Pete Seeger 1919-2014

Pete Seeger, one of Daad's and my heroes passed away the other day.   The world loved him for his Power of Song.
He spread the meaning of the word "peace" and he was responsible for cleaning up the once heavily polluted Hudson River.  PBS did this documentary about him on one of the American Masters episodes.  

California Drought -- No End in Sight

The  Ridiculously Resilient Ridge is a primary reason for the California drought. 2000 miles down the coast of California, the high pressure is preventing moisture from reaching the breadbasket of our country.  Plus there is little snow pack up in the mountains to provide water for the streams.   There is not enough water for the livestock and thus many ranchers are culling their herds meaning the price of meat will rise. 

The Splendid Table

The Splendid Table, truly an amazing hour-long radio show and podcast about life's appetites features Lynne Rossetto  Kasper interviewing beloved food personalities.   Recently she interviewed a Danish restaurant owner who features various varieties of ants as part of his recipes.    Believe it or not, to some Noma, is one known as one of the finest restaurants in the world.

Here is a group of musicians doing an original rendition of the theme song of Lynne Rossetto Kasper's radio program.

Lovely tune.

A Sprig of Fresh Basil in Late January

Rooting basil to create a new plant for winter garnishes is not difficult.  A fresh sprig on top of pasta in the  during subzero temperatures is a miracle of the earth. 

Ooops!

Over watering a plant is just as bad as not giving it enough water.  Even though directions said to keep the plant moist, I kept it too moist!  However, several teensy new leaves are noticeable.  As soon as it is planted in the garden, it should be fine.

All  blooms have fallen except the green bloom in the middle.  Now I am wondering if the plant suffered from exposure to below zero degrees at delivery time. 

Pittsburgh Way Back When

One of my friends from high school sent this.  Here are pictures of our beloved Pittsburgh as it appeared in the early 1900's. 

A One Man Choir

Our UU Choir Director sent this.  It Is Well Worth My Soul is beautiful with one man, Sam Robson, singing all 8 parts from counter tenor to bass.  Written in the 1870's by Horatio Spafford, the story that provided the inspiration for the piece is heart wrenching.

Cataracts, Polio: An Example of High Tech Surgical Equipment of Today and Medicine in the 1950's

When a call came through saying a floral delivery was to be made, Ed and I had no idea of the identity of the sender.   The adventure of my having cataracts removed began Monday, January 13th so we knew the gift had to be from someone who knew about the impending cataract surgery.  Lo and behold!  Our dear friends John and Vicki Nicholson sent the gorgeous hydrangea which we will plant outdoors later on.

 John called and we had a most interesting conversation. 

John fell ill to polio in the 1950's before the Salk polio vaccine was discovered. In 1947, Jonas Salk took a position at University of Pittsburgh, where he began conducting research on polio, also known as infantile paralysis.  As a person who was born and raised and married in Pittsburgh  and who graduated from the University of Pittsburgh in 1960,  I remember Jonas Salk well.   Furthermore,  Laurie was born  at McGee Hospital in the Burgh.    The Salk Polio Vaccine  has all but eradicated this debilitating disease in developed nations though this is not the case in such places as Africa and India. 

Now then, John, Vicki and yours truly have been through some major surgeries through the years. 

The cataract removal now called cataract "surgery", involved the use of high tech equipment, so high tech I was thinking there would be little use for my doctor.   Not true, of course, because in the laser room my ophthalmologist positioned the laser equipment over my eye so perfectly that the readings would enable him to remove with exact precision, my lens with the cataract.   A design with 6 white symmetrical balls appeared with a small reddish shape in the center.  Preped as though I were having a more major operation, IV's inserted, various monitors reading every bodily function possible, tubes taking oxygen to my brain via my nostrils, garbed in hospital gown and cap and wrapped in warm flannel blankets as I lie flat on a gurney with side bars extended, the surgery was about to begin.  With a local anesthetic and a mild sedative, I could hear everything my doctor was communicating to the attending nurses.   Through the operative eye,  I remember mentioning the beautiful  colors almost like the Central Illinois sky, a water painting with moving shades of pinks and blues.  A light show!

The next phase of the procedure is rather yucky but interesting. 

Reading Books 9 Year Old Signy Recommends

Signy adores the fabulous fantasy Rick Riordan Percy Jackson and the Olympian books.  She insisted I read The Lightening Thief and now I am just about finished with Sea of Monsters.  The Greek Gods  are primary characters giving birth to half-bloods, human children who are exceptionally bright and who spend their summers at Camp Half-Blood where they take on magical and super human qualities.  Both books have been made into motion pictures.  

Among the books in our library are those I saved when I taught literature at the middle school.  I am looking so forward to sharing these with the girls.  

A House Full

They were all here --   Laurie/Tim and Signy, Roslyn, and Liesl from Arlington TX and Neal and Carla from Seattle.   31 bells were hidden on the first floor - the girls found them during their time here.  You will see they make nice earrings.

Neal and Carla's Surprise Rental Car

Neal phoned right before they turned into our driveway.  He insisted I go to the dining room window.  He and Carla drove down from Milwaukee where they visited Carla's grandparents.  Their rental car is the new beetle. 

Suan's Storybooks

Every year Suan Guess-Hanson creates an illustrated storybook
 for her grandchildren.  She sends one to me and
 also one to Laurie.