Thursday, June 22, 2023

Another Day, A Few More Quarts Of Pickles

 


It was still raining when I got up this morning. I slept late, probably because when it's raining, the light falls differently, making me feel like it's still early. And lucky for me, I have the luxury of sleeping until I feel like getting up. 

What a luxury!

But the sun soon came out and I took a short walk. Although it wasn't quite as hot as it could have been, I was still very sweaty by the time I got home but at least I didn't feel like I was dying which was nice. 

I spent some time this afternoon shopping online to find a bathing suit that doesn't look like an outfit of torture. This has been an ongoing project. The other day I actually googled, "comfortable bathing suits for fat old women."

Here's one of the images that came up. 


As I have been known to say- I shit you not!

I did not buy that one. Frankly, it does not look comfortable in the least to me. 

So I got an old lady suit from Land's End but I got it in red so WATCH OUT WORLD! At least they'll be able to find my body if I get pulled out by a rip tide (aka Under Toad) in the ocean. 
Speaking of finding bodies in the ocean- oh hell. What can you say? We are all so fascinated when the truly rich get killed in horrible ways that involved them spending gazillions of dollars for the experience. What about all the people who drown trying to flee the horrors of their home countries by sea in rickety old boats or on rafts? The mothers and children? No one wants to even think about that, much less talk about it. 
God. What a weird world we live in. 
Again I say- I shit you not.

I'm listening to a book that Lily recommended. It's called Leaving Isn't the Hardest Thing and it's by a woman named Lauren Hough. 




It's a series of essays about her life and my god- what a life. I'm not even halfway through it and I'm already completely astonished at its power. Once again, someone is teaching me more about life than I ever wanted to know and yet- my god, I should know. 
Ms. Hough is not only a lesbian who was honorably discharged from the Air Force during DACA for coming out as gay, she also lived all over the world as a child when her parents were in the cult commonly known as The Children of God, or later on, The Family. 
She has a great deal of trouble with the word "family" now and one can understand why. 
In the part of the book I'm listening to, she's living in Washington, DC, working as a bouncer at a gay bar, and living in abject poverty. You want to learn about the America that so many marginalized people live in? Read this book. I have a feeling we've only touched the surface of what she's lived through at this point in her story. 
One thing that really hit me hard is her saying that only those who have truly been poor- going to bed hungry, not knowing where you're going to sleep tomorrow poor- will do a kindness for you and not expect anything in return. 
I could write my own entire essay tying this in to right-wing politics, but I won't. 
Powerful writing. 
Phew. 
A book I doubt I'll be forgetting any time soon. 

I think I may have made the last pickled green beans for the summer this afternoon, not because there are no more green beans but because I have had enough of that particular project. I did indeed get out the quart jars and filled four of those with beans, brine, and spices, and canned them. It was so much easier as I only needed to trim the ends because the jars were tall enough to accommodate all but a few of the very longest ones. 



And my refrigerator is still filled with beans and I don't even want to think about what's on the vines. 

I'm going to cut this short today. I'm going to make enchiladas and that takes some time, even though I am going to cheat and use canned sauce. I will be adding tomatoes and peppers from our garden, though. I picked a gorgeous giant jalapeno today and that will be part of the sauce. 

Oh! Lily and Lauren and the kid crew will be returning from Lauren's parent's house tomorrow. I hear they have had a wonderful time. 


Lily says that Maggie has been in heaven because of all the animals. They have about 25 goats now because the man goat got in with the women goats and knocked all of them up. I guess that goats really are randy. And fertile. 
I will be glad to see them when they get home and I hope that we can take some nice little jaunts to the river. Perhaps Maggie can adopt an alligator. 

Thanks to all of you who told me that I need to cut the tops of my garlic before it blooms. I will have to discuss this with Tom. Sounds sensible to me. 

Also, thank all of you who have suggested that I volunteer in a library, reading to children. It is a wonderful idea and one I have considered for a long time. The thing that holds me back is the thing that holds me back from so many things- social anxiety. And, oh, you know- that little agoraphobia problem. 
Well, perhaps I can jump those hurdles. We shall see. In the meantime, Terez is on his way to Chicago! As much as that man loves his hometown of Monticello, I think he yearns to experience new places and new experiences and so he should! Hopefully, he will be coming back. He's threatened not to. 

Meanwhile, I am thinking that perhaps I could pay my grandchildren to let me read to them. Why not? It would be a win-win situation as far as I can see.

Love...Ms. Moon



36 comments:

  1. You are sadly so right about the plight of the thousands of nameless and faceless vs the rich and stupid.
    If I had your garden I would be eating green beans for breakfast lunch and dinner. I think fresh beans are one of my most favourite vegetables.
    I shall see if I can find that book for my kindle. It sounds fascinating.
    Paying your grandkids to let you read to them? Surely that isn't necessary! If you aren't comfortable with going to the library (fully understand) is there a way you could record yourself so that kids who can't get to the library or don't have someone at home to read to them could hear you?

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    1. We have indeed been eating a LOT of green beans. And still enjoying them so very much.
      I don't know that I would get much pleasure out of recording stories but maybe I would. I will think about that.

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  2. a RED swimsuit? Woohoo! Beans.... you are overflowing....and its becoming rather tiresome (I sense) to deal with them all. Glad Lily and Lauren and fam. will be home soon! Been following (loosely) the submersible debacle..... as we have a neighbor who was a diver for Woods Hole for many many years.....and we are all following the story to some degree. It's sad, but I expected this...and as you said.....how about boatloads of destitute people valiantly trying to flee persecution? Apples and oranges........and as hubby always says (in the case of submersible).....just because you *can*do it, doesn't mean you *should*.
    Susan M

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    1. I say that all the time, Susan. Just because you can doesn't mean you should. And it is so true!
      You are right about the apples and oranges thing but I keep thinking about the probably millions of dollars spent on trying to locate that vessel and perhaps do a rescue and then of the pitiful efforts made to help the immigrants and it makes me crazy.

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  3. I hear you about the obstacles to the library reading idea. But do keep it in mind? You'd be wonderful.

    If the foolhardy submarine people who despite all advice about safety equipment, communication etc, went ahead, it's hard to sympathize. Except for the young boy, too young to realize how risky it really was, and to decline. Very sorry for him. Also his mother.

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    1. You nailed it- it is easy and appropriate to grieve for the boy who was no doubt influenced heavily by his father to to on that journey. His mother must be beyond devastated.

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  4. That bathing suit…Unbelievable!😂I like your red choice better! I’m totally with you re. finding bodies in the ocean.. so many tragedies involving the poorest of the poor. On a lighter note- I’m so glad Maggie is having such a good time with all the goats!😄Wishing you many cool enough days for walking🤗Xo, Rigmor

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    1. There are really no "cool" days around here this time of year, just some that are not quite as brutal as others.
      I can't believe I bought a red bathing suit. I will probably hate it and send it back.
      I bet Maggie did not want to leave that animal-filled paradise.

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  5. A tinker toy submarine guided by a PlayStation console? Sign me up! What could go wrong? And yet, we were gripped by the inevitable outcome. Those poor families.
    As for that bathing suit, did you wander into the Amish collection? No, that would have had long sleeves. I wish I was one of the smart people suggesting you volunteer to read. That job was made for you.


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    1. Yeah. That whole PlayStation controller thing blew my mind. Really?
      I think that bathing suit must have come from some weird vintage line. So weird! I did used to love sailor dresses. My mother made them for me and she did a very good job of them.

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  6. I am sorry for the submarine mess. Horrible for everyone. I hope you will show us your red swimsuit when it comes to be. You can skip "on". Just lay it on the bed.

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  7. I love you and your red bathing suit.

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    1. What are the odds I'm actually going to like the suit, keep it, and wear it? We shall see.

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    2. You love red ♥️ ... You will keep it and love it and Glenn will try to take it off you ... for special reasons! 🤪

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  8. Your pickled Green Beans look Amazing, I have never tried Pickled Green Beans, but, those look so good I'd have to try them. *LOL*

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    1. I love the pickled green beans. I made them a tiny bit sweet with dill and a few hot pepper flakes for spice. Also mustard seed.

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  9. If Magnolia doesn't manage to sneak a baby goat home, it will be a miracle

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  10. I'm with you on the Lauren Hough book. It is one of the few I have given a 5 star review to on Goodreads. One of those books that can change your outlook on things, it did mine.

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    1. I don't know that the book has changed my outlook so much as made me realize that my thinking about a lot of things is valid although Ms. Hough certainly illustrated why with a perspective that is deeply personal. But in a few ways, she did change my outlook- probably mostly on shoplifting. Which is weird. But I understand it better now.

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    2. It brought home, in a real and personal way, what it is like to live without a support system. I am so fortunate to be surrounded by immediate and extended family members who care so much. And I have always had that. I know there are so many people who don't but her writing made it very real.

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  11. Oh those wind chimes! The ones on the porch with Maggie. I had one once and now I think I am going to search for another to replace it.
    I also have the luxury of sleeping until I am ready to get up. This morning Lola was very insistent, butting at my head until I threw back the covers at 9am.

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    1. River...yes I too had a *moment* when I saw those chimes with Maggie! I had some 30 yrs. ago when still living *in town*...they are *pentatonic* wind chimes and there is nothing quite as lovely! Sadly, the ones we had were so large and SO resonant, that our neighbors kindly asked us to take them down! I ended up gifting them to a dear friend so I can still enjoy them when I visit her a few times a year! Susan M

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    2. I have one set of those wind chimes and I love them but I need MORE! River- isn't sleeping until you feel like getting up amazing? God, I love it.

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  12. Apparently the teenager who died in the sub was terrified of going and only did it for his father as it was Father's Day!! So sad all round. Many warnings had been given about it not being safe. One guy lost his job a while ago when he dared to say so!

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    1. So sad and so tragic. What sort of a father would risk his son's life like that to begin with? Ugh.
      It really doesn't sound like the experts thought the vessel was safe.

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  13. I just learned to cut the tops off the garlic (that I planted last November!!!) and they're not a bad size at all. Just remains to be seen what they taste like! I have to admit I was hoping for a miracle with that sub because I remember when they got the Chilean miners out of the mine against seemingly all hope and the little Thai boys out of that cave that I believed anything could be possible. But seemingly it wasn't!

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    1. Wasn't that movie about the Thai boys the most amazing thing? I still get chills when I think of it. And those Chilean miners- that, too, was a miracle. But miracles are rare and precious.

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  14. Well, I hope Terez comes back, but maybe his absence (especially if long-term) will give you an even better incentive to tackle that social anxiety! The great thing about reading to kids is, they WANT to hear what you have to say, and there's a script ready-made. (I haven't read a whole lot to kids, but I have some.)

    That book sounds interesting. As for the beans, yeah, I guess the time comes when you've gotta call it quits.

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    1. I hope Terez comes back too but mostly, I want that man to be happy! He is such a shining light and he deserves that.
      The book is pretty amazing, Steve. I think you might like it but maybe not.

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  15. oh, woman, your search term and that bathing suit made me laugh.

    I don't grow my elephant garlic allium for the bulbs but for the flowers. we have tried the bulbs but they are so mild I prefer grlic from the store.

    and call me cold but I have no sympathy for those 5 rich people and their extravagant show off of wealth. I think rich people like that think they are invincinceable. it was a tin can, they shrugged off safety regulations, apparently had not done any testing of how much pressure it could withstand, was steered by a game console (!), and they were BOLTED IN! no way to get out from the inside. and like you mentioned hundreds of people escaping horrors and die at sea, nobody cares about.

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    1. To my mind, it goes beyond any sort of reasoning to get sealed into a vessel like that and sent down to such depths. But honestly, the same could be said about being sealed into a rocket and sent into outer space. I sure wouldn't go on one of Musk's rockets.
      As for my google search- sometimes it's enlightening to just google what you want in the simplest terms. No euphemisms necessary!
      I love that you grow elephant garlic for the blooms.

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  16. I have a swimsuit but I rarely wear it. I am curious of the style of your red suit and hope you post a picture of it as Joanne suggested - just lay it on the bed...

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    1. Well, as I said to her, if I like it, I will definitely do that.

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  17. You had better model that red ♥️ bathing suit!! LOL

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Tell me, sweeties. Tell me what you think.