Springlike walk and Misfits

Thursday was springlike, just for a day or two, and my morning walk under the trees was full of birdsong and animal tracks. 

I heard a downy woodpecker rattling then saw her (no red hat) start pecking on a tree. Very early for nesting. And I heard but didn't see chickadees and Carolina wrens, saw but didn't hear a little flock of juncoes.

The downed trees are usually left where they fall if they're not in the way,  and they provide habitat for a lot of animals and birds

At the top of the standing trees there's a whole colony of mourning doves, and, lower down, the juncoes flitter about.

A bit further along, you see where squirrels demonstrate their bite strength on these black walnuts.

If you've ever tried to break into black walnuts you'll know what pressure it takes. 

The prescribed method is to spread them on a hard surface, such as a concrete driveway, place a board on top and drive your car back and forward to crush them. 

Then you can spend the rest of the day picking out the delicious fragments of nut, before deciding to just go with regular walnuts. Besides, the regular ones can be cracked to make two miniature doll beds from the shell. Just sayin. 

Misfits pickup is out ready for Haleem, whom I messaged with a New Year greeting.

He got back with a very appreciative text.

Canned goods and mustard for the food pantry, oats and peanut butter for granola bars, cod pieces (!) because I need fish 'n chips, potatoes for the chips, also for roasted dice with the chicken pieces I just roasted, apples great relief, I really missed them last week, mushrooms to slice and freeze ready for omelettes, and to accompany chicken and roast potatoes, sardines for sandwiches for my brain, BananAZ! dundeedeedundeedee etc, mango pieces to go with yogurt, blueberries likewise, avocado oil because I finished the last of it in the red chili oil.

This was a nice order. 

Happy day everyone, I hope you're as well fed as I and able to get out among trees and calming nature,  in our current turmoil and tragedy.

Fluffageddon says breathe, plan, persist, resist 

Kitchen done! More about keys

This morning's walk was beautiful, cool sunny weather, happy neighbors on their patios, including one who's just finished getting his redone with tiling. He was so pleased when I admired it, though I think hello and yes was the limit of his English, but we communicated anyway.

What happens when you neglect to move the kids' bikes before the landscapers come around.

 The Sleeping Beauty effect.

And this looks like a natural object at this point, so weathered 

This morning Michael the Contractor came, caulked the cabinet, chatted about his mother, the food pantry, his noisy neighbors, crunchy tofu, he loves it.  

Also I paid him, very fair price, though a stretch for me. I rationalize that it's a once only job. I may have converted him to contribute to the food pantry; he didn't know where it was till now. Also he's going to see if his mother can get the bone density injections I get.  Quite a productive convo.

About locks and keys, when I had the pet care service I had many keys I kept safely, coded for security. One time I got an anguished call from a client, so sorry to disturb me, could I rescue him? 

He happened to live close by, which I knew but he didn't, for my security -- I didn't broadcast my address. Anyway he lived in a third floor condo in my development,  only one possible entrance from the staircase. 

He was getting his excitable Golden retriever ready for a walk, dog jumped at him, he staggered out the door,  the door slammed shut, he heard the lock drop! 

This left the dog inside with the keys, owner locked outside, luckily with phone and my number saved. I brought my copy of his key, let him in, no charge,  and he begged me not to mention it to his wife, who would never let him live it down! I did get a nice Christmas gift that year. No connection I'm sure..

Happy day everyone, try not to let your dog lock you out! You feel pretty silly explaining it when you need help.

Up to now: the Gubbernor ordered the rainbow crosswalk near the Pulse, scene of a mass shooting tragedy, painted over. A crowd of LGBTQ+ people protested with joy, flags and chants and repainted the rainbow. Once more Gov. Boots had it painted black. Once again the rainbow returned. Up to now. 

Don't let anyone dim your rainbow! Screenshot this one to preserve it in case Boots paints it over again.

Ginnels, orchids and an irruption

I've been thinking about the word kanal, German for YouTube channel. It showed up in a recipe video, and made me think of related words. Canal, for one. 

And ginnel, hard g, the north Yorkshire word for a narrow passage between joined houses. I wonder if ginnel has Norse origins, as many northern words do. All I've found is French ancestors though. 

Sunday morning while I was stumbling about early on the deck, Gary appeared, home again. Good morning, you okay, I'm exhausted, need to sleep now that's a lovely orchid blossom, see you later. Gone.

Sunday was the sudden appearance of this lovely thing 

Later to be a model for an ink drawing, I seem to be on a roll because of flowers blooming 

Meanwhile I got in a walk, a bit shorter walk because of a tired left leg,  maybe from new stretches last night. Here's something I noticed 

Picking flowers for today's bouquet I did a sneaky Picasso reference 

And later, after shower and laundry, since I ran out of socks or walked out of them, I made  crisp tofu katsu sticks. The dipping sauce was the the usual ketchup, soy sauce and apple cider vinegar.  

I served myself with cilantro, an interesting dark flavor against the sweeter sauce. Tomorrow I'll make crisp shrimp with tofu katsu and sauce.  I've been baking the tofu in the toaster oven, so I'll try doing the shrimp the same way.

Today's the start of my fourth week without a car, and I can't say it's been hard, up to now. I have only needed one ride, and I get a lot of things like food and medicine delivered. It's been surprisingly okay, up to now. 

So, since there's a least one more week to go, we'll see. I can get to the knitting group, which includes library visits,  and doctor visits. And I Freecycle on my step, but can't pick up, though that's not altogether a bad thing if it keeps stuff away!  Anyway I'm considering driving or going carless and I'm undecided.

Happy day everyone. On foot or wheels of various kinds. 

Sez Ted and Big Ursy 

Freecycle and Misfits, it's all go

Thursday morning I found a Freecycle offer I had to try for. First I checked that the heatwave had moved on

This required a walk, and I made it easily to the pond, stamina returning, and you see the drakes aren't panicking now when I show up. 

All the circles in the water are frogs landing. They drifted about, eyes above the water, checking.

This tree is about halfway home, in early morning sun.

I found branches down from the trees, after the recent storms, including this lovely beech twig, playing the part of the daily bouquet.

Below are the Dollivers.

Then I checked the Freecycle offer, sugar, probably somebody trying to eliminate it, having stockpiled. I use sugar in moderation, so, fine for me. And it turned out to be only five minutes away.

Here it is in the freezer now, white, dark brown and confectioner's, a lifetime supply.

 I'll probably also share it around. I expect the Food Pantry can use some. I'll check first, to make sure.

Going to collect was like old times, quite a while since I was up to Freecycling, other than leaving items for pickup.

Then, it's all go, there was Quinn bringing Misfits.

Here after washing 

Wonderful peak season produce, the carrots sweet as sugar, berries at prime, peppers large and lovely, Envy apples available again, yellow potatoes for roasting.

Graham crackers for faux key lime pie, yogurt same, strawberries, there might be jam or sauce, apricots same, sardines for fast sandwiches with capers and olives, summer food reigns.

There may be carrot cake with yogurt frosting. Stay tuned.

I did another workout last night with April and her mom, a walking workout,the equivalent of a mile, indoors with a lot of varied additional moves. This was all cardio, since the previous day was weights. It definitely showed up in the ease of walking this morning.  It's paying off. 

I've used up most of my cordage for the little basket, so I'll have to make more. I'm off to damp down some of my dried daylilies, so I can work the fibers without breaking them. I'm very glad I remembered this project, just fits right now, as Jeannie would agree.

Happy day everyone, all the art and food that fits!

Nature notes, and cake

Early morning walk, so glad I pushed myself out before the heat set in. Me and many birds and frogs at the pond. There were a lot of branches down from the storm and many more frogs, leaping into the pond at my approach, clearly approving the weather. Three drakes fussing about there, too. I wonder if the ducks are home busy with ducklings.

More wild daylilies

 and the jewelweed has started

That pocket-shaped blossom is very much like the sage blossom. I must check the name of the shape and see if it's a family.

One of my neighbors not only plants herbs, she labels them 

This is the first sighting I think I've had of rue.

On the way home, dandelions added to the daily bouquet 

Home to read These Old Shades, ancient Georgette Heyer, and bake cake, which is called bread because I bake it in a loaf pan, but who am I kidding. 

Banana bread but with pumpkin instead of banana,  crushed walnuts, dried cranberries.  Very nutritious! I used whole wheat flour. 

Perfect breakfast food. Or afternoon tea. Any time, really. With a spoonful of yogurt mixed with lemon juice and cane sugar, it's dessert. It's the Swiss army knife of breads.

Happy day everyone, enjoy whatever you're up to, hoping it's trouble, sez 

Big U and Ted