You know how the story goes...

Two brothers bravely went a-hunting
Into the dark green wood.
They wagered for their lady's hand,
To win her if they could.

“I'll slay the noble king of stags,”
The elder boasted loud.
“And when I lay him at her feet,
My lady she'll be proud.”

The younger brother, dark and fell
Had brooded long and hard.
“I'll hunt the fiercest game of all
To win her fair regard.”

Blackberries Again!

For the second year now, my mother and I went out blackberry picking. We picked 12 pounds this year, between the two of us! Most of them went into the freezer.

The lovely blackberry bushes!

Berries, some not quite ready yet.

My basket: 5.15 pounds. We also filled a 1qt basket as a joint effort.

My mom was ashamed by my fuller basket and hurried to top hers off.

Culinary Musings

Meditation on an onion... or is it a metaphor? You decide.


Always start at recipe with the onion. Onion, in a little bit of oil, until it softens up. This is what I learned from watching my mother cook, all those years.

You have to peel off the outer layers, as they are too tough to cook properly. When you have access to the tender white rings, dice them up. Don't worry if there are some tears.

However, if you keep the onion submerged in water or chilled, only the smallest amount of onion vapor will irritate your tear ducts.

At first the cooking onions smell very sharp. Some people find this offensive, but don't worry. The onions will become more mellow as they continue to cook. Sometimes they also get a bit wrinkled, but this is normal.

When this process is done you may add whatever other ingredients you like and consume them with great enjoyment.

Remember that old saying?

Bush accuses Russia of 'bullying and intimidation'

Flow

Let it flow: tears flow, blood flows. Love flows too. Words don't flow perfectly; little barbs catch and stick. Don't let them flow too much, either, or they'll flow right off the page, from my head or hand or heart. Can't take them back.