Civic-minded Kitty

Yes, Ginger's parents did their civic duty today. We voted.

Who did we vote for? Well, that's quite a personal question, but I'll give you a few hints . . . . .

Hint #1: We voted for the patriotic, proud-to-be-an-American guy who can produce a copy of his US birth certificate (without being prompted by a lawsuit) and does not 'socialize' with freaking terrorists.

Hint #2: A man who's wife is proud of her country (all the time, not just recently) and who realizes that her shit stinks just like everyone else in the 50 states. Can you say that about the wife of the 'other' candidate?

Hint #3: A man who thinks I'm mature enough to make decisions about my money. Who doesn't believe in 'rewarding' some lazy ass with my hard-earned money.

You know, when you think about it "Change" is a six letter word . . . . . but so is "fucked."

How was your commute?

Since DJ and I both work from home (the majority of the time), we find ourselves with free time that usually coincides with 'rush hour' for all those office workin' folks. What to do with this time?



I know. Let's go kayaking. So, we set off a little before 5 PM on Tuesday for a short 'yak attack. As we're paddling along, I looked left and saw the Neuse River bridge filled with commuters on their way home. I turned right and saw my husband's bright orange kayak and his cute little self wearing his favorite John Deere baseball hat.

"DJ, since we work from home, is this (our 'yak attack) our version of the end of the day commute?"

"Yeah. I guess so."

I love my life.

North Carolina State Fair

Most of y'all know that the first year DJ and I were married, we lived in Chapel Hill. That year, 1998, was my first year attending the North Carolina State Fair in Raleigh. Ten years later, the NC State Fair is just as fun.

Although it was cold (high 50's most of the day) yesterday, we still had a great time wandering through the blacksmith exhibit, a dozen garden displays (where we fell in love with the look of Mexican petunia and pineapple sage), the tractor exhibit, the children's barnyard, watching a belted Galloway class and gawking at lots and lots of produce that could have made guest appearances in the X Files. We saw a 146 pound watermelon and a 700 pound pumpkin. Now that would make a lot of pumpkin bread.

Forget the rides, concerts or food vendors. Although it appears that this part of state fairs get bigger and bigger, I don't want it. How could you be interested in a turkey leg when you just saw the majestic bird, in its fine feathered regalia, it came from? I am fearful of the day when the state fair no longer has representation from the farming and livestock community. How can we appreciate our food if we don't understand where it came from? Who grew it? What hard work it takes to get that nourishment to your table?

Sweet potatoes, honey, corn. These are examples of the astounding produce that comes from the farm. But, do you look at your plate and think of them as miracles? Tomorrow, remember to give thanks to the farmers and effort it took to provide that bounty on your table.

2008 Trick or Treat

An early 'Trick or Treat' gift to my wonderful blog readers. I hope this; and the possibility that the 'wrong' president elected could significantly increase your taxes, reward the lazy with your hard earned money and lead us down the path to a socialist government; inspires you to get off your bum and vote. Remember, early voting is available in many areas.

Author's note: I could list 27 million ways to November 4th about who you should vote for and why, but I'll pass. You are all adults and I have faith that you will do your research, look at the issues, the character of the candidates, their patriotism, tax plans, etc and make an informed, educated decision.

'Yak Attack

Sunday was Another Gorgeous (yet breezy) Coastal Carolina day! The pictures say a thousand words. Which is good considering that I don't have that much to add.

Check

Rainy weather? Check

Cold temperatures? Check (didn't get out of the mid-50's today)

Clean, warm polartec blankie? Check

Lack of initiative to do anything in this weather? Oh, yeah. In spades.

That's OK. I think our three member family needed the rest after a very busy (but highly productive) week.

And what did you do on World Bread Day?

Yeast, flour, salt and water. Basic pantry staples, right? But, put 'em together and what do you get?

Ahhhhhhh! Bread!

There is nothing like the smell of a kitchen while bread is being baked (or proofing). And that was the smell that permeated our kitchen, and entire house, today in honor of World Bread Day. It is heavenly, unworldly, a sensation that can not be described with any of Webster's words.

However, the smell of fresh baking bread leads one to eat bread. And, that is exactly what I've done. Eat bread (and cheerios) all darn day long.

Since I couldn't devote all day to bread making, I stuck to two of my rarely-fail, crowd pleasers; rustic white and simply honey wheat. Different, yet divine in their own way.

Oh, and for those of you who wanted an update on the status of my freelance project: It is going very, very well. I sent what I've done to date to the woman who contracted me and she was very complimentary. Can someone please tell me why I doubted myself in the beginning?

Water and a beefy tidbit . . . .

I wanted to share two things with y'all this evening.

1. I love living on the water. I love being back down south. I get giddy when I look up from working and see the our resident duck couple (the most recent additions to the menagerie) heading to our dock for their mid-afternoon feeding.

2. Water begets water. Living on the water has stimulated my interest in this precious, under appreciated, life-giving commodity. Did you know that if 10,000 people replaced one beef meal with a vegetarian option just once a week for a year, we'd save enough water to fill roughly 605 Olympic-sized swimming pools? And that is for just 10,000 people! Imagine what would happen if a million people substituted just one beef meal a week with a veggie meal? The results could be staggering (in Mother Earth's favor)! Man, The act of growing cows sucks a huge amount of precious resources.

Chew on that tidbit.

Quote for the day

"Nature does not hurry, yet everything is accomplished."

--Lao Tzu

Sounds like a principle that could be practiced in other areas besides nature.

Quote for the day

"Never let the future disturb you. You will meet it, if you have to, with the same weapons of reason which today arm you against the present."

---Marcus Aurelius Antoninus

I got a freelance job on Friday. The 'final product' is due October 22nd. I'm excited and nervous as hell. Since accepting this opportunity, all my old insecurities have festered to the surface like splinters working out of skin. I think that is why the quote above struck a chord when I found it earlier today. These are words that I'm mentally repeating to (1) stay present and (2) remind myself that I have kicked ass in the past and I'll do it again. This week.