Tell me what you see

same time, same day, same camera

I guess I am in a writing mood today. I am waiting for it to warm up a bit and then John and I will go for a bike ride. I am not a dedicated athlete like Katie, more a fair weather one, who is more than a bit picky about my biking conditions, not too hot, not too cold, not too much wind, blah blah blah, blah blah blah. The truth be told I am not even an athlete at all. I am someone who get on a bike and peddles.
I will need to mow this afternoon when the dew dries on the grass. It has been a season of no mowing breaks due to all the rain and cooler temperatures. The grass is green and still growing. Ours is actually more a combination of crabgrass, clover and various weeds, but when it is mowed from the road it looks like grass. I am sure there is a metaphor in there somewhere, looks are deceiving, things are not always what they seem, etc.
Anyway I am getting a bit tired of the mowing ritual. When we first moved to The House on Downing Road John wanted to let the grass be brome or something that would grow tall and in the fall change to a golden color. You would mow it only two or three times, thus reducing our carbon footprint, but I was the voice of disent. I wanted a nicely trimmed "Johnson County lawn", ok you are not supposed to have weeds or crabgrass in a JC lawn, but you get my point, well now I am thinking, perhaps John had it right after all. Check back next year.
Living out in the country one would expect us to see all kinds of interesting critters, but what we see is usually pretty much what city folk see, raccoons, squirrels that don't have the brain the size of a grass seed to stay out of the road and of course deer. This summer though has been a vocal one for coyotes. We never see them, but we can hear them at night singing into the vast starry sky and open fields. Then Rocky will reply with his less poetic WOOF WOOF WOOF. I used caps because he has a very deep WOOF. Another interesting observation this year has been tree frogs. They seem to be very plentiful. I see them spread eagle on the screen of the atrium door when I let the dogs out for their last potty break of the night. I have seen them on the screens of the second floor windows too and these are 40 feet off the groundm maybe more, again in that spread eagle posture. The visual lends itself to a creepy 50's science fiction type movie "Attack of the Tree Frogs", or maybe "Attack of the Giant Tree Frogs", or better yet, maybe a re-invention of Hitchcock's "The Birds". This would be "The Tree Frogs". Anyone creeped out yet? Anyone going to look at that innocent little tree frog a bit differently now? On another interesting note, we had another bobcat sighting this week. I saw him/her running across the yard. It always takes me a moment to wrap my brain around what I am seeing. The first thing is "wow that is a big cat", then I realize bobcat. Annie was the one who alerted me to its presence. The acorns are falling and the raccoons are daring the deck to get them. Annie can push the door open from the kitchen to the deck and runs out their to bark at them and give chase. We have to keep the door shut at night now. John saw one run off the deck and across the deck last night when we came home.
The cooler temperatures will mean the leaves will soon be turning and falling. I watch that transition with sadness as I know the next season is not one that I can look forward to with longing or fondness---winter with the "S" words, snow and sleet and just for good measure the "I" word for ice and the ever popular "wind chill" phrase. Well I hope everyone enjoys the bounty of Fall, crisp juicy Jonathan apples, tart cider and a fresh hot apple dumpling, throw in some pumpkins, squash and nuts(the edible kind) and a bonfire with hotdogs on a stick and winter is just a vague passing thought. Well I am done writing. John infomed me that it is time to get off my duff and get ready to peddle.

Katie's summer class

I have been thinking about Katie's summer writing class students and I can't help but think it would make a great NPR essay. This American Life or even just one of the stories they share on NPR. I think you should write about it and submit it to them for consideration. I loved the pics you sent of them too. They looked like a fun and interesting group of people. Sometimes it is amazing who comes together at times. It is as if something bigger was happening at that moment in time. Who knows what might come out of that summer class. Katie you are leaving an incredible footprint. Your legacy will only continue to grow with each student you touch.

Thought for food

Think about this:
1. Cows
2. The Constitution
3. The Ten Commandments


> COWS
Is it just me, or does anyone else find it amazing that during
the mad cow epidemic our government could track a single cow, born in
Canada almost three years ago, right to the stall where she slept in
the state of Washington? And, they tracked her calves to their stalls. But they are unable to
locate 11 million illegal aliens wandering around our country. Maybe
we should give each of them a cow.


> THE CONSTITUTION
They keep talking about drafting a Constitution for Iraq ...
why don't we just give them ours? It was written by a lot of really
smart guys, it has worked for over 200 years, and we're not using it
anymore.


> THE 10 COMMANDMENTS
The real reason that we can't have the Ten Commandments posted
in a courthouse is this -- you cannot post 'Thou Shalt Not Steal'
'Thou Shalt Not Commit Adultery' and 'Thou Shall Not Lie' in a
building full of lawyers, judges and politicians ... it creates a
hostile work environment.

Marbles rattling in the coffee can of our mind.

Been a while since I've posted on the family blog, so I thought I'd post up on of many projects I'm working on, one of two sci-fi novels (big I know).

What follows is an excerpt from the journal of Dax Jenkins.



April 23, 2541AAC (After Ancient Civilization)

"From the day I was born i was told strange tales about my
ancestors, about an ancient race of beings that had seeded the
human race and nurtured us, bred us to hold their place in the
galaxy while they expanded outwards into the darkened depths
of space. Mom always told me how we had been the chosen
ones, those who would carry on the full and true nature of their
blood within our own...their power was our power, their
knowledge, every physical strength was ours to command.
The Ancients had left us as the sole reminder of what they
were and where the rest of humanity had come from, long ago
we had been revered, celebrated as true heirs to the empire the
keepers of the human race....long ago we once meant
something, our race was important but that has all faded
now. Resigned to living on the outer rim of the
galaxy...nomads...outcasts...wanted for our talents, our
abilities the things that had made us a once great
society...was now our only ticket to a so-called life in this
galaxy...the only thing keeping us from extinction.

A hollow life we lead taking what ever work we can find, most of us working
on starships not because it gives us opportunities for pay
but more like its what feels right, the sound of the ships
functions, the cold of the hull. It's almost as if we're drawn to
such jobs, the feeling of being out exploring the galaxy
reconnecting to our ancestors. If only we had known just how
right that feeling was and how much reconnecting would be
done."

shaklee a 50 yr. old company

Katie here is the web site for the business www.howmuch4health.com for products
go to www.conlin.myshaklee.com. I'm also trying to twitter, find me under, hookedonshaklee. I was hoping to send you some stuff before the triathlon to keep you hydrated but I was off on the dates you were doing that. I'll go ahead and send it to you, Shaklee performance powered the longest human-powered flight 72miles across the Aegean Sea called the Daedalus Project. Shaklee has Shaklee Physique which has been used by some olympic athletes. Shaklee was founded by Dr. Shaklee in 1956. His cleaning products are used by Oprah and now the White House. So if you feel like it check it out. Shaklee also has a pain cream that is wonderful, Trent might like it for his shoulder if it is hurting. You can become a member and get a 15% discount. Honor is using the vitamins and is feeling like she has more energy. So tell me what you think. If you think of anybody that might be interested feel free to pass on the info. Thanks. Your loving Aunt Carol

as time goes by

Well today I experienced what I have decided to call a rite of passage for seniors. I went into Longjohn Silvers for fish and saw a sign that said, senior discount so, I said, "can I have a senior discount?" I think I was sort of joking. But that kid didn't even bat an eye or ask my age or think I was to young, he just said, " you bet" and gave me a $1.15 off. I went and sat in a booth in shock waiting for my order. OH My GOD what has happened. When did twenty year olds seem so young. A $1.15 doesn't seem like enough for all the trouble getting here has been. What a rip off. I'm going into mourning for what ever it is I've lost. What a reality check.
On another note I went to a seminar on health and wellness and wouldn't you know it they served healthy snacks at the break, fruit and carrots and hummus. It looked very colorful but I wanted more. Where was the cheese, crackers and bologna. Well out of hunger I ate it. It was good so I search for hummus recipes you guys wrote about and I'm going to give it a try, and possibly that new dish Beth is taking about. I maybe the only one eating it though, I can't even get these guys to eat leftovers. Well I'm gooing to get my red hat out and be on my way. Good night fiddlerkin.

My Tabbouleh Attempt

Well, after reading your blog, Katie, I decided I would try to make your tabbouleh recipe. I had never tried it before & it sounded pretty good. I went to WalMart to do my bulk grocery shopping & added the ingredients to my list. I went over that stupid store twice looking for bulgar, they just do not have it, or mint. I left pretty frustrated but called Reebles North. They did have both the bulgar & the mint, but not the parsley. Reebles South did have the parsley, so three stores later I finally had what I needed. I couldn't find scallions so bought green onions. Is there a difference or are they actually the same thing. I went home & prepared everything & served as a side dish with some grilled chicken. It was so good I was eating it out of the bowl even after I had finished dinner. I think the end result was worth all the frustration. I did use only the 2 tsp of salt Katie suggested & agree any more than that would be to much. Thank you so much for the great recipe. It will be a regular in our home from now on.

Tabbouleh

I've made tabbouleh a couple of times in the past couple of months, and it's so tasty I wanted to share it with all of you. It's a great summer dish -- refreshing and delicious in the dog days of summer. :)

Tabbouleh (from Ina Garten's Barefoot Contessa: Family Style)
• The cookbook calls for chicken breast, but I just make it without meat.

1 ½ cups boiling water
1 cup bulgur wheat
¼ cup freshly squeezed lemon juice (2 lemons)
• I just used lime juice from a bottle
Olive oil
Kosher salt
Freshly ground black pepper
1 cup minced scallions, white and green parts (1 bunch)
1 cup chopped fresh mint leaves (2 bunches)
1 cup chopped fresh flat-leaf parsley (1 bunch)
1 hothouse cucumber, unpeeled, halved lengthwise, seeded, and medium diced
• I just used a regular cucumber
2 cups halved cherry tomatoes

In a heat-proof bowl, pour the boiling water over the bulgur wheat. Add the lemon (or lime) juice, ¼ cup olive oil, and 1 teaspoon of salt. Stir. Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and allow the bulgur to stand at room temperature for about an hour.

Add the scallions, mint, parsley, cucumber, tomatoes, 1 teaspoon of salt, and 1 teaspoon of pepper. Season to taste and serve immediately or cover and refrigerate. The flavors will improve as it sits.

• The recipe actually calls for another teaspoon of salt, but I think it’s too salty with 3 teaspoons.
• This will stay tasty in your fridge for about a week; it makes A LOT of food.

Vacation

Hello, Fiddler Kin! Sorry I've been AWOL for the past week or so. I've missed all of you!!

Summer school ended two weeks ago, and I had an absolutely wonderful, smart group of students for my six-credit-hour Principles of Writing Instruction course. One guiding force of the course is that English teachers should write alongside their students, sharing rough drafts, soliciting feedback, etc.--basically showing how messy and fulfilling writing can be. Nobody shoots out a perfect first draft, right? Anywho, I did some writing with them -- sharing shitty drafts of a couple pieces I wrote for my folks, getting feedback, and telling fun stories. I also participated in our weekly feather circles, in which every reads aloud a short personal piece crafted from our journal writing. After we read our pieces, we'd pass around hard copies, which we'd read again over the weekend and write thank-you notes for ... It sounds cheesy when you talk about it, but when you experience this new form of feedback (specific and genuine praise from your peers and your teacher), rather than submitting your work to an audience of one (the teacher), who marks up your work and assigns a grade, it's really quite powerful. On our last day of class, we each read a letter to the class during our feather circle. There were tears ... and laughter. One of my students brought her 18-year-old son (who'd been the topic of several of her writings), and he played his ukulele and sang (Bob Marley and Jason Mraz) during our final passing of the feather circle writings. It was so moving. I think almost all of us were crying. My students have decided they haven't had enough of each other (or me, amazingly enough), and we're getting together for dinner once a month to reconnect.

In other news, Trent had his shoulder surgery last Wednesday, and he's doing amazingly well. The surgeon reattached his labrum in four places. He hasn't been in much pain at all, and he'll start physical therapy next week. His shoulder should be fully functional by October or November.

And, last but not least, my folks came to visit this past week (Sat.-Thurs.), and we had a ball! Mom and I went to the gym every morning, where she made friends with the Knights of the Round Table (a.k.a. The Liars' Club), and my dad and Trent took walks around the neighborhood every evening. We played lots of games -- Hearts, Mexican Train Dominoes, and Phase 10. We read and chatted on the back porch. We took some drives around the metro area. Trent and Dad watched reality TV, while Mom and I watched episodes of Sex and the City. We had some delicious meals out (Pappadeux for Mom and Dad's anniversary -- mmmmmm!!! Creme Brulee -- sp? and Italian food for my b-day), and I made hummus (thanks for the tips, Beth and Margaret!) and tabbouleh. It was a really nice week.

Well, that's all from GA. I'm competing in a triathlon this Sunday, and I'm pretty excited about it. I'll let you know how it goes. Next week, it's back to work for me--meetings. Classes begin on Aug. 17. Love to you all!!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY from RUMI

Today, August 5, is Katie's birthday. I want to wish her well on her birthday. A few years ago, Fiddler gave me a book of Rumi poems. The book's name is Hidden Music. (Rumi was a Persian mystic and poet who lived in the 1200's.) Every now and then, I like to browse through that book. I also discovered a Rumi website. I found some notable quotes to share with Katie on her special day.

Be grateful for whoever comes because each has been sent as a guide from beyond.

Whatever you love you are.

Let the beauty of what you are be what you do.

Unfold your own myth.

And Finally

Listen to the presence inside poems. Let them take you where they will.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY KATIE

I don't usually do requests...unless I'm asked for it.

The 'rents came to town this past weekend to visit...I'm sure more to see Isaiah than to see me. :) While here, my mom suggested I get on here and spell out my ultimate menu as was done in a previous post.

It's an eclectic international cuisine...

• We start with a little paella that I had while in Cancun. I just loved it. Also in Cancun, they had the best pork tacos. The corn tortilla (as opposed to the flour tortillas I had been used to) was key.
• While I was in England in college, there were Thai places everywhere. It was actually kind of weird. But while I was there, I got a taste for a Thai chicken curry dish. It gets my nose running.
• While we're in that region of the world, let's include General Tso's Chicken. It's standard fare at any Chinese buffett, and I'd accept the chicken from most any those establishments. Except for China Star on Metcalf in Overland Park. Theirs is subpar if you ask me.
• One of the best local restaurants I've been to is the Copa Room. It is an Italian joint with a Rat Pack theme. I love their lasagna, and their house salad is dynamite. Just ask Marshall. It uses a sweet vinegarette that might result in the best salad I've ever had.
• Somewhere on my menu, I have to include a good Thanksgiving meal with a turkey that isn't dry and mashed potatoes with the good gravy over the whole thing.
• The best burger I have had is actually the Bacon Cheeseburger at Chili's. Doesn't seem right that Chili's would take that honor.
• For desert, we'll get some plain cheesecake with strawberry topping from the Cheesecake Factory (my wife got me onto this one) and a Boston Cream Pie from Tippins.

Mmmm....