I Like Ike

My friend Sue Eichler, who I've known since at least Jr. High, made the trek west from the big city for a visit last weekend. It's been awhile! We got in lots of trouble during high school/summer softball days, and we pretty much picked up where we left off. Some of us got together for a friend's mom's memorial service (not the best of circumstances, but what can you do?), so Ike spent the day with us Saturday and went back Sunday. Note, in the photo above is the grade school (now senior apartments) she and some of my other friends attended (I was in the "new school" across town), and the infamous sledding hill. We used to build jumps that launched us out into the road...until some poor kid jumped without a lookout and got hit by a car.

I remember the very first time I ever went sledding there; I was probably 6 or 7 (or maybe 16, hard to remember), and it took much whining and badgering before Odie had reluctantly acquiesced to let me tag along. But once I stood at the top of the hill with my little flying saucer clutched to my pink snowsuit, I was too terrified to go down. Hey, it's a BIG hill! At that age, the slope looked SO HUGE. Odie, who had a reputation to uphold that did not include a wimpy kid sister, finally got me to go down (though the first time I think I started from the middle of the hill -- baby steps). I believe he was also responsible for my jumping off a high dive in pre school (!), riding a bike without training wheels, wading through the "red tide" in Florida, slalom water skiing, going down the big kids' water slide at Bang's Lake, jumping off the garage roof and beating up more than a few boys in the 'hood. I used to think it was brotherly love. Now I'm beginning to wonder.

But I digress...

Here's the childhood home, back when life was simple.



The subsequent night out with Sue, Amy and Deanna at Rosie's. Not pictured are significant others who were likely either bored stiff or horrified by the stories of truancy, debauchery and a little bit of the Three Stooges (I am reminded, again, of the game in which the batter managed to get an in-the-park home run on a weak single because Ike took a cutoff, turned, and threw the ball as hard as she could ... right into a wooden light pole. The resounding THUNK was priceless, drowned out only by the entire infield laughing so hard we could not stand up as the runner merrily rounded the bases. Ah ... memories.).

We were not being naughty. This is a reenactment of a team photo for the yearbook in which Deanna had surreptitiously flipped the bird. It was pointing down -- so it was veeeerry subtle.

Looking Good...I Guess

Legousia speculum-veneris

So when the gynecologist tells you, "Everything looks good!" should you say thank you, or just kind of let it go? I’m never sure. I opted for "Uh…OK." I am now a believer, though, in snagging that first appointment of the morning. I was in and out in under a half hour (and so was she, heh heh.) And I scored some free samples that are supposed to be better than Advil. I’m not sure I’ll ever not hate that whole experience though. Who the fuck invented stirrups? Could that exam technique be any more demeaning?

In other lady parts news, I also went for the annual boob scrunch, a.k.a. mammogram, where I scored a new supply of Mammo Wipes (handy on bike rides and any other time you need a refreshing moist towelette for mammaries and other parts – body or mechanical) and yet another glowing assessment. The tech was having a good day, apparently, or maybe my boobs were just extra cooperative, because she was all, "You can come in and have me do your mammogram ANY time – these films are just PERFECT!" She went on to exclaim that these were the kinds of films the hospital would send off for accreditation. Again, do you say "thank you" or just let it go? I opted for, "Well, I guess I’ll take fame where I can get it." But I don’t want to say too much more about it all lest I jinx it – haven’t gotten the results back on that yet. I can't help but fret. The Pap (I refuse to say "smear." Oops, damnit, I just did. Again, who came up with THAT name?), however, was all good.

As if all that touching wasn’t enough, I start physical therapy tomorrow for my shoulder, which appears to have developed some sort of "impingement." I think that's the term they use when they don’t know what else to call it.

"It hurts when I do this."
"Ah…must be an impingement."

We'll see. My guy (a former stellar source from my fitness column days) says he can get it on the road to recovery in three to four weeks. I think I can live with that.

One last anatomical anecdote: there was a college rep giving out free brains today by the cafeteria. Little stress ball brains. I had fun telling people, "Hey look! Free brains in the Commons – you should go get one!" Actually, it didn’t get as many laughs as I thought it would.

Flurry of Crumbs and What Not

OK, how did I miss the fact that THIS weekend we're supposed to set our clocks ahead? Had I not been rudely eavesdropping in the cafeteria today, I would have missed the whole thing -- and wondered why everyone was in a different time zone than I was.

Anyway... days are getting longer, temps are rising just a smidge, and I cannot WAIT for spring. However, when hot days are upon us, that will mean no more bread baking for awhile (except for the crockpot variety). That small loss in my routine is kind of sad, so I've been a bit of baking maniac lately. I'm going to try making smaller loaves that I can vacuum seal in food saver bags for the summer. These loaves here, however, are not small, but they have since been classified as tasty. I made some more rosemary bread, dried cherry and walnut bread and also tried a modified rye bread that I was quite pleased with. I was trying to replicate the flavor of the Latvian rye bread by adding a little cider vinegar and fennel to the dough. Not bad. The test kitchen is still tweaking the recipe though.



Also, here's the second batch of popovers made with the fabulous popover pan of the gods. This time I only filled the cups about half full, and they turned out just as good and more manageable to boot.


I should add that I would not be averse to another good snowfall, because after much comparison shopping and searching, I finally settled on and purchased (after finally finding some in stock) some new cross country skis and boots (also a challenge) with the latest in fancy new bindings. They finally came in just in time for...no snow. I am itching to try them out. I hear there's still snow in WI, so, despite the aversion I do have to wasting gas, I'm seriously considering a road trip. Skis are very hard to take a picture of. Here's a stock photo I stole from Amazon. Aren't they pretty?


In cookbook news, the college library is creating an author display of employees' books, and they asked if they could include my cookbook. I was all "HECK YEAH!" cuz I figure maybe I'll sell a few more. I had to provide a book and a little write-up about why I wrote the book. So this is what I gave them. They liked it.

The Pseudo Gourmet
A Cookbook for Those Who Have No Intention of Ever
Purchasing A Garlic Press
(The Back Story)
By Paula Lauer

Admittedly, about the only thing that qualifies me to write a cookbook is the fact that I appreciate good food, and I love to eat. Hence the title! The impetus for this project was a highly disorganized collection of favorite recipes ranging from old, old family favorites (some written in fountain pen) to scribbled formulas on napkins. I had my own freelance writing business at the time, so I pitched the book idea to a design firm I was working with, figuring they could use the finished product as a holiday gift that both showcased the firm’s talents and provided something fun and memorable for their clients. And I got free graphic design and printing out of the deal. Sweet! I wrote a special flyleaf for the first printing that compared the virtues of good food with good design – quality ingredients, attention to detail, tasteful and simple … or something to that effect! I was also writing a syndicated fitness column for Copley Newspapers, so I was able to plug the book in my column, and those newspapers also ran feature stories about me, which resulted in several thousand additional sales and, believe it or not, requests for “author talks” at local libraries. Eventually, the fame and continual barrage by Paparazzi and the like got to be too much, so I hung up my apron. But copies are still available for a mere $10 – autographs are free!
Visit the Pseudo Gourmet web site for sample recipes, ordering information, and more scintillating description: http://pgourmet.blogspot.com

“Anyone who craves fast yet wholesome food (as opposed to drive-through) that sustains the soul as well as the body will find what they're looking for in these 200-plus recipes, many of which include suggestions for cutting fat and calories. The Pseudo Gourmet makes a great gift for holidays, weddings, birthdays and housewarmings!”
--Publisher’s Note

“It’s the best cookbook ever. Are you coming over for dinner?”
--Paula’s Mom

“I couldn’t put it down! Seriously, I read the whole thing, and it’s a riot. I have yet to cook anything, of course, but I’m actually inspired to try. It’s that good!”
--Jayne in Rockford