Memorial Day BP

• I managed to forget about all the stress that is work for 3 days. I was going to "log in" tonight and see what was going on...and I made myself not do it. Tomorrow will be here soon enough!
• I have really come a long way in the last 2+ years. I've learned ALOT. I know myself so much better than I did 2 years ago.
• I'm happy. Very happy.
• But I'm still not ready for a relationship. For many reasons. I'm still enjoying being on my own so much. Not having to answer to anyone. And, just not ready to go there.
  
• Yet.
• My nephew was here for alot of the weekend. We had fun. He's a great person. We get each other.
  
• My garden is planted.
  
• If anyone has any ideas for building cheap/makeshift trellises for cucumbers and squash, let me know
• I the almost 8 years that the Shrub has been our Commander-In-Chief, this past weekend was the first time I ever heard him say something I agreed with. He encouraged every American to place a flag on a veterans grave for memorial day. Wow. I did not have an opportunity to get a flag this weekend. But I will. And I will find someone to honor.
  
• Because it makes me very sad to read in the news today that a Marine RESERVE unit is being deployed to Iraq for the 3rd time. And that most of the current members are going for the first time. 18 - 22 year olds. Kids.
  
• They will patrol the streets. Those are the ones that get killed the most. Security.
  
• The RESERVES are only supposed to get called up as kinda a last resort.
• Back to the garden.
• I had to drive to Portsmouth this afternoon to return the nephew.
  
• We all went out to lunch in Portsmouth.
  
• Avocado on a burger is yummy.
• I thought about going to the beach. But it was really windy today.
• And there was all the traffic.
• So I came home. And grabbed Rusty and headed out to finish planting the garden.
• When I was apartment hunting 2+ years ago, I knew when I saw the yard, and the vegetable garden area, that this was the place.
• My first year here, I planted lots of stuff.
• I was going through a really hard time and I didn't have the energy to really devote to maintaining the garden once I had planted it, but I dabbled here and there.
• Last year I never got around to planting it.
  
• Last summer I instead spent alot of time at the beach and did ALOT of healing and pretty much shunned anything that required my time and energy. It was good!
• But I did miss the garden.
• Last weekend I got a jump on it and went out and bought all my plants.
  
• Saturday I got the plot turned over.
  
• Sunday I planted tomatoes and peppers.
  
• Tonight I spent about 2 hours out there. Hands, feet, legs, arms in the dirt.
  
• It was amazing. I just felt the exchange of energy between me, and the plants and the dirt. I welcomed the plants and talked to them. Thanked them for gracing my garden. Promised to nourish them and tend to them and harvest their gifts.
  
• See - there is more to me than the Sox!
• The Sox are playing a late game. In Seattle.
• Soon I will retire to my rather unkempt bedroom and fall asleep to the voices of Don and Jerry, and the crack of the bats.
  
• I did put away a ton of clothes today. Clothes I can't really fit into at the moment. Clothes I am really sick of.
• I need a major shopping spree
• Instead, I will go back to the gym tomorrow. And set the alarm clock for 6 so I can get a 30 minute walk in before work.
  
• I'm thinking the 30 minute walk every morning, plus 2 full body Nautilus circuits at the gym every week, plus evening power walks as the weather allow should help with the losing weight thing.
• I hope everyone had a great long weekend.
• I hope a year or so from now that I no longer live in the city.
• Don't get me wrong. I do love my apartment. The positives FAR outweigh the negatives.
  
• Sometimes the negatives though...like the tenement that burned in April? Still sitting there uninhabited and boarded up.
• And then there is the crazy guy with the Don King hair that lives in the 1st floor apartment on the corner. His car looks like someone takes a baseball bat to it every other day. He is a maniac. I saw him actually slug a woman a couple of weeks ago. I'm talking total right hook.
• And I bet none of you went out last evening to take your dog for a walk around the block and came back to find a young Latino girl in handcuffs, 2 cruisers, and lots of people milling around. I think it was an immigration issue. But still.
  
• I'm not a city girl.
• But for now, it's good. And so am I!
  

Do you know Carolina?

True: My phone rings at 11:07 pm Saturday...

Me: Hello?
Mans Voice on Phone: Is this Melissa Riley?
Me: (pause) who's calling
MVOP: Manchester Police
Me: (heart skips a beat or 2) This is Melissa
MVOP: We're wondering if you have any information on how to reach Carolina Homespun
Me: (does this Officer knit? am I in trouble for buying those knitting needles today? I truly needed them to make the hat to match the sweater I made for CJs baby). um...they were at the Sheep and Wool Festival today...I made a purchase from them (oh great, did that just sound like I bought heroin or something - "made a purchase" - what was I thinking, I am so screwed) and I think I have a receipt here, let me see if there is a number on it. (Said receipt just happens to be right there on my coffee table.)
Me: No, there is no number on here, just an address
MVOP: Do you know if she is staying in town? She had something stolen from her today and we are trying to contact her.
Me: (did I fall asleep and I'm having a weird dream because I spent too much money on wool today?) Carolina Homespun is a business, not a person. They are at the NH Sheep and Wool Festival this weekend. I purchased some knitting needles from them today. Would you like me to go on-line and see if I can find a phone number for you?
MVOP: No ma'am, that's not necessary, we will contact her. Good night.

Wow. Sad to say, what happened is that at the end of the day on Saturday, someone did indeed steal the cash box from Carolina Homespun. Unbelievable. People who vend at these fairs, they are trying to make a living doing what they love. How sad that someone in NH has tarnished our reputation that way. Anyway, I read on Ravelry today that the box was recovered, minus the cash, all that was there were checks and credit card receipts. I paid with a check. I'm glad I did. People stealing from the little guy is just wrong!

Miso Soup Goodness

About 5 years ago, I worked for a few months in Copley Square. When I first started the job, I was sick with a cold. I remember walking around on my lunch hour looking for something to eat, but nothing was appealing to me. I wandered into an asian restaurant, and for the low, low price of $1.50 + tax, walked out with a pint of Miso soup. It was just the thing. It warmed me. It nourished me on a day when I just didn't feel like eating, but needed the energy. There were many more purchases of the stuff in the 7 months I worked there. And ever since, I have tried all the instant miso soup packets and bowls, but never found one that made me want to keep on buying. So this past weekend, in an effort to eat healthier, I braved the local Asian market (Saigon Market on Maple St. for the locals). I spent almost an hour in there examining all the goodies for sale. Alot of the labels were not in English, but some things I could guess at by sight. Some of the translations are fun as well. So I picked up a package of red Miso and was delighted to find a recipe on the back of the package. It called for something called Dashi stock. I figured that was something that came ready made, like chicken stock or vegetable stock. They were really busy that day, and the whole language barrier made it hard for me to convey what it was I was looking for, so I came home and did some Googling. Another trip to the A-Market on Monday, and I had all the ingredients. I just now made a batch and it is delightful.
Here is my recipe:
First, make the Dashi stock.

Dashi
5-6 cups of hot water in saucepan
Soak a 5-6 in piece of Kombu for 10 minutes, then remove (I ended up tearing off a few small pieces and putting it back in)
Add 1/2c. Bonito Flakes (it's dried fish and I thought it would be disgusting, but it's not)
Bring to a boil and simmer until the Bonito sinks to the bottom.

I then took a large bowl, placed a metal collendar on top lined with a piece of paper towel, and strained the broth. Listen, my little kitchen is right out of the 70s, virtually no counter space, 20 year old set of pans, but I turn out some pretty marvelous food with just the basics.

Next I cut up a brick of firm tofu into 1 in. cubes. (note, next time I would use 1/2 as much).
Put tofu into the Dashi stock and brought to a gentle boil. Turned down heat to med/low and simmered for a few minutes.

Next I took 3 heaping tablespoons of Red Miso and put them in a little bowl. When I was ready to add the miso, I first took some of the soup from the pot and mixed it into the Miso paste. Then I added this into the soup pot along with a few thinly sliced small pieces of Kombu, a handful of dried Black Fungus (mushrooms) from the Asian market, and about 1/4 c. sliced green onions.

It's a little salty and I think next time I will use 2 Tablespoons of Miso and see if that makes a difference. I'll also check and see how salty the broth is before adding the Miso, as I may want to leave out the Kombu other than the initial soaking.

But it's reaaaaalllly good!! Yay!

Spa-wing Feevah (I haz it)

Today was just one of those days when nothing could get me down. I had a smile on my face all day, even when I was venting to one of my co-workers. On our ever-expanding walk tonight, the there was this burning smell in the air. It was everywhere. I wondered what was burning this time. The answer? Seems everyone in the city is barbecuing tonight. Smelled delish! I found myself just totally into people today (kinda odd for me). The whole way home I didn't swear at another driver once. No impatience. (The daughter will tell you how often THAT happens - she learned all the swear words riding around with me). Turned on the tv just before 7 for the game, and caught the last story on ABC news - a musician took a cab from NYC to his apartment in NJ, and realized he had left his $4M Stradivarius violin in the cab!! He called 911 (I would *love* to hear the tape of that call) and the instrument was found. As thanks, today he played a special concert just for the NY cabbies. I was reaching for the Kleenex. Then Charles Gibson said "I hope you had a good day" and I replied, "Absolutely", beaming from ear to ear "Yes, yes, I did, I had a wonderful day."

Today was just an ordinary day. I got up, went to work, walked the pooch, etc., etc. And yet, I am in this most delightful place tonight. I'm not pregnant. I'm not in love. Either of those hormonal situations would explain my mood. But, nope, they do not apply. Oh. Wait. It's SPRING!!! Finally, it feels like it is here.

Time Lapse

This is so cool! I came across this just now on Universal Hub. Tom is a camera man for NESN (he's the guy up near the Coca-Cola sign). He set up a camera (the details are here) alongside his NESN HD camera, and created a 7 hour time lapse video of One Day at Fenway. I can't wait to check out some of his other stuff!


One Day At Fenway - Letus Extreme Film - Time Lapse - HDTV from Tom Guilmette on Vimeo.

This is turning into more of a Red Sox blog than a yarn blog! Oh well - it actually was never meant to be either of those things, just a place to share my thoughts from time to time.

Virginia Tech

I saw this picture this morning while reading the headlines. These are the lyrics to the song* that was playing at that moment. The timing was perfect...


All at once the ghosts come back
Reeling in you now oh tell me
What if they came down crushing
It used to be
that you and me
play for all of the loneliness
that nobody notices now
I'm begging slow 'cause I'm coming here...
I'm only waiting I wanted to stay
I wanted to stay
I wanted to play
I wanted to love you
#41 Dave Matthews Band

Take a moment today if you can to pause and send out some love to these young people today.

and on a lighter note...

So I was standing outside just before noon today watching the cute reported getting ready for the noon broadcast...and this young, hot looking guy drives by and stops and asks if this is my driveway. I said yes. Then he informed me that he had some asphalt for sale and would I be interested in buying some. (Our driveway has a hump and could stand to be leveled out). I said well, I'm not the owner, and when pressed for more info explained that they live out of state. He said, oh, ok. Then he says "So, do you want to hang out sometime?" Now mind you, I wearing sweats and a baseball cap. To say I was extremely flattered would be a gross understatement. I flashed him a big smile and said no thanks. He looked genuinely crushed. My neighbor says he was probably a serial killer. I asked her to please not rain on my moment of glory. Hee hee.

Long Night

Update:

Last night:


Today:




Good thing I had a long nap this afternoon. Right now I am listening to the sound of every fire truck the city has working on a house fire in the neighborhood over at the house I call the tenement. Around 11 I was watching the Sox/Yankees game (what sles would I be doing?) and I hear alot of shouting outside. I muted the tv and then started hearing sirens. Lots of them. I looked out the window in my bedroom and I can plainly see the tenement is on fire, flames shooting out onto one of the porches. The good news is that everyone, including pets, got out ok. The bad news is that there are alot of little kids living in that building. I hope they have places to go to tonight. I just came in a little while ago. I'm pretty rattled.
When I was a little kid, my parents were what I call fire chasers. We'd be out in the car, and fire engines would go by and we would follow them to the f ire. It scared the crap out of me. I would get left in the car while my parents went off to watch. I had horrible nightmares about fires growing up. I know, I'm a grown up now. But I was out there talking to my neighbors and my little heart was racing. I'm going to have a glass of wine, finish watching the game (I paused it before I went outside) and then I will probably stay up and work for a few hours. It's too loud to get any sleep, at least in my bedroom which is in the front of the house.
What a way to start the week! Those poor people, I mean they are people who have nothing to start with and now this. I feel helpless. The Red Cross came and I know they will get what they need, at least in the short-term.

3AM update: Here is a link to the story at the Union Leader. The fire trucks have left. but there is still activity over there. It looks like the police are letting people in to get personal things, and there are alot of lights shining on the building.

The Sox won. I've been logged into work for the past few hours getting some work done, and soon I will try and get some sleep. I am grateful for a warm safe home tonight.

Catching up...

Today is April 12*

What a great day, make that week! Had the beginning of the week of and got to spend some time with my favorite boys in Maine. I brought my camera, but failed to bring the battery charger, so alas, no pictures. I'm going again in a couple of weeks and will try and remember! Tuesday was my long awaited opening day at Fenway. I even bought a new shirt (#25 Mike Lowell) for the occasion.
Watched the ring ceremony and the opening day festivities.

First we have Papi and his bling...


Last year, MLB decided that Johnny Pesky could no longer sit in the Sox dugout at Fenway. I hear the Yankees complained. Folks, meet the new Red Sox team Instructor:

THIS is why I am proud to be a fan. Pesky is back in the dugout as a staff member and he hoisted the 2007 World Series flag up the pole.

Obligatory Bill Buckner photo. I never knew he was such a soft spoken man. Forgiveness is a wonderful thing.


Steven Tyler sang the Star Spangled Banner. I wondered where my 8th grade jeans ended up...dude!


The banner is unfurled...underneath the banner are flags (65 I think) representing every country that is a part of Red Sox Nation. Wow.

I *love* this one of Dice K. He is looking very good this year.

And of course, there is Manny...

Thanks to Boston.com for the pictures.

Yes, I am obsessed. There are worse things to be addicted to. Some of my earliest and happiest childhood memories involve Fenway Park. It's in my blood.

Today was a surprise nice day, in terms of weather. Got to spend some time outside with Rusty and doing some yard work. Weirdest thing...this one section of my backyard? I must have picked at least 40 cigarette butts up. Not all the same brand. Did like a group of people have a party back there? I suspect it is the neighbors, or perhaps some contractors that were back there going some work on their house. But man, that is ALOT of smokes!!

Came in and showered and got ready to go to the tea dance in Lowell. My straight friends always ask what a tea dance is. Well, here is the official Wiki on that. Basically it is a dance that happens in the afternoon. And apparently the gay community adopted this term. Anyway, we got to Lowell at the Brewery Exchange around 4. I'd never been there before. It's pretty cool. When you walk in, the first floor has a dining area, with TV screens everywhere, a couple of bars, darts, air hockey, at least a dozen, if not more pool tables, and a mechanical bull. It is located in an old mill building. Upstairs there was a large room where the actual women's tea dance was happening. To say it was hot up there would be a gross understatement. I regretted my decision not to wear shorts. Some of my friends went off to play pool. Some of us were just hanging out, me included. Instead of the usual great dance music, a woman who sang cover songs really off key serenaded us. During the 3rd song I realized I was becoming rather grumpy and regretting my decision to attend. For one thing, I strongly dislike being in a hot room. I like it cool. And I was getting hungry. And there was a Red Sox game on downtairs. Yeah, 'scuse me my friends, I'll be back. I headed downstairs and grabbed a seat at the bar. Much cooler down there. Enjoyed several innings of the Sox/Yankees game, ate some yummy food, then headed back upstairs and was ready to enjoy some dancing time. Around 8:30 they finally got the a/c working up there. I didn't dance as much as I would have liked to, due to the fact that is was sooooooo hot up there!! But I had a really fun time anyway and saw lots of friends. I still don't know who won the game tonight!! I think I will go watch the rest and find out. Yeah, guilty...I taped the game!!

*Dear Anonymous...
When I realized today's date, I thought of you. Peaceful feelings and happy thoughts that made me smile. No regrets. I think you are awesome!!! xo

My Best Friend

It was only right that my first beach trip of 2008 was with my best friend. One of us really wanted to stick their feet/legs in the ocean for longer than the 60 seconds she was allowed, despite the 39 degree water temperature. And one of us was kinda scared of the waves and preferred to sniff around in the sand. I'll leave it to the reader to figure that out.



There is much to be blogged about Opening Day at Fenway. Last night while driving to York and the Yarn Sellar (and please note, if you are someone who commented on my lack of blogging last night, not mentioning any names (noolieandpatty)) I had a whole blog post in my head - someone needs to invent a way for people to blog and drive safely. I will try and catch up with all that is Red Sox Nation this weekend. Because it is so good. And yet, not so good. Stay tuned for the explanation!!

I live for this...

Coffee maker programmed - check
Appropriate Red Sox sleep attire - check
Fresh batteries for bedroom remote - check

This is it. This is what I live for. Opening freakin' day. Bring it on boys!!



YAAAAAAHOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!

And for those of you who are either clueless about what I speak of, or just plain not interested...here is a photo from last month from when me and the kid got our respective noses pierced...

No Clue...

That last post of mine - the pic with the Viking kitty? Yeah, I have absolutely NO CLUE why I posted that. Someone asked me about it tonight, and I was like, huh? What Viking kitty? So I had to check this out in order to be able to sleep tonight (not really, but it sounds good, and I'll probably forget otherwise).

Did I mean to post something else and copy the wrong link? That's all I can think of. Hmmmmm....I have no freakin' clue...

Happy Friday!

so much for an inch...

Luckily I heeded the wisdom of my co-workers Diane and Tam and headed home at 5:30 instead of going to yoga. They were the wiser ones who left at 4:30. I crept home on the slick roads, not all THAT bothered by them, since for the most part I have worked from home when snow has been in the forecast. A little while ago I took Rusty out one last time, and noticed how beautiful it was out there. Big, wet flakes making it hard to see I'm sure if you are driving, but making everything else look really pretty. So I brought him back in and grabbed my camera for what I am hoping will be the last snowflakes of 2008. My cheap ass digital camera doesn't do it justice.

The 'hood

My car ~ barely made it up the driveway!
I love how the flash bounces off the big flakes!



If all the little snowflakes
Were candy bars and milkshakes
Oh, what a snow that would be!

Random BP*

• I'm glad the most recent missing hikers were found safely. What bothers me though is that people go up into the White Mountains in the dead of winter. I can understand an experienced hiker wanting the challenge. But how about taking into consideration the lives that are placed in danger when they have to go looking for your frozen ass.
  
• Dear City of Manchester - What is up with the roads disintegrating? There's this new invention called asphalt, I hear it is pretty amazing. The intersection of Granite and Elm has been an axle-breaker for the past month and is just getting worse.
• Speaking of Granite St...Dear People who use the Granite Street Bridge - there is this thing called a yellow line that is painted down the middle of the bridge. Please stop crossing over it as I am trying to get to the highway to go to work. 'k, thanks!
• If anyone remembers Charles Laquidara from the old days of WBCN, The Big Mattress has a blog
  
• The aforementioned blog is where I found the link to pictures of Lindsay Lohan posing as her idol, Marilyn Monroe. (warning, that link does contain nudity). It would be more appropriate to call this "Shots of Linsday's rack with a messy blonde wig." Marilyn was a class act and slapping a blonde wig on a skank and saying she is anything remotely resembling Marilyn - it's just wrong
  
• I spun yarn over the weekend. Tee hee. It's even hanging up here at work on my cube. I'll take a picture of it later before I leave.
• Spring training has begun. You know you are a baseball geek when you download the entire season schedule into your Outlook calendar. Want to know when the Sox are playing the Yankees? I can have that info in seconds!
• Work. Nothing bad going on, but morale is low and our boss is leaving. Uncertainty about what that will mean for us, and as usual, no communication. I am grateful I have a job, I do love what I do, but I would be much happier at a smaller company, at least that's what I think. If I win the powerball tonight, the Omlette Shoppe in Ogunquit is for sale for $1M. I'll hire someone to run it for me, work a little here and there, and park it on the beach anytime I want!

*Bullet Post. Inspired by the Sheep, only hers rock!

Happy Valentines Day...

moar humorous pics

The news...

This morning I had the news on in the background while I was doing stuff. I normally spend the first couple of hours of my day in silence and like it that way. But since my street looks like a qualifying run for the Olympic Luge event (and let's not even talk about my driveway), I wanted to see if I could get an update on the rest of the roads.

So, as a service to you all, here is what I got from this morning's news...

Roger Clemens* - do we really care who injected what into the Rocket? Next...

Marie Osmond - did she gain weight while doing dancing with the stars? Well, I can't answer that, but if you tune into ET tonight at 7, this and more will be revealed...

Tina Turner is NOT the queen of soul. Silly Beyonce'.

Obama. No Hilary. No Obama. No Hiliary.

Yeah, so that's pretty much it...

*so yesterday was the Big Day - Pitchers and Catchers showed up in Ft. Meyers to begin spring training. NESN was running their first show from Spring Training at 6:30. What did they then proceed to talk about for the first 10 minutes? Clemens. *sigh*. I mean, do the fans really care that much?
Other than that, there was a great interview with Tito, and seeing Dice-K sporting a MULLETT was priceless!!

The real problem with our economy...

Payrolls drop for 1st time since 2003 (AP)AP - Nervous employers cut 17,000 jobs in January — the first such reduction in more than four years and a fresh trouble sign that the economy is in danger of stalling.

Exxon Mobil posts record profits (AP) AP - Exxon Mobil Corp. on Friday posted the largest annual profit by a U.S. company — $40.6 billion — as the world's largest publicly traded oil company benefited from historic crude prices at year's end.

When was the last time an oil company had anything but a record profit?

Decisions, Decisions...

The first one is easy, but I need your help. Over on the right there is a poll to help me decide on which e-mail I want to use as my new main e-mail address. racingspirit is ready to be retired for a couple of reasons. For one thing, I'm not as into Nascar as I was when I chose the account, and secondly, the account resides on someone else's comcast account, and I would prefer to have it reside on my own account. I think I know which one I want...and maybe there will be a prize offered to a random responder!

The second decision is not so easy. Tonight when I was walking Rusty down the road, I heard some loud yelling and swearing. I wasn't wearing my glasses, so it took me a minute to locate the source. Now this past summer, I mentioned the crack house across the street. Well, karma is a beautiful thing and the person I suspected was selling drugs over there has been in jail since late summer on a burglary charge. So all has been quiet. And the tenement on the corner? It would seem all the screamers moved out recently. So like I said, things have been very quiet here. But back to the yelling. I saw the guy who lives a few doors down from me hanging out his front door smoking and yelling and screaming back in at his family. He went back inside, only to come tearing back out, flinging the screen door open very wide so it hit the side of the house, slamming the inside door violently and screaming at the top of his lungs "I have to ing do everying thing around here you ing bitch. Now, ok, that's bad enough that he is spewing such venom out into the street. But then the next words out of his mouth were "I'll kill you all, I swear I will." And I felt this cold block of ice in my middle. I could not believe that a person would actually say that. About their family. He saw me and he looked away. I kept walking and I very calmly said "You know you don't mean that." He never said a word. Finished his smoke and went inside. So what do I do with that? Do I think the guy would actually harm his family? No. Not really. He is volatile and I have heard him go off at his teenage sons and his wife. He's not a very nice guy, nor is he a very happy guy. And the thing is, they live in the best house in the neighborhood. Nice white, middle-income, model family to all outward appearances. But now I get to live with the knowledge that I heard those words come out of his mouth. What if? I hope not. I tend to think it's the ones you never suspect would that actually do. And then I think, who would I tell anyway?

As much as I love my apartment, I am hoping that at this time next year I will be in a position to move back out to the country, or at least the 'burbs.

Blue Eyes...

Plugging away at work here with the iPod on shuffle to drown out the conversations around me and "My Way" came on. I haven't heard that song in years...forgot what a great song it is!!

I bought Cindi a Sinatra cd for Christmas and loaded it onto my iPod. What a great creation. Anyway...back to work...