Last Saturday when we were on our "Get Out the Vote" Walk, I ran into an old friend. She's a mental health counsellor. But she has created some wonderful classes over the years that are open to the community.
I took one having to do with keeping our brains healthy as we get older. I still use some of the tips.
But about six years ago I took a class for people who were going through serious crises. I needed it at the time.
Sitting next to me was a younger woman who had a debilitating disease - one that kept her in constant pain. After a couple of hours of lecture and conversation our leader (my friend) asked that we make collages depicting our feelings about our situations. She provided magazines, paste, scissors, markers and poster board.
When we finished we held up our works of art and explained them. The Young Woman in Constant Pain's collage depicted flowers and blankets and puppy dogs and hot soup. Mine depicted clouds, skulls, lightening, and words like DEATH and DESPAIR, layered over a black background. I was quite proud of it.
This past Saturday I reminded my friend of that day - and how things have changed - and thanked her for helping me get through a very bad time.
She laughed and said,
"And I didn't have you Baker Acted!"
And I said,
"Well, thank you for that too!"
***
Wednesday, October 29, 2008
Halloween
I love Halloween. Today I bought candy. But I don't get many halloweeners in my gated condo community so I was sure to buy candy that my boyfriend and I like.
I don't dress up anymore but I used to. One year I attended a party as Arthur Fonzarelli (or Fonzy or "The Fonz".) Back then we always made our own costumes. I wore tight jeans and a t-shirt with a cigarette pack rolled in the sleeve. The big thing was soaking my short hair in Vaseline for that Fonzie hairdo. It took about six weeks to wash it out.
My kids bought big one dollar bags of stuff at the Fall church rummage sales, like crazy clothes, hats and wigs. You can make great mustaches and beards with wigs.
The little kids would be terrified and jump behind the couch when goblins started knocking on the door.
When the older kids returned from trick or treating with their loot, and dump it out on the living room floor, I would beg them for a Milky Way but they would offer only candy corn or lifesavers.
It's different now. My boyfriend and I will show up for a while at my son's house. They live on a street of big houses with wide front porches. It's fun to sit outside and hand out the candy to the hundreds of children and adults who come by - some of them arriving in cars from outside the neighborhood - all decked out in expensive but sometimes somewhat questionable costumes.
It's fun but not as much as the old time, simpler fun.
But being with family and friends is the best. My granddaughters will be decked out as princesses, of course. But then they always look like princesses to me.
***
Tuesday, October 28, 2008
Crossing the Line
Yesterday my boyfriend and I walked out in the middle of a movie - possibly the first time I've ever done that.
It was Ben Stiller's latest, "Tropic Thunder" - playing at the second run neighborhood theater.
I think Ben Stiller is superbly talented. His parents, Jerry Stiller and Ann Meara were favorites of mine in the 60s. They did stand up. Lots of comedy bits about she being Irish Catholic and he being Jewish. And later they went on to do separate work. Jerry's being, most notably, Seinfield and King of Queens.
When Ben came along his work was different. Edgier from the get go. While many of my friends thought "There's Something About Mary" was in bad taste and crossed a line, I thought it was very, very funny. And, as the movie ended, it became clear that every character was good. I liked that.
I did not like "Meet the Parents." Spending two hours seeing somebody being humiliated isn't my idea of fun. Still I didn't think it crossed a line.
In considering the movie "Tropic Thunder" we knew it was a comedy and that the plot was about a group of self-absorbed actors who set out to make an expensive war film in Viet Nam - where they end up encountering real bad guys. Clever.
We also knew that there were fake trailers prior to the movie. Clever. We didn't know they would be so disturbing. They were offensive to me but still didn't cross a line.
The movie started with lots of fake bloodletting but it's a movie within a movie. I got it.
What crossed the line for both of us was when the director, a character that the audience had gotten to know a bit, was blown up. Ben Stiller held his head up on the end of his rifle and drank blood that was oozing from his severed neck.
Ben and the other spoiled, clueless actors were not supposed to know that this was their real friend and director - but we, the audience, knew. And several of the mostly male audience sitting around us were laughing.
This is where, to me, a line was crossed - big time!
Thank goodness it was Tuesday so we'd paid only 75 cents to get in.
***
It was Ben Stiller's latest, "Tropic Thunder" - playing at the second run neighborhood theater.
I think Ben Stiller is superbly talented. His parents, Jerry Stiller and Ann Meara were favorites of mine in the 60s. They did stand up. Lots of comedy bits about she being Irish Catholic and he being Jewish. And later they went on to do separate work. Jerry's being, most notably, Seinfield and King of Queens.
When Ben came along his work was different. Edgier from the get go. While many of my friends thought "There's Something About Mary" was in bad taste and crossed a line, I thought it was very, very funny. And, as the movie ended, it became clear that every character was good. I liked that.
I did not like "Meet the Parents." Spending two hours seeing somebody being humiliated isn't my idea of fun. Still I didn't think it crossed a line.
In considering the movie "Tropic Thunder" we knew it was a comedy and that the plot was about a group of self-absorbed actors who set out to make an expensive war film in Viet Nam - where they end up encountering real bad guys. Clever.
We also knew that there were fake trailers prior to the movie. Clever. We didn't know they would be so disturbing. They were offensive to me but still didn't cross a line.
The movie started with lots of fake bloodletting but it's a movie within a movie. I got it.
What crossed the line for both of us was when the director, a character that the audience had gotten to know a bit, was blown up. Ben Stiller held his head up on the end of his rifle and drank blood that was oozing from his severed neck.
Ben and the other spoiled, clueless actors were not supposed to know that this was their real friend and director - but we, the audience, knew. And several of the mostly male audience sitting around us were laughing.
This is where, to me, a line was crossed - big time!
Thank goodness it was Tuesday so we'd paid only 75 cents to get in.
***
Sunday, October 26, 2008
Oldies and Birthdays
Birthday season is beginning. There are an unusually large number of birthdays in the fall and, especially, in December.
My birthday is in December and it's a special one.
This morning we had birthday cake and coffee in my Sunday school class because Mrs. Oldie, looking beautiful, will be 89 years old this week. Her son and wife are visiting from across the country. They've celebrated her birthday almost every day since they've been here. A smart thing to do. Today they treated all of us.
Yesterday Mrs. Oldie looked even better because when we met them at Panera's for breakfast, she was wearing her Chanel suit because she thought it was Sunday. A nice contrast to the sweaty runners and the usual early morning crowd.
Even though I express a little frustration occasionally, there are no words to explain how much I love my oldies.
They are fragile now but when I first met them, he was always the smartest person in the room and she, in her quiet, unassuming way, was the nicest and best looking. Come to think of it, she still is.
Mr. Oldie and I are backing different presidential candidates. Yesterday at breakfast I asked him why he felt the way he did. He gave me a very thoughtful, reasonable response. (I don't agree with him but he made sense.)
And, yes, he had his 3 eggs fried in butter delivered to our table by the cook.
I hope Mrs. Oldie has a good birthday week - and many, many more.
***
My birthday is in December and it's a special one.
This morning we had birthday cake and coffee in my Sunday school class because Mrs. Oldie, looking beautiful, will be 89 years old this week. Her son and wife are visiting from across the country. They've celebrated her birthday almost every day since they've been here. A smart thing to do. Today they treated all of us.
Yesterday Mrs. Oldie looked even better because when we met them at Panera's for breakfast, she was wearing her Chanel suit because she thought it was Sunday. A nice contrast to the sweaty runners and the usual early morning crowd.
Even though I express a little frustration occasionally, there are no words to explain how much I love my oldies.
They are fragile now but when I first met them, he was always the smartest person in the room and she, in her quiet, unassuming way, was the nicest and best looking. Come to think of it, she still is.
Mr. Oldie and I are backing different presidential candidates. Yesterday at breakfast I asked him why he felt the way he did. He gave me a very thoughtful, reasonable response. (I don't agree with him but he made sense.)
And, yes, he had his 3 eggs fried in butter delivered to our table by the cook.
I hope Mrs. Oldie has a good birthday week - and many, many more.
***
Get Out the Vote
Yesterday, after having breakfast with my oldies and their children who've come to visit, my boyfriend and I took part in a "Vote Early" walk.
It was a gloriously beautiful day. We met a few hundred other people, including some friends, at the appointed place and walked 1.1 miles in the most beautiful village in the world. We carried American flags and balloons. The police kept us safe but there was really no need because people in cars and other pedestrians were happy to see us.
Afterwards we went to the park for a Family Fall Festival Party.
Later my boyfriend said that this was the first organized walk he'd ever done.
I told him he was fortunate because this was nothing like our Walks in the 60's where the policemen had dogs to keep us in line.
***
It was a gloriously beautiful day. We met a few hundred other people, including some friends, at the appointed place and walked 1.1 miles in the most beautiful village in the world. We carried American flags and balloons. The police kept us safe but there was really no need because people in cars and other pedestrians were happy to see us.
Afterwards we went to the park for a Family Fall Festival Party.
Later my boyfriend said that this was the first organized walk he'd ever done.
I told him he was fortunate because this was nothing like our Walks in the 60's where the policemen had dogs to keep us in line.
***
Friday, October 24, 2008
Everybody Hates Greens
I like greens. When I was a kid we picked dandelion greens, cooked and ate them. I know it sounds weird but lots of people did this. We may be getting back to doing this kind of thing if the economy doesn't turn around soon.
Later, when we moved south, I was introduced to mustard greens, turnip greens and kale. I love all of them. Occasionally I'd buy a big bundle of greens, wash and rinse them many times, boil them, then fry them in a bit of bacon grease.
They were delicious - I loved them but I was the only one - so I gave up on them.
In the weeks prior to my boyfriend showing up I went through many magazines in the evenings. I bought (from the library for a dime each) Bon Appetite!, Gourmet, Cooking Lite and others. Even though I rarely cook anymore, I love to look at recipes.
One night I found this dish that looked wonderful and it featured greens. The next night I was with friends and decided I'd have them over after my boyfriend arrived and make this recipe.
But first I thought I'd better feel them out about the "greens" thing. Two of them are from Alabama so I knew they'd love greens.
But nooooo! They didn't.
So we had them over last night and I replaced the greens with fresh spinach. Also made a few other changes (as I always do.) The dish was huge hit - as I thought it would be. It also fulfills my criteria of being a one dish meal that can be prepared ahead of time.
I know lots of people like to stand in the kitchen with their guests. I like to sit in the living room and drink a glass of wine with them and then have the dinner magically appear.
The recipe follows:
Dijon Chicken Stew
Smart Balance Omega Oil
PAM
1/3 lb. fresh ground pork sausage
2 cups sliced leek
4 garlic cloves, minced
1/3 cup all-purpose flour
4 skinless, boneless chicken breasts cut into bite-sized pieces
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon pepper
1 cup dry white wine
3 cups chicken broth
1-1/2 cups water
2 tablespoons Dijon mustard
3 cups cubed pealed white potatoes
1 10 oz. bag spinach (Or 8 cups mustard greens, Swiss chard or kale)
Spray PAM in a big kettle over medium-high heat. Add crumbled sausage. Cook, breaking up sausage into tiny pieces until almost brown. Add leek. Saute until soft. Add garlic and saute 1 minute. Spoon mixture into large bowl.
Place flour in a shallow bowl. Dredge chicken in flour, salt and pepper, shaking off excess. Heat small amount of oil in pan over medium high heat. Add half of chicken mixture to pan. Cook 6 minutes, browning on all sides. Add browned chicken to leek mixture. Repeat with remaining chicken.
Add wine to pan, scraping pan to loosen browned bits. Combine 1 cups broth and 1 tablespoon flour, stirring with a whisk until smooth. Add broth mixture, remaining 2 cups broth, 1-/2 cups water and mustard to pan. Bring to a boil and cook until 1/3 reduced and smooth.
Transfer sauce to a crock pot that has been sprayed with PAM. Add chicken mixture and potatoes. Cook on high for 4 hours or until potatoes are done.
While you're waiting, clean up the kitchen and take a nap.
Just before serving stir in the spinach. (If using greens, add after two hours.)
Serve in fancy bowels with biscuits.
***
Later, when we moved south, I was introduced to mustard greens, turnip greens and kale. I love all of them. Occasionally I'd buy a big bundle of greens, wash and rinse them many times, boil them, then fry them in a bit of bacon grease.
They were delicious - I loved them but I was the only one - so I gave up on them.
In the weeks prior to my boyfriend showing up I went through many magazines in the evenings. I bought (from the library for a dime each) Bon Appetite!, Gourmet, Cooking Lite and others. Even though I rarely cook anymore, I love to look at recipes.
One night I found this dish that looked wonderful and it featured greens. The next night I was with friends and decided I'd have them over after my boyfriend arrived and make this recipe.
But first I thought I'd better feel them out about the "greens" thing. Two of them are from Alabama so I knew they'd love greens.
But nooooo! They didn't.
So we had them over last night and I replaced the greens with fresh spinach. Also made a few other changes (as I always do.) The dish was huge hit - as I thought it would be. It also fulfills my criteria of being a one dish meal that can be prepared ahead of time.
I know lots of people like to stand in the kitchen with their guests. I like to sit in the living room and drink a glass of wine with them and then have the dinner magically appear.
The recipe follows:
Dijon Chicken Stew
Smart Balance Omega Oil
PAM
1/3 lb. fresh ground pork sausage
2 cups sliced leek
4 garlic cloves, minced
1/3 cup all-purpose flour
4 skinless, boneless chicken breasts cut into bite-sized pieces
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon pepper
1 cup dry white wine
3 cups chicken broth
1-1/2 cups water
2 tablespoons Dijon mustard
3 cups cubed pealed white potatoes
1 10 oz. bag spinach (Or 8 cups mustard greens, Swiss chard or kale)
Spray PAM in a big kettle over medium-high heat. Add crumbled sausage. Cook, breaking up sausage into tiny pieces until almost brown. Add leek. Saute until soft. Add garlic and saute 1 minute. Spoon mixture into large bowl.
Place flour in a shallow bowl. Dredge chicken in flour, salt and pepper, shaking off excess. Heat small amount of oil in pan over medium high heat. Add half of chicken mixture to pan. Cook 6 minutes, browning on all sides. Add browned chicken to leek mixture. Repeat with remaining chicken.
Add wine to pan, scraping pan to loosen browned bits. Combine 1 cups broth and 1 tablespoon flour, stirring with a whisk until smooth. Add broth mixture, remaining 2 cups broth, 1-/2 cups water and mustard to pan. Bring to a boil and cook until 1/3 reduced and smooth.
Transfer sauce to a crock pot that has been sprayed with PAM. Add chicken mixture and potatoes. Cook on high for 4 hours or until potatoes are done.
While you're waiting, clean up the kitchen and take a nap.
Just before serving stir in the spinach. (If using greens, add after two hours.)
Serve in fancy bowels with biscuits.
***
Go Vote
For the last 40 years, as far as I know, I've voted in every election (no matter how small.)
Here in Florida we now have early voting for presidential elections. This started on Monday but, according to the papers and some scary word of mouth, the wait can be hours. As you know, Floridans are notorious for not doing the voting thing well.
I went to the county library yesterday, armed with my driver's license and cheat sheet. The line snaked out through the lobby. I said to my boyfriend, "Oh, no!" But I cued up.
What a surprise. It moved fast. Sort of like a line at Disney. People were happy and there were interesting things to look at along the way.
The volunteers were friendly and well trained - and there must have been 20 voting machines. No wonder the line moved fast.
The only glitch was at the end when I couldn't get my ballet sheet to go into the box. The worker helped me but in doing so, since I'd taken my sheet out of its folder, she could see who I voted for. I know her and I know I didn't vote for her guy.
She helped me anyway. With a smile. What a country! What a privilege to be able to vote.
***
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