The devil made her do it

Stalking a squirrel--a quite moment
but it didn't last long

Sophie woke me at six-gosh-awful-thirty this morning, with the devil in her soul. I let her out, got her back inside after about five minutes, and went happily back to bed. Happy did not last long. She was having none of this stay-in-the-house business. She barked, she whined, she squeaked, she batted her empty food dish about noisily, and then banged her empty water dish on the floor (I got up, refilled it, but that did not quiet her). I spoke firmly, I yelled, I said things I’m glad she couldn’t understand. She responded by bouncing against the bed repeatedly. I swore I was going to teach her a lesson and stay in bed until she quieted down. She won once again.

When Jordan came out, I said, “Sophie’s on a tear this morning.”

“I know. The whole neighborhood knows.”

We finally let her out, figuring she might have to pee, but no, she was hunting squirrels. At first, she was quiet, running all over the yard, but then she began yipping. And I began worrying. Running is in her blood—part border collie—and it’s great for her to get the exercise, but the last time she spent an entire morning running, she tore the pads on her feet and was in miserable pain. It was almost eleven in the morning before Jordan got her inside and only then on a leash.

All this is funny in the re-telling, but it has a serious side. She gets into a manic phase. Once she’s in this mood (it doesn’t happen often) and outside, no amount of my calling, offering cheese, anything will get her attention. And being bound to a walker, I can’t go out and chase her. She doesn’t, as I hoped she would, wear out. And I am powerless.

This afternoon, she was subdued, slept a lot, no sign of limping, etc. Reminded me of the down phase the manic/depressives experience, but it was only temporary. By gosh, when I let her out about four, she went right back to it. I am leery but will let her out about ten this evening, hoping the squirrels are all abed for the night. Can I explain to this darling dog that she is ten years old and should be settling down? She won’t care.

The rest of my day was definitely on the downside. Some odds and ends at my desk—why do they take so much time? A good long nap, grateful that Sophie also slept. My friend Mary Volcansek came for happy hour tonight and at her insistence brought the snacks—wonderful smoky Gouda and an artichoke dip that I ate too much of. We had a good, pre-Christmas visit. After she left, I snuck in a second brief  nap, something I rarely do, and so tonight finds me at my computer, once again doing odds and ends. A happy hour cancelled, Poobah business, book review business, and a bit of Christmas stuff. I need chocolate!

Sweet dreams, everyone.

 

A trivia day

 

So lovely to have a daughter who fixes lunch. Jordan saw a picture, maybe on Pinterest, and recreated it—taco salad in an avocado shell. Delicious and healthy, and it made me feel spoiled. Who needs tuna fish every day?

Actually, our menu is tending toward Tex-Mex this week. Wednesday in honor of National Fajita Day we ordered fajitas from eatfajitas.com, which is the website connected with Lanny Lancarte’s restaurant, Righteous Foods (I still think it’s the wrong name for a restaurant, but I like their food a lot). The chicken was absolutely out of this world—flavorful and moist. And the queso will now always be a favorite of mine. Then tonight, Reatta was offering an enchilada special to benefit the local Boy Scout Troop, so Christian ordered it. Jordan and I are declining in favor of sirloin patties and salad. My mom cooked really good ground beef patties in a skillet heavily sprinkled with salt, no grease and that’s how I’ll do mine. Jordan doesn’t want all that salt and wants her pattie cooked more.

We had sunshine today, but the temperature was still mid-nineties. I admit it’s a bit cavalier of me to say it wasn’t hot—I didn’t stick my nose out the door, though I work much of the morning with the French doors to the patio open and the a/c off. About noon I turned the a/c on but still keep the doors open. Love the feeling that I’m bringing the outdoors inside. Also there’s a practical consideration: with a flexible screen on the door, Sophie can come and go at will.

Of course, I must lock her out when I want to do my exercises, such as they are. I walk a circular route—down the bathroom hall, into the bedroom, then the kitchen and back to the living area—five times. It gives me about a hundred feet each time. And then I do prescribed chair yoga exercises. But the whole routine drives her wild. We haven’t figured out what bothers her—is she protecting me? From what? Does she think there’s something the matter with me? If I sit down at my desk and behave myself, she calms right down. Maybe I need a dog psychiatrist.

This has been a busy desk week for me—lots of little tasks, most of which don’t mean much to non-writers. But I wrote a blog to boost my forthcoming title, The Most Land, the Best Cattle: The Waggoners of Texas. It contains a recipe, so I have to fix it and photograph before I can send the post off. I’m sure it’s from the eighties—calls for a can of tomato soup and then fill the can with milk. How many remember making tomato soup that way with good old Campbell’s®? This is a chilled soup that Electra Waggoner Biggs called “Crunchy Soup.” After the post is published, I’ll share it.

But I also updated an entry for the Handbook of Texas, put together the Berkeley Place Association newsletter, the Poobah, for September (well, mostly), and wrote a newsletter. Those of you who read Judy’s Stew probably feel you already know way too much about what I’m doing but if you’d like my newsletter, please write me, with your email address, at j.alter@tcu.edu. This newsletter describes the projects on my desk, offers a recipe (Christian’s potato salad), and has a giveaway—three copies of Saving Irene to the first three people who write me, promising to write a review for Goodreads or Amazon. Remember, a promise is a promise.

Tomorrow I’m allowing myself a cooking day—it’s almost like a vacation day.

 

Pushing back my boundaries

Yesterday was, for me, a busy day, though ten years ago I’d have probably thought it was an easy day. Jordan, neighbor Mary, and I went to an HEB superstore—really called HEB Plus—some twenty miles away and then out to lunch. I was home long enough to sort of catch up on the day’s emails and make sure all at my desk was in order. Then a quick nap, put together an antipasto try to take to a party, and was off to a small gathering with longtime friends—didn’t get home until after nine, which is late for me to be out. Lesson learned from the day: I rely on my desk time to keep my world in order, and if I’m too long away I feel I’m losing control. I loved everything I did yesterday but always felt sort of out of kilter. Does that make sense, or does it sound like the lunatic ravings of a recluse in the making?

We set out about ten in the morning for HEB. Why go that far for groceries? Because these stores are bigger and offer more than most groceries. Mary pronounced it Central Market only cheaper (they are owned by the same company)—I would add it’s Central Market on steroids. We didn’t actually buy much. The week preceding Christmas is not a good time to shop—none of us planned to cook much at home this week. But I now want to study the recipes I’ve marked to try and go back list in hand. I want to buy some of that delectable fresh bread and study the various salmon cakes. I want to buy fresh gulf oysters and pork that, according to the sign, has no additives, antibiotics, or hormones. Freshly made casserole dinners for two and all manner of fresh salads. Jordan was intrigued by the shredded rotisseries chicken and announced we would soon have chicken enchiladas since she wouldn’t have  to shred the chicken herself. The store has prepared things for the quick cook but an equal offering of basics for those of us who like to do our own preparation.

The evening’s gathering was to be a happy hour with three longtime friends. It turned into a full-fledged meal at which we lingered at the table, exchanging gifts, talking about the holidays, how we came together, and other such. Our hostess served us homemade cauliflower soup with caraway seeds, spiced pumpkin bread, and  a green salad with walnuts and craisins. I planned my antipasto platter for the happy hour several days in advance. I wanted to upgrade the way I serve meat and cheese, piling it in a crowded platter rather than laying out neat slices. I chose salami, mortadella, a  Gouda, and provolone and lightened the platter with tiny tomatoes, baby carrots, cucumber slices, and segments of small sweetie oranges, with a dip of homemade pesto, sour cream and a dab of mayonnaise.

Getting home at 9:30, I barely had time and energy to once again organize my desk, before I fell into bed. This morning I started the day with a list of small chores to be done—and a fresh new haircut. Life is hectic this week, even at my slow pace.

Jamie's girls--wife, Mel, daughters Eden and Maddie

 An almost-everything day

January 5, 2017

If yesterday was a nothing day, today was an almost everything day. About three this afternoon I looked at son Jamie who was here for the day and said, “I am a completely content person.” And I was. I enjoyed having him in the cottage even if he was making business calls some of the time. We talked of weighty matters while he installed two security cameras—they’re really cool. Activated by motion, they record picture and sound and show up on the cell phone of each of my four children.

Jamie brought me a late Christmas gift from his youngest daughter, Eden, almost fourteen. A desk organizer (Lord knows I need organizing) with a picture of Eden and her big sister, so now I get to look at those two

Jamie also fixed my fancy new Sleep Numbers bed and I had a nap on it--it was great, and I think it will help my extremely sore right shoulder.

Jordan and Jacob were also around much of the day, so the cottage as a busy place and I enjoy that. Somehow they inspired me, and I got more done than I have in a week recently. Figured out which books I still have to post in digital form. I have work to do—six books to post. Finally did a permanent chart so I can keep track of my digital books. And I started reading the manuscript I plan to finish next.

Tonight Kathie, Carol, Subie and I had our late Christmas dinner—very festive dinner at one of the more upscale restaurants in town. Wonderful to be out (yes, I don’t get out much lately), festive, in good company. A delicious meal, though I liked everything but my entrée—schnitzel (I think I was reading schnitzel and thinking spaetzle). Came with sautéed cabbage and apples—outstanding—and I had a mint-chocolate tartlet for dessert. Plus, splurge, a glass of wine. Now I’m unbearable sleepy.

I will crawl into my Sleep Number bed and dream sweet dreams. You do so, too.

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Getting Out in the World

I wouldn’t want you to think things are going to hell in a handbasket around here, but someone just brought me today’s paper to read—only it turned out to be last Saturday’s paper. Wednesday is when they run recipes, and I’d really rather have that.

Beefing up my social life and also getting out in the world. Monday a colleague from my osteopathic college days—probably the 70s—brought me a sandwich for lunch, and we had a great, happy visit. Yesterday, Melinda, production manager at TCU Press and my dear friend, came and got me and we went to Nonna Tata for lunch. It’s our favorite hangout, and we take small bottles of wine. We’re in z rut—she has chicken limon and I have braseola. And we always have a great, laughter-filled visit. It was a trick to get into her suburban but I had a stepstool and managed it nicely. Still, making sure Sophie stays confined while I get out, getting into the car, etc. is a strenuous exercise. Melinda said she should have skipped her exercise class that morning.

Tonight Betty and I took Jacob to Swiss Pastry—they now serve a German menu on weeknights. Jacob frowned, doesn’t like that restaurant, etc. I had studied hard to find things on the menu he’d like, but he made a face at mac and cheese with bacon and potatoes—and I didn’t even tell him the cheese was gruyere and not cheddar. But lo and behold, they had a kids’ menu with a hamburger. Their hamburgers are Wagu beef and delicious. I fortunately kept my mouth shut about how good it would be, and Jacob loved it.

Betty and I split the Weisswurst platter—sliced pork-and-veal sausage and mushrooms in a wine cream sauce with mashed potatoes. Absolutely delicious. I’m anxious to go back and try some of their schnitzels. Jacob and I let our imaginations get away with our capacity, and each ordered Black Forest Cake—I brought home a full serving, and he brought almost that much. Good desserts linger in the fridge. Betty had coconut cream pie, liked it so well she took a second piece home to her husband.

Meanwhile I am overwhelmed with small chores at my desk. The neighborhood newsletter consumed an unusual amount of time, and everything I touch seems to take more time than it should. I sometimes get 250 emails a day, plus I check Facebook at least once a day. And now I have three books to read for the Sarton competition sponsored by Story Circle Network. Somehow it seems I work all morning and never get ahead.

My current project is to sort some recipes, and I did a bit today, picking out things to fix for Jordan and me since Christian will be out of town this weekend. We usually eat fish when he’s gone, so I have Italian-style tuna sandwiches and avocado/salmon/lime tostados on my list. Fun to be cooking again.

Two days and I trade the boot for a brace. I’m hoping I will make life a lot easier and so am excited. Wish me good balance and self-confidence, please.

Lovely quiet weekend

 

Juju and Jojo at happy hour tonight
I look like an old lady but please bear in mind
no make up, no nothing--it was a lazy day

Absolutely wonderful weekend, in spite of a garage sale. Jordan is, as a friend said, the queen of garage sales. She had almost everything out by six-fifteen Saturday morning when Christian arrived. I slept on until almost 8:30, got up and wandered outside. Not a lot of action, and it was chilly, so I spent most of the day at my desk. They wrapped it up about noon and headed for Goodwill. Then they disappeared, came back about 3:30 and left again. I worked at my desk, napped and got a lot done. Marinated tuna (Totino’s—try it!) and spinach for supper.

Today was much the same, although I made a batch of sloppy Joe in the morning. I’m sure I’ve said this in a blog before, but my recipe is actually one called a wine casserole. I decided tonight I like it better plain than in a sandwich. Every once in a while I get a longing for it. It’s one of the few meat dishes Jacob likes, but tonight, just back from a weekend in Austin with his paternal grandparents, he was too tired to eat.



cartons of damaged books waiting to be sorted

Long discussion at the dinner table about my boxed books. In spite of Blackmon Mooring’s best efforts, they are dry, cover mostly okay, but pages warped. We have to unpack forty-six cartons, look at every book, and inventory them. Right now they are stacked in my dining room. Jordan, who worked so hard to organize them before the hail storm, gets a new attack of frustration every time she looks at them. Christian and I have both agreed to spend evenings sorting. I’ll need to dig out some recipes to cook supper for them on those evenings. I think a good plan for the children’s books is to donate them to the school district and take a tax deduction.

Tomorrow people come to pick up three beds we won’t need, and sometimes this week the floor people start on the floor in the sunroom. We’re making progress. The hail storm sure messed up our grand plan, but I guess it did for a lot of people and I can’t whine.



Rain and stuff

Rain and more rain--it fills our lakes and aquifers, but it brings floods, dangerous roads, fender benders, shredded gardens, and cancelled appointments. I've rarely seen as much rain from the tail end of a Gulf hurricane as we got today from Bill. It dumped on us all morning, and for the second day in a row I cancelled the world--rescheduled a doctor's appt. and a lunch. It had its upside though--I didn't get out of my nightshirt (my new fav--which led Jacob to say "Why are you wearing that shirt?") until four o'clock, and I got tons done. Felt very good about the day.
Jordan used to say our house could run as long as we had chardonnay, cottage cheese, and Newman's Own vinaigrette. Told her I had cottage cheese with Newman's on it for lunch today, and she laughed. We haven't done that in a long time.
Dinner at the Grill because Jacob "desperately" wanted his grilled cheese. I told him I desperately wanted deviled eggs at the Tavern, and when Betty headed for the Grill, I told him he was spoiled. He just grinned.


Lisa, on the left, in what I guess is
a bumpy take-off picture.

My daughter-in-law, Lisa, left from Houston Intercontinental this morning for a week-long mission trip to Haiti. I worried about her flight, having heard  that flights out were cancelled down there because of wind. Lisa texted that takeoff was a "bit bumpy." Glad it wasn't me. I am so looking forward to having the rest of her family here this weekend. We'll miss Lisa but I'm proud of what she's doing.
The Frisco Alters will also be here--we're celebrating Jacob's ninth birthday. And both families are bringing dogs, so there will be four dogs. I'm trying to adopt Colin's attitude--"We'll work it out." Colin's kids will stay at Jordan's but I imagine the older Frisco girls will stay here. I'm just not going to worry about it. I carefully put clean linen on the beds in the guest room--and then Jacob and Christian slept there. I can't win!
I have a sort of new neighbor on one side, a young doctor who moved in maybe in January. We've only spoken three or four times in the driveway--Jay, my handsome neighbor, says it's because Jim, the doctor, is afraid I'm a cougar (he's maybe 30, looks 17). But today when he saw me dragging a wet garbage cart up the driveway Jim rushed out to help me, emptied out the remaining water, and we chatted. He assured me that I now have three doctors next door should I need anything. I said I appreciated him because his parties were quiet and ended early, and he invited me to come over anytime. We may convince him yet to join our close circle of neighbors and former neighbors.
Tomorrow, more rain. But I am going to physical therapy and then to the grocery and out for dinner. Getting things done at my desk is good but I've got to get out of the house.