Dr. Douglas J. Culver 1938-2007

Somber news this morning.

We received word that one of Loren's cousins, Doug Culver, has passed away. He was 68 years old and collapsed quite suddenly in his daughter's home in Florida.

A man of God who was a seminary professor, husband and father of five, Cousin Doug is the son of highly esteemed theologian Dr. Robert D. Culver, author of a new work on systematic theology.

Uncle Bob and his wife are traveling down to Florida tomorrow where he will have the sad task of attending his son's funeral, to take place on Saturday.
 

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American Patrol

Here is one of Ma's favorite Glenn Miller tunes. It's the current band, not a tape of the original with Glenn himself, but it's very good. And no, this has absolutely nunco political overtones,

I--just---like---the---song.

I'd be careful how loud you turn up the volume, or you might not hear the oven timer go off when the brownies are done, but hey, I'm sure the kids will understand.



Loren and I were privileged to see this band in person, when we lived in Warsaw, IN. It was one of the few "big deals" we went to, and since Ardith was a nursing babe we took her right along with us. (you remember, don't you ma chère?) She made it through most of the concert :-D

And of course everyone probably remembers that Glenn Miller was born in IOWA--just another reason we Hawkeyes are cool.

 

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Attention

I have printed out 50 additional copies of the annual letter, as well as stapled the two pages together. Came out with an extra second page...

Went through all the address-type paperlets, which necessitated cleaning off the desk...

Discovered there are not enough return address stickers, which means I'll be doing that as well as all the addresses.

Consequently, I have gone off to soak myself poor self in the tub.

That is all.
 

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Yes, Jason is alive

Having spoken with the lad over IM last night, I can indeed confirm that earlier reports of his possible disappearance were exaggerated. Of course I am not to blame, for I never actually said he had disappeared, in so many words.

So here is the real scoop: his computer has been giving him trouble and the laptop would not allow him to even view our blog.

I know, a fate worse than death.

Poor boy. Almost I feel sorry for him. But then I remember how fast he can program and even more important then that, he doesn't have to load the dishwasher, and all potential pity slowly drifts off into the frozen sunset.

On a totally unrelated note, we've just been under a wind chill advisory this morning, which means the wind chills were between minus 20 and minus 30 degrees Fahrenheit (-29 to -34 C). However.....*looks at clock*....this has now expired, meaning we can expect balmy temps of the much more reasonable minus 20 to minus 10 degrees. Which brings up the question, "What is the noticeable difference between minus 15 and minus 25?" Pretty much nothing, I'm guessing.

It's enough to make drinking tea seem inviting, even if it is green and tastes similar to dried weeds. And rather aged weeds, at that.

What we need is some excitement! Which leads to the next obvious question: What is the holiday of the day?

National Escape Day and National Inane Answering Message Day. Dunno about you, but I can't get into the last one, and the first is so tempting that I dare not even think about considering the possibility of imagining it in my wildest dreams of which I never contemplate.

Yesterday was National Corn chip Day, and it being shopping time and all, I DID buy corn chips. Not so much because I like them (white tortilla chips are SOOooo much more refined) but because of that whole Super Bowl Sunday thing coming up :-)

And it's not like we are huge football fans or anything, but we did live in Indiana for a while, and the prospect of lazing about, eating snacks AND watching TV is enough to make the kids pretend they are fans.

Enough. If I don't stop now, I'll never have time to get ready for tomorrow...

...National Popcorn Day.
 

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Travels with Trevor

It was shopping day and the new kid-going-along protocols were put in place.

What this means is, now that Sharon has the blue Toyota out in Indiana, and the minivan is showing signs of engine instability (just minor things like dying at intersections and the like) we took the next available crummy car that was feasible to fix, put a little money into fixing brakes and crankshaft (or was it the driveshaft...I always get those mixed up) and behold, the ZIPPY RED CAR has returned!

It is smaller and has a stick shift, so that pretty much nixes Kendra driving each time with another kid or two in tow.

For now, it is merely Ma with one child each week. Today's winner?

Trevor.

First of all, it was going to be a really big deal because I was letting him sit up front. With the nessessity of a winter coat, it has become extremely hard to cram him into his car seat, and I can't find the beat up old booster seat, and anyway, he's going to turn five next month, so even though he only looks about three, I folded up a blanket and put him up front, where he was just the happiest little camper you ever did see.

The following is a pretty accurate description of the type of conversation we had, with him firing new questions/exclaimations about every 5 seconds.

"Wow! Duh sun is so bwight !"

"Yep. I'm gonna need my shades."

*stops at end of drive to affix clip-ons*

"It's SO bright. HeyMommy? Can you buy me a paiwuh of sungwasses?"

"Uh, no. I think you'll be alright."

"HeyMommy? What's dat ting?"

"That's the gear shift."

"HeyMommy? Is dat what makes duh cawh go fastoh and slowoh?"

"No, I think you mean the accelerator and brake pedals. They're on the floor."

"Oh. Well dat's coowoh."

*blinks* (Not only had my littlest guy said something was "cool" but it was about this time that I realized my moniker had become "HeyMommy")

"HeyMommy? What awoh dose howohs?"

"That's for the speaker. The sound of the music on the radio comes out of those holes."

*he leans forward with one ear cocked toward the speaker*

"Yep! I hewh duh moosic!"

*cocks head to other side for other ear*

"It's stilw dehwoh. HeyMommy? Do you know what duh name of dat song is?"

"Mmmm...no."

"Oh wewl. You know what some songs awoh cawed."

"HeyMommy, how do dey make cah-wohs?"

*mumble something about car factories, and "It's complicated."*

*extremely long 7 second pause*

"Wow! I can telw diss woad is hawd !"

"How can you tell the road is hard?"

"Because it's so wong." (long)

By this time we have only progressed to the second turn onto the blacktop that goes into Ackley.

"OOOooo! Dewh's tons of snow!" (trust me, there wasn't)

"Oh look...hoe-sies!"

"HeyMommy, is dewh sewing on yoh puhse?"

"Yes. In fact, it's probably made mostly by just sewing."

"HeyMommy, what's diss?"

"That's a clothespin."

"What did you use it foh?"

*thinks very hard"

"I used it to close a pack of my pretzels when I went on a little trip with Daddy."

"HeyMommy, did dey make dese seats by sewing?"

"That part, there...*points*...is sewed, yes."

By this time, we were not quite halfway to Iowa Falls, and I could tell it was going to be a MOST engaging trip :-) And that kid was just the greatest fun. He is so cheerful and happy to be out and about, just he and Mommy....getting a few things off the grocery shelves....finding a toy car at Goodwill....finding plastic SWORDS at Wal-Mart! (the apex of the afternoon)

I could take that child with me each time and have a blast.

The weather however, was very weird. Terrifically windy with sporadic snow showers. You could enter a store in blinding snow, be at the checkout and see bright sunshine, and leave the place with a new blast of snow.

And while in the grocery store, I heard some type of alarm which I soon realized came from the radio of an EMT or fireman gathering a few foodstuffs. Apparently an accident had occurred and while reports were that no one was hurt, it sounded to be located on the road we traveled home.

Sure enough, as we left the store a fire truck and ambulance raced by. The weather was quite clear in the parking lot, but as we passed out of town it was looking rather wicked.

Something akin to near whiteout conditions.
 

That dark smudge to the right of the police car is the accident vehicle, turned 'round the wrong way and in the ditch with its rear end bashed in.
 
(I opted not to try for a closer picture of the car, feeling I'd risked enough while driving a manual with a young child beside me...also, I did not care to invite the ire of emergency personnel)

Plenty glad to get safely home, I can tell you!

And just a few minutes ago Trevor came up to me...

"HeyMommy, can you take off my shoes?"

"Sure, Honey..."

"HeyMommy, to-mow-woh, when wewh a-wive, I'm going to dump out duh Wegos and make a BIG, big bin!"

"That sounds good...umm.....did you just say 'Tomorrow, when we're alive?' "

"Yes. To-mow-woh, when we wake up and wewh a-wive."

(hmmmmm)
 

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Old Houses

  

You just can't beat 'em for fancy ice art.

Yesterday the wind chill was 22 below in Waterloo.

*shivers*

In other news, Slader gets the prize* for finding me a good website with the degrees of rejection spelled out. Of course, he almost lost it again when he described that the weather had been a sunny 68 degrees, but Ma is very forgiving. I guess people who live in warm places shouldn't receive Ma's ire, just because my toes are always cold :-)

*unlike some other person, who shall remain nameless
 

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Just in case you wondered...

...today is National Kazoo Day and Have Fun at Work Day.

Did not do much in the way of celebrating, as I thought Pastor John might not appreciate kazoos during this morning's services. Though to be fair, I didn't ask him...

Also, the whole concept of having fun at work is rather oxymoronic, particularly on Sunday when we are slumming around in the afternoon watching extras from Narnia.

So, I decided to proclaim my own day of choice, What is Jason Doing These days? Day

That is hard to say, since he's been off of IM for the past WEEK, thus depriving me of the small joy of noticing when he goes to bed each evening.

One could wonder and fret, but that would not be a wise use of time.

No, I prefer to do something much more profitable and enjoyable: speculate.

There are several possibilities...

1) He is studying OH so hard, in an effort to impress his chère maman.
2) He has been sent on a secret mission for the school, one for which his congenial personality and innocent visage would provide the perfect disguise. (quite possibly part of the presidential search committee)
3) His computer is on the fritz.
4) He has exceeded the school's bandwidth limitations for the month, and has to wait until February rolls around before resuming communication (however sparse) with his family. (don't know if this even applies, but I do know there is a monthly allotment)
5) He is on to my spying techniques and stays off IM precisely so I can't see how late he is staying up.
6) .........(open to outside speculation)

Or, maybe he has a girlfriend.

Only he can set the record straight.
 

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The Ma Side

 
It had seemed a harmless stunt, but in taking the dare, Raggedy Ann learned the awful truth about licking frozen windowpanes. 
 

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It's National Chocolate Cake Day!

At last, a holiday worth celebrating :-)

Very hard to narrow it down to just one chocolate cake recipe. My personal favorite would probably be some type of Black Forest Cake or Almond Joy Cake. There are some excellent Dark Chocolate Cakes out there, too. I am sure you can find one of these on Allrecipes.

However, for true ease and overall scrumptiety taste, it is hard to beat one of our family favorites: Chocolate Pudding Cake.

Makes its own sauce and you don't have to spray the pan! Plus, it is absolutely within the realm of possibility that you can start this and have it out of the oven in 1 hour.

Chocolate Pudding Cake
Stir in 9 x 13:
1 1/2 c. flour
1 1/3 cup sugar
1/2 c. cocoa
3 t. baking powder
1 t. salt

Add and mix well:
1 c. milk
6 T. veg. oil

sprinkle over:
1 1/3 c. brown sugar
1/2 cup cocoa
1/2 cup choc. chips

Add 2 t. vanilla to 2 1/2 c. hot water and pour over top of batter.

Bake at 350 for 30-35 min. till surface appears dry.

You cannot go wrong on this baby. Once I place it in the oven I set the timer for 35 minutes and forget about it.

Really QUITE wonderful to serve up warm over ice cream. This size pan usually lasts us into the second day, since it is rather rich (one whole cup cocoa, remember) and I don't encourage the children to have huge helpings. So yeah, you might not want to eat a big bowl 10 minutes before bedtime, unless you like staring up at the dark ceiling and wondering if space aliens could attack at any moment.

Chocolate Cake.

It's brown.

It's beautiful.

It's a natural serotonin re-uptake delivery system.
 

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Biopsy Report

Not quite as wonderful as we'd hoped, for Loren has a 1a rejection. It's not bad, really. It just means that they are going to increase his CellCept--his major anti-rejection med--and have him come back for another biopsy in one month.

(I just spent 45 minutes trying to find a nifty website I'd discovered while interned at Mayo in 2005...it showed the different stages of rejection through the the wonder of stained slides....but I just can't find it. If anyone can, I'll send them something yummy through the mail)

ANYway, there are other levels: 2, 3, 4, and probably 2b and 3b, etc. I just can't locate the exact demarcations, but 1a and 1b are considered minor.

HOWEVER, it is pretty much indisputable that Loren's recent sickness is the cause of this minor rejection. The doctor thought he might have had a flu, even though the culture didn't come back positive. They can't test for every strain of flu, and the fact that Loren had a fever is the main reason for his immune system going into overdrive.

See, the immune system tries to fight off the sickness, and ends up fighting the donated heart.

Comprende??

At this point I am tempted to resume harping on one of my favorite rants about....oh never mind. It doesn't seem to do any good.

So yeah, we are just a little bummed out, but things are not bad overall.
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In other news, I finished editing the "Christmas" letter yesterday, and actually printed off 40 copies today. This is rather tedious, since I have to do it on my printer, which entails flipping over two pages and re-running it through the printer to get the two full pages, front and back. One of these days, I'm either gonna hafta drop a kid off the letter now and again, or stop running on at the mouth...er...keyboard.

Hopes are to get them in the mail by the end of next week. Maybe. I'm delivering all the local ones I can, to save on postage. (there are 100 copies of the family picture, just to give you an idea of why my stomach is doing flip flops)

I had started to put cutesy stencil painted stars and doves on the envelopes, for the sake of breaking the blinding whiteness with a little color. It wasn't long before Ma gave up on this idea. The hearts were running, and the doves began to look like blue flames from the Olympic torch.

Let's face it, Ma is never going to be as crafty as other women. Next year, candy cane stickers, or something.
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BUT, just to demonstrate some of my diversity, I was down cleaning at the church this afternoon, and due to the canceling of last Sunday's services, I noticed there would not be as much straightening and sweeping needed.

A good thing.

Then I went out to start the zippy red car and promptly flooded it.

Not a good thing.

Much sitting and much cranking and much annoyance and yes, even frustrated stomping on the accelerator and more useless cranking later, I suddenly remembered something I'd read from a car manual in my teenage years.

(let it be noted, Ma can actually remember her teen years, and Ma has actually read (part) of a manual)

I pushed the pedal to the floor, held it and resumed cranking.

"VVRRRROOOM!"

Sometimes we have to take whatever small victories we can.
 

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What day is it?

It's National Peanut Brittle Day, for one. Also Spouse's Day and Australia Day

First of all, I cannot in good conscience recommend celebrating Peanut Brittle Day. Not because of the calories, but more for the capacity to crack enamel and/or dislodge fillings in one's teeth. Besides that, I am pretty sure that if I did advocate eating peanut brittle, my dentist would quite possibly require community service in return. Maybe even flossing. Not gonna take that chance.

As for Spouse's Day, I have this to say...Ladies? Do we really need another day for the husbands to forget? As fulfilling as it is to see their guilt-ridden faces, I propose we extend a little mercy, and not require this extra holiday of them. At least, not until they get the other ones right.

I'm not sure why Australia Day is included in American holidays, but it can be an interesting read on Wikipedia, particularly when you follow several of the links. Worth noting that Aborigines refer to this as Invasion Day, or Survival Day.

ANYWAY, I keep finding out more and more about what I used to think was a dull month. January is also:

National Careers in Cosmetology Month,
National Eye Health Care Month,
National Fiber Focus Month,
National Hobby Month,
National Soup Month,
Hot Tea Month,
Oatmeal Month,
Prune Breakfast Month

If you're like me, then you're probably beginning to suspect a sinister conspiracy with the Fiber Focus, Oatmeal and Prune Breakfast thing goin' on here. But whenever I'm confronted with disturbing possibilities such as this I employ a little discernment technique I like to call, "Nix anything I don't like or don't understand."

In other words, I don't like prunes, so giving it a whole month is not gonna change my mind at all. And the term Fiber Focus smacks of business-speak to me. It's probably just a fancy name for "Let's jam tree bark down your throat and say it's good for your colon." Plus, I'm not at all sure that the Fiber Focus people aren't somehow teamed up with the Eye Health Care group, and suddenly the spectre of a vast optometrist/All Bran conspiracy looms large, and now I'm startin' to get scared....

OK, back to things I can understand, like soup, tea and oatmeal. It's been a while since I posted my recipe for what I eat EVERY morning for breakfast, so here goes:

Ma's Power Oatmeal

2/3 cup water
1 to 1 1/2 teasp. maple flavoring
salt to taste (I use almost 1/2 a teasp!)
1/2 apple, peeled and chopped
cinnamon to taste
some oatmeal (preferably old-fashioned type)
1 Tablespoon br. sugar
chopped walnuts

Combine first five ingredients in small (non-stick) pan and bring to boil. Add oatmeal to desired consistency--now this is hard to give specifics for, but I prefer something not too creamy or gooey. I go for the type of texture where it's thick, not cooked overly much and starts to stick to the bottom of the pan and maybe even get a little brown. Now you can see the wisdom in choosing a non-stick pan.

If there are those out there who wish have a sloppy goo I won't raise a ruckus. I realize that living in a pluralistic society, one has to make room for varied tastes in oatmeal consistency and texture. JUST DON'T TELL ME ABOUT IT, OK?

Now, after it is cooked to your desires (and please realize, that using the old-fashioned type will require a slightly longer cooking time) place in bowl of choice. I prefer something ceramic in nature. It's just more aesthetically pleasing. (hey, I spelled "aesthetically" right, the first time!) But if you prefer a lame plastic bowl, go for it. You're probably the kind of person that also drinks tea or coffee out of a Styrofoam cup. (ugh, I always misspell "styrofoam"...)

I use brown sugar as my sweetener of choice for oatmeal. Obviously you can choose white sugar, honey, or as my Sharon prefers, dark molasses (bleah). Again, I make no judgments, for I am the most tolerable of Ma's.

Now it is time for the crowning condiment, the walnuts. VERY IMPORTANT! Healthful, and adds extra fiber and wonderful crunchy goodness. Other nut-types are excellent, such as sliced almonds or shopped pecans. They're just more expensive, is all.

When I first witnessed this being made on TV, the chef finished off the concoction by whipping out a propane torch (I kid you not) and putting a nice glazey shell to the sugar topping.

Personally, I think this is WAY over the top. Particularly with small children in the house, of which I am thinking of one or two quite specifically.

That lady chef was just showing off, which goes against the grain, not too mention one of my most heartfelt precepts: Humility FIRST.

And there you have it.

Eat oatmeal. Be healthy. Be powerful.

Tune in tomorrow for one of the most appropriate holidays of the year, National Chocolate Cake Day :-D
 

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Arte de Nolan

 

A Super Hero, in front of his Super Space Ship, complete with Superscriptions.
 

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Treadmill Report

 
4.07 miles

545 calories

WHO da MA!
 

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Assorted Health Reports

The Diet Report: For once, a little good news! This week's weigh-in: 1V4.5, which makes a total weight loss of 20 pounds over 20.5 weeks. I can't gauge exactly how much was lost this past week, since I didn't report the week before, due to the extreme "up and down" nature of things these past weeks.

But I hope this means I've finally started to progress downward again. (keeping my expectations low, in case things bounce around again)

The weird thing I've noticed is that, the very morning you feel fattest, and cringe at the thought of stepping on the scale, is most often when it reads lower! And when you're feeling rather slim and smug, THAT's the time you'll step on the scale have your little happy bubble burst.

OH WELL! I'll just try to cool my jets a little and realize that progress has been made, albeit slower than hoped for.
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The Loren Report: Loren has another heart biopsy at Mayo tomorrow. Though he still coughs from his cold, he feels well enough to go up himself for the overnight. (with blood draws early in the morning, going up the night before is almost a must)

I'll stay home with the kids and continue reading The Hobbit before bedtime. Maybe we'll go whole hog and read TWO chapters this evening :-)

The Carolyn and Derek Report: The last event monitor recording that I sent down over the phone to our electrophysiologist had both Derek and Carolyn on it. And both were in atrial fibrillation. Carolyn's episode only lasted for 5 minutes. Derek has been in and out of it (mostly in) for the the last two months. They've both been more active heart-wise, before and after Christmas. I think this nasty cold virus has aggravated things....but of course, that would just be anecdotal evidence from an untrained mother-type-person.

We'll call it a coincidence.

Derek's first recorded episode of sustained atrial fibrillation came when all the kids caught a slight cold in late summer. Everyone exhibited the usual symptoms of runny nose etc., except Derek. He had no outward symptoms whatsoever, just went into a-fib.

Another amazing coincidence.

Maybe people will understand now, just a little bit, why I get touchy on the subject of sick people going out in public and spreading their Christian love and charity all over the place.

(down Ma, down)

But back to Derek...when things settle down a bit, we'll be making plans--with Derek's assent--to start him on Sotalol. It's a beta blocker that has been proven to help with arrhythmias. But one of the short-term side effects is arrhythmia, so it is standard procedure to hospitalize someone starting Sotalol therapy for three days, so they can be monitored closely.

In the meantime, we'll hope and pray for another zero rejection report for Loren, and try to get the last remainders of the five week cold disposed of.

You know, I really need to get out that Christmas/New Year's/Valentine's letter before more stuff happens...after all, we wouldn't want to run out of material for later this year.
 

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Kid Talk

The Scene: Ma comes down the stairway, "fresh" from her latest 3.17 mile 400 calorie stompin' stroll on the treadmill. She is dripping sweat and barely conscious, yet she knows she must start the lunchtime routine.

As she stumbles into the kitchen, her trance-like state is partially pierced by the sound of her chirpy 4-year-old, who is in the adjoining room, partially hidden behind an immense pile of Legos.....

"Mommy! I am making a howse! And it's going to be wowed!"

"What?....you're making a house? And it's wired?"

"No, a howsey."

"Oh...a...horse?"

"Yes."

"And..it's wired?"

"No. Wowed."

"Oh....wild. You're making a horse and it's going to be wild."

"Yes, and it's going to eat gwass. Lots and lots of gwass."

("I'm guessin' that's 'grass,' and not 'glass.' ")
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Random comment by Nolan: "I like magical physics."
 

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Near and far sight

  

I'd like you to meet someone.

Her name is Lisa Gullman. Some of you might know her as MoM.

Good ol' MoM :-) She holds many titles.

Christian mother of ten! Mother-in-law to one. Wife (and partner) of bamboo salesman. California person. Parent of LeTourneau students. Graduate of LeTourneau. Married to graduate of LeTourneau. (correct me if I'm wrong, MoM :-)

Unceasing optimist. Witty. Active in church and community.

Member of M.O.C.K. :-D Had a recent birthday, too. (sorry I missed that, MoM :-(

Chauffeur to kids' activities and writer of humorous anecdotes.

And now, about to do battle with cancer. Chronic Myeloid Leukemia.

Won't you please pray for MoM and her family? She has been a real encouragement to me and also our family, through prayers and gifts over the last several years.

God bless you, Lisa.
 

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More Holiday Exuberance

National Soup Month

National Oatmeal Month

National Recliner Month

And you thought January was dreary!

Now, if you've gotten National Squirrel Appreciation Day all taken care of from yesterday, I've got yet another holiday to celebrate...

...National Blonde Brownie Day....wait, scratch that. Everyone knows brownies should have chocolate in them. A brownie without chocolate is like a political party without radicals. Not everyone may like them, but it's something we've come to expect.

So, Ma officially urges people to NOT celebrate national Blonde Brownie Day.

But, in honor of National Soup Month, Ma will now give out her secret recipe for one of the staples in our home. True, I haven't made it yet this winter, but still..

Potato Soup

-4 or 5 potatoes
-one nice-sized onion
-2 cups water (approx)
-1 T. parsley
-salt and pepper
-cheese
--Oh yeah, some milk

Peel potatoes and cube into pieces not larger than .5 inch, or 1.4 centimeters. Dump in large pot and cover with water.

(smart people would put a lid on at this point)

While this is heating to a boil (which entails turning on the stove), dice onion rather fine and throw in pot. Season with salt, pepper and at least one Tablespoon dried parsley. This herb is VERY important and I cannot be responsible for the soup if it is not included.

After mixture comes to boil, lower heat and simmer until potatoes are soft and tender to the stabbings of a fork. Also critical: stir the bottom of the pan with something flat, like a spatula, every once in a while so the potatoes don't stick.

Now, this next part is VERY IMPORTANT! Get a slotted spoon, or use the back of a flat spatula (the one you just used, for instance :-), and start mashing down the potatoes. Not completely, just some.

The idea is to provide a creamy quality to the soup, but still leave some actual potato pieces to be eaten.

After "texturization" is complete, place the cheese of your choice into the potatoey mixture. (NOTE: this is one of those times when sliced, processed cheese actually works better. But if you are an annoying purist, who insists on using "real" cheese--or like me, you are CHEAP and buy big bags of economy grated cheese--go ahead. Just know that you will end up with a more stringy consistency, where some of the cheese actually sticks to your spoon when you eat...so like....don't say I didn't warn you)

ANYWAY, the idea is to put some type of cheese in the soup. How much is up to you, but I would say the equivalent of 6 slices, at least. You gotta have a good cheesey flavor.

When the cheese is melted, add some milk. Could be two cups, could be more. You want to have a nice thick soup, hearty for the stomach and comforting to the palate. You will know you've added too much when it becomes watery and the taste diluted.

Of course, if this happens it's already too late and frankly, tough luck, fellah.

Now, at this point, you are heating up the cooked potatoes, the cheese that has been melted by the hot potato goodness, and the milk you have just added.

DO NOT LET THIS MIXTURE BOIL! If you do, the milk will start to separate, and you will have not only lost that thick creamy texture, you will in fact, have become a loser.

Of course, you can still eat the stuff, I just wouldn't offer it to company.

Now, some folks will advocate putting in the cheese after one has added the milk. But it is my personal observation that the cheese melts and blends so much better if added to the hot potato mixture, before the milk.

I mean, you can do it the other way, but you would be wrong. But hey, I'll leave that up to you and your conscience.

So, assuming the entire mixture has been heated up to steaming but not boiling consistency, you are now ready to ladle up and EAT!

This soup goes well when served with a slab of freshly buttered hot, homemade bread.

I could give you my recipe for homemade bread, but of course this is National SOUP Month, and not National BREAD Month.

I think this recipe came to our family through my sister, who learned it in Home Ec.

But if you want to attribute it to me that is perfectly fine :-)

Happy slurping, everyone.
 

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National Squirrel Appreciation Day!

 

I know....I didn't realize it either. But there are still a few hours left in the day for hunting down a nice gift for that special squirrel in your life.

Spouses don't count! No matter how applicable.

And personally, it being Sunday, I doubt that anyone would look askance on gift-giving taking place tomorrow. And hey, we had snow today, so I have a double excuse!

Oh it's hard to list ALL the things one appreciates about squirrels...of course hibernation comes to mind.

I'll bet many of us have driven by those barren trees along the road, glimpsed a trashy bunch of leaves near the top and thought, "Poor little squirrelsy... I wonder if he's cold? Is he sleeping, or outside his nest, scavenging for nuts?" (and most of all) "If you took away the tail and gave him wings, wouldn't he look an awful lot like a a really big bat ?"

These and other burning questions consume the minds of animal lovers.

But let's not get carried away, folks. There's no need to go overboard.

A simple bag of cashews would suffice. 
 

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Sunday Snow Day

Church was canceled this morning and the snow plow has not gone through, as yet. Of course, our gravel road is on the far edge of the county.

I think our mile is drivable since there are several sets of tracks. Couldn't say about past the corner, though.

Snow frosting for an evergreen bush.
 Looks like a cozy place for shelter, underneath.

Had a few nice drifts near the house :-)
 Trevor, the snow bunny. It would seem that either the drift is high or he is short.

Melinda demonstrates near-perfect form in her boogie-luge run down the fearsome dirt "mountain."
  While we received a fair amount of snow, you can see by the foreground that there are still places where the grass in not completely covered.

Carolyn guards Derek's "throne," which had been under threat of attack.
 

Queen Carolyn makes a short foray out to help a hapless subject (Ethan) get his mitten back on.
 

Sepia snow dunes
  
 

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Snow Screen

  

Church was canceled. I suppose I'll have to go out in this eventually...
 

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Ma's Newsy Nuggets

Another reminder for those who think losing weight is "easy".....that the cards are stacked against me.

HOWEVER, there may be one instance when extra weight is helpful.
______________

Here's real nerve.....please don't try this at work. (the funny part is, not only did this take place in Iowa, but I grew up under the address of Elkhart....Indiana.)
______________

Another reminder that crime doesn't pay. Particularly when stealing GPS devices.
______________

And the moral is: No stealing, No slacking, and kids are hazardous to your health.

 

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The Jim-Bob Report

“Good evening. This is Jim McDonald with the first part of our new faith-based series. In traveling the country, our field reporter Bob MacCackle has run across numerous human interest stories with a spiritual twist. Tonight he reports out of Iowa on the rising phenomenon of other-wordly visitations.”

“Bob? What have you got for us this evening?”

“Well Jim, big news doesn't happen only in big cities. There are many small communities where life-changing events are occurring. While traveling through central Iowa, I ran across a prime example at the home of Ma Hoyt. In fact, I have Ma right here with me now....Ma? Come on over and explain to the folks at home what you've seen”

“I'd be glad to, Mr. MacCackle....”

“Please, call me 'Bob.' ”

“OK, Mr. Bob...It's like this: I was thinking about doing some intensive housecleaning, running over the mental prep work—the trickiest part, really. So I was taking inventory of the ceilings, with cobwebs, you know, estimating length, size...”

“Wait a minute, Ma...you have cobwebs? As in, hanging cobwebs ?”

“Yo, Bobbo, stay with me, here. ANY-way, as I passed into the bathroom, I turned around, looked over the doorway, and THERE IT WAS. I could hardly breathe, I'm tellin' ya. Come see for yourself, Bob...”

“Hmmmm. You're gonna hafta help me out here, Ma. What is it?”

  
“Are you kidding me? Are you blind, man? It's Puddleglum, of course. Praying by his bed!”

*sounds of squinting*

“Oh. Well, maybe....”

“There's no maybe a-bout it, fellah. Course, I would expect that from an unbeliever. But I knew immediately that I had something pretty special on my hands. Or on my wall, rather. I knew right away that I had to put all thoughts of cleaning aside, and think about the deeper ramifications of this miraculous visitation from on high.”

“Ma? Jim McDonald here...if I may interject a question at this point?”

“Sure, Jim. Ask away.”

“Well Ma, I was just wondering...now, don't take this personally....but for the sake of any skeptical viewers we might have, how would you distinguish this appearance as something...say, other-worldly, as opposed to...mmm....your common species of cobweb which can appear when one has fallen drastically behind in the housekeeping department?”

*silence*

“Ma? Did you hear my question, Ma?”

“Jim? Bob, here. Ma Hoyt doesn't wish to speak to you anymore. Said something about you being even more of an unbeliever, and emitting bad vibes. Do you feel like your emitting, Jim?”

“Well I....I....”

“Just take a deep breath, Jim, and let me see if I can pick up the thread of the interview....Ma? How do you think this miraculous occurrence will change your life?”

“I'm glad you asked me that, Bob. Besides an easy out for that whole spring-cleaning rigmarole, I expect to have quite a marketable effect on the surrounding community, state and even the country. See, pilgrims are already starting to come for the viewing of the Holy Cobweb, Bob. And I aim to be there with appropriate reading materials as well as aids to their search for meaning from all of this. Even as we speak, there are several books going to press that will enlighten visitors on the deeper implications and spiritual nuances of this heavenly appearance.”

“Well Ma, can you give us any specifics?”

“Absolutely, Bob. Right away we thought of the obvious....'WWPD' ”

“I'm sorry....what was that?”

“WWPD, Bob. What Would Puddleglum DO. Fer cryin' out loud, Bob, where have you been? Livin' in a cave or something? ANYway, that work will be followed shortly by another important spiritual help, The Purpose Driven Puddleglum. And just to show we aren't forgetting the youngsters, we've got, Marshwiggle Tribulation Force, the video game. But that's just in Beta, so it won't be ready until the fall....”

“WHOA! I am impressed. But Ma, really now, aren't you afraid all this is going too far? Becoming too commercialized?”

“A fair question, Bob, a fair question. That certainly could be the case, if we weren't also planning to provide time and space for quiet reflection and meditation. Architectural plans are on the drawing board for a small chapel to be built next to our garden, tentatively to be named Church of the Open Store, though that's not set in stone. And let me hasten to add, that while there will be a small charge for each book and video game, half of the proceeds will go to charity, one quarter to pay for materials, and the other quarter will be retained for plant maintenance and chocolate.”

“ 'Plant maintenance ' Ma? What exactly does that entail?”

“Well Bob, for one thing, I plan to hire a cleaning lady, so...yeah.”

“And there you have it, Jim. Big, BIG projects in the works for lil' ol Iowa. Back to you, Jim.”

“Thank you Bob, for that fascinating report. Give my regards to Ma, and tell her 'No hard feelings,” alright?”

....*pause*....”That's negatory Jim. She says there are still unpleasant waves coming towards her from your direction, but that if you give a small donation to the chapel, she feels pretty sure things would change for the better. Back to you, Jim.”

.....*sigh*....”And that's the news for this evening, folks. Take care and....say a little prayer for me, won't you?

This is Jim McDonald saying,

Good-night”
 

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Pardon My (mal) French

 

vol. 1, episode 1 
 

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Conversation with Trevor

"After I'm done getting dwessed, I'm putting on my socks, and then I'm going to be SU-POH BOY!"

*laughing* "Wow, that sounds pretty good. What does Super Boy do?"

"He skis and beats up peopoh."
 

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The Health Report

So, is it possible to have a virus run through the family, mutate and then come at you again?

Because I have children showing relapse-type symptoms. It is most annoying and we have not been to church yet this year. (that sounds pretty bad, doesn't it? But let's remember it's still January :-)

Speaking of disease, all of the tests and cultures done on Loren came back negative. No flu. No CMV. No Epstein-Barr.

Isn't it funny how a "simple cold" can simply take over for weeks?

*tries not to be bitter*

The Sleep Report: woke up around three and stayed awake for almost two hours. Oh yeah, that feels good.

*tires not to be bitter, again*

The Diet Report: Okay, this is REALLY funny! Remember how I had picked Tuesdays for the weigh-in day, and how I complained that THAT was the day the scale went up? So I chose Thursday instead?

Well, this week, Tuesday I was down a pound, and so I thought, "OH BOY!" Thursday should be even better. Well it's NOT. It's worse. I am "up" a pound and a half. If this isn't incontrovertible proof that the scale is out to get me, I don't know what is.

Isn't it nice to know that the extra mileage on the treadmill (an additional .5 to .75 mile, daily, for the past month) and the additional reps and intensity in weight-bearing exercise (for the past week) are paying such nice dividends?

Oh wait, I know...it's just added muscle. Yes, that must be it. Ma is bulking up. From here it's just a short trip to the governor's mansion and then, who knows? Ambassadorship in Iraq, maybe?

Ah, the future holds such promise, such happy portents and bodings.

A life of continual diet and deprivation comes to mind.

It's enough to drive one to drink. Yes, that's right, I'm upping my green tea intake. TWO bags per cup. Minimal, minimal sugar. At only 3.7 cents per bag, I think we can afford it.

Somewhat bitter, though.
 

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Note to...

...people of the (blah, blah) Canine Unit of (blah, blah)....I forget what else you said.

DON'T CALL ME AT 9:00 p.m. !

DON'T ASK ME HOW I AM!!

DON'T ASK ME FOR MONEY!!!!!

signed,
perfectly normal Ma
 

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Arte de Nolan

Another bucolic rendering from Nolan's church notebook.

  

In the picture we see illustrated three stages of field development:

Bottommost - the first growth, fresh from the ground.

Middle - "Furdulising" time :-)

Top - Harvest

It is worthwhile noting that the artist had the finished product in mind. The order follows its natural sequence and particularly in the middle tableau, the tractor has been drawn first, with the crop it is "furdulising" pictured in front.

The harvest is quite realistic, as we can see the stalk of more fully developed corn bending before the unquenchable might of the combine.

I did take the opportunity to point out to the craftsman that his "corn" crop looked very much like it was being harvested with a "bean head," and was he certain the field was not planted with soybeans, instead? To which he replied most assuredly, "It's corn."

Ah, the artistic mind...who can divine?
 

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Ma's Odds and Ends

Sorry. You're dealing with a compulsive blogger, here. But just look at it this way...the world is probably safer with me inside a building.

Anyway, while fixing lunch I thought I detected a whimper from the addition. It was none other than little Trevor, in from his practice runs on the sled slope.

He was cold, he needed unwrapping, and there was a rather formidable snotcicle hanging from one nostril.

Poor little dear! I was tempted to run for the camera and capture it for posterity, but as his emotional stability seemed to wane with each passing nanosecond, I opted for that whole mom-to-the-rescue scenario.

And judging by the color of the nasally discharge, he's not over that cold, yet. But I won't bore you with any more of those bacterial details.

Kendra was sent to procure a soft afghan and administer emergency blanket therapy on the couch. When next I saw him, he was his chirpy self, despite having been denied hot chocolate due to imminent luncheon. (really, I think that's half the reason they go out...the prospect of hot chocolate, which pretty much shoots half a gallon of milk)

Now what was that other item....OH YES.

On a whim, I again googled for a language book I'd wanted for Derek. Madrigal's Magic Key to German was nowhere to be found on the Internet last summer, though its textbookish absence was mourned by several.

Lo and behold, I found it! Somehow though, the price seems...I don't know....a tad STEEP.

If I took ALL the money I'd spent over the years on my greatest educational frustration--foreign language materials--I could probably afford this.

But then I have to ask myself, "What's more important in the long run: The children's education? Or my weekly chocolate budget?"

And that's when everything becomes clear.
 

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Ma's Newsy Nuggets

It may be cold and freezy, but it's not too early to be thinkin' baseball :-) No, I don't mean the Yankees, (hold the boos, please) I mean Dodgers.

As in All-you-can-eat, seats.
________________

If you're afraid that extra munching will shorten your lifespan, have no fear. Winning the Nobel Prize can increase your longevity. Particularly in chemistry or physics.

C'mon, how hard can it be?
________________

Entering the spiritual realm, or perhaps I should say, gullible-people-in-search-of-a-sign state of mind, check your freezer, folks.

Looks like the defrosting will have to wait.

On a related note, this article has to win the award for last-minute-reprieves-for-undeserving-pooches.

*BING*

(I've just had an epiphany, concerning new techniques to get out of house-cleaning...)
________________

We've saved the best for last. New entertainment for the bathroom!

Oh happy day.

Like any mother needs her kids to spend MORE time in the bathroom.

But there's a much more important issue at stake, here....yes, I'm talkin' emotional and psychological scarring that could be incurred by the fishies.

Has the whole world gone mad?
_______________

Pretty much, yes.
 

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A Jim-Dandy Day

Oh yeah.

Nothing like the coldest day of the year to visit the dentist. And there's nothing like a 15 passenger van to carry four people...

...right through an intersection instead of stopping.

Ho, ho, ho! Just joking fellah! Yeah, Ma hears your horn, but the van didn't.

She's SORRY.

Whew! You lost him after only three turns. NICE DRIVING, Ma!

Well, you are almost in time for the dental appointment, which was moved up 15 minutes (again). Boy, aren't you glad? Otherwise you wouldn't have been at the intersection at that precise moment, almost crashing into the curb and having the joy of an irate driver behind you.

Will the fun never end?

No. Ma has two cavities. She has not been flossing.

BAD, BAD MA!

You will pay. Or rather, the insurance company will pay. Some.

Isn't it lucky you have insurance? That way you can cut down on sweets to lose weight, and still get cavities and waste two more hours at the end of the month!

Lucky, lucky Ma!

But wait...the insurance company doesn't pay for fillings.

HA, HA! The joke's on you!

You are bad again, Ma.

Very, very BAD !
 

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Snow fun

Ha, ha....look at cute little Trevor and his snowball....uh....Trevor?...where are you going with that....?
 Trevor?....let's not forget I am votre chère maman.....TREVOR!!

*ducks*

Carolyn and Ethan have set up a little sledding hill and introduced Trevor to its wonders.
 Ethan waits at the bottom of the dangerous slope, to ensure little brother's safety.


And now Ethan demonstrates expert technique that has allowed him to set a new distance record.
 Two ski poles--which bear a remarkable resemblance to croquet stakes--are part of the expert slider's equipment and prevent a hapless sportsman from coasting off....

into the

....sunset
  
 

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Thoughts on Martin Luther King Jr.

Depending on whom you talk to, Martin Luther King Jr. was either a saint, martyred at government hands, or an overly-talked-about womanizing hypocrite.

There are some things that cannot be denied, though. Historical facts, to name a few.

It is obvious that this man holds an enormous place in history, in regards to his leadership in non-violent resistance to end racial prejudice.

And the main reason I'm even posting on this is because, among severely conservative Christian circles, Martin Luther King Jr. can evoke snorts of derision and disparaging remarks.

Now, I don't feel the necessity of playing up to politically correct interests and lauding someone without a discriminating view. (discrimination is not always a bad concept...DISCRIMINATE v. intr. "To make sensible decisions; judge wisely")

But neither will I continue to skip his contribution to history, simply because well-meaning Christians can only concentrate on his extramarital exploits, thinking these sins automatically cancel out the positive effect MLK's life had for African Americans and ALL Americans.

I'm reminded of the life of William Jennings Bryan. (probably because I'm reading Kazin's biography :-)

Here was another grand orator, someone who had great power to move people with words.

Bryan was also a professing Christian, who took up the cause of the "little people," and who in fact espoused quite the social gospel, at times.

Had an affinity with labor unions....hmmm...is any of this sounding familiar?

And at the end of his life, William Jennings Bryan took up the cause of defeating Darwinism, culminating in the famous Scopes trial.

And it is this huge venture for which Bryan is most often remembered. It fits in nicely with the fundamentalist point of view. But it isn't the whole story of his life.

There was that whole "free silver" business and his famous "Cross of Gold," speech. (which, by the way, has probably not had the influence of King's "I Have a Dream" speech)

But in conservative Christian circles, it's the noble fight with evolution that is remembered, and not the fact that he made a grand show of support to Tammany Hall in his second presidential bid among New Yorkers.

And it's the infidelities that I've heard most often mentioned in connection with Martin Luther King Jr. But I don't think that excludes his place in history. History is a lot more than just concentrating on the parts we like or dislike and giving them our own special slant.

I will even be so bold as to say that we can look at historical facts outside the realm of always having to interpret them from a Christian viewpoint. (I'm probably gonna get a little flak for that)

So, while I don't feel compelled to use today's designated holiday as a special study of the man, I will be altering my previous "history habits" and providing more material for study to my students/children/victims of homeschool.

That's not to say God won't judge us/him for deeds done, but there's more to historical study than weighing each event on the scales of morality.
 

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Twice Foiled

Just a word of warning for Picasa users...if this picture editing program uploads all 41 pictures from your "Ice" folder, instead of the one you were intending, do not...I repeat, DO NOT delete the folder from Picasa, as it will wipe out all 41 pictures, forever and ever, and then you will be stuck posting some lame red berries from two autumns ago.

 

Also, as has oft happened in the past, our little portion of Iowa is unique in that it always seems to hit the "dry slot" in any approaching snow storm.

After Butler county was marked in the northernmost part of the storm's track as of yesterday, it now rests completely south of most chances of precipitation.
  

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Another new product for incredibly lazy slobs

Some of the most interesting pictures come from grocery stores.

I don't usually do grocery shopping on Saturdays, but then, we don't usually have 6 plus inches of snow forecast for the day I DO go shopping...Monday.

The thought of significant snowfall got me to thinking of running out of milk and eggs. And of Pa Ingalls slogging across the prairie and getting hit by a blizzard and having to hole up in a cave and survive by eating all the Christmas candy.

So of course I figured, "Hey, if anyone is going to get stranded with nice foodstuffs to eat, it oughtta be me."

That, and a necessary errand saw me back in town and at the grocery store, for the second time this week.

It was there that I found myself face to face with yet another example of how slothful Americans have become...
 
Apparently, slicing cheese has become SO arduous, that Kraft is doing it for us.

And at only $1.99 for six whole ounces!

WHOOO-EE! Be still, my beating and decrepit heart.

I can buy twice that weight in a single block of cheese for the same price.

More importantly, that amount of money is nearly enough to buy a whole bag of Dove's Dark Chocolates!

One has to wonder where the food-consuming priorities of the public have gone...

In the meantime, I've decided to make one more adjustment to my diet. I'm following the lead of daughter Sharon and incorporating green tea into my daily regimen.

Sharon swears by it--in the most figurative way, of course--and I figure, if I drink it, I might be able to speak French, Spanish and German, too.

It's worth a try.

And it's much cheaper than cracker-shaped cheese pieces.
  

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You learn something new every day

So, I'm sitting at my computer perusing news sites, listening to lovely classical music on NPR and noticing ONCE AGAIN that my feet are cold because I am situated in the northwest corner of the house and yes, the wind is blowing.

I'm half listening as the next song is announced...Prayer from Hansel and Gretal, (mmmm, that's pretty) and they tell who will be performing, Pinkus Zukerman....(Oh yeah, he's good)...and somewhere in there I hear the name Engelbert Humperdinck...

(Huh?!? Wha.....?)

I prepare to cringe at the upcoming crooner tones I think I'll be hearing....but no, it is a tasteful and beautiful instrumental rendition.

Well, of COURSE Ma had to investigate.

The answer?

The REAL Engelbert Humperdinck was a German opera composer whose life span was 1854-1921.

Well, you can imagine Ma felt pret-ty dumb.

Suddenly I was reduced to the dismal state of my younger children, who only recognize "Rhapsody in Blue" as being part of Disney's "Fantasia." ("who's George Gershwin, Mommy?" "ARRRGGHHHH!")

Yes, the fake Engelbert Humperdinck, changed his name from ARNOLD GEORGE DORSEY. So far, no known connection to Big Band leader Tommy Dorsey, but I'm still checking....

Of course, I'm sure all you cultural types knew this. But I didn't. I mean, I'm aware that many show biz types have changed their names, but to purloin the good name of a respectable classical musician, and to use it for gain amidst screaming hordes of female fans.....to....to....to fool Ma !!

I feel the need for atonement, for redemption.

I need a shower.

Incidentally, Mr. Fake never thought of himself as a "crooner." He said (and I quote),

"No crooner has the range I have. I can hit notes a bank couldn't cash."

Right.

And that's probably enough new knowledge for one day.
 

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Yes, we have a closet !

For the first time since 1995, we can hang up coats, hang up ALL our coats, and hang them in one place :-)

It probably doesn't seem like much to most of you, but Ardith, Sharon and Jason will understand.

Loren had rods up last week before he got so sick, and today he put up shelves above.

Behold, two racks: the top for adult-types, the bottom for young chilluns.
 

On the left, we have ample room for ALL the "play-outside-in-the-snow-wear."
 But what is REALLY impressive are the boxes up on top. Thanks to sister-in-law Elizabeth's gift of organizational storage boxes, we now have "gloves," "mittens," "scarves" and "hats," nicely segregated.

No more pawing through heaps in four different areas of the house! Everything is together, in one big, happy woolen family.

I feel like I've died and gone to heaven.

And just in time, too. (the organization, not the dying part)

We may have measurable snow this weekend, so Ma got down to business and washed up every single mitten, glove, scarf and hat she could find. Several sweatshirts, too.

Then I sorted through everything and made piles for:
-keepers
-throw away
-give to Goodwill
-too cute to give away...save for future grandchildren (no pressure, guys....I was just making room for what we currently use)

It was most satisfying, and most exhausting. But in the spirit of cleaning I did all the other laundry I'm responsible for, and the 8th load is now in the dryer.

Guess I'll wait till tomorrow to fold. No need to be obsessive about this housework stuff.
____________

On the health front, Loren is feeling better and was up from bed for most of the day. Yesterday was his first day without a fever.

I think everyone is on the mend, though I haven't actually gotten sick, yet. Still using Zicam and Cold-eeze two or three times a day, but I suppose it will all catch up with me sooner or later.

But at least all the mittens are corralled :-D
  

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The Ma Side

 
Posing as a multimedia device, Benji the Ninja Ant surveyed the docile church members and quietly planned his takeover of America's rural religious community... 
 

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The Diet Report

Bleah. I am sick to death of this whole business. But there is no going back, now. I am SO close to getting into my black jeans.

Just going to tweak the process a bit.

First off, no more reporting on Tuesdays :-D Always was a bad day, weight-wise.

Thursday is OH so much better, it being right in the middle of my exercise routine, instead of just after the weekend break.

So, today's weigh-in: 1V6, back down to where I was two weeks ago, before I went up a pound one week ago. That makes this week's weight loss 1 pound, or a weight loss of 18.5 pounds over 18.5 weeks.

I feel like I've just had my golden birthday, or somethin'.

Can you see why I am getting tired of this? I have to keep things gradual enough to not go off the wagon, but this back and forth just makes me feel like I've wasted the past month or so.

(just give me another minute and I'll stop whinin')

If I could have two whole months without anything out of the ordinary happening, I could be very happy, and very done.

Missed both exercise sessions yesterday, sitting for five hours while driving, and mostly sitting for 7 more hours in the clinic. You don't burn many calories that way, but you could set yourself up for a nice little DVT.

HOWEVER (and this is an important "however"), there is nothing like going to Mayo to remind you (as in spouse) that you (as in spouse) really don't have it that bad.

And when one observes the heartache walking the halls, you don't even have it re-motely poor to middlin'.

So there is nothing for it, but to get yourself back in gear, keep up the extra mileage and burned calories on the treadmill, and increase the reps for weight-bearing exercise.

Oh yes...knock off one of those low carb ice cream bars per day.

There's a lot to be said for plugging away. Particularly when you don't feel like it.
 

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Twelve and a half hours later...

...we are back :-)

As in home. Home with my chicks and chickletts.

And, can you imagine being gone all day and not hearing the beloved duet from The Pearl Fishers ?

*plays opera excerpt*

There. I feel better.
_____________

I tried posting from one of Mayo's computers, but Blogger was having issues and lost it.

No matter. Ma is seldom at a loss for words, much to the consternation of her husband and children.

As to Loren, we are still awaiting test results, including the strep culture from the local doctor.

As per Mayo's custom, they took blood in the morning, making off with what seemed to be several quarts worth. I could be exaggerating, but Loren had to spend time resting in a chair before proceeding to x-ray.

After that, it was a mere five hour wait until the afternoon doctor appointment.

We cruised the east side of Gonda building until we found a vacant couch. Loren sacked out and I pulled up a nearby wing-chair and settled in for some heavy duty crosswording. (I been hoping for a day or two "away," and even though this wasn't my first choice I figured I'd make the most of it)

I discovered two things: 1) "noir" is NOT the French word for "night," it's "nuit." I'd known that once upon a time, but it only took me five minutes to figure that out, so I still feel just--so--cool.
2) It's amazing how many people can come and stand or sit near a sleeping man wearing a hygienic face mask, talking loudly on their cell phones and TOTALLY unaware of how rude they are, despite the tastefully discreet yet blatant glares of his wife.

Now for results from the pm doctor visit:

-hey there, the chest x-ray was clear, so Loren doesn't have pneumonia. It did show that recently broken rib, which is slightly displaced and has healed with an uneven bump. That might explain why it hurt so much.

-the doc thinks he (and therefore we) might have had the flu. It's entirely possible that even though we all had flu shots, the vaccine did not contain the exact strain that was going around in our area. They took a nasal swab to test, but it's too late in the game to get any benefit from an anti-viral like Tamiflu.

-also, his immunosuppressed condition subjects him to things he may not be able to fight off.

-they are also testing Loren for a few odd infections that are of particular concern to transplant personnel.

When the orders were picked up this morning, there was another lab draw scheduled for 6:10 tomorrow morning! Whoa, we weren't counting on that.

The doctor changed it to later this afternoon, directly after his appointment. Thus, we got to come home :-D (Oh joy, I get to sleep in my own bed!)

Ma still had to utilize tricksey driving skills against prevailing wind gusts. Nothing like steering a large profile vehicle going 90 mph on route 70. Wait...make that 70 mph on route 90.

Whatever the details, it took some fancy roadwork, let me tell you. Each wind gust had to be carefully gauged in regards to velocity, direction and duration, only to be met with appropriate steering reaction in relation to counterforce, angle and algebraic equanimity.

Obviously, I can't divulge the ex-act details, since this information could be lethal in the wrong hands.

Let's just say it required all the knowledge I'd absorbed from watching "Donald Duck in Mathamagic Land." Twice.

Enough.

There are little boys that need to be read to :-)
 

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Off to Mayoland....

...early in the morning.

Loren's fever rose to 101 earlier this evening, though it has since begun to recede.

Another phone call to Rochester, since fever can be the first sign of organ rejection. Probably not, in this case. But the doctor thought it might be good to do a chest x-ray and their own lab work. We haven't heard back yet from the local lab about their strep culture. Guess it takes several days.

It's just that Loren has barely had a sniffle since transplant, and that was only once or twice.

Luckily, Ma has fixin's for crock pot stew, so supper is taken care of. THANKFULLY, Kendra is furtherest along in cold recovery, so she will be ruling the kids with a loving and no-longer-infirm hand.

The fun part will be driving ol' Moby Dick up to Mayo. A fifteen passenger van is a bit of overkill, but the engine is waning on the red mini-van and the zippy red car is still waiting at the shop for the last part to arrive before its overhaul begins.

You haven't had real thrills until you've parked a maxi-van in a city parking garage. Getting in isn't so bad, it's the getting out at the curved exit that is tricksey.

That's OK, though. Ma likes a challenge.

But I like a good night's sleep, better.
 

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Sickies to the right of me, sickies to the left of me...

I am surrounded by sickies.

Every single person has become ill but I, who have been slurping Cold-eeze and snorting Zicam with the merest hint of ticklish throat or weepy nostril.

Can't taste a lot or smell completely, but I figure that's a small price to pay for the privilege of feeling well enough to do dishes and other chores for the stricken.

Had to reschedule the other four dental appointments that had been planned for tomorrow. OH the disappointment that washed over the coughing snifflers.

One person is definitely better, several are stuck in pathological limbo and one has actually regressed.

And then there is Loren.

Loren woke up at 6 this morning with a fever. Not high, but definitely a fever. It's since gone down, but Mayo mandates that transplantees see a local doctor at the sign of a fever. After I told the transplant coordinator that he'd had a severe sore throat for four days she said a throat culture was needed.

Loren is really so cute when you take him to the clinic. "What can we do for you today, Mr. Hoyt?"

*pause*

"I'm sick."

Whereupon Ma whips out her neatly typed list of meds and history and drug allergies and adverse reactions and hands it to the nurse.

Bottom line: He's on an antibiotic to prevent things developing into pneumonia. He's also been given a cough syrup for the hacking and told to go to bed.

(I REALLY need to get out the Christmas letter. We're in danger of infringing on next year's...I mean this year's news)

But fear not! There is still something to brighten the day.

Son Jason has given an excellent (if slightly biased) report on the drive to Chicago's O'Hare airport.

Rather amusing.

Now we but wait for Sharon's rendition of the same events.

"Oh, what wild charges were made.
Oh, may not their glory fade..."

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Ma's Newsy Nuggets

No snow in Iowa, but apparently Anchorage, Alaska doesn't have this same problem.

My kids would be happy with a snowman one quarter that size.
____________

Ever wonder why woodpeckers don't get headaches? Now you can know the reason why.

Gotta love those Ig Nobel awards :-D
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And speaking of honors, "Plutoed" has been chosen as the Word of the Year by the American Dialect Society.
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I've saved the best for last. The world's smallest country is for sale! Yes, I know...I could hardly believe it myself. If we weren't already enamored with living in the middle of Iowa wilderness, you can bet we would snap up that property.

Though now that I think of it, I doubt they have cable. Or more importantly, wireless Internet.
 

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How to weigh yourself

  

I can't believe I was doing it wrong all these years.
 
 
 
We must get the word out.
 
 
(thanks for this gem goes to Shirley, in Alabama :-)

*waves to Shirley*
 

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Last Night

 

Nice ending to a nervewracking day.
  

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Good News [updated]

Thank the Lord for safe arrivals!

Got a call and Sharon has arrived safely at her destination. (she is staying off campus this semester with good friends from our Indiana days)

We know that Jason's plane got in awhile back, and figure he is doing fine. Probably en route to the school. I am sure he will demonstrate how responsible a young man he is and let us know for certain...

*angelic smile* [he's back and safe]

Kendra and I packed away the Christmas decorations and the girls got their room all rearranged, pre-Sharon.

Tomorrow begins the dreaded return to schoolish things, but perhaps in lesser amounts for those who are sick.

Oh yes...next year I will NOT schedule dentist appointments for the first week back after Christmas. No body needs that.

And I still intend to get out the "Christmas letter."

Sometime.
 

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Travel Update

Jason is winging his way southward.

Sharon dropped him off at the door, and then left him to his own devices. After parking and waiting until his scheduled plane departure, she confirmed at the desk that he was aboard :-)

Nothing like being dumped at the door of a huge airport for your maiden flight.

But all is well on that front. One more to go.

Sharon has the directions for a Sears store that is not far from the highway where she will probably get the leaky tire fixed.

Gotta love technology :-D (Cell phones, and Internet for nearest Sears location, confirmation of plane departure, etc.)

Thanks to everyone who prayed.

They should have LOTS to blog about.

Now, to just pray Sharon through to Warsaw....
 

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Travel Troubles

Sharon and Jason are having a little problem in the form of a leaky tire.

Jason changed to the spare and we are all hoping it holds out to Chicago. It was feared the 30 minute wait to have it fixed would cause Jason to miss his flight.

Now we sit and bite our nails, trusting the spare will endure 80 more miles at 70 mph.
 

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Health is underrated

Just having oodles of fun, here.

Sniffling, coughing, throwing up (due to an extreme gag reflex, not an intestinal virus) and depletion of kleenex in obscene amounts.

I had to make an emergency run to town for three boxes of tissues just this morning.

Before breakfast.

So this is the last hurrah for the college persons. Sharon and Jason leave tomorrow and I'm certain would appreciate prayers for safety.

Sharon will drop Jason off at O'Hare airport on her way out to Indiana. It will be the first time flying for the lad so should be interesting in that regard. This will also be the first time Sharon has driven alone into the Indiana wilderness, though Jason will be driving throughout the Iowa leg.

Sharon is one of the sick ones, but hopefully, starting to mend.

Ah for Christmas-time and New Year's. The fateful end of year celebrations when ill folk feel compelled to share the gift of the magi and the virii.

Obviously delusional, they entertain the mistaken impression that God looks down with benevolent favor on those who struggle to attend gatherings--particularly at houses of worship--while under the influence of microbic disease dispersal units.

My favorite sickie-quote from the past is this, "I threw up this morning, but I feel much better, now."

"Ha ha, ha ha, ha !" says Ma, backing ever so hastily away and rummaging frantically in her purse for the hand sanitizer. "You're just saying that because you don't have seven kids and an immune-suppressed husband at home, you lovable lug of infection, you."

And speaking of church, we shall not be there tomorrow. Besides the felled fellows and gals, and the early departure of collegiates, Loren has to lay low for a week or so. He has another med reduction in the offing, followed by a heart biopsy two weeks later.

Let's just say, additional sickness would not be helpful.

Thus ends Ma's yearly plea for pathogenic sanity.
 

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Of offspring [edited]

Not being able to sleep (again) I crept downstairs, thinking to post a picture, and discovered this....
 ....on my monitor. (click on photo to enlarge, if you can't read it)

Ha! Not likely, mes enfants.

I can tell who instigated this, KENDRA. The "No more opera!" strangely resembles your signature, as does Carolyn's, which is quite possibly forged. I also notice that Sharon's name is missing, though on a totally unrelated subject, she remains in the will.

[I have since discovered that ALL the names were forged. Maybe Kendra should have applied to LeTourneau...]

Ma will not be subject to threats, coercion or fabricated fiats.

Especially when there was no mention of compensation.

Methinks someone is just miffed because she was discovered absentmindedly humming the melody from Au Fond Du Temple Saint, earlier this evening.

That out of the way, the following note and picture of Nolan's drew my attention at bedtime.
  
I think someone's getting rather good at expressing himself in this format. It could be a subject he just pulled out of his imagination, or it could signal the advisability of postponing tomorrow's viewing of a Godzilla movie.
 

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Would you believe....

....I went to the bank again and once more forgot my free calendar?

Hah! Just kidding.

On our kitchen wall now hangs a beauteous recorde de annum, with lovely pictures of antique tractors.

(the word tractor, by the way, comes from the Latin word "tractus," past participle of the Latin verb "trahere," which means to draw, as in pull or drag)

That pretty much made my day, along with replaying my favorite YouTube opera duet 4 or 5 times. (just a word to my family...the day isn't over, yet)
__________________

....a picture of a 1,100 pound wild boar? You've probably heard about this story, but when I actually looked at the picture I was amazed. No way I'd let my kids play outside if something like that were hangin' around. (as in "wandering")
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....self-cleaning underwear?

*sigh*

While we of this household like to keep abreast of cutting edge technology, (or at least be able to glimpse the cusp with binoculars) I just don't know...

It may have it's uses, but it's pretty obvious the people who developed this never had to potty-train a little kid. Face it, in that type of situation, the repellence of liquid is not what you're goin' fer.

Now, if science can attach nanoparticles with bacteria-repelling chemicals to clothing, why can't they attach something to the nose that will repel a cold virus?

Three more stricken sickies, today, with Ethan, Trevor and I being the only ones not ill or recovering.

Gotta love the holiday season.
 

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Those Crazy Boys

A few of the kids take notes for the Sunday Services. I have them do this partly for the sake of helping them remember what is said, but more so for the practice of paying attention and acquiring a few note-taking skills that may aid them in college.

Nolan has his little notebook for purposes of drawing quiet pictures. But it seems he has been observing the older children, just a little...
 ...not sure if he's being tough on Pastor John or himself.

Here we have a budding new artist---Trevor! Yes, I'm talking about the youngest, who is 4 and a half years old.
  
A little explanation is in order.

While the main figure bears a striking resemblance to Frankenstein, it is in reality Trevor's rendition of his older brother, Jason :-D

What look to be very credible bolts in the side of a head are but arms and hands. Small legs protrude from what appears to be a remarkably head-heavy body.

The eyes and mouth show the strong influence of his older brother Nolan, who himself is still going through his "Calvin and Hobbes" period of art.

Perusing to the left, downward, we see a little spider who seems most friendly and benign. It's the kind of spider one could feel quite comfortable with...a sort of "Casper the Friendly Arachnid," if you will.

Directly below is a Christmas tree, demonstrating the artist's recent absorption with that whole end-of-year-holiday-season-thing.

Continuing counter-clockwise, we come to another familial portrait, that of Carolyn. Carolyn's depiction started out to be rather stick-figurish in nature, until the application of long hair. The hair-shading technique continued apace, over vast amounts of the page, until it is quite difficult to tell where the hair ends and the shading around Frankenstein....I mean Jason, begins.

I believe the pencil-wielder fell victim to what we in the industry call, "graphite enthrallment." It is just so satisfying to see the dark etchings grow and spread, billowing out in a voluminous cloud that threaten to overtake the artwork in a frenzy of charcoal.

Besides, it makes those neat gray stains on the little finger and sleeve of your right hand.

And thus ends the first review of Iowa's newest Artiste de Papier.

We look forward to additional submitted works, though frankly, we fear for the trees.
 

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Not for music sissies

For opera lovers (yeah, all three of you), one of the most deliciously beautiful duets has to be Au Fond Du Temple Saint from Bizet's "The Pearl Fishers."

Someday I'll just have to get me a good CD with this one. Something that is recorded in a concert setting, and not straight off the opera stage. (the latter producing bad sound quality for a CD)

I first heard this several years ago on NPR, and made a mental note for the ol' "Buy This, Someday" list. In the meantime, I discovered a not half-bad version on YouTube. Seven and a half minutes of male operatic goodness.



I've heard there is a magnificent recording by Andrea Bocelli and Bryn Terfel.

Ma shall have to procure this. It's always nice to escape from real life for a while.

*goes off to perform janitorial duties*

 

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Life at Prairie Bridges Park

Needing to buy a couple of items at the local store, I grabbed my camera and decided to grab a bit of alone time in my favorite getaway. The 2 gig memory card I received for Christmas just--might--come in handy, heh, heh.

Not a lot of life in the park, to be sure, but plenty of light and angles.

On frozen pond
 

This just looked better in black and white.
 I think there used to be a covered bridge across this railroad track. When we first moved here in '94, my selective memory recalls a sign in Ackley that said, "Save our bridge." Half hidden off in the trees was a broken down structure that looked like a covered bridge. That disappeared soon after. My feeble attempts at research has turned up nothing so far. I should probably just ask a neighbor :-)

Random dried seed pods
 

Paws across the pond
  

Creek of nobility
 

Signs of safe passage
 

Artificial ferns cover real plant-life
 

Still, cold beauty
  
 

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It's grey. It's German. it's giant

  

First of all, I did NOT take this picture. I mean, we have rabbits hereabouts, but nothing quite that extreme.

No, I "borrowed" this from Daily Mail. I could have linked to the article, but there were just too many bodacious babes in the sidebar.

Pictured above is Karl Szmolinsky, a German farmer who breeds grey German Giant rabbits. That bit o' fluff in his arms weighs 10 kilograms, or around 22 pounds.

(son Jason thought this photo had been digitally altered, but I think it's just a matter of the camera closing in on the forefront of the picture. I don't know how to describe what I'm talking about, other than to say I've noticed it when I photograph two objects the same size, and the one in front appears exaggeratedly large)

The funny part of the short article mentions that North Korea had contacted this farmer to aid them in their rabbit breeding program (or as the Mail writes, programme).

So, one has to wonder if N. Korea is thinking food source or an alternative conveyance for nuclear weapons...

I trust Pat Robertson is keeping himself apprised.
 

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