Here we go

I don't really talk politics here. I have many reasons to not do so. Just like I don't talk about religion. Somebody will not take something right and get all upset over it. Sorry April, but we are going to use your post as an example. April has a great sense of humor, I have been reading her for what seems like years. But when it comes to politics, people lose their humor. Go read it, then come back here, I'll wait.

Back? See what I mean. Whether or not you are voting for a certain person, it is a cute post. And really didn't warrant some of those comments.

Now, about me. Some of you know that I was a Ron Paul fan. Unfortunately Ron Paul will not be a choice come November. So what is a gal to do?

I am an Independent, that tends to lean to the left. I am pro-choice, I am pro marijuana (surprise surprise) for medicinal use, I am pro gun, I am for the death penalty. I love freedom of speech, but wish the press would keep their opinions to themselves. I am proud to me an American, even if we smell like hamburgers to the rest of the world. And even though my family are immigrants, I still think we should do something about illegal immigration. I grew up in a Socialist house, and know too much about it to trust it. I am all for freedom of religion, and although I am not religious myself, have no problem with the Pledge of Allegiance in my children's' class rooms. I am anti-big brother, all for welfare reform, and think we have become a nation of whiners. oh come on! You know we have. Just listen to the conversations around you. How many people aren't complaining about something? I think we should drill, and find alternative fuels. And by my State's standards, we are poor.

Now with all that said, you can see why I am an Independent. No single party encompass all that I believe. Either way I vote in November, I will have to forfeit something I believe in. This year I have decided to go a direction I have never gone before. There is no lesser of two evils for me, I made my decision a good time back.

My choice was easy. And no matter how you vote, I still love you all. Our freedom to decide is one thing that makes this country so great.

popcorn

Do you realize how long it takes to clean 3 lbs of popcorn kernel off of the cob? No? Well neither do I, because as I was doing it, I was lost into a deep dark mind numb that is the RNC pre-show. Not in the mood to talk politics today, let's just say that Joe Lieberman and I have a lot in common. I have filled my green glass Ball jar. The one I keep my popcorn in. I guess I will be making a lot of popcorn balls for Christmas.

Popcorn is a great mainstay on the homestead. You can grow a lot in a little space. The stalks grow 1-4 ears on them. It is a wonderful whole grain that helps with energy. It also makes a great animal feed if you plan on growing your own. 1 1/2 rows of the stuff is enough for my family for 1 year. I still have 2 1/2 rows to pick. eek! What to do with all that popcorn? My 6 year old (turns 7 today!) informed me that under no uncertain terms, am I to give popcorn to a mouse. Because If I do that, he'll want to go to the movies. And who wants to go to the movies with a mouse!?! I agreed with him, and told him that rats are much more fun. (Phelan, pet rat keeper)

There are all kinds of things you can do with popcorn, and you don't have to keep it as a snack. We have it with our dinners. You can pour a light pesto sauce over it, or mix it with fresh fruits and berries. Popcorn is a great thing to have on hand when you have a house full of boys. You'd be amazed how quickly their mouths stop emitting noise when full of popcorn.

oh popcorn, so much better then a gag.

Mother Nature, the Original Prankster

I walked out of my house yesterday, the humidity was like walking through a swimming pool. I know it is an adage that people complain about, but in Kansas, it really is the humidity not the heat. I did my morning chores, sweating. After a time, I decided to work inside, it was just too much. Around noon, I went outside to wait for the bus with my youngest son. He started pre-k yesterday. He did good, getting on that bus all by himself, but mommy. . . I had to remind myself that I too was a big girl, and if my 4 year old didn't cry, neither should I. And for the first time in 11 years, I was alone.

Around 3, I went back outside and it was cold! Needed a jacket cold. I went out and harvest my sunflower heads, and started on the popcorn. A neighbor pulled up and we chatted. She informed me that it was in the mid 60's. She was covered in goose bumps. I digress. She was wanting to give me her billy goat. We talked a bit about that, and she said she thought it was a Nubian. I told her to find out for sure, and I would take him.

Back to popcorn picking. I was going along just fine, and then it felt like the back of my finger had been burned by a cigarette. I pulled my had away from the corn stalk, and there was a bead of water siting on it. I wiped it away and suddenly it felt like someone was pulling my finger nail off. I whimpered and dropped what I was doing. I had no idea what was going on. I thought I might have been stung, but there wasn't a mark on me. My finger began to swell, and turned purple. Then a red ring formed around sickly pale flesh. I assumed that the bite or sting was there.

Once into the house I quickly made a baking soda paste and painted my finger with it. My hand was hurting down to my wrist by that time. I hollered at a friend of ours, that is staying with us, and told him what happened. He said it was a caterpillar. My mind went to those large green ones in Florida, that everyone would tell us, would kill us if we touched them. He laughed and said no, you don't have anything like that here. Thank goodness, I really didn't want to break out my husband's how to amputate (insert body part here) books.

The paste dried, I brushed it off, and the stinging isn't as bad today. The swelling is down, and I will be wearing gloves in the garden.

Here's Something I Haven't Told You

It has been said that I am brutally honest. I try to be truthful, but not mean or condescending in anything I say or do. But I haven't been completely out in the open about my personal life beyond homesteading. Yes, you guys know many non-homesteading things about my life, and my medical issues. I threw a hissy fit this morning, and that is way I hadn't posted, until now.

Why the hissy fit? I was starting to sound like Steven King in this morning's blog post. No, not the gory, but the way he will take 2 paragraphs just to tell you that someone was wearing a purple hat, or a bumble bee had entered the scene. I don't like speaking in that way, long descriptive, that's why all my novels are sent back by publishers, their only gritch. . .too short.

But now I have gotten off subject, and rambling about nonsense. My problem stems from having migraines for 30 years. As many of my readers know, I was born with them. It turns out that migraines, over a long period of time, will do the same damage as a good old fashion head injury will in one instant. The side effects have been showing their ugly head for a few years now. I am losing words.

This is devastating for me. I live by the word. Ever since I said my first word, have I loved to tell stories. And now, now I feel like I am stuck in a twilight zone episode, Time enough to read, time enough for me.

Now it might not seem that bad to most people, but when you stare at a dish cloth, knowing full well what it is, unable to find the right word because it is gone, it brings me to tears. I have my good days, and my worst days. And it will not get better, and there are no medications that will help.

I have a rare type of migraine. One that I am suppose to go to the er when I have them for fear of permanent blindness. I do not go to the er. I have had them like I said, for 30 years, without regular visits to the er. These migraines or the ones that cause my "side effects". They will also cause me to have a stroke. There is no question about that one. I will have a stroke, possible die because of it, and my doctor has no idea when. It is not something that can be prevented. I am trying to live life to it's fullest, as I fear I will not be around to see my boys to grow up. But my fears tend to get in the way.

This post is not meant for you to poor Phelan me. I am a big girl now. Potty all by myself. This post is to inform you of what is happening to me. I am sure some have noticed that my posts are not always brilliant, like they should be. ok,ok, not as clear. On my worse days, I still try to write to you, because it helps me and it is a joy to have you guys around. On those days I have to write around the words that I know should be there but are not.

I do hope this makes sense. My words are not failing me, they have disappeared.

This is why the kids love me

8 ounces of ring pasta ("O" shaped) you can make these yourself. A basic flour pasta recipe. As for the shape, I am sure you can buy something to cut them out. My husband has made me a small little machine that will make the rings. Sorry still no camera.

1 can condensed tomato soup or 10 3/4 oz. 1 peck ripe tomatoes (12 1/2 lbs) 4 slices of white onion, 12 sprigs of parsley, 2 bay leaves, 1 tsp peppercorn, 1 tsp celery seed, 1 tsp cloves, 2 TB salt, 1 TB sugar. Wash and halve tomatoes. Place herbs in a piece of cheese cloth, tie and add to the pot of tomatoes, mix in the rest of the seasonings. Bring to a low simmer for 1 hour. Drain through a food mill, into another large pot. can what you won't use for this recipe. You can reduce this recipe without issue. To make the soup (mock) condensed, make a smooth paste of 1 T flour and a little water. Add 1 cup tomato soup slowly and mix well. Cook until thickened.

1 cup (8 ounce can) tomato sauce 1/4 cup olive oil, 6 tomatoes, chopped 3 sliced onions, 2 green bell peppers, sliced, 4 cloves garlic, minced, 3 tablespoons white wine. Place garlic, bell pepper and onions in cheese cloth, tie and add to a sauce pan with tomatoes, stir in all ingredients. Simmer at least 30 minutes, drain through a food mill to make smooth.

dash garlic powder

dash dried oregano

dash dried basil

Cook pasta until tender. Drain well, pat dry. In a saucepan, mix soup, sauce, and seasonings. Simmer gently, stirring often, so not to burn, until it comes to a boil. Remove from heat and add the drained pasta. toss, add more water if needed to the sauce. If canning see below

I do not have the original meatball recipe. But that's ok, I have better meatballs. Use your own recipe, make sure the are small.

Disclaimer time! The USDA says you should not can pasta. But if you are going to do it anyway, I'll tell you how to.

Pack them into the jar, loosely and then add your sauce. Processing takes the same amount of time as your meats do, 75 minutes for pints and 90 minutes for quarts at 10 pounds pressure, unless you live at an altitude more than 1,000 feet; consult your canning manual for directions for increasing your pressure.

Have a great Labor Day! We are off to go apple picking. See you tomorrow.

Gustav

We are waiting for a couple of families from New Orleans. They should be here at the homestead late tonight or early tomorrow morning.

Hope everyone in the path of Gustav is safe.