Friday, May 31, 2019

My grandpa had a friend he called Lefty.

Friday after Memorial Day

On the morrow we shall see the turn of another month - from May to June. The beautiful spring-time greens and pastel blossoms will be giving way to even deeper fuller greens, garden phlox's and Queen Ann's lace, and the blooms of Hamburg Township's famous day-lilies.

Our mid-latitudes winter was long and cold, and it has been good this past month to be out working in the yard planting, feeding, nurturing.

Our herbs have taken well and are filling in our wash-tub container with fragrant greenery. The annuals are for the most part bursting with color and filling in their respective places around the house. The vegetables in the ground are slower this spring, but we will not lose hope: red and yellow cherry tomatoes, a beefstake hybrid, Anaheim, jalapeno, and sweet red bell peppers.

The cucumbers in their own box show the most umption early - inches of growth daily. (kind of like the moon at night. if you stare at it, it doesn't seem like it's moving. but if you look at it, go away for a couple minutes and then look at it, you can surely tell it moved. so it is with the growth of the cucumber plant)

The lawn is green and lush (much rain we have had in the past 21 days), and the weed-whip has been working furiously to give the margins that well-groomed look.  Mr Cat-mint is competing with Mr Hosta again for the largest-single-plant-in-the-garden award.










Novena to the Holy Spirit Day 1




Come, Holy Spirit, and fill the hearts of the faithful,
enkindle in us the fire of Your love...



Friday, May 24, 2019

Recipe #33; Honey Cake


I got this recipe from my old friend who has been called Nemo. I sometimes call him Kevin, or Russell, or Mr. Fredricksen - for he has many names.


LIST OF THE ITEMS YOU WILL NEED TO CREATE THIS DELIGHT:
2 cups AP flour
2 tsp baking powder
smallest pinch of salt, I have heart failure. If you can tolerate it, use a half teaspoon
1/2 cup softened butter
1 cup honey
2 large eggs
1/2 c vanilla yogurt
2 tsp vanilla


Soften the butter, then cream the butter and honey.




In a mixing bowl, whisk the first three ingredients until well mixed. Set aside




Add the eggs, one at a time; and beat until well incorporated.




Add the yogurt and vanilla, and beat until mixed well. Then add the flour mixture.



Mix on low speed until you have a nice batter


Grease your favorite cast iron pan - I used about a tablespoon of butter this time


Pour in the batter


Throw the cast iron into your oven heated to 350 degrees Fahrenheit for 30-35 minutes.


When a toothpick comes out of the center clean, she is done.


Let it cool on a wire rack


Enjoy with fruit, lots! or none at all. If you prefer, add a dollop of cream

OR

Have it with ale, cheese, and dwarves.


Pretty darn good. Moist, not too sweet, but very rustic.

Thanks to Feyd-Rautha and A Taste of Home.


Wednesday, May 22, 2019

be silly, be kind, be weird





God, you created me for goodness. 
Grant me the grace to always remember 
that I belong to You 
and that Your Spirit dwells within me.
Amen

Memo from our LORD to me, via St Paul

To:        Me

From:   Gracious and loving God

Re:        My body

Date:     Every minute of every day I have left on this good earth



Do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit within you, Whom you have from Me, and that you are not your own?

For you have been purchased at a price.

Therefor, glorify Me in your body.


Friday, May 17, 2019

Tuesday, May 14, 2019

Woke up, said my prayers, visited the commode, got naked and on the scale.
The scale has a harsh awful female voice that mimics "hello", "it's ready", "TWO hundred and ninety TWO point TWO pounds", and "good buy".
Brushed my teeth and shaved and put a fresh tie in my hair.
Put on some clothes, packed my goods, kissed my wife, and bid her a fondu.
Took the expressway and said some more prayers.
Parked on the main street in front of the office, unlocked the glass door, and climbed the steps.
Unlocked our three doors and poured myself a water.
Updated the boards and checked for voice messages.
Received with joy and thanksgiving a small package from my wife on Grand River Avenue.
Responded to emails, uploaded documents, requested many things, helped people, asked people why things are taking so long, requested ETA for things not yet received, uploaded items per underwriter requests, asked underwriters why they requested what they requested, told the boss how gmail 'works', thanked people for items received, filed items per proper protocol, deleted items per proper protocol, changed closing dates, updated the closing calendar, asked people what they mean, updated closing calendar.
Took a half hour sabbatical.
 Responded to emails, uploaded documents, requested many things, helped people, asked people why things are taking so long, requested ETA for things not yet received, uploaded items per underwriter requests, asked underwriters why they requested what they requested, told the boss how gmail 'works', thanked people for items received, filed items per proper protocol, deleted items per proper protocol, changed closing dates, updated the closing calendar, asked people what they mean, updated closing calendar.
Looked longingly at the clock.