it started at six, after having successfully introduced jak (the dog) to running beside my bike while leashed to it. my first goal was to try an experimental recipe for chocolate cake, which comes courtesy of karina's kitchen (the gluten-free goddess of whom i am now a devoted follower!) and can be found here. i realized (too late) that i hadn't gotten the right amount of ingredients, but decided to wing it anyway (for instance: the recipe calls for 12 oz. chocolate - i had a 4 oz. bar of 100% cacao to which i added some sugar-free coco powder. also, i didn't have almond flour - that stuff’s, like, $12 a bag! i used 'bob's red mill gluten-free all-purpose baking flour,' which has garbanzo bean flour, potato starch, tapioca flour, white sorghum flour, and fava bean flour. also - i didn't use the sugar it called for, i used one cup of agave syrup.) john (the hubby-to-be) and i are wheat-, sugar-, and dairy-free, with a few indulgences once a month or so. this was an attempt to prove (to him, to myself) that i could make a yummy dessert that wouldn't undo everything we've been working for (dietarily-speaking.) also – i wanted to be able to serve it to mixed company. (btw - the recipe is not dairy-free. to wit: the stick and a half of butter i used...)
it took me a little longer than i anticipated to make this cake (chalk it up to timidity.) i finally got it into the oven at 7:30 and then proceeded to dinner: chicken thighs with indian-esque seasonings in lentil sauce (from a can) with rice. sounds more impressive than it really is. first, i put waaaaaaay too much cardamom in the rice (we were picking it out like bugs in the barley.) second, i ran out of tinfoil to cover the pan as it simmered, so i spent most of the cook time fretting that i was going to serve underdone chicken and thus wind up spending the night in the emergency room.
despite the mishaps, miscalculations, and complete guesswork, we managed to eat (at 8:30 pm) a pretty satisfying meal. john had three helpings of cake (which turned out dense, fudgy, not too sweet, and perfect with strawberries.) we sat down to watch a few episodes of ‘the duchess of duke street,’ during which john dozed off on the sofa.
at the end of the night, i shut the tv off, escorted my drowsy honey upstairs and into his pj’s, came back down to clean the kitchen, load the dishwasher (a blessing from heaven, you have no idea…) take the dog out one last time, turn down the heat, and turn off the lights. i finally slipped into bed at about 11:30. as i lay awake listening to john’s mini-snores, i had a sudden picture of doing this for the rest of my life. that may sound like drudgery, it may sound old-fashioned and prosaic, but i tell you it’s something i never pictured for myself at any time in my life: to have someone who ate what i cooked (and actually liked it!), to have a home to cook it in, and to have the security of knowing that, if i wanted to, i could get up the next morning and do it all again.
it was a damn good saturday night.
Sunday, March 22, 2009
Monday, March 16, 2009
hope 'springs' eternal
you'd think that as a native mainer, i'd have learned my lesson about the following statement:
spring is here!
a few weeks ago we were slapped (pleasantly) with a 50+ degree weekend. then it snowed on monday enough to keep me home from work. after that nature, in a most sadistically gleeful fashion, punished us northerners for our unabashed joy with a slew of sub-freezing temperatures and more snow, sleet, and freezing rain.
but not today! saturday and sunday were beautiful: sunny, warm, and lovely. i spent most of my weekend in downtown portland and saw short sleeves and flip-flops abounding, worn by eager, desperate youth as if dressing for summer would somehow make it appear that much faster. you can’t criticize them, however, for their ardent and blatant impatience; i can certainly empathize. it seems like it’s been a longer, colder, snowier winter than any i can remember (or perhaps i’m just getting old and curmudgeonly…) i’m tired of having to make a 63-point turn to get out of my driveway because the snow banks have blocked 90 percent of it. i’m tired of looking at the plastic that is covering the otherwise uninsulated windows downstairs, and living in a cave-like bedroom whose windows are covered with blankets to trap what little warmth my space heater generates. i’m tired of the fear that one small misstep on the sidewalk can send me ass-over-tea kettle to bruise both my ego and my butt. i’m tired of not being able to wear cute shoes when i go out. i’m tired of shoveling.
but this weekend it seemed as if everyone was out and about, and just for the sake of finally being able to be out and about: parents pushing infants in strollers, or walking with toddlers (who, in turn, were entranced by new puddles,) flocks of teenagers finally glad for space to expand into their gregarious selves, and (to jak’s infinite delight) dog owners strutting their mutts down the cobblestones and meeting like-minded friends. the whole city seemed to be taking a deep and hopeful breath of spring. today, ‘though it dawned a little chilly, is sunny and bright and the snow is quickly disappearing. my car tires make satisfying little splashing noises when i drive down the street. the sun is strong enough to put everyone i meet in a good mood, even the guys with the dump truck and bucket loader, currently removing mountains of snow from the parking lot.
Wednesday, February 18, 2009
sex
my significant other recently sent me two articles he found on the web regarding the above-referenced topic. they were interesting topics, but still, i feel i had to put my two cents worth out there. i've provided links to the articles, which should be read before my comments are:
http://www.sex-research.net/womans_history_of_Orgasms_and_walk.php :
"A new study found that trained sexologists could infer a woman's history of vaginal orgasm by observing the way she walks. The study is published in The Journal of Sexual Medicine."
a#1 - how does one become a "trained sexologist"? that term carries less clout than someone who claims to be a trained snake wrangler or a trained animal psychic.
b#2 - only 16 female university students from belgium were used in this study. i'd give more credence to its findings if it used 1600 (or even 160) females of varying ages from varying backgrounds.
c#3 - according to the article, "vaginally orgasmic women may feel more confident about their sexuality, which might be reflected in their gait." the study's authors (lead by stuart brody, university of the west of scotland) are quoted as saying: "'Such confidence might also be related to the relationship(s) that a woman has had, given the finding that specifically penile-vaginal orgasm is associated with indices of better relationship quality'." *MIGHT*? excuse me? undoubtedly, the quality of a woman's relationship with her partner plays a larger role in her confidence (and, hence, gait) than the fact that she can have a vaginal orgasm. could these authors determine a woman suffering from a sexual addiction from a woman who had many fulfilling sexual encounters? if we assume both are capable of vaginal orgasm, and the study's theory is correct, it's unlikely. i would beg to differ, and i would beg that the authors broaden their study in order to take such factors into account...
d#4 - 'the journal of sexual medicine' *looks* legit (ahem, it is *no* 'new england journal of medicine') - but still, one wonders why it would consent to publish such a half-baked study.
http://www.thedigitalbeat.com/2007/03/sex_6582.html
10 Things You Never Knew About...Sex
"3. While Viagra has made erectile dysfunction (affecting 10 to 12 percent of men) a household phrase, the opposite problem -- premature ejaculation -- is more common (affecting 24 to 27 percent of men). The U.S. Food and Drug Administration is currently reviewing a drug called dapoxetine as a cure for this problem."
what? seriously?!?!?!?!? like we need to be taking more pills in this nation? what happened to meditation and yoga and finding alternative methods and using meds as a last resort? incidentally, premature ejaculation is not a major health threat to this country. how about finding a cure for aids first?
"5. If a woman experiences orgasm during sex, she is more likely to become pregnant, since orgasmic spasms in pelvic muscles help move sperm up the vaginal canal to the uterus."
this theory was introduced in (believe it or not) the edwardian era. it was believed by doctors that in order to conceive, both partners had to have an orgasm. however, that theory has been debunked: a woman is just as likely to get pregnant regardless of orgasm (and i wish i could find the textbook i had for my women's health issues class so i could footnote that!!)
"10. 70% of women would rather eat choclate* than have sex."
i've never been happier to be in the minority!
*the article's spelling error - not mine
http://www.sex-research.net/
"A new study found that trained sexologists could infer a woman's history of vaginal orgasm by observing the way she walks. The study is published in The Journal of Sexual Medicine."
a#1 - how does one become a "trained sexologist"? that term carries less clout than someone who claims to be a trained snake wrangler or a trained animal psychic.
b#2 - only 16 female university students from belgium were used in this study. i'd give more credence to its findings if it used 1600 (or even 160) females of varying ages from varying backgrounds.
c#3 - according to the article, "vaginally orgasmic women may feel more confident about their sexuality, which might be reflected in their gait." the study's authors (lead by stuart brody, university of the west of scotland) are quoted as saying: "'Such confidence might also be related to the relationship(s) that a woman has had, given the finding that specifically penile-vaginal orgasm is associated with indices of better relationship quality'." *MIGHT*? excuse me? undoubtedly, the quality of a woman's relationship with her partner plays a larger role in her confidence (and, hence, gait) than the fact that she can have a vaginal orgasm. could these authors determine a woman suffering from a sexual addiction from a woman who had many fulfilling sexual encounters? if we assume both are capable of vaginal orgasm, and the study's theory is correct, it's unlikely. i would beg to differ, and i would beg that the authors broaden their study in order to take such factors into account...
d#4 - 'the journal of sexual medicine' *looks* legit (ahem, it is *no* 'new england journal of medicine') - but still, one wonders why it would consent to publish such a half-baked study.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
http://www.thedigitalbeat.com/
"3. While Viagra has made erectile dysfunction (affecting 10 to 12 percent of men) a household phrase, the opposite problem -- premature ejaculation -- is more common (affecting 24 to 27 percent of men). The U.S. Food and Drug Administration is currently reviewing a drug called dapoxetine as a cure for this problem."
what? seriously?!?!?!?!? like we need to be taking more pills in this nation? what happened to meditation and yoga and finding alternative methods and using meds as a last resort? incidentally, premature ejaculation is not a major health threat to this country. how about finding a cure for aids first?
"5. If a woman experiences orgasm during sex, she is more likely to become pregnant, since orgasmic spasms in pelvic muscles help move sperm up the vaginal canal to the uterus."
this theory was introduced in (believe it or not) the edwardian era. it was believed by doctors that in order to conceive, both partners had to have an orgasm. however, that theory has been debunked: a woman is just as likely to get pregnant regardless of orgasm (and i wish i could find the textbook i had for my women's health issues class so i could footnote that!!)
"10. 70% of women would rather eat choclate* than have sex."
i've never been happier to be in the minority!
*the article's spelling error - not mine
Friday, January 23, 2009
global family planning
this fairly-written, unbiased article came from fox.news (of all places!) and it makes me mightily proud!
" Obama to Lift Ban on Overseas Abortion Funding "
this is a glad day for women's health (and women's rights) everywhere!
" Obama to Lift Ban on Overseas Abortion Funding "
this is a glad day for women's health (and women's rights) everywhere!
Tuesday, January 20, 2009
time for a fresh start...
i've tried it a couple of times (re-kick-starting this blog) - but this is the beginning of a new chapter in american history, so it's a good a time as any to start a new chapter on a blog...
my parent's generation will always have the answer to the questions: "where were you on the day JFK was shot?" (my mother was in high-school band practice.) my generation has the answer to: "where were you on the day the challenger blew up?" (3rd grade, mrs. sandborn's class, watching it all unfold on the t.v. screen. i remember mrs. sandborn put her hands to her mouth and quickly left the room.) this generation has: "where were you when the planes hit/towers fell." (driving between one job and the next, listening to a morning talk show - at first i thought it was some kind of sick joke. it was a bright, sunny day....) today, every generation has the answer to the question: "where were you when Barack Obama became the 44th president of the united states of america?"
it's incredible to think that, in the span of one adult lifetime (60 years,) our society - the entire human race - has gone from the Wright brothers flight to the apollo moon landing. our technological leaps and bounds have been astounding. and yet, it isn't until today, that our journey seems close to complete. my late grandfather, who died in early 2008 at the age of 98, couldn't have fathomed that he would live to see the new millenium. i wonder what he would say about today.
the significance of this day to our nation's history is irrefutable, and will be emphasized and analyzed and sermonized to death. for me, however, the impact of the day wasn't felt watching the processions or parades or (what passes for) the pomp and circumstance of the inauguration. there was no emotion that came from the recitation of the oath of office (rough as it was) or from Obama's speech. what hit me hardest was watching the faces of those in attendance, not the politicians and other privileged folks on the capitol steps, but the regular folks, who were standing in the crowd, who had waited since 5 am, who had travelled a long, long way. i choked up when i saw the faces of the Tuskegee Airmen, the father holding up his infant child to see, the soldiers standing amidst civilians, in solemn salute as others cheered, the young and the elderly side-by-side, the national mall a sea of colors and faces - all smiles - no protests, no anger, no violence on any face or in any eye. i can honestly say i never thought our country could be capable of achieving this much. i am so proud.
at the end of the day, although nothing has really changed (i still have reports to generate, calls to make, projects to complete and start anew,) there is a palpable difference in the air. part of me shudders to think of the endless gushing the media will do over this day, and part of me wonders how long this glowing good feeling will last. still, most of me can't help but look forward with an optimistic smile. those who know me know i am no optimist, but today i can't help it.
my parent's generation will always have the answer to the questions: "where were you on the day JFK was shot?" (my mother was in high-school band practice.) my generation has the answer to: "where were you on the day the challenger blew up?" (3rd grade, mrs. sandborn's class, watching it all unfold on the t.v. screen. i remember mrs. sandborn put her hands to her mouth and quickly left the room.) this generation has: "where were you when the planes hit/towers fell." (driving between one job and the next, listening to a morning talk show - at first i thought it was some kind of sick joke. it was a bright, sunny day....) today, every generation has the answer to the question: "where were you when Barack Obama became the 44th president of the united states of america?"
it's incredible to think that, in the span of one adult lifetime (60 years,) our society - the entire human race - has gone from the Wright brothers flight to the apollo moon landing. our technological leaps and bounds have been astounding. and yet, it isn't until today, that our journey seems close to complete. my late grandfather, who died in early 2008 at the age of 98, couldn't have fathomed that he would live to see the new millenium. i wonder what he would say about today.
the significance of this day to our nation's history is irrefutable, and will be emphasized and analyzed and sermonized to death. for me, however, the impact of the day wasn't felt watching the processions or parades or (what passes for) the pomp and circumstance of the inauguration. there was no emotion that came from the recitation of the oath of office (rough as it was) or from Obama's speech. what hit me hardest was watching the faces of those in attendance, not the politicians and other privileged folks on the capitol steps, but the regular folks, who were standing in the crowd, who had waited since 5 am, who had travelled a long, long way. i choked up when i saw the faces of the Tuskegee Airmen, the father holding up his infant child to see, the soldiers standing amidst civilians, in solemn salute as others cheered, the young and the elderly side-by-side, the national mall a sea of colors and faces - all smiles - no protests, no anger, no violence on any face or in any eye. i can honestly say i never thought our country could be capable of achieving this much. i am so proud.
at the end of the day, although nothing has really changed (i still have reports to generate, calls to make, projects to complete and start anew,) there is a palpable difference in the air. part of me shudders to think of the endless gushing the media will do over this day, and part of me wonders how long this glowing good feeling will last. still, most of me can't help but look forward with an optimistic smile. those who know me know i am no optimist, but today i can't help it.
Tuesday, November 25, 2008
moving right along...
Tuesday, February 12, 2008
Day #5
so it finally stopped snowing on sunday (ish). my car, which was left over the weekend while i went a-visitin' downeast, was plowed under a snowbank and the doors are frozen shut. the jeep decided not to turn over today, so my lovely roommate (who is on vacation) hauled his lazy ass out of bed to give me a ride into work. ah, i love winter....
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