Mommy Tiger

I discovered last Tuesday evening much to my chagrin that there was a tear in my skirt where one of the biases cut pieces attaches; Right over my left butt cheeck. I am guessing it had been there all day, and yes you could tell if you looked. Joy! It is now in the sewing pile and I will fix it tonight.

Have you ever wondered about the word chagrin? Where it comes from? What exactly does it mean? I have for years.

CHAGRIN – a feeling of vexation, marked by disappointment or humiliation   -  French – from about 1650 – chagraigner –sadden from Od French graignier  - grief, vexation – from graim – sorrowful

I have been fussed up over what to hi-light in Artz this week. I came across a painting titled “Death and Taxes”. Which I thought would be appropriate for today; as it is tax day. However, I could find no other pieces of art with that theme. The movie “Meet Joe Black” has a death and taxes theme running through it. Movies are art. That is two days. Is there an Uncle Sam poster out there with him pointing and saying “I want you to pay your taxes?”

My daughter, Shaggy’s, roommate, Pete, in California got into a bit of trouble with his landlord back in November that finally caught up with him a month ago so they were evicted. My daughter being the warrior Princess Child she is of course landed on her feet and found a place to live. Now Pete at the same time lost his boyfriend who is best friends with Shaggy’s boyfriend. Needless to say it has not been an easy few months for Pete. Unfortunately Shaggy and Pete work together so it is strained and uncomfortable. Well on Friday Shaggy lost phone service. She was on a plan with Pete.  Yesterday she received a message via facebook from Pete’s mommy. It said she had terminated the phone service and if there were any problems she would show up to my daughter’s work place and show her how things would be.  Shaggy told me this last night. Yes it sounds threatening to me too.

 I, mommy tiger, as Shaggy calls me, told her to report the message to Team facebook as abuse and a threat. I told her to block them both and not respond or reply to any further contact from them. His mommy???   Really??? 

   Is Pete still in 4^th grade? His mommy is going to come down to the school yard? This mommy tiger just woke up after a sound sleep and am about to sharpen my claws bitch!

 Twitch cow just twitch!!!!

I shall resume my search for tax art.

 Have a lovely, tiger-less day!

Catty Critic

Why when some dogs escape their yard, kennel, confines do they feel the need to head away from home and out into the unknown. Is there no loyalty? They trot or run away from food, water, shelter without a second thought. Is their home life so horrible? Are thy mistreated?  Does it smell better down the road? Are they looking for a girlfriend? Is there someone grilling flesh 6 blocks over?

I was not criticizing your photos. I was suggesting that 217 of one event with a shot every 3 seconds of an entire show were a bit much for your site visitors to take in. I was careful how I said this because I did not want you to perceive it as criticism and yet you did and for the past 3 days you have criticized my photos in a hurtful way.

 I did not comment on the quality, or subject matter, or anything else. I simply said 28 shots of a girl eating in the food court were a bit uninteresting. 14 shots of the entrance gate was extreme 49 shots of two knights at battle was while exciting for me probably not so much for your visitors. I suggested you simply had too many. My shots were ripped apart by you. 

I did not do this or that or those or where was this? Did it occur to you that I could only be in one place at one time and perhaps the shots I took of the said shows were not clean and clear? You yourself said that you often have out of 200 shots 12 that may be good. 

I am curious will you call with again some criticism today? Are you a Leo by chance? If you do not like the bloody photos do not use them! It is not like you paid me for me them. Bloody Hell !!!!

I will be photographing Zombies tomorrow at 8 in the morning. Very excited!!! Cheerleaders, Zombies and muggles will be running through the park. How can I mess up a zombie shot they are supposed to be ugly?

 Maybe this is more my forte. Maybe I can be zombie paparazzi. They would not complain.

Have a glorious weekend. 

Tia Abuela Cocoa

This morning I am drinking Mexican Hot Cocoa. Apparently it is a huge secret as to how it is made or what is actually in it or perhaps it is a matter of taste. Add cayenne or not, milk or milk and water. Melt the chocolate in the boiling liquid or grind it up and then melt it.  The best Cocoa is probably the one that Tia Abuela makes if you have a tia Abuela.

I was doing a bit of research yesterday on a theme for the Artz council page for next week and came across a page that suggested that April is National Welding Month. Uhmmm…???

Today is  Barbershop Quartet Day; having been established by the founding of   Society for the Preservation and Encouragement of Barbershop Quartet Singing in America on 11 April 1938 in Tulsa Oklahoma. There is a lead vocal and a tenor, bass and baritone harmonize with him. This style of music actually originated in barbershops which were like community centers for men. While waiting a man would softly start a song with others joining in to create harmonies. These songs at first were remnants of old spirituals, folk songs and stylizing of then popular tunes. Sweet Adeline, Shine on Harvest Moon to name a couple. 

I still did not come upon an inspiration for Artz for next week. Any ideas?

I just need to say this.... Amen is a very ancient word which translates to “so be it, truly” It is NOT a reference or a nod to Amun.

Lady Tamara is off to the library today!

Gleb Make Omelet?

Is it really necessary to dig up old ‘Prom” photos of celebrities and then make fun of them? I would like to see the old “Prom” photos of the mean spirited writers, creators, and staff of each person who had anything to do with finding, editing, and writing the nasty comments for each photo. Looking back at my “Prom” past I can see now that the best thing I wore was when I was a sophomore and worked the “Prom” dressed like a Raggedy Ann doll. If I could get to my prom photos I would scan them up for you to laugh at.

I had a pink one very like this one for my Senior Prom

My walk this morning was very eventful. I left the house in a damp mist. It was not yet raining. I got about 500 yards and nearly stepped on a snake, glass lizard, something slithery. 

It was larger than worm and moved like a snake. It was only about 8 inches long and thin like a pencil. It startled me and now I am creepered out. I have no idea what it was as it was dark and the only place the high curb flattens out is at my door. Now I have to buy a stiff outside broom and sweep the dead leaves off my porch. I had left them there all winter because they looked nice fluttering around the pumpkins. 

Bother!!! As I turned the corner to continue walking the rain started. I was too far to turn back so I kept on taking the first road back to my door. My head was wet as were the bottom of my pants. I also slipped on the curb stepping down into the street. 

Who knew bright red paint was slippery when wet with rain. Glad that adventure is over.

I have settled in with my tea tray which is another adventure from yesterday. I was looking for loose leaf tea. I found some for about $13.00 but I stubbornly refuse to pay that so I kept looking and while standing in line at another store buying coarse grain Mediterranean Sea Salt I saw a box of tea with cardamom, cinnamon and ginger so I bought it. It is Revitalise tea. 

Not what I thought I was getting. It is an herbal green tea with spices, peppermint, orange peel and licorice root. However it is actually a lovely tea for a rainy day and deserves a wonderful Denver omelet which I cannot make because I have no ingredients for that and also I lack omelet skills. Migas I can do because it supposed to look like a mess.

Is anyone else disappointed Gleb is no longer dancing? I was not crazy about his partner, she can go but I wanted him to stay. He is a hottie. I wonder can he make an omelet?

I am off to an adventure with Mother this morning. 

Cumin Coffee

Dear Wanker,

Just because you have to be awake and somewhere by 6:30 does not mean we should all have to get up and greet you and see you good day.  Do not honk your horn to call your passenger. A simple phone call to let them know you are here. Get up out of your car and go get them.

Speaking of cars… you are coming to this location for exercise and female gossip yet in your quest for exercise you park as close as you can get to the building leaving the rest of us with a hike across the parking lot to get to our office. I am not complaining about having to walk the distance at least not yet. I will once that temperature goes above 78.

 But again let me point out; YOU are the one seeking the workout, the exercise, and the soothing endorphin that will arrive shortly after the stress and strain.  You chose this as your place to stretch and increase your heart rate. 

Why park so close to the building? Is exercise only good in a confined designated location? Does it not count anywhere else? Walking your dog is for the dog? It could not also be exercise for you? Walking across the parking might be a good time to warm up, to let your body know it is about to work. Walking back across the parking could signal to your body that you are done time to release the endorphin. 

I had just enough coffee left in the canister for half of a carafe.  I began the preparations.  Water to boiling, scoop the precious remaining coffee into the press and stage my tea tray for coffee. I reach for the cinnamon and sprinkle a bit into the press. 

I have lain out oats and a pan to make some oatmeal and after pouring the boiling water into the press I measure some into the pan, add oats and again grab the cinnamon. Except the jar now says cumin not cinnamon; oh dear! I stop and relocate the cinnamon as I replace it I recall I never moved the spice rack and that means there is cumin in my coffee. I pick it up and take a whiff. 

Yep there is cumin in my coffee. I pour it out and remember I have stashed away two emergency tea bags. Well this dear friend was an emergency; I am now drinking tea and eating oatmeal.

I have discovered that if I sprinkle granola over my oatmeal it gives it a crunchy texture and is easier to eat once it gets a little cooler. Not so mushy and much more filling I will have to make less.

I am still so very sleepy. I was not ready to get up when horn-man arrived; probably why I read the cumin wrong even though I had been around the neighborhood on a mile long walk. Or, it could be because of Dan Brown and the novel I am reading. 

It goes back to the Library today and I want to finish it. Must have been well past midnight when I went to sleep. I did figure out who the villain was about the time the drawer closed.

Lady Tamara must now go stalk Jacky and see what photos he has been taking.

Enjoy!

2013 San Antonio Highland Games

Axes flash, broadsword swing,

Shining amour’s piercing ring

Horses run with polished shield,

Fight Those Bastards till They Yield

Midnight mare and blood red roan,

Fight to Keep this Land Your Own

Sound the horn and call the cry,

How Many of Them Can We Make Die!

The lyrics from Heather Alexander’s song March of Cambreadth tumbled through my head as I watched Viking Invasion commence to battle. 

Swords were swinging, spears were jabbing, shields were pounding men were screaming war cries. The crowds were mesmerized. I was once again in love with the ballet of battle.

The 2013 San Antonio Highland Games were well underway. In the distance the haunting sounds of pipers warming up. 

The deep rumbling voice of the announcer for the Heavy Athletic completion had just finished an event for women and was cajoling with the crowd. 

 Funnel cake aroma mixed with roasting turkey legs. Strollers and wheelchairs jockeyed for positions on the rocky paths.

The day was wonderful; the weather a perfect combination of sun and cloud. It was warm but not hot. Flashpoint 

was just beginning their set and Robin of the hood had made himself comfortable in a tree.  

I sat down to write, to listen and to watch.

Enjoy some of my memories. 

Sugarcane Clamshell

My Guests from Easter went home Monday afternoon.  I had a meeting at the crack of dawn on Tuesday which always throws me off my game. So here it is Wednesday and I have found something fascinating to share with you.  If you are in the food industry you may know about it but this was news to me.

It all started with dinner with Mother on Monday night. She orders us dinner I pick it up and we enjoy an evening together. The dinners were being put into a nice plastic divided container with a lid. Last few weeks they were put into Styrofoam. This week however dinner was put into a Sugarcane container. It looks like the Styrofoam container but is made of sugarcane. They are completely compo-stable and made from rapidly renewable sugarcane fibers. They are hot and cold food friendly, microwave friendly, freezer safe, resists grease and cuts. Is this wild? Who knew?

They are stronger than Styrofoam.

They look and feel like paper. (Really, they do feel like paper)

They are not bleached.

They are subjected to ultraviolet light sterilization to eliminate any contamination.

They can be subjected to 400 degree heat in the oven.

212 degree hot water

-13 degree freezing

Hot oil up to 300 degree

It only takes a couple of months for these containers to decompose and be absorbed into the soil.

The bagasse is what is left is left of sugarcane after the juice is extracted and that is what the containers are made from; fiber pulp from the stalk.

Fascinating!

What will you learn today?