Archive for July, 2009

Photo Credit:  gmonster25

Hurry, Hurry, Hurry

Last Memorial Day weekend my husband picked me up at the airport after a great visit with extended family. Once we cleared the airport we decided to settle in and talk about the trip. We were both tired beyond measure and catching up on all the family news when there in our rear view mirror was the ever dreaded traffic cop light going off to tell us pull over. As the officer approached the truck he said, “you realize what weekend it is?” and of course my husband made our excuses and ponied up his license and registration for a 11 mile over the speed limit ticket.

Since then we have been trying to go the speed limit. And you know it is not that easy! No one goes the speed limit anymore. And we can be going down the road and there on your tail as if out of nowhere is one lone car right about a foot from our back bumper. No other cars in sight just this one lone car hugging the back bumper. And, why didn’t the person pass? And in the history of tailgating did it ever make someone speed up? And where the heck is everyone going like there is no tomorrow? And is this in fact an alien that just dropped down from space to hover closely behind you? As I was relating this to a friend of mine a young woman entered the room only to hear us discussing traffic and right away she says, “Man, people drive so slow!” We both looked at each other as I said “oops, that’s me!” as this young woman was coming to work and still trying to orient it was important to get slow drivers out of the way.

So I was musing about how each person sees driving from their point of view. We sit inside this window covered module thinking we are alone in the universe with our thoughts and cares of the day as we cruise down the road either kids in the back, troubles on our mind or radio blasting away. Many people are not leaving themselves time to get from point A to point B, thereby in a major preoccupied rush. Since I have been going the speed limit I have been passed (with various hand gestures that are not of a friendly nature, need I say more? ), I have been tailgated so many times I have lost count. Not once since May has the driver behind me slowed down to stay with the flow of traffic. This is a very interesting observation Which, I might add has led me to another thought about the rush we are in.

When did everything become in a hurry, hurry, hurry mode. I do it, you do it, heck we all do it! No use trying to point fingers about that right? Leading me to my last thought about it. How does the law protect me from those who push me to speed? The officer pulled us over and yes, it is true we were speeding according to the sign posted. However, why doesn’t the law protect people who try to be law abiding drivers from the peer pressure drivers? Well it has certainly been food for thought for me about driving. Bottom line is I can’t drive the speed limit. The other drivers around me will not allow it! Okay enough, enough of that high horse today I say! Driving is serious business. It is such a huge part in our daily lives. But this was an interesting concept. Paradigm shift on an old concern and so it will be here till we are all riding bicycles. Hey! Move over Lance Armstrong this“tour de urban” biker has arrived! Where’s my yellow jersey when I need it!

Serve with a salad:

“Tweedle’s Quiche”

8 slices bacon (ham, steak, any meat or seafood of choice), crisply cooked, crumbled (1/2 cup)
1 cup shredded Swiss cheese
1/3 cup chopped green onion
4 large eggs
2 cups whipping cream or half-and-half
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon pepper
1/8 teaspoon ground red pepper (cayenne)

1. I use a store bought, already prepared pie dough. I unroll this into a 9″ pie pan or square dish.
2. Sautee chopped green onion until golden brown
3. Carefully line pastry with a double thickness of foil, gently pressing foil to bottom and side of pastry. Let foil extend over edge to prevent excessive browning. Bake 10 minutes. Carefully remove foil and bake 2 to 4 minutes longer or until pastry just begins to brown and has become set. If crust bubbles, gently push bubbles down with back of spoon.
4. Reduce oven temperature to 325°F. In medium bowl, beat eggs slightly; beat in bacon, cheese and onion and remaining filling ingredients. Pour into pie pan.
5. Bake 45 to 50 minutes or until knife inserted in center comes out clean. Let stand 10 minutes before serving.

Also, great served cold with a nice glass of medium dry white wine. John prefers his warm with a coke.

Man it is hot out there! It feels like summer came on fast and is staying a very long time. I was watching the The Weather Channel this morning as they were talking about how hot it is in Texas (I am not in Texas). In Austin they have a place called Barton Springs that stays naturally cool. I saw Austinites flocking there to get a cool dip during the plus 100 degree days. When did Austin become the new Arizona overnight! Hot and dry and well, hot and dry. Of course for me it is hot and humid, ugh!

The “Dog Days of Summer” have set in, haven’t they? I don’t know about you but when this time of year rolls around I get the blahs. No wonder we love summer vacations! So I thought, hmmm, what are some things to stimulate interests again as the Dog Star travels over the northern hemisphere until about mid-September? So the first thing I did was go get a haircut today. Nothing like a clean new haircut to set things straight, I was feeling unkempt so this was the perfect choice. Next I am onto facial, manicure and pedicure. After all these glorious things are done time for a good book.

Mid July through Labor Day are “in-between” days. I just can’t get really started on something, I feel stalemated. Not like the holidays or a new season that carries with it a certain excitement. So I took some time off work and school and decided to what I call “Spiritual Housecleaning” based on a read that Kathryn L Robyn wrote. It is about how women clean their environment; home, office, yard or vehicle, as they process their changes and growths within. Men just don’t get it, it isn’t about a clean house, and it is about processing as you go. I can’t think of a better time to do this than right now in this “Dog Days” stage with weeks of it still ahead.

And it is so working. I am processing a lot. As I go around cleaning, collecting household items for the second hand store, collecting in piles for “giveaways”, and basically reorganizing I am finding that it is unclogging my brain. I am carrying around a pen and pad and writing ideas down as I clean. And the Flow is beginning to take place. I love being in a flow. It is like a connection to my inner self. We all know about it, it is that space when we are hitting on all pistons and the creativity is at an all time high. And so between the spiritual housecleaning unclogging things and the flow kicking in this week I see the light. Yes! Summer can be dealt with!

So wherever the dogs days of summer have you stuck may I recommend a haircut, a good spiritual housecleaning or something that get you in the flow! And if you are already in a flow, that is so great!