5/24/05

Since I’ve been off work, I’ve tried to do a few things that I wouldn’t normally do because of time constraints.  Yesterday I dug out an old recipe from the oldie but goodie folder.  It’s one of my favorite hourderves.  Wanna try it?

ANTIPASTO

20 green peppers
2 c. oil
2 c. dark vinegar
¼ tsp. salt
½ c. sugar
2 cans tuna
2 cans mushrooms
3 cloves garlic (I used minced from a jar)

Bring all ingredients except peppers to a boil.  Add peppers.  Boil until peppers are done to taste.  (about 10 minutes)  Put in hot jars and seal.   I use the hot water bath method, boiling jars for about 30 minutes in water about 1" above the lid.

The time is drawing near, when I must return to work. The time off while initially painful and difficult, was very welcomed. I believe I can now go back with a somewhat renewed energy. I’ll return on the 31st. I’m sure it’ll be uncomfortable at first but as always, where there is a will, there’s a way.

I’ve been “working out” in the garden and have come to the conclusion that I must just be lazy. Although I’ve worked for 4 straight days on and off, I can’t believe that my muscles ache like they do. Guess I could try to blame it on a lot of things, but I’m sure if I were more active on a regular basis I wouldn’t be so wimpy. I keep plugging along though. This summer I dug out all the savers, and had someone till the garden. I put a plastic sheet down to keep out the riff raff, and threw mulch on top of it. At the moment, the garden looks pretty bare, but it’s ok. As the summer goes on, I’ll add more perennials to it, and maybe in a few short years it’ll be full of blossoms like it used to be – only minus the weeds this time. (keeping my fingers crossed)

I also expanded the flower garden below the patio. Hopefully the iris’s that I planted will bloom yet this year. That’d be great. I have more bulbs to plant . . . . maybe later today or tomorrow.

This morning I started posting some music to a newsgroup that I’ve been collecting for a lady who asked for soothing music for babies. Her 9 month-old grandchild is undergoing chemotherapy. For leukemia. (I hate that word) She thought possibly it might relax the baby when she gets fretful. I have a very difficult time expressing myself in a normal situation. When it comes to emotions and matters of the heart, it is impossible. I wish I had the right words, but they don’t come. Each person has their own forte. Words are not mine. But I do. (verb) Instead of words, I work. I’m happiest when I believe that I’ve helped a stranger. So today for the baby, and for the loving family who suffers alongside the child, I’ll do what I can to help in some small way.

In other matters of the heart, I’m still transporting my son back and forth from jail to his work. He has 3 more weeks to serve here. Mostly I bring him back, but I’ve done both, Monday through Saturday. His dad, in a less serious effort has been helping as well. I say less serious because one morning he picked him up late, (after 7 a.m.) and was still drunk. How sad to know that my son sits in jail for drunk driving, and his dad can’t make the effort to transport him SOBER. And before I get myself worked up over this yet again . . . . God grant me the serenity . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Amen.

p.s . . . .  I haven’t said this in a long long time, but thank you so much to all my friend who have stuck with me here.  Even though I don’t post often, this place means a lot to me and so do you.  I can’t see myself ever giving up this diary . . . . .  or you.