Around OakMeadows

Our sweet Angie. 

We drove to Fort Worth to the Kimball Museum to see the Phillips Collection which is mostly the Impressionist painters. It was very good. But I really enjoyed the rest of the Kimball just as much, especially the Asian and European collections. We decided to drive straight back home rather than spend the night in a hotel and drive back the next day. Nice to get back home. 

We have seen a couple of new butterflies in the garden recently. The American Lady and the Hackberry Emperor:

That's all for now.  It's late and I am tired. More tomorrow. 

June Cooking -- Basic Vinaigrette

Basic Vinaigrette 

3/4 cup olive oil

3 tablespoons red or white wine vinegar 

2 teaspoons minced shallot or red onion

1/2 teaspoon each dried tarragon 

1 garlic clove, minced

1/4 teaspoon salt

1/4 teaspoon pepper

Shake all the ingredients together in a jar. Refrigerate for up to 7 days. Bring to room temperature and shake well before serving.

Raspberry Vinaigrette 

Substitute raspberry vinegar for the wine vinegar.  Increase the minced shallot or red onion to 1 tablespoon and the dried tarragon to 3/4 teaspoon. 

June Thoughts

Earth provides enough to satisfy every man's needs, but not every man's greed.
     Mahatma Gandhi

June Poetry

In winter I get up at night
And dress by yellow candle-light.
In summer quite the other way,
I have to go to bed by day.
I have to go to bed and see
The birds still hopping on the tree,
Or hear the grown up people's feet
Still going past me in the street.
And does it not seem hard to you,
When all the sky is clear and blue,
And I should like so much to play,
To have to go to bed by day?

Robert Louis Stevenson, Bed in Summer

Goals for the Week of June 25 - July 1, 2017

Spiritual 
     Spiritual Reading

Physical
     Exercise DVD 
     Healthy Snacks

Quilting
     Work on strips for scrap Quilt 

Reading
    A Thousand Days by Arthur Schlesinger 

     Everyone Brave Is Forgiven by Chris Cleave 

     The Sum of Small Things by Elizabeth Currid-Halkett 

     Delivering the Truth by Edith Maxwell

Cooking
     Saturday -- CB Hash, CSC, Veggie Tray

      Sunday-- Slow Cooker Chicken Stew

      Monday-- Tuna Salad

      Tuesday -- Oven BBQ Chicken, Beans, Cole Slaw

      Wednesday -- Spaghetti and Meatballs 

      Thursday-- Leftovers 

      Friday -- Out

      Lemon Sours 

Home
     Put out July 4th decorations 

Personal
     Trip to Kimball Museum in Fort Worth
     🔥Resistance.Every.Day.🔥

🔥Resistance. Every. Day.🔥

🔥Resistance. Every. Day.🔥

Sent an email through the Sierra Club website to Interior Secretary Ryan Zinke, opposing the elimination of protection of the Bears Ears National Monument. 

Sent emails to Senators Cornyn and Cruz and Rep. Pete Olson opposing the elimination of protection of the Bears Ears National Monument. 

Sent email to Senator Mitch McConnell opposing the secret dealings on healthcare. 

Sent thank you to Senator Kamala Harris for her tenacious, focused questioning in Sessions' hearing. She persisted!!

Sent a thank you note to Rep. Mike Quigley for sponsoring the COVFEFE Act which will make a permanent record of Presidential tweets. 

🔥Resistance. Every. Day.🔥

Called Senators Cornyn and Cruz and left message opposing closed door discussion of the AHCA. 

Sent thank you to D.C. Attorney General Karl Racine and MD Attorney General Brian Frosh for filing a lawsuit against the president for emoluments violations.

🔥Resistance. Every. Day.🔥

Called and left message with Senators Cornyn and Cruz urging them to oppose S335 which would relax federal oversight and allow corporations to extract natural resources from our public lands. 

June Poetry

A something in a summer's Day
As slow her flambeau burn away
Which solemnizes me.
A something in a summer's noon --
A depth -- an Azure -- a perfume --
Transcending ecstasy.
And still within a summer's night
A something so transporting bright
I clap my hands to see --
Then veil my too inspecting face
Let's such a subtle -- shimmering grace
Flutter too far for me --
The wizard fingers never rest --
The purple brook within the breast
Still chafes it's narrow bed --
Still rears the East its amber Flag --
Guides still the sun along the Crag
His Caravan of Red --
So looking on -- the night -- the morn
Conclude the wonder gay --
And I meet, coming thro' the dews
Another Summer's Day.

Emily Dickinson, A Something in a Summer's Day

June Thoughts

Here is your country.  Cherish these natural wonders, cherish the natural resources, cherish the history and romance as a sacred heritage, for your children and your children's children.  Do not let selfish men or greedy interests skin your country of its beauty, its riches or its romance.

Theodore Roosevelt

Father's Day

My Father, Capt. William Hart

My father was in the Merchant Marines during World War II. He made the North Atlantic run to keep Britain supplied and to deliver tanks to the Soviets.  He never, ever said a word about his service during the war. It was only after his death that I discovered a Presidential Citation for his rescuing seamen whose ship had been torpedoed. He never said a word. 

Goals for Week of June 20-26, 2017

Spiritual 
     Spiritual Reading 

Physical
     Exercise DVD
     Healthy Breakfast

Quilting
     Finish strips for Scrap Quilt

Reading
     A Thousand Days by Arthur Schlesinger 
     The Sum of Small Things by Elizabeth Currid-Halkett
     Delivering the Truth by Edith Maxwell

Cooking
     Slow Cooker Beef-Noodle Soup
     Schwan's Popcorn Shrimp, Oven Fries, Corn on the Cob
     Stir-Fry Chicken Lo-Mein
     Beef Pot Pies
     Applesauce Raisin Spice Cake

Home
     Buy new faucet for kitchen sink

Personal
     Monday-Manicure/Pedicure 
     Tuesday-Routine Dental cleaning
     🔥Resistance. Every. Day.🔥

More Butterflies

These are photos from our trip to the National Butterfly Center in Mission, Tx last December.  I love the Rio Grande Valley especially in the winter. 

Around OakMeadows

One of our (well fed) resident raccoons. 

We met T&C at the Cheesecake Factory for dinner yesterday. Then TSMR came home with us and spent the night. We came home and read a bit and then went to bed early as we were all tired.  TSMR was so tired that she went back to bed this morning for a morning nap. 

This morning Angie was outside with JMM but when he came inside, she was no where  to be found. Evidently, Angie had seen some joggers go by on the street in of our house and decided to go jogging with them. All three of us went searching for her and found her way down the street.  She was happy to see us and to come back home with us but it was a good lesson to us that she needs to be on a leash.

TSMR and JMM went to see Wonder Woman and both enjoyed it. I liked it but not enough to see it again.

The summer heat is settling in. Our electric bill was only $99 last month but it will be twice that this month. No complaints -- thank goodness for air conditioning!!

The butterfly garden is spectacular, especially the milkweed. The lantana isn't blooming as much but everything else is gorgeous. We have had more Swallowtails, especially the Giant Swallowtail and the Eastern Tiger Swallowtail, than we have ever had. And the Monarchs! At least 8-10 every day. 

I am taking a news fast for a few days. I just want to focus on how beautiful things are. 

June Cooking

This recipe originally called for kale, but kale is just too tough for salad.  IMHO. Also, it called for only 1/4 cup feta cheese and that is just not enough feta.  IMHO. It is almost fresh peach season here in Texas and I can hardly wait!!

Grilled Peach and Apricot Salad with Spinach and Prosciutto 

1 bunch baby spinach

Kosher salt

3 tablespoons olive oil

1-2 tablespoons freshly squeezed lemon juice

4 oz. Prosciutto, thinly sliced

4 peaches, halved

4 apricots, halved

Vegetable oil for brushing

1/2 cup crumbled feta cheese

Crusty bread, for serving

1. Heat the grill to medium-high.  Tear spinach leaves into bite size pieces and place in a large salad bowl.  Whisk together oil and lemon juice, set aside. Tear or cut Prosciutto into bite sized pieces, set aside. 

2. When the grill is hot, brush the peaches and apricots with vegetable oil and grill, cut side down until deeply caramelized, about 5 minutes. Transfer to a plate. 

3. Toss the spinach with the dressing and the feta. Add the Prosciutto, followed by the peaches and apricots, letting the juices seep in. If there are any extra juices on the plate, add those too. 

Enjoy with crusty bread. 

June Thoughts

A nation that destroys its soil destroys itself. Forests are the lungs of our land, purifying the air and giving fresh strength to our people.

Franklin Roosevelt

June Poetry

It's beautiful the Summer month of June
When all of God's own wildflowers are in bloom
And sun shine brightly most part of the day
And butterflies o'er lush meadows play.

Lighthearted skylark songster of the wing
High o'er the quiet and lonely moorland sing
Above her nest cloaked by the tangled heath
Her charming song so exquisitely sweet.

So mellow the gentle breath of June day breeze
The birds rejoicing on the leafy trees
And dappled trout in dappled bed of the stream
Bask in the sun, their spotted skins agleam.

Francis Dugan, June 

Goals for Week of June 11-17, 2017

Spiritual 
     ADG/Church
     Spiritual Reading

Physical
     32 oz. water daily
     Exercise DVD

Quilting-- Work on Scrap Quilt top 

Reading
     The American War by Omar El Akkad
     Lab Girl by Hope Jahren
     The Transition Handbook by Rob Hopkins
     
Cooking
     Saturday -- Macaroni and Cheese 

Sunday-- Slow Cooker Beef

Monday-- Schwan's Popcorn Shrimp, Oven Fries, CoC

Tuesday -- Chicken-Sausage Casserole

Wednesday -- HB Pie

Thursday-- Leftovers 

Friday -- Out

Personal
     DD comes for a visit
     Father's Day at House of Pies (early)
     Angie bath and trip to vet

Around OakMeadows

I had a lovely recipe for a grilled peach salad and Blogger ate it. It was there and then it was gone. So instead, I will show you the photos of my latest Sampler Quilt which Blogger wouldn't let me post last week. Oh well, just go with the flow. 

We went to see Wonder Woman. Actually, JMM dragged me to it because I do not like comic books, much less movies about comic book characters. I was all settled in to be miserable and possibly to take a nap through it but to my absolute amazement, it was really good. Nice story, good characters, fun. Worth seeing. 

Lots and lots of rain. No complaints though, I'd rather have the rain than a drought. The butterfly garden is gorgeous and lots of butterflies, especially Monarchs, Queens, and Swallowtails. Unfortunately, following the rain come the mosquitoes.  

I finished reading two really interesting books. I Contain Multitudes by Ed Yong and Miller's Valley by Anna Quindlen. Now I am reading Everyone Brave Is Forgiven by Chris Cleave. So far, so good. 

That's all the news from OakMeadows where the dog is happy and the cats are biding their time. 

June Thoughts

“The journey is what brings us happiness not the destination.” 
― Dan Millman, Way of the Peaceful Warrior: A Book That Changes Lives

Well, Damn. Just Damn.

I just read Ronni Bennett's blog, Time Goes By.  She is just home from the hospital with a diagnosis of pancreatic cancer. I'm too upset to say any more.

June Poetry

Mine is the Month of Roses, yes, and mine
The Month of Marriages! All pleasant sights
And scents, the fragrance of the blossoming vine,
The foliage of the valleys and the heights.
Mine are the longest day, the loveliest nights;
The mower's scythe makes music to my ear;
I am the mother of all dear delights;
I am the fairest daughter of the year.

Henry Wadsworth Longfellow

Goals for the Week June 4-10, 2017

Spiritual 
     ADG/Church
     Spiritual Reading

Physical
     Exercise DVD
     Rest

Quilting
     Finish Scrap Quilt top

Reading
    A Thousand Days by Arthur Schlesinger 

     Everyone Brave Is Forgiven by Chris Cleave

     Finks by Joel Whitney

Cooking
     Baked Fish, Oven Fries, GB
     Chicken-Rice Bake
     Beef Pot Pie 
     Chicken Lo-Mien

Home
     Clean Garage Windows

Personal
     Haircut
     Resistance. Every. Day. 

🔥Resistance.Every.Day.🔥

🔥Resistance. Every. Day.🔥

Contacted Justice Department online to oppose Sessions' tougher sentences for low level drug offenders as a waste of money and lives. 

Sent Thank You to Senator Lindsey Graham for suggesting penalties for Russia's aggression. 

Sent Thank You to Rep. Walter Jones for signing discharge petition in support of releasing 45's tax returns. 

Thank you notes to Senator Lisa Murkowski and Rep. Adam Kinzinger for calling for and independence commission or special prosecutor. 

Called Rep. Pete Olson, Senator Ted Cruz, and Senator John Cornyn to express my concerns about ICE. This agency needs oversight and accountability and clear deportation priorities. 

Sent emails to Rep. Pete Olson, Senator John Cornyn, and Senator Ted Cruz expressing my concern about the integrity of our leadership. Jeff Sessions failed to reveal meetings with Russian diplomats during his security screening process. I would like my Representative and Senators to join with Senator Schumer and Rep. Lieu in calling for his resignation. 

Called Rep. Olson, Senator Cornyn, and Senator Cruz to oppose A/G Jeff Sessions stricter penalties for low level drug offenders as a waste of money and totally ineffective as a deterrent. I would like support for S.1127 / HR 2435 to give judges more leeway and authority in sentencing. 

(BTW, I have always been able to at least speak to someone at Rep. Olson's office but I have never once gotten through to a person at either Senator Cornyn or Senator Cruz's office, always leave a message.)

Thank you note to Rep Walter Jones (R-NC) for voting for the release of 45’s tax returns. Americans appreciate you voting for transparency rather than party. 

Thank you note to NY AG Eric Schneiderman for taking Exxon to task. Corporations that are complicit in global warming should be held accountable. 

Thank you note to Chellie Pingree (D-ME) for reminding Sec. Zinke that 45 does not have jurisdiction over national monuments; Congress does. Thank you for your advocacy for America’s people, monuments, and wild places

Thank you note to Mark Meadows (R-NC) for his understanding of the risks facing Americans with pre-existing conditions. Thank you for honoring the memory of your sister and father in your advocacy for affordable healthcare for all Americans.

Around OakMeadows

Around OakMeadows 

Our sweet Angie has settled in just like she was meant to be here. We've found a food that she likes and is good for her. She pees and poos outside. She loves to go in the van or with JMM in the truck. While the cats are not pleased with this new invader, everyone is respectful of the other's space. 

JMM and I celebrated our 49th wedding anniversary with DD and DSIL at Taste of Texas as we usually do. But for once, instead of steak, I had the salmon and it was probably the best I've ever had. But everything at Taste of Texas is just wonderful. Next year I hope we will be in Yellowstone for our anniversary. 

I got my Sampler Quilt back from being machine quilted. I will post a photo when Blogger decides to cooperate. My current Scrap Quilt has come to a screeching halt because I don't like the way it is going together. My 3 choices are: 1. Just do it and get it done, like it or not. 2. Rip it down to the pieces where it starts to get weird. 3. Trash the whole thing and start again (which I know that I really won't do.) decisions, decisions. 

I finished Miller's Valley by Anna Quindlen. It was excellent, one of those books that just gets better and better, the farther you get into it. I'm almost finished with I Contain Multitudes by Ed Yong. It is about symbiosis between bacteria and its hosts. Another excellent book that gives one a real appreciation for bacteria. 

Our butterfly garden is in full bloom and we are still having more Monarchs than ever before. We have had 4 different species of Swallowtails. They are so big and so gorgeous that I am just dazzled by them. Lots of the usual birds--barn swallows are on their second nesting, cardinals, blue jays, collared Doves. We've had lots of rain so the wildflowers in the back two acres have been extra nice this year. 

We are planning a trip later this month to the Kimball Museum in Fort Worth to see an Impressionist exhibit. 

I'm still doing my Resistance cards, calls, and emails 5 days a week. Have no idea if I'm making any difference at all but it might and it makes me feel better than just weeping and wringing my hands.  Nevertheless, she persisted...

That's all the news from OakMeadows where the people love the dog and the cats...don't.