Yes. Faithful reader all one of you. I have a new job. Started today getting paid. I will be doing government work. That is all I can really tell you. I will be traveling and might not get here as often as I would like. If you are a friend then you will get pics and updates from me on facebook. If not then sorry.
I am so totally grateful to have a job. It is really an awesome job and the money is really good.
I have been home for such a long time I have gotten cabin fever and stir crazy. Well later folks I have to go do some review.
Wednesday, March 28, 2012
Saturday, March 24, 2012
Anne McCaffrey
This post is about one of my favorite authors, Anne McCaffrey. For those of you who do not know of her work then you are missing out. Science Fiction Fantasy was her genre. Was is the correct tense she passed away November of 2011.
I write about her because she was a gutsy lady, one to be admired. After divorcing her husband of many years she uprooted herself and moved to Ireland. Supporting herself with her writing she saw many thin years and when her Dragon riders of Pern series took off she gained the recognition she deserved.
She writes stories with strong female characters who are intelligent, sensuous and strong. Women who were not afraid of being leaders or going against the grain. Ms McCaffrey was herself a leader and went against the grain. Not many individuals have wherewithal to move to another country on their own to make a fresh start. To make a move even a short distance takes a lot of fortitude.
So back to her stories. I have several of her books the ones I like the most are the Crystal Singer series. I am currently rereading them and noticed that the main character also threw her old life to the wind and moved to a new planet, new career, new adventures. With in the stories we also see that McCaffrey also showed us the internet. Many of her characters go to the terminal to look up information. They record personal thoughts and check their credits balance. I found this so insightful for a woman writing a book back in 1985 to include this in her stories. Checking messages and looking up stuff is something so common place now but unheard of back in 1985.
Killshandra the main character of the Crystal Singer series develops memory loss ,as do all the singers. Seems that the Crystal affects the singer in such a way that they become obsessed with the crystal. Could this be a description of Alzheimer's and it's memory loss or possibly the single minded obsession of a drug addict.
I never read the dragon rider series. Life got in the way. So as soon as I am able I will have to obtain the series and read it.
When Ms McCaffrey died we lost a really great writer. Her depictions of strong independent women were spot on.
I write about her because she was a gutsy lady, one to be admired. After divorcing her husband of many years she uprooted herself and moved to Ireland. Supporting herself with her writing she saw many thin years and when her Dragon riders of Pern series took off she gained the recognition she deserved.
She writes stories with strong female characters who are intelligent, sensuous and strong. Women who were not afraid of being leaders or going against the grain. Ms McCaffrey was herself a leader and went against the grain. Not many individuals have wherewithal to move to another country on their own to make a fresh start. To make a move even a short distance takes a lot of fortitude.
So back to her stories. I have several of her books the ones I like the most are the Crystal Singer series. I am currently rereading them and noticed that the main character also threw her old life to the wind and moved to a new planet, new career, new adventures. With in the stories we also see that McCaffrey also showed us the internet. Many of her characters go to the terminal to look up information. They record personal thoughts and check their credits balance. I found this so insightful for a woman writing a book back in 1985 to include this in her stories. Checking messages and looking up stuff is something so common place now but unheard of back in 1985.
Killshandra the main character of the Crystal Singer series develops memory loss ,as do all the singers. Seems that the Crystal affects the singer in such a way that they become obsessed with the crystal. Could this be a description of Alzheimer's and it's memory loss or possibly the single minded obsession of a drug addict.
I never read the dragon rider series. Life got in the way. So as soon as I am able I will have to obtain the series and read it.
When Ms McCaffrey died we lost a really great writer. Her depictions of strong independent women were spot on.
Wednesday, March 14, 2012
That time of year. Prepping for a storm
May- June starts hurricane season. Having lived through the Rita evacuation and Ike I have a pretty good idea of what I need to do to be prepared for the eventual power outage and other eventualities. I find it better to do this now than wait till the last minute. I plan for at least a week of no power. Lucky that all the power in my neighborhood is underground and comes back on rather quickly.During Ike we only were out for 3 days.
When Rita was threatening Houston with a direct hit as a category 5 storm I was on the south side of town. Normally it would have taken 30 to 45 minutes to get home from where I was but due to the evacuation I could not get anywhere. I wound up zig zagging through town. With my son on the phone who was using a google map and me in my car I managed to get home in 2 hours. All the northern routes where bumper to bumper and not moving. I managed to stop at the store bought the very last insulated cooler and a couple of jugs of water. We gathered the stuff we would need till the next day and bugged out. I did have a friend make hotel reservations for us up in Dallas so we had a place to stay.
That was long and tedious journey. Mom in the back seat complained the entire time we were gone. The dog in a makeshift kennel whined and cried most of the time and would occasionally bark. (made a dog kennel from a covered cat litter pan. The back had a grate for air but the front was open so we cut holes for paint stir sticks to keep him in the thing. It worked) All of the interstates were not moving that day but armed with a key map of Houston, and a larger one for Texas we managed to zig zag out way to Dallas. Of course we all know Rita turned at the last minute and dropped down to a cat 3 but still did billions of dollars worth of damage.
First is to make sure I have some cash stowed away. ATM's are not going to work with the power off. The amount of cash is up to you. Place all you cash, birth certificates, passports copies of your ID's, homeowners insurance and anything else legal in a plastic bag or water tight bag. Put that bag someplace accessible to you but not available to someone who should not have it.
Gas. You will need this for your car or the generator. I have 2, 5 gallon plastic cans for this. The plan is fill them up before I need them. Now gasoline doesn't keep so I will have to get something called "stabil" to put in the the containers. I will keep my gas full in the car not letting it get below 1/2 tank. I need to find an affordable hand crank or pump to move the gas from the car to the cans if possible. I saw a large 15 gallon gas tank on wheels that would be nice to have.
The generator is in storage. I keep it with all of the instructions and the oil in a safe place. Have to wait for the storm to pass before it can be used. I can see myself in some comedy routine trying to start this thing in 70 mile and hour wind. Along with the generator you need extension cords, and all important a carbon monoxide detector. So many useless deaths from carbon monoxide that generators emit. Of course in most instances the generator was in the garage or too close to the house.
Batteries. You will need these for the radio, camping lamps, flash lights etc. Rechargeable are nice to have. A solar battery recharger would be nice to have especially if you do not have a generator.
Food. Think protein. Canned meats should be a priority. Spam can be eaten straight from the can, cooked in casseroles, sandwiches, and just a multitude of ways. Canned tuna and salmon are also good sources of protein. Then there are jerky's that you can eat the way they are or rehydrate and make into other dishes. Stew like soups are also good for this. Do not buy frozen foods. Unless have a generator you can hook your refrigerator up to you can plan on eating and cooking all that frozen food in the first 24 hours. Food items should be chosen based on shelf life. Dried, canned, powdered works best. Make sure you include a powdered drink mix like tang or lemonade, as well as instant coffee, tea, and powdered milk. You can use powdered milk for cooking or cereal. Powdered eggs are also an option. I would not spend my money on MRE's or these commercially prepared food kits. They might not be well received and are more expensive than collecting your own. If you go to the grocery once a week and add extra to you list you should be well stocked by the time hurricane season rolls around.
Cooking. I have a gas stove. It worked even when the power was out. I have lighter that has a long snout on it for starting charcoal and it came in handy for lighting the stove. So I could still cook in the house using my regular cookware. A propane grill, camp stove and various fuels are out there for use. You might need to modify your cookware for use over an open flame. If worse come to worse I do have a gas fireplace that burns wood but do not attempt to cook using manufactured firplace logs. Those have a lot of chemicals and additives in them and are not a healthy option. After Ike it was common place to see folks out on the driveway with their grills going. Great way to meet your neighbors and be social.
When Ike visited us it was a cat 3 hurricane and did not cause that much damage to the interior reaches of the city and areas North and West. It was the coast that was hardest hit with many homes destroyed and several lives lost. If a cat 5 is bearing down on us I am out of here. My house will not survive winds that strong.
There are other issues and adventures related to Rita and Ike I will share at another time.
When Rita was threatening Houston with a direct hit as a category 5 storm I was on the south side of town. Normally it would have taken 30 to 45 minutes to get home from where I was but due to the evacuation I could not get anywhere. I wound up zig zagging through town. With my son on the phone who was using a google map and me in my car I managed to get home in 2 hours. All the northern routes where bumper to bumper and not moving. I managed to stop at the store bought the very last insulated cooler and a couple of jugs of water. We gathered the stuff we would need till the next day and bugged out. I did have a friend make hotel reservations for us up in Dallas so we had a place to stay.
That was long and tedious journey. Mom in the back seat complained the entire time we were gone. The dog in a makeshift kennel whined and cried most of the time and would occasionally bark. (made a dog kennel from a covered cat litter pan. The back had a grate for air but the front was open so we cut holes for paint stir sticks to keep him in the thing. It worked) All of the interstates were not moving that day but armed with a key map of Houston, and a larger one for Texas we managed to zig zag out way to Dallas. Of course we all know Rita turned at the last minute and dropped down to a cat 3 but still did billions of dollars worth of damage.
First is to make sure I have some cash stowed away. ATM's are not going to work with the power off. The amount of cash is up to you. Place all you cash, birth certificates, passports copies of your ID's, homeowners insurance and anything else legal in a plastic bag or water tight bag. Put that bag someplace accessible to you but not available to someone who should not have it.
Gas. You will need this for your car or the generator. I have 2, 5 gallon plastic cans for this. The plan is fill them up before I need them. Now gasoline doesn't keep so I will have to get something called "stabil" to put in the the containers. I will keep my gas full in the car not letting it get below 1/2 tank. I need to find an affordable hand crank or pump to move the gas from the car to the cans if possible. I saw a large 15 gallon gas tank on wheels that would be nice to have.
The generator is in storage. I keep it with all of the instructions and the oil in a safe place. Have to wait for the storm to pass before it can be used. I can see myself in some comedy routine trying to start this thing in 70 mile and hour wind. Along with the generator you need extension cords, and all important a carbon monoxide detector. So many useless deaths from carbon monoxide that generators emit. Of course in most instances the generator was in the garage or too close to the house.
Batteries. You will need these for the radio, camping lamps, flash lights etc. Rechargeable are nice to have. A solar battery recharger would be nice to have especially if you do not have a generator.
Food. Think protein. Canned meats should be a priority. Spam can be eaten straight from the can, cooked in casseroles, sandwiches, and just a multitude of ways. Canned tuna and salmon are also good sources of protein. Then there are jerky's that you can eat the way they are or rehydrate and make into other dishes. Stew like soups are also good for this. Do not buy frozen foods. Unless have a generator you can hook your refrigerator up to you can plan on eating and cooking all that frozen food in the first 24 hours. Food items should be chosen based on shelf life. Dried, canned, powdered works best. Make sure you include a powdered drink mix like tang or lemonade, as well as instant coffee, tea, and powdered milk. You can use powdered milk for cooking or cereal. Powdered eggs are also an option. I would not spend my money on MRE's or these commercially prepared food kits. They might not be well received and are more expensive than collecting your own. If you go to the grocery once a week and add extra to you list you should be well stocked by the time hurricane season rolls around.
Cooking. I have a gas stove. It worked even when the power was out. I have lighter that has a long snout on it for starting charcoal and it came in handy for lighting the stove. So I could still cook in the house using my regular cookware. A propane grill, camp stove and various fuels are out there for use. You might need to modify your cookware for use over an open flame. If worse come to worse I do have a gas fireplace that burns wood but do not attempt to cook using manufactured firplace logs. Those have a lot of chemicals and additives in them and are not a healthy option. After Ike it was common place to see folks out on the driveway with their grills going. Great way to meet your neighbors and be social.
When Ike visited us it was a cat 3 hurricane and did not cause that much damage to the interior reaches of the city and areas North and West. It was the coast that was hardest hit with many homes destroyed and several lives lost. If a cat 5 is bearing down on us I am out of here. My house will not survive winds that strong.
There are other issues and adventures related to Rita and Ike I will share at another time.
Thursday, March 8, 2012
Book Report: 19Q
I have a passion for science fiction, especially that dealing with the end of the world or mass destruction. Either by war, famine or disease. I found this book while doing an internet search for new books. I ordered this from Amazon and it arrived here on Monday.
I have wasted a fair amount of time reading this book.
For only having 234 pages this is the most ponderous, dry book ever written. My genetics textbook from college was more fun to read.
The plot centers on people who start dying from a fictitious illness that originally caused mild seizures but was controlled by a new medication. Three greedy scientist -business men cook up the condition, a means of giving people the condition, and a cure. The main scientist is killed by one of the business partners because. Of course we will never know he is killed off before the book ever begins.
The implausible premise that a whole new element is discovered that causes a gene mutation that causes the "disease" is pretty hokey. The author doesn't know the difference between a disease, condition, or affliction. He keeps referring to it as a disease.
There is little to no character development in this book. We are introduced to several people that seem to get killed off or are abandoned shortly after being introduced. There is no clear protagonist and the only antagonist are 2 dead business men and mutated chromosome.
Don't bother to buy this book. Waste of money.
Oh the cover is is nice, that is the only redeeming quality.
I have wasted a fair amount of time reading this book.
For only having 234 pages this is the most ponderous, dry book ever written. My genetics textbook from college was more fun to read.
The plot centers on people who start dying from a fictitious illness that originally caused mild seizures but was controlled by a new medication. Three greedy scientist -business men cook up the condition, a means of giving people the condition, and a cure. The main scientist is killed by one of the business partners because. Of course we will never know he is killed off before the book ever begins.
The implausible premise that a whole new element is discovered that causes a gene mutation that causes the "disease" is pretty hokey. The author doesn't know the difference between a disease, condition, or affliction. He keeps referring to it as a disease.
There is little to no character development in this book. We are introduced to several people that seem to get killed off or are abandoned shortly after being introduced. There is no clear protagonist and the only antagonist are 2 dead business men and mutated chromosome.
Don't bother to buy this book. Waste of money.
Oh the cover is is nice, that is the only redeeming quality.
Wednesday, February 29, 2012
Roast Beast
Nothing is better than the Sunday roast. Unfortunately it took me years to figure out that I failed at roast beef. Two years ago I purchased a crock pot slow cooker, the kind with the removable crock. I had one of the crock pots that you had to get creative when it came to cleaning it, as the crock was permanently fixed to the heating business. I threw it away. Hated trying to clean it.
So got a nice new one and decided to try out a roast. Thanks to the slow cooker I am now a wizard with beef.
Any cut will do, I usually get what is cheapest and on sale. Salt and pepper the outside and brown all the sides in a skillet with vegetable oil.
Place browned meat into crock and add 2 cans french onion soup, 1 large carton of beef broth, 3 cloves of garlic, 1 large onion cut in large chunks. Cover, cook on low for 6 to 8 hours. You can also do 4 hours on high but the best is low and slow.
Once the meat is done gather it and place on platter, cover with foil to keep warm. I say gather because usually the meat falls apart at this point.
You can use a cup of the liquid left in the crock for gravy. You can strain it or not and place it in a small sauce pan. Heat liquid and in a separate cup or a small jar mix 2 heaping tablespoons of corn starch with cold water and stir. When liquid boils add corn starch and stir, it will thicken quickly so keep stirring. If it gets to thick add more liquid left over from roast.
Soup time. Take the liquid and remove the globs of fat floating on top and discard. Place the liquid in a large pot. Chop up the remaining meat and place in pot. Add 1 can tomato sauce and one can each of whatever vegetables you like. Beans of all kinds, corn, peas, potatoes are good and hearty. If you want you can add fresh vegetables if you have them. Add whatever seasoning you desire. I usually add some salt, pepper, paprika, garlic, thyme, and a tablespoon of sugar. Cook covered for 15 minutes if the mixture is too thick add more beef broth or tomato sauce, you might need to add more seasoning to this. If too wet add a handful of macaroni, rice, or quinoa. You should wind up with a very tasty and hearty vegetable soup.
So got a nice new one and decided to try out a roast. Thanks to the slow cooker I am now a wizard with beef.
Place browned meat into crock and add 2 cans french onion soup, 1 large carton of beef broth, 3 cloves of garlic, 1 large onion cut in large chunks. Cover, cook on low for 6 to 8 hours. You can also do 4 hours on high but the best is low and slow.
Once the meat is done gather it and place on platter, cover with foil to keep warm. I say gather because usually the meat falls apart at this point.
You can use a cup of the liquid left in the crock for gravy. You can strain it or not and place it in a small sauce pan. Heat liquid and in a separate cup or a small jar mix 2 heaping tablespoons of corn starch with cold water and stir. When liquid boils add corn starch and stir, it will thicken quickly so keep stirring. If it gets to thick add more liquid left over from roast.
( my camera doesn't do justice looks dry but it is not)
Ahh leftovers. In this economic time nothing gets discarded. Save the liquid and the meat separately and refrigerate over night. The next day shred enough beef for sandwiches about 1/2 cup per sandwich. Place in a pot with a small amount of the leftover liquid and bring to a boil. If you have a special desire for more or different season then add those to the pot. Once the meat is heated and softened then serve on buns with what ever side dishes or accoutrements you desire. I smear a small amount of mustard on my bun.Soup time. Take the liquid and remove the globs of fat floating on top and discard. Place the liquid in a large pot. Chop up the remaining meat and place in pot. Add 1 can tomato sauce and one can each of whatever vegetables you like. Beans of all kinds, corn, peas, potatoes are good and hearty. If you want you can add fresh vegetables if you have them. Add whatever seasoning you desire. I usually add some salt, pepper, paprika, garlic, thyme, and a tablespoon of sugar. Cook covered for 15 minutes if the mixture is too thick add more beef broth or tomato sauce, you might need to add more seasoning to this. If too wet add a handful of macaroni, rice, or quinoa. You should wind up with a very tasty and hearty vegetable soup.
Friday, February 24, 2012
Side tracked
Sorry got really busy here trying to get information together for job hunting. I have been searching for my college transcripts and cannot find them. So I have been methodically tearing the house apart trying to find them.
I haven't found them yet.
I did find emails I printed out from a previous job where I am being berated for not going to work. At the time I was hemorrhaging and thought I was dying. Was waiting to see the doctor. Every time I stood up I felt like passing out. I should have quit that job then.
Found pictures of myself from happier times, skinnier times.
I saved some letters from my middle child. He ripped me apart in one for making his life miserable. I didn't hear from him for years then get a letter asking me for money. Sorry son it doesn't work that way. I will not be used.
I found my youngest son's report cards, academic tests, and other paperwork from his school years. It is a shame he never applied himself all his TAS tests and Stanford -Benet blew everybody out of the water. He almost had a perfect score on the ACT.
I have divorce degrees from poison people who waste oxygen on this earth. Death certificates from dead relatives. My fathers high school diploma.
I have a few more areas of paper to go through then I will be done. That $20 bill I found will probably go to obtaining another copy of my transcripts.
So back to digging.
I haven't found them yet.
I did find emails I printed out from a previous job where I am being berated for not going to work. At the time I was hemorrhaging and thought I was dying. Was waiting to see the doctor. Every time I stood up I felt like passing out. I should have quit that job then.
Found pictures of myself from happier times, skinnier times.
I saved some letters from my middle child. He ripped me apart in one for making his life miserable. I didn't hear from him for years then get a letter asking me for money. Sorry son it doesn't work that way. I will not be used.
I found my youngest son's report cards, academic tests, and other paperwork from his school years. It is a shame he never applied himself all his TAS tests and Stanford -Benet blew everybody out of the water. He almost had a perfect score on the ACT.
I have divorce degrees from poison people who waste oxygen on this earth. Death certificates from dead relatives. My fathers high school diploma.
I have a few more areas of paper to go through then I will be done. That $20 bill I found will probably go to obtaining another copy of my transcripts.
So back to digging.
Sunday, February 19, 2012
Jungle Bread
I have a habit of changing recipes constantly. I use things I have on hand and so sometimes it comes out very different. This is one of those recipes that even if I change stuff up always taste the same.
1 1/2 c flour (I used 1 cup all purpose and 1/2 c whole wheat)
1 c quick cooking oats
1/2 c sugar
1 tsp baking powder
1 tsp baking soda
1 tsp cinnamon
1/2 tsp salt
1/2 c flaked coconut
1/2 c toasted nuts ( I don't use these)
1 c mashed bananas
1 (8 oz) can crushed pineapple with juice (for some reason I always wind up with a 20 oz can so it's 1 cup)
1/4 c vegetable oil 2 eggs
Stir first 9 ingredients together in a bowl. In a separate bowl mix bananas, pineapple, oil and eggs; add all at once to dry ingredients and till all are moistened. Do not over stir. Pour in greased loaf pan and bake at 350 for 50 minutes. Cool and remove from pan.
GLAZE
1/2 c powdered sugar
1 T butter
1/2 tsp coconut or vanilla extract
1 to 2 tsp milk to desired consistency
Very dense and naturally sweet.
1 1/2 c flour (I used 1 cup all purpose and 1/2 c whole wheat)
1 c quick cooking oats
1/2 c sugar
1 tsp baking powder
1 tsp baking soda
1 tsp cinnamon
1/2 tsp salt
1/2 c flaked coconut
1/2 c toasted nuts ( I don't use these)
1 c mashed bananas
1 (8 oz) can crushed pineapple with juice (for some reason I always wind up with a 20 oz can so it's 1 cup)
1/4 c vegetable oil 2 eggs
Stir first 9 ingredients together in a bowl. In a separate bowl mix bananas, pineapple, oil and eggs; add all at once to dry ingredients and till all are moistened. Do not over stir. Pour in greased loaf pan and bake at 350 for 50 minutes. Cool and remove from pan.
GLAZE
1/2 c powdered sugar
1 T butter
1/2 tsp coconut or vanilla extract
1 to 2 tsp milk to desired consistency
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