Year: 2017

ECONOGAL > 2017

Two Days Out Book Review

Posted on by Econogal

Randall Silvis, author of Two Days Out, cannot be pigeon-holed into one genre. I have never read any of his previous works but found quite a bit of information on the web. His first public successes occurred in the 1980’s and Silvis categorized his first book as one of magic realism. Although Two Days Out does not contain any “chase scenes” I believe an adaptation could translate well onto the big screen.

The vocabulary present in the novel made me reach for a dictionary. Spume-strewn, susurrus, sibilance appear in the first chapter and I needed definitions for each. In this way, Silvis reminded me of Faulkner. He is an author with a literary bent.

Ryan DeMarco

Two Days Out is a psychological thriller introducing State Trooper Ryan DeMarco to the literary world. His personal past is tragic. An only son killed in a car accident twelve years past, and neither he nor his estranged wife can get past the incident.

Thus, DeMarco’s role in Two Days Out contains conflict. He is the lead investigator in the crime of a family murdered and a missing husband. Thomas Huston, a college professor and best-selling author is the man on the run. More complexities arise from the relationship between the two men. DeMarco has a hard time reconciling his knowledge of Huston’s personality with a man able to kill his entire family. He not only wants to find Huston, but he also wants to discover the trigger which caused the man to snap.

Thomas Huston

Thomas Huston also struggles to align his flashbacks of the murders and the man he is. The reader is compelled as much by the psychological struggle within Huston as with the plot. Silvis’ conveys the moral tussles of his prey in a manner which creates both sympathy and disbelief. Secondary characters paint a picture of Huston incongruous to the events. The twist and turns of the plot add further intrigue.

The Trigger

As the plot unfolds, Silvis directly involves the reader in the age-old literary theme of good vs. evil. The causal event is one that divides our nation. An act which always brings into question right from wrong and in the case of Two Days Out is the tipping point. The trigger event allows the reader to see the story-line as realistic. Furthermore, the writer advances a higher level of thought which compels each individual to reflect on morality.

I highly recommend Two Days Out for mature readers. There are a few scenes unsuitable for individuals in their early to mid-teens unless there is parent oversight. The description of the victims is disturbing. However, this novel addresses dilemmas which hopefully few will face. The story is compelling and worthwhile.

Zija Chocolate Protein Bites

Posted on by Econogal

Mixing bowl and Ingredients for Zija Protein BitesNow that the holidays are almost over, it is time to cut back on the sugar intake. However, this can be difficult since sugar can be addicting. So, I am replacing some of the Christmas goodies with a healthy snack, Zija Chocolate Protein Bites. The recipe is quite easy and I even had a millennial taste tester give it the okay.

Moringa

Moringa is the basis for Zija. The only place I have seen Moringa in the grocery store was on the Big Island of Hawaii. I have seen pictures of Moringa plants growing in California. Five times a week I use the Zija protein powder in my smoothies at lunch. Each of the bags last us about 3 months since we only use a scoop in the smoothies. I really like this new recipe for Zija Chocolate Protein Bites. But I don’t think I will go through a batch everyday so I don’t think I will use up the Zija Dutch Chocolate protein powder at a faster rate than the Zija Vanilla Bean which we use in our smoothies.

If you are interested in trying this recipe and have not tried any Zija products, there is a link on the side bar or you can click here. This is one of the few companies I will promote through this site. As I have stated before in my About this Blog, I will not run pop-up advertisements on this site, nor like some sites will I ask for money. But if I really like a product I will allow unobtrusive ads or highlight them in a blog post. Since I am a Zija distributor, if you order through this site I will receive compensation.

Materials:

Mixing bowl, wax paper, plastic cooking gloves

Ingredients:

1 cup Zija XM Protein Powder-Dutch Chocolate flavor

1 cup almond butter

1 Tablespoon peanut butter (optional)

¼ cup honey

 

Place all ingredients in a mixing bowl and mix with gloved hands. Roll mixture into a 16 inch log which is approximately 1 inch wide. Place in freezer. You can cut them after 30 minutes. My slices were just under a half an inch thick. A rough calculation of calories is about 50 per bite. So like candy you want to be judicious. However, unlike candy, these calories are not empty.

 

As you can see in the pictures, at certain stages of production the Zija Protein Bites may not look appetizing. I suggest you serve these the first time on a plate after they have been sliced. Once tasted, people will not be put off by the look.

 

Candy Cane Cheesecake Recipe

Posted on by Econogal

Two finished candy cane cheesecakesCandy Cane Cheesecake

One of my favorite dessert recipes to make during the holidays is a candy cane cheesecake. I adapted the recipe from a 1988 edition of the Philadelphia Cream Cheese Cookbook put out by Kraft, Inc. Their cheesecake was relatively easy to make, but I cut corners and made it even easier. This is a great recipe to make ahead but as long as you have a few hours to chill it, this can be a last minute dessert recipe as well.

Ingredients:

2 Keebler Chocolate Cookie Pie Crusts
1 envelope unflavored gelatin
¼ cup water
2 (8 oz) blocks of cream cheese softened
½ cup sugar
½ cup milk
4 large or 12 small candy canes crushed
1 cup heavy whipping cream
2 regular size Hershey chocolate bars finely chopped

Ingredients to make candy cane cheesecake

Instructions:

Stir gelatin into water over low heat until completely dissolved. At medium speed, combine sugar and cream cheese until smooth and well blended. Gradually add gelatin, milk and crushed candy canes mix until blended-will have chunks of candy. Pour into medium bowl and chill briefly but do not let set.

Whip cream until stiff peaks form. Gently stir into cream cheese mixture. Fold in the chopped chocolate. Divide between the two chocolate cookie pie crusts. Chill until serving.

Tips:

Place unwrapped large candy canes or still wrapped small candy canes inside a plastic baggie. Use a rolling pin to crush the candy canes.

If making at the last moment, place candy cane cheesecakes into the freezer until ready to serve. The cheesecakes keep well in the freezer if you want to make ahead as well. I would suggest keeping in the refrigerator no longer than a week, but mine never last that long. This is a treat that many ask for the recipe and it really is quite simple to make. But I try not think about the calories.

Rolling pin to crush candy canes

The Noel Diary Book Review

Posted on by Econogal

Jacob Christian Churcher

One of the best things about reading books for the Friday book reviews is discovering writers new to me. Richard Paul Evans fits this description. The Noel Diary is his latest Christmas novel. Apparently, he is well-known for setting stories at Christmas time. He also manages to release those books in time to place under the tree.

The lead character in The Noel Diary is novelist J. Churcher. The J stands for Jacob. Actually his full name is Jacob Christian (JC) Churcher and thus you have the first of many layers in the story.

Churcher comes from a home broken in many ways. The breakdown occurs after a family tragedy. This background provides the basis for the theme of the book. Families unable to cope with the hardships life throws at them. Fortunately for Churcher, he found support from outside sources, hence his success.

The thrust of the story is about forgiveness and grace and reconciliation. After learning of the death of his estranged mother, Jacob returns to Salt Lake City to settle the estate and clean out the house he spent his first sixteen years in. An old neighbor, Elyse, reaches out to him and guides him in the direction of grace.

The Noel Diary

But the story is also a romance. Churcher’s character even explains the difference between romance and love stories. Jacob falls in love with Rachel, an adoptee looking for her birth mother. Her only clue was that her mother lived with the Churcher family prior to giving birth. They find a diary written by Noel while cleaning out the house.

The diary helps Jacob vaguely remember Noel. But he was only four when all the events took place. In order to find answer’s for Rachel, Jacob attempts to reconcile with his father.

Reconciliation can be difficult. However, the Christmas season is the perfect time for this. Forgiveness and grace are key ingredients in a successful reconciliation. Honesty with one’s own faults is also an important ingredient.

I concluded from looking at Richard Paul Evans’ website’ website that he is a prolific writer. My belief is his success stems from the ability to write entertaining stories while sharing the important keys of humanity. The Noel Diary is both a romance and a love story, but it is so much more. Evans uses many parallels and allegories in his writing. My interpretation of the story is one of love regardless of past mistakes. Forgiveness is the key to finding grace.Book Noel Diary with nativity as backdrop

Last 2017 Harvest

Posted on by Econogal

Last 2017 Harvest

Technically December 20th is considered fall. Today’s 60 degree temperature reflects that. But winter is literally just around the corner both on the calendar and the forecast. Since tomorrow’s daytime high will be in the 30’s followed by single digits and colder days, I decided today would be the last 2017 harvest.

As you can see in the photos, not much is left for the last 2017 harvest. In fact, the big crop of the day is the just over one pound of carrots. I should be able to make several dishes with that particular harvest.

On the other hand, the beet greens probably outweigh the roots. Fortunately we like eating the greens as well as the beet. The same small yield can be seen in the spinach and the few remaining green onions. Those will make a great egg white frittata for tonight’s supper.

Another part of the last 2017 harvest is more a matter of convenience. Since the weather is going to abruptly turn nasty, I collected some rosemary and sage to use in my Christmas dinner. Both are in protected areas of the garden, so the herb harvest could have waited. However, I prefer working in sixty degree weather versus twenty degrees and a strong north wind.

Zone 5

I live in Zone 5 and twenty years ago the last harvest would not take place in December. Part of the extension of the growing season arises from learning which plants can survive at below freezing temperatures. More research is needed on my part in order to have a year round harvest in this zone. Additionally, I will probably need to invest in cold frames or even a small greenhouse.

Until then, I am very happy to have the last 2017 harvest fall in late December. Since I usually have the earliest of crops ready by late March, fresh produce from my garden occurs almost ten months a year. Not bad for Zone 5.

 

Ten Holiday De-Stressors

Posted on by Econogal

  1. Keep the commitments to a minimum.

This can be difficult especially if you are very involved in your community or if you still have kids at home. I remember the days when some event occurred each day in December. I don’t miss those days. Choir and band concerts, holiday ball tournaments and grade school plays are added stressors during the holiday season. Some events are required for a grade so they can’t be skipped. Thus, if you are at this stage you may need to be a bit anti-social and turn down that cookie exchange. I know I missed a few of the kids’ events. Try not to feel guilty and remember they sing, dance or shoot hoops because they want to– not for you.

  1. Don’t overeat or over drink.

Holiday parties play havoc with eating habits. Sugar and salt are staples of holiday fare. If you like veggies, load up on those. Don’t starve yourself all day, you might end up eating twice as much. Small meals are key. My husband and I try splitting the sweets if we can’t resist them all together. Half a cookie will yield half the calories. If I am on my own, I try a small bite of dessert and if it isn’t out of this world, I push it away.

If you imbibe, do so in moderation. Be wary of any spiked Christmas punch and of course don’t drink and drive. I am still waiting for Uber to come to towns smaller than 10,000 people.

3. Exercise

Stick to your normal exercise routine. You don’t want to risk an injury by kicking things up a notch to counter the extra calories. But, don’t skip a session because you need to get to a party. If you don’t exercise, see your doctor and start a New Year’s Resolution early.

  1. Stick to a budget.

This can be tough. I am not as stingy at Christmas as I am at Easter. (My kids received a book, a stuffed animal and a chocolate bunny each Easter.) But, I try not to overdo the gifts at Christmas. If you are not a tightwad, a good way to make sure you don’t go into debt at Christmas time is to join a bank holiday club. Each week for a year you make a deposit and then in late November, (at least at my bank) the money is dispersed. Of course you need to pay cash and not charge or the stressors will show up in January.

Another way to stay within budget is to make Christmas presents. Some of my family members love receiving Econogal’s Homemade Granola as a gift. Quilts and paintings are good gifts in addition to baked and canned goods.

  1. Spend time with friends not fr-enemies.

Negative people tend to become more negative around the holidays. Early last week I let a negative comment damper my day. I am sure the person didn’t even realize how negative they sounded. Fortunately, my spirits were lifted by some beautiful Christmas hymns later that day. If someone tries to ruin your holiday, run as fast as you can in another direction. Take in a holiday concert or watch a holiday movie. Two of my favorites are White Christmas and Die Hard 2. Yes, very diverse but I love them both.

  1. Reflect on the reason for the season.

This should probably be first, but in life, sometimes the reason for the season gets put on the back burner. I love the Advent season. It is a season of hope and love. Attend a religious service of your choosing to remember and reflect upon the holiday.

  1. Keep expectations realistic.

I can fail at this. I always want everything to go perfectly and life isn’t perfect. On several occasions we have had to alter Christmas plans under stressful circumstances. The toughest time was an unexpected death in the family in the days leading up to Christmas. This situation is the biggest of the stressors and happens for someone each year. My advice is to wrap yourself in family as much as possible and don’t add to the stress if at all possible. Just go with the flow. Sometimes Santa can leave a present under the tree that is not yet put together. This would be far better than trying to assemble through grief. I have failed at this.

Another potentially stressful Christmas occurred because a car plowed through our business on Christmas Eve. Fortunately, the occupants were not badly hurt. We ended up skipping out on the family that year which made some mad, but it really ended up for the best. The kids loved sledding in the park and we cobbled up a home dinner at the last-minute. This was much better than driving on very little sleep. Reduce or eliminate stressors in response to the unexpected.

  1. Try to keep regular sleeping habits.

For those of you fortunate not to have insomnia, this is for you. Holiday parties and events take us out of our normal routine. I have read that routine is key for sleeping though the night. If you normally turn in at 9:00 p.m., make sure you leave the party early. Events, especially involving kids, are a bit harder to sneak out on. In this case, make sure you wake up at the normal time instead of catching some extra sleep.

  1. Do something for someone not expected.

This is my favorite thing to do. I experience great joy in helping others. Last week, I put together a care package for some of the individuals impacted by the California fires. My husband had already sent a check but I like the tangible act of sending and/or doing. So, I visited the local feed and tack store and bought a variety of needed items. The package was sent anonymously. I am sure it is just one of many. This is one of the greatest things about this country. The willingness to help others.

  1. Treat yourself to your favorite relaxer.

December can be full of stressors. Each individual has their own way of relaxing. For some, it may be running a quick 5 or 10K. Others enjoy window shopping. I de-stress by taking a hot bath with a candle burning and a glass of wine. Find what works for you and relax.

 

To Our Children’s Children- Book Review

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Many years ago my cousins gave me To Our Children’s Children : Preserving Family Histories for Generations to Come and its companion, To Our Children’s Children: Journal of Family Memories. These two books by Bob Greene and D.G. Fulford make a great Christmas gift. Their concept is to create a personal family history in writing to hand down to future generations.

I like the two-book format. Because a journal with prompts and plenty of recording space ensures history is actually recorded. But if funds are tight you could get by with just To Our Children’s Children: Preserving Family Histories for Generations to Come.

Greene And Fulford

The authors emphasize the importance of not making the compilation a dreaded task. In fact, they look at the myriad of questions as a menu. Thus, 0ne selects as many or few of the prompts as one wishes to answer. Some may not even be applicable to your family.

Greene and Fulford cover all the bases. The key to writing a family history is to gather the facts first. This includes recording dates of marriages, births, and deaths. Then, flush out the basic facts with details of what family ancestry you can remember and record.

To Our Children’s Children: Recording Life

The next step is to record your life and that of your spouse. Hopefully, this will be an easier part for most. Here you are sharing your actual experience. Historical research is not needed. Yet, this is an important part of the process presented in To Our Children’s Children.

The final chapter from the authors is titled Hard Questions: Extra Credit. This short section only contains thirty writing prompts to choose from. However, they are deep philosophical questions one might ask once they have experienced life.

This year, the same cousins and their Mom created a beautiful wedding gift. A hardcover pictorial album accompanied by a written history of my grandparents. I do not know if they were inspired by their own copy of To Our Children’s Children. But, I believe Greene and Fulford have written a guide which will help you preserve and share your personal family history.

 

Crazy Quilt Christmas Tree Skirt

Posted on by Econogal

One of the quilt projects I am currently working on is a Crazy Quilt Christmas Tree Skirt. This type of quilting is unique in that there are few patterns. Furthermore a crazy quilt uses embroidery, decorative stitches to stitch the odd-shaped pieces together. One can embellish the quilt even more with lace, ribbon, buttons and beads if desired.

Since this is a Christmas tree skirt, I am adding quite a bit of sparkle along with the embroidery. However, if I were making a quilt for a bed or lap I would stick to stitches. Also, I do not have any little ones around so I do not need to worry about any choking hazards.

The only crazy quilt I own I bought in Carlisle, Pennsylvania in the late 1980’s. The quilt dates from 1909 with the initials LHS and is not in the best of conditions. However, the crazy quilt has always called to me. So, I decided a smaller project would be good to start with.

Crazy Quilting

Crazy Quilting by Christine Dabbs is the book I bought to serve as my guide in this experience. I highly recommend the book. (I know I should review Crazy Quilting, it is on a list.) The book is divided into three sections. The first section depicts noted quilts, many dating to the late 1800’s. The second part I found very helpful. Here, complete instructions are given for the construction of a crazy quilt. In addition to information on selecting fabrics and foundations, the book gives detailed directions for embroidery stitching. Thus this is great for anyone who is not experienced in handiwork. Finally, the third section has a crazy quilt design to copy if one desires.

Diana Marcum Fabric Design

This Crazy Quilt Christmas Tree Skirt is two-sided or reversible. One side is a pre-printed machine quilted design of the Holy Family. Unfortunately, I do not remember where I bought the fabric or if my Mom found it. I have a companion fabric which indicates the designer is Diana Marcum and the manufacturer is Marcus Brothers Textiles, Inc. This is the fabric that made me decide to make my first crazy quilt. In some of the close up photos you can see the “stitching” printed around the blocks.

Crazy Quilt

The reverse side is the crazy quilt. Creativity is key in the design. I blended colors to reflect both the Christmas tree decorations and my living room decor. Also, scraps from the first side are used on the crazy quilt side to tie things together.

The different types of fabrics is the biggest challenge. I am conditioned to use all cotton. A traditional crazy quilt tends to have fabric’s of wool, velvet, silk and satin. The textures are quite different. The result is a lot of slipping and sliding. My greatest advice is to pin, pin, and pin some more. At times when the two fabrics did not cooperate, I used ribbon to seam them together instead of stitching.

I had not embroidered much in recent years. However, as a teenager I enjoyed learning handiwork from my maternal grandmother. The forgotten stitches came back quickly with the great illustrations employed by Christine Dobbs. Look closely at the photos and you will see French knots, Chain stitch, Chevron stitch, Herringbone stitch and Feather stitch alone and combined to create the many designs. All of these stitches serve a duo purpose. They are both functional and decorative.

Christmas is just around the corner. So I hope to have the Crazy Quilt Christmas Tree Skirt finished. If I don’t finish in time, there is always next year.

Hardcore Twenty-Four Book Review

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Hardcore Twenty-Four

 

Janet Evanovich strikes again. Her latest Stephanie Plum novel, Hardcore Twenty-Fore hits all the pins. Zombies and paid protesters divert attention from the hardcore topic of synthetic drugs. In Hardcore Twenty-Four the key ingredient to a new drug is human brains.

If you have never read a Stephanie Plum novel, my advice is start with One For The Money. I was given this advice back in 2004 at a headache inducing conference meeting. It was good advice. However, the books certainly stand alone.

Stephanie Plum is torn between two lovers, cop Joe Morelli and the mysterious Ranger. In Hardcore Twenty-Four a third good looker pops backs into play. Diesel, a character most often seen in the Between the Numbers Plum mysteries, is crashing at Stephanie’s apartment. All end up in pursuit of a villainous master mind.

Evanovich creates characters that are zany and fun. But the true strengths in her writing lay elsewhere. The descriptive writing is among the best. The details she gives throughout allows you to visualize the people, the clothing and the setting. A reader sees Grandma Mazur. Women argue over Ranger and Morelli. Longtime readers view the Plum characters as family because we know how they look and think.

The other part of Evanovich’s writing I like is that she comments instead of preaches. I have noticed a trend lately among serial writers. They are using their writing to posit their opinions. While I think they are free to do that, I believe in some cases the positioning detracts from the writing. This is not the case with Hardcore Twenty-Four.

Janet Evanovich’s approach to current issues is done tongue in cheek. For example, in Hardcore Twenty-Four, paid protesters are protesting at a Korean grocery because the store lacks diversity. Evanovich utilizes one of her zaniest characters, Lulu who in a previous life was a hooker, to point out the irony.

The same approach is used with regards to the synthetic drugs. Here in the United States we currently have a problem with the manufacture and distribution of illegal drugs. Shortly before Thanksgiving, I read a serial novel with the same topic. I did not review it because the author ruined the story line with the preaching. However, Evanovich’s approach gave the same message without interfering with the story. In fact, her zany approach allows you to enjoy the story and reflect on the current issues of the day.

Janet Evanovich is one of my favorite writers. I would love to have lunch with her! She makes me laugh out loud with her writing. Life can be tough and laughter is great medicine. Her latest Stephanie Plum novel, Hardcore Twenty-Four made me smile, chuckle and laugh out loud in more than one place. This would be a good present under the tree.

 

 

 

 

 

Economical Christmas Traditions

Posted on by Econogal

Economical Christmas Traditions

We have many traditions throughout the year. December is no exception. Our Christmas traditions begin on December 1st and continue until the big day. The first of these traditions is the changing of the dishes.

Spode China

Many Christmases ago I was given Spode Christmas Tree china. Instead of just bringing out the china for the big day, I bring the dishes out December 1st. Therefore, my regular dishes are put up for the month and the Spode fills the cabinet. Thus instead of special Christmas plates enjoyed once a year, they are utilized 31 days. Since the dishes were a gift, my direct cost is zero. However, they were not free-someone in my family paid good money. Since I reuse them each year, the average life time cost continues to decrease. Durable gifts/decorations like the Spode Christmas Tree plates are a great value over time. I have had the pleasure of using mine for over twenty years.

Bucilla Stockings

Another of my favorite Christmas Traditions is the hanging of the stockings. We do not have a fireplace, so I hang them on a half wall at the front entrance. My grandmother made my stocking. She also made one for my husband and gave it to him the first year we were married.
Once I started having kids, the tradition passed on to my mother. She made each grandchild a stocking. As you can see from the pictures, each has a different design. Since I do not have grandchildren, I have not made any.

Research over the Internet repeatedly brings up Bucilla Felt stockings available for sale through numerous retail avenues. However, I could find very little history of the company and no direct links. If you are interested in making a Bucilla stocking ask your local craft or sewing store if they carry the kits. Most of the stocking kits I found listed on-line were under $30.00. Again, spreading the cost out over the years yield a very economical Christmas tradition.

Holiday Decorations

Outdoor decorations are wreaths on the doors. This is one of the few expenses of the season. I buy a fresh evergreen wreaths from one of the local youth fundraisers. Sometimes I buy from the Boy Scouts and sometimes from the high school. In each case I feel the money is well spent.

Indoor decorations are treasured family heirlooms. Nativity sets and ornaments which have been in the family for generations are on display. Some of the nativity sets are kid friendly so they can reenact the story. Others are displayed atop the china cabinet. Most of the kid friendly nativities were found at auctions or yard sales.

Many of the ornaments were acquired through another of our Christmas traditions. Each year I would take the kids downtown and they were allowed to pick out one ornament. I always looked forward to that Thursday night of ornament shopping. It truly is the one thing I dislike about being an empty-nester.

I love the holidays and have many Christmas Traditions. Most do not involve spending large amounts of money. Please feel free to share some of your favorite traditions.

Sampling San Diego

Posted on by Econogal

On a recent trip to San Diego my visit lasted about 60 hours. But I sampled a lot of great food during the allotted time. The Gas Lamp District was the first stop. One of the best things about the city is the climate. Even in November, outside seating is pleasant. The Gas Lamp District of San Diego has numerous establishments allowing the chance to dine alfresco. Parking is tough but when driving, opt for a city parking lot at the edge of the district.

Gas Lamp District

My favorite neighborhood bar is appropriately named The Neighborhood Bar. Although a change in chefs had occurred since the last visit, the pub maintains its friendly vibe. In addition to the patio tables, large sections of the exterior walls open up giving the inside tables an airy atmosphere. Further, the bar top extends to a two seat high top table on the sidewalk. Only once have I been able to score this spot. A large selection of tap beers is a draw and wine drinkers should have no trouble finding something to their liking. The menu is now burger based. Opting for appetizers, a dozen muscles were ordered before heading down the street for the main meal.

The center of the district is a short stroll away. Living in the center of the country, fresh seafood is a treat. But I also love Italian. Fortunately, San Diego offers a number of restaurants that combine the two. Chianti is one of these establishments. Halibut and salmon were complemented by grilled vegetables, polenta, risotto and an additional side order of pasta with traditional red sauce. This was my first visit to Chianti and I was happy.  The couple at the next table were sharing the lasagna. It looked fantastic. They said it was their favorite and they ordered it whenever they visited San Diego. A highlight was watching the moon rise while having dinner and people watching. If you don’t like cannoli, you have the option of crossing the street to Ghirardelli’s famous for both chocolate and ice cream.

Torrey Pines

A.R. Valentien at The Lodge at Torrey Pines served a great meal the second night. A gorgeous sunset as you can see in the photoSunset over ocean provided a backdrop for dining. The large group I was with sampled pretty much the entire menu. Seafood ranged from Alaskan Halibut to Hawaiian Snapper. Roast Chicken and Seared Duck along with Prime Rib were other choices. I enjoyed the Apple Wood Smoked Niman Ranch Pork Chop with grilled vegetables. My favorite wine, Caymus Cabernet provided a nice finish to the meal.

Old Town San Diego

Old Town San Diego was the dinner destination on the third night of the visit. Unlike the previous nights, a lengthy wait for dinner occurred. Casa De Reyes is very popular. The large courtyard restaurant is surrounded by shops with numerous types of items. Olive oils, salsa and chocolate are just a few of the food items. You can watch while they make the fresh tortillas used at the restaurant. Items celebrating The Day of the Dead are also sold around the courtyard. Live musical entertainment in the center of the courtyard helps pass the time as well.

The food is worth the wait. The Reyes Appetizer Platter will spoil your appetite if your group is small, but it is amazing. The fresh corn and flour tortillas highlight the many varieties of burritos, enchiladas and soft shell tacos. If you like your food spicy just ask for their extra spicy hot sauce. I prefer tea to tequila but I saw plenty of margaritas served in the restaurant, some jumbo sized. However, the atmosphere was very family friendly. I had never visited Old Town before and I really enjoyed it. Plans are to go back in the future.

I hope you enjoyed this sampling of San Diego area eateries. While some places I visit one time, San Diego is a repeater. So if you have a favorite restaurant in San Diego, please share in the comments below. I would love to sample a new place on my next trip.

We Band of Angels

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We Band of Angels Book Review 

While my favorite source for reading material is my local public library, it is by no means my only source. I also frequent book sales and used book stores. One of these was my source for the book We Band of Angels: The Untold Story of American Nurses Trapped on Bataan by the Japanese. This is a well written and documented history of female nurses trapped in the Philippines at the beginning of World War II.

Quite a few things stand out after reading Elizabeth M. Norman’s We Band of Angels. First, the incredible hardship faced by the nurses, troops and others caught by the Japanese. Even though all the nurses survived, they endured much. Shortly after their bases were bombed, the nurses followed the troops into the jungle. They struggled to operate in the war theatre. Bombs were not just nearby but also hit the makeshift hospitals. As the military retreated, so did the nurses. Eventually, the Americans surrendered.

We Band of Angels: Prisoners of War

Second, the survival after surrender stemmed in great part by the discipline and organization of the commanding officers. The nurses ended up spread apart as P.O.W’s (Prisoners of War). The majority spent over three years living in Santo Tomas Internment Camp in Manilla. In addition to manning the camp hospital, nurses sewed and worked plots of garden. Before liberation, all internees were living on well under 1000 calories a day. One meal served per day. Scurvy and beriberi led the malnutrition diseases. But a host of maladies from measles to dysentery to whooping-cough took a toll as well. The nurses, weak themselves from hunger, stayed on the job.

Finally, the appreciation by the nurses of a sunset or the stars resonated with me. Throughout unfathomable conditions this appreciation of nature kept many going. Material goods were gone, they were all starving and sick but they still appreciated the wonders of the Earth. In fact, the natural wonders may have kept them sane.

Contrast in Treatment

The contrast between the internment camps run by the Japanese and my knowledge of both Relocation Centers and the handful of U.S. based P.O.W camps is stark. Admittedly, the relocation of Japanese Americans from the West Coast to interior camps is not parallel. The nurses depicted in Norman’s We Band of Angels were caught behind enemy lines. The thousands of Japanese Americans interned were taken from their homes, American homes. The situation with the mostly German P.O.W.s is a more direct comparison. But in both the case of relocation and the enemy soldiers, neither group faced starvation. In fact in some cases individuals were granted day passes to leave the camps. Furthermore, the internees of Camp Amache outside of Granada, Colorado produced a surplus of food.

National Museum

A few years ago I spent a few hours in the National WWII Museum in New Orleans. This museum is one of the best in the country. When I return to New Orleans in March I plan to revisit the museum and discover more information about the nurses in We Band of Angels. Elizabeth M. Norman did an excellent job of piquing my interest in this chapter of military history. If you would like to read the book, it has recently been reprinted and can be found through Barnes and Noble or Amazon.

 

Garage Door Update

Posted on by Econogal

Garage Door Update

Between the travel and the weather, the home projects are tough to complete. I am happy to give a garage door update. Both doors are finished. Or should I say refinished.

Work on the single door occurred in late September. Since then I have travelled to both coasts and states in between. Weather also delayed things. Ideally temperatures should be in the 70s for staining. As November rolled on, I began to think I would have mismatched doors for the winter.

However the third week of the month turned uncharacteristically warm. I did have a planned trip back to Kentucky so the race was on to see if I could strip, sand, stain and varnish in the allotted six and a half days. I made it!

The challenge was great. This time I was working on the double door. That is twice as much surface area to work on. Also I learned from some of my earlier mistakes.

Taping the door took quite a bit of time. On the single door I left the tape on the windows throughout. This left a sticky residue. So this time I removed the tape from the windows after each step and the tape from other areas after the staining. No residue is evident anywhere.

Because the wind kicked up on two days, I worked occasionally with the doors partway up. This may have caused a problem with the mechanism. The door is now off kilter and we are waiting for the installers to come adjust it.

This has happened before so it may not be related. I love my wood doors but the heavy weight has caused problems with the double door. My recommendation to anyone would be to use them only if all your doors are singles.

The garage door update is related to an earlier post. If you are a new reader you can click here for the initial report. I am a DIY individual. The money saved on this project was considerable. But the main reason I refinished for a garage door update was the inability to find someone willing to do the work.

If you are a young person out there struggling to find work, look around. Many skilled labor jobs are going unfilled. Ten years from now I may not be in shape to do another garage door update. I hope someone can be found to do the work then.

 

The Gatekeepers-How The White House Chiefs of Staff Define Every Presidency

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The Gatekeepers- Book Review

In mid-October I happened upon a press conference where John Kelly, White House Chief of Staff, made his first statements. He made quite an impression on me. Shortly thereafter I spotted The Gatekeepers-How The White House Chiefs of Staff Define Every Presidency on a relative’s coffee table. I borrowed the book.

Kelly soon after ran into a maelstrom of controversy. As an outsider looking in, I believe much of the trouble stems from the great political divide our country is currently facing. The Gatekeepers provides a history of the Chiefs of Staff from President Nixon forward. However, reading the book also gave me a sense that the current divide in our country is nothing new.

Chris Whipple

Chris WhippleCover of The Gatekeepers, the author of The Gatekeepers, provides evidence of the importance of the non-elected, non-Congressionally approved White House Chief of Staff. He iterates his opinion a need by President Trump to have a strong honest broker as Chief in order to stave off disaster. Whipple’s historical accounting demonstrates how Chiefs can make or break a presidency.

The Gatekeepers is fascinating. The view of the White House from the inside provides a different perspective on the historical events of the last fifty years. But the account meshes with personal recollections.

Whipple treats each administration fairly. Strengths and weaknesses of the Gatekeepers and the Presidents are presented. The discussion centers on how the interaction of the principles weighed greatly on defining each presidency.

Most of the administrations started on shaky ground. Some Presidents attempted the spokes in the wheel approach where they themselves tried to act as a gatekeeper. Others gave little power to the Chief of Staff. In a few cases the Chief wielded too much power.

Students of history will find The Gatekeepers compelling. Whipple posits the success of a presidency depends more on the organization of the administration and less on the individual. The intellect does not always prevail. For example, historians perceive the Carter Administration as an ineffective one. Yet President Carter himself is considered to be one of the most intelligent presidents of the last fifty years.

The inside scoop Whipple provides helps the reader understand why some administrations are more successful than others. Each administration faces crisis. How those events are handled says much about the Chief of Staff. But the gatekeeper has just as important role in the interaction with Capitol Hill.

Understanding Washington D.C.

The individual serving as the Chief of Staff needs the political knowledge of how Washington D.C. works. Even though President Obama was an outsider, his first Chief of Staff Rahm Emmanuel was not. The book gives much credit to some of the early successes of the Obama Administration to Emmanuel and his ability to both work with Congress and organize the White House.

Through the years, individuals serving as the gatekeeper without the understanding of how Washington politics worked did not fare well. But there was also a need for organization. The administrations without an organized White House were chaotic and ineffective. The key role of the Chief of Staff is the running of 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue. Everyone wants time with the President. Many want to be the last voice heard before a decision is made. In some administrations that last voice was the Chief of Staff.

The Gatekeepers is a well written historical document explaining the importance of the Chief of Staff. Whipple clearly shows how administrations with strong gatekeepers have more success than those without. The take away is a message for the current administration.

Like many before, the Trump administration has already had turnover in this critical position. Reince Priebus lasted six months. John Kelly did impress in his first two months. The organization of the White House precipitated any public message. Kelly’s first press conference was well received. It is unfortunate that controversy soon followed.

This is a difficult time for the country. The divisions are great. Historical perspectives are beneficial. The Gatekeepers provides this perspective. This book is well worth the time spent reading. Consider reading it yourself or giving a copy to your favorite history buff.

 

Fall Clean-Up Time: Organization Tips and Tricks

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Organization Tips and Tricks

It is officially fall here on the High Plains. Sleet has ushered in the days of staying inside. I prefer to spend my mornings in the garden, but this is the time of year to reclaim the house! Today I am going to share some organization tips and tricks to keep things uncluttered.

Junk Drawers

Clutter comes in many forms. Junk drawers are famous for holding clutter. I confess I have more than one junk drawer. The one in the kitchen is reorganized most often. As you can see from the top right picture, it is time to do that again.Kitchen junk drawer

I believe completely emptying the drawer is the best way to start. This also gives you a chance to wipe the drawer clean of dust bunnies. As the photo on the left shows, the contents of the drawer are better viewed when spread out on a table or countertop. The amount of junk is amazing.Junk Drawer Emptied

Identifying trash is not easy. Some items which may seem like trash to others might have sentimental value. For example, wine corks or even the outside foil of the wine bottle may have personal significance. In this case, you need to have a plan. Can the items be displayed as a keepsake? Many people collect corks to display. In my case however, they will go into the compost pile.

Some things simply need to return to their designated home. I keep batteries in another place, so the package I found has been returned to its rightful place. A place for everything and everything in its place is a good motto.

Items that stay in the drawer are separated in two categories. The small articles are placed in baggies, either snack size or quart size. I use baggies I have previously used and washed out. The larger items are placed directly in the drawer. The lower right photo shows great improvement.Organization achieved

Bedroom Closet Organization Tips and Tricks

The bedroom closet is next on the list for reorganization. I use two key organization tips and tricks I in my closet. Now that cold weather is here, I group all the summer outfits and move them to the back of the closet. Next are items that can be layered. Then I place cold-weathered items up front where they can easily be reached. This is reversed in the spring.Hangers facing two ways

Second, at the beginning of each year, I turn all the hangers in my closet backwards. By the fall the majority of the hangers have changed position. Those hangers still hanging backwards represent outfits that I have not worn in ten months. Most of these outfits are placed in a bag to find a new home at the rummage shop. Again, sentimentality can intrude. Once more, organization tips and tricks can help with this.

One Thing In One Thing Out

Recently, we implemented a one thing in one thing out rule. For every item purchased or gifted, another item needs to leave the house. This simple rule is helping reduce clutter. Since it is unlikely we will ever move again we need to address clutter creep. In the past, moving equaled purging. Staying in one place means a huge build up in items.

Now, before I buy something, I think about what can leave the house in place of the new item. Sentiment can give way easier if you keep this in mind. There is some flexibility. A new dress does not mean an old one must be deleted, just some item.

Charitable organizations reap the benefits from this organization trick. Books are donated to the public library, clothing to the rummage store and other items to the church yard sale. Thus my organization tips and tricks benefit the community and remove clutter from the house.

Progress is reached in the closet and the kitchen. If anyone has any tips or tricks for the laundry room please share. That small space is next on the list!

 

The Good Daughter Book Review

Posted on by Econogal

The Good Daughter by Karin Slaughter is riveting. I could hardly put it down. Action, drama, crime, and mystery combine with love. Love for family, father-daughter, husband –wife. This book has it all. One of the best reads of the year. Some of the plot I could easily see but the tears flowed anyway.

Two Good Daughters

Charlotte (Charlie) Quinn is the Good Daughter. But her sister Samantha (Sam) in her own way is equally good. The novel opens with the two sisters struggling to pass a baton. Their mother is coaching them. A picture is painted quickly of a family, normal, nosy and loving. An intellectual mom married to a lawyer who defends the lowest of the lowlife. Both involved parents.

Then disaster strikes. The fire-bombing of their house pales in comparison to the murder and rampage that follow. The sisters manage to survive their physical injuries. But neither has fully healed psychologically.

Much of the story takes place twenty years after the opening scene. Charlie, the good daughter, shares a law office with her Dad. But not his practice. She has separated from her husband of 20 years. An ill-timed one night stand lands her back into disaster. Afterwards, she lands in the middle of a school shooting while retrieving her phone from the guy she hooked up with.

The new horror opens old wounds. Ben Bernard, the estranged husband as well as the assistant district attorney reaches out to Sam. He knows Charlie needs support. The two sisters have not spoken in decades. But Sam out of a sense of duty, arrives on the scene.

Gender-Based Violence

The plot line is well written. As the storyline unfolds, everything falls into place. The tale itself is full of violence. Violence against women lies at the heart of the book. Organizations such as Zonta International, AAUW and UN Women raise awareness every November against this type of violence with their 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence Campaign. If you know, or have been a victim of such aggression, The Good Daughter may be tough to read.

Slaughter wrote with enough foreshadowing so the reader becomes wrapped up in the characters. Both Charlie and Sam are survivors. Even though their mother dies, she lives on through her teachings. Charlie carries the emotional scars and Sam bears the physical ones. Neither sister realizes what the other has experienced.

The school shooting triggers the reunion and the flashbacks. Both sisters are lawyers like their father. The three family members team up to defend the accused shooter, a young girl from a disadvantaged background.

The Good Daughter Redemption

The latter part of The Good Daughter focuses on forgiveness and above all love. Somehow Karin Slaughter infuses the characters in such a way you feel like you know them. Sibling rivalry is evident. But so is the familial love. Slaughter leaves you upbeat, which is hard considering the amount of violence in the story.

I am sure The Good Daughter will make my top ten list for books read in 2017. However, anyone with personal experience of this gender-based violence may not be able to handle some of the story. The power of the story comes from the love established among the Quinn family. The strength of the women is compelling. Please consider putting The Good Daughter on your reading list.

The Good Daughter

 

 

Econogal’s Heart Healthy Oat Bran Muffins

Posted on by Econogal

High cholesterol runs in the family. There are many drugs on the market to address this health problem. But, a heart healthy diet can be part of the solution. This natural approach can be used in addition to the drugs. For some, a diet including heart healthy oat bran muffins can lower LDL cholesterol without resorting to medication.
I buy my oat bran in bulk from Heartland Mill. You can visit their website by clicking here. Heart Healthy Oat Bran Muffins are a staple in our house baked on a regular basis. The muffins are easy to mix and take less than 30 minutes from start to finish.

Ingredients for Heart Healthy Oat Bran Muffins:

2 ¼ cups oat bran cereal
¼ cup chopped almonds (Feel free to substitute an equal amount of your favorite nut)
¼ cup dried cranberries (Other dried fruits as well as chopped fresh fruits can substitute)
1 tablespoon baking powder
¼ cup honey
1 ¼ cups skim milk
2 egg whites
2 tablespoons sunflower oil

Directions for Heart Healthy Oat Bran Muffins:

Pre-heat oven to 425 degrees Fahrenheit. Mix dry ingredients in a large bowl. Add the honey. Stir milk, egg whites and sunflower oil together and pour over oat bran mixture. Stir until all ingredients are incorporated. Use paper baking cups to line muffin pan. Bake for 16 minutes and then test to see if done. Use a toothpick to make sure Healthy Oat Bran Muffins are moist but not wet. If batter clings to toothpick bake a few more minutes.
If you substitute fresh fruits with a lot of juice such as peaches, substitute brown sugar for the honey for better results. I like to chop my nuts fairly fine but individual tastes may vary. These disappear quickly at my house, but you can store in the refrigerator or freezer if you cannot eat all in 72 hours. The lack of preservatives such as salt means the Heart Healthy Oat Bran Muffins will not keep for an extended amount of time at room temperature.

Ingredients for Heart Healthy Oat Bran Muffins
Getting started
separating the yolk from white
Be sure to just use egg whites
Heart Healthy Oat Bran Muffins before cooking
Ready to bake
After baking
Heart Healthy Oat Bran Muffins ready to eat

2017 Hurricane Season Economic Aftermath

Posted on by Econogal

The 2017 hurricane season is about over and it was active. In fact, the season ranks in the top ten most active seasons. Of the 16 named Atlantic Ocean storms, 10 became hurricanes. Six of the storms reached major hurricane status. Visit Dr. Philip Klotzbach of Colorado State University webpage for statistics. Naturally, many are experiencing an economic aftermath.

Economic aftermath of Hurricane Harvey

The first storm I wrote about was Hurricane Harvey. Even though Harvey lasted only two days, damage is extensive. This hurricane was a rainmaker. A report from Business Insider cites almost 52 inches of rain from the storm in Cedar Bayou. The economic aftermath will include repairing or replacing approximately 20,000 homes due to storm damage.

I met with some Houston residents and former residents in mid-September. Their eyewitness reports were hard to comprehend. The area of West Houston where I used to live and work was heavily flooded. The flooding came in part from engineered release of water from two dams. This intentional flooding is comparable to controlled burns. Minor flooding, while damaging some, saved many more homes and businesses from the destructive force of water. Each person I met with estimated a timeline of years for full recovery.

Hurricane Irma Economic Aftermath

Hurricane Irma followed Harvey. The pictures on this post are from a part of Central Florida Hurricane Irma struck. You can view pictures from just after the storm by clicking here. The economic aftermath was greater in South Florida, but Central Florida shares in the repercussions. For starters, much of the disaster relief naturally centered first on the damage in the Florida Keys.

Central Florida damage was due mostly to wind. Trees and tree limbs remain piled along roads in late October while the storm struck September 11. Blue tarp covers parts of roofs. Eventually, damaged roofs will be repaired even if out-of-area work crews are needed.

During the hurricane and immediately after, laborers lost clock time and wages. Insurance companies treat hurricane areas differently in the form of higher deductibles. Therefore, some homeowners with minor damage such as screens torn by tree limbs may be out-of-pocket for all expenses.

Additionally, small towns and cities will need to pay overtime for the clean-up efforts. The Federal government is paying a large proportion of these costs. In some places out-of-state crews aid local crews. The work crew in the pictures above and the video below hails from Ohio.

Property owners will re-landscape once the debris is removed. Homeowners may want to remove tree trunks. New sod will cover the grass areas killed by the piles of debris.

Destruction from Hurricane Maria

The very destructive Hurricane Maria is still causing hardship in Puerto Rico.  Governmental issues compound the clean-up. One of the best analysis of the economic aftermath can be found in this The Economist article. It is impossible to tell at this point what the long-range impact will be. Thousands have left the island. At least one neighborhood is still stranded. According to the Miami Herald, a zip-line provides access to food and water.

Puerto Rico faces difficulty on many fronts. Since it is an island, individuals could not drive in to help as they did to the areas impacted by Hurricane Harvey. Additionally, Puerto Rico received a glancing blow from Hurricane Irma prior to the bull’s-eye hit of Hurricane Irma. Back to back storms created a greater need. The infrastructure of the island is in poor condition. Apparently the company hired to repair the electric grid may not have the manpower for a quick fix. Unfortunately, the timetable for restoring electricity to the entire island is Christmas. The citizens of Puerto Rico still have a long recovery ahead.

Natural Disaster Economic Aftermath

Humans cannot control natural disasters. 2017 to date has 15 separate billion dollar disasters in the United States alone. This article and chart from The Weather Channel show the locations and events. In addition to individual preparedness, one needs to heed other factors. Individuals who can choose where to live need to be aware of the surrounding environment. This would include fault lines, fire and flood dangers, and areas prone to blizzards, tornadoes and hurricanes.

However, many of us have little choice in where we live. The economic aftermath for those in this category can be mitigated to a certain extent. Buildings along coastal areas can be built on stilt foundations. Furthermore, one can construct hurricane strong rooms. Likewise, buildings in America’s tornado alley can also include rooms constructed to withstand the wind force. Construction codes can fortify buildings in areas prone to earthquakes. Certain types of landscaping can reduce fuel for fires. Thus, advanced mitigation of some factors diminishes economic aftermath of a disaster.

 

Sleep Like A Baby Book Review

Posted on by Econogal

Sleep Like A Baby Book Review

This week I am reviewing a murder mystery featuring the character Aurora Teagarden. I am a little late to the party as this is the tenth novel with this particular heroine. Sleep Like a Baby is the first novel I have read from prolific writer Charlaine Harris.

Sleep like a baby mystery
Spotted at an airport bookstore

Protagonist Aurora Teagarden is a brand new mother. Her husband Robin Crusoe is on the nominee list for a writing award. But he is hesitant to leave because Aurora is coming down with a cold. As a compromise, he arranges for help at night. The cold turns into the flu. So, Virginia, the hired help, is greatly needed.

The plot thickens when Aurora and her half-brother Phillip discover a woman’s body while searching for the missing Virginia. Sleep Like a Baby becomes a fast paced mystery. The flu symptoms leave Aurora unable to piece together the evening’s events.  Matters are made worse when one of the neighbors claims to have seen Robin in the backyard.

Fortunately Robin has the alibi of winning the Anthony a plane ride away. Doubt does play a small role since he rushes home as soon as he hears the news. Furthermore, the dead woman turns out to be a stalker who had tried to kill Aurora before.
Several subplots intertwine with the key murder mystery. Through it all, Aurora has to decide whether to return to work at the library or stay home with Baby Sophie. A dilemma faced by many. Aurora is also hampered in her sleuthing by the constant requirement of nursing.

Thoughts on Sleep Like a Baby

As I stated above. This is my first Aurora Teagarden mystery. My assumption is the large roll of the infant is used to grow the main character. I found her torn desires believable. The adjustments she faces were accurate. Sleep Like a Baby is not only a fast paced murder mystery, but also a statement on the complexities of staying home with a child.

I realize some people don’t see murder mysteries as fun reads. However, some are to me. I would place Sleep Like a Baby in this category. The characters are warm human beings. You want them to solve the mystery while staying safe and much like a T.V. show, you know in the end they will come out on top. Be sure to check out Sleep Like a Baby the next time you visit the library.

 

 

Colorado Custom Roofing Review

Posted on by Econogal

Recently we had our roof replaced. The golf ball size hail from earlier this fall took its toll as you can read here. Usually I like to use local companies, but due to a supply shortage, we hired a company from out-of-town. I am glad we did. Colorado Custom Roofing did a great job.

Roofing companies popped up in our community almost as soon as the rain stopped. Yards were peppered with signs to the extent that it looked like a Presidential election year. I am not big on promoting others with yard signs. So you will not find a political sign in my yard, and you won’t find commercial signs either.

Colorado Custom Roofing President James Forbus

I was not home when James Forbus of Colorado Custom Roofing first came by. However, he left a business card with a handwritten note on the back. I have long been a fan of personalised messages. This was one of many things making Colorado Custom Roofing the company I chose.

Another thing I appreciated was the thoroughness of his bid. Everything was itemized. Furthermore, he had experience working with my insurance company. Finally, unlike others that tried to change the shingle type, he instead stated he had worked with the Certain Teed Presidential shakes many times. I really like how my roof looks and works and I did not want to change material.

Part of my satisfaction with Colorado Custom Roofing is the amount of interaction I observed between Mr. Forbus and his work crew. While I do not expect the president of a company to complete all the work, I was quite pleased with the oversight. He directed key phases of the work. By this I mean, he was on the roof overseeing the process. I also like how polite the crew was and the cleanup was thorough.

If you need a new roof consider calling James Forbus of Colorado Custom Roofing. His contact information can be found on the website www.coloradocustomroofing.com. I think you too will be pleased with the workmanship of Colorado Custom Roofing.

 

One Perfect Lie Book Review

Posted on by Econogal

Lisa Scottoline is an author whose works are frequently found on a best seller list. This past spring, One Perfect Lie made some of those lists. I have not read a book by Ms. Scottoline in a while. One Perfect Lie did not disappoint.

I would classify this book as a suspense/murder on the surface. But, the story is much deeper than that. Unlike many of my reviews where I try not to reveal too much of the plot, a key twist comes at only a third of the way in. Thus you have received fair warning. I am about to ruin the suspense of the first part of One Perfect Lie.

Chris Brennan is interviewing for a replacement teaching position mid-year at Central Valley High in a rural part of Pennsylvania. The reader knows right from the beginning that Chris is a fake and not just from the title One Big Lie. Scottoline misleads the reader by writing about the character in such a manner that the assumption is Brennan is really a bad guy. He isn’t. He is actually ATF undercover.

More than One Perfect Lie

Brennan’s true identity is central to the story line. But in my opinion the heart of the tale is found in the three moms. The undercover agent is trying to discern which member of the baseball team is the patsy for a homegrown terror plot. Yet I felt more involved in the moms of the players. I don’t think this happened because I am a mom.

The three moms are a single mom, a newly widowed mom and the mom who is close to developing a problem with alcohol. I like all three characters. The potential alcoholic mom is dealing with the most lies in One Perfect Lie. The widow has drama from two grieving sons and the single mom becomes the romantic interest to Brennan’s character. But don’t take her lightly, she is determined.

Most importantly, these three moms reach out to the reader. Each has her own hardships and each displays the grit to overcome the problems. For example, the greater adversity the heavy drinker encounters, the less she drinks. All three women are strong. I like books with strong women.

A Civics Lesson

Another small but important point of the story intrigued me. As a class exercise, Brennan has the students choose the Constitution or the Bill of Rights. The interconnected writings are defined by the lead character. First is the Constitution, described as the document which creates rules to follow. Then the Bill of Rights keeps authority in check by creating rights for the individual. I have never thought of the two founding papers in this light. Furthermore, it plays a key point late in the book.

Thus One Perfect Lie is recommended on multiple levels. First, the female characters tend to be strong. Second, the plot flows. Third, the writing is well-done. Finally, the book gave me a new concept to think about. All these points are reasons to read One Perfect Lie.

Putting the Fall Garden to Bed

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 Putting Away the Fall Garden

We had our first freeze last week so there were quite a few chores in putting away the fall garden. Herbs and vine crops needed harvesting. Some of the root crops were dug up. Vines were added to the lasagna and compost piles. Borders were created for beds.

Harvesting Herbs

The first thing I did was choose which of the herbs I was going to pick and dry. The basil was a given. It is a tender herb which means it is not frost tolerant. I picked one of two bushes which did not show signs of bolting. In my experience, basil acts somewhat like spinach at the end of the season. The leaves begin to narrow and become pointy. This in addition to the flowering indicate the annual plant has run its course.

I turned the basil upside down and placed it inside a paper bag. Using a string, I have the bag hanging to dry. I am also drying some thyme and oregano with this method. Both these herbs are perennials and so they can be harvested most of the winter. But I use both frequently in my cooking. Thus, I won’t have to go without if snow covers the plants.

Fall Garden Harvest

Second I harvested all tomatoes of a decent size. The green tomatoes will  turn red inside the house or they can be pickled. We extend our fresh tomato season by a few weeks by letting them ripen on the counter.

Fall Bounty
Final tomatoes

Sweet potatoes, beets and the remainder of the potatoes were dug. Unfortunately most of my root crops were small in physical size this year. The yield was not large either. Perhaps the hail damage to the foliage had a greater impact on these crops than I realized.

I was gifted some lumber scraps and I made a raised bed area for a new blackberry bush. I also edged the asparagus bed with the lumber so there will be no accidental mowing of the young crop next spring.
Finally, I pulled the vines and plants from the ground. Most looked very healthy still and those were added to either the compost bin or to the new “lasagna” bed I am working on. A few had evidence of either bugs and eggs or disease. Those plants found their way to the trash can.

I still have a few more chores to complete. Carrots remain in the ground. Hoses will need to be put away for the winter. A reorganization of garden tools is a must. I will plant the last of the garlic this week since temperatures will return to the eighties. But my time in the garden is beginning to wind down which means more time will be available for the quilt room.

Lasagna Garden Experiment

Posted on by Econogal

I like trying new techniques. One of the garden ideas I researched this year is the lasagna garden. Many people assume this means planting the ingredients for lasagna. However, this is nowhere close to the true meaning of a lasagna garden.


As you can see in the photo to the right, I have an area in the lot that needs improvement. I had several options. I could extend my raised bed areas, I could roto till, or I could enrich the area through a lasagna garden and have a great location for spring planting.

Building the Lasagna Garden

I chose the latter. The first step in creating a lasagna garden is laying out either newspaper or cardboard. Since some cardboard was in need of recycling I started my base layer with the more durable material. This serves two purposes. The cardboard makes a thicker barrier against the existing planting and is less likely to blow away with the high winds we experience on the Great Plains.

Base layer
Cardboard base

After the cardboard was placed whttps://www.econogal.com/wp-admin/options-general.phphere I wanted it, I hosed it down with water. Next I added a two to three-inch layer of lawn clippings. A few days later, I soaked the bed again. Then over the next few weeks I have added compost material from the kitchen as well as material from the garden. If you have prolonged dry spells you will need to soak the lasagna garden manually.

Brown vs. Green

While grass clippings are green and fall into the green category and the cardboard falls into the brown category, it is not the color that determines whether an item is brown or green. The basis for brown or green category is the chemical content. Nitrogen rich products are green compost and carbon rich products are brown. It is important to have a mixture in your compost.

Some of the kitchen scraps included banana and tomato peels as well as other fruit peelings. Eggshells are a great addition but it helps to crush them before adding to the compost. I also like coffee grounds, but with only one coffee drinker in the house, I do not have an abundant source.  I do not place meats or fats into my compost.

Garden materials are items such as leaves and pine needles. The pine needles are very acidic and can alter the PH balance of your soil. At the end of the season plants can be added. But be sure to check for disease or eggs from various pests which are often on the underside of leaves.

I may need to cut through the card board in the spring in order to plant. A lot depends on the winter moisture. However, I think the bed will be enriched from the start.

Lasagna Bed
Compost layers added

Curious Minds Book Review

Posted on by Econogal

Janet Evanovich is one of my favorite writers. A fellow Zontian at the 2004 Zonta International Convention in New York recommended Evanovich’s work for fun reading. I have been reading her novels ever since. Recently, Evanovich began collaborating on novels. Curious Minds is a collaboration with Phoef Sutton. Sutton is an acclaimed writer with Hollywood connections and ties to one of my favorite college campuses.

First of a Series

Curious Minds is the first of a series. Evanovich and Sutton create a zany cast of characters. Protagonist Riley Moon is in her first real job after graduating with multiple degrees from Harvard-on a scholarship and student loans. She drives a Mini Cooper because her parking space at work is miniscule. Riley grew up in West Texas and has expressions and mannerisms to prove it.

Emerson Knight may not be a complete opposite, but it is close. He is a trust fund eccentric with multiple cars and no driver’s license. He also wants access to the family gold. As in actual possession of the gold. Thus begins the story line.

The firm Riley works for is steeped in traditional Washington-New York family power. The family has one outcast brother Gunter Grunwald. Gunter was Riley’s mentor before he disappeared. The prologue shows Gunter face-to-face with trouble in a vault of gold. The disappearance is tied tightly into the plot. It is unclear if Gunter will play a continuing role in the series.

Curious Minds Supporting Cast

The supporting cast of characters for the most part are down to earth. Emerson’s Aunt Myra and cousin Vernon hail from the Harrisonburg area of Virginia. An area a far cry from the hustle and bustle of Washington D.C. filled with everyday people. Vernon works as a blogger on a website, Mr. Mysterioso, sometimes co-authored by Emerson.

Riley’s Texas roots have a background in law and order. Her dad is a retired cop and the one family member appearing in the book is a brother who followed his father’s footsteps.

The backgrounds for both Riley and Emerson create likeable characters. As with many books which begin a series, back stories are detailed. In the case of Curious Minds, the zany characters are appealing to the reader.

I read many genres and many authors. Prolific writers like Evanovich often team up with co-writers. Sometimes it works as is the case with Curious Minds. The voice created by Evanovich and Sutton flows as one. I will keep my eye open for the next Knight and Moon book to hit the new arrivals shelf at my library.

Helicopter View of Kilauea Volcano

Posted on by Econogal

Blue Hawaiian Helicopter Tour

On my trip to Hawaii last summer, a highlight was a helicopter flyover of the active volcano on the Big Island. I do not like flying and the thought of a helicopter ride scared me. But I am trying to get out of my comfort zone. So I scheduled a flight for late afternoon the day before we left. This gave a little room for rescheduling in case of inclement weather.

We landed in Hilo about two hours before our scheduled flight. We used the extra time to pick-up the rental car and checked into a hotel. Since Hilo is a nice sized city we were able to accomplish everything in plenty of time to arrive back at the airport for the Blue Hawaiian Helicopter tour.

The afternoon was perfect. We were lucky because Hilo has a lot of rain. The amount depends on what part of the city you are but ranges between 130 and 300 inches. Therefore Blue Hawaiian Helicopters Hilo location recommends back-up times in case the tour needs to reschedule. Fortunately the weather was perfect.

HELICOPTER RIDE

There were eight of us on the flight. We had to estimate our weight when we signed up for the flight. However, Blue Hawaiian Helicopter did not leave anything to chance. We were weighed upon check-in. It is important to distribute the weight.

Wes the pilot was fantastic. He put me at ease before we ever left ground. Maybe he could tell just how scared I was! We loaded one at a time and I entered first. My assigned seat was next to the pilot. Even though the placement scared me at first, it was a good decision. No way was I going to fool around with any of the controls.

Once we were all loaded, Wes reassured us that the weather would be monitored closely and if conditions warranted we would return to the airport immediately. Next, he explained what the flight would entail. Kilauea Volcano was our prime target. We would look at the lava flowing into the ocean near Kamokuna before a flyover of the crater.

On the way to the volcano we flew over cropland. The Big Island grows coffee, tea, vanilla, bananas and avocados just to name a few.  If it weren’t for the active volcano, I would consider this an ideal place to farm.

LAVA FLOW

After the crop land, the ground transitions to rock. Blue Hawaiian Helicopter is a great way to see the lava flows. From the air you can see how irregular the lava flow is. The lava rock envelopes islands of vegetation. There is even a spot where you can see a road that has lost both ends to the flow. The active volcano is a constant threat. Places on the island such as Pahoa Village, which was threatened in 2014, are always at risk.

The ocean entry near Kamokuna draws sightseers both in the air and on the water.  The helicopter ride makes the view safe. This is the youngest part of the island. The interaction of the hot lava with the ocean is dynamic. The molten debris is unstable and creates dangerous conditions. At times, the rocks slide into the ocean.  Additionally, the hot steam can cause problems.

After a few passes of the ocean entry point for the lava, the helicopter headed to the crater. On the way we saw several areas of steam rising from the land. In these spots lava was just below the surface. In some areas vegetation is trying to re-emerge.

The aerial view of the crater is unbelievable. We were fortunate because the activity was high on the day we toured. As you can see in the pictures, multiple areas were erupting. A video camera would show the actual bubbling and Blue Hawaiian Helicopter Tours creates a video of each flight. I could have circled over the crater for hours. The helicopter approach is the only way to safely see the lava erupting from the base of the crater.

On the return to the airport we flew over one of the many waterfalls on the Big Island. The view from the air was impressive, but I have hiked safely around water. I do not think I would hike to the edge of an active volcano. I am very glad I challenged myself. The helicopter ride ranks in my top five experiences of my Hawaiian trip. I highly recommend Blue Hawaiian Helicopter Tours.

Helicopter Photos

Hawaiian fields
Cropland near Hilo
Flyover
Overview of Hilo
Lava1
Lava Flow
Vegetation and lava
Vegetation surrounded
Road and lava
Road to Nowhere
oceanlava1
Entry point Lower Left Corner
oceanlava2
Steam created at entry point.
oceanlava3
Hot flow
vents
Steam from underground vents
Crater1
Approaching the crater
crater2
Smoke from crater
Crater3
First look of hot spots
Crater4
Close up of bubbling lava
Crater 5
Last look of crater
Hawaii flight
Flying overland
waterfall
Waterfall