Today, Sweetie McPie explores the intricacies of nutmeat.
Pecans vs. Walnuts
Pecans: tiny bike helmets for the Alien
Walnuts: emaciated Thanksgiving turkeys
Pecans: brain
Walnuts: big Einstein brain
Pecans: have PEE in the name
Walnuts: have NUTS in the name
Pecans: french - Pecan
Walnuts: french - Grenoble
Pecans: topographically like the Shield near Lake Superior
Walnuts: topographically unlike anything I have hiked on
Pecans: could be disguised almonds
Walnuts: didn't dress up for Hallowe'en
Pecans: the Phantom
Walnuts: the Elephant Man
Pecans: in terms of scrotum reaction - cold lake
Walnuts: in terms of scrotum reaction - hot, humid day
Wednesday, October 17, 2007
Tuesday, October 16, 2007
Now not just my half-birthday
On October 15, surrounded by her family, Helen Kohut Maloney passed peacefully from this life to the next. Born in Hafford, Saskatchewan in 1923, Helen has touched many lives as she moved to Vancouver, Toronto, and ultimately settled in Hamilton, where she raised her family, worked as an elementary school teacher, traveled widely, and played bridge avidly.
Left with a void not easily filled are her children Andrea Kelly, Michael and his wife Barbara, and Patrick and his wife Janetter; step-daughter Donna Loutitt; and grandchildren Heather and Julie Kelly, Scott and Shaun Maloney, Kyle Maloney and Tara Whelan. Welcoming her into the next life are Helen’s husband Patrick, her parents George and Doris Kohut, and her siblings Anne, Mary, Steve, Olga, George and Ernie. The family sincerely thanks the staff and volunteers at Villa Italia and Emmanuel House, who cared for Helen and her family during her last days.
All are welcome to join Helen’s family and friends as they mourn her passing and celebrate her life at P.X. Dermody Funeral Home, Hamilton, on Thursday, Oct 18. The funeral will be held on October 19 at Canadian Martyrs’ Catholic church, Main St West, followed by a reception onsite. Donations to Emmanuel House or the Juravinski Cancer Centre are welcome and appreciated.
My mother called me right away. We were preparing to head out to our ultimate game. We went anyway. Because really, in times like this, what better way to grieve/celebrate/express angst (etc) than to run around as hard as you can?
Then we came home and ate McPie's Apple Yum (a delicious baked apple concoction he invented for the occasion). And thought about how happy and relieved Baba must be.
Back in Hamilton, my family and the staff at Emmanuel House said some prayers around Baba. Then, my family (they'd been joined by my other uncle, his wife and my cousin) headed to the Corktown Pub, where they enjoyed pints and each ordered a single chicken wing. Uncle Paddy has a story of taking Baba out to lunch one time. When told that they were serving 10 cent wings, Baba promptly ordered: "A garden salad and one chicken wing, please." Classic.
*October 15 was also the birthday of my grandfather Terry - my Dad's dad. This date has now reached the status of "Official Family Holiday".
Edit: Here is the link to the actual obituary. My mother tweaked it a bit with more details. Interestingly, the obit entry immediately preceding Baba's in today's Spectator is for Heather Aileen Kelly.
Left with a void not easily filled are her children Andrea Kelly, Michael and his wife Barbara, and Patrick and his wife Janetter; step-daughter Donna Loutitt; and grandchildren Heather and Julie Kelly, Scott and Shaun Maloney, Kyle Maloney and Tara Whelan. Welcoming her into the next life are Helen’s husband Patrick, her parents George and Doris Kohut, and her siblings Anne, Mary, Steve, Olga, George and Ernie. The family sincerely thanks the staff and volunteers at Villa Italia and Emmanuel House, who cared for Helen and her family during her last days.
All are welcome to join Helen’s family and friends as they mourn her passing and celebrate her life at P.X. Dermody Funeral Home, Hamilton, on Thursday, Oct 18. The funeral will be held on October 19 at Canadian Martyrs’ Catholic church, Main St West, followed by a reception onsite. Donations to Emmanuel House or the Juravinski Cancer Centre are welcome and appreciated.
My mother called me right away. We were preparing to head out to our ultimate game. We went anyway. Because really, in times like this, what better way to grieve/celebrate/express angst (etc) than to run around as hard as you can?
Then we came home and ate McPie's Apple Yum (a delicious baked apple concoction he invented for the occasion). And thought about how happy and relieved Baba must be.
Back in Hamilton, my family and the staff at Emmanuel House said some prayers around Baba. Then, my family (they'd been joined by my other uncle, his wife and my cousin) headed to the Corktown Pub, where they enjoyed pints and each ordered a single chicken wing. Uncle Paddy has a story of taking Baba out to lunch one time. When told that they were serving 10 cent wings, Baba promptly ordered: "A garden salad and one chicken wing, please." Classic.
*October 15 was also the birthday of my grandfather Terry - my Dad's dad. This date has now reached the status of "Official Family Holiday".
Edit: Here is the link to the actual obituary. My mother tweaked it a bit with more details. Interestingly, the obit entry immediately preceding Baba's in today's Spectator is for Heather Aileen Kelly.
Monday, October 15, 2007
Tidying up
Today is my half birthday. McPie took me shopping on the weekend to celebrate. ("Any excuse to celebrate" is one of our many mottos. In fact, we have Thursdays set aside as a weekly day of celebration.)
What does it mean that every item of clothing we chose was black? Back to my roots, I say.
Anyway, cleaning out my drafts folder, here is some distraction from Oct 3:
We celebrated a year of shacking up with dinner at the ever-enjoyable Stoneface Dolly's, and then headed to the NAC for The Penelopiad. The play was incredible! Here is a review that echoes our opinion of it. Penny Downie as Penelope was really very riveting - not only her delivery (seamless switching from emotional flashbacks to bloodless narrative), but her flowing red hair and athletic physique put the icing on the cake. I was interested to watch for Jenny Young - not just because she has the same name as my grandmother -but because I've been enjoying her as Coach in the CBC radio's Afghanada. (Yes, I've succumbed to the allure of radio drama.)
There were some scenes that were incredibly effective theatrically, especially since the sets and costumes were so simple -- the near-drowning and rescue by ducks of Penelope, the tumultuous journey by ship to Ithaca, the hanging of the maids -- totally compelling and convincing, and were all done mainly by the actors movements, with just a few simple props.
I was pleased/relieved that the play wasn't overly "theatrical", I guess in the post-modern sense. It wasn't tricky or confusing or overly symbolic.
I assume this show will go on tour - I definitely recommend that you go and see it, if you enjoy theatre at all.
We've watched a few movies lately, and I liked them:
The Lookout: Made us feel awful in our bellies/throats the whole way through (impending sense of doom, feeling of sympathy and dread for the main character), but it was a very entertaining experience. The characters were interesting and I thought the acting was believable (not that know know much about that.
300: So cool! Also a good lead-in to The Penelopiad. Comic-booky in the most satisfying way. Definitely riffed on Kill Bill, Gladiator, and, needless to say, Sin City. I liked it much better than the latter. I'd gotten the impression that this was an epic historical/action flick à la Troy (which I never saw because I am picky that way)... But this was way cooler. Love the Gerard Butler! We saw him first in Beowulf & Grendel, which I also recommend.
The Bourne Ultimatum: What else to say other than: I love Jason Bourne. (Not sure if that's more or less than Gerard Butler - I'll have to spend more time with each and see... ) I also can't believe we made it out to the cinema for this one. I'm sure we are amongst the last to see this.
What does it mean that every item of clothing we chose was black? Back to my roots, I say.
Anyway, cleaning out my drafts folder, here is some distraction from Oct 3:
We celebrated a year of shacking up with dinner at the ever-enjoyable Stoneface Dolly's, and then headed to the NAC for The Penelopiad. The play was incredible! Here is a review that echoes our opinion of it. Penny Downie as Penelope was really very riveting - not only her delivery (seamless switching from emotional flashbacks to bloodless narrative), but her flowing red hair and athletic physique put the icing on the cake. I was interested to watch for Jenny Young - not just because she has the same name as my grandmother -but because I've been enjoying her as Coach in the CBC radio's Afghanada. (Yes, I've succumbed to the allure of radio drama.)
There were some scenes that were incredibly effective theatrically, especially since the sets and costumes were so simple -- the near-drowning and rescue by ducks of Penelope, the tumultuous journey by ship to Ithaca, the hanging of the maids -- totally compelling and convincing, and were all done mainly by the actors movements, with just a few simple props.
I was pleased/relieved that the play wasn't overly "theatrical", I guess in the post-modern sense. It wasn't tricky or confusing or overly symbolic.
I assume this show will go on tour - I definitely recommend that you go and see it, if you enjoy theatre at all.
We've watched a few movies lately, and I liked them:
The Lookout: Made us feel awful in our bellies/throats the whole way through (impending sense of doom, feeling of sympathy and dread for the main character), but it was a very entertaining experience. The characters were interesting and I thought the acting was believable (not that know know much about that.
300: So cool! Also a good lead-in to The Penelopiad. Comic-booky in the most satisfying way. Definitely riffed on Kill Bill, Gladiator, and, needless to say, Sin City. I liked it much better than the latter. I'd gotten the impression that this was an epic historical/action flick à la Troy (which I never saw because I am picky that way)... But this was way cooler. Love the Gerard Butler! We saw him first in Beowulf & Grendel, which I also recommend.
The Bourne Ultimatum: What else to say other than: I love Jason Bourne. (Not sure if that's more or less than Gerard Butler - I'll have to spend more time with each and see... ) I also can't believe we made it out to the cinema for this one. I'm sure we are amongst the last to see this.
Friday, October 12, 2007
Keeping vigil
I've been having much trouble finding the time and energy to post lately. So I'm going to recycle some material by way of an update. If you recognize this text... um, hope you don't mind!
Got a call from my mother a week ago Wednesday, and it seems that Baba was on her last legs, and so off we went (McPie and I), to be there for the end. (We were supposed to have kids for the long weekend, but the moms covered for us gracefully, as promised.) By the we arrived on Wednesday night, Baba seemed to have rallied, and and though SHE was ready to go, her body wasn't quite.
So, although the trip turned out differently than expected (I brought funeral clothes but didn't wear them), it was wonderful to be there with the family, especially once my sister arrived on Monday - we had some memorable visits. We also enjoyed a magnificent turkey* dinner grâce à mon oncle Michael, which we had at the hospice with some of the patients and staff.
If I could, I'd have stayed till the end, but because we can't tell when that will be, I came home.
Although she mostly slept or was often too dazed to be really conscious, we had many moments with Baba where she was with us completely - listening, helping to pick hymns for her "celebration of life", still joking around. It's so frustrating - you're pleased that she's not dead, but you know she wants to be and you can't stay forever while her body holds on.
Apparently, Baba has declined dramatically since Wednesday. I stopped in to say good-bye to her at 7 AM before my flight back, but she was sleeping. However, she told mom later that she knew I was there. Mom's been calling with 12 hour updates. I called at noon today and Baba and I exchanged more "good-bye, I love yous" (Baba in her barely audible whisper). Maybe I'll get to do it again tomorrow.
I know it's not the same as losing a parent (or someone taken too soon), but still... it's Baba. I'm so lucky to be experiencing this so late in my life -- it means I've been blessed with a grandmother who I could know (and begin to understand and appreciate) as an adult.
My family is awesome. They find just the right amount of humour in everything - so it's emotional, but not crushing. My sister can get Baba a-giggling, even on her deathbed. Everyone is sticking together, and really appreciating that we have this time together, since we're normally spread out across the country.
For now, we are back at home, looking forward to a very quiet weekend of doing NOTHING, except maybe lying on the couch. Oh! Oh! And a hair cut. TONIGHT. I'm a month overdue. I had to cancel last week due to Baba. I'm so very excited. The little things keep you going. ;-)
* Next time I cook a turkey -- which I keep typing as "turnkey" btw -- I'm going to brine it overnight before roasting. Michael did this (his first time trying it, too), with simply magnificent results. I've never eaten tenderer turkey. His stuffing kicked ass too, and he didn't even put it in the bird. And that was just one highlight of bunking for 6 nights with a chef. The ribs need a post of their own!
Got a call from my mother a week ago Wednesday, and it seems that Baba was on her last legs, and so off we went (McPie and I), to be there for the end. (We were supposed to have kids for the long weekend, but the moms covered for us gracefully, as promised.) By the we arrived on Wednesday night, Baba seemed to have rallied, and and though SHE was ready to go, her body wasn't quite.
So, although the trip turned out differently than expected (I brought funeral clothes but didn't wear them), it was wonderful to be there with the family, especially once my sister arrived on Monday - we had some memorable visits. We also enjoyed a magnificent turkey* dinner grâce à mon oncle Michael, which we had at the hospice with some of the patients and staff.
If I could, I'd have stayed till the end, but because we can't tell when that will be, I came home.
Although she mostly slept or was often too dazed to be really conscious, we had many moments with Baba where she was with us completely - listening, helping to pick hymns for her "celebration of life", still joking around. It's so frustrating - you're pleased that she's not dead, but you know she wants to be and you can't stay forever while her body holds on.
Apparently, Baba has declined dramatically since Wednesday. I stopped in to say good-bye to her at 7 AM before my flight back, but she was sleeping. However, she told mom later that she knew I was there. Mom's been calling with 12 hour updates. I called at noon today and Baba and I exchanged more "good-bye, I love yous" (Baba in her barely audible whisper). Maybe I'll get to do it again tomorrow.
I know it's not the same as losing a parent (or someone taken too soon), but still... it's Baba. I'm so lucky to be experiencing this so late in my life -- it means I've been blessed with a grandmother who I could know (and begin to understand and appreciate) as an adult.
My family is awesome. They find just the right amount of humour in everything - so it's emotional, but not crushing. My sister can get Baba a-giggling, even on her deathbed. Everyone is sticking together, and really appreciating that we have this time together, since we're normally spread out across the country.
For now, we are back at home, looking forward to a very quiet weekend of doing NOTHING, except maybe lying on the couch. Oh! Oh! And a hair cut. TONIGHT. I'm a month overdue. I had to cancel last week due to Baba. I'm so very excited. The little things keep you going. ;-)
* Next time I cook a turkey -- which I keep typing as "turnkey" btw -- I'm going to brine it overnight before roasting. Michael did this (his first time trying it, too), with simply magnificent results. I've never eaten tenderer turkey. His stuffing kicked ass too, and he didn't even put it in the bird. And that was just one highlight of bunking for 6 nights with a chef. The ribs need a post of their own!
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