I did wake up! Yay! I'm hobbling about and just hoping the healing process is rapid. I start physical therapy on Monday...
Sunday, October 26, 2008
Friday, October 24, 2008
Knee Surgery
I have knee surgery in just a few hours. My nerves are rattled! Anyhow, I hope to report that all went well soon... I'm having my ACL reconstructed (using part of my patellar tendon) and my medial meniscus trimmed arthroscopically. Wish me luck, please.
Strange anaesthesiologist claims that I'm a high-risk population group for an epidural and won't do it, so I have to go under general anaesthesia. If I don't wake up, y'all look into that, okay? Seems to me that I'm the exact target population for an epidural! In the midst of those childbearing years...
Note the note of paranoia in there! This is how I get in high-stress situations! Alright, I'm going to go try and get a little rest.
Strange anaesthesiologist claims that I'm a high-risk population group for an epidural and won't do it, so I have to go under general anaesthesia. If I don't wake up, y'all look into that, okay? Seems to me that I'm the exact target population for an epidural! In the midst of those childbearing years...
Note the note of paranoia in there! This is how I get in high-stress situations! Alright, I'm going to go try and get a little rest.
Wednesday, October 15, 2008
Scrambled Eggs No-Go
Well, I tried the blended cauliflower in the scrambled eggs this morning, and I ended up eating them all myself! I actually thought they were delicious, but my family of cauliflower-haters were not fooled in the slightest and gently let me down with, "these are the worst eggs I've ever tasted!". So much for that quite nice idea from Jessica Seinfeld's Deceptively Delicious cookbook!
Remembering Uncle Richard Ard
My Uncle Richard passed away yesterday. He was my grandfather Emmett's younger brother. In many ways, Richard functioned much like Granddaddy's oldest son, and it pains me to know how my grandfather must be hurting right now.
Emmett was 14 years older than Richard. Their father, John Henry Ard, abandoned them for many years when Richard was just a small boy. Emmett, a good-looking, rugged football player, quit high school to go to work to support his mother and siblings. He was energetic, loud, cocky and quite dashing, and Richard looked up to him greatly.
Richard Ard grew to be a quite handsome and responsible man. He had seven children with his wife Louise, who sadly passed away many years ago from cancer. Richard's family has always been the anchor of the Ard clan. Strongly connected to one another, they are the center of our Ard family reunions and get-togethers. They are a loving, hard-working group of genuine Southern folk who are entrenched in good-hearted family values and actually seem to enjoy each others’ company.
His family has my long-term respect and gratitude for always being dependably supportive. They were all, of course, at my Uncle Felton's funeral. While many of my very close and intimate relatives from ‘right down the road’ failed to attend my own wedding, my Uncle Richard's clan was all there--unfailingly present despite the distance.
I credit both Uncle Richard and my granddaddy with the strength of Uncle Richard's family. Whereas my own grandfather Emmett suffered from the lack of a father, he provided that role for Uncle Richard, and they have always been close. Despite John Henry's poor example, my grandfather pulled through and stayed consistent to his family—thereby providing a consistent example for his younger brother Richard to emulate. Emmett did suffer through a bit of alcoholism in his early years, per his father's example, but he had the strength of mind to overcome that for the sake of his family, and he became a strong Christian and, eventually, the Reverend Emmett Ard--an enthusiastic and devout Pentecostal Holiness minister. I still recall his “Jumpin’ for Jesus” sermon… I thoroughly enjoyed it and have rarely witnessed such charisma in the pulpit!
Uncle Richard was a grounded Capricorn man (though I doubt he even knew that he was a Cap!) who kept his family close. He was always thoughtful of the younger folks. I recall that I was staying with my grandparents for a bit the summer of my 16th birthday, and I thought that my grandparents had completely forgotten that it was my birthday. However, Uncle Richard came by their house for a visit, and Granny mentioned, while they rocked on the porch, that it was my birthday. Though he had been clueless about that fact, he showed great diplomacy. Granny obviously didn’t want to make a big deal about my birthday, so he didn’t either, but he did slip me some cash, whispered ‘Happy Birthday’, and gave me a warm hug—which meant so much to me, after my Granny and Granddad’s seeming indifference throughout the entire day (how I do hold a grudge!). Uncle Richard provided the only bright moment of my 16th birthday, and I’ve always treasured that small, thoughtful gesture.
Granddaddy reaped what he sowed in quite a wonderful way… Emmett was the surrogate father and model for young Richard, and, accordingly, in Emmett’s late years, he received the love and support due a father from his eldest son. Uncle Richard lovingly visited Emmett regularly, and, when Emmett became ill with prostate cancer, Richard would drive some distance and work ceaselessly to keep up Granddaddy’s small farm for him—I believe more for moral support than for practical reasons. It did Granddad good to see his place maintained, and I maintain that it was done with the love and care of a son to his ‘father’.
Uncle Richard suffered from Parkinson’s in his last decade or so. It was debilitating and, I couldn’t help but feel, terribly unfair for a man who had given so much love and care and consistency to his family and community. In fact, there has been some association between a high rate of Parkinsonism in farmers and the synthetic chemicals used, but I won’t go into that now, though the cruel irony that Uncle Richard was being perversely punished for his years of helping my grandfather keep up his farm has always struck me. Of course, Uncle Richard kept his own farm as well, but the extra exposure while helping my grandfather could have only negatively contributed.
Uncle Richard was an anchor and a source of loving warmth in the Ard family. He was a man who doubtlessly had no idea the degree to which he inspired and encouraged and unified those around him.
Tuesday, October 14, 2008
Muffins and cookbooks
I was in a domestic mood tonight and made some applesauce muffins! Of course, I made two different batches--one wheat-free for Alex.
After becoming interested in my neighbor Angela's copy, I recently bought the cookbook Deceptively Delicious by Jessica Seinfeld, and it was fun to try one of her 'tricks' to increase veggie consumption in her picky kids. The muffin recipes incorporated applesauce and carrot puree.
The thought struck me that I end up changing recipes so much that I could record my own cookbook, completely based on others' recipes! I substitute so many ingredients! I really like the recipes mainly to provide a basic idea, especially with regards to spices and bases and such.
For example, I generally substitute ground flax seed for eggs in baking recipes, simply to increase fiber, decrease cholesterol, and increase beneficial fatty acids. Oh, and yes, studies have shown that the fatty acids are still beneficial, despite being exposed to oven heat! The flax meal acts like glue, practically! I've been a big fan of the flax meal since I first read about it probably 10 years ago (very helpful in my vegan days!). The substitution for one egg is 1 tbsp flax seed. Grind the flax seed in a coffee grinder, then combine with 3 tbsp water and let congeal for at least one minute before adding to the recipe. I keep my flax seeds in the freezer, as I generally don't bake that much and the oils tend to go rancid quickly if not kept there.
Then, of course, I make other substitutions, as Fiona and I avoid dairy and Alex stays away from gluten. I sometimes wonder how close my end product turns out compared to the intended recipe! Maybe it is different enough that no one would have a clue! I suppose cookbooks 'inspire' my creations, really. Michael's always teased me that I won't even set the microwave for the exact time that is recommended. I have to switch everything up!
Occasionally the switches actually don't work out so well. For example, soymilk just won't make decent pudding! At least, not as a straight substitution!
There's a sweet potato soup recipe that I occasionally make for the kids that calls for a cashew creamy base. I pureed the soup, as the kids dislike chunks of veggies, and I substituted peanut butter for the cashew butter and had a big hit with the kids! We have peanut butter soup now and then, which doesn't really resemble the original recipe all that much!
I suppose everyone does that, eh? I wonder how many people don't alter their creations based on convenience and preference? It's fun to realize that cookbooks are largely just variations on each other, though, and that our own variations actually can stand as independent recipes!
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After becoming interested in my neighbor Angela's copy, I recently bought the cookbook Deceptively Delicious by Jessica Seinfeld, and it was fun to try one of her 'tricks' to increase veggie consumption in her picky kids. The muffin recipes incorporated applesauce and carrot puree.
The thought struck me that I end up changing recipes so much that I could record my own cookbook, completely based on others' recipes! I substitute so many ingredients! I really like the recipes mainly to provide a basic idea, especially with regards to spices and bases and such.
For example, I generally substitute ground flax seed for eggs in baking recipes, simply to increase fiber, decrease cholesterol, and increase beneficial fatty acids. Oh, and yes, studies have shown that the fatty acids are still beneficial, despite being exposed to oven heat! The flax meal acts like glue, practically! I've been a big fan of the flax meal since I first read about it probably 10 years ago (very helpful in my vegan days!). The substitution for one egg is 1 tbsp flax seed. Grind the flax seed in a coffee grinder, then combine with 3 tbsp water and let congeal for at least one minute before adding to the recipe. I keep my flax seeds in the freezer, as I generally don't bake that much and the oils tend to go rancid quickly if not kept there.
Then, of course, I make other substitutions, as Fiona and I avoid dairy and Alex stays away from gluten. I sometimes wonder how close my end product turns out compared to the intended recipe! Maybe it is different enough that no one would have a clue! I suppose cookbooks 'inspire' my creations, really. Michael's always teased me that I won't even set the microwave for the exact time that is recommended. I have to switch everything up!
Occasionally the switches actually don't work out so well. For example, soymilk just won't make decent pudding! At least, not as a straight substitution!
There's a sweet potato soup recipe that I occasionally make for the kids that calls for a cashew creamy base. I pureed the soup, as the kids dislike chunks of veggies, and I substituted peanut butter for the cashew butter and had a big hit with the kids! We have peanut butter soup now and then, which doesn't really resemble the original recipe all that much!
I suppose everyone does that, eh? I wonder how many people don't alter their creations based on convenience and preference? It's fun to realize that cookbooks are largely just variations on each other, though, and that our own variations actually can stand as independent recipes!
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Friday, October 10, 2008
The Corkeys--the new New Yorkers
I've been missing Pamela Corkey and her son Oscar since they moved to New York over the summer. Pam was a breath of fresh air for me, and Oscar and my kids were starting to really hit it off.
Pam seems to exist in a state of continual search for maximum self-honesty and truth. She asked once, "why would anyone settle?" and I answered, "for sanity!"...but I so appreciate her unwillingness to settle and live 'in a box'!
Pamela is an utterly fascinating person to me. Her house was full of unique and interesting items. Her career in teaching film and her book-writing, both entrenched in dark humor, fill her days. Conversations with Pam tend to jump straight to the depths of my soul! She validates my perceptions and challenges my assumptions on life.
Pamela is one of those people who really experiences life with unsurpassed intensity. She feels life's changes with an excruciating awareness, but she is fearless about making almost any change that feels resonant and true. I worry about her seeming lack of short-term self-preservation there, but she expects great strength from herself and therefore delivers!
Pamela has two sons--tall Milo, who is fairly grown and independent, and Oscar, who Pamela adopted at birth and with whom she has an incredible bond and understanding. They have a quirky, playful banter and interaction that makes Pamela's intensity more manageable for Oscar, I think...
Anyway, I'm happy for Pam finding a happier home in New York. She feels more comfortable in the city life there, with all of the cultural opportunities and progressive attitudes. I, too, can relate to her desire for those things--which is part of why I miss her so much here in Savannah! It was so refreshing to spend time with her!
Good Luck to Pam and Oskey in NY!
Monday, October 6, 2008
Overwhelming Pride
I've always been a parent who idealized the idea of trying to allow my children space to make their own decisions. Alex is very independent, and he operates within our structure on his own. He's such a boy! He's doing quite well, though, and I am very proud of him.
Fiona, however, has taken to heart my goals and objectives for her. She tries so hard to be as good as she can, and she cares so much! It's incredibly endearing, and my maternal pride is busting at the seams nonstop! She doesn't do it just to please me, but she absorbs my goals and attitudes and makes them her own, with a formidable strength of mind and drive!
Anyhow, I suppose I'm trying to find a balance. You know, to try to avoid living vicariously. The harder she strives, the more tempting it is! I found myself yesterday making plans for her to eventually play the flute, which is what I did when I was eleven. Not that there's anything wrong with it, but I don't want to saddle her with my life!
At the same time, it's our job as parents to try to provide opportunities to our children, so I do get excited about her having violin lessons and taekwondo classes and such!
I suppose it's okay to be proud as long as we try to maintain some detachment and refrain from forming too many hopeful expectations, which pop up more and more frequently, the more Fiona shows her willingness to strive towards my own favored objectives! Regardless of my logic here, I do feel like I have a perfect little girl. She's kind, caring, perceptive, funny, athletic, sweet, loving, artistic, intelligent, and beautiful. Can I really be expected to temper my pride? :)
Fiona, however, has taken to heart my goals and objectives for her. She tries so hard to be as good as she can, and she cares so much! It's incredibly endearing, and my maternal pride is busting at the seams nonstop! She doesn't do it just to please me, but she absorbs my goals and attitudes and makes them her own, with a formidable strength of mind and drive!
Anyhow, I suppose I'm trying to find a balance. You know, to try to avoid living vicariously. The harder she strives, the more tempting it is! I found myself yesterday making plans for her to eventually play the flute, which is what I did when I was eleven. Not that there's anything wrong with it, but I don't want to saddle her with my life!
At the same time, it's our job as parents to try to provide opportunities to our children, so I do get excited about her having violin lessons and taekwondo classes and such!
I suppose it's okay to be proud as long as we try to maintain some detachment and refrain from forming too many hopeful expectations, which pop up more and more frequently, the more Fiona shows her willingness to strive towards my own favored objectives! Regardless of my logic here, I do feel like I have a perfect little girl. She's kind, caring, perceptive, funny, athletic, sweet, loving, artistic, intelligent, and beautiful. Can I really be expected to temper my pride? :)
Saturday, October 4, 2008
A lemonade stand, taekwondo testings, and a spaghetti dinner
Lillian and Fiona were up at the crack of dawn, whispering and giggling in Fiona's room. They were wearing purple sweatshirts and fitted pajama pants for their sleepover.
Alex also woke up bright-eyed and hurriedly pulled on some warm clothes and went outside to set up his lemonade stand--for the neighbors were having a yard sale and he was seizing an entrepreneurial moment!
Leaving Alex to mind his lemonade stand (as the neighbors looked out for him), we took Fiona to her testing for decided brown belt. We were very excited when Fiona was unexpectedly invited to be in the Leadership Club today! These are entirely different classes, and it's an honor!
We dashed home and brought the lemonade inside, although Alex was having a very successful stand, as we had to get to his taekwondo testing. We've just gotten home from that.
Alex is now recommended for his 2nd degree black belt, and he'll hopefully test for his 2nd degree belt in 2.5 months or so. Until then he can ogle it as it hangs on the dojang wall, awaiting that time!
Alex broke all three boards at testing, which was exciting! Though his sparring was not quite up to par with what I expected, his form was sharper than I've ever seen it.
After all that excitement, we are home for just a couple of hours. I soon need to cook three pounds of spaghetti noodles for the church spaghetti dinner tonight! We are all going to crash tonight after this busy, but good, day.
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Alex also woke up bright-eyed and hurriedly pulled on some warm clothes and went outside to set up his lemonade stand--for the neighbors were having a yard sale and he was seizing an entrepreneurial moment!
Leaving Alex to mind his lemonade stand (as the neighbors looked out for him), we took Fiona to her testing for decided brown belt. We were very excited when Fiona was unexpectedly invited to be in the Leadership Club today! These are entirely different classes, and it's an honor!
We dashed home and brought the lemonade inside, although Alex was having a very successful stand, as we had to get to his taekwondo testing. We've just gotten home from that.
Alex is now recommended for his 2nd degree black belt, and he'll hopefully test for his 2nd degree belt in 2.5 months or so. Until then he can ogle it as it hangs on the dojang wall, awaiting that time!
Alex broke all three boards at testing, which was exciting! Though his sparring was not quite up to par with what I expected, his form was sharper than I've ever seen it.
After all that excitement, we are home for just a couple of hours. I soon need to cook three pounds of spaghetti noodles for the church spaghetti dinner tonight! We are all going to crash tonight after this busy, but good, day.
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Wednesday, October 1, 2008
Greening Our Lives
I'm struck this morning with the 'green' bug. I'm so happy about using my cloth bags at the grocery store this morning, about picking the basil for Alex's pesto out of the back yard, about noticing how quickly compost is created in the summer heat...
It's a challenge to figure these things out sometimes. We have to balance comfort, finances, time, and other practicalities with our green efforts.
On the up side, I have been very responsible about using my cloth bags lately. I've rarely forgotten them! My plastic bag supply is dwindling (thank goodness!), as I still utilize them for sundry things--for garbage and putting produce in after I get home from the store... Michael seems to have picked up the cloth bag practice a bit more, as well. I had a whole space in the pantry stuffed with the bags, and I now use that space for our placemats:).
Our garden is again not doing so well... but the basil is really flourishing. I'm going to have to figure out some recipes! Honestly, I'm not so sure that we've done the environment any favors with our garden, given our extremely low production and expensive water wastage!
Now that Fiona and I have figured out that we shouldn't consume dairy, we're another step closer to vegan and that much greener. Being more veg in your diet is one of the most environmental habits you can create! It's not bad for your health, either!
While I was proud of how much we stayed home this summer (thereby wasting less gas), I noticed that our electric bills were phenomenally high, a side effect of spending so much time here. I've been very spoiled abut wanting a quite cool and comfortable indoor temp, and I have been terrible about blasting our energy-inefficient air conditioner! Michael and I would absolutely love to get an energy-efficient air conditioner and then some solar panels... Truly, though, despite our energy-efficient clothes washer and dryer, we must be one of the families with the worst energy consumption!
It's a constant labor of love. I would love to somehow figure out how to implement the bus stystem or ride our bikes. I dream of getting a new A/C and the solar panels. I hope to keep reporting progress on our green journey!
Perhaps the most important thing, though, is to reduce consumption. There's a lot we can do from that perspective. We used to be so great about buying used products, but that's not happening as much these days. We do use the library, though, and I try very much to not waste any more gas than is necessary. I've been better about carrying water bottles with us and not purchasing disposable ones... I do think it's important to give ourselves credit, as otherwise we may simply forget to do the good things that we do!
That said, I admire folks who have very little 'stuff'. Kasi, Fiona's neighbor friend, has a closet with perhaps a third as many clothes as my little girl! I admire that, as it takes a bit of organization and orderliness to make it work, and I'm a bit embarrassed about the sheer volume of all our stuff!
It's a challenge to figure these things out sometimes. We have to balance comfort, finances, time, and other practicalities with our green efforts.
On the up side, I have been very responsible about using my cloth bags lately. I've rarely forgotten them! My plastic bag supply is dwindling (thank goodness!), as I still utilize them for sundry things--for garbage and putting produce in after I get home from the store... Michael seems to have picked up the cloth bag practice a bit more, as well. I had a whole space in the pantry stuffed with the bags, and I now use that space for our placemats:).
Our garden is again not doing so well... but the basil is really flourishing. I'm going to have to figure out some recipes! Honestly, I'm not so sure that we've done the environment any favors with our garden, given our extremely low production and expensive water wastage!
Now that Fiona and I have figured out that we shouldn't consume dairy, we're another step closer to vegan and that much greener. Being more veg in your diet is one of the most environmental habits you can create! It's not bad for your health, either!
While I was proud of how much we stayed home this summer (thereby wasting less gas), I noticed that our electric bills were phenomenally high, a side effect of spending so much time here. I've been very spoiled abut wanting a quite cool and comfortable indoor temp, and I have been terrible about blasting our energy-inefficient air conditioner! Michael and I would absolutely love to get an energy-efficient air conditioner and then some solar panels... Truly, though, despite our energy-efficient clothes washer and dryer, we must be one of the families with the worst energy consumption!
It's a constant labor of love. I would love to somehow figure out how to implement the bus stystem or ride our bikes. I dream of getting a new A/C and the solar panels. I hope to keep reporting progress on our green journey!
Perhaps the most important thing, though, is to reduce consumption. There's a lot we can do from that perspective. We used to be so great about buying used products, but that's not happening as much these days. We do use the library, though, and I try very much to not waste any more gas than is necessary. I've been better about carrying water bottles with us and not purchasing disposable ones... I do think it's important to give ourselves credit, as otherwise we may simply forget to do the good things that we do!
That said, I admire folks who have very little 'stuff'. Kasi, Fiona's neighbor friend, has a closet with perhaps a third as many clothes as my little girl! I admire that, as it takes a bit of organization and orderliness to make it work, and I'm a bit embarrassed about the sheer volume of all our stuff!
Alex's Reluctant Maturity
Alex impressed me yesterday. Not that he planned or wanted to, but out of sheer practicality and common sense, he showed some newfound maturity.
We were at Fiona's taekwondo class, and, for the first time ever there, without being told and without my even being aware of it, Alex started working on his homework. I only knew about it because he came to me in frustration with a question about it.
When I praised him for his self-direction and maturity in starting it on his own, he scowled and brushed off my praise, citing his very practical reasons for needing to go ahead and work on it.
On the way home, knowing full well he was still doing his homework, I asked if we could turn on our current audio CD's--InkSpell by Cornelia Funke. Alex grumpily retorted, "No, I really need to focus on finishing this worksheet." Fiona wasn't too happy about that, but she had her ever present artwork to keep her occupied. Honestly, I was as disappointed as Fiona, but how can you refuse to allow your kid to focus on his homework on the rare occasion that he wants to? Oh well, I guess I've got to try to be almost as mature as my 9-year-old...
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We were at Fiona's taekwondo class, and, for the first time ever there, without being told and without my even being aware of it, Alex started working on his homework. I only knew about it because he came to me in frustration with a question about it.
When I praised him for his self-direction and maturity in starting it on his own, he scowled and brushed off my praise, citing his very practical reasons for needing to go ahead and work on it.
On the way home, knowing full well he was still doing his homework, I asked if we could turn on our current audio CD's--InkSpell by Cornelia Funke. Alex grumpily retorted, "No, I really need to focus on finishing this worksheet." Fiona wasn't too happy about that, but she had her ever present artwork to keep her occupied. Honestly, I was as disappointed as Fiona, but how can you refuse to allow your kid to focus on his homework on the rare occasion that he wants to? Oh well, I guess I've got to try to be almost as mature as my 9-year-old...
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