Woke up to the sun and birds again this morning. My feet were cold! It is still cool enough at night to open the windows--and not too humid yet. If it would stay like this, I could make it through the summer, but it is only mid-May after all.

The clear liquid is lard in the making. The remnants are for Cameron.

Yesterday's cooking project was making lard. I have lots of fat that needs to be cooked down. I did one batch yesterday. It's not really hard, but I think I overcooked it. My "lard" is brown, I think maybe it burned, even though it was on the lowest setting. There are chunks of cooked fat left that look delicious but taste like...chunks of cooked fat. The dog will get them for treats. I will try another batch today, hopefully I will do better with it and turn it off sooner.

I marinated some more garbanzo beans and we made another salad to take to potluck--the one we had Monday night with cheese and carrots that we liked so much.

It tastes better than it looks.

My Dad came for breakfast. I cooked up some more of the "proto-bacon" and made fried eggs for all of us. I am trying to use it before it goes bad.

We did some work in the garden--him more than me. Ray went off to work. I had the last of the leftover ziti for lunch. When my Dad went home, I packed up my things and put away the chickens and drove into town as well.

First, I went by the post office and mailed a couple things. Then I went to the bank to close Molli's account. Lo and behold, when the "personal banker" looked me up in the computer, she offered me a waiver (they are going to start charging $10/month for anyone who doesn't have a minimum--I think it's $1000--or at least $500 direct deposited). I told them the situation and she assured me there would be no fees, because I have been a customer for a long time--20 years, I think. So, I didn't close it. But, as I left, I was thinking that I am really opposed to having my money somewhere that keeps poor people (anyone who can't afford to keep $1000 sitting around or doesn't have steady income that  can be direct deposited) for having a checking account. So I should really take my money out anyway. That took longer than I thought, so I didn't have much time at the grocery store. I got some things, but not everything, and I was late for my writing workshop.

I walked in as quietly as I could because they were doing their meditation, that they always start with. I got to read right away, because I didn't have time last week (or the week before). Always a pleasure to have a supportive audience. One of the most common responses is that people want to know what happens next, a good sign, I think. There is never any negative criticism in this group, which is good for two reasons. One, I am really bad at taking criticism. Two, it keeps me going. But I do need some objectivity as well, and some feedback as far as what to do more of and what to do less. Should I include more description or does it slow down the action? Should I try to write for young adults or make it more sophisticated? I also enjoyed Deb's writing in response to a "prompt" about her mother's closet, which was a way to learn more about her mother, who died several years ago.

After that class, I met Ray and we drove home. We finished the salad--I cut up the carrots and cheese, he washed some more lettuce--and we drove to potluck to eat and sing.

At home we watched a little TV and went to bed. It took me a little while to get to sleep. It was a little warm, but I just seemed to have too much energy.