Patient love
Our furry children…
I made 2 pies yesterday, both open-faced with fresh berries. It was a first for me. The blueberry came out really well, but the raspberry was a bit squishy. The recipe is really simple. You make a base with water, sugar, cornstarch and a cup of berries and cook it slowly over low heat, stirring frequently. It eventually thickens and then you add a dollop of butter (or in my case, low fat margarine) and the rest of the berries. You let that cool and then pour into a pre-baked pie shell. I made homemade whipped cream to go with it. Yum.
Fresh pie is really a summer thing and since August is feeling like September right now in Maine, I am trying to milk the summer thing. My mom and I picked the berries yesterday, which was wonderful.
Riding in the MS Ride was probably the most purposeful thing I have ever done. It wasn’t a race; riding was all about completing the route, and not about speed. I turned back a couple of times to encourage a teammate to keep going, when my urge was to finish myself. The most humbling thing was seeing both kids and adults wearing orange bandannas, which signified that they have MS.
The team
I’ll be leaving tomorrow to go down to the MS Ride. Lars will not be going with me, and although I look forward to a little time away I wish I wasn’t going to be alone. Boy, I miss him sometimes. I’ve learned to enjoy the times when he is away and being with myself. But, I won’t truly be alone. I will have my team, and all the other hundreds of riders there. I also have a cache of books, magazines, and knitting, since I will ride my 25 miles on Saturday and then have some down time until the closing festivities mid-day on Sunday.
One of the books I am reading is this:
It’s one of those books I want to read slowly and relish. It’s that good.
I’m wondering if I should rename the blog something like, The Rotting Leaves? Or, Composted Ramblings? Sorry.
I had a pretty good birthday. It was the best birthday I have had in years. We did not end up going to see Wilco, but did spend the evening with my family. I felt that was important, given that my mom will finally be seeing a doctor this Friday. She is weak and in pain. I feel very concerned and not optimistic. I’m praying it’s not cancer.
It’s hard to bumble through life without much concern. I’m balancing hectic work, lovely home, worry about Mom, training for the MS ride…On a positive note, I will be hitting my goal of raising $500, and will probably exceed it. Little old me! I feel really empowered that I am doing something like this, which is pretty uncharacteristic of me. This definitely has been a year of doing things differently for me, and it’s a welcome change. Hell, I am 35 now! I need to change things up a bit. Lars bought me a beautiful bike which will help me on the ride. It’s very comfortable and shifts so smoothly. All of this makes me wonder, what next?
I’m sitting at my laptop, coffee beside me and wishes that the rain will stop and overcast skies clear. I don’t mind biking in the rain, but no rain would help our roof, my parent’s farm, the spirits and sanity of thousands of parents who have been driven to the brink by cooped up kids. I feel an extension of this at the library.
My heart feels especially heavy because my mom has been feeling unwell, physically exhausted, arthritis flaring, and debilitating headaches. I call her every day. Lars has helped me try to get her set up with my doctor since the country health center my mom goes to is without a doctor, and what she needs is a consistent primary care physician. It has been 5 years since she was diagnosed and treated for cancer, and I feel scared for her. My parents are still farming, and I am starting to wonder how long that could last. I’m seeing the roles reverse and I wonder how that all will work.
Happy 4th of July.
I finally did it. I conquered my fears about Pay Pal security, whether or not my handiwork is good enough, and sheer laziness and created an Etsy Shop. Here it is: Felted Folly.
I haven’t visited this blog lately. Sorry if I left you hanging. This is what I am up to:
I am training for the Bike to the Breakwater MS Ride the first weekend in August. I’m doing 25 miles. If you’d like to support me, please visit here, or just let me know. I’m riding for my peers who have been diagnosed, as well as for my 35th birthday.
I’ve joined Weight Watchers again, and am down 8 pounds.
I still have bad hair.
I hope you all have been well!
I am taking suggestions for a new haircut. I will consider anything but a mullet. I do have standards.
I have been on a roller coaster ride the last 3 months about budget shortfalls, which have created a staff shortfall for my work, not to mention struck fear in my heart about my future, the future of other staff members, and how the hell we are going to be able to continue to provide service to the public with so little people. Part of my job includes scheduling 16 people for now 56 hours per week. I enjoy this aspect of the job, when I actually have people to fill the time slots. I am grateful for this job, my boss, and to be doing something I generally love, but with the prospect of 8 furlough days next year, I fear how I will manage. I must learn how to budget. I could get a part-time job. I could…
Actually, I blame the economy. It ruins everything. It kills dreams.
Today I found out that my favorite new local yarn shop is closing. The owner told me that her husband is not working and she can’t afford to continue with the business and pay the mortgage, so she is closing. The yarn was 30%, which was nice for me but really sad for the community. I have found myself knitting more lately, due to this lingering cold and time for rest.I would wager a guess that handiwork is making a comeback as people have less disposable income. The loss of a local business has big ripples, because local business has a face. I am sorry, Diane.
I hate you, the economy. Go home. Get lost. Fuck off.
