John Walden, the husband of my sister Maggi, died last Friday.
John went in to hospital the previous Friday night for a kidney and pancreas transplant and the operation was a success. He came through beautifully and was actually producting insulin by the next day, which meant that he was no longer diabetic. They took him back in to surgery on Monday to sort out some internal bleeding, and that was OK too. But back in ICU a series of "seriously untoward incidents" (I think that's what they called it) happened, and he was deprived of oxygen. They kept him on life support for the next few days, just in case, but by Friday they were sure that his brain was dead. And so we - Maggi, John's mother (Jill), his best friend from childhood (Karen) and friends Andrea and David - gathered round his bed, drank a bottle of very good red wine, broke bread that he had made just before he went in, and allowed the doctors to turn off the machines.
He was 44. Maggi is - well, what can I say? - Maggi is suffering. And it breaks my heart to see her so. And there is nothing that I can say or do. Except sit with her. Like Job's friends.
I had jumped on a plane as soon as it was evident that things had gone awry. So I arrived at the hospital a few hours before he died. And can stay with her till after the funeral.
When is the funeral? Well, that's the awful thing, is that we don't know yet. Because of the nature of his death, they need to do a post mortem. And that's not till Monday. And they can't issue a death certificate until that's all finished. Hopefully after Monday, but it's not certain.
We are tentatively planning the funeral for next Friday (a week tomorrow) but it could turn out to be not till the following week.
Susie, our other sister, has been here for the last 5 days - but had to go home today to her family in Texas. Peter, Maggi's twin brother, arrives tomorrow. And one friend or another has been here with us all week.
This is such a sad time.
And yet...small miracles and graces have been happening all week. And, thankfully, Maggi notices. Some of the bureaucratic stuff we've had to do has been greatly eased by gracious, compassionate people. And I thank God for each one of those.
Not least has been that we 3 sisters have had this time together. One night we sat here in our flannel PJs drinking port, laughing uproariously one minute at something remembered from our childhood, crying and just sitting with Maggi in her pain the next.
If you want to contact us, please email me - ega at unc dot edu
And pray for Maggi.
...from a poem by my husband
Thursday, October 25, 2007
Thursday, June 28, 2007
How can I describe how wonderful it is to have a husband who wakes me in the morning with a cup of tea (properly brewed of course) on a tray with a vase of freshly picked gardenias? Honestly, I feel like a princess. It’s not always gardenias. And not always flowers at all. But more often than not, there is the cup of tea. This helps to make up for the disappointment of waking up to find I’m alone. Paul often wakens early and slips out – only to return later with the cup of tea. What a blessing he is.
Thursday, May 31, 2007
We are grandparents! Of approximately 20 keets (baby guineas) and 10 chicks. All except 8 of which were hatched under Mrs. Buffy - the broody hen we had borrowed from another farmer. They hatched nearly 2 weeks ago and she, bless her heart, seems not to know (or care) which are keets and which are chicks - they swarm around her in a state of constant motion (hence our inability to count the precise number) and every last one of them tucks in under her ample wings when it's time for a nap.
We had to bring 2 of the keets inside for special care - one with a seeming broken leg (who died after 5 days of a feisty battle) and one with little curled up toes which are now almost straight, thanks to the splints we put on him - kind of like snowshoes. His name is Big (because he was bigger than Little, the one who died) but now we've brought him 2 other healthy ones to keep him company he's actually quite small - but we continue to call him Big. He runs to you to be petted and will fall asleep on his feet when cooed at. We are totally enchanted, Paul, Nataw and I. (No kidding!)
We lost one chick to a black snake - which was caught in the act of strangling it. But not before it had snaffled down 6 eggs from the nest in the chook house - we know it was 6 because we could see the 6 egg shaped lumps in the snake's body. Ian, who is fearless of non-poisonous snakes and kind to animals, picked it up and took it a few miles down the road so that it can eat the mice at the horse farm there. Today, we are building a snake-proof enclosure for the chicks in a corner of the chook house.
Monday, as well as being Memorial Day, was our first wedding anniversary. And what a lovely one it was - our first year of marriage, that is, and the anniversary itself. We had breakfast outside on the deck and I gave Paul his present - a registration to a one-day writing and yoga workshop to be led by the UNC teacher whom he's been studying with this year. I had wanted it to be a surprise and so had had some email correspondence with Richard, asking him not to let on to Paul about it. And it was indeed a complete surprise - it brought tears to his eyes, the dear man. It was such fun to plan that.
The rest of the day was very mellow - we went to a nice co-op for lunch and then came home and laid in the hammock in the shade for most of the afternoon - meditating, snoozing, reading, talking.
Ian (Paul's oldest) and his girlfriend, Valeda, came over for a cookout - and it was just one of those evenings where you keep saying afterwards "oh, wasn't that a nice evening?"
We have been thinking over the last months about a name for our "farm" and Bed and Breakfast to-be. And I was drawn to naming it after the place where very dear friends live in Tasmania - "The Deepings." I knew it had special meaning for them, but could not remember what. And so had written to Roslyn, asking her to tell me the story again, and to ask if they would consider the possibility of us using the name.
On the morning of our anniversary came her reply. I quote, "We would be absolutely thrilled, honoured, and we are definitely absolutely humbled, that you should want to pick up the name The Deepings and carry it on to the far side of the earth." I guess that means "yes, go ahead"!!! Yay!
The name itself comes from a collection of villages on the east coast of England and there are some wonderful saints and personalities from the 6-7th centuries associated with that area - St Guthlac and St Pega.
So we will be "The Deepings at (or "of"?) Hillsborough" adding the last part to make it our own, and are so happy to have that connection with Roslyn and Adrian's home.
Talking about names, Ian, who just happens to be a web designer designed me a super website for my new enterprise tutoring in computer usage, The Last Coach. Check it out - I'm really pleased with it.
That's all for now. My latest gluten-free bread for Paul is rising in the kitchen - I now have found the knack of getting it to be truly "feather light." I love to bake and cook for him - he is one of the most appreciative people I've ever cooked for. I think being so much in love makes the baking more special for me and probably makes it taste even better for him! Maybe.
We had to bring 2 of the keets inside for special care - one with a seeming broken leg (who died after 5 days of a feisty battle) and one with little curled up toes which are now almost straight, thanks to the splints we put on him - kind of like snowshoes. His name is Big (because he was bigger than Little, the one who died) but now we've brought him 2 other healthy ones to keep him company he's actually quite small - but we continue to call him Big. He runs to you to be petted and will fall asleep on his feet when cooed at. We are totally enchanted, Paul, Nataw and I. (No kidding!)
We lost one chick to a black snake - which was caught in the act of strangling it. But not before it had snaffled down 6 eggs from the nest in the chook house - we know it was 6 because we could see the 6 egg shaped lumps in the snake's body. Ian, who is fearless of non-poisonous snakes and kind to animals, picked it up and took it a few miles down the road so that it can eat the mice at the horse farm there. Today, we are building a snake-proof enclosure for the chicks in a corner of the chook house.
Monday, as well as being Memorial Day, was our first wedding anniversary. And what a lovely one it was - our first year of marriage, that is, and the anniversary itself. We had breakfast outside on the deck and I gave Paul his present - a registration to a one-day writing and yoga workshop to be led by the UNC teacher whom he's been studying with this year. I had wanted it to be a surprise and so had had some email correspondence with Richard, asking him not to let on to Paul about it. And it was indeed a complete surprise - it brought tears to his eyes, the dear man. It was such fun to plan that.
The rest of the day was very mellow - we went to a nice co-op for lunch and then came home and laid in the hammock in the shade for most of the afternoon - meditating, snoozing, reading, talking.
Ian (Paul's oldest) and his girlfriend, Valeda, came over for a cookout - and it was just one of those evenings where you keep saying afterwards "oh, wasn't that a nice evening?"
We have been thinking over the last months about a name for our "farm" and Bed and Breakfast to-be. And I was drawn to naming it after the place where very dear friends live in Tasmania - "The Deepings." I knew it had special meaning for them, but could not remember what. And so had written to Roslyn, asking her to tell me the story again, and to ask if they would consider the possibility of us using the name.
On the morning of our anniversary came her reply. I quote, "We would be absolutely thrilled, honoured, and we are definitely absolutely humbled, that you should want to pick up the name The Deepings and carry it on to the far side of the earth." I guess that means "yes, go ahead"!!! Yay!
The name itself comes from a collection of villages on the east coast of England and there are some wonderful saints and personalities from the 6-7th centuries associated with that area - St Guthlac and St Pega.
So we will be "The Deepings at (or "of"?) Hillsborough" adding the last part to make it our own, and are so happy to have that connection with Roslyn and Adrian's home.
Talking about names, Ian, who just happens to be a web designer designed me a super website for my new enterprise tutoring in computer usage, The Last Coach. Check it out - I'm really pleased with it.
That's all for now. My latest gluten-free bread for Paul is rising in the kitchen - I now have found the knack of getting it to be truly "feather light." I love to bake and cook for him - he is one of the most appreciative people I've ever cooked for. I think being so much in love makes the baking more special for me and probably makes it taste even better for him! Maybe.
Thursday, May 17, 2007
Our garden is a thing of beauty - and so much pleasure. We got a truck load of horse compost from a friend last week - Nataw and I driving out, loading up the friend's truck, driving back, shoveling it all out, driving the truck back, driving our car home - and have added it to all our plants, vegies, trees, bushes, and flowers alike. We 3 work outside for a couple hours every day - right after breakfast, and then in the evening - and an afternoon siesta or meditation has become the standard in this house.
Our chicken hen has been sitting on the 24 guinea eggs and 4 chicken eggs for what seems forever (3 and a half weeks) and the babes are due this weekend. We are so excited. And, now that those silly guinea hens have seen what they should be doing, one of them (sometimes joined by a friend) has taken to sitting on another nest in the chook house. They are a source of constant amusement.
Mothers Day on Sunday - Ian and Nataw (Shem was away) made me a special brunch - and she brought me an arrangement of flowers from the garden in the evening. I keep saying "oh, thank you God, thank you, thank you, thank you" for these amazing and wonderful stepchildren of mine. Not only are they just such a delight, but they love me too - and as a bonus, we get to spend time with them all - Nataw living at home with us at the moment, and the boys being so close by.
Now that school is over, I'm out of work. Ro-roh.
So I had this great idea. You know I used to do a lot of computer training? So I'm putting together flyers, ads, website to get the word out that I am just the person you need to come into your home and hold your hand and teach you - at your own pace and on your own computer - how to use the damn thing. I'm aiming more at older people. I know there are free courses in libraries - but you get what you pay for. I think this thing of mine has great potential. I'm going to go and talk with people in retirement homes too. And the name of this operation? "The Last Coach" (you'll ever need). "Coach" is an in word. People have personal coaches, and exercise coaches and who knows what else. I don't expect this to be full time, but to fill in even when I'm doing adjunct work.
I had great reports from my students at Meredith - one wrote that I was "awesome" - another, that she had learned SO much. I so enjoyed having them.
Our chicken hen has been sitting on the 24 guinea eggs and 4 chicken eggs for what seems forever (3 and a half weeks) and the babes are due this weekend. We are so excited. And, now that those silly guinea hens have seen what they should be doing, one of them (sometimes joined by a friend) has taken to sitting on another nest in the chook house. They are a source of constant amusement.
Mothers Day on Sunday - Ian and Nataw (Shem was away) made me a special brunch - and she brought me an arrangement of flowers from the garden in the evening. I keep saying "oh, thank you God, thank you, thank you, thank you" for these amazing and wonderful stepchildren of mine. Not only are they just such a delight, but they love me too - and as a bonus, we get to spend time with them all - Nataw living at home with us at the moment, and the boys being so close by.
Now that school is over, I'm out of work. Ro-roh.
So I had this great idea. You know I used to do a lot of computer training? So I'm putting together flyers, ads, website to get the word out that I am just the person you need to come into your home and hold your hand and teach you - at your own pace and on your own computer - how to use the damn thing. I'm aiming more at older people. I know there are free courses in libraries - but you get what you pay for. I think this thing of mine has great potential. I'm going to go and talk with people in retirement homes too. And the name of this operation? "The Last Coach" (you'll ever need). "Coach" is an in word. People have personal coaches, and exercise coaches and who knows what else. I don't expect this to be full time, but to fill in even when I'm doing adjunct work.
I had great reports from my students at Meredith - one wrote that I was "awesome" - another, that she had learned SO much. I so enjoyed having them.
Wednesday, April 25, 2007
I gave two really great lectures last week - one on the history of Zionism, from the late 1800s to the partition of
The week before we had no classes, since I was asking the students to watch Schindlers List - a long movie to say the least. Four of the seven students were able to come out here to watch it on Friday afternoon - I had wanted them to watch it together so that we could talk about it as we were watching it - and that worked out well. And two of them stayed for Friday evening dinner and had a great time. And when they left, both students said "I know you won't be teaching us after this semester, but could we please come out here again?"
We invite people for dinner nearly every Friday and some or all of our family come too. That means we can have anywhere from 8 to 14 sit down to dinner. It's become such a lovely thing to do. I bake challah every Friday - practically with my eyes closed these days - and they demolish it! Though I say it myself, it's some of the best bread I've ever tasted. And, great Jewish mother that I am, I'm teaching Nataw to bake challah!
Last weekend the local organic farmers in a radius of about 50 miles opened their farms to the public in a "Farm Tour" - we visited 9 or 10 farms in 2 afternoons and learned lots of valuable things, made some good connections, and came home with a new hen.
Our guineas have been madly laying eggs for the last month. They've made communal nests in two corners of the chook house, sharing with the chickens of course - but there's a problem. No one is taking ownership of the eggs and sitting on them. We've heard that guineas are poor mothers and they're proving the rule. So at the last farm we visited on Sunday, there were some 75 hens laying eggs. And the farmer happened to mention that two of them had gone broody - that means that they stop laying and start sitting. I asked if he'd sell her to us and he said, well no, but he'd loan her. So we promptly went out and got her off the nest, tucked her under Paul's arm, and drove home. By the next morning, she had installed herself on one of the nests, and quite happily shoved in the extra ones we put near her. Mrs. Buffy is now sitting on 25 guinea eggs. And we are thrilled to think that we will be the parents of our very own keets (guinea chicks).
Monday, April 09, 2007
Wow! It's been a busy week. Passover started last Monday evening. It's the biggest Jewish holiday - and there is not one, but two, family gatherings and huge dinner preparations. Two nights in a row. And lasting till 11 or 12. And it's still so new to me that I get exhausted with working out all the details. And yet, I wouldn't have it any other way. Oh, and I made svichkova for dinner - and everyone loves it - it went well with the potato kugel.
And then Easter. It's tricky. My dear Paul cheerfully comes to mass with me all the rest of the time. But asking him to go to church on Good Friday just doesn't seem quite right. And the most wonderful celebration of the whole year for me, Easter, is something we are still working out. So this is what we did this year....
First of all, all through Lent, we did not have meat on Fridays. And there were times when Paul remembered and I did not! And then, on the Thursday before Easter, we went to a service with a church we go to sometimes - a small, vibrant Episcopal congregation with people we like and a woman priest we very much like. It was beautiful. There was a sit-down feast - middle Eastern food - with 10-12 seated at each round table and served by one designated person at the table. The grace before the meal was the Jewish one we have at home! The Passover story of the Exodus was told. After dinner, there was foot washing - each person had their feet washed, and then, in turn, washed the feet of the next person.
I remembered the times I washed the feet of my dear Mama. And how holy that was.
And then there was a communion service. And an amazing sermon from the visiting bishop, who kept us entranced.
Good Friday was not good. I've been struggling with the old demon depression and think my meds need adjusting. And Friday was a bad day.
Easter morning I set off on my own to go to a sunrise service about 10 minutes from here. But as I came to the little Methodist church a mile up the road from home, I saw a bunch of cars pulling in there. So I pulled in too and asked someone if they were having a sunrise service. A lovely lady said yes, and introduced herself, and so I stayed and we sat together when we went inside. And it was just one of those perfect "God-moments" - I wasn't meant to go to that other service.
I had been meaning to check out this little church - there is something special about a local, neighborhood church - and they were so welcoming. After the service, I was introduced to several people - two divinity students from Duke (my age), and some interesting women.
What a lovely start to Easter.
Then Paul and Nataw (his daughter) and I went to a noon service outside, followed by a potluck lunch - with the same Episcopal church we'd been with on Thursday night. And that was lovely too.
Oh, and Ian and Valeda (Paul's oldest son and girlfriend) brought dinner over last night - and flowers and a card for me for Easter! They are so dear.
Did I say it snowed Friday night? After a week of 80 plus weather! Weird.
And then Easter. It's tricky. My dear Paul cheerfully comes to mass with me all the rest of the time. But asking him to go to church on Good Friday just doesn't seem quite right. And the most wonderful celebration of the whole year for me, Easter, is something we are still working out. So this is what we did this year....
First of all, all through Lent, we did not have meat on Fridays. And there were times when Paul remembered and I did not! And then, on the Thursday before Easter, we went to a service with a church we go to sometimes - a small, vibrant Episcopal congregation with people we like and a woman priest we very much like. It was beautiful. There was a sit-down feast - middle Eastern food - with 10-12 seated at each round table and served by one designated person at the table. The grace before the meal was the Jewish one we have at home! The Passover story of the Exodus was told. After dinner, there was foot washing - each person had their feet washed, and then, in turn, washed the feet of the next person.
I remembered the times I washed the feet of my dear Mama. And how holy that was.
And then there was a communion service. And an amazing sermon from the visiting bishop, who kept us entranced.
Good Friday was not good. I've been struggling with the old demon depression and think my meds need adjusting. And Friday was a bad day.
Easter morning I set off on my own to go to a sunrise service about 10 minutes from here. But as I came to the little Methodist church a mile up the road from home, I saw a bunch of cars pulling in there. So I pulled in too and asked someone if they were having a sunrise service. A lovely lady said yes, and introduced herself, and so I stayed and we sat together when we went inside. And it was just one of those perfect "God-moments" - I wasn't meant to go to that other service.
I had been meaning to check out this little church - there is something special about a local, neighborhood church - and they were so welcoming. After the service, I was introduced to several people - two divinity students from Duke (my age), and some interesting women.
What a lovely start to Easter.
Then Paul and Nataw (his daughter) and I went to a noon service outside, followed by a potluck lunch - with the same Episcopal church we'd been with on Thursday night. And that was lovely too.
Oh, and Ian and Valeda (Paul's oldest son and girlfriend) brought dinner over last night - and flowers and a card for me for Easter! They are so dear.
Did I say it snowed Friday night? After a week of 80 plus weather! Weird.
Monday, March 12, 2007
Last week was spring break. I've been super busy though - doing lots in the garden with spring coming on and lots of lovely weather, and also school.
We've ordered 10 raspberry bushes (my favorite fruit) and 6 new blueberries to join the 2 we already have, and have planted 3 pomegranate trees. Also, Nataw and I have been planting lots of seeds in the vegie garden, and we now have peas, kale, chard, collards, radishes and carrots showing their little tops! I wonder if I will ever lose the joy and delight of seeing those first shoots - every time something comes up I am so thrilled. I am so amazed that those things should grow - partly that I should have done something successfully garden-wise, and partly at the miracle of creation and re-creation.
Nataw and I have learned so much in our Organic Vegetable Growing class - and have also enjoyed the traveling time (30 mins each way) talking and catching up with each other. She is a treasure.
We went to the opening night of The Bluest Eye - an adaptation of the novel by Toni Morrison - last weekend. Wow. It was very very powerful. A stunning production that left us almost speechless - all we could do when we came out of there was just draw deep breaths. The director was Trezana Beverley who I gather is well known - she has done several of the productions we've seen at the Playmakers Theatre.
We're going to be out of town for the next two weekends - a conference of mine in Nashville, and then one for Paul in Atlanta - and so I've spent the last 10 days writing the next 3 weeks of lectures, in order to get ahead. It's a lot of work, but oh, so fun.
I went for an interview with Weight Watchers last Friday - and had a phone call this morning (now that she had read my resume and stuff) saying when could I start? They need good Leaders and one who's already worked in that capacity is a bonus for them. I'm happy to be getting involved again. And am now only 4 pounds from goal weight. Yay! I go shopping in my closet every week and find something new every time!
Goodness, isn't it strange to have daylight saving coming so early? We got up yesterday morning at 6.30 to go to Mass and it was pitch dark. Yuck. But the long evenings are lovely of course.
We've ordered 10 raspberry bushes (my favorite fruit) and 6 new blueberries to join the 2 we already have, and have planted 3 pomegranate trees. Also, Nataw and I have been planting lots of seeds in the vegie garden, and we now have peas, kale, chard, collards, radishes and carrots showing their little tops! I wonder if I will ever lose the joy and delight of seeing those first shoots - every time something comes up I am so thrilled. I am so amazed that those things should grow - partly that I should have done something successfully garden-wise, and partly at the miracle of creation and re-creation.
Nataw and I have learned so much in our Organic Vegetable Growing class - and have also enjoyed the traveling time (30 mins each way) talking and catching up with each other. She is a treasure.
We went to the opening night of The Bluest Eye - an adaptation of the novel by Toni Morrison - last weekend. Wow. It was very very powerful. A stunning production that left us almost speechless - all we could do when we came out of there was just draw deep breaths. The director was Trezana Beverley who I gather is well known - she has done several of the productions we've seen at the Playmakers Theatre.
We're going to be out of town for the next two weekends - a conference of mine in Nashville, and then one for Paul in Atlanta - and so I've spent the last 10 days writing the next 3 weeks of lectures, in order to get ahead. It's a lot of work, but oh, so fun.
I went for an interview with Weight Watchers last Friday - and had a phone call this morning (now that she had read my resume and stuff) saying when could I start? They need good Leaders and one who's already worked in that capacity is a bonus for them. I'm happy to be getting involved again. And am now only 4 pounds from goal weight. Yay! I go shopping in my closet every week and find something new every time!
Goodness, isn't it strange to have daylight saving coming so early? We got up yesterday morning at 6.30 to go to Mass and it was pitch dark. Yuck. But the long evenings are lovely of course.
Monday, February 26, 2007
Full Belly Project - our friend Jock has designed a simple, cheap, efficient peanut sheller. It won an MIT award last year. And is being brought to African and South American villages. And they had a fund raiser dinner on Friday night to which Paul and I went. This was the fifth annual one they've done. It was hugely successful, attended by about 300 people. It was very professionally organized by the mother of our friend Gwenyfar, and was a lovely evening. This was all in Wilmington, out on the NC coast, and so we made a weekend of it. Paul worked in the workshop with Jock (the designer) on Saturday morning. I went to look at bookstores with G. who is a bibliophile and great fun to be with. And all three days we went out on our bikes which we had thrown on the back of the station wagon.
We have been listening to audiobooks when we do road trips. This last weekend we started Zora Neale Thurston's "Their eyes were Watching God" read by Ruby Dee. It is simply amazing. And so compelling that we brought it inside when we came home last night, and just lay on the sofa and listened to it.
I made absolutely delicious Indian lamb patties last week. The recipe came from the Weight Watchers website. Here it is. They were great hot, and also cold for lunch the next day. I did not have yogurt, so used sour cream. And I forgot the tomatoes and I didn't have cilantro. And it was still good!
*Spiced Indian Lamb Patties with Peas and Tomato *
*(Keema Matar)** *
* 1 1/4 pound lamb, ground
* 2 tsp Garam masala
* 2 tsp ground coriander
* 1 tsp ground cumin
* 1/2 tsp ground turmeric
* 1 tsp sea salt
* 2 medium plum tomato(es), seeded and diced (1/4”)
* 1 cup frozen green peas, petite variety
* 3/4 cup low-fat plain yogurt
* 2 Tbsp cilantro, fresh, chopped
* 1 tsp lemon zest
* 1 medium lemon(s), cut into 4 wedges for serving
* Mix all ingredients together, except lemon wedges, in a large
bowl, with your hands or a wooden spoon, until thoroughly mixed.
Form twelve 2 1/2- to 3-inch patties; place on prepared baking sheet.
* Preheat grill or broiler to high. Cook patties on grill rack or
broiler pan, gently turning once, about 4 to 5 minutes per side.
Yields 3 patties per serving.
We have been listening to audiobooks when we do road trips. This last weekend we started Zora Neale Thurston's "Their eyes were Watching God" read by Ruby Dee. It is simply amazing. And so compelling that we brought it inside when we came home last night, and just lay on the sofa and listened to it.
I made absolutely delicious Indian lamb patties last week. The recipe came from the Weight Watchers website. Here it is. They were great hot, and also cold for lunch the next day. I did not have yogurt, so used sour cream. And I forgot the tomatoes and I didn't have cilantro. And it was still good!
*Spiced Indian Lamb Patties with Peas and Tomato *
*(Keema Matar)** *
* 1 1/4 pound lamb, ground
* 2 tsp Garam masala
* 2 tsp ground coriander
* 1 tsp ground cumin
* 1/2 tsp ground turmeric
* 1 tsp sea salt
* 2 medium plum tomato(es), seeded and diced (1/4”)
* 1 cup frozen green peas, petite variety
* 3/4 cup low-fat plain yogurt
* 2 Tbsp cilantro, fresh, chopped
* 1 tsp lemon zest
* 1 medium lemon(s), cut into 4 wedges for serving
* Mix all ingredients together, except lemon wedges, in a large
bowl, with your hands or a wooden spoon, until thoroughly mixed.
Form twelve 2 1/2- to 3-inch patties; place on prepared baking sheet.
* Preheat grill or broiler to high. Cook patties on grill rack or
broiler pan, gently turning once, about 4 to 5 minutes per side.
Yields 3 patties per serving.
Monday, February 19, 2007
The weather man says it's going to get warmer this week - could this possibly be the start of spring? In North Carolina, yes. And we're ready! The garden is in a state of readiness for the first seedlings which will hopefully go in at the beginning of March. Nataw and I shovelled shit yesterday afternoon - our next door neighbors have bulls, and so we brought wheelbarrow loads over to make a pile for spreading later on. Paul mended fences while we did that.
Our 4 chickens have doubled their egg production this week - we now get two most days, instead of the one that they've been giving us all winter. We've learned that they taper off during the darker months. Who knew?
We had a visiting lecturer at Meredith this week - Elizabeth Schussler Fiorenza - from Harvard Divinity School - when I looked her up on the net, I found a description of her as "a feminist theologian's feminist theologian" in the same way that you talk about a doctor's doctor. Her hermeneutics (did you know the etymology of that is hermes - i.e. the messenger - so hermeneutics are about the message, the interpretation) are solidly feminist. Her topic was "Power of the Word: Scripture and the Rhetoric of Empire" and her argument was that, if the New Testament (she called it the Christian Testament) was written in the time of the Roman Empire, then colonialism and unequal power structures inform the rhetoric. I hadn't thought of it in that way. Her book on the same subject comes out in June and I'll get it.
Oh, and the most striking thing she said was this: She had been talking for about 10 minutes and said "women" did something or other. She looked up and said "Oh, by the way, I mean that inclusively." After all, she said, women includes men, female includes male, she includes he - and only in the English language is that true. And so, during the whole lecture, she used the word "women" when she meant "women", but also when she meant "women and men." It really sounded so different. I think I could get used to it!
Paul and I watched "Seven Days in May" this weekend - a movie (1964) with Burt Lancaster and Ava Gardner and Frederick March and Kurt Douglas. About a planned military coup (fictitious) in the US at the time of the Treaty on the Non Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons. We thought it was very good.
Friday dinner, we had Margarita (a colleague from Meredith) and her husband David and a student of mine, Piper, who returned to get her bachelors degree when she ran into a brick wall in the field of, I think she said, waste water treatment. She wants to work with Engineers without Borders. We plan to have each of my students to Shabbat dinner during the semester. And Ian, Paul's son, came too. Oh, and Pat and Susan - the marvelous plumber women I've worked with the last 2 summers, and who have become very dear friends. It is so much fun putting together people who don't know each other, and watching them enjoy each other.
We had a mouse visitor last week - she/he left a little trail of droppings through most of our kitchen drawers. Yuck. So we opened all the drawers and cupboards for a couple of days and shut the cat in the kitchen at night. She's usually a very good mouser, and certainly knew this one was here - she would lie for hours with her beady eye on a spot she couldn't reach her paw into! But she failed this time. So Paul set a trap (humane of course) that lures the mouse and locks the door. The mouse came and then we set it free a few miles from here. Very sweet.
Our 4 chickens have doubled their egg production this week - we now get two most days, instead of the one that they've been giving us all winter. We've learned that they taper off during the darker months. Who knew?
We had a visiting lecturer at Meredith this week - Elizabeth Schussler Fiorenza - from Harvard Divinity School - when I looked her up on the net, I found a description of her as "a feminist theologian's feminist theologian" in the same way that you talk about a doctor's doctor. Her hermeneutics (did you know the etymology of that is hermes - i.e. the messenger - so hermeneutics are about the message, the interpretation) are solidly feminist. Her topic was "Power of the Word: Scripture and the Rhetoric of Empire" and her argument was that, if the New Testament (she called it the Christian Testament) was written in the time of the Roman Empire, then colonialism and unequal power structures inform the rhetoric. I hadn't thought of it in that way. Her book on the same subject comes out in June and I'll get it.
Oh, and the most striking thing she said was this: She had been talking for about 10 minutes and said "women" did something or other. She looked up and said "Oh, by the way, I mean that inclusively." After all, she said, women includes men, female includes male, she includes he - and only in the English language is that true. And so, during the whole lecture, she used the word "women" when she meant "women", but also when she meant "women and men." It really sounded so different. I think I could get used to it!
Paul and I watched "Seven Days in May" this weekend - a movie (1964) with Burt Lancaster and Ava Gardner and Frederick March and Kurt Douglas. About a planned military coup (fictitious) in the US at the time of the Treaty on the Non Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons. We thought it was very good.
Friday dinner, we had Margarita (a colleague from Meredith) and her husband David and a student of mine, Piper, who returned to get her bachelors degree when she ran into a brick wall in the field of, I think she said, waste water treatment. She wants to work with Engineers without Borders. We plan to have each of my students to Shabbat dinner during the semester. And Ian, Paul's son, came too. Oh, and Pat and Susan - the marvelous plumber women I've worked with the last 2 summers, and who have become very dear friends. It is so much fun putting together people who don't know each other, and watching them enjoy each other.
We had a mouse visitor last week - she/he left a little trail of droppings through most of our kitchen drawers. Yuck. So we opened all the drawers and cupboards for a couple of days and shut the cat in the kitchen at night. She's usually a very good mouser, and certainly knew this one was here - she would lie for hours with her beady eye on a spot she couldn't reach her paw into! But she failed this time. So Paul set a trap (humane of course) that lures the mouse and locks the door. The mouse came and then we set it free a few miles from here. Very sweet.
Sunday, February 11, 2007
My aunt, Dolores, sent a reprint about Women in the Bible and the Lectionary. Wow. I'm disturbed (but, I guess, not all together surprised) at the omissions. No Deborah at all? No Ruth or Esther on Sundays? And yes, it's "incredible that the Magnificat...is never proclaimed on a Sunday." I wonder if Hannah's "magnificat" (1 Samuel 2) ever appears? The date of this reprint is 10 years ago. Have they (whoever "they" may be) made any changes? I liked that this writer (Ruth Fox OSB) called the Testaments the "First" and "Second" - I don't think I've ever seen that before.
This week I replied to an email sent by a dear friend in Tasmania (Roslyn) nearly 2 years ago. It's been sitting in my inbox waiting for me to get around to replying. Anyway, I finally did. And she replied. And then we spent an hour on the phone on Wednesday evening. And it was lovely. Hard to believe that we had not spoken in, what, 6 or 7 years! With some people in my life, I have found that you can pick up a conversation after long gaps as if you had only spoken yesterday. Roslyn is one of those friends.
Nataw and I are loving our vegetable gardening class - and learning so much. We have trays of seedlings sprouting on kitchen counters. And we planted carrots and peas directly into the garden this week. And we all (N, Paul, me, and a young high school boy who helps out sometimes) worked outside this afternoon, preparing the ground in the old part of the vegie garden for new plantings, and pulling roots and sticks out of the new part of the garden. What a delight!
Our handicapped guinea, Hawkeye, has taken to being carried out to the garden with us when we work out there. With the gate closed, she is safe from the other birds, and she likes having a bigger space to wander around in. She especially likes making a dirt bath - where she digs out a bowl-shaped space in the dirt, and sort of scrunches down into it, and then uses her wings to throw dust all over herself with gay abandon. I haven't quite figured out how this works, but all the birds seem to enjoy doing it, and somehow become perfectly clean.
There was a big NAACP rally and march in Raleigh yesterday. Paul and Nataw went and report that there were some great speakers and maybe 5,000 people. I did not go, siPublishnce I had already signed up for a fruit tree pruning workshop (which was also great).
School continues to be a pleasure. Paul and I have worked our way through a couple of dozen videos that I found in the Meredith library and I've been showing bits of them in the classes. I lecture with slides that I put together with Powerpoint (are you familiar with this software?) - a mixture of pictures and bullet points that keep me on track, and give the students something to gaze at. And with only 7 students, there is also much discussion. They really are a very lively and responsive bunch!
This week I replied to an email sent by a dear friend in Tasmania (Roslyn) nearly 2 years ago. It's been sitting in my inbox waiting for me to get around to replying. Anyway, I finally did. And she replied. And then we spent an hour on the phone on Wednesday evening. And it was lovely. Hard to believe that we had not spoken in, what, 6 or 7 years! With some people in my life, I have found that you can pick up a conversation after long gaps as if you had only spoken yesterday. Roslyn is one of those friends.
Nataw and I are loving our vegetable gardening class - and learning so much. We have trays of seedlings sprouting on kitchen counters. And we planted carrots and peas directly into the garden this week. And we all (N, Paul, me, and a young high school boy who helps out sometimes) worked outside this afternoon, preparing the ground in the old part of the vegie garden for new plantings, and pulling roots and sticks out of the new part of the garden. What a delight!
Our handicapped guinea, Hawkeye, has taken to being carried out to the garden with us when we work out there. With the gate closed, she is safe from the other birds, and she likes having a bigger space to wander around in. She especially likes making a dirt bath - where she digs out a bowl-shaped space in the dirt, and sort of scrunches down into it, and then uses her wings to throw dust all over herself with gay abandon. I haven't quite figured out how this works, but all the birds seem to enjoy doing it, and somehow become perfectly clean.
There was a big NAACP rally and march in Raleigh yesterday. Paul and Nataw went and report that there were some great speakers and maybe 5,000 people. I did not go, siPublishnce I had already signed up for a fruit tree pruning workshop (which was also great).
School continues to be a pleasure. Paul and I have worked our way through a couple of dozen videos that I found in the Meredith library and I've been showing bits of them in the classes. I lecture with slides that I put together with Powerpoint (are you familiar with this software?) - a mixture of pictures and bullet points that keep me on track, and give the students something to gaze at. And with only 7 students, there is also much discussion. They really are a very lively and responsive bunch!
Saturday, February 03, 2007
It snowed again this week. Thus another snow day. I only teach twice a week, and both times it has snowed have been on days I would teach. I love teaching, but I also love the unexpected bonus of a day at home catching up on things, and also the sense of being ahead of myself in terms of class preparations.
We've been having guests for dinner most Friday nights - because it's Sabbath, I make challah. I'm sure it's one of the reasons my stepchildren love me. We usually have 8-12 people sit down to dinner. And they usually get through two loaves of bread. Quite honestly, it wouldn't matter what else we served, the bread carries the day. Last night, we made baked tilapia that had been marinated in garlic, lemon juice and olive oil. It was delicious. And we had salad made with the lettuce that Nataw and I had picked at the farm we went to this week for our Organic Vegetable Growing class. And fingerling sweet potatoes from the same place. We eat well in this house.
The gardening class is at a community college 30 minutes from here, and taught by a guy who is extremely knowledgeable. We discovered on the first night that our friend Brian is also doing the class. He is an expert in composting - that's his job - and is the one who set us up with our worms - the worms that eat the waste food that the chickens won't eat.
This afternoon, Nataw and Paul and I worked outside, fencing in the expanded vegetable garden - we have added on an area that is about 5 times the size of the garden we had last year! The fence is over 6 feet high - high enough to keep out the deer, and flush to the ground to keep out the rabbits. We ordered 15 different kinds of vegetable seeds this week, and have some seeds starting inside already. And as soon as we get the ground ready, we'll be putting carrots and peas in the new garden. I wonder how I got through 50-odd years without the joy of owning a garden. It is such a big part of our lives now.
We've been having guests for dinner most Friday nights - because it's Sabbath, I make challah. I'm sure it's one of the reasons my stepchildren love me. We usually have 8-12 people sit down to dinner. And they usually get through two loaves of bread. Quite honestly, it wouldn't matter what else we served, the bread carries the day. Last night, we made baked tilapia that had been marinated in garlic, lemon juice and olive oil. It was delicious. And we had salad made with the lettuce that Nataw and I had picked at the farm we went to this week for our Organic Vegetable Growing class. And fingerling sweet potatoes from the same place. We eat well in this house.
The gardening class is at a community college 30 minutes from here, and taught by a guy who is extremely knowledgeable. We discovered on the first night that our friend Brian is also doing the class. He is an expert in composting - that's his job - and is the one who set us up with our worms - the worms that eat the waste food that the chickens won't eat.
This afternoon, Nataw and Paul and I worked outside, fencing in the expanded vegetable garden - we have added on an area that is about 5 times the size of the garden we had last year! The fence is over 6 feet high - high enough to keep out the deer, and flush to the ground to keep out the rabbits. We ordered 15 different kinds of vegetable seeds this week, and have some seeds starting inside already. And as soon as we get the ground ready, we'll be putting carrots and peas in the new garden. I wonder how I got through 50-odd years without the joy of owning a garden. It is such a big part of our lives now.
Monday, January 29, 2007
We were in Washington DC at the weekend for the peace rally.
We went up on Friday and were trained by United for Peace and Justice (UFPJ) (who organised the march and rally) as security marshalls. We bundled up Sat morning in umpteen layers of clothes and were out on the Mall by 9. The rally went from 11-1 - we stood at the front, at the press risers, checking that only press people went on to the risers. And we could just see the stage. Many spiritual leaders started the rally with prayers of all traditions. And then some great speakers - an Iraqi; a Brit who assured us that the Brits are not behind Tony Blair and Bush; Jesse jackson; Jane Fonda, Sean Penn, various senators - the crowd was 4-500,000 strong (by the estimates of organizers who have been at many of these kinds of things) and completely peaceful. Angry, but peaceful. Not one arrest was made all day.
And then, for the march, Paul and I were on the front line, in front of the celebrities carrying the banner, and holding off the press. Susie roared with laughter when I told her - "you two little people holding off all those?" - well, yeah. We worked as a team, had been trained how to link arms and stand firm, and we sure did! And the Capitol was completely surrounded by the people in the march!
And then, that night, Paul read at Washington's poetry club, Busboys and Poets, along with about 20 other poets - he was great - they all were.
We pray that we, the people, will prevail in the end. And we are committed to doing what we can. Paul especially has been doing a lot of work for Move-On.org
On another note. Daffodils are blooming. And surviving the freezing nights somehow. They are lovely to behold.
We went up on Friday and were trained by United for Peace and Justice (UFPJ) (who organised the march and rally) as security marshalls. We bundled up Sat morning in umpteen layers of clothes and were out on the Mall by 9. The rally went from 11-1 - we stood at the front, at the press risers, checking that only press people went on to the risers. And we could just see the stage. Many spiritual leaders started the rally with prayers of all traditions. And then some great speakers - an Iraqi; a Brit who assured us that the Brits are not behind Tony Blair and Bush; Jesse jackson; Jane Fonda, Sean Penn, various senators - the crowd was 4-500,000 strong (by the estimates of organizers who have been at many of these kinds of things) and completely peaceful. Angry, but peaceful. Not one arrest was made all day.
And then, for the march, Paul and I were on the front line, in front of the celebrities carrying the banner, and holding off the press. Susie roared with laughter when I told her - "you two little people holding off all those?" - well, yeah. We worked as a team, had been trained how to link arms and stand firm, and we sure did! And the Capitol was completely surrounded by the people in the march!
And then, that night, Paul read at Washington's poetry club, Busboys and Poets, along with about 20 other poets - he was great - they all were.
We pray that we, the people, will prevail in the end. And we are committed to doing what we can. Paul especially has been doing a lot of work for Move-On.org
On another note. Daffodils are blooming. And surviving the freezing nights somehow. They are lovely to behold.
Sunday, January 21, 2007
I'm settling into this new class - and love the students. 4 of the 7 are 23+, two with children - and all seven are eager, enthusiastic, thrilled to be in this college! Wow! Oh, and bright too! I couldn't ask for more.
We had snow. Of course, schools were cancelled and everything ground to a halt. Well, after all, we hadn't seen snow for 2 years! The guineas were hilarious. They all came to the doorway of the chook house and craned their necks forward to see what this strange thing was. And finally pushed one out to go and investigate. He literally bounced off the ground and catapulted up into a tree. In the end, the desire to go outside overcame the desire to stay clear of this new phenomenon, and they all emerged, albeit timidly.
We went off to opening night of a play last night at the UNC Playmakers Rep Company Theatre - a professional theatre that puts on some 6-8 plays each year. The play is "Stones in his pockets" by Marie Jones - we knew nothing about the play or the playwright, but had not been disappointed before. Nor were we. A stunning production of a stunningly aching play - about an American movie company that is on location in a village in Ireland, and the disruption it causes and the chasm between the locals and the outsiders.
I continue to make great bread for Paul - and made a loaf for a friend of ours today who does not eat gluten - she was thrilled.
Pete was a guest local celebrity at the Improv Theatre last weekend - and nearly stole the show! He is missing his calling I think.
I'm still on a roll with weight watchers - 11.5 pounds in the last 8 weeks. And only 5 away from goal. At which time I'm hoping to get work again as a Leader - they seem pretty keen to have me do that - I love the work and I can sure use the income!
We had snow. Of course, schools were cancelled and everything ground to a halt. Well, after all, we hadn't seen snow for 2 years! The guineas were hilarious. They all came to the doorway of the chook house and craned their necks forward to see what this strange thing was. And finally pushed one out to go and investigate. He literally bounced off the ground and catapulted up into a tree. In the end, the desire to go outside overcame the desire to stay clear of this new phenomenon, and they all emerged, albeit timidly.
We went off to opening night of a play last night at the UNC Playmakers Rep Company Theatre - a professional theatre that puts on some 6-8 plays each year. The play is "Stones in his pockets" by Marie Jones - we knew nothing about the play or the playwright, but had not been disappointed before. Nor were we. A stunning production of a stunningly aching play - about an American movie company that is on location in a village in Ireland, and the disruption it causes and the chasm between the locals and the outsiders.
I continue to make great bread for Paul - and made a loaf for a friend of ours today who does not eat gluten - she was thrilled.
Pete was a guest local celebrity at the Improv Theatre last weekend - and nearly stole the show! He is missing his calling I think.
I'm still on a roll with weight watchers - 11.5 pounds in the last 8 weeks. And only 5 away from goal. At which time I'm hoping to get work again as a Leader - they seem pretty keen to have me do that - I love the work and I can sure use the income!
Sunday, January 14, 2007
I taught my first class at Meredith on Thursday and had a lovely time with them - 7 women, at least 3 of whom are in their "23 Plus" program for women returning or starting late in school. They seem eager, interested, and keen to learn. What a gift! An eighth student signed up the day after - word of mouth?
The weather here is up and down all the time. This weekend it's at 70 - lovely for working in the garden, already preparing it for the spring planting, which will be here before we know it.
We have nice new neighbors - a young couple with two boys - 8 and 4 - who came for dinner on Friday. The boys were SO well-behaved and quite delightful. We're going to plant extra vegies for them this year and, in turn, they'll plant some extra stuff for us - maybe grains. In addition they have cows and have given us some of their butter - yum!
I can't tell you what a relief it is not to be worrying about UNC - I feel like an enormous weight has been lifted off my shoulders. Literally - I went for a massage yesterday and my shoulders feel two inches lower than they had been.
We went out Thursday evening (freezing) to attend a rally in Chapel Hill protesting any escalation in the war. There were enough people to warrant a police presence, but it was peaceful and well ordered. We read the next day that tens of thousands had turned out across the country. With less of a commitment at school now I can do more politically and I'm glad for that.
The weather here is up and down all the time. This weekend it's at 70 - lovely for working in the garden, already preparing it for the spring planting, which will be here before we know it.
We have nice new neighbors - a young couple with two boys - 8 and 4 - who came for dinner on Friday. The boys were SO well-behaved and quite delightful. We're going to plant extra vegies for them this year and, in turn, they'll plant some extra stuff for us - maybe grains. In addition they have cows and have given us some of their butter - yum!
I can't tell you what a relief it is not to be worrying about UNC - I feel like an enormous weight has been lifted off my shoulders. Literally - I went for a massage yesterday and my shoulders feel two inches lower than they had been.
We went out Thursday evening (freezing) to attend a rally in Chapel Hill protesting any escalation in the war. There were enough people to warrant a police presence, but it was peaceful and well ordered. We read the next day that tens of thousands had turned out across the country. With less of a commitment at school now I can do more politically and I'm glad for that.
Saturday, January 06, 2007
Happy New Year 2007
Our week back at home has been busy - the trip to Grand Rapids was lovely - good family, good friends, good weather, good rest.
I finished my paper on Weds (2 days ahead of schedule). I actually enjoyed the research and the writing of what could be my last ever paper! I hope the prof likes it as well as I do.
But then I discovered that there is an "Incomplete" on the 6 credit hours of thesis I was signed up for this term. I called the Director of Grad Studies in my department and asked her to sign off on it. She said she can't because, since I'm only allowed 6 credits of thesis, then I have to have it finished and approved before she can sign off on it. This would be hilarious if it wasn't happening to me. Besides, she said, Who was your advisor? Say I, You tell me.
That is not resolved yet. I may not get my leave of absence after all.
Peter was over last night though and, great litigator he, recommended I sue at this point. Not for money necessarily but for publicity. I'll think about it. He says it costs very little to actually take it to court. If so, I may do it. I'm certainly mad enough to want to.
Apart from that...
I had a wonderful day over at Meredith College, meeting important people and getting all the forms filled in. The most important person was Kate, the department admin assistant who, fortunately, is a darling. I'm finishing writing the syllabus now and find myself very excited for the start of classes next week.
We had family dinner last night - Paul's 3 children and their significant others and Peter - for Christmas/Hanukkah gift giving. I can't believe I married into this wonderful family. The "kids" are so great.
It's 70 degrees today. Paul and I will cycle into town (about 30 minutes each way) this afternoon to go to the "Really Free Market" - it's held once a month and people bring stuff they don't want, offer free services (hair cutting one time, bike tuneups another) and take away other people's junk. We love going - for the stuff and for the neighborly atmosphere.
I have resolved to write a little something every week to you all. Today is the start. In future, I'll post it on this blog.
I finished my paper on Weds (2 days ahead of schedule). I actually enjoyed the research and the writing of what could be my last ever paper! I hope the prof likes it as well as I do.
But then I discovered that there is an "Incomplete" on the 6 credit hours of thesis I was signed up for this term. I called the Director of Grad Studies in my department and asked her to sign off on it. She said she can't because, since I'm only allowed 6 credits of thesis, then I have to have it finished and approved before she can sign off on it. This would be hilarious if it wasn't happening to me. Besides, she said, Who was your advisor? Say I, You tell me.
That is not resolved yet. I may not get my leave of absence after all.
Peter was over last night though and, great litigator he, recommended I sue at this point. Not for money necessarily but for publicity. I'll think about it. He says it costs very little to actually take it to court. If so, I may do it. I'm certainly mad enough to want to.
Apart from that...
I had a wonderful day over at Meredith College, meeting important people and getting all the forms filled in. The most important person was Kate, the department admin assistant who, fortunately, is a darling. I'm finishing writing the syllabus now and find myself very excited for the start of classes next week.
We had family dinner last night - Paul's 3 children and their significant others and Peter - for Christmas/Hanukkah gift giving. I can't believe I married into this wonderful family. The "kids" are so great.
It's 70 degrees today. Paul and I will cycle into town (about 30 minutes each way) this afternoon to go to the "Really Free Market" - it's held once a month and people bring stuff they don't want, offer free services (hair cutting one time, bike tuneups another) and take away other people's junk. We love going - for the stuff and for the neighborly atmosphere.
I have resolved to write a little something every week to you all. Today is the start. In future, I'll post it on this blog.
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