The Bee’s Knees

Yesterday’s trip to the sunflower patch was very productive, from a blogger’s standpoint. I got lots of photos of sunflowers…and lots of shots of other things. Enough for 3 days worth of posts.

I have been a little bit concerned about the bee decline. If you’re not up on the topic, just Google “bee decline” and you’ll quickly be brought up to speed. I was really relieved to see thousands of the little guys buzzing around the sunflowers yesterday. Most of them were these tiny, golden workers which are difficult to see against the sunflower centers. Do you see them both? Sometimes there were six or eight on the same flower. Just workin’ away! I couldn’t get them to stop long enough to pose.

These guys were larger and easier to see. But, I don’t see how they could stand it in the sun, seeing as how they were wearing those thick fur coats, and all.

I found them fascinating and could have watched all afternoon.

Well, maybe if it had been just a TAD cooler, I could have watched them all afternoon. The spirit was willing, even if the body was suffering.

Before I gave up and headed to the air-conditioned comfort of my car, my attention was diverted by this beauty –

I was so taken by the translucency of his wings. There were a couple hundred of his buddies there with him. I’ve always looked upon butterflies as creatures with just a touch of magic about them. There was certainly magic everywhere yesterday afternoon.

So, that’s the second installment of the Trip to the Sunflower Patch. Tomorrow we’ll take a peek at something growing nearby that *I* had never really seen up close before. I’ll bet many of you haven’t either.

Field Trip!

Every day I drive past this field which is part of a public park/wetlands conservation area. Throughout the year, it contains an ever-changing array of growing things. Sometimes it’s corn (and later, a corn maze)…sometimes it’s cotton…sometimes it’s stuff I can’t identify. But, right now, it’s…

SUNFLOWERS!

Who doesn’t love sunflowers? I decided to spend my lunch hour exploring the sunflower patch. I’d never looked at them so closely before. I discovered that I like them in all sorts of ways.

I like them unborn….

I like them as babies….

I like them as teenagers, taking a sunbath….

I like them in profile….

I even like their little backsides!

I like them in groups!

But mostly, I like them up close and personal.

Who knew they were so complex?

I picked a day when the heat index was well over 100. But, I figured sunflowers wait for no one, so I risked heat stroke and enjoyed every minute of it.

Tomorrow, I’ll show you who else was enjoying the sunflowers.

Tweedy – Before and After

A while back we had Jeff Tweedy in the house. It was a great night. The fans were great. The artists were pleasant and easy to work with. I enjoy working with the promoter. All was well with the world.

But, I hadn’t bought my Nikon yet. My crummy little (albeit expensive) old camera just wasn’t up to the challenges of this really demanding show. The light was exceptionally low, and everyone wore black. I enjoyed the night so much and really wanted my own brand of souvenir of the event. But, what I got was this – nothing to write home about.





So, I applied one of my favorite plug-ins – Virtual Painter. I used the colored pencil filter this time (the same filter I used for the Lancaster Musicians photo I blogged about a couple of weeks ago).

I really like this effect and find that I use it pretty often. This shot would have never been seen by anyone but me, had I not gussied it up. Now, it is among the pieces that rotate through my office gallery. What do you think? Artsy? Or contrived? Interesting? Or just plain boooorrrrring? What’s your opinion? I can take it!

Morning news flash!

Get on over to Curlywurlygurly’s Weblog and enter her breakfast in bed contest. There aren’t a bazillion entries (yet). You might actually have a chance with this one!

Essentials of Life #2 – Newfangled Can Opener

You have to understand that I really dislike electric can openers. A lot. Really, really dislike them.

So, along comes this non-electric invention that revolutionizes opening cans. I first saw it in the kitchen of my Totally Cool Bachelor Nephew Bradley, who has an amazingly well-equipped kitchen. Anyway, it is awesome. Once I tried his, I had to find one for myself.

Tah-dah!

Here’s the deal…its cutting edge is set sideways in the handle. Can you see the difference?

I even use it on cans that have pop tops. You’ll see why in a minute.

So…what you get is a kind of lid “plug” where the very top of the can is sliced away, taking the entire rest of the lid with it. There are no sharp edges anywhere.

And the really cool part is you can pop the lid right back on top of the can.

It doesn’t form an airtight seal or anything, but if you’re just going to stash the leftovers a day or so in the fridge, it works great. And then you just toss it. No plastic container to wash and keep up with. No plastic wrap coming undone all over the place. Just a neat, tidy little can.

I love this can opener. Mine’s made by Chefmate. I’ve seen some others – and some that are battery operated. (Can you imagine running out of battery power and not having any fresh batteries in the house? I…don’t…think…so.)

Anyway, get yourself one of these babies. It’ll become one of YOUR essentials, too!

Simple Pleasures

Even though this weekend is projected to be the hottest of the year so far, I decided to get out and poke around a bit. This little farmer’s market is less than five miles from my house. Counting this visit, how many times have I been there this summer?

Twice.

I’m an idiot sometimes.

It’s got a little bit of everything. Herbs….

And lots of flowers.

I’m not sure how I left without some of this man’s glads.

And, of course, lots of veggies. I try to buy from people who appear to be “real” farmers. They’re in the minority. Most are just people who buy produce by the case somewhere else and hawk it here. I got some great-looking fresh blackeyed peas from an elderly couple. And tomatoes from the girl who operated this booth.

I stopped long enough to enjoy a bit of entertainment with my ‘maters.

But, the ultimate treat was a simple shave ice on the way out. My tongue’s still blue!

Not a bad way to start the weekend. Blue tongue and all.

Worried….

Warning. This post concerns kitty body functions. And I’m not talking purring.

So, about two or three months ago, my younger neutered male kitty, Max, clearly developed a problem with his bowels. He was leaving tiny bits of poo all over the house. We weren’t sure where it was coming from at first (3 animals share this space)…but one morning he was totally distressed and was walking from room to room, crying and hissing and depositing a tiny “gift” everywhere he went. Mystery solved.

So, I got on the internet and learned that totally indoor cats sometimes develop bowel problems because they don’t get enough exercise. And it’s further aggravated by a diet heavy in dry food. So, I got him some soft, canned food…and even stirred more water into it. He gets most of a can every day. I also put a little bit of cod liver oil on it, hoping that would loosen him up a bit. I don’t know if that’s appropriate or not. Seemed to make sense.

I really haven’t noticed a lot of improvement. And tonight…he’s bleeding. I mean, I don’t think he’s going to bleed out, or anything….but he’s leaving bloody spots. And a little mucus sometimes. Clearly, my home remedy isn’t working. I’ve got to get him to the vet tomorrow.

I can’t afford a major pet illness. I’m worried for him…and for me.

I’m also worried about the battle that will come in the morning when I try to load him into a carrier. He’s a BIG boy! He can stand on his hind legs and peer over the kitchen counter! He HATES to be picked up. HATES to be handled. HATES, HATES, HATES going into a carrier. And he’s just going to be thrilled with what comes AFTER being loaded into the carrier! Tomorrow is going to be a bad day. I can see it in my crystal ball.

But, it’s got to happen. Can’t have my big boy pooping blood all over everywhere. I am so worried about him!

UPDATE

22 hours and $325 later, the crisis has passed. Max has suffered a ruptured anal gland. Nasty, scary and obviously quite painful. I didn’t even know cats HAD anal glands. He had to be sedated so the thing could be cleaned and medicated. We were sent home with 3 prescriptions, prescription food to help him “loosen up” and lots of instructions. He’s sitting next to me right now, patting me on the shoulder and commenting on my blogging. In other words…life is back to normal. If you don’t count the wound on his nether regions and the damage to my credit card. SIGH….

An Orchid for M’Lady

Just wanted to show off a little. One of my assistants gave me an orchid plant for Christmas. After a while, the blooms all dropped off. As expected. I set it on a table and threw a little water (and coffee, I’m ashamed to admit) its way once in a while. I got to feeling guilty and put it in a bright window in the lobby and pretty much forgot about it, except for the occasional – and I do mean occasional – watering.

This week, it thanked me for all my love and attention with this:

I’m so ashamed of my behavior. I promise to be a better plant mommy in the future.

John Sebastian Was Right!

Hot town, summer in the city
Back of my neck getting dirty and gritty
Been down, isn’t it a pity
Doesn’t seem to be a shadow in the city

All around, people looking half dead
Walking on the sidewalk, hotter than a match head

Y’know…I’ve been to New York in the fall, with the fire of millions of changing leaves filling Central Park. I’ve been to New York in the winter when the snow was so deep all the flights were cancelled. But, this was my first experience with Summer in the City. Lordy, lordy! I think I’m going to be more choosy about my travel schedule in the future!

Don’t get me wrong. I had a great time. But, I spent a good deal of effort trying to find shade and a cool drink. Which, of course, has its rewards. I don’t think I’ve EVER been so hot! The site of my meetings was about 10 blocks from the nearest subway stop. Why was I such an idiot? Why didn’t I take a cab? Just didn’t occur to me, I guess. So, I walked. And walked. And sweated. And sweated. I ended up not wearing my grownup clothes after all. I washed my casual stuff out in the hotel sink at night and wore it again. I would have been overdressed in slacks and a jacket, anyway. NOBODY wore even “business casual” at the meetings. Some people were in shorts!

So! Enough complaining!

I loved it! The hotel was the Park South, and for a tiny little place, it was quite good. The rooms have been refurbished using good taste and quality materials. Lots of big, comfy pillows (a must for me) and many of the amenities you would expect in a bigger, “name-brand” hotel. Just a half-block from the 6 train, it was really handy, too. Check it out the next time you’re in the city.

If I lived in the city, I would either be huge…or sinewy. I’m not sure which would win out. I walked my little feet into blistered stubs. But, I ate some of the best food – and lots of it – of my life. Amazing fries and a simple, yet elegant roast chicken sandwich at Les Halles Bistro. Literally THE best chicken satay I have EVER had – sold for ONE DOLLAR by a street vendor. Amazing pizza at a little place called Three of Cups in the East Village. Seafood and Sangria at Rayuela (also in the East Village). Oh! And incredible bread everywhere. Why is the bread so good in the city? And the chocolate. I’m not a chocolate freak, but I almost made a second trip to Vosges Haut Chocolate in Soho for one last truffle. Finally, last night I was so tired I just ordered room service from the hotel restaurant, The Black Duck. Roast chicken with rosotto with a tasty pear and gorgonzola salad and a beautiful poached pear with marscapone for dessert. I could barely waddle onto the plane this morning! It clearly was a good thing I did all that walking!

I have no pictures. I was so concerned about navigating the streets, and looking for that aforementioned cool place/drink, I wasn’t in much of a photo-taking mood. I could have had lots of shots of hot, sweaty dogs, and miserable-looking homeless people. But…nah! Maybe next time.

The Broadway matinee was good. The street festival near Times Square was great! Nobody was rude. Many people were friendly and helpful. And…I actually learned a thing or two at the seminar.

Boy, did I need this little change of pace!

Noo York CITY?

I’m trying to wrap my head around the fact that Saturday morning, I get up BEFORE the chickens to catch a miniscule plane to New York. In my former life, I traveled a lot. But, now, I hardly ever see the inside of an airport. I am out of practice, and that alone is somewhat intimidating. It’s the first time I’ve been to the city alone. I don’t know why I’m feeling like such a wimp, but I am!

I am going to a convention of ticketing people. Isn’t that weird? I firmly believe there are conventions for everything. Yup, us ticketing people get together and talk…ticketing. Who’da thunk? Actually there are TWO ticketing conventions this summer. The other one is in Las Vegas, but it seemed to be geared to monster venues, like stadiums and such – and the one in NYC is more suited for us smaller, intimate venues that focus on performing arts. So, New York, here I come!

I am planning to see my fun and funny niece, Cassie, who lives in (I think) Brooklyn. And I have a ticket for the Sunday matinee of A Catered Affair. Sounds good!





I’m looking forward to sampling some gourmet food!

Maybe I’ll even get to meet some interesting people!



(BTW – the lady with the big grin is the famous Lenell, mentioned in yesterday’s post for her special pickles.)


Oh, yeah…and I’ll work a lot. Practically all the time. *cough…cough*

In the meantime, I’ve got to figure out where I stashed my grown-up summertime clothes. ARRGH!

What? MORE canning?

Yes…i’ve been busy these last few days. This is the last blog on canning for a while. I promise. This is what I’ve canned since Saturday morning…8 half-pints of plum jam, 11 half-pints of blackberry jam, 12 half-pints of chicken and 6 pints of sweet pickles. I also baked two loaves of amazing bread….but they were “absent on picture day.” (Ahem!)

So, this is about the pickles. They’re great pickles. Sweet, crispy and spicy…and really easy to make. My sister-in-law gave me the recipe years and years ago. Once, I wrote a family cookbook and included them as “Lenell’s Sweet Pickles.” I hadn’t made them in a while and decided we needed some. So, I gathered all the ingredients. Imagine my surprise when I happened to glance at the back of the Mrs. Wages Pickling Lime jar and found my sister-in-law’s recipe…but with another name, of course. I laughed out loud! So, that’s her special recipe!

I got to thinking. I’ll bet lots of family favorite recipes have their origins on the back of a soup can or cracker box. Doesn’t every Thanksgiving table in America now include green bean casserole? I can remember when that was “new.” Oh, Lordy! I’ve really dated myself now.

How about your family? What culinary delights do you enjoy that are copied from the back of a box or can?

Lancaster Musicians

I think that when things are kind of slow in my life (like now) I’m going to post photos. Sometimes they will be straight, traditional photographs. Other times, like today, they’re going to be “before” and “after” comparisons of photos I have manipulated. Sometimes the subject interests me, but the photo is just missing something. It is lacking that “snap” or color or…whatever…that makes it remarkable. So, I’m starting with a shot of some musicians I photographed in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania a couple of summers ago. The afternoon was so much fun. But, the photo was kind of…lacking. So, I applied some “artsy” treatments to it and got an impressionist version that I really like. I printed it on textured canvas, and it hangs in the hallway of my home. It makes me smile every time time I look at it, not only because of the memories it brings back, but because now I actually like the artistic outcome.

Lancaster Musicians original

Lancaster Musicians finished

What do you think? Original…or “artsy?”