When in doubt, go to dictionary.com for the correct spelling and meaning of a word. Here are a few favorites for today; culled from NPR news articles. We could play a guessing game as to which stories, but “NO!”.* (not necessary)
* quote from Ted Stevens (R) Alaska
lewd, semiotics, venue, nefarious, evacuees
last but not least- a new m Art ha Stewart word: imaginate.
I am juggling several books again. As I try to finish HP #7, (I’m on Chapter 23) ,I was distracted by several books that came in earlier than expected from my online library reserve list.
Jon Katz has written several Bedlam Farm books about his new life on his farm in upstate New York near the Vermont border. He is a gentleman farmer/writer of animal stories. Very enjoyable reads! Funny and true to life!
I accidently found Monique and the Mango Rains (2007) by a former Peace Corps volunteer. It is a true account of a midwife in Mali, West Africa. Kris Holloway spent 2 years ( 1989-1991) as Monique’s assistant in birthing babies and providing health care in an underdeveloped nation. I can hardly put this one down. (618.2 H)
I am also perusing several travel books and travel journals about Alaska. It’s a new hobby and a not- so- new dream. Our 30th wedding anniversary is June 2008. This could and should happen!
My absolute favorite ‘contemporary’ children’s dog book is called Bark, George by Jules Feiffer. (1999) I have not forgotten Harry the Dirty Dog series. I grew up with those. Soon, I will share a few charming dog stories. In the meantime, check out Bedlam Farm or Bark, George for some remarkable dog laughs!
There is a new commercial for a certain brand of gum. It features a new word for our vocabularies called “chewphoria!” A good looking, trim young man is waiting in line to go through airport security. He pops a piece of this absolutely deelicious gum into his mouth and begins dancing while taking off his belt and more. You have to see this and I hope you do real soon! And considering the problems I create for myself with impatience towards TSA employees, I need to remind myself of this and put a piece of gum into my mouth before my next flight.
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Soon, I will be sharing some recently heard and reminisced true cat stories. meow!
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I recently had a flashback to an author I occasionally read and admire. I don’t read all of her books, but do enjoy her website, Pie making abilities, penchant for drawing people together and her tenacity in a varied lifespan writing career. Her name is Joyce Maynard. The two books that have had an impact on my life are: Domestic Affairs Enduring the Pleasures of Motherhood and Family Life 1987(an autobiography of her child raising experiences with her former husband- Steve Bethel- illustrator of the children’s book she wrote called New House 1987) plus a newer book for young adults called The Usual Rules 2003 (fiction concerning 9/11 and NYC.)
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Joyce_Maynard
Here’s what you need to know about a parenting book written 20 years ago. At that time, I enjoyed reading about her cooking forays and gourmet flair. I liked her style of writing. However, I thought she was neurotic about gathering the best toys for her 3 kids. She would go out in the middle of the night in New Hampshire winters before Christmas to buy the best presents at some 24 hour WalMart clone. I would still rather sleep, not be out on icy country roads alone and Barbie dolls are just not that important to me in the grand scheme of life. So her writing had the effect of…”I would never aspire to that consumerism lifestyle and look what happened…she and her husband split up.” The gourmet cooking didn’t help. Anyway, it was a long time ago and I’m sure my opinion is not what sells her books.
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We just got back from a whirlwind trip up to DC. We enjoyed the B&B life for one night and a trip to a remarkable grocery store named Wegman’s. Sorry Ukrops, you can’t hold a candle to their very full parking lot on a Sunday afternoon or their gourmet selections of ready to eat foods and wines. Prices were reasonable.
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Speaking of candles:
Please hold all past and current VA Tech students and faculty “in the light”. The fall semester has begun.
Pad Thai for two
(can be vegetarian if you buy the meal starters fake-o chicken strips or tofu- cubed)
You will need: canola oil, egg, pkg of rice noodles, green onions, chopped peanuts, fresh bean sprouts, lime wedges and cilantro plus chicken, shrimp, pork, cubed tofu or fake-o veggie chix strips.
Soak rice noodles according to directions for stir-fry. Heat 2 T. oil in wok or large skillet over medium high heat. Add 1 beaten egg. Scramble lightly ; about 20 seconds. Add the protein- whatever you chose. Add 2 more T oil and stir fry until cooked through. Add drained rice noodles. Stir fry 2-5 minutes until firm but tender. Add 4 chopped scallions, 1/3 cup chopped peanuts and Pad Thai Sauce. (yes- this does come in a box mix- however we improvised and used Mr Yoshida’s sweet and savory oriental gourmet cookin’ sauce from Sam’s . ) Stir fry about 1 minute. Stir in 2 cups bean sprouts. ( sprout your own- don’t accept limp ones from the store!) 
Serve hot, garnished with lime wedges and cilantro. ( I am not a cilanto fan- so leave it out it if you aren’t a fan either!) Delicious! Yum Yum! ***** ( The secret ingredient is the rice noodles.)
Key Lime Pie
Make your own graham cracker crust. (Please- it’s easy!)
You will need:
3 eggs; separated, 1/2 cup fresh key lime juice, 1 can sweetened condensed milk ( I used no- fat!), 1/4 cup sugar.
Combine the egg yolks, the condensed milk and the juice. Stir until thoroughly combined. The acidity of the juice thickens the milk and eggs into a custard.
Slowly add the sugar to the egg whites and beat them until stiff but not dry.
Spoon the custard evenly into the pie crust. Spoon the beaten egg white white on top of the custard and distribute evenly. Bake @ 350 for 23 minutes or until meringue is lightly browned. Chill before serving! Makes a 9 ‘”pie.
(I found key limes at The Fresh Market. They are “adorable!” Yes, I used a citrus reamer to squeeze all the juice out. It was worth the time & effort. Note: the pie is not green- it is a light yellow. No food coloring is needed. )
