Cherokee Sage Woman

We're under flood warnings here. Not that it's gonna happen here at elevation 2000 ft+. But the dismal days are getting to be a bit much. The driveway has turned into an E ride at Disneyland.. even in 4-wheel drive, we slip & slide. Needless to say, the mail lady, UPS, & FedEx do not attempt the drive up.

So what better thing to do on gray days, but to read, read, read. I just finished an excellent review book on Buddhism. I just love their discipline and 'givingness'. It takes me back to when I was a young teen, being raised in the Pentecostal church.. & yet wishing that I could join a nunnery. ;o) I couldn't understand why our belief system didn't have a cloistered existence where I could while away my hours praying, chanting, singing.. (not too keen on the poverty vows or all that incessant cleaning though). However, if I had taken that celebacy route, how could I have given birth to my best friends?? So it all works out in the end. And here I am, pretty much in my own secluded safe haven of the Cherokee forest.. a sanctuary and retreat all of it's own. We DO get what we ask for!

I am still being faithful to the Glycemic Index diet, even though the loss has plateaued a bit. My metabolism is holding out to see if I'm really serious about this (this time). I started back on the treadmill again, & am listening to audio books while I tread. Way more interesting than watching the clock.

We're looking forward to heading back down to FL in a couple of weeks. It'll be good to see family & friends again. And I'll try not to OD on seafood.. but man, it's soooo good there. Dan is off to Jackson next week, leaving the animals & myself to mind the homefront. In this day & age, we are reminded to be grateful for those jobs.. no matter where they take us.

Meanwhile, outdoors my day lilies are starting to sprout, birds are looking for springtime nesting spots, & the trees are budding! It's January folks.. why are they in such a hurry to grow.. sort of like people, huh?

http://www.urlesque.com/2008/12/10/2008-urlies-best-obamameme/

"Be selfish for a moment and think of something material that you want... something fantastic, something awesome, something wonderful.

Now, double it. Whatever it is you want, think of owning two of them. They're yours free and clear. Think of the implications their possession would have on your life. What would your neighbors say? Where would you keep them? What colors would you choose, what dimensions, what characteristics?

Okay, you're about to receive a third one, more than you could possibly use (at the moment), so who would you give it to? How would you tell them? What would their reaction be? Would you be able to help them take ownership? Would you be there to facilitate the transition, if necessary? What would your friends and family say about your generosity? Would you do it again? If so, for whom?

This exercise has now concluded. Drop it from your thinking. Resume enjoying the here and now, because it's the only place happiness resides, and every so often, as your mind wanders to thoughts of the above, smile with gratitude.

Choices, choices, choices,
The Universe"

OK, here's the scary stuff.. I'm cooking & baking.. (shaking yet?) And it's all from SCRATCH! aaaaaaaaaahhaaaaaaaaaahaaaaaaaaaa!!
Scratch is an unfortunate sounding word to describe cooking because you have to have a whole lotta 'scratch' to buy the myriad of ingredients. You end up buying things in bulk, when it's not sold any other way. So I will have fresh parsley, sage, thyme, cillantro, et al.. that will turn the obligatory brown & black in a few days, so that I can throw it out. One always waits for the death process to fully take place in the fridge before throwing it out. And then comes the tupperware opening 'Guess-What-This-Crap-Was' game. It all looks like a bio breakdown, & has no sense of it's former glory. Even more fun when you can con a spouse into sticking his nose in it, to add further clues to 'GWTCW' game.
Anyway, I have been to the stinking store 3X already, each time thinking I had reached nirvana & all the needed ingredients were right at my fingertips. And when one goes to WallyWorld, one does not just stop at the grocery section.. because those stretch jeans are just calling ut your name (& yes, I will need them).. & look what's on sale for 1/2 price.. vats of Halloween candy! If I were smart, I'd take the wrappers off that junk, place it in a tupperware bowl & claim it as my own. But that would be cheating.. & I'm not that smart.
So those 3 trips were $300+ EACH. Fun! I tell ya, it's all funny money. And heck, maybe we'll qualify for a bailout.
Now I find that I will need yet another trip to the store. I have added to this 'final' list about 1 item every 1/2 hr. It grows like topsy.
*What exactly is 'topsy', & will I need it for the pea salad?
So this morning I created 'Sweet & Spicy' candied pecans. I swear, they taste just like the ones you buy at the state fair, for like $3. If I were making these for a living, I'd be charging $10 a damn bag. My burned fingertips would demand it.
They aren't pretty to look at, but quite tasty.. & if I don't quit eating them, they will be a distant memory for Thanksgiving.
Next I made some marbled walnut fudge. Luckily I'm not a chocolate fan, or I'd be tasting that into oblivion as well.
I have about 10 things that I'm going to cook, some including the art of using wonton wrappers! That's just pretty freaking exotic for east TN. (at least up here on Rocky Top)
I'll be baking all day tomorrow, & will be happy to greet Angi & her family. YAY!
Tomorrow evening, we'll start brining the turkeys, & I'll crock pot up a big pork butt (no jokes, please).. for shredding & serving w/ the ton 'o ribs that Dan will be grilling on Wednesday.
Thank the heavens for list making abilities, because it's the only way to plan multiple meals.
And the best part of all will be sharing it w/ all my kids. And the belching, farting,laughing, etc that follows.
You know, we could all sit around w/ a bag of fritos & a tub of bean dip & still have the best time together. Note to self: buy those things!
Dustin flies in on Wednesday, & Kenny's family will be driving down that afternoon. Paul's family will be flying in late that day.
We are soooo excited!

Ya'll have a happy Thanksgiving, because we sure will! And if you don't have a place to be.. c'mon up.

Kick this fool out of the White House before he can do anymore damage!

http://www.nytimes.com/2008/11/18/washington/18abort.html?_r=3&ref=us

http://www.236.com/news/2008/10/30/the_swear_to_god_dude_if_mccai_9896.php

see you at the polls!!!