Reading Below The Root, a juvenile fantasy about a person in an ideal society who is chosen to rule his people.  The alternate world is interesting; some kind of arboreal society.  I haven't quite got that figured out yet.

Good Christmas with Mom.  I spent too much money, but we had a good time.  We went to Krytal so Mom could have her burgers, drove around a lot, did some shopping.  I bought her one of those amplifiers that look like a bluetooth headset, and she loves it; she says it's better than her hearing aid was. I had a problem with the batteries; the ones I could find were horrendously expensive, something close to $8 apiece. They were marked for pacemakers.  I went online and bought her a bunch from Amazon for cheap. 

I've taken a couple of days off to relax before we go back after the New Year, to sit and read and perhaps weave a bit.  I have no room to lay anything out, so no sewing of clothes.  I might get the hide out and make some little leather bags.

I picked up a metal casting kit for us all to experiment with, and now I need to pick up some metal to melt in it.  We have a few things we want to make, belts, hooks, brooches and so forth, so we'll be pulling it out and messing around with it, maybe this weekend, maybe next. I dunno.

And now I need to go buy diet cokes.

Reading The Passage, by Justin Cronin.  Seems to be fairly straight forward science fiction ala Dean Koontz.  Good so far.

Still relieved that the President won reelection.  I don't agree with everything he's done, but really.  The automaton rich guy?  No.  Just no.

I am enjoying thoroughly my long weekend.  I made two different pork dishes in crock pots yesterday; the first was four slices off the end of a pork loin with an onion and a bottle of Italian dressing, and the second was the rest of the pork loin in onions, mango jam, bouillion, and a dash of sherry. 

For the first recipe, I rough chopped an onion, threw it in the bottom of the two quart, laid in the four slices of pork, poured a bottle of Kraft Italian Vinaigrette over it, and let it go on high for four hours.  It came out on the sauerbraten scale of tart; it needed garlic mashed potatoes and nutmeg green beans for accompaniment if I hadn't been too lazy to make them.  I gobbled it down without thinking of a side dish at all because I loved the flavor.  I think adults will appreciate this more than kids as it's a bit on the vinegary side. Maybe. Depends on the kid.

I haven't tried the mango jam pork loin yet, but I made that in the big metal crock pot that is separate from the base to allow me to brown the onions first.  I tossed in some of the Land O' Lakes butter-olive oil spread, sauteed the onions in that while adding salt and pepper, garam masala, and a dash of sherry.  Once the onions were seriously browned (I did this part on the butane burner) with the garam masala and sherry bubbling away, I added the jar of mango jam, stirring until it melted, and then water.  Once the mango jam was melting and the water-jam mix had come back to a boil, I transferred the pot to its slow cooker base, turned it up to high, and put in the pork loin, fat side down, and rolled it up until the fat was on the top and the roast was coated in the mix.  I'll report on that flavor later.

So yesterday I helped my landlord install a new over-the-oven microwave, as theirs had given up the ghost.  My help consisted of simpy holding it in place while he inserted the screws.  A small but vital role, and I pride myself on a job well done.  Well, really, Leon got it up without a problem and it wasn't heavy to hold in place.  But they've got a new microwave!  Yay!

On the needles I have the Shizuku scarf from Angela Tong on Ravelry, in Bernat Mosaic, the Daydream colorway.  I'm not sure I like the little droplets, but I haven't finished the scarf yet and therefore have not blocked it.  I must say, having used Mosaic before with no problems, that this particular ball of yarn was full of knots as if it had been cobbled together at the factory from odds and ends.  Annoying but not enough to make me stop using it.  (Now, Lion Brand Jiffy, that's another issue; about ten years ago I bought a batch of twelve balls from them that were so full of knots, ball after ball, that I stopped using Lion for about five years.  They really turned me off.)

Mom can hear me on the phone now that she's lost her left hearing aid.  It's good for my soul to talk to her and it had been frustrating to have her hang up on me when she couldn't even tell it was me on the phone.  I've been writing her a lot of letters.  I'm pretty sure her writing is limited after the DKE she suffered two years ago.  Her hand, which used to be beautiful mid-twentieth century public school boilerplate, is now chicken scratching.

Last night I finally got around to roasting the Kona I bought a month or so ago, and I just ground it, put it in the French press, and pored boiling water over it. This ought to be interesting as I've never bought 100% Kona before.  And never will again, at least never until I come across another 75% off coupon. *sigh*

What will I do today?  Continue to read, drink my coffee, knit on the scarf a bit more, watch the Firefly Browncoat reunion on the Science Channel when it comes on, maybe get out the bamboo fibre I bought and try to drop spindle it.  Walk the dog. Eat mango pork loin. I plan to take a nap. Maybe two. 

Reading The Power Of Myth, by Joseph Campbell.  It's a compilation of a series of interviews Bill Moyers did with Campbell before his death.  I plan on picking up more of Campbell's books; the man was fascinating. 

Home today with a sore throat from sinus drainage.  I can't stop coughing without drugs.  Oddly, this is the same creeping crud I was complaining about in August.  I think it's segued into a sinus infection.  Bleah.

World Con was so much fun we're all planning on going next year.  And I think once a year is enough for me.  Holy cow. It  was fun but exhausting.

The American ambassador to Libya has been killed in a rocket attack on the embassy in Benghazi, along with three other Americans.  And Romney's politicizing it.  A businessman who doesn't want anyone to examine his business record.  What a sorry excuse for a man.

Poor as a churchmouse until I get paid on Saturday.  I do so suck at budgeting.  Thank God the library's free, and the truck payment is made, and Comcast is already paid for, and I have so much fabric on hand I'll be sewing for months before I need to buy more.  The loom needs dressing, two knitting projects in the wings, and I have to prep for my netting class next week with stuff I've already got.  I have enough food in the house to feed myself and cats and dogs.  Life is good.  I just have nothing in my pockets.  Well, except my phone, which I've been using to text people all day since my throat is too sore to talk much.

I've spent the day sleeping and babying my throat, and just generally wimping out.  I feel much better (although I sound like Mickey Mouse) and back to work I go tomorrow.  Just by bus, since I have no gas in the car. :D

Reading Texas Gothic, by Rosemary Clement-Moore.  Cute little witches-r-us story set in Texas.  It's holding my interest.

I just finished Blood and Feathers, by Lou Morgan (I think; I must start writing these down) which is an urban fantasy angels vs. devils thing,  I couldn't put that one down.  Also just finished Leighton Gage's Blood of the Wicked, which was really good in spite of the violence.  (I was squicked out, but soldiered on. It was worth it.)  I'll pick up the next Mario Silva novel when time permits.  I'd also like to read Lou Morgan's next book, but I don't think she's written a second one yet.

I've come down with the creeping crud; I'm not sure if it's a summer cold or simply allergies. Nose running, sore throat, coughing, low grade temperature for a day, coud be either. Bleah.  At least I'll be down to just sniffles by Wednesday when we leave for Worldcon. Squee!!  I can't wait!!

Today: A day of sewing in anticipation of the trip to Chattanooga tomorrow for Tourney of the Foxes, an SCA event.  A bath for the dog.  Grocery shopping. Laundry.  Trash run.  I tell you, the excitement never stops!

And did I mention I'm going to Worldcon next week?  Squee!

I've got a Cthullu cap on the needles, a length of red-green-white 8 strand kaku yattsu gumi from Catharine Martin's book on the kumihimo plate, and a three yard alpaca-silk warp to measure off.  I need to be independently wealthy.  I just need to be.  I can't retire, of course, I won't have the money to do any of this.  Still working on winning the lottery.  Does anyone know a rich guy looking for a fat fifty something former redhead to sweep off her feet? (No, not really, old, crotchety, set in my ways.)

Worldcon!!  Squeee!!!

Reading The Subtle Knife by Phillip Pullman.  So far, it's holding my interest.  There are moments when I think it drags, but that's me.

Out sick yesterday with a migraine, and I spent the day in bed asleep, loaded down with zomig and phenergan. Better living through chemicals. I'm okay today.

Couldn't get home to Mom last weekend, I ran out of money before I ran out of pay period.  And the price of gas is going back up.  It's back to the bus for me!  Maybe I'll lose a lttle weight walking into town to the bus depot.  At least I can read on the bus.  And I can't afford to go home this weekend, so there.

Still planning to go to World Con at the end of the month, and really looking forward to it.

Reading A Cast Off Coven, by Juliet Blackwell, a cute little paranormal murder mystery. If she continues to write the series, I'll continue to read it.

Lazy Friday, running around doing the shoppng, and getting a little cooking for the rest of the week done.  I've done a simple roasted lemon chicken, and I have a chuck roast in the crock pot. 

We go tomorrow to buy a new microwave. Thrills and chills in Nashville!  I'm not sure I can handle the suspense!

Getting my ducks in a row for World Con at the end of the month.  I'm looking forward to it.  I won't have any costumes sewn up for it, though, I just don't have time. 

Planning on doing my laundry tomorrow, washing both clothes and some fabric I picked up to make garb with.  I'm going to Tourney of the Foxes at the end of the month in Byzantine. I have to go by the Sally's Beauty Supply place tomorrow to pick up fake hair to fill out my hairdo. *sigh*  Maybe I should go to World Con as Empress Irene.  I also have to do some research on Byzantine collars, to see what I can gin up. 

I've still got to get over to Barry's to finish the tapestry comb I started last week.  And I have to give Sharon the loom I made.  And make one for Grace.  Busy, busy.  It never ends.  I don't have time to weave myself. I'm on a reading kick anyway.  Off to read...

Reading A Body In The Bathhouse, by Linsey Davis; one of the Marcus Didius Falco series set in ancient Rome.  Your basic murder mystery, a solid whodunit.

My old Dell laptop bit the dust, so now I'm working on a new Toshiba something or other. I took it out of the box, opened it up, turned it on, started the booting-up process, set my defaults, and sat for a minute while the computer did its thing.  I'd had it out of the box not five minutes.  When I looked down, the keyboard was covered with cat hair. Not five minues out of the box.  I tell you, those cats-!

Anyway, now I'm waiting for my tax refund so I can get new tires for the truck.  The excitement, it never ends.

I spent the weekend with Mom in Knoxvile, celebrating her 91st birthday.  I took her out to dinner, and she wanted to go to Krystal.  I offered Outback, Olive Garden, Regas, any of the nice places you think of when you want to go out for a birthday, but no.  She wanted Krystal.  So we got ourselves a sack of ten and went down by the river to sit and eat it.  Proof positive that the heart disease in the family is from Dad's side.

We're under a state-wide no burn/no fireworks ban due to the drought.  Everything's tinder dry around here and they're understandably afraid something will spark and cause a fire. There will be Fourth of Juy Fireworks on First Avenue, where the sparks will hopefully fall into the river.  They hope. 

We're having the Nashville Hot Wings Festival in the park across the street today and I thought I'd go see what the fuss is all about.  I think they've got twenty of the wing restaurants in town already set up in tents out by the baseball diamonds. 

I've taken Thursday and Friday off to get a few things done around the house, and maybe get some sewing done.  I need new garb and I'm thinking Byzantine; at least, something designed for a hotter climate. Viking is problematic when the temps are in the 90's, even in linen. We're doing a demo at the Gallatin Library on Saturday, and I'm going to run down and visit friends in Lewisburg on Sunday.  

It's going to be a busy month.  

 I'm reading Hammered, by Kevin Hearne. Swords, sorcery, an old Irish druid, all the world's pantheons of gods made real.  Pure escapism.

My laptop is toast. I picked up some kind of virus, and now all I get is the blue screen of death.  It was time for a new one anyway as it was 8 years old. And I get my longevity bonus this paycheck, so there's that. A new cheap-o laptop, and tires.  So much for saving anything.

I made Korean Ribs off Stephanie O'Dea's slow cooker website, and they were pretty yum. I also made her cream cheese chicken, and there were no leftovers from that, either. Wicked good, both of them.. I'll make both of them again.

Today I've got official unit fun at work, and I get to bring chips and dip. It's cheaper by far than bringing them the ribs or the cream cheese chicken. Or any of the other things I've whipped up in the past. Ziti!

Reading The Cinderella Deal, by Jennifer Crusie.  It's a romance, and I'm only a few pages into it.  I expect pure fluff.  I deserve mindless candy.

I went over to a friend's house this evening to work on my six board box.  For those of you not historically minded, this is a small box made from 6 boards (no, really, six) and was made throughout Northern Europe during the Medieval era. Barry and I knocked it together a couple of weeks ago, put the first coat of enamel on it a week ago, and I sanded it and put the final coat on it this evening. This is my first effort at woodworking and it's pretty crude.  If I have a chance I'll post a picture.  Now that I know the skills required I can pick up some really nice wood and make a second box to practice my skills. And then...  A house!  Or maybe a car!

I've been trying to get everyone to buy their ebooks through the library click through thingie so the Nashville library will get credits that enable them to buy more books to lend. I have only my own self interest at heart, of course. What, you think I pay for all the books I read? I'd go bankrupt.  Nope, I check them out from the Nashville PL, and I do it the lazy woman's way, online.  Or busy woman's way, because we all know everyone has endless time to drive across town, find parking, and browse the collection.  (This is your PSA for the evening. Go buy an ebook, and do it through the library link.)

Speaking of libraries, we have a Carnegie Library just down the street from us. Now, that's a piece of history.

Just finished The Kingdom by Amanda Stevens, and now I can't decide what to read.  I've got four really good books checked out and I can't make up my mind.  You, dear reader, are going to have to live in suspense until the next time I post.

Monday was blah as usual. It was sunny and clear, and hot.  Not as hot as it'll be in August.

I spent the weekend with Mom in Knoxville, just hanging out. We went shopping for clothes and groceries, and I think we spent the rest of the time reading. We did drive all over Knox and Blount Counties, and over into Oak Ridge.  I ran out half a tank, but she needed to be away from the four walls she stays in for a while. It was a good weekend.

I got a little knitting done, but not much. And no sewing.  I have to stay home this weekend and get some sewing accomplished or hand in my license to operate a Singer. I've got so much I need to get done. Not that that's repetitive.

See how boring my life and writing are?  I must let out my inner Stephen King!  Or Mark Twain! Or whoever's in there.

Reading Without Warning by John Birmingham. I do love the post-apocalyptic stuff, mostly because I can close the book and go back to reality. 

I suppose I wouldn't survive the type of cataclysmic event he writes about; I'm almost 60, I'm too comfy in my nice modern electrically powered life. I can drive anywhere, I can buy pretty much what I need to live.  I have a nice comfy middle class existence with a civil service job I go to every day. In short, I'm cannon fodder. 

Anyway, I'm off to Mom's today, for the weekend.  We'll do a few meals out and some shopping. I'll have dinner with the girls (Bonnie and Nancy) Sunday before I come home. A nice, relaxing weekend.  I'll get the oil changed, pick up four or five boxes from the storage to go through. Next week, I've got RUM stuff to get done, class schedules to call for, maybe a new form to test if the IT folks have it done.

Reading The Kingdom, by Amanda Stevens.  It's turning out to be a scarier ghost story than I really like. More on the order of horror than supernatural.  Not so much to my taste.

Dinner with the Wayfarer crew last night went very well, as dinner with friends often does.  We met at the Anatolia, a Turkish restaurant on White Bridge Road.  Mixed reviews on the food; I enjoyed the heck out of my mixed grill (lamb chop, chopped lamb, chicken and beef kabobs and a vegetable kabob) but most of the other folks chose pasta or chicken pot pie or some variation on American cooking, and thought they were ho-hum.  The consensus was, the grilled dishes were the best.  I've never understood the logic behind going to an ethnic restaurant and ordering American food. It kind of misses the whole point of the ethnic experience, and you're not ordering food prepared with the cook's strengths, if you know what I mean.

I do sympathize with people who don't like the particular ethnic food and want something else to choose from, but jeez, don't complain about it when it isn't to your taste. Duh. I think we'll pick a Cuban restaurant next time. And the usual suspects will think the food is boring because they'll order American dishes. 

Home last night to sleep, and I didn't even turn on the TV.  I picked up a book.  I feel so self-righteous and enlightened.  *snort*

Still reading A Discovery Of Witches.  I rather like the story, in spite of the vampires. I've made it to page 569; it doesn't suck.

Kind of a gray morning here.  I think it's supposed to be warm today (easy guess in June in Tennessee, eh?) and sunny later.

Spent the evening last night at Grace and Dave's, just sitting around and talking. Jay made it over, and heraldry was discussed; Stanzi needs a pennon, and Waldryk has commissioned Dave and Jay to do it.  He emailed Dave with the specifications, asking for what we figured out was a heron as a supporter, but what came through as a herring. Damn you, Autocorrect!  But of course, he has to draw it with both the heron Waldryk asked for and the herring too.  If I ever merit a supporter on my device, I think I'll ask for a herring.  It'll go with the parrot.

*sigh* To work, because, well, my employer won't pay me if I'm not working.

Weekend

Currently reading: A Discovery of Witches, by Deborah Harkness.

This has been a remarkably lost weekend; I think all I've done is lie around and read.  And eat.  I did walk the dog. And start a sock on size one needles. Oy.

It's CMA fest week here, with all the attendant tourists and traffic problems.  I've been avoiding going through downtown because of the way traffic has bee rerouted. The festival ends tonight, thank heavens.  Bonnaroo has been going on downsouth as well, and I've successfully avoided getting caught in that traffic mess, too.

I feel another lost day coming on...  I think I'll just lie here and read.  Yeah, that's the ticket.  Read, and knit.  And eat.  And walk the dog.

Currently reading The Lords of Finance: The Men Who Broke The World, by Liaquat Ahmed. I can hear my father's voice in the narration, oddly.  I've reached the point where the market is about to crash, and it's edge-of-your-seat reading. Well, if you like history.

I was home from work sick today; migraine. More due to stress at work than anything else, as we're about to move the office back downtown. I like being downtown.  I don't like moving.

Ingdom A&S over the weekend, and there were any great entries. It's odd; I can't get the cursor to go back to the beginning of this page to correct Ingdom to Kingdom.  No matter where I tap on the page, it highlights the first paragraph. Next time, I'll ditch the tablet and go to the laptop.

No real plans for the week, just work, fighter practice tomorrow, continuing to pull the warp I'm working on, and going to Mom's over the weekend. Dinner with friends Wednesday night, maybe at the Smiling Elephant on Franklin Road.  I dunno.

interesting discussion of corporate interests, the MBA, and Citizen's United, in the "Felony Interference With A Business Model" thread over on Making Light. They talk a lot about the late 20th century idea that someone with no experience in a business can walk in and run it, and the effects on thepublicgood of those people who do it. I particularly liked the comment about the toupee, and how MBAs are like them; go read it yourself, I'm not going to digest it for you. The MBA they discuss is the HBS, but it applies to any MBA.  I'm reminded of Ahmed's discussion of the experience levels of her four lords of finance.