Recently, Frank and I went to dinner at The Country Cat. It's in our neighborhood, and we had a Chinook Book coupon. Frank got an entree called Sweet Briar Farms Whole Hog. There was an item on his plate that seemed to be dipped in cornmeal, and maybe pan fried, that wasn't mentioned in the menu description. Frank tried it, and said it was good. He offered me a taste.

In the past, I would have to know what something was before putting it in my mouth, but we were so thoroughly enjoying our dinner, I wanted to try everything. He was right; it was delicious. When the waiter came by again, we asked about it. We found out that it was headcheese.

Just a few short months ago, if someone would've offered me headcheese, I would've turned it down. Since I've been changing my eating habits, I'm open to new possibilities, and happy to have tried that.

I'm glad I've met you, and I hope you have a wonderful birthday!



Happy Birthday Glitter Graphics

If I'm doing a post about food, and wrote about meat, would it upset you? Would you be able to just skip my food posts without letting it ruin your day?

I don't want to be insensitive, and I do understand why someone would choose to be vegetarian, since I was myself for a long time. I'm just making different choices now.

Frank is taking a course in Nutritional Therapy, and their instructor suggested trying a new food each week. This week's new food was a pawpaw. My dad used to talk about pawpaws when I was a kid, because they grew wild where he grew up in Ohio and West Virginia. I don't remember actually having one, though. It was sweet, a little starchy, and quite delicious.

I finally got pictures from my camera to the computer. ( Here are a few pictures of my backyard garden. )

Happy Birthday Glitter Graphics





Dragon Glitter Pictures

Oh, look, hand-dyed yarn inspired by Palimpsest. I thought my fiber-arts loving friends would want to see this too.

I really, really, really wish it would rain.

Our next Portland Red Cedar Open Circle, in the SiSiWiss Tradition, will be on Sunday, August 30, at George and Suzi Mayer's home. We will gather from 6-7 p.m. to share pot-luck food and community, and begin our Circle at 7 p.m. All are welcomed. George and Suzi's home is 0206 SW Nebraska St., Portland, OR 97230. Let me know if you need more info.

Blogging about my day (which, yeah, I did like once) is a Catch-22. Every time I sit down in front of the computer, I spend more time than I planned to.

Today, I'm going to make, and can, peach/nectarine lavender jam with the yummy peaches and nectarines I got at the Montivilla Farmers' Market yesterday.

Did I accomplish anything yesterday? Let's see...

I obsessed about the letter from the apartment managers, and wrote a letter to them, which I re-wrote several times.

JOBS: I looked for jobs for me and for Frank. I applied for a job in Eugene.

CRAFT: Nothing, really. I'm intimidated by my sewing machine.

EDUCATION: Nothing.

GARDEN: Watered plants, harvested cherry tomatoes, peppers, swiss chard and herbs.

DOMESTIC: Went to New Seasons; made taco fixin's for gaming dinner, including using my tomatoes, peppers and herbs for salsa fresca, and making my Toci Sauce; mended a pair of my pants; straightened the living room; did the usual cat stuff: food, water, litterbox, attention.

I think that may be everything. That apartment situation took a lot of my energy.

I got this letter from my apartment management company (Reliance Property Management in Lake Oswego):

Dear Tenants,

We have received a complaint regarding loud noise. Your actions are causing disruptions to others in your neighborhood.

Please understand that during the hours of 11:00 PM to 7:00 AM, noise must be kept low enough to be heard only in the interior of your unit.

These actions will not be tolerated any longer. If we receive any other complaints concerning your unit, we will be forced to take further action, which could result in termination of your tenancy.

*******************************************************************

First of all, we are the quietest, most boring people, not just in the complex, but in the neighborhood! During those hours, we're usually asleep, even on the weekends. Also, we've been awesome tenants for over three years. The rent is always in their hands early, since I have our bank account set up to automatically send a check each month. And we take care of the place, including planting pretty perennials around the outside -- at my expense.

This letter does not give specifics to the complaint, or give us the opportunity to respond to the accusation. It assumes guilt, period. Can they do this legally? Oh, I'm not really planning to get a lawyer or anything. I already vowed to get out of this cramped, too hot in the summer, too cold in the winter apartment (and away from all of our noisy neighbors!!!!) I just don't see how they can write a letter like that? Don't tenants have a right to defend themselves against unfounded accusations?

I actually wonder if they're doing this to try to get us out so they can raise the rent.

These will be for me.

If I post an entry with no subject (defaults to the date, I believe), it's going to be just an accounting of what I actually accomplished that day, mostly for my own benefit. It will probably be boring for anyone else, thus I'm warning you ahead of time.

I almost never get sick... except, well, I have a fever. *sigh*

1. You can ONLY answer Yes or No .

2. You are NOT ALLOWED to explain ANYTHING unless someone messages/comments you & asks. And believe me, the temptation to explain some of these will be overwhelming... things are not exactly as they seem. (Wynne's note: I did not feel the overwhelming urge to explain, but that's me.)

3. It is harder than it looks. But NO explanations !!! You will want to...but don't!!!

Copy & paste this on your journal, delete my answers, and type in your answers.

( My answers )

Happy Birthday Glitter Graphics



Thank you for the wonderful music! I'm looking forward to seeing you perform at Faerieworlds!