ZOOMING 05-11-20

The Book Group I have belonged to for about 40 years had a meeting on ZOOM today.  It was fun to see everyone and hear what they have been reading.  We ran out of time before we got into what else we have been doing, but we plan to meet more frequently in the future.  Who could have known in 1978 or so how our world would be changed by electronic developments.  Meetings online might have been in someone's plans, but none of us even had a computer back then.  I don't usually remember my dreams, but one horrifying one that reoccurs is that everything electronic stops working - all over the world.  Fortunately, I wake up before all the dystopian disaster begins.

Anyway we were to read any book by Alexander McCall Smith and I read a small book of short stories "Chance Developments" which is about all of his writing I can handle.  He is a very popular author, just not one of mine!  

I'm still sewing LIttle Houses. Is anyone that reads this blog doing those?  Just curious.  

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A KoKo Day 05-10-20

Since the Virus took over our world KoKo and I spend a lot more time together.  He still sleeps about 70% of the day, or more, but is becoming accustomed to having me available to play or pet or walk just any old time.  If some people thought he was spoiled before - look at him now!!

He brings toys when the mood strikes him, usually Froggy, but he has a large pile of toys to choose from.  This is an 8" high hedgehog that he can barely pick up far enough to carry it to deposit it on my lap.  He loses interest quickly. .  

At any opportunity he will dig used tissues or napkins from the trash can.  I usually have it sitting up on a chair or stool, but sometimes I forget and when I am not looking.....

In his chair taking a nap with Froggy.  He sleeps on or under Froggy or curled up next to him, or sometimes clasps him between his front paws.  They really are pals.  

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Mask making 05-09-20

The mask making will be going on for quite some time, I think.  I have only made a few and have received a lovely one from a friend, but I need to make at least a few more so that I have at least one clean one every day.  To clean them I put them in a bowl in the sink and pour boiling water from my electric tea kettle.  Letting them soak for a few minutes, while stirring, then I pour out the water and let the masks cool enough to handle, then I squeeze them and roll them in a clean towel to get out most of the water before hanging them on a skirt hanger to let them dry in the kitchen.   Those with filter material inside take longer to dry.  

I came across this video about the materials and methods used by one quilt shop in Washington state and find it very helpful in deciding what materials to use.  I favor the "halter" type of ties using soft rolls of cut T-shirt material.  But if I could acquire it I would use the 1/8th" elastic since the halter type does not hang from the ears.  Works good for glasses and hearing aids.  

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N4r8nwFdUxY

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Friday Food 05-08-20

Last fall I became acquainted with neighbors in the cul de sac across the street when they asked if they could hire me to drive their two young boys to school a couple mornings a week.   No, they couldn't hire me, but I would do it for free.  Such nice boys, fourth grade and kindergarten, and very well behaved.  It was a pleasure and gave me somewhat of a focus in my weeks.  Since I wouldn't take pay the mother, Mariam, decided she would feed me.  They are Indian from India, although Elvis, the father, was born and raised in the US, and their diet is mostly Indian.  Rather an exploration for me as I have only occasionally eaten at Indian restaurants. 

Even though school is canceled and I no longer get to drive the boys, Mariam and Elvis still share dinner with me once a week or so.  They both cook and I don't know who does what, but I am willing to try just about anything.  I told them right away that I can't eat really hot spicy food, as my aged stomach just can't tolerate it.  So, mostly the spice is mild, but once in a while there is something so hot I cannot eat it.  If I do I am in agony for several days.  I don't know the names of most of the dishes, even though they tell me I can't remember and would need to write each one down.  I do know Biryani, which is, so far, my favorite dish.  

This was dinner earlier this week. 

Clockwise from left: fried fish (maybe cod), the veggie stew they eat a lot, a green bean dish with nice spices, but not hot, and the steamed rice that is different than Basmati or Jasmine.  

The chunks of fish had a light coat of breading and paprika.

I meant to ask Mariam about this veggie.  It is like very skinny green beans cut into 1/4" rounds, but there are many other additions.  I liked it a lot.  Mariam told me that the beans and other greens come from their yard or Elvis' parents garden in Torrance.  

We have a bit of an international neighborhood.  Indian, Japanese, Chinese, Brazilian, Mexican, German, and I don't know what else.  My ancestery is mostly northern European, but I am so far removed I am just common American.  

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Thursday Treasures 05-07-20

Another "treasure" I keep because I just can't part with it.  This was a gift from my great aunt Effie Brown when I was in Home Ec class in high school.  And all the spools are wooden spools from over the last almost 70 years.  I'm sure the thread is tired and brittle and I will never use it.  But this makes a nice sentimental decoration in my sewing room. 

Most of these are Star or Coats and Clark, which were the common brands back then.  Cheapest was 10 cents a spool. 

It stands up like an easel to make the selection oh-so-much easier!

This is the back.  Not really crooked, just the angle I took the picture. 

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Big Moon and another mask 05-06-20

Tonight is the Flower Moon, ostensively the last "big moon" until April 2021,  It looks brighter to me, if not bigger, and really lights up the sky.  Since our weather is so hot we wait until the temperature drops below 80F to go for our evening walk and it is quite dark out by then.  Tonight it was 81F at 8:50pm and we headed out.  Not a breath of a breeze - HOT,  But the moon was up, low in the east, so we had a good look. My cell phone camera is not adequate for night pictures, but you get the idea, I'm sure.  

               

                                             

                                                                                                                                             

Here it is caught in the branches of a coral tree that is just setting the red blossoms. 

Earlier today I spotted this bush wearing a mask to protect it from the Virus.  It made me laugh.  The residents at this house have a nice sense of humor and do funny things for various holidays. 

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Plants and KoKo 05-05-20

Before we drove onto the freeway last Tuesday I needed a latte to keep me going in the hours ahead, but there was no Starbuck's handy, so I did a drive-thru at Coffee Bean and Tea Leaf.  The back of the building where one orders is drab and plain, so I wasn't expecting to see a garden on the walls in front.  

Here is KoKo with the rows of succulents growing in "gutters" on the wall above his head. 

This is looking up out the car window (which you can just see a bit of at upper right) at a lovely variety of succulents.  I wasn't so impressed with the coffee, but the plantings were amazing!

I have seen this sort of thing in restaurants and on the walls of restaurant patios, but never outside.  I wonder how long it has been there and what the maintenance requirements are. 

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