Staying Grounded

The boys next door--captured with zoom

I was out late last night. Out in the yard. In the dark.  I had been absorbed in some Sunday night television with the husband but still wanted to sprinkle a few things, including some grass I had cut short on Saturday late afternoon.

While I was hosing the grass in the dark, with the full force of our downhill from the water tower pressure, I noticed this huge fire two doors over.

There is a rumor that the boys will be putting the house up for sale soon. The bunny haven that has been accumulating for years in the backyard is being chipped and/or burned in preparation for selling. They have some sort of fire pit, but a flame this huge must be illegal. My neighbor tells me they had a hose handy.

Fire and water. Basic and elemental since time began. But I was participating in a new and "groundbreaking" experiment with the earth--grounding in my yard. Let me explain.

I can't believe that I have never heard of this before, but there is a movement called earthing or grounding which encourages tapping into earth's charges--supposedly electrons--which have all kinds of "positive" effects on the body: thinning the blood, charging the blood cells to promote flow, and promoting anti-oxidant effects (reduction of those dreaded free radicals and reduction in the body's inflammatory response). And you sleep better. All this from going barefoot in the grass--damp grass for better conductivity. Grounding on the wet lake shore is also optimal, but even concrete will allow for the flow.

Those already on blood thinners are actually warned against too much grounding! 80 minutes and your blood is thinned!

So ... I put on some dirty lawn-mowing socks and did a little grounding while I watered.

Rubber-soled shoes block the flow. Most of our shoes, even my birks, have rubber bottoms. But I have some old leather moccasins that should conduct as well as my cotton socks. On the earthing sites I noted that I could order some, e.g., buffalo or bull-leather moccasins designed for grounding. Some have copper or other metal points in the shoes to help with the transmission of the "free" electrons, but the ones I saw were pricey. The center of the ball of the foot is reputed to be the optimal transmission point.

Since winter time in Michigan is tough for bare feet, one can also apparently hook up a grounding mat that is attached electrically to a ground outside, so you can ground while you compute.

How totally crazy does this sound to you?

Having just viewed another episode of the popular Under the Dome mini-series (which totally strains credulity), this actually seems somewhat plausible to me.

Perhaps I knew this truth as a young child. My parents were not successful in getting me to wear shoes. I loved to go barefoot and took my shoes off in the car and whenever I could. My brothers even called me a nasty (poopy) name as a result of my going barefoot in the farmyard.

So ... I dug out my (not earth shoes), but earthing shoes! Which daughter now regrets leaving them home? They are machine washed and sanitized and ready to do some grounding in my yard!

Cake at the Lake

Another Costco Cake - it was supposed to say Birthdays

I had hoped to avoid eating so much birthday cake this year. However, with three July birthdays in our book club, I thought I would bring a cake to the lake for this year's golf outing, book discussion and cottage cookout. I planned dinner for 16 and served 15. People seemed to enjoy the cake but we also had brownies and ice cream available and people were either too full or too careful to indulge in large servings, so I was left with way too much cake to take home. It was cut up and put into individual serving containers in the freezer, but they were really easy to thaw and kept calling to me.

Like the flawed Florentino in my book club selection, Love in the Time of Cholera (who claimed to have kept himself a virgin while "courting" 622 women in his lifetime before he finally is united with his true love Fermina Daza late in life), in my heart I am anti-sugar and anti-carb, while along the way I have failed at least a thousand times. Today my daughter and son-in-law helped me finish the last piece. Next month, they both have birthdays. Will this mean another cake?

Not only did I "take the cake"--I failed to "walk the walk."

Two Women and a Truck

Today my friend and I spent a good chunk of the day in a truck. It was warm and we were in my uncle's red pickup with windows open and hair blowing.

After packing our load in the morning, including my friend's massive vine that she pulled off her pergola, we stopped at the drive-thru of a Tim Horton's, inquiring about the free coffee deal. It was 12:04 on my clock and although the offer ended at 12:00 noon, we sweet-talked our way to some coffee with cream, also purchasing some yummy apple fritters. The employee at the window was nice and even said, "You ladies have a nice day."

Ha! Ladies? I hardly felt like a lady. As we bumped along the road to the yard waste site with our load of brush, our hot coffees spilled a little. I had my work capris on, now newly stained with creamy coffee; I had my faded work hat crammed down over my pony tail; my dirty work gloves were on the seat between us.

It occurred to me that feeling like a lady at all was a ludicrous notion. Sometimes I see perfectly-coiffed white-haired grandmas with lips painted red, driving around in their older classic cars, looking very much like ladies. But will that ever be me? Do I ever even want to be called a lady? I imagine a day when I can no longer mow the lawn or mount the seat of a truck. It's getting more difficult every year! Maybe I will become a lady then ... in 10 or 20 years or so? It's not so hard to be a lady if you're sitting around in a chair most of the day.

After unloading our branches, we uploaded about 15 bags of wood chips, free for the taking. And then we stopped again, for diet Cokes and McDoubles, with bottom buns removed and hamburgers flipped up, per usual.

A photo from last August - I kindly cropped her buns!

Our second goal, besides stopping for refreshments 3 times, was to shovel 500 pounds (about $40) of Suwanee rock from Minnesota into pails to spread around the liner of my aunt's waterfall pond.

It was still hot and humid as we shoveled the pebbles into small pails that we could lift easily. The five gallon pails we lifted together, on the count of three. I have a photo of my friend wiping her brow as we loaded up the last few containers. She actually looks pretty good in her basic black. But it's a good thing you can't see her hot red face, or the coffee spills--definitely not lady-like!

We almost depleted the supply of stones--more stones are on order from MN.

After all this work (and still needing energy for the unloading), we once again rewarded ourselves--with a small chocolate dipped cone from the Dairy Queen drive-thru, chocolate chunks sliding off onto my dirty clothes.

On the way home I also indulged myself with a few purchases from my neighborhood gay guy's garage sale that I had passed up earlier. My friend bought those multi-colored plant watering globes. I bought 3 coffee mugs (against all my rules once again) which I couldn't resist for $.50 each and a pewter tray for my daughter.

After a long soak in a hot tub, scrubbing my toes and nails clean, applying some fragranced body lotion, and tossing all my dirty clothes into the washer--I felt more like a lady again--or at least, a woman.

As long as there is plenty of soap and hot water available, I clean up pretty well. I am guessing that having to wash up using a bowl and pitcher on my bureau would prove inadequate. And if I had to wear corsets and frocks every day--with no air-conditioning--even if I were rich, lived in a mansion and had a whole house full of servants--I wouldn't trade this dirty/clean, un-lady-like life I enjoy! I hope my friend continues to feel the same way, because we always have fun adventures together!!

I will probably never be a lady. But ... I am woman, hear me roar...or is that just my bad muffler?

The Twinkies Comeback

The sweetest comeback in the history of ever?

THE HISTORY OF NEVER
I have been thinking about avoiding falling as I get older and more clumsy. And I am trying to learn to be more careful. But I recently said out loud that I haven't fallen in a long time. So I fell--twice. Once I tripped on the wheel of the wheelbarrow while carrying some rocks. I sprawled out on the (soft, recently watered) lawn, rocks and glasses flying in different directions. This week I was hauling water in the rain and slipped on a muddy downhill patch, sliding on my khaki capris, my water jug flying. With each fall I twanged a shoulder a little, but was not really hurt.

For at least the last 20 years I have said I have never had a Twinkie. Which means I probably will have one. So today in the store, as the sweet comeback of Twinkies took center stage, I bought a box--on sale--and ate a Twinkie. Thought I might as well get it over with, since it was bound to happen anyway!

They are not terrible, just terribly sweet. Somebody better come over and help me eat some, though. They are good until August 22, advertised to have an extended shelf life of 45 days now.

But I feel just a little bit terrible for having broken my pattern of Twinkie avoidance.

I also bought a red pepper. Is this not the most beautiful, healthy thing you can imagine eating? But I chose to eat the Twinkie, while the pepper is still looking gorgeous on my counter.

Why does it never, in the history of ever, sound good to have a pepper with my coffee or tea?

Stuck "Under the Dome"

After recently finishing Stephen King's autobiographical work, On Writing, completed after the accident that nearly took his life, I was intrigued to try one or two of his novels. I haven't ventured into that realm yet, but the husband had taped the much-hyped Under the Dome, which is a 13-part mini-series based on King's 2009 novel of the same name. So we watched it.

While watching the first episode on the first of July, as the dome descends (?) on the town and splits a cow in half lengthwise (not really looking like the inside of a cow, but plenty graphically bloody--more like freshly ground hamburger) I was hooked. It turns out that nearly 17 million viewers watched with me.

After watching the second episode, I don't know whether to love it or leave it--or King. I recently re-watched a bit of Carrie and felt the same way. Why do I need to watch this stuff?

 I grew up with Little Women and Little House on the Prairie and no television at home until I was 17! Then we could watch Lassie and What's My Line--at least on Sundays--and it was a big step when my father graduated to Gunsmoke.

 I grew up with the (previously documented) violence of seeing a dying sow's throat slit, a warm pigeon gutted, and a pet pig taken to market for slaughter, but not the scary violence of science fiction, or vampire, terrorist or axe-murderer-type movies. I now am tentatively game for such things.

Strangely, I am looking forward to the third episode of Under the Dome on Monday night. We might tape it, but I will watch. Will you?

Seeking Solitude at the Lake

6 AM at Lake Michigan

I didn't really mean to stay up all night to see the dawn (and I might have dozed off for a few minutes), but last weekend I enjoyed a little more solitude than I had hoped for. (I did fall back asleep shortly after this 6 AM photo was taken).

So even though it was a holiday weekend, it turns out it was very quiet at night, except for crickets and birds. The Energizer Bunny surfer boys, down below--finally exhausted--were fast asleep.

Is it my camera or is it brighter a minute later?

The sunset the night before was a pretty good one, with lots of cloud patterns:

On Friday afternoon, as soon as we crested the dune, caught the first sight of Lake Michigan and inhaled the first whiff of the cool lake breeze, the stress began to roll down our backs and over the sand--disappearing into the lapping waves. Later, one sip of merlot and yes, we were mellow.

But by Sunday afternoon, having to clean up our mess, scrub the toilets, and pack up our leftover food and dirty laundry in the midday heat--the stress was back (and in my back). The last item to pack up--a large trash bag which held the remaining weekend detritus--developed a small leak, lightly spilling black coffee grounds down the deck stairs. All my work to clean up, and yet, I left a dirty little (if organic) trail in my wake. So annoying. I hoped it would rain clean or blow away in those awesome lake breezes soon. The brooms and hoses were all locked up and it was time to go.

Seeking Solitude in the City

I know that I have previously referenced the notion of solitude. I don't have anything more profound to say about it, but in my book, solitude always sounds more romantic in theory than it becomes in actualization.

My previous post explored the stark and quiet alone-ness I experienced late in the day and late-season at my aunt's lakeshore cottage. I did not detect one living soul, human or animal (okay, animals may not have souls, but I hope there are a few non-allergenic ones that make it to heaven) for miles around--and I was uneasy. I know there were deer in the forest, but deer are very quiet creatures.

If you are alone in an upstairs bedroom with the windows shut, reading (praying, meditating), you might experience a measure of solitude. But if you live in the middle of a city with neighbors near, there is always a dog barking down the street, a truck rattling over a speed bump, or especially lately, a firecracker exploding near by. And the birds have been really noisy this year--even at dusk. Or am I just becoming more annoyed with noise, the older I get?

It is difficult to find a place or a time that is both quiet and alone. I have experienced being miles distant from civilization many times, but I am almost never alone. And of course our smart phones now keep us connected at all times.

A pre-season exploration of the perimeters of Acadia National Park on Mt. Desert Island, Maine a few years back, with all its coves and forested areas, provided some escape. I will never forget "Thunder Hole"--at night, with a flashlight handy. You can google for a video of this unique spot.

I recall that hiking in the Rockies (with the family) provided a beautiful break from our more normal, peopled existence. An August ride up to the continental divide was quiet and surprisingly chilly.

My childhood farm at night, with stars the only light, felt pretty remote--but it was never silent. Sounds carry for miles in the country. I would analyze the train whistle triads from 5 miles distant through my open second-story bedroom window screen. Our neighbors a mile away claimed they could hear the alarm calls of our peacocks.

But today I experienced a tiny taste of solitude as I walked through a park alone. Even though there were streets with a modest amount of traffic nearby, there was not one soul in the park. I wonder how many cities have that kind of emptiness in their parks on a beautiful sunny (about 68-70 degrees) mid-morning. (Certainly not in Beijing!) I did not know whether to be happy or sort of sad, that all this lovely space was vacated--like the rapture had occurred.

I had met two friends for breakfast. Having never eaten at this restaurant, I had decided I would eat whatever G recommended. Well, she said the French toast was good. An hour later, with my stomach laden with that lump of bread and maple sweetness, washed down with lots of coffee, I felt the need to walk it off before heading home--so I crossed the street into the park.

"Children" playing in the park.

With the recent abundant rain, the fishing dock was inaccessible,

although tales were being told of previously caught fish:

A moment of respite, if not quiet, prevailed in the park,

and I am thankful to live in a place where one can occasionally escape people and enjoy the sights and sounds of nature!

Epcot - Topiaries and Teapots

Lady and the Tramp are soooo cute!

The topiaries that dominate the park during the Flower and Garden Festival are simply *amazing. How do they do it?

Well, as we were wondering aloud about it, a night worker who was taking his father to the park in a wheelchair overheard our conversation and told us that they have 15 topiaries in process for each character! Imagine that.

Some of the ways they use plant material are very creative. Here is a closeup of the tail of a Lion King figure--I think Mufasa.

Lion Tail

A cute panda in China

Dragon with "mist"

Twinings sponsored the teapots in the UK

Delightful Daisy Teapot

Erica snapped this monster's photo--

and this one.

These towers of flowers are everywhere.

The characters transform at night--is this Cinderella?

Epcot - Feasting at the Festival

beet pop - $1

What would a festival be without food? And drink! It was hot and we slaked our thirst in at least 4 countries!

Lunch was on the run and on the street. I couldn't manage the food and a camera but I recall some tasty tacos and a watermelon and goat cheese salad.

Later the girls sampled a beet lollipop!

Midday we cooled down at a little gem in Mexico,
La Cava del Tequila. I had a Coffee Mexcal Margarita
that was completely refreshing. Erica had the flight and Rebecca enjoyed a Jalapeno Margarita.

tequila flight and chaser

La Cava del Tequila bar

What a beauty, all dipped in pink Hibiscus Himalayan salt!

The next stop for refreshment was in Germany and I needed a coffee. I have no photos to help me recall what adult beverages the girls might have consumed.

Following the Herman's Hermits concert we again needed to cool off, this time in the Rose and Crown Pub in the UK. I had a Stella Artois to go--the bar was very busy and we soon took our beer to the street.

The girls set their beer down to meet Pooh and Tigger. Tigger was kind of crazy--I'll spare him the embarrassment of a photo.

We were getting hungry now and headed back to France to be on time for our reservation at Monsieur Paul, a newly remodeled upstairs restaurant that is upscale and yet allows for casual guests. I wonder if Rebecca knew that this was the most expensive restaurant in all of Disney! She looked pretty shocked when she saw the bill!!! I was her guest but chipped in a little for the meal, which was the best I've had in a long time. What a great way to end a Mother's Day!

The food was all fabulous. After that Stella and then sipping a bottle of red wine from the south of France--and having very little to eat--I was a little bit silly and garrulous. Our waiter was accommodating, but there was a slight language barrier and my girls were wishing I would just be quiet (shut-up) and enjoy the food!

The website menu I checked didn't have all the food, so I don't have all the entree names and descriptions. I should have had the beef, since a filet beats chicken any day, but Rebecca's Red Snapper with scallops of potatoes simulating scales, with fennel, in a rosemary sauce was a work of art. I wish I could think of the appropriate adjectives that would do justice to the rich tastes of these dishes, but I will let the photos do the talking. Click on them and once again, drool!

What an elegant place setting!

Erica digs in to the Truffle Soup

Three Chocolate Cake with chocolate ice cream

Epcot and a Herman's Hermits Concert - Mother's Day Weekend in Florida

When you visit a theme park you know there will be crowds and that it will be expensive, but I recently found that there also will be things to learn and some surprises along the way. And it will be a feast for the senses!

One of those surprises, as we were strolling through Epcot May 12, on Mother's Day, was happening upon a live Herman's Hermits concert. Peter Noone is now 65 and prancing around stage and singing the old hits just like he did when I attended a concert in Sioux Falls, South Dakota in the 60's. Apparently he has recently put himself on a successful diet and he looked great from a distance. He was my first and favorite, a few years before the other big British invasion band hit our shores--The Beatles.

What was more surprising is that both of my 30-something girls knew all the words to the old hits! It was a feast for the ears that brought me way back in time.

Not so much a feast for the eyes was all the grey hair in the audience, aging hippies with pony tails and this totally Disney dude:

My girls know how to navigate a park and we got our fast passes in a timely fashion. The simulated ride over California was pretty cool, with breezes, and even a whiff of orange as we passed over an orange grove, a little surprise for the nose.

Another highlight was the guided tour "Behind the Seeds." Our guide was from Iowa:

The guide shared a taste of the gardens with us - freshly sliced cucumbers.

Winter Melon

One "Cinderella" pumpkin required a hammock

Bananas!

Erica snapped this photo with her phone.

Every plant was productive and every leaf was perfect. It is a controlled environment where thousands of lady bugs are released strategically to control some of the undesirables.

Look at this perfect lettuce:

The lettuce was planted in a bi-color Mickey-ears pattern:

Erica took this photo on the ride--our guide for the seeds tour is in the back.

Even this hose was wound perfectly by a Disney staffer:

Next: The food (including feasting in France) and a few adult beverages along the way.