Monday, 4 June 2018
Ether in the 17th C was everything between things. I heard the title phrase somewhere, noted it, and forgot where I heard it*. Well, it’s noted again, for whatever it’s worth. Is this ether more like the sunlight or the shadows? Still pondering…but not tremulous (timid, nervous, shaking, or quivering) in the pondering.
* Yeah, should have noted source as well as phrase. My bad.
Sunday, 3 June 2018
Without planning to, one of our Paris wanders last March took us by Court Philippe Chatrier at Roland Garros. Lots of construction going on on the lanes between the courts. Of course, no tennis players in sight, only construction workers and perhaps engineers(?), also wearing boots and hard hats…but their clothes were clean…and they tended to carry rolls of charts/maps(?).
Saturday, 2 June 2018
I’ve already ranted about it being JUNE, so I won’t return there.
I’m observing the process of the daylength stretching out, although dark is still dark for a long night. Soon, however, summer-hours will make it light light light for a long long long time.
Friday, 1 June 2018
How do you obtain consumer advice that you trust?
I do not have a specific answer to that…. But with that observation in mind….
I do not recall the (internet website search) chain/series that lead me to the advice that this was a fine “sharpening steel,” and surely the decision to buy was certainly my own.
I knew what the object looked like when I placed the order, and it didn’t have that knurled look I associate with a high-quality steel. However, even so, I did click the “send it to me” equivalent, despite major concerns about the does-not-look-like-the-historic-versions concept. I have solid memories of my grandfather and my uncle (his son) using a steel in a theatrical amount prior to using the carving knife at the table on a major chunk of animal flesh (e.g., a whole roasted turkey or leg of lamb). Solid memories on how to sharpen a carving knife….
However….
I can report that this is an outstanding steel, despite that it is not in the…Victorian? (gnarled) style. This steel makes my knives so edgy, so sharp, that I am exceedingly super careful with them.
And my knives, now sharpened/honed with this steel, they are superb tools…for cutting….
It’s JUNE, June, I say. June. I’m still in shock…or I’m slow to adjust????
Thursday, 31 May 2018
We picnicked tonight—the kind of picnic where we go to the neighborhood deli and get goodies, then take them to…tahdah!…our niece’s new place,* her first with her fiancé. Yay.
And the rich desserts did me in. The happy kind….
* Interesting window patterns in the new place, a duplex in a nice old neighborhood not far from our own. Humid out tonight, drippy humid, so it was good to eat inside in the AC….
Wednesday, 30 May 2018
We have been in the outer rain band zone of Alberto for quite a while. All day today, too. Here’s a rain phase. Windy, too.
And here’s a brilliant-sun phase of the dark-light cycle.
Tuesday, 29 May 2018
Our plantings include two kinds of gardenias. These are the sockets of the blooms I’ve posted a time or two recently. They are done done.
And, at the other end of the planting, are these…blossoms with more layers of petals. Are they “doubles,” “more complex,” whatever is the term? Their scent is different, still gardenia, however, and still intoxicating.
Monday, 28 May 2018
At the moment, I’m calling this a pork stack. It’s a composed meal with a rice mixture (that I won’t buy again) on the bottom, then a mixed veg layer (mostly greens—bok choy and spinach, plus green onions), then sautéed pork loin medallions on top. Soy, no ginger or garlic (forgotten) for the main sauce-y flavorings. And, on the very top, a scatter of the green parts of the green onions for visual interest and flavor.
Just whipped it up, and that’s why I forgot several bits I would have added if I had taken longer. I’m really proud that I managed to make it in one pan (rice) and one skillet (the other two, veg first, then meat).
This isn’t particularly original, as it’s essentially a stir-fry. Tasty, however!
Sunday, 27 May 2018
I saw these blooms poking through this fence, and I thought, aha, there’s my post photo.
Then, I came across this hydrangea, and I thought, hmm, which is my photo?
When I later came across this delicate bloom, I thought, well, it’s not so easy to choose.
So, here’s a trio, and you pick your fave. I sure couldn’t.
Saturday, 26 May 2018
This tulip poplar seed cone has fallen from its perch, its progress frozen in time. What a display on the sidewalk, however!
Similarly, these gardenias are fading. The pristine white blooms turn yellowish and darken after a bit, eventually becoming brown and desiccated. The smell lingers longer than you’d expect.