 1/2 tsp. caraway seeds
- A few juniper berries
- Club Soda
- Crushed ice
- Fresh dill or fennel

Coarsely grind the caraway and juniper.  Set to soaking in sauerkraut juice for 1/2 an hour or so.

Fill glasses 1/3 of the way with crushed ice, divide the juice, top off with club soda, then mix.  Garnish with dill or fennel. 

Maybe I should treat myself to a copper mug.

Day 28 of Dry January! 

My version of a Moscow Mule, but without the vodka:  Loverly!  Does seem a bit naked in this glass, though.

Ginger Beer / Lime Juice.

Lassi.

Not quite, but close.  Actually, this could have been a meal in itself.   (Breakfast tomorrrow, maybe?)

For two:

- 1 c. chopped strawberries
- 1/2 mango, chopped
- 3/4 c. yogurt or kefir
- 1/4 - 1/2 c. milk, depending on how liquid you'd like for this to be
- splash of lime juice
- ginger, cardamom, mint, rose petals, sea salt, sweetener to taste
- seltzer

Blend fruit with kefir and lime juice.  Stir in aromatics, salt, sweetener.  Pour into glasses, top off with seltzer.  Garnish with lime slices, fruit, a sprinkle of cardamom or rose petals, if desired.

Half Measures.

Tired, in the doldrums, so kept things simple with a half-and-half.

(Just iced tea and some bitter lemon soda.)

Summertime Thing.

Melon, cucumbers, mint and berries go into just about everything we drink in the Summer, from lemonade to iced tea, to even the white wine or occasional rum drink. 

As it was a dry cold today, felt dehydrated on returning home. This felt so good going down.

Persian melon, slices and juice / lime juice / cucumber / mint leaves / lime seltzer / strawberry

Essentially, what I did was chop up a couple slices of cucumber, a couple chunks of melon, and some mint leaves.  Added a squeeze of lime juice and some of the juice from the melon.  Mixed that all up, tossed in an ice cube, then filled the glass the rest of the way with seltzer water.  Since strawberries were on sale and looked cheerful, used one for a garnish.  Easy as anything!  Pretty, too.

Strange Bedfellows?

At market once, received a gift of not quite a dozen overripe charentais melons. What to do with them? Make jam, of course. The recipe I found used anise and lime juice as foils to the melon's sweetness. Wow.

In a fit of nostalgia for that combination of perfumes, broke out another barquette of frozen Persian melon to mix with lime and Antesite (licorice / anise essence). Not perfect, but not too far off. My guinea pig found it unusual and pleasant.

For two:

- 1.5 c frozen chunks of melon
- 15-20 drops licorice essence (I used Antesite licorice-anise).
- 1 Tbs lime juice
- 1 Tbs coconut oil
- Lime seltzer

Blend melon, licorice, lime juice, coconut oil and maybe 1/2 c. lime seltzer.  Pour into glasses.  Top with more seltzer.  Garnish with mint, a sprinkle of ginger, or a lime slice, if desired.

Pina Colada.

This would be nice for breakfast.

For Two:

- One can pineapple slices in juice (four slices)
- 1/2 can coconut cream
- A couple good squeezes of lime juice
- Ginger to taste
- Seltzer
- Crushed ice

Blend pineapple, its juice, coconut cream, lime juice, and ginger until smooth.  Fill two highball glasses 1/4 - 1/3 full with crushed ice.  Divide pina colada mixture evenly between glasses, top with seltzer.

Matcha Latte.

Neat trick: if you have a French press coffee pot, all you have to do is pour your (NOT hot!) milk in, then pump the plunger a few times vigorously to make it foam. Works like a charm. Your milk will remain frothy while you heat it in the microwave.

For One:

- 1c milk
- 1.5 tsp matcha (green tea) powder
- Sweetener to taste (Am not nuts about super sweet, so used just one packet of stevia)
- a dash of ginger.

Add matcha, sweetener, ginger to warm milk, then mix powders are dissolved.  Froth / heat further if you'd like.  (I like mine just a little warmer than lukewarm, myself.)