But Who's Counting?
9/5/08: 51,003 hits so far...and we're only 11 months old!
Outdoor Art Shows in Yarmouth Port from 11 to 5. The Yarmouth Art Guild.
Next show Sept. 7. This is a rain date, making up for a day lost due to weather.
Please see the Yarmouth Art Guild site for raindates,much more information.
Excellent original works...framed and ready for
hanging...talk with the artists. A portion of all sales goes to
the Yarmouth Art Guild, a non-profit organizatio
3/31/08: Some opportunities to buy a plug-in/hybrid battery throughout
country. Very pricey. See pluginpartners.com . There are numerous links on
their site and an opportunity to sign a petition. My question, "How many
million signatures will it take to wake the auto industy's sleeping giants?"
How come GM is having so much trouble coming up with a plug-in when
some guy can come up with the technology in his garage??? Could it be that
the big car companies have some sort of interest in big oil ???
See "Saving the Planet" and click on "Hybrids and Other Car Stuff".
Check out Hybrids & Other Car Stuff 4/11/08: The Prius is mine.
See 4/30/08 entry in "Hybrids" for the kind of smile I'm wearing.
Have joined a writers' group in Wellfleet,Ma. Am trying to sharpen up
my skills. The gas savings will help when I travel to these sessions.
Folks of varying skills meet weekly for critiquing with lunch
afterwards. Attendance falls off a bit during winter, because snow birds
take off.
7/9/08: After several weeks at the writers group, feel I am on a roll.
Unfortunately, my blog may suffer. Please realize that I just throw things
out there and correct syntax, spelling, clumsy sentences when I can get to
it. There's the rub...am too busy creating. It is so therapeutic. Presently
I am writing memoirs.
The most fun when you write is when you nail it!
The guys and gals in the group are helping me do just that.
5/7/08: Worth noting if you're coming to my part of the Cape - Great little
restaurant on Rte. 28 in Harwich. Non-pretentious decor. Breakfast & lunch
at reasonable prices. Family place.
...The Lighthouse Cafe is located near the Harwich Post office. Food
served is very fresh and tasty. New Yorkers will appreciate their pickles.
4/7/08: Entry regarding on-demand water heater in Going on the Cheap
Entry at bottom of Pumpkin Season tells you about recent experiences
with making sourdough. I'm experimenting again, which drives me crazy
(in a fun way) I should get a life.
Sidebar: For those unfamiliar with driveucrazy, go to
sidebar and click on a category to see entries that might interest you.
Next, click on the entry. There are Links wherever I can create them.
Best yet quote is from Billie Burke, an early film actress, "Age is of no
importance unless you are a cheese." Other quotes in Who Said That?
Want to make your own bumper sticker? You can buy one or more of
your own cool design...reasonably priced! See Etc. Who's Counting?
2/26/08: See entry in Hit and Run for the latest episode in Joankelsy's
Drive You Crazy Life. Just trying to get wireless. Sound simple? Hold on...
Have no use for frequent flier miles? See 2/15/08 entry in Make Do in "Tips"
category.
Master Card gives you cash back and a virtual credit card for internet purchases.
What' new in greentech: www.greentechnolog.com . Also, read promising news:
"A secret to drying clothes? Liquid" at www.cnet.com . This invention could
save money, i.e. energy.
3/4/08: It may sound nutsy for me to say this, but the high priced fuel issue
may be the best thing that ever happened to the planet. The public must,
however, singe Washington's behind. Make them give tax breaks
only to deserving companies.
2/16/08: Have you ever had trouble getting your tax rebate? See today's
entry in "Talking To Myself", Comments category. It could drive you insane!!
For all you creative artists: www.drawger.com. Stunning site.
See "Current Shows", then "the Museum of Forgotten Art Supplies". You
should find this blog interesting, but please come also visit my wonderful
artists' group on the Cape at www.yarmouthartguild.com .
- Don't forget to look at the lambs in Outdoor Shows in the Art Zone.
- New soup recipe in Ways with White Wine Sauce.Scroll to end.
- Glad to see young people showing an interest in the coming election.
After all, it is their future. Hit and Run has some political content.
"Opening Afternoon" and scattered throughout Drive You Crazy.
One of my favorites. See The Cape and Beyond. Do not know
who the artist is that put this charmer together. He or she is to be applauded.
This blog has numerous photos throughout. I will add more when I get
some film negatives converted to digital.
Recently, I was asked why I joined the Yarmouth Art Guild. Returning to
painting after years of neglect, I found myself in the company of many others
with similar backgrounds. I discovered that quite a few in my age group, in
particular, had taken up fine art as a new venture, having just High School
art classes and kid stuff in their backgrounds. In the Guild, we are some-
what overloaded with seniors but they are seniors who still drive their own
cars, participate in outdoor shows and win awards at galleries...and sell!
Two of our seniors entertained at a Christmas party by playing the piano.
One is in her nineties. Another ninety plus has just gotten herself a new
boyfriend.
A recent issue of the Erickson Tribune contains an article about Dr. Gene
Cohen. He has done studies on how creativity affects how the human brain
ages. He is Director of the Center on Aging, Health and Humanities at the
George Washington University in Washington, D.C. I am sure if you search
the internet you can come up with his 2000 book, the "The Creative Age".
Suffice to say, the studies indicate that painting, writing and music are
stimulating. Coming in contact with other like minds is a big factor. So go
to the weekly painting class at the Senior Center. Take a creative writing
course or join a poetry club. Learn how to beat the drums.
It's good for your health!
1/2/08: Speaking of health. My supplemental health insurance went up from
$78 to $94 a month. I received a letter from my eye doctor that they will no
longer work through the insurance company but will give a break on charges
if patients wish to continue with them. When I called, the gal at the desk
said that other eye doctors are quitting Tufts, as they do not want to give
sub-standard care. I do not know what this is about, so called one of the
doctors in charge at the insurance company. I left a message, in essence that
I was upset that I heard of the change the way I did. I also commented that
rather than pay these politicians (of both parties) to get them elected, why
doesn't the insurance company put those dollars toward patient care.
I doubt very much that I will hear from the gentleman or any subordinate.
We the forgotten are left out again.
I chose Tufts, as I had been seeing no real doctor (primary, that is).
for six years on the Cape. I was sent to a dermatologist locally and wound
up with a nurse practitioner who did not know what she was looking at.
I went to Raynham (you can't even get on a waiting list for a dermatologist
on the Cape). One of the doctors in the group diagnosed the problem correctly
and I finally got relief. That was through Blue Cross/Shield senior mishandling
insurance.
When will we wake up to the $$$ facts in this country? Do you hear any of
these candidates offering to throw the lobbyists out of Washington?
Reform contributions laws? Good Lord No! They would miss all those big bucks.
We the forgotten might even be treated to less bologna on the airways.
The politicians put the clamps on medication from Canada. Too risky?
Pharmaceuticals are 80% China and India made.
Have you seen the toy recall lately?
Have problem with cramps in the legs, having had them since I was a teen.
Much worse now, even though I take potassium (mostly via bananas each
morning). My primary told me there was a simple med. that supplies quinine
but the government took it off the market. Pharmaceutical companies had
come in with a new one. Acquantance said the old one was sixteen dollars
and the new one well over 100 per script. With the extra money comes more
side effects, I'm sure. I told the doctor I would pass. The daily glass of tonic
I used to drink is verboten since I've found out I am borderline diabetic. Drink
one with man-made sweeteners? I'll pass on that one too. Use Hyland's
homeopathic sublinqual tabs occassionally. Pretty good. I just have to
remember that if I change style of shoes, to limit walking in them. Changing
the configuration of footwear seems to throw foot and leg muscles out of whack.
Result? Cramp episodes all night.
2/2/08: Added something about exercise in Etc. Who's Counting? Afraid I
digress and throw things wherever there is space on this blog thing. If I made
new entries, I think it would add confusion...and would take the punch out of
what I like to use as a front page. Thanks for bearing with me.
1/6/07: Added something new to Hybrid & Other Car Stuff about an attach-
ment device for GPS. That is, if those suction cup thingies drive you crazy. May
have to hold off buying new car for a while. Feel comfortable and safer in the VUE.
2/18/08: I had received a call early February that attachment device on back
order another call this week from supplier - he will send me a device made by
same company that has an added feature. Costs more but he will send me one
at the same price. We had a nice talk over the phone. Sounds like a small
operation. I have to give the guy a break.
6/30/08: Had received the device and used it on the Prius. Vents accept the little
bugger and I leave it attached, removing the Magellin GPS when not using it.
However, I wish they had made the clips a little more sturdy. Afraid I will break
something if I am too rough with it.
Etc. Who's Counting?
I think it will be noticed. Had my own design made into sticker by Zazzle . Quite reasonable. That is their font but exported my own graphic. They tell you how. Had written to them regarding T shirts and they assured me that they use American companies that manufacture in US with our standards. Also make their items in USA.
2/26/08: Yes, the sticker is noticed, especially by those idiots who try to pass me on the on ramp to Rte. 6. I'm not exactly a slow driver but one is not supposed to race on those ramps. How much caffeine are those people drinking?
12/30/07: Have just shut down the Trackbacks after reading some of the garbage that was dumped there. There was not a single message of importance, so hundreds of trackbacks got the shovel, including the drug and weird sex pushers and the insurance salespeople. The predators have been blocked out, so perhaps the count will go down. So be it. See picture of me in take charge mode in About Us
For folks who have had experiences communicating with those who have left us, please see "Getting Together" and scroll down toward the end of my comments. Makes one think.
12/29/07: Here's a tip that won't cost a cent. In a Consumer Reports brochure, there is info on how to protect your computer against spyware. Microsoft and Spybot offer free downloads. The addresses: www.microsoft.com/at home/security/spy ware/software and www.spybot.com/en. Thank you , Consumer Reports
2/2/08: Have just signed up with CR. First issue received had evaluations of exercise machines. Most appear to be a waste of money. I do the stationary bike which I bought from Sears a few years ago. Not many bells and whistles except a timer and calculates calories burned, etc. Good for my purposes, as walking any distance is wearing on bod. I grasp weights and keep the upper bod moving.
One of the best movements I came up with, approved by an Osteopath, is a Karate move. Make a fist, palms up and bend elbows so that lower arms are at right angles to your upright body. Throw a punch forward and straight out as you turn your fist to a palms down position, left, then right. These moves are usually made as you move your opposite leg forward to give you balance as you throw a punch. I do it sitting on the bike while in motion and holding the weights. They are small dumbbells (sissy weights at first). These motions can be slow at first, then speeded up as you gain balance, etc. Every little bit helps.
2/3/08: Thank the good Lord I straightened out my credit eons ago. Pay balances every month. Made a mistake when I paid my 11/18/07 bill, excuse dyslexic me. I reversed a figure and was $20.91 short. They charged me $38.63 on the 1/17/08 bill. Seems they do something with the prime, something with the outstanding balance, that is, everything I charged the following two months added to the $20.91. I suppose it is included in the line "purchases*finance charge*periodic rate" at bottom of my purchases list. ?? I was unable to get an answer from the phone reps. as to the breakdown, i.e. is the 20.91 in that figure?
2/4/08: Just spoke with a representative. They voluntarily removed the $38.63 charge. My point was missed, however. They still can't explain why Citibank just doesn't put the amount underpaid as a "balance due" on my next bill so I know where I stand. It is just hidden somewhere and everything I buy for two months has an added finance charge even though I pay the full balance due monthly. Crikies!
Those execs. at CitiBank must be rolling in it. Even if they did screw up on mortgages, like so many other lending institutions. Think of all the bucks that are rolling in from people who can't afford much and do not understand the consequences.
When I was a kid, my parents suffered through the depression, rented for years, then eventually worked up to a mortgage. Mortgages to me were the biggest ripoff conceived by big business banking. They have even put a new spin on it, in a sense, for people looking for a home equity loan. Friend was sold on a fixed loan for construction on house at a bank (a huge institution). The representative sat there and acted as if she never heard of such a thing as paying interest on the balance each month. In other words, don't bother to pay extra to whittle down debt, just keep it going longer! Friend got rid of the damn 20 year thing in a little over a year. Good riddance. Next time, shop around and find an honest broker.
Don't get suckered in. It'll drive you crazy.
- Why don't they rein in the money lenders. At least make the language simple enough for laypeople to understand. If they did away with all the balloon payments and gobbledegook about the prime and the sub-prime, wouldn't that help in making the consumer informed? Try reading some of that stuff. It's like poring over a prospectus.
While we're dreaming...If they did away with mortgages altogether and regulated that any loan, whether for a house or credit card purchase, only be charged interest on the balance due monthly (similar to a home equity loan), it would encourage people to pay extra each month. Even if they had to whittle down that credit card debt to do it. Fat chance getting the legislators to go anywhere with such an idea. Check out the deficit. Do our representatives really care about debt? Unfortunately they are indebted to those that contribute the most to get them elected.
Nova Scotia
On the Rocks.
To see full-size photos, go to Print Preview
Even with the hordes of people that visit the lighthouse area,
there is a stillness to be heard...
and then the pipes bring you back to another time.
Down the road apiece from the lighthouse.
The Cape and Beyond
the financial district Saturday night. We stayed across the street and went to a breakfast
bash at the Hyatt hosted by the parents of the bride. Fantastic time. Before anyone was
out and about Sunday morning, we hit the pavement and shot digital. Don't you love the
convenience of those cameras?
It was almost time to get over to the brunch thing. People were starting to
come at us. Note the cup at the curb. Meanwhile, back at the Cape......
Falmouth waterfront. Most of these photos were taken as reference material for
painting. If the masts were straight, it would have made a better photo. One of these
days, I'll fix...gotta run.
Dennis Port, MA area - off-season. Since coming to Cape Cod in 2000, it has become
the center of my universe, hence the title "The Cape and Beyond". To see more
Mid-Cape photos, especially the lambs and other good stuff, see Outdoor Shows in the
Art Zone. [Still trying to straighten out the links for within this site.]
In the middle of Boston? Fund raiser cow. They were auctioned off much as the
decorated whales were on Cape Cod. Great idea.
Isn't she a beauty?
It just occurred to me. Apparently, I can send all I want over the internet.
Is it endless? Can I put all I want on this medium?
All my junk? Everything?
South Dennis residence. The owner is a horticulture professional. She welcomed me
onto the grounds to shoot photos for my painting. The horses were friendly, too, so I
put the camera to work.
And you thought the Cape was just sandy beaches.
Two views of P Town
Just an observation: When you visit Provincetown, notice the straight couples. As they
stroll down the streets, they do a lot of hand-holding, at times intensely, especially
when approaching outed folks. Sorry, I'm a people-watcher sort.
Trip to Moltonborough this Mothers Day. Nobody else was up in the early A.M., so grabbed a few shots
near the lake.
Going on the Cheap
1/9/07: It has been some time since I shopped for low-wattage bulbs. You know, the coily
ones? The price was not bad in the supermarket. Sales lately...they must be coming up with
new-improved versions. I did notice they have 3-ways now and went on line and found some
for use with dimmer switches and outdoor floods! When I am really desperate, I will go for
those. I have already saved $$ on my electric bill by not having lights on in a room if I am not
going back within a half hour. That is an old rule, owing to the inrush current of electricity
each time you turn something on. I understand it is 5x the current needed to keep the older
bulb glowing. This information is from a site I visit occasionally. Another answer I received
is that the power wasted is negligible. But if you add up the millions of homes alone and
the numerous times each day that this occurs... There's one for you engineers out there,
a device that would offset the inrush current. It would save a heck of a lot of energy. The
guy or gal who comes up with that one should go down in the books with Edison.
Wish they would do something with the surges also. Have had a few minor incidents
that created ozone smell. Scary.
One of the pluses for the slide dimmers is that you avoid that boost in current. In a
way, I am fortunate having photo phobia. There are several of those variable switches
throughout the house. The phobia (a misnomer) causes a somewhat painful reaction to
light when I first get up in the morning. At six a.m. we go dimly down the hallway, through
the kitchen and toward the back door to let Kelsy out every morning. By the time I feed
her, make my breakfast and relax in the Dining Room, I can turn up the light and read.
Crazy, no?
If you want to know anything and everything about light bulbs, go to www.CR4.com.
As Joankelsy, I had asked about surges on the Electrical Engineering section of the site.
Scroll down the answers. This is an outstanding site. Good information/excellent writing.
This brings me to the question, do you save any power by turning the dimmer switch
down? Electricians I have talked to have come up with guess answers over the years,
usually "No". One, I suspected, did not guess. Dave, a retired teacher who taught women
about home repairs in night school. (He had Electrical and Plumbing licenses, besides being
an excellent carpenter.) His answer, "Yes!" I went to Ask.com for their opinion. Dave was
right. On the internet, I sometimes find it hard to phrase the questions, but would suspect
that you save on the light bulbs, whatever type, also.
1/10/08: Lunched on my usual bagel with cream cheese (talk about cheap) while my car
was being serviced today. Dunkin' Donuts have nice hanging fixtures for lighting and use
fluorescent bulbs. Coils are covered with round opaque glass that look just like decorator
style incandescents of a few short years ago. Cool.
Have not gotten into the car thing yet. Bring back the original RAV and put batteries
in it. (Including a plug-in)
and I'll buy it.
Obtained a Black and Decker mower and gave my gas-powered number to a friend.
She will probably get into electric after the gas one poops. I am told the mowers do a world-
class polluting job. In the long run, savings will pay for the purchase. No maintenance and
pennies to run. It cuts great and easy to use if you follow a pattern that leaves the wire in
your wake. This is easy with a reversable handle.
Since I have been baking bread, the refrigerator and freezer have been utilized to keep
it fresh. I use sealable plastic bags up the whatsoo (sp?). Was just informed that washing
and hot water rinse not a good idea, as mold forms on the bags from bread. I was reusing
the bags in the interest of keeping plastic out of the environment and saving but was told by
a biologist it is best to recycle bags instead. Shucks.
1/18/08: Went to a local discount store yesterday looking for energy saver bulbs. Was
clued in by a guy who said they would go on sale Sunday. "Better yet," he said, "Go down
to Aubuchon's Hardware. They are selling for 79 cents each." How could I resist? Seems
they are getting rid of the little-known manufacturer and will carry GEs from now on. Both
are made in China. So, there is little choice. Can't help the economy. I decided to help my
pocketbook and the environment. A little less dependence on fuel can't hurt either.
Asked the manager (who is well versed in the electrical area) about the surge thing.
I was talking about the boost of energy that happens when you turn something on.
"It's only a little bit," he stated. "Yes," I said , "but think of all the millions of people
throughout the country who use just a little bit." One fellow said that the problem had
been corrected some years back. If so, I stand corrected. Please let me know.
It drives you crazy. No one in Washington has addressed issues like this in a meaning-
ful way, to encourage the little and the big guy to come up with really great ways to avoid
energy guzzling and pollution. There have been solutions out there since I was a kid. If
you remember, they did their best to destroy the electric car models produced, instead of
fixing whatever problem there was.
Don't you feel like we have been in stall mode on this energy thing? You feel like
throwing every politician out...allow limited election contributions from individuals only!
Get the lobbyists out so we can move on.
1/27/08: Just received an update from www.catalog choice.org. They help eliminate those
unwanted catalogs that keep showing up to drive you crazy. With their help, the mailbox
is less stuffed lately. They are fairly new but doing well as far as subscribers go. We wish
them luck. Please give the site a try and maybe we can save trees and even some gasoline.
They do have to be trucked around.
5/5/08: Update. Wonder if the catalog people are ignoring the requests. I have unlimited
phone service, so I call these companies while peddling on my exercise bank. Since I have
eliminated the TV service where the bike is located, the calling keeps me from getting too
bored. Time flies when you're saving the planet.
Autumn throws crisp, clear color at you. Photo taken at the entrance to our home early
in the A.M.
Saving the Planet in the future: www.greentechnolog.com . Let's hope those Yahoos in
Washington do not hold things up, but help instead. It might even keep us out of a war or two.
[4/6/08: Had seen an article in greentechnolog about using a water devices to cut the dryer
power usage by 50%. That was early this year. Went to their site and searched
"clothes dryers" but came up empty. Will try to contact them re: this.]
3/30/08: "Saving the planet". This can happen serendipitously. Bought one of those little
battery powered sweepers and it worked nicely for a while. Something stringlike must have
wound into the mechanism, as one brush cylinder will not move. The tool will head for the
trash, so I now sweep using the dry mop with disposable cloths. Really easy and maybe half
as stressful to my back. Less wasteful and polluting than batteries, in any event. Use the new
Dyson only occasionally on the bare floors.
If you knew me, you would realize I will do anything to avoid boring housework. I lived
with a saint, who came up with the idea to let me handle the kitchen from shopping to
cooking to cleanup and she would handle the routine dusting, vacuuming and even the wash.
My specialty was scrubbing down showers or doing other occasional heavy duty cleaning.
The slowing down process has set into my body, so will probably need help in the future,
as I did in the last stages of Sharon's illness, when, fortunately, long-term care paid for
assistance. I had not realized the toll it was taking on me. When Sharon passed, I couldn't
handle things so a few times a month, called one of the helpers and had her thoroughly
clean the house. That was a nice luxury. Makes you wonder why you hadn't been born rich.
But that is something that never drove me crazy.
4/7/08: On-demand water heater looks interesting. See hotwatersource.com, especially if
you want to practice your math. Best site I have found for explaining, showing choices.
Savings in long run, but initial outlay is a bit steep. Have looked at sites where unit and
parts are available. Experience has shown me that it is not exactly wise to order plumbing
on my own. Getting them through a reliable plumber pays off if something goes wrong.
Just getting an idea about cost...will have to include pipe installation and construction costs
to install venting pipe. Should save on the oil bill but how much for gas? Electric? These
tankless heaters are popular in Europe. Now that our fuel has gone off the charts, it may
be time. If you factor in the cost of the unit and installation, wonder if it will pay for itself in
a few years. You might want to forget about that trip on an airline this year and invest in
this smart device instead.
4/18/08: Comment that was broadcast on cnn.com this morning: I just said that I started
conserving last year, using energy-saving bulbs, drying only half my wash in the dryer and
turning in my Vue for a Prius. As you can see, it is not that hard. It was imply put, so they
paid attention. Try it.
5/2/08: Recently tried to add my house insurance to my auto, as discounts are available
for multiple insurance...but wait a minute...My auto ins. co. does not handle houses in
Barnstable County and certain other areas. Why? Because we're located near water.
Hurricane fear! What next? Difficult to obtain auto insurance in Mass. Fortunately, the
house has been with MetLife since we've been here (eight years). Did a little bundling and
came up with a discount.. Go ahead, Electric Insurance, ask me why I left you. It's because
I have become quite fickle...not to save the planet. It's to save my wallet.
5/5/08: Here's one for you. May have mentioned this elsewhere on the blog.
Check out your local health food store for things like honey, fresh ground peanut butter,
oatmeal, other grains. Many of these stores sell by the pound. Good prices. These items
have not been processed to death, packaged and advertised. Keeps the prices
down. Try their herbs and spices, too. Buy what you need only! Beats throwing out those
old bottles in the closet every year. No comparison in flavor either.
Save a dollar here and there. And don't forget the cloth bag when you go shopping.
Save a plastic tree.
5/6/08: The Prius. Where is it written that one must go over the speed limit? The Book of
Goofus? My home thermostat stays down in my house, even on cold/damp Cape Spring days.
I do collective shopping to save trips. I hang wash out to dry to lessen the dryer bill. Driving
uphill uses a lot of energy unless I run downhill @99.9 miles per, then use the momentum to
glide up when the road demands. What sort of sign should I paste on the back bumper?
I diid not buy this car to make you happy.
Leave your house earlier to save gas.
Go tell it to Bush.
Go slower. It might lower your blood pressure.
There are others...
What I might do is have flames painted on and add a fireman using an extinguisher.
Some days I feel so creative.
The Men In My Life
a few days ago. Has only baked one loaf. I do not know if I can stand the excitement...the
aroma of yeast permeates the entire house. Things that drive you crazy, indeed!
Kidding aside. These are a Mother's (or Dad's) little helpers that make life easier. The
bread thing is great. You do not have to mess the place up by using 2 bowls with flour etc.
all over the place. I had read that these little machines were developed first for the
Japanese, who have notoriously small kitchens. Mine fits on the computer desk I converted
for culinary use...see Make Do. The Black and Decker is a toaster I retrieved from things
I had packed long, long ago. Probably bought in the eighties, it is a quite small unit that
tucks under an overhanging cabinet. My neighbor adapted it to fit the old cabinets (solid,
thick wood), so that air circulates nicely over the top of the unit. Now that I have the
Foreman Grill, I have little need for a toaster/oven. The Breadman should keep the big
oven use down. Not that I baked much bread. The only successful experience...years ago...
was a simple whole wheat jobbie. As you may have gathered, my baking skills are not up
there.
11/24/07: The only ingredients I had on hand yesterday were those for rye bread. Crazy
me, I used one tablespoon of honey and substitued the other two with 18 drops of stevia.
Cut the salt down to one half teaspoon. No problemo! The loaf that came out is to die for.
While I wait for the recipe book, I will try the limited formulae in the instructions. I'm off to
the supermarket for some gluten, whatever that is.
11/26/07: Did obtain a variety of flours and gluten. Took a while to find these things in
several stores. While trying to find a shoemaker, I woud up on Rte. 28 in Centerville.
There, in front of me was a huge natural food store called
Cape Cod Natural Foods. www.naturalretail.com Great store.
3/8/08: Another great store. Called the Star Market, I had asked two seperate
employees for several items. One was dry buttermilk (in the baking aisle) in a bulk size.
Most stores have the 4 packet size. The other was a glass spice bottle with a metal top.
Had not looked through the store for about a month, then while looking for something
else both items showed up on the shelves. Both quite reasonable. Viva Star!
11/30/07: Went out and bought the store out in Centerville, Ma. Hardly! The health
food store on Rte.28 is humongous. bins and bins full of flours nobody ever heard of. Did
the supermarkets in also. Bought quick acting yeast, supposed to be good for bread
machines. Guess what. Need to put in lots of salt to slow it down. Huh? Should have
known. Like instant gratification oatmeal, they add so much other junk...The devil's in t
the details.
Made some bran bread with yeast. They come out just like muffins. Also mixed ingredients
for pumpkin bread. then placed in the machine, using Bake and Dark settings. I "toasted"
a slice on the Foreman grill in the morning and used Mussleman's Apple Butter as a spread.
Yes!
12/3/07: Tried something different after not having too much success with rising. Rather
than reducing the salt, got Morton's Lite Salt, recommended by Beth Hensperger (the other
woman in my kitchen) in her book, "the Bread Lover's Bread Machine Cookbook". This
helped considerably. I made a buckwheat/millet number that took off toward the ceiling.
And delish. The lite salt is partially subbed with potassium, although, I think the benefits
of the potassium are cancelled out by the cooking process. [Have to eat more bananas!]
One of the things Ms. Hensperger writes about is powdered buttermilk. Now we're talking.
You do not have to throw out partially used containers! The majority of these ingredients
are now stored in my studio. [It is quite cold out there due to the Cheney make-a-buck effects
on our households.]
By the summertime, the garage and extra refrigerater out there will do fine...the stuff
keeps better in a cool environment.
Pretty soon, I'll make a trip to the local health food store and pick up some wheat berries
to sprout. You grind them up somewhat to add to bread. There is also quinoa (pronounced
keen wa) grain. You have to rinse this profusely and cook for 20 minutes in water...but it
may be worth it, has the highest protein content of any grain. Grown in the Andes, I recall
potatoes (maybe sweets or yams) grown there contain a higher level of protein that others.
Searched around the internet and found instructions for the little Braun coffee grinder I
haven't used in a while. The instructions are "somewhere in this house." A kind person
had reviewed the grinder on epinions.com and explained how to clean the machine.
The sprouting took 3 days plus overnight soaking , but worth the effort. Made a honey
wheat that is going to a birthday celebration for my good friend, Dorothy. Of course, I had t
o test it. Will make a Swedish rye tomorrow morning. I can hack into that one, too. Just
a couple of pieces for lunches. The folks at the dinner understand my craziness.
12/10/07: The morning after...Both breads were a huge success, even though I took a
chance by subbing small portion of the light rye flour. (Swedish Rye calls for medium rye flour.)
I added few tablespoons of oat bran and few of rye meal. For those tablespoons added, I
reduced the light rye flour by same amount. For those folks who are familiar with bread
making, Ms. Hensperger's book suggests, to enhance the texture and the rising, subbing
lecithin granules for some of the oil and using a minute amount of powdered vitamin C
(you can crush pills). Several pinches sprinkled in the flour and you are off to a
beauteous piece of work.
- Note: The little coffe grinder I call Master Braun (too small to be called a man in my
- life) is a good tool to grind the vitamin C caps. I would break those elongated ones
- in half for the grinder. You can do about 10-15 at a time. Makes plenty to work with.
- I made a Swedish rye for my neighbors. Using just small amounts of the enhancers
- caused the loaf to rise up to the baking machine's lid. Had to punch it down slightly.
- Think I'll leave out the C for this type of loaf. The texture was terrific according to
- my neighbors. I credit the scant teaspoon of malt for that.
I'd given her. What for? The birds? No way. She used it for French toast. Of course,
she should know. She cooks...and I quote her, "It's what I do."
12/17/07: Spent the morning cooking chicken/vegetable soup to freeze and a cottage
cheese dill bread... Yes!
I froze 3/4 of that one for my Christmas visit to Bridgewater. Will only have time bake one
other, a Swedish Rye which I can offer to the vegan in the family. One of the recipes I may
try is bread pudding. For something of a failure I tried. It has wonderful ingredients but
needs a little sweetening. It is a whole wheat raisin. When I make the pudding, I will layer
blueberries under the pudding. To make things festive, I may bring slivered almonds
(and add almond extract to the pudding). Folks can add the nuts to ice cream served on
the side of the pudding. Does that blow you away or what?
12/22/07: Maybe I'll leave out the nuts. This may be overkill. Can't find any slivered
without flavoring anyway.
The "fixers" have struck again. They rearrange stores and do away with a lot of the
good stuff or c-l-e-v-e-r-l-ymove things to where they think you will be hooked and buy
them. What kind of logic is that? If it aint broken, etc.etc.
Just thought we needed some Spring feelings here...Taken along 6A, Barnstable, MA
12/29/07: Bought myself a birthday present yesterday. He's the new man in my life...but
he is not restricted to the kitchen...he's all over the place. Dyson. Yes, I went Nutsy
Fagan and bought the animal hair version. But, what a whirlwind this fella is. When I
learn more about its use, I will not suck up every small rugs in the house. Wild. But it
certainly does the job on wall-to-wall and bare floors.
This fellow Dyson has figured out a handle placement so that you do not kill your back.
Ergonomically engineered, it makes you walk straight with the weight of the appliance
balanced nicely. In between vacuuming, I will get the Swivel Sweeper after those naked
foors.
1/1/08: Back to the kitchen. One man in my life that I neglected to tell you about is Bob.
You know the one. The guy with the Red Mill. Flours are availabel all over the place,
including the Ocean State Job Lot here on the Cape. If you go to his web site,
www.bobsredmill.com, there are interesting recipes. And you do not have to jump through
sign-up hoops to find them. Very friendly site.
5/5/08:This hasn't to do with the men in my life, but one in the life of an acquantance of mine.
When the house needs vacuuming, she asks her husband if he will mow the rugs. Clever
gal, the terminology appeals to males more than cleaning.
Getting Together
up instead to help serve food for the needy. For those who have like circumstances, why not?
It is important to be with folks on holidays.
I am so fortunate that Sharon's family is so supportive. I hope I can be the same to them. I
will go off-Cape for a get-together tomorrow. Now I'm heading for the kitchen to bake a
mince pie (comes already seasoned in the jar) plus Pillsbury roll-em-out pastry. How can you
go wrong?
Photo is a little off-season. Artist painting at one of our Summer Shows at the
Taylor-Bray Farm. Other photos of the farm in Yarmouth Port, MA can be seen on
Outdoor Shows. Lamb herding, etc. Good-for-the-soul stuff.
[I tried to put Outdoor Shows on as a link, but when I tested it, clicking on the link
threw me into the blog, driveyoucrazy, which is up for sale. Perhaps the blogger put s
pelling similar to mine to make the sale????
Am having a lot of problems with the links, so please be kind enough to scroll down or
select from Entries.]
11/23/07 Footnote: The pie was a huge success. Hard to bollix up something like that.
I almost did, due to my "skip reading", as I call it; I missed the 10 min./425 degree
part and had to go back at the end to heat things up. The angel I wear on my
shoulder does wonders.
11/15/07:
Yesterday, The Yarmouth Art Guild had its annual Christmas Party at the
Cultural Center of Cape Cod in South Yarmouth. Over 100 of our members joined in for
a nice lunch and Yankee swap. Our Guild donated to the Center and learned that
matching funds will be coming in well into the New Year...an extremely generous couple
in Bass River realize the importance of keeping a good thing going. Thanks, too, to
the selfless volunteers that help daily.
12/17/07:
I can not get together with friends as often as I would like. Most all of the old
crowd has gone South. Air travel (specifically the used air circulated) makes me
too ill to function, let alone have a good time. Just heard from I. in Florida. She
introduced me to Sharon in the last century. Never had a bad word for anyone,
Sharon.
We talked about experiences through "the Connection", as I. calls it.
Years ago, before I met either of these wonderful people, I started to fall asleep
at about 11:00 o'clock one night. face came toward me through my hazy half-sleep.
It slowly came closer, sort of floating, with a pleasant expression, just looking at me.
It resembled the mother of a friend. I spoke with the friend about this and she told
me her aunt had died that night a little after 11:00 P.M. Her aunt, whom I never
even heard of, resembled my friend's mother. Over the years, I have had several
other "Connection" experiences. Go figure.
To get back to Sharon. While I was watching Deal or No Deal, as I told I. in Florida,
a young service woman was calling out numbers. Without any thought on my part,
three numbers came into my head...every one just before the number called out by
the contestant. All correct. Just three, not the whole enchilada. I told I. that I
suspected Sharon, who had a wonderful sense of humor, was just pulling my chain.
"It's the Connection," Said I. in Florida.
1/30/08: Was sending a few photos of animals I had printed from the computer.
My old friend in North Carolina has a computer which was set up by a professional,
husband of a good friend. She refuses to get on the internet although we have told
her how much she is missing. Too bad. Though she is older than I, she still has a
brain that sponges up unbelievable knowledge. As I was writing a note to enclose
with the photos, I was printing something entirely unrelated. My printer has been
balky lately, spitting out blanks or extra copies I do not ask for, but this time, it
printed the entry about Sharon and Kelsy, "Sort-of Unconditional Love." I swear! I
had, to that point, never asked for a print-out of anything written on this blog.
My friend is, like Sharon was, a lover of animals, to the point of having picked up
an injured swan from the highway when she lived on Long Island. Naturally, I
enclosed the two pages from Drive You Crazy.
3/24/08: Spent Easter afternoon with friends in Bridgewater. Good mix of young and
old. Good conversation was had by all. Thanks, folks.
Specs
Above are rough drawings to help new artists get started with outdoor shows. I think
most of it is explained. Wanted to get these on so you can start asking friends and family
to start throwing old tees your way instead of in the trash. Now is a perfect time to start
sewing, building, wire finagling. Some of this can be done while you watch "Dancing With
The Stars" or whatever. But don't forget to paint.
You can get wire by the yard at Home Depot. The spiral wound solid copper. #10 is the
size I think stays the way you configure it. Get a salesman who knows his stuff to help
you. You probably want to cut pieces about 7" or so long. Experiment with one before
you clip too many. Enlist helpers.
1/24/08: Thoughts for the beginning artist. To save moolah, don't buy fancy pads
of pallet paper. Use butchers wrap instead. Buy it at your supermarket and cut to
size you want. It comes in a very wide roll. One of the things I have found to carry
around the sheets was a hinged aluminum box that had cheap little rubber stamps
for kids. (I left them at the exchange building of our waste disposal site.) The box
holds layers of the butchers wrap and fits nicely in the freezer section of a spare
refrigerator in the garage. You can keep your brushes there too. Some folks don't
even bother to clean them and they hold up quite well.
Shop Til You Give Up
12/11/07 : Just returned from the Mall in Hyannis. I do not know where you buy women's
clothes, but as other shoppers and I say, the styles are really terrible. Have 99% of blouse
sleeves gone three-quarter? Forever? Or flouncy or half- covering the breast by via an
overlapping what-the heck is that? What junk! I see women my age looking through the s
elections with a disgusted look on their faces. Macy's in Hyannis has split into two stores,
men's and womens. What were they thinking? Spent all that money to inconvenience
people? The quality of their products need improvement!
I did get lucky though. Something I was not even looking for. I spotted some lovely
material on simply and well cut suits at Sears. I picked up two, as they were marked
way down. When I got to the cash register, it turned out they were put on the wrong r
ack. Saleswoman checked that out and gave them to me for about half-price. It made
my day, so naturally I splurged on Estee Lauder makeup. That's something else I totally
had no intention of doing...not today, anyway. Haven't worn the stuff for a few years.
Got some how-to from a very nice gal. Thanks, Lisa.
- Almost forgot. Tried to find a pair of men's pajamas. How I miss Filene's. The
- Filene bargain basement place has plenty of bottoms, as most stores do today.
- Are you supposed to wear tees with them? When we turn down the heat, we'll
- need those old long-sleeve flannel jobbies.
7/31/08: Haven't given up yet. Tried Macy's (a while back they bought Filene's out and
split the store in two, as I may have told you. You go to the men's dept. at the back of the
Hyannis Mall and can usually find a parking space, then go to the front of the Mall and stalk
the lot for a space. So annoying, particularly because they have filled the women's store with
ill-fitting junk.
I lucked out. Found several Alfani silk shirts on sale. Short sleeved and straight cut, I
thought they would look classy, especially by adding beads to femme them up. Hied myself
up to the front of the Mall and grabbed a long $30 number in white. (all my old stuff is almost
choker style). Did this all just in time to get over to the Pops by the Sea concert. A friend had
finagled a $50 seat for me and I wanted to look nice.
These warm creatures are from the Taylor-Bray farm, as featured on Outdoor Shows.
Outdoor Shows
The folks who display fine original works put in a ton of effort. I did it for a few years. It is a kick to sell something after hours at the easel, shopping for suitable frames, setting up on a lot and...waiting. This is no way to make a living. Yet, profits can go toward quality brushes, pigments, canvases, etc. Most of the artists are notorious course-takers. Sometimes, a sale pays for this skill sharpening.
The best part is that while hanging out out there, there is a wonderful sense of belonging. Having moved to the Cape at the turn of the Century, I knew few people here. While taking some courses at the Chatham
Creative Arts Center, I heard of theYarmouth Art Guild. I was a little apprehensive about joining, as I had run up against snoot here and there. "This element is everywhere, so just ignore it," I said to myself. I am so glad I did. The folks at the YAG are great. Really supportive.
When I started showing my first summer, I had no rig. There were no second-hand metal ones available at the time. They can be broken down to fit your car. Withstand the rain. Are quite expensive. Sharon and I put our heads together and came up with a wooden A frame. (Sharon learned good carpentry skills from her father.) We used 1x3" wood, which is actually 3/4x2 3/4" and was at the time lightweight enough for me to handle. We used plastic coated chicken wire, also not too heavy. Anchored it with a staple gun. Bought some small galvanised gate hinges. Hung an exercise weight by a bungie cord to stabilize rig in the wind. The A frame is good, as you can position it so the wind blows through it. Placing a small American flag near one of the hinges helps show wind direction. I used some drapery hooks to fasten the paintings on the rig. Painted it with some left-over plum colored paint. She was ready. My rig and I did a several years out there. SeeSpecs. You will see that I improved rig. The turkey wire was obtained from a local feed and farm supply company. It makes for a much nicer image for paintings (They hang straighter on squared off patern of fencing material.) The removable pins are a blessing. The two sides of the rig are heavier with the turkey wire, so you can carry to site one piece at a time.
Sundays were O.K. For a while I did Mondays too with another group, "The Brewster Monday Painters". Some paintings that did not sell went into the "Sacrifice Sale" at the Creative Arts Center. They are currently holding these sales twice a year. I volunteered a time or two there. People line up at the door before opening time. It can get wild. Like the old Filene's Basement!
- At present, I belong to four organizations. If I do not avail myself of member rates for courses, nor enter in shows for a while, I still like to hang in there with these good groups. Art is a blast.
11/17/07 :
This Thursday, I decided to pack up my paintings and bring a half-finished oil down to the local Senior Center. I wanted to see some of my "Art Friends", as Sharon used to say. It was good having their company. The biggest bonus in getting together down there is the instructor. She has a lifetime of knowledge behind her and is willing to share with us. Thanks, J. And thanks, Art Friends.
Below are some shots from the Taylor-Bray Farm Show. Each year, they have a wool-spinning exhibit and sale and feature domestic animals (you never know what you'll see, Llamas, for instance). There are always lambs, lambs, lambs, lots of chickens and one happy rooster!
Please use Print Preview and the arrows at bottom of screen to scroll. This way, you will see the full size photographs:
Last Spring, we were fortunate in that we could hang our Yarmouth Art Guild paintings in the big barn.
On the lower level to the left, barn swallows fly in and out through the open doors. In the background you can see a small portion of the tents that house spinning wheels and the barefoot women who show you how it's done. Bought a beautiful warm hat there last year.
2/20/08: Good News. The festival next year is scheduled for June First. We have been invited to participate. Check with the Yarmouth Art Guild when June is approaching. We should have more details by Springtime. Love those lambs.
You never know who will drop by the Taylor-Bray Farm.