E A Summers – Page 120

April 22, 2013

Synchronized Sleeping

We had a Monday.

So, apparently it was not good that the slit they made to drain Bob’s hematoma healed incredibly fast.

He had Yoda ear again this morning.

I had several appointments in Whitefish and Monday is ALWAYS busy at the vet… I phoned to check options and in some strange bit of whatever, Dr. Clark himself answered the clinic phone. He suggested seeing if after application of a warm compress, could I coax open the slit, allow the drainage and then keep the slit open-ish so that all can heal from the inside out.

No go. That slit was healed tight shut.

Backup plan was to drop Bob off on my way to town, allow the clinic to treat him in-between things and pick him up on my way home. Although I hated the thought of the potential stress, we did it and according to all, Bob rested quietly before and after the procedure.

They installed a little drain in the slit. And an Elizabethan collar: the cone of shame. And then I managed to dislodge the drain myself with the warm compress trying to unplug a large blood clot from the drain.

Bad words were said.

I haven’t confessed to my deed but my plan is to keep the darn slit from slamming shut with the warm compress routine. The clinic will phone tomorrow to check on Bob and I will have to come clean.

Meanwhile, we are all a bit exhausted.

And, no…I have NOT washed windows yet.

April 21, 2013

Farmer’s Market

This weekend was to be the first Farmer’s Market. ( Bear and I go to Market)

Fortunately, I checked the online version of our local daily newspaper and saw that there were issues with the market this year… Rats! It will be resolved soon, I am sure.

Meanwhile…last Fall as my own CSA came to an end, “my farmer”, Julian, told us all that there would not be a CSA this year. At that time the farm intended to sell through several local Farmer’s markets. I was not unhappy as I had already decided that the CSA was a bit much for just me and that I would try buying via the local markets this year.

Last week, an email from Julian said that the farm had decided to sell to those of us CSA members who’d like…on a weekly basis…first choice of the week’s harvest, i.e. not a subscription, but here’s what we have and for how much and do you want any? All extra, they will sell at market.

I said “Hurrah!!! ” – This is perfect for me as I can buy and pick up down the road just what I want …and if I am able to hit the road as I’d like, I will not have spent money for food I’m not at home to receive.

I still plan to frequent the local Farmer’s markets as it is fun and fun to see what all is grown and/or made locally.

Yesterday, on what have should have been Kalispell Farmer’s Market’s first day…it was in the 50’s and felt very warm after a week of Winter-like temperatures.

But today…another whoosh of Winter…

Above is the property of Swallow Crest Farm…my farm…my farmer…on my road home…some green fields, the garden, the greenhouses and snow squalls over the mountains.

April 20, 2013

Into every life a little rain must fall

Even here in Northwest Montana…far removed from the horror of Boston and Texas, the week was disconcerting at best. I do think that there are a few silver linings – small in comparison to the loss – and not comforting to those who suffered the ultimate loss, but I was a bit heartened to read that lessons learned in Afghanistan saved lives in Boston. I dearly hope that we hear of other positives and that we get some understanding – particularly for those whose lives were changed in an instant.

Here at my home we had a little rain…a sprinkle compared to the downpour of tragedy elsewhere.

Mr. Bob had a visit to the vet for an ear thing which turned out to be an ear infection and a broken blood vessel (hematoma) that caused his poor ear to look like one of the Star Wars critter ears (Yoda).

We went to the vet on Thursday and all was lanced, flushed and medicated and we continue at home with some ointment twice a day.

It really did rain.

It is supposed to snow tonight!

Bear continues well, but the Thursday trip to the vet and gray, rainy weather gave us all the sleepies.

Despite all, Bob looks to be feeling better and although the news and ramifications of this week’s events are still to come – we are concentrating on good things: ears and legs on the mend, love in our house, love for our neighbors, friends, family – and prayers for all who lost so much.

April 16, 2013

B is for…

Bananas!

Bananas and I have finally come to a peaceful resolution. A whole banana does not sit well with me, but a half does just fine. What to do with that other half…

I’ve been freezing them – first on a cookie sheet and when solid, into a zip bag. Yes, that is more than a half – I had a half and then was testing a 2nd for ripeness to use in NYTimes’ Melissa Clark’s Chocolate Crusted Banana Blondies.

(If you’d rather see the video, look here )

Oh, my – these are good…they are really, really good.

The bottom is a chocolate cookie crumb crust. I used Jennifer Perillo’s Chocolate Snaps for the chocolate wafers specified in Melissa’s recipe. I baked them just a wee bit longer than normal and stored them overnight in a covered but not airtight, container. They were nice and crunchy and much better than storebought.

The blondie top: bananas, brown sugar, browned butter and I subbed half rye whiskey which is bourbon-ish and half vanilla extract, for the dark rum – that top, it is a banana-walnut caramel top…salted.

Like I said, these are really, really good. I might back off just a bit on the brown sugar next time, but that is my “not so sweet tooth” talking.

YUM. I have a package put aside for my UPS guy for tomorrow’s delivery. He will love me.

What else is “B” for???

Bear!

Sweet Bear, in a spot of sun, late this afternoon.

And Bob!

April 14, 2013

Country Road

Two inches of snow fell overnight.

The sun rose in a pastel pink sky.

Shortly before 9:00 a.m., sunshine and blue sky among the clouds, Bear and I headed down the road to see what there was to see and find a country road for a snowy, Sunday morning amble.