Life Changes - Spring Cleaning...

So tomorrow, I start the Whole30 "re-set" program. As I get older, I find that my body reacts differently to foods I used to eat or I'm used to eating. I find that my skin even reacts to things - and I'm far from a teenager! 

I talked to my brother about this, and he had done the Whole30 just so he could avoid cholesterol meds. He found out what worked for him, in the bargain he lost about 25 lbs., and he looks great. He has great-looking skin, his eyes are bright, and he doesn't look as tired as he used to. 

I'm hoping for a "bright-eyed" look and improving my skin - seems I'm prone to psoriasis (who knew??) and stress/tired/nutrition all play into that. 

I have a confession to make... I'm a horrible addict and my addiction of choice is sugar. Not even chocolate, though I love it. I like honey in my tea. I like brownies. I like ice cream. I like candy. And I really have a hard time stopping. I mean, truly: it's difficult for me, once I use sweetener, to stop eating sweets. 

So I'm hoping that the Whole30 will help me find better alternatives. I'm not jazzed about not eating beans for a month; I eat a lot of beans. And cheese is going to be another item I'm not keen on having to pass by. 

But it's a month. I can drink my tea "naked" and I can deal with anything for a month. The recipes look do-able, even with the fact that Hubby isn't doing this with me. I just have to think about a breakfast that's easy to deal with that's "carry-along." I get up at "dawn o'clock" as it is, and I'm not keen on eating first thing in the morning. Granted, in one positive aspect: I don't like the "continental" or sweets-based breakfasts. I'll eat a sweet roll occasionally - but not at 7 a.m.!

Today, I wrote out Monday's menu. Hubby did a quick store-run, because we had most of what I needed, but there were a few fresh things I required. In the meantime, I cooked up some clarified butter. You have the option to use clarified butter or ghee. I didn't have ghee, and it's pricey anyway. But I did have butter. LOTS of butter, actually, because we stocked up at Christmas. 

Incredibly easy: In a saucepan, cut up a pound of organic, unsalted butter. Set the heat to medium-ish and let it melt. 

Don't stir it. That's important!!

See that white foam at the top of the pan? It's the milk solids coming to the top. Let them happen, and then skim off with a spoon. 

While the butter is melting, grab a 16-oz. canning jar and line the top with about 4 layers of cheesecloth. 

So, here - if you want to get to ghee, let the milk solids brown and sink to the bottom. Otherwise, strain it. 

*Helpful hint: If you're like me, put the butter into a measuring cup FIRST. That way, you can try to avoid spillage. Ask me how I figured that one out...

Drain the butter oil (which is what it is, now that the milk solids are mostly removed) into the jar. Plop the lid on and let it cool for about 15-20 minutes before you stick it in the fridge. 

It should keep for several weeks. 

You don't need to be on Whole30 to do this. Clarified butter is a great thing to use in your average, everyday cooking. 

See that bit of white at the bottom? It's the milk solids that managed to bypass the cheesecloth. 

And that's ok, because they're at the bottom. I'll be using the stuff on top. 

Eventually, I'll go ahead and get some ghee. Just not right now. One of my favorite things to do with either ghee or the clarified butter is to gently coat veggies with it - particularly green beans (not for a month...) or broccoli or Brussels sprouts. 

If you're eating bread (not for a month...), it's also good on toast. 

It makes an excellent base for sauteeing and frying (like eggs - which I will be eating this next month). 

So there you go. A short tutorial and a nice kitchen hack. 

I Survived Holy Week...

Yes. I did. I wasn't sure for a while there. Working for the church, you really do see the "less than church-like" behavior of some folks. 

I mean, we're all human. My quest during Lent was to be more patient. But it wasn't always easy and I failed a lot. 

Many of us unilaterally love our substitute vicar, and would adore it if she applied for the vacancy. Though that would mean we'd lose her for the duration of the search process, I believe she'd be a good fit for us. 

We took her to dinner a couple of times, and enjoyed getting to know her. 

One of the lovely harbingers at the church is that the daffodils along the south side of the hall started to bloom! Spring is really coming, in spite of what the weather-folk keep threatening us with!

Normally, we're quite active in church during Holy Week anyway. We sign at the services, and participate as much as we're able to. 

I haven't been to a "Holy Thursday" service (or Maundy Thursday as we call it) since I started teaching yoga. This year was the same thing. Our church has what they call an "Agape Meal" before the service. It's a community meal, simple in content, and usually there's about 20 people there. 

Good Friday is, of course, a solemn occasion, with very few songs. I love this shot from Good Friday. The shadows perfectly cast the other 2 crosses - representing the criminals who were also crucified alongside Jesus. 

In our church, we can lower this cross, by means of two hand-cranks. It's an art to lower it evenly. Hubby and I lowered it, and the vicar was "catcher." It's actually right above the altar, so you have to have a "catcher" to make sure it doesn't clunk down on the altar. Anyway, veneration of the cross is a big thing on Good Friday. Afterwards, we cranked it back up for Easter Vigil. 

Easter Vigil is my personal favorite. It's a great, song-filled extravaganza. First, though, we have nine (yes, 9) readings, telling the story from the Creation to the crucifixion. We had to scrape together volunteers to read, but it is what it is. 

I think my favorite part, aside from the lighting of the fire (who knew priests were secret pyromaniacs??) is the Exultet - which is the chant I do. It's in a darkened church, everyone holding candles. We've just come in from lighting the fire, lighting the enormous Paschal candle, and each of us lighting our small candles from that one, larger flame. 

Then, in that darkened church, the first few lines of the chant, "Rejoice you heavenly hosts and choirs of angels..." -- which it being Lent, we haven't done a lot of. The "rejoicing" I mean. 

We finished the week with Easter Sunday service, and our small choir did a fantastic job with the song, "Hallelujah" -- yes, THAT one. Leonard Cohen wrote an iconic melody and not only did he write a number of "versions" of the lyrics, but many others did. We plucked the Easter verses and did them with our director, who's an absolute marvel on the piano. 

My voice is shot for a week or so. I'd love to take a week off. That isn't happening...

Sacred Mountain...

This is what I've been diffusing the past several days. Not only is it a nice-smelling corollary to Easter, it's just a wonderfully calming scent. The scent of Ylang Ylang blended with the "conifers" (like spruce and cedar) really provide a marvelous sense of grounding and a great feeling of being outdoors. 

I set up my Desert Mist diffuser, and it's been going all day. It's a neat diffuser that, on low speed, runs for about 10 hours. I have it on the "light changing" setting, so it cycles through 8 different colors. 

I may diffuse this in the office this week - I'm trying out different oils each week, attempting to have an "oil of the week" so that folks find out the depth and breadth of the product line. 

This may well be a favorite in the office. We shall see. If you're interested in learning more about these lovely oils, leave me a message in the comments. I'd love to help you enhance your own wellness and also detox your home - help you use products that don't contain all those harmful chemicals!

The Perfect Day...

So yeah, it's been crazy-busy. I had a brilliant day where, while it wasn't a WHOLE day, it was a half day. And I'll take it. 

Hubby did something for me that I didn't expect. He got us a subscription to "BritBox" - the streaming service developed by the BBC and ITV. I'm such a fan of British TV - the mysteries in particular. 

I spent a half day watching Dr. Who - the original Dr. Who. Yes, it's cheesy and it's got some crazy "special effects." But it's classic Dr. Who and I enjoyed my day! 

I've spent some time with Miss Marple, with Brother Cadfael, and with Inspector Barnaby in Midsomer... It's just a wonderful treat for me. 

Knitting...

So, finally... Knitting happened! While waiting for Easter Vigil and Good Friday services, I was able to get a few more points on the Close to You Shawl. And I enjoyed some chocolate. With my BritBox. 

I got all my hand-knit socks washed this weekend and I've been plugging away on this shawl today. 

What with all the singing, I've actually deliberately tried to not talk. The standing joke in my family is that everyone enjoys Easter Sunday because I'm so vocally frazzled that I'm normally quite silent, as much as I can be. 

Hubby refers to it as "the most peaceful day of the year." I'm not sure if he's totally kidding.

Anyway, even if he is -- all of us need a rest day, right? 

This shawl is now buzzing along nicely, and I'm liking it more and more. I'm anxious to see how it all blocks out. I still hope the recipient likes it. 

Let's put it this way -- I'll be more than horribly disappointed if the recipient doesn't like it or appreciate it. 

I think as knitters, we always take that risk. We invest ourselves in the project, doing something with our hands and hearts, and we hope that the individual who receives our work appreciates it. They don't have to fall all over and put on a big show. But I'd like to see the item in use. I'd like a heart-felt sense that the person understands the time and effort that went into this. 

So just because I'm saying that the shawl is zipping along, it's the whole package: I took time to decide which pattern, I looked a while for the yarn, and I'm spending time on the knitting of it. 

That's why I hope that the person who receives this appreciates it. 

Random Picture...

After Hubby brought back the groceries, I discovered these gems. He said he got them on special, and I'm really tickled! 

I love berries, and I'm very happy they're in the Whole30 plan. 

And now, Jesus Christ Superstar is live, in concert, on the television, with John Legend as Jesus and Alice Cooper as Herod. 

You'll excuse me if I run off and get this published. 

Happy Easter! 

Keppra Countdown Continues...

...and the countdown continues. We're a few days into the "one at bedtime" thing, and surprisingly, with an INCREDIBLY stressful week where I've wanted more than once to throat-punch someone it hasn't been bad. I'm talking about the draw-down of the Keppra, not the stress. 

It feels very weird, after all these years, to not take that huge white horse-pill. The woolly-brain has for the most part ceased. I'm still having the pretty intense hot-flashes, but otherwise, I think it's going ok. The twinge-y headaches have faded, which to me is a good sign. 

So we keep on keepin' on. We shall see. One month on "only at night" and then we go to one month of "every other day at night." 

Yeah - I've had to mark my calendar, just to keep track!!

Knitting...

I wish I could say that some knitting has been accomplished. Well, hang on. Yeah, it has. On Election Day, I got a few more rows done on the cuff of the green sock. Otherwise, it's been insanely busy - mostly church stuff, what with Holy Week upon us and services coming at me from all corners. 

So no huge progress on either Petty Harbour Sock or Close to You Shawl, though I'm looking at both of them now, as I type... 

I think I have another row or so and then I can start on the leg. I know that once I get past the ribbing, it'll zip along and I will probably focus on that. I don't know - I love the patterned socks, but I do like a nice, quick plain vanilla sock. 

I don't like this longer rib, but I'm living with it. Only because it's K2, P2. It's just as bad as the one row in the 4-row repeat in Petty Harbour where it's K1, P1. It drives me nuts. But ribbing is what it is. Somewhat of a necessary evil in the knitting world.

Particularly when knitting is basically just knitting or purling, I shouldn't really complain. 

Since I'm not holding class tomorrow, I'm hoping to get some needle-time in after we do Easter (early - don't freak out - it's our thing) at my Mom's house. 

March for Our Lives...

Today, I stepped out with about 1,000 of my friends in the Frankfort, IL March for Our Lives. The kids' speeches were impressive. The usual NRA agitators were there. And what bugs me is this: This is a march for the kids. Are the kids less important than your guns?

Apparently so. 

One guy was making a ruckus at the back of the gathering. My friend and her husband were there, and he was holding a huge sign - he's an artist. The sign was of his own creation, and showed the head of the NRA as a gun, in a strait-jacket. It was a good piece, and huge. 

Well, the guy making a ruckus was very loud and trying to overpower the speakers (which was stupid - they have microphones and amplifiers!). My friend's Hubby turned around, bringing his huge sign with him. 

Not sure if the guy was silenced by his size or his sign. Or both. Because he got really quiet. 

Another guy was shouting down (or trying to) someone, and one of the folks from Southwest Suburban Activists (I'm an ambassador and have been involved since its early days) walked in front of him with her sign. He hollered at her, "Hey - are you trying to block me?" She turned, smiled, and said, "Actually, yes." And just stood there. She's an older woman and I swear - you don't want to pee in their cheerios...

We were hoping for a couple hundred people - Frankfort isn't exactly a bastion of liberal thought - and it seems like we got close to 1,000. Yes, there were more in DC and Chicago, but for a south suburban, fairly conservative area? A thousand people is a great outcome. 

I didn't take many pictures. I'm having a problem with my phone and it crapped out on me for some reason. It was on the charger all day, but it fizzled within an hour of being there. I have to have Hubby look at it. 

Holy Week...

Tomorrow is Palm Sunday - the "official" start of Holy Week, which is a big deal in our church. I come from a Catholic tradition, so it's not strange to me, but it's a different kind of service this year. 

Without going into gory detail, we're still looking for a vicar and we have a phenomenal long-term sub. That being said, a church really does run better with a permanent priest. I'm the administrator, but that's not the same. And the sub is just that: a sub. Unable to make substantive decisions, only there to do Mass and make sure we're taken care of on the weekends. 

Anyway, this is what I was working on today. All 36 pages of it. We decided (thankfully) to combine the 3 services, Maundy Thursday, Good Friday, and Easter Vigil, into one big bulletin. It's a good attempt to save paper - you just return it at the end of the service and you re-use it. 

I did the Palm Sunday bulletins last Wednesday and finalized them on Friday/Saturday - it was a pain having to do Election Day on Tuesday, because my schedule is (I've found out after looking at my calendar) incredibly scripted and tight. I'm not complaining, but it does throw things out of whack. 

So I'm going to go over everything with our priest and organist and should have it all ready to go by this Tuesday. 

Speaking of stress, I missed a humdinger of a meeting. That's kind of the cause of the stress. It's incredible that we think our national political scene is a horror show. It is, of course, but there's nothing like church politics. Especially sans a vicar... That's where I asked my mother if it would be improper, during holy week, to fling a hymnal at a person. 

She said it would be improper. So I choose to ignore it. For now. All I can say is that the next church council meeting is likely to be "lively." Too many people think they can complain and nitpick. Like I said: typical church politics. 

We've decorated the office for Easter, and it's bunnies and eggs from front to back. These are wooden eggs I've purchased from the Polish deli down the strip from us. 

Similar to pysanki, the Ukranian eggs, these are hand-painted and a lot less delicate! I was looking for some shred stuffing but couldn't find any - so I shredded some scrap paper (I was going to recycle it anyway), and ended up with nice fluffy stuff for the basket. 

I've done the Ukranian eggs - I learned from a nun. But mine aren't all that good. Actually, if I practiced, it would be easier, but I don't have time lately. I'll probably have to re-purchase all my dyes because they've sat in the basement for a long, long time... But it is something I'd love to get back into. I have to find a compass or something to give me a better sense of proportion. I have trouble with the oval surface and keeping the designs equal. 

Easter Dinner...

So as I've said: you're not going crazy. We do Easter the week before. At first, my mom was annoyed to have to move it, but now she's kind of digging it. And so am I. 

I'm fiddling with a recipe that I'm making for the vegan nephew. The original recipe is called "Sweet & Sour Bean Hot Pot." I did the sauce differently and used some different spices. 

The first sauce had to be tossed. Apparently, I hung on to a bottle of apple cider vinegar a bit too long. You're also supposed to use tomato sauce; I didn't have any but I did have canned tomatoes. It adds a bit of texture. 

This gets put together and you slice potatoes thinly, then layer them on top. Bake it and the spuds brown nicely. 

We're having ham, potatoes, salad, broccoli, and my grandma's Jell-O. Every Easter - it's a tradition! Also, the potica I made. 

Kid #1 won't be home; and I believe that some of the great-grandkids are staying home, but that, sadly, is the flu. 

Oh, and I forgot to pick up the Reese's Peanut Butter eggs for Kid #2. I've gotten them for the kids since forever. Dang. I have to figure out how to do that sometime tomorrow. That's going to be impossible interesting. 

Anyway, this is a dinner I really enjoy; it's fairly simple, and I can farm out a lot of the stuff. But I do miss the traditional breakfast we used to have. As my mom said, though - it's so hard to gather everyone and doing this before Mass would be a challenge for us. We used to be able to do it at home when the family was smaller, but as we've spread out, logistics got a lot more complex. 

Random Picture...

And we have tomatoes!! Not every seed sprouted, but I saw my seed-donor and he said he had extras. These are mostly cherry tomatoes. He's got heirloom seeds for a couple different veggies, and sunflowers. I'd love to plant sunflowers again. 

I'll have to see what he's got. See what comes back. See what Mother Nature has left us with this strange weather. Yesterday we had winter weather warnings, calling for up to 8" of snow. Then, in the same day, we had an "advisory" that said it might miss us. But both warnings stayed up simultaneously, so we had no idea what was going on!

I'm sure I saw a few snowflakes at the march today! 

But the daffodils are coming up and I see signs of life in the Icelandic Poppy in the front yard. And I've seen robins. 

And we have tomato sprouts. Spring is coming! 

How Do You Know When The Universe is Speaking...

To put it mildly, I've been frustrated recently. I try to tamp it down, and you can imagine how well that works. 

It doesn't. Not always. So I get snappish. Or I make mistakes. 

I complained to Hubby. Well, to put it rightly, I've BEEN complaining to Hubby. He knows that I've been in need of a change. I've talked to my friend. And I've cudgeled my brain trying to think of a way to make that change without too much disruption in our lives as they are right now. 

That's gotta mean something, right? 

Well...The Universe answered. I can't say a whole lot just yet, but this time, I'm listening to the Cosmic Thump On the Head. I can't afford not to.

Essential Oils...

I think I may have a problem. It's a good problem to have, but it's a problem! Anyway, so far, this is my collection of oils. I use 90% of them, and I'm learning about the other 10%. I enjoy learning about how they support your system, and support you even emotionally. 

I have looked into several different companies, and I'm working with Young Living Essential Oils because I'm convinced they're the best on the market. 

100% pure, therapeutic grade. So much research, so much quality control. They have a "Seed to Seal" concept that's amazing. 

I'm even using them on the elkhounds: both to quell their fears during thunderstorms and fireworks, and on Quinn's skin issues. So, once the Franken-elkie heals, we're back on our regimen. Right now, she's recuperating from the most recent surgery, though I'll still use a bit of lavender when the weather is dicey or people are shooting off boom-booms! She loves her Lavender ear/back rubs. 

Knitting...

I did put the socks in a bag, but I haven't had time to knit anywhere with it! I'm taking it tomorrow, to my Mom's house. Especially since the mom-to-be will be there, and I don't want her to see what I'm knitting. The shower is coming up fast, so I've got to get moving! 

I'm on the left side now, thank goodness! And it appears to be going well. I think it'll work out. Now, I need to find the pattern for the booties. I don't remember what I did with it. I'll have to go digging if I can't find it, and I don't want to waste time trolling through Ravelry. Not that it's ever a waste of time entirely, but let's say it's time I don't have right now!

If nothing else, I finish what I've got and do booties for Christmas. Either way, an afghan, hat and sweater? Not shabby. 

They're having a "diaper raffle" - which is kind of cool: bring in a pack of any kind of diapers, and you can be entered to win a prize. I may find some cloth ones...Always good for burp cloths, and other uses!

Easter...

So tomorrow is our "Easter." Yeah, I know - it's really Palm Sunday. But if you're a regular reader, you may remember that, except for Christmas Eve, we usually celebrate the holidays a week early. Let's just say: in-laws. And we'll leave it right there...

It's the "gathering of the clan" tomorrow, and we did the ham and deviled eggs. And we've got the potica. My mom's doing most of the other stuff, and my sister's bringing a salad. 

She called in a blind panic because she's apparently lost the only copy of my dad's vinaigrette recipe. I mean she's got the only written copy - or not... We're still not sure if she's found it yet. But apparently, we're all getting copies for Christmas IF she finds it!

I hit Pinterest for something I did a couple of years ago: dyed deviled eggs. This time, it was a different technique, but here they are, in all their neon glory. The colors should deepen a bit overnight, so they may be more vivid. I had Hubby boil 14 eggs - and we ruined at least 2 of them in the un-shelling. He did most of it, for which I was grateful. 

An $11,000 screw in my left thumb, and my egg-peeling career is essentially over! 

The ham has a nice pineapple glaze on it. It'll be room temperature, with "funeral potatoes" (don't make me think you don't know what I mean!), a salad, nadif (a Croatian dish that's incredibly labor-intensive), and rolls in case someone wants to make a sandwich. Oh, and the technicolor eggs! And desserts. 

Mother Nature's Glory...

Speaking of technicolor. This is an unretouched photograph of the sunset from this past Thursday. I got home from teaching my yoga class at my studio, Just Breathe Yoga, and this was what I saw. 

I walked into the house, dumped my gear and walked right out the front door (western exposure) with my camera. 

We're not often lucky enough to see this. And I stood out there for a good 10 minutes, watching. 

Breathing. Looking. Seeing. Feeling. 

Ties, Ties Everywhere...

My friend Wendy handed me a bag last week at church. I had no idea what she was thinking, but then she said, "Your son might like these." 


Apparently, she cleaned out her husband's tie drawer. Roy died at least 4 years ago. There are some amazing ties in there. 

The Kid loves oddball ties. He'll go bananas. 

Oh, and that purple one with the sailboats on it? Ralph Lauren. $115. For a tie. 

So there are a number of Christmas ones, some that look "vintage," and quite honestly? Some rather ugly ones. 

But they're all, for the most part, good quality ties, and he'll be happy to wear them and they won't go to waste.

And no. I haven't finished knitting the green one that I started. I need to pull that out of the closet, but I also have to find the directions. I suppose it can't be that hard: it's all linen-stitch but I know somewhere, there were decreases. Just not sure where. 

Ravelry, here I come!

Random Picture...

Tippi has been extra-cuddly lately. Some days, she snugs right up against my chair. 

Today we had an adventure. We took them all to PetSmart to meet with our trainer. She had a 5-month old male Elkhound who needed a little exposure to other dogs. 

So, our "robo-dog" was called in. Quinn and Raisa had their chance, but Tippi was the main dog to do the most interaction with the pup.

Then, on the way out, she decided she had to poop out her excitement. A large, large, smelly poop. 

She's a low-squatter, and it was muddy. Suffice to say, there was clean-up involved. 

Anyway, she came home happy and somewhat pooped out (literally and figuratively) and promptly took a nap. Alongside my chair.  

Progress, Always Progress...

Well, the shower is in May. Too soon for me! But I knit along and keep on going. 

Played a great game last night. Most knitters have played this game every so often: "Yarn Chicken." Soooooo - I was just about at the end of the first ball of yarn, and thought I could get pretty close. Boy. 

I did. 

As you can see here, this is what I had to work with. I'd just finished the first buttonhole row, and I noticed the working yarn was getting a tad skimpy. But I thought I could squeak out a few more rows. So I went on. And on. And I kept looking at the tail end. And then at the number of stitches I had left. And I wondered if I would make it to the end. Wondered if I'd have to tink back (tink = knit backward = "frog" = "rip it" [note: ribbit, ribbit = frog]). 


It turns out that I didn't have to, but whew! That teeny little tail there, above the needle? That's all that was left of Ball #1. I added Ball #2, and on we go. 

I know it's been a while, so I took a break to write this out. In spite of the Kollage square needles, which usually don't hurt, my hands are hurting. 

I think it's combined with the fact that I type a lot during my day job. Lots. Tons. Even on an ergonomic "natural" keyboard, I'm still typing probably 4 - 6 hours a day total. Not constantly, but a lot, and it takes its toll. 

Anyway, I have 5 more rows till the next buttonhole. I've got a new trick for these buttonholes: I bind off one more stitch, and I cast on one more stitch. It seems to make it more firm, and it seems to not get that little "gap" thing that I had in the last sweater. 

The sweater is coming along, and I think this week, I can make some significant progress. Hat and booties are next, and I have to look at how much of the green yarn will be left. I have some brown superwash, and I might use that as part of the booties, sort of like an accent if I need to. Or maybe I start the hat (or end the hat) with the brown. It'll work; I'd just rather have it all look the same. 

I really have to up my game. Knitting must be in the car so that I can get these projects done. I was waiting on a teacher to discuss a new workshop, and I brought some knitting to the studio. This is the striped socks, using Sole to Sole, and of course, I can't find the printed pattern. It's here. Somewhere. 

I'm thinking about making the Roman Rib socks again, using Opal (again), and doing the Strong Heel. I know - I said it here: "I'll never do THAT again!" 

But -- the "Orthodontic Diet" has been working well, and I've lost about 20 lbs. So I think I can go down to 64 stitches instead of the 72 stitches I was doing. The socks I have are now sort of baggy! 

The Sole to Sole (in the picture) are 64 stitches; we'll see how those work up. The side ribbing goes down the whole leg, apparently to "hold them up." And I'm hoping that the side ribbing doesn't stretch too far. Remember, I've got "biker calves." 


So I have a new knitting project bag. And it's amazing! I got it in exchange for a mug... Hey - barter works! 

It's a lovely "yoga" pattern, which fits, since I'm a yoga teacher and studio owner. 

I can't decide what to put into it yet. The baby stuff will stay in the red bag I always keep baby stuff in. It works for me to keep things consistent. The pattern always stays there, the needles always stay there. It's just convenient because I know that's the "baby bag." 

Easter Goodies...

So I saw these in the Target the other day. Now, since the "Orthodontic Diet," I haven't eaten a lot and I really won't do anything too sticky. It's sad, because truly -- Peeps are one of my favorites. Particularly if you leave them out in the air for 2 or 3 days, so they've got a slight "crunch" to them. It's a thing. I think I might be the only person in my family who eats them - or eats them that way! 

Our Easter celebration will be Palm Sunday, as usual. We're singing for Good Friday, Holy Saturday/Vigil, and Easter Sunday. 

Which brings me to a quandry. Due to circumstances, most of which have to remain confidential, we have a different organist for our Easter services. Of course, the most important services in the Church year. Yes, even moreso than Christmas. 

I'm a little worried. We really don't have a good handle on the music we're singing. I mean - all I know is that I'm doing a chant, and that's cool. I'm ready for that. 

It's the rest of the several services that worry me. It's in God's hands, I guess. And I hope She's got us covered!

Big Pharma, Big Gripe...

I'm very lucky. I have insurance. Hubby's policy has changed over the years, and we're now with a company which pays its CEO an insanely obscene salary. I'm not sure for what. But nonetheless - we're covered. Decently, but not like it was a few years ago. 

This is my seizure med. This is what I pay for the first refill. And I'm lucky this year, because the price dropped by a couple hundred bucks. It's been over $3,000 some years. 

Big Gripe #1: There's no reason this medication needs to cost this much. It's not new. Drug companies have bought and sold our politicians and they're kowtowing to their new corporate overlords, so we kind of get the stinky end of the stick. 

If I could take the generic? My cost would be about $17.00. Yes, SEVENTEEN bucks. 

So there's no end in sight; we don't know what the price will be at any given time. At this point, this drug is the "lobster" in the pharmacy... You know how, in those fancy restaurants, they say "Lobster" and then "market price." So you never really know how much you're paying. 

Big Gripe #2: Because my insurance company's CEO gets that obscene salary (no really, it's obscene... $66.13 million in 2014... and no, I don't know that this is actually correlated, but I can imagine!), I have the "delight" to have to pay a premium every time I refill. Because I'm unable to use the generic. 

And yes, I tried it. And I had break-through seizures. Not a cool thing. Generics, by law, have to be "similar" to the brand name. And "similar" in pharma talk means that often, they're a molecule or two different - maybe a different filler or a different component that works the same but doesn't violate the original patent for the brand name. And my doctor is trying to get me off the drug - we'll see if that works. But for right now? I'm stuck. 

So what this means is that, even though I've made our deductible for this year, I will STILL pay anywhere from $700-800 PER REFILL for the remainder of the year every time I need to refill this medication. Here's the math: I pay the $2439.55 at the beginning of the year. Then for the next 3 refills, I pay (let's round it out) $750/refill. Calculate, kids... 

That's $4,689.55. So let's round up and say $5,000. Five. Thousand. Dollars. And that's WITH insurance. 

Let's do more math... If I did not have insurance, that would be... $9,758.20. Let's round up and say $10,000. Ten. Thousand. Dollars. 

If I had no insurance. 

How can this happen in America? See the paragraph above about our politicians being bought and sold by Big Pharma and other lobbyist groups. 

We are not a Third World country. Yet. But there are great swaths of this country that may as well be. There are people who are still not covered by insurance. Who still have no access to basic health care. Who still die because of ailments that would, in a different community, in a different economy, be treatable and perhaps eliminated. 

The Orange Menace (a/k/a Twitler) tried to kill off the ACA. Thankfully, enough people came to their senses, courtesy of grass roots activism, and over 40 million people were able to keep their coverage. So now, of course, it's the fault of the Dems. Who "wouldn't play nice" and were "not civil." 

(Side note: Why must Dems be civil when they're being stomped on by totally uncivil Republicans?) 

So the ACA stays. For now. We need to get our heads out of our collective rear ends. Universal health care needs to happen. Or expanding Medicare. One of the two is feasible, if we want it bad enough. 

If we're the Christian nation some people claim we are (though we are not now, nor have we EVER been a Christian nation), then why is health care such a verboten topic? Why is health care not a right? Or only a right for the rich. Or the covered?

Random Picture...


We have a Franken-elkie... Quinn had a number of cysts removed, and as you can see, she's pleased. Not. 

Four of them. One of them burst as they were prepping her, and was deep into the muscle - the one along her back. It was, at one point, 4" long, under the skin. The one on her flank, near her tail, was removed, but since she was under anaesthesia, she pooped, and it got infected. There's also another one under her collar, which we've had to wrap, because she's in the Tube of Shame. 

I believe there was another one near her neck, but I can't tell - I'm trying to pet her where she's not shaved. She's a "patch-hound" now. 

Hopefully, this will be the last surgery for a while. Except our poor darling has to go to the doggie dentist, with a problem in her tooth. It doesn't keep her from eating, but we want to take care of it before it gets bad. 

Which is why I'll be working for a long, long time... 

Rants, Rants, and a Sock...

First of all, I hope everyone had a happy Easter, a blessed Passover, and a successful Whatever-Else-You-Celebrate! Oh, and Happy Earth Day to our favorite Mother... 

The knitted Earth is, I believe, on Ravelry. Go take a look. It's adorable. You could probably make it out of stashed yarn.

For Earth Day, we didn't do anything huge; but I've begun a "compost" of sorts, using both Hubby's used coffee grounds and the tea leaves that I've steeped. I still can't convince him to use a compost ball - I'm still trying. Also still trying to convince him to use rain barrels... 

It's a process, I guess. Anyway, I'm still hoping that he'll come around. 

What we HAVE done is to order some seeds from Seeds of Change for our garden. All of them are certified organic and non-GMO. And I'll be "strongly suggesting" (he says "nagging") that he NOT use Round-Up this year. I'm kind of done with it. It's time we just tried to heal our little patch of Earth. 

2014 Monster Bleeding Heart

Speaking of which: Here's the 2014 edition of "The Monster Bleeding Heart." Lookee - it's just going to be huge this year. This is its 28th or 29th year, I believe. The two larger patches are the traditional pink. The little one at the top-ish there is a white one. It generally gets overshadowed by Big Pink, but then, the White is a bit smaller anyway. 

Sad news: I bought my friend Deb one; I missed the "sharing" date for cutting a bit off the Monster, so I just got her one. And her landscape company killed it, thinking it's a weed. Really??? Anyway, I told her where to get another one and suggested a plaque or sign or something. She said she'll definitely mark it.

Hubby and I are putting in a "bee, hummingbird, butterfly" kind of garden in the bed just to the left of the Monster. It's going to consist of lavender, Prairie Blazing Star, Coneflower, Black-eyed Susan and some herbs. He nixed a "prairie garden" kind of set-up. He's one of those "mostly manicured" guys. I'm still trying to convince him to just turn over that whole half of the front yard to me. That being said, he's probably right - the city probably wouldn't appreciate a big chunk of our front yard looking "weedy." Not exactly raging environmentalists, that lot!

Easter...

Antique 2-part lamb pan

So, the cast iron lamb turned out ok. But I had to do 2 of them, because the from-scratch pound cake was a little weird. It was served with berries and Cool Whip... It's my sister. She doesn't do "real" whipped cream. I've tried. I just know which battles to pick, you know? 

And then I did a "regular" lamb. Pardon, but I didn't get pics of him with eyes. My mom had the jelly beans, so I waited to get him put together. He's double-chocolate, so my BIL is now totally my biggest fan... 

"Black Sheep" Chocolate Lamb Cake

And the techno-colored deviled eggs? Yes, in this shot they look a little (ok - a LOT) weird. I was quite dubious about them myself, and convinced that everyone would hate them.

However (and no, didn't get that pic either), the colors settled overnight, and the "black" is really a lovely purple. And they were a HUGE hit. Nephew Kurt wanted "a bluuuuuuuuuuue egg!" and he was thrilled. It was super-simple to do, but I have to refine my "hard boiled egg" technique. Even though I used a recipe which GUARANTEED a clean shelling, it didn't happen. And it doesn't help that my left thumb is fused. Oh well. Hubby made more eggs using his mom's "patented" technique. So we'll see. 

Techno eggs

Next year, perhaps I'll not use the pickle relish and we can pipe them full. I think it's prettier and if someone objects, then next time, it's THEIR job. 

Finally, we got the food right, and we will continue to harass my sister. She made the potatoes. 

We're Polish for the most part. We like our spuds probably more than the Irish. She made scalloped potatoes, but they were gone before you blinked! You have to make a LOT of potatoes for our family. My kids teased her mercilessly and then said THEY would do spud duty, since "we know how to do it right." Luckily, they adore their aunt and she thinks they're magnificent kids. Which they are, of course...

The ham worked out just fine. The beet/horseradish relish? Not so much. I inherited that for next year. If you don't eat it (Mom) then you shouldn't make it!! It cleared out my sinuses, just fine, thanks... But it was entirely too strong. 

Oh, and I am now the family "Potica Queen." That's fine. It's time, likely. 

And the Exsultet went off fine. I have to grab the recording off my phone. I'm also now my church's "Chant Queen." Which is also fine. But we have "Easter Hangover." The Vigil lasted till midnight, I got home but didn't settle down till the wee-wee-wee hours, and we had to be up and out to Easter Mass at 10:30 a.m. I was hoarse, but it also went off quite well. Two pieces in Latin, one Mozart, and the usual Mass parts. It was lovely. 

Rant Number One...

REALLY, Cardinal Dolan??? Salon says you think women just "walk into the local 7-11 for birth control." Well, technically, birth control IS located in your local 7-11. 

It's called CONDOMS. Why a celibate old white guy thinks he can comment on birth control, even though he is a "Prince of the Church" is still beyond me. Look, Tim... (May I call you that, since I'm actually no longer a member of the Roman Catholic Church? I feel as if we need to get cozy for this conversation...) -- The Catholic Church, for ages upon ages, has shamed women. It has denied rightful leadership roles to perfectly competent women. It's told us that Mary Magdalene was a slut. It's told us that women need to "be quiet" in church. Hey, I didn't say it. It's in Paul's first letter to the Corinthians (1 Corinthians 14:34). It's told us that our place is to sit down, shut up, and produce babies. It ignored the early-alert systems that the nuns had when they were concerned about "Father" and some altar boys, banishing those nuns to peel potatoes in some outpost in the basement. 

But guess what? It's 2014... And women are doing a lot more than staying at home making babies. And guess what else? It takes TWO people to make a baby. I thought that you, being an educated man, might remember Biology 101. I don't know when YOU took that class, but I took it - taught by a NUN - in high school. And Sr. Faith pulled no punches in the "reproduction" unit. Our final exam included filling in the line drawings of both the male and female reproductive organs. 

So, why, Tim, do WOMEN have to walk into "the local 7-11" to buy birth control, specifically when said birth control works on MEN?? As I recall, birth control is against the tenets of the faith. So if we extrapolate a bit, we see that the "sin" is in the person committing it. So the WOMAN walking into that 7-11 is the one committing the SIN of purchasing birth control. Does she therefore commit the sin of having sex without intending to procreate? Again - let's shame the woman who has sex. Where's the man? 

Just asking...

Rant Number Two...

In the "Guaranteed to make you feel safer -- NOT" category is this little gem: the KKK is forming a neighborhood watch in Fairview Township, PA. No, I'm serious.

Truly. Here's the Time Magazine link. 

Yes, I spat my tea when I saw this. "Oh, but it's NOT racial" they insist. 

Guys. White sheets. Sworn secret allegiance. Burning crosses. Whites only.

Yeahhhhhhhhh. Tell me how that's not racist. 

And yes, the cops know about it. And no, they can't do too much, because it's a "First Amendment" issue. You may hate the Klan, but you can't impose on their freedom of speech. 

Though they seem perfectly happy to impose upon yours. 

Sleep well, Fairview Twp, PA. 

Knitting...

The Pink Sock #2 is just about done. Well, about 85% done. I just put everything else aside and knitted. And knitted. And knitted. The heel was turned on Monday. The gusset was finished Tuesday. The foot is in progress. 

I really think the "grind it out" thing works well for socks. Not the other projects. I'll continue to rotate those through, but socks - they'll become the "instant gratification" items. 

It feels good to move the ticker. 

I know - I'm easy to please. 

Random Picture...

A pensive Quinny -- I'm really liking the Nokia 1020 camera. Still figuring out the whiz-bang parts of it, but we got all my stuff off the old camera, onto SkyDrive, and I'm going to continue to organize them into files. 

Quinn thinking...

I think I'm consolidating the Tippi TDI pics. Once they're on her FB page, I don't need to keep all of them. 

Quinn is doing quite well. She's playing with Raisa, she and Tippi are in a period of truce, and she's actually becoming calmer. 

She's a cutie-pie and while she frustrates me sometimes, she's a faithful guard dog who is very attached to us. Not sure how she'll handle it when Kid #2 moves out, but she'll still have us. 

Raisa is finally nearer-to-heat and we're not sure if we'll be taking her to obedience class this weekend. Dog in heat + PetSmart + stupid owners? Recipe for disaster.

And Tippi the Robo-Dog is continuing to please everyone as a therapy dog. She's not the fastest walker, and yesterday she had to sniff Every. Blade. Of. Grass. 

But she helped a parent and child at Will County Children's Advocacy Center, and that's what she's the best at.