On The Road Again

I am back ... wondering what brings me here to write. Perhaps the process of writing, itself, will give me insight. So let's get to it.
Folks have asked me several times lately what I do now that I'm retired. And I reflect on why my days seem so busy, when I have nothing official to do. What am I doing?

Knitting: just finished an afghan that was nothing but garter stitch. Looks like this

... yes, pretty, but boring. So I decided to challenge myself on the next project. I will be working on a lace shawl called Regrowth and here is what it will look like:

Now, that should keep me busy for a while, right?

P.E.O.:

Not quite as busy as a full time job ... remember, I've had one of those! But there are times when it comes close. Just returned from LEAD conference in Des Moines. Have official visit packets to mail out August 1st. Then summer board meeting. Then official visits start. Whew! But I have met and befriended so many wonderful women that it is more than worth it! 

Quilting: This one is Scotty's fault. She has been determined that I join her in her quilting addiction, and I have recently succumbed! I am working on a project at her house that I will reveal at a later date. Going to be Christmas gifts, so I can't really post pictures here, now can I? But the next project has been inspired by the movie "Julie & Julia". No, I'm not going to quilt my way through "Mastering the Art of French Cooking"  Rather I am going to work my way through "501 Rotary Cut Quilt Blocks"

Yes, I expect it will take me a LONG time. On the order of YEARS. But, hey! I'm retired!

Writing: I have never lost my interest in the trajectory of public education. How are we going to educate these little urchins (with a nod to Bill O'Reilly) So I am back to reading about the future of education and the models already in place. The plan is for this reading and research to end up as a book. It is slow, but fascinating work.

Mundane: And of course there is the daily routine ... laundry, cooking, being with George. 

So, the purpose of this blog has revealed itself as I write. I want to log what I do and how I feel as life progresses. Perhaps my girls will enjoy this, who knows. But I will be able to look back and see where retirement has taken me.

Balance and Karma

One of my favorite knitting bloggers is Stephanie Pearl-McPhee (AKA The Yarn Harlot) Not only is she funny and insightful and posts great knitting projects, she does something I find just wonderful.

Each year, for several years now, she has participated in the Friends for Life Bike Rally from Toronto to Montreal. That is amazing, in itself. 

But the thing that strikes me is her "Karmic Balancing Gifts". She gives back fiber-related gifts to those who donate to her bike team. Just to balance out her karma.

What a great idea!

This has been on my mind because of the immense generosity that has come our way during the last couple of months. I'm not sure a lifetime of karma balancing will be enough. But I will continue to give where I can and thanks people publicly when I can. 

For example, I opened a small package today to put away some yarn and needles that came home with me from Houston. I had a fun time helping Lynn Gerbode practice her knitting and when she packed up the supplies to return them to me, she included a beautiful necklace and set of earrings. "Thank you, Lynn" doesn't seem quite sufficient ... so I will be pondering how to balance.

I feel good today. Took an outing with George to Starbucks, but more importantly, put on earrings and lipstick! I am returning to being a real human being. It's a good feeling. 

What has happened to my life?

My last blog post was enthusiastically describing my plans and details for "A Year of Feeding People". See what the universe does to us when we decide to plan? Geez!

I did fun dinners for the first three or four months, then other things intervened ... like the return of my cancer. So life took another direction.

There are many stories to be told (some likely will be told here, others will take several glasses of wine) about the intervening months. There were ups and downs ... no surgeon in Albuquerque would take my case (down) ... great surgeon at MD Anderson who said it would be do-able (up).

I e-mail blasted many folks with MD Anderson status during the two months in Houston. As I explained earlier, we didn't want folks to know we were out of town. So I won't recap all those stories now. Some of the funnier or weirder ones will come out by-the-by.

But, we are home now and settling into a routine.

This will be a very slow recovery. The surgery went well and all the cancer was removed, but the healing isn't happening well. 

I have been sent home with a wound-vac. My incision just won't heal, so this therapy provides continuous suction to pull out fluids and encourage cell growth. Seems to be working. 

Have a wonderful group of home-visit nurses who come three times a week to check the system and change dressings. I feel very well cared-for.

Some of my more medically-inclined friends will be happy to know I have pictures if you want (especially of the leeches that worked on me in the hospital!). But there is no way I'm going to post those and impose them on all readers. Let me know if you want to see. 

I am still on pain meds, so not driving. However, for my Albuquerque friends, I would love a visit. 

I will write more about the love and support that has flowed forth during this time for us. But for now just let me say words cannot express the thanks I feel for all that has been done for us. The Morris family not only house-sat but took the worry of a broken A/C off our plate. The Gerbodes visited and took us out of the hotel on occasion. Many friends and family in Houston either visited or had us for dinner. The McKernan/Gardners brought us home cooked dinners when we returned. I had wonderful gifts from the Scofields, Chris and Sandy, and of course my P.E.O. sisters. I can't count the cards I received.

Most importantly is the outpouring of love and support. You guys know I'm not an organized religion kind of person, but I could certainly feel the prayers and good wishes lifing me up and making our lives and spirits better. 

I'm moving to this blog from the e-mail blasts now that we are back home. Hope you find it interesting.

December Meal - Menu is Set

The date is set ... Dec. 28th, the Saturday after Christmas. I've got a pretty good idea of who I am going to invite as well.

I am going to make a very traditional New Mexico holiday meal: red chile posole, green chile stew, and (purchased) tamales, with the associated condiments and tortillas. I might even try to make sopapillas if I get adventurous.

Now, don't get your panties in a bunch because I'm not making homemade tamales. George has done that several times before and it always left my kitchen looking like the aftermath of a hurricane. Also, since I am in the heart of New Mexico, I can get wonderful purchased tamales that are still hand made and delicious. 

Now, what else ... got to have Margaritas. Haven't decided on a dessert yet ... any ideas???

Thanksgiving Feeding - The Aftermath

And a wonderful time was had by all. The brined turkey was juicy and tender, with great flavor. I may have found a new way to cook turkey!

The Cranberry Chutney had been way to runny in the past, so I boiled the cranberries a little longer this time and I think it turned out perfectly. George says it was a little too stiff and jelly-like, but I love it.

We didn't get around to the sweet potato casserole, because I greatly overestimated the amount of food five people could consume! Rose-Ann had brought a brie appetizer and Prosecco/pomegranite cocktails, so we snacked prior to eating ... can you imagine being so stuffed that you just sit around and groan?? That was us!

The pies are almost gone. A small piece of apple that I have threatened George so he won't eat it, most of the pumpkin .. and the pecan evaporated before I had a chance to taste it. Luckily, I have pecans and ingredients left. Perhaps I will make one just for me!

All in all, a wonderful day, with folks all very thankful for the blessed lives we lead, our family, and our fabulous friends ... hope your day was a fulfilling.

On to the December Feeding ... it will be some time the week between Christmas and New Years and I will establish the guest list and send out the invitations this week.

Thanksgiving Feeding - The Ingredients

Today was grocery shopping day. Bought everything I will need for Thursday. Here it is:

All that raw material will be combined, stirred, blended, roasted, and baked into a wonderful feast!

Thanksgiving Feeding ... The Menu is Set

Some traditional ... some new ... here's what I've decided on:

Grapefruit and prosecco cocktails - Recipe found in BHG ... sounds bright and invigorating ... just what I want to set the mood.

Roasted, brined Turkey 
Cornbread Dressing
Turkey Gravy

Spicy Roasted Brocolli - Found this recipe in Real Simple - have tried roasted brocolli before, but the addition of spice intrigues me
Green Bean Casserole - tried and true traditional kind made with cream of mushroom soup and canned onion rings - my mother loved this so much that she kept a case of soup on hand!
Mashed Sweet Potato Casserole with Praline and Marshmellow Topping - a friend brought this to the table last Thanksgiving and it was a great hit! I haven't decided whether to try to replicate it myself or ask her to bring it again

Cranberry Chutney - a family recipe that stands in for traditional cranberry sauce - made with nuts, celery, apple, raisins, and orange juice - George's favorite dish of the season
Ambrosia - this one is iffy. It was my mother-in-law's specialty and the girls love it. Don't know if I will be making it or not

Rolls and Butter - of course, but has to be REAL butter!

Pecan Pie - mother's recipe - the best!
Pumpkin Pie - store bought, but not my fave anyway
Apple Pie - can't have too much pie!
Cool Whip topping - Meredith insists on this rather than real whipped cream - YUM!