That is what last night's seafood charcuterie supper looked like. It was so good and fun too. The only drawback was that I swear it took longer to cut and plate all those little things than it does to cook a regular dinner. But at least there were no cooking pots. I boiled the shrimp the night before.
Thank all of you for your suggestions about Maurice. I especially liked Boud's assessment that she may be brain damaged. I am pretty sure this is true no matter how you want to define it.
I will try and get back to those comments and answer them but I am running late tonight because I was in town from nine-thirty this morning until five o'clock this afternoon.
Pottery was a very frustrating experience for me today. I was trying to make a storage jar that I'd seen demonstrated on a video and of course the woman who made the video was fourteen gazillion times more knowledgable and experienced that I am and the things she made look SO simple were next to impossible for me. And as I tried to fix my problems my storage jar became smaller and smaller as I cut pieces away, that I told Jessie that instead of putting flour in it I could probably put a few cotton balls in it.
If I ever finish it.
Finally, I talked to the teacher who explained something about clay which was so basic and that I should have known (or learned by now) but which I did not learn or know and that was about at the end of the class and I didn't even have all of my pieces made that make up the jar and its lid so that felt like a failure of sorts.
I realize I have several problems working with clay. One being I have no real wrist strength in my left hand. Another being that I have never, ever, been good at precision work. I've always said that I'm a good cook but I suck at presentation. Except of course for seafood charcuteries. Lis and I joke about this. She is the queen of presentation. That woman pipes her deviled egg yolks into the whites! And the last thing I believe is messing me up is that I am so used to working with dough. Bread dough, pie pastry dough, etc., and I find myself trying to work the clay as I would dough and clay is not the same at all and does not respond well to the techniques that work in the kitchen.
Excuses, excuses.
But I have to tell you that Jessie is making some absolutely gorgeous bowls, painting glaze on them today and they are fine indeed. So pretty. And I did enjoy the conversations today. There was another mama-daughter pair and that daughter has two sons the same age as August and Levon.
After pottery came the dentist appointment and all was well there. I have the one tooth that I went to see the dentist about in October, I think, at which time she told me she could try and fill it or I might opt for a crown. The problem with a filling in this tooth is that she was afraid it would not stick due to not quite enough tooth. There's no decay, just not enough tooth. Today, however, she said that she thinks it's worth it to try and fill it which of course is a ton cheaper than a crown.
"I think I can do it," she said, "so that it'll last for a few years at least."
"Sounds good to me," I said. "At my age a few years may do the trick."
I just love that dentist. And my dental hygienist who calls me Ms. Mary, even on my appointment card, and loves to hunt with her new husband who was her high-school sweetheart. She's just so darling. And gentle. When we were setting up my next appointment for July, she said that the week before the day we chose, she'll have just gotten back from Argentina where she is going duck hunting with her husband.
"I'll be able to tell you all about it!" she said.
And you know what? I'll be glad to hear about it. She asked me questions about gardening today too. She loves white flowers and I suggested a few kinds. She's just about to turn 25.
So next on to Costco where I only needed a few things and then to Publix where TWO women sort of cut in front of me in line. Well, one definitely did. I was second in line at the pharmacy pick-up with my cart and I left my cart for a minute to walk about three feet away from it to look at a display of sale items and while I was doing that, another woman came up with her cart and at first she stood a little behind me but then, when she thought perhaps I wasn't looking although I was back, standing by the cart, she scooted past me on the right and CLEARLY took my place. I did not say a word. And of course she didn't look at me. I figured that maybe she had a sick child or, whatever. I gave her the benefit of the doubt, plus I don't usually start things in public. Or anywhere. And so her pick-up situation became complex with some problems and I stood there and I waited and waited and finally, when the guy had filled her order, I stepped right up to the cash register where he'd been working at the exact moment another employee went to a different cash register and said, "I can help the next customer," and the woman who'd been behind me slid right in there while I stood in front of an unmanned register because that guy had stopped to help another person who was waiting in a chair in the little area set apart. And THAT did not go easily, either.
When the woman beside me had finally gotten her drugs, I just said, "fuck it" and cut right on in there because golly gee! Fair is fair!
I didn't get so much riled as I was a bit astounded. Really? This is how it is now? I guess I should try to be a little more assertive. Honestly, I usually find people to be very polite around here and I always try to go that extra mile, letting people ahead of me in the check-out line if they only have a few items and I have a basketful, holding doors open for people, offering to help very short folks or people in the scooter carts if they'd like me to reach something off a shelf they can't get. I almost always take my cart back to the store or put it in the cart corral. I just looked it up. That's what it's called.
Well, there's no reason to change now. Don't think I could if I tried. But if I'd been in a very bad mood, I might have given those women a piece of my mind and honestly, I don't have enough pieces of my mind left to start flinging them about willy-nilly.
So here's about the funniest thing that happened today- I was getting gas at the Costco (my gauge had gotten down to an eighth of a tank which I doubt I've ever let happen before) and all of a sudden, something giant came right up close to me and then hugged me and I realized- it was Owen! Y'all. I cannot keep up with this growth now. No matter how often I see him, I am shocked at the change. And before I knew it, I was being hugged by Gibson and Maggie too! Jason was pumping gas right on the other side of the pump I was using which was coincidence enough but they, too, had just come from the dentist!
Crazy!
It was so fun to see them in that surprising way.
And to add to the story, I saw their other grandmother when I was in Publix less than an hour later. So it's been a pretty interesting day, all things considered.
We just had another intense Lloyd sunset.
Crikey what a big day you had!! I don’t know where to start with commenting .. so I’ll just say hello and send you a big hug🤗🥰xo, Rigmor
ReplyDeleteAnd I appreciate that hug very much.
DeletePeople that jump the queue like that are just plain rude.
ReplyDeleteAbsolutely.
DeleteI like that you gave the two *cut in line* women some slack....I mean really. Yes...it's rude and insensitive on their part......but what would confrontation really accomplish? Nothing. You are the bigger (and kinder) person. Clay is indeed different than dough.....(have done *some* pottery in years past).....but again....experience....don't think your wrist strength really figures in all that much..it's the *touch* which you get the feel of over time.....but which you obviously *have* when it comes to charcuterie (sp). Is that cream cheese or brie laying next to your bowl of bread slices? Yes......I'm still *sort of* here. In a way, at least........
ReplyDeleteSusan M
Mmmmm...
DeleteHave to disagree with you about the wrist strength. Both in wedging and in throwing on the wheel I can feel my left wrist complaining and not doing what my right one is.
That is goat cheese by the bread. I find that it goes so well with the spicy, bitter greens and garlicky dressing on top of the bread.
It's a beautiful sunset picture! I think rude is the way of much of the world these days.
ReplyDeleteI was talking to Jessie about this today and she said she was surprised to hear that because people around here are usually so polite. Weird.
DeleteI don't like people cutting in front of me and speak up now with a loud, "Excuse me!" It's just plain rude to do that.
ReplyDeleteMy hubby came home from work all pissy because of stuff going on at work. His problem is that people don't listen when he talks, or so he says. His problem is that people don't do what he wants them to do, which is completely different. And now his wife argues with him all the time too. Tsk, tsk.
He was rude to my daughter on the weekend and then said he was just joking, except nobody thought it was funny. And he will defend what he says to the death, rather than apologize. I'm living with a giant child. Sigh.
Jessie said that I should have said, "Excuse me. Do I have my invisibility cloak on today? Because I am certain I was in front of you."
DeleteI'll have to remember that one.
What's up with your husband? Has he started therapy?
He went once, I think. We talked a little last night but he's awful to talk to. He knows everything, or so he believes. Ahhh, to have the confidence of a man.
DeleteYes clay is the opposite of bread dough. You are trying to incorporate air when you kneed bread but when you wedge clay you are trying to eliminate air.
ReplyDeleteYour rationalization for the line cutter reminds me of what I say when someone cuts me off in traffic. I expect that they are in a rush to get to the hospital, they have a sick child at home or being late might cause them to lose their job. Anyway it works for me and sometimes it is true.
Exactly! Clay and dough- both with different air needs!
DeleteSometimes I think that too when I get cut off in traffic or someone is speeding and weaving between lanes of cars. Of course I always get a small thrill of satisfaction when I pull up to a light and they're right beside me.
I love your comment that you'd better not start giving pieces of your mind, you might run short!! That's a terrific way to keep it funny. Not that I tolerate people clearly cutting in without asking. It's one reason out of 45,876 why I don't like stores. I'm small and people can lean over me and cut in that way.
ReplyDeleteYou really do live in a small town, all those meetings.
I've already run short!
DeleteHonestly, I rarely see behavior like that in stores. This was a mysterious convergence of rudeness.
Yes, Tallahassee is a small place but not THAT small! We have over 200,000 people there. The odds are cut when you know that you shop in the same areas as other people you know due to location. But it's odd how I seem to run into some people I know a lot and others- never!
I forgot to say I can't throw pots because I don't have the hand strength. I could build and do coil work with clay. Not that I like it much, in fact.
ReplyDeleteI just had such a romantic idea of making beautiful bowls. And here I am, failing at plates.
DeleteYou had a real yo-yo of a day there. I'm glad it involved happy hugs and grandkids.
ReplyDeleteME TOO! That made it all better.
DeleteYour seafood supper looks delicious. Fresh large shrimp are always a big favorite.
ReplyDeleteRudeness seems to be more commonplace today. Jumping the check-out queue seems to be happening more often. Some people feel very entitled and everybody else is secondary. It is not good.
Your pottery class still sounds like lots of fun. You just started and a bit of trial and error is okay. Practice makes perfect, right? Jessie's bowls sound lovely. It does sound like she is an experienced potter.
I really do not understand that feeling of entitlement when it comes to things like cutting in line. I mean...really? Who ARE you?
DeleteJessie is not an experienced potter although she has had more classes than I have. She has a very artistic streak in her though.
Unexpected hugs - what a wonderful surprise.
ReplyDeleteI am tempted to try pottery but I don't like the way my skin reacts to clay so I guess that is a hobby that will sit on the maybe one day list.
Queue jumpers make my blood boil. I am the first person to let someone go ahead of me if they have a smaller shop or if they look sick and frail but cheeky pushing in is not on. I admire your restraint.
Yeah. You wouldn't want to handle clay if your skin doesn't like it.
DeleteI just really was NOT in the mood for a showdown in the Publix pharmacy line. Not worth it.
Surprise hugs are the best kind! I don't let people get in front at the checkout any more. I've been waiting long enough and it's MY turn dammit!
ReplyDeleteGuess I'm getting cranky as I get older.
I've had teeth that were so much filling there wasn't any tooth left, these days most of mine are false, it was the only option left to me.
Surprise hugs are FANTASTIC! Especially if they're given by someone you really, really love.
DeleteTeeth are precious commodities, aren't they? And the older we get, the more precious they are.
I think maybe you are getting a little cranky but guess what? That is okay.
Ms Mary goes to town! You sure had a busy day. Me too!
ReplyDeleteBusy days can be great.
DeleteYour comment about the teacher making pottery look easy made me laugh. Every time I watch the winter Olympics I want to become a figure skater (because they make it look so easy, don't they)! Doubt it's gonna happen now!
ReplyDeleteHaha! Exactly!
DeleteLine cutters and inconsiderate people really piss me off, but sometimes it’s just easier to let it go and not upset yourself or lower yourself to their level. “Be my guest, assholes!” I have a tendency to not let those things go. Still, the gas station made up for everything. Your charcuterie looks wonderful.
ReplyDeleteIn some ways, I was almost amused. The first woman rather reminded me of a child who, thinking no one can see her because she's not looking at them, tries to get away with things, sure she is being very sneaky. I honestly didn't know whether to say, "Hold up, there!" or..."You go, mama!"
DeleteVery pretty sunset.
ReplyDeleteI used to be one of these pushy (young) women, it was a feminist thing at the time, making sure nobody would dare to stand in my way and so on. Only much later, after moving to a foreign country - Ireland - I understood about the powers of being polite and smiling and always saying sorry, even and especially (!) when cutting a line.
Oh god. I NEVER cut lines. As I said in the post, there have been times when I would have lost my shit over someone being so blatantly rude but this wasn't one of them.
DeleteI probably say, "I'm sorry," way too much.
Karma's a bitch...line cutters will get their just reward. That's how I look at it. So if I'm kind and don't fuss about it, that kindness will come back to me as well. Same for you Miss Mary.
ReplyDeleteLove,
Patricia
Ah, I don't believe in karma like that. Too many absolutely wonderful, unselfish, giving people to whom horrible things happen to. But I do believe in trying to keep the peace when possible. That is good for everyone, I think.
DeleteI liked your joke about giving people a piece of your mind! :)
ReplyDeleteYou sure had a busy day!
I thought it was a pretty funny line. Also, true.
DeleteI try to give people grace and a wide berth because I know we are all fighting battles but I think people have just grown more rude. And I think I have grown more cranky as I approach 50. I try to be accommodating and my darling, youngest child gets a real kick out of my awkwardness/overly polite ways but no one else really seems to be much that way anymore. Did COVID break us a bit as a society? Was it something else? The cell phones?
ReplyDeleteI have to say that I think that DT has had a lot to do with this rudeness. He has set an example of name-calling and rudeness and saying-the-quiet-parts-out loud and have made those things much more acceptable. Especially to some people.
DeleteI also wonder if the HBO show, "Curb Your Enthusiasm" with Larry David (which I love) has anything to do with it. As I was watching that woman push her cart right in front of mine yesterday I thought, "Man, Larry David would NOT let this pass. He'd have something to say about it and he wouldn't care who heard."
Oh my...piping the deviled egg yolks into the whites. I admire people who do that but me, get a spoonful of the mixture and swipe it into the white with my finger. And I don't lick my finger until I'm finished.
ReplyDeleteWell I have to say- her deviled eggs are divine.
DeleteThe line-cutting is super-annoying. My mom used to tell stories about my great-grandmother, who, when she got quite old, would brazenly cut in line in the grocery store. She correctly bargained that people wouldn't challenge her because of her age. They just assumed she was dotty but she knew exactly what she was doing.
ReplyDeleteI made a lot of pottery pieces that sort of evolved during the making. I'd start with a bowl and wind up with a cup!
Ha! I think it's funny that I started with a canister and will be lucky to have a cotton ball holder.
DeleteI had a great-uncle (and you have just reminded me of this) who once went straight to the front of a long line at a restaurant. He was very rich. In fact, we had arrived at the restaurant, via his yacht which had a captain. I remember my mother was so embarrassed but old Uncle Burkett didn't bat an eye. I imagine that money changed hands.
You know...you made me stop and think. I honestly can't remember someone line jumping really. There have been those moments when people have inadvertantly cut, not realizing where the end of the line was, but always apologized when they realized their mistake. And this shocked me because I think I live in a pretty rude part of the world.
ReplyDeleteWell, just goes to show- you never, ever know.
Delete