Who knew that screaming would be totally out of the question so soon after I mentioned it here? We became engulfed, enrobed we can say even, in smoke about three weeks ago. Thus turning my life into one long Inhaler episode, removing any ability really to speak, or go outside. Or sleep, or breathe, or any number of things. A bit of a fugue state, it has nonetheless allowed me to catch up on The New Yorker.
During which of course enough disasters have occurred to make a person wonder if it might not really be some kind of…something. But what? Apocalypse? End of the beginning? Beginning of the end? We can see the fine hand of the forked tongue in the non-pictorial non-coverage of what’s gone on, at least on network TV. The same pictures were shown over and over both for Harvey and Irma, but none that really showed what was happening and to what extent. Nothing at all of the first earthquake in Mexico or hurricane information, either. The recent event in Mexico City is so big I guess it cannot be ignored but even so unless one watches Telemundo there isn’t much real information. Likewise no film has been shown here, really, of all the fires that caused the above enrobement…because? Initially there WAS one news clip but OMG. What was that in the picture there kids? It was a lot of marijuana plants, in an undoubtedly (due to size) illegal grow. No aerial footage whatsoever after that, and barely even a mention of what was making the air yellow and solid either. Ignorance is not necessarily bliss.
However, as usual, the kitchen has offered some solace from all this. I finally may have gotten sauerkraut to work.
And also, the butternut and other squash went insane to our amazement, and we’ve now got close to 30 butternuts stacked up for winter. So that’s a good thing. Also a very good thing in that butternuts are something the Dog can not only eat, but goes cross eyed with bliss when he sees some in his bowl. I also made a pickle from some of our never ending lemon squash so we’ll see how that comes out- curry flavor, and some prudently saved brine from prior pickles worked just fine. It’s the Partner’s un-birthday tomorrow, so chocolate gelato seemed in order. Fish tacos and homemade tortillas. No singing but what can you do? In other exciting news, we were reunited this week with the wonders of having a rear view mirror. Readers may recall the funfest involved in obtaining Rear View Mirror Adhesive. However, there was more. This stuff could only be used between temperatures of 55 and 72 degrees F. The people around here I told that to got hiccups from laughing. So, they said, when hell freezes over, or February? Turns out it was 70! the other morning for about two hours so the Partner sprang into fixative action and I must say, it’s quite nice having that thing back.
This not being able to breathe business has, however, made me feel even more grateful for all the good things in my life, and the ever present Bigger Picture of all of us on this planet. Assuming, as I do, that improved functioning will resume sooner or later for both my lungs and the world in general, it’s given me an opportunity, lying flat and all, to think about everything in our days with appreciation, instead of what was starting to loom which was more like $$%%!!!. Still haven’t vacuumed but one task at a time, right? I continue with redoubled effort to pray for some kind of sanity to envelop Washington DC at the same time as I think just how wonderful it is to have a garden and Nature to talk to, work with and in. And a dog. And a Partner who’s having an un-birthday. Blessings and thanks!
Boozilla: learning to fly one room at a time 
Posted by Wanda Brenni on September 21, 2017 at 8:05 am
So happy to see the blog with its wonders of the harvest and kitchen. I knew of the smoke, heat, and fires and was a bit worried about you.