Pure by Julianna Baggott
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Some of the details of this world are hard to believe...yet it is still engaging, perhaps because of the "plucky"  teenage heroine. The ruined, post-apocalyptic world has haves and have-nots, but none of them are really happy. Let's try not to let it come to this, OK?


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A day in the Kitchen

I feel good about yesterday, although it had its ups and downs.

Ray left early, as I was beginning to work on the next batch of buns. Amelia arrived from Kevin's before he left. She and I took the dogs for a walk, including Maggie, who is very timid with other dogs. Osa was barking at her and chasing her and she was skulking behind Amelia's legs. Some of the time she was enjoying the wildness, smelling and exploring. She is allowed to stay in the house while the other dogs are shut in the breezeway. She slept most of the morning.

Amelia and I talked a lot about the wedding and the food. She sat at the counter with computer and notebook, while I made the best buns yet, as well as birthday cake for my Dad--the traditional Freeman one, with citron, that most kids don't like. I also made and froze six pie crusts--before lunch!

Actually, lunch didn't really happen. Amelia had to take me into town to get the car from Ray's parking lot and drive to the police station to report the accident. Before we did that, we dropped the truck off at Kevin's (since we were using his car), so he could drive himself over to Kenney Ridge while we were gone--and run intervals.

Julie (the driver of the other car) had agreed to meet me and there she was. We went inside the police station and waited 15 minutes or so for the people ahead of us. We met with Officer Black. Julie has cooperated fully, without being very apologetic. He did not look at the cars or fill out any paperwork, since they were not at the scene. He just gave us a form to fill out that should satisfy the insurance company. He seemed impressed at how well we appeared to get along (calling us "civil"). He thought we must have known each other or been related. She filled out part of the form. I told her I would let her know before I called the insurance company. The policeman seemed to think it would be better for her to just pay for the repairs, to keep her insurance from going up. He thought mine would, too, but I'm pretty sure it won't. She said it was completely up to me.

I was pretty annoyed to have to deal with that, especially right now. I certainly hope Gini is doing okay. I think I will be fine.

Amelia and Ray and I went to EarthFare and bought some things, most importantly the chicken I cooked for dinner last night. My Dad was at the house when we got there, in his nice clothes. I set to work making Coq au Vin--well, first Ray set to work cleaning up the kitchen for me. I froze the morning's rolls. After the coq au vin, I made cauliflower curry and plain rice. That gave Amelia something to eat and the rest of us a vegetable dish. We also frosted the cake and put candles on it--not 86, but 14. Can you figure out why?

Amelia had to run over to Kevin's and Ray had to take a nap, but eventually the 5 of us had a lovely dinner (with Kevin even eating everything on his plate!) The cake was tasty, although some people picked out the raisins. Then we played Hearts until almost 9:30. My Dad was tired, but seemed quite happy. I was very pleased with myself to get all that done. Now, on to today's challenges!

my peach dessert from Sunday

one of the many spiderwebs everywhere this time of year

The saga of the car accident continues. My back hurts a little, but it often does, so it is hard to say if it relates to the car accident. Gini, on the other hand, is very concerned about her back (and mine).

I called the insurance company and they need a police report. I called the police and they need Julie (the other driver) and me to come in together. I called Julie and she called me back several hours later. I am meeting her at the police station at 12:45 today. Not what I want to be doing. Then I have to call to file a claim. Then I have to go to the body shop. And I have to decide whether to try to fit in a visit to the chiropractor or any other health care provider to check out my back.

Aside from that, I got a 93 on my tax midterm. One question was a dumb mistake, copying the wrong number. One question I got wrong because our textbook was wrong and I neglected to fix it when I was told about it. One question I am still not sure I understand. However, in general, I feel pretty good. I need to apply to H&R Block. The rest of the class already has interviews lined up.

Went to the grocery store and picked up some things, like shredded wheat for Hank. Also more flour and sugar for more rolls and pie crusts and cookies.

Made shrimp and chorizo with mashed potatoes and a few garden green beans. Pretty darn tasty.

Worked on my homework. Watched TV. Read. Went to sleep. Woke up at 4:40. Darn it! Amelia texted me. They arrived last night at Kevin's at 11:30. Time to get cracking!

It's been an interesting week

grasshopper on the chicken feed bin--he's a goner soon

Time has been flying by and already it's been October for a week!

 

I have been making "slider buns" for Amelia's party, not something I've made before. I have 47 in the freezer...I have about that many that are too dark and we are eating them. They are pretty tasty. I think they need to be a little smaller. I've been experimenting a bit with the recipe. I need to bake 153 more this week, not as hard as it sounds. For one thing, it is supposed to be cooler. I hate to use the oven when it's already hot in the house. We actually turned the AC on yesterday for a bit. 

We had a great rain in the night, which the garden really appreciated. I have watered several times, trying to convince my plants to produce. My Dad picked some beans the other day. I froze about a cup and we ate some. They have to be trimmed. They have lots of eaten places in them. I saw a huge grasshopper eating them one day, but she got away. It would probably be a lot worse if it weren't for the chickens. I found a scorpion yesterday and they were nearby, so I called them over. They thought it was a tasty treat. I have lots of blossoms on the zucchini, which are still alive, but they are only male blossoms (useless!). Maybe they only put out female blossoms when it's warmer? The cucumbers do have baby fruits; we'll see if they make it. We set out some lettuces that my Dad started indoors, and they look pretty good. The bok choy are mostly eaten, but a few will make it. Broccoli look good--we bought those plants at Cofer. Something ate part of them, but we have dusted with dipel and they are on track to produce in a few more weeks. 

Barney and Joe at sunrise

My tax class is going well. I have gotten 100 on all the computer assessments. I need to apply to work at H&R Block and they will probably hire me. It's depressing because the pay is so low, but at this point, it would be good to be working and hopefully will help my chances of other employment. The midterm is today and I completed the review. All tests and quizzes are open book. The work is challenging, but I like knowing all about the rules. I am sure I can re-file my past three years and get some money back, plus use the skills in the future. 

We had a lovely visit to Fripp Island with our friends Deb and John last weekend. The weather was gorgeous. We did what we always do--go for long walks at sunrise, eat and drink, sit on the beach, play in the surf, play bocce ball, eat and drink--and play cards. The hardest part is the 5-hour drive to and from. I drove both ways, so Ray could work. One other sad thing is I don't body surf any more. It is too risky for my back. 

We went dancing yesterday with Gini and John. It was great to see Natalie again, our dance instructor. They are in a "new" building, over by the Classic Center. It's a renovated warehouse with nice brick walls, etc. I don't think the acoustics are as good...and it's downtown, but it's still nice. We had lunch first, at Square One, a seafood restaurant near there. It was good. I had two Mimosas! And peach custard for dessert. Also shrimp and grits. 

On the way over, I was driving up Lumpkin. A car ahead of me was stopped to turn left, so I stopped. A few seconds later, wham! A car hit us from behind so hard, I could feel it in my neck and head. So, I guess that's what whiplash feels like. We pulled around the corner and they followed us, thank goodness. I didn't really want to get out of the car. The other driver came to us and asked if we were okay. She assured me there was no damage. I asked for her insurance information. She is a student at the university named Julie. We said we would let her know if we had any long-term effects that needed treatment. She said she would hate for us to suffer any pain. She was a little too cheerful, but I didn't see any point in lecturing her and I was too lazy to call the police and wait for them to come. Probably I should have. I did call my insurance company and Ray said you can see damage when you look closely, so I'll have to follow up with them today. I can still feel it, but appreciate that it doesn't seem to have any long-term effects. I am worried about Gini, though, who said she had pain running down her leg. We both took some Tylenol with our Mimosas... 

 

 

all that exercise is exhausting

Still life at the beach

the most work I did all weekend...and it was good!

Bocce on the Beach...some people are serious about it

 

dinner in Augusta on our way home: Bees Knees

salad for Ray

Hanging doors

Roy, Ray, and the Shim Girl...a new rock band?

John and Ray share Death by Chocolate

Home alone.

My Dad is safely arrived in Westport, as well as his grandson-in-law. He is 86 today and still going strong. I am sure they are having a good time and he will be back safely on Tuesday.

The weather here is very nice. We had rain all day yesterday and it is a little overcast today too. But it is pleasantly cool. I have windows open and really love the temperature. I am planning to pick beans tomorrow...and my Meyer lemon is nearly ripe. It is on a plant that M and A gave me a year and a half ago. I have kept it alive, moving it in during the winter and out again this spring. One of the blossoms only developed into a large, healthy-looking fruit, which has slowly ripened.

I applied for a couple more jobs today, but some of the online jobs seem more like scams. I still have 10 or 12 applications pending at the university, but do not hold out much hope.

The thing that interests me most is figuring out what I am going to cook for which meals. Yesterday, I made one of our old favorites: eggplant-tomato casserole and we took it to UUFA for potluck. There was one small serving left for my lunch today. I also finished the green beans in vinaigrette from a few days ago.

Our produce box from vikingproduce.com comes on Thursdays. It is like Christmas, even though I know most of what will be in it the week before. Today: 8 apples, 8 pears, 8 oranges, 4 ears of corn on the cob, 2 heads of cauliflower, 4 big tomatoes, 4 onions, 8 sweet potatoes, and 2 pounds of grapes. All organic, delivered to my door. I get a big kick out of it and I think $62 is reasonable for that amount of food. I plan my meals around using it as soon as possible, plus whatever protein I have on hand or can buy reasonably.

Tonight we will have shrimp from the shrimp man, Trevor. He drives to the coast every month or so and buys lots of shrimp, which he puts in styrofoam coolers. We ask him to take the heads off ours. We buy 10 pounds several times a year and freeze them in small batches of 1/2 - 1 pound. They are very tasty, although not really cheap, about $10/pound. But I know where they come from and what has been done to them.

Cool today, even with the windows closed. Cloudy out, with some light rain. Good for the plants and good for baking.

Ray and I got in an early walk with the dogs before he headed out.

Yesterday, I spent some time on the tax preparation homework and went to a Gerontology gathering. I made oatmeal-raisin cookies. My Dad stopped by to pick up his laundry and gave me a ride in. Otherwise, I would have taken the truck so I didn't have to go in early with Ray and spend all day at the library. I did get a couple new library books.

Cooked a small ribeye I took out of the freezer. Green beans with scallions and herbs and oil and vinegar. Potatoes boiled for a while and then cooked in the pan with the steak. All good. The usual TV shows, then a little reading and slept well.

Ray is headed to the coast with students. Unfortunately, it is supposed to be rainy and cool. He is a little stressed, gathering the ingredients for pancakes and other breakfast items and packing them in the cooler. He needs things for the lesson as well: a folding shovel, flags, a compass...things he has had and can't find. Maybe they are at his office, he can't locate them in the garage. Of course, he needs personal things too: a towel, insect repellent. Finally he tears off in the truck, hopefully with everything he needs. Because there is a home football game tomorrow, he can't park the truck at his office over the weekend. I would happily drive him in, but he will probably get back very late Sunday (11 pm?) and doesn't want me to have to come get him then. He will leave the truck at my Dad's and either take a bus or have someone drop him off there and then drive home.

I take my walk with the dogs. I walk a mile every morning. It is not very hard, especially as the weather is cooling down. I often don't feel like doing it, mostly because I am thinking of other things I need or want to do. But then I think of my Mom, who did this same walk many days, even though it was much harder for her. She thought is was very important for her health. I do it in her memory and so that I may be even healthier at 83 than she was.

Some mornings I do some gardening after the walk, but today is pretty hot and I have somewhere to go, so I don't stay outside. I feed the dogs their breakfast and go in. I have laundry to hang out, that I washed yesterday. Ray usually does it, but it can't wait until Monday! There is a big spider on the clothesline. I keep moving the line and she keeps scurrying out, trying to keep from being crushed by the pulley. I don't want to crush her either, but I don't want her to fall on me or jump in my direction! She's really big! A big insect flies past me. It is a praying mantis and it lands on the side of the house, lime green. They are good, in that they eat lots of insects. This one is injured; I think it is missing a front leg. I'm pretty sure it's the same one I accidentally caught in a window when I was closing it. I heard a crunch and opened it again and it fell to the ground. I'm glad (she?) is still alive and hopefully eating bugs, and maybe laying eggs. It takes a little longer than usual to hang out the clothes, since I am trying not to crush the spider, but I get them all out. It is a warm and sunny day, so they will dry easily.

Then I go upstairs to bathe. Yes, I really take a bath almost every morning. It is an extravagance and I feel a little guilty about using so much water. It is my meditation or therapy...and the water is heated by the sun, so at least I'm not using electricity for that. I don't usually stay in very long, but it is relaxing even for a few minutes, and I think it is good for me.

I dress carefully, choosing khaki pants and and orange shirt--something for Fall. I grab a brown jacket to look professional, but not too formal. I close up the windows and curtains before I leave the house, keeping the cool air in and the sun out. I grab an apple, not really enough for lunch, but better than nothing. I don't have anything to make a sandwich with and don't think I'll have a good way to heat up leftovers for lunch. Besides, I may be able to meet Becky or someone else for lunch.

I close the dogs in and get in the car with my briefcase/pocketbook....