kim jong-unbelievable?

So, every day there is something in the media about North Korea and the US. Or more appropriately, something about Kim Jong-un and Donald Trump.

It is like a card game that no one really wants to win. Or lose for that matter. Yet, a draw is inconceivable.

After seeing the North Korean leader's name over and over in the news, it almost appears incomplete to me. Then the wheels began turning and I saw possible endings:


Kim Jong-unhinged?

Kim Jong-uncaring?

Kim Jong-unfathomable?

Kim Jong-unmitigated?

Kim Jong-uncompromising?

Kim Jong-unapproachable?

Kim Jong-unforgettable?

Kim Jong-unbelievable?

Kim Jong-unquenchable?

Kim Jong-unrelenting?

Kim Jong-unremitting?

Kim Jong-untroubled?

Kim Jong-unceasing?

Kim Jong-unsettling?

This is the edited list.

However, my mind returns to the concept of an unwanted (ha, more un) card game.

What happens when "Trump" is finally let loose?

blbbl

tibetan prayer flags

For a long time I have wanted to get some Tibetan prayer flags. I have always liked the concept of them, but never managed to follow through.

Well, today, they boy and I had some appointments and we had some time in between. So, we popped in to 3 Trees. It is a store owned by friend of mine whom I used to train Karate with. I actually ran in to her there as well and will be seeing her and a bunch of Karate people next week.

Anyway, I picked some out. A small set, a less small set, and a tiny set. The first two I will string up out back of the house and the tiny one I will take camping. Plus, we got some other little things for ourselves and some gifts for others. So, I think a good karma-type day.

One is supposed to put the flags up on an auspicious astrological date. The best apparently is the Tibetan New Year, Losar. This coming year it begins on Friday 16 February 2018 and concludes on Sunday 18 February 2018. Now, I do not think I can wait that long. One site lists inauspicious dates. It also states Mondays and sunny, windy days, in the morning, are best for non-specifically über-auspicious dates.

This site, gets more complicated and has further instruction. However, from what I can gather from these two sites, the next best dates for me are:

Monday 11 December 2017
Monday 18 December 2017
Monday 08 January 2018
Monday 15 January 2018
Monday  05 February 2018
Monday 12 February 2018
Friday 16 - Sunday 18 February 2018 (Losar)

So, I will be hoping for a sunny and windy morning on those dates and hopefully get the flags up soon. I like the idea of spreading and promoting "peace, compassion, strength, and wisdom." 

As to the tiny ones for camping. I will make a crib sheet to ensure they are not put up on a particularly bad day. However, to me, any time I am out camping, hiking, canoeing, or in the outdoors in general, is pretty auspicious to me. I will seek more information about the propriety of doing this, but it should be all good I would think.

I feel all fuzzy and warm just thinking about it. blbbl

a shameless plug for kids to get outdoors

Someone put me on to a great book: On Trails, by Robert Moor.

While reading the book, which I still am, I came across a passage:

"Naturally, he gravitated to the Boy Scouts, where he learned to hike, canoe, and camp out."

p171, On Trails, Robert Moor writing about Lamar Marshall in his youth, a conservationist and Cherokee trail mapper. It goes on to mention that he built a raft out of 55 gallon drums and sailed it down the Alabama River from Selma, Alabama to the Gulf of Mexico. Over 160 miles via road and about double that on the actual river.

I emailed this to the friend who put me on to the book as she is also a fellow Scouter with our Troop.

Another Scouter wants the Scouts to build rafts and hit the water in Kemptville. How serendipitous. (Is that the right word? Not sure. Maybe coincidental?)

It is very fortuitous, nonetheless. I was having several conversations on the weekend where I mentioned the crux of Scouting is outdoor pursuits and the crux of that is hiking, canoeing, and camping. Then I read that passage. I am not alone in my views! Of course there are other components to Scouting, but this is what most people associate with Scouting. For good reason, many a youngster begins to learn their outdoor skills in Scouting, Guiding, Cadets, or other youth oriented organisations. Often these young people carry on learning (and teaching) as Scouters, Soldiers (Sailors, Marines, and Airman too), Camp Councillors, and the like.

Personally, for me, my time in the Army Cadets and Army Reserve gave me the grounding in skills and confidence to pursue some of the adventures I have had in my life. Hiking up Mt. Fuji (at the wrong time of year and wrong time of day, but the skills and confidence I had saw me through). Taking an ancient tugboat in Russia to a remote camping ground to have a traditional Georgian barbecue and not losing my head when on the return trip the "Captain" and his "Mates" were not in the proper state to return, at night, but to continually assess the situation and keep everyone safe. Being on trails and in the back-country more than once with people who claimed they knew the area and possessed the skills necessary, but did not.

The outdoors makes us happier and healthier. We should encourage our youth to join organisations that help foster the skills and confidence to go out in the wild (safely). At the least, if we have those skills and can pass them on, we should be taking our kids out. For their own good, and ours. Who knows what that can lead too and what they can accomplish?

Food for thought? blbbl

a quick guide to keep from becoming bitter and disillusioned

Do not volunteer for anything, lest you be taken for granted.

Do not "step-up", lest you get knocked down.

Do not speak to anyone, lest you be misheard, taken out of context, or untrue words put in your mouth.

Do not interact with anyone, lest your actions be assumed to be something they are not.

Do not make friends, lest they betray you.

Do not share your thoughts honestly, lest they be criticised or twisted by others. (This, sadly, includes social media and blogging.)



If, such as I, you must do any of this:

Do not sweat it, lest you want to lose sleep, weight, and your sanity.

Do not dwell on it, lest it eat you up inside.

Do not, as my old man used to tell me, worry about what others think about you, just what you think of yourself. (Plus, if need be, they can get bent.)



Barring any of the above:

Do what you like.

Pursue your passions.

Be "happy" with yourself. (*See below about triteness.)

If you must be an ass, do it sober. Waiting to mull over your thoughts is optional.

You can only be yourself. Be the best at it! (Trite, saccharine, and pithy, but oh so very true.*)

Accept everyone for what they are: good, bad, ugly.

Life is a multi-directional cluster of pathways, with switchbacks, dead-ends, feedback loops, shortcuts, and scenic routes. They are meant to be explored and enjoyed, not reviled.

Roll with the punches. It increases bone density!



Last point:

It is what it is. Suck it up buttercup.  blbbl

ottawa, canada - the city that never wakes up

So, every subsequent time I need to drive in to Ottawa, I hate it that much more.

I had boned myself out of an opportunity to pick up some free scrap lumber. It would have been used for campfires and/or kindling wood. A not insignificant amount. It was offered by an old friend from the Shoto-kan Karate dojo we all trained at (he, the wife, I, and many others).

This fellow is a very conscientious person. Even though he was tight for space, he kept the scrap lumber and contacted me earlier this week and asked if I still wanted it. Of course. This past morning was the earliest that I could come by to get it. He accommodated my schedule. The catch though, he lives in Ottawa. Not a major hustle and bustle part, but still in the city.

Well, nothing is free, is it? The price was the drive in to Ottawa. Fortunately, or un-, I had to run a couple/few errands anyway. Cigars, a few groceries, some gear from a camping store, and a Christmas present. So, pretty fair trade for me in the end.

Or was it really?

I leave this morning and head to the highway. Normally, I take back roads, but the highway route is a better way to get to his place in this case. Not too much of a big deal. At first. I get on, no worries. Everyone around me is pretty much driving solid and not knob-like at all. However, as I get closer to the city, things change. Not that I am surprised. More like: let down again.

As people enter the highway as I get closer to the city, it is like they are in a dream-like state. They appear to not notice any other vehicles on the road. Fortunately, I get off shortly after that.

Ha. The Ottawa drivers are worse on the city streets. Driving so slowly, that one wonders if they are parked, but forgot to engage their parking brakes. Fortunately, that was a short stint. I grab the wood. It filled the whole back of my truck. Woo-hoo!

I set off for errand number two. I thought I was going to get hit head on in the turning lane. Get that done. Next the grocery store. Oh. My. Goodness. I wanted to curl up in a ball. Cut off by people that slowed down. Well below the speed limit and the flow of the rest of the traffic. Twice by the same guy and cut off a bunch of times by many. I make it in one piece to the grocery store. Maybe I should buy my last supper!

I get out of there and crawl down towards the camping store. Ha. Ha. Many, many vehicles parked. Badly. So many more cars could be parked if people actually had their eyes open. I circle the block twice. Ooh. Wait a spot looks like it is opening up. Is it? Not sure? The guy is in the road standing by the door of his SUV with some mocha-frappo-vente-crapulence talking to someone who appears to be stuck in the door of the coffeeshop. No, wait, he is just a bonehead who does not know how to walk, talk, hold coffee, and function in society. Assclown!

Ooh. A spot. For real! I set myself to park, but know I have to pop the curb to do it in one shot. No worries. The truck can handle it. However, the pedestrian with her chai-latte-grande-horsepee stops to look at my attempt. Well, it not that great a feat. Plus... Get the hell out of the way. I cannot park with you balancing on the edge of the sidewalk, where my truck needs to go. Thankfully, she moved on.

I park and walk up to the camping store. Not open for a couple of minutes, so I reply to an email and as I look about me, I swear that everyone was in Snoozeville. The store opened and I went about my business. Most of the staff was made up of young hipsters. However, they were all very helpful and efficient. Very refreshing! I exchanged some ideas for gear with a young lad and he appeared genuinely interested. Off I go to pick up the Christmas present.

Painful. Very painful. It is an excruciating drive. I get to the parking lot and was going to do a pull-through parking job. Then, this bonehead driver who was starting and stopping, does a big loop and pulls in to where I was aiming for. Fine. Bite me! I park over on the fringe. Go pee (in the store's bathroom, not in the parking lot) and get the gift I prepaid for and head back to the highway and home.

What a mistake. The road was blocked by silly rabbits for a few kilometres, then thankfully I broke free and put in on cruise control. Get home, the boy and I unload and stack the lumber scraps. And then we head off to Kemptville to do a food drive with the Scouts and other groups.

What a difference. Everyone driving was aware of their surroundings. The people on the street were vibrant and awake! We whip off our zone in half the planned time and go to the depot. So many people helping. I helped unload vehicles for about an hour or so. I went in to the building and was stunned by the amount of foodgoods donated. And lots of toilet paper, paper towels, dog food! And who knows what else. A bunch of sorting. I had some mini meetings. Then, there was an announcement. So much was donated that they ran out of bins and were shutting down the sorting for the day. There was nowhere to put it. It was going to be left in-situ and then as bins became available over the next few days, the foodbank people will carry on the sorting. Impressed I was!

What a difference between these two burgs. Ottawa, the capital of Canada, most everyone was in a daze, driving, parking, walking, standing. Very sad. Kemptville, 50-odd kilometres down the road, was vibrant, alive, energetic, awake. I wish more of what I needed to do was in K-ville than in this nation's capital of sleepwalkers/drivers. I would be guaranteed to live longer. blbbl

cooking - slow cooker meatballs

Well, whatever minor medical conflagration I went through yesterday, it has completely passed with no detrimental effect. A good thing. Today is opening day of "potluck-season".

With all the Christmas and holiday parties and potlucks likely for many this month, I thought I would share my new fallback for such occasions: meatballs in a slow cooker.

I used to make very elaborate-ish, time consuming dishes: cabbage rolls, pierogi, complex many ingrediented salads, and the like.

Then, one year, I had been extremely busy and did not have time to do the pain-in-the-ass dish I had planned for a potluck. Hell, I did not even have a good portion of the ingredients. Then, it was a small epiphany moment. I had a bunch of ground beef in the freezer. I made meatballs from scratch. Very tasty.

Then, I had another potluck. Out of ground beef in the freezer, I grabbed a couple of boxes of meatballs at the grocers. Then, I thought, but how do I prepare them for this occasion? The last ones were from scratch, pan-fried, and roasted in the oven, blah, blah, blah. It was a minor pain in the ass actually.

The wife looks at me and says something to the effect: You dolt. How many potlucks have you been to where there are meatballs in slow cookers. You have a slow cooker, use it!

Well, duh.

Yet, me being me, I angsted over how to do it. I had a couple of days yet to make it. I researched online like crazy, went through all my cookbooks. (Well, not all. That would have taken more time than I had for sure.) Then I found something online: meatballs, Catalina dressing (from a bottle), and a slow cooker. Voilà. It was awesome.

I had yet another potluck the very next week. No Catalina dressing in the larder, but I had French dressing, I think, and used it. Not as good, but nothing was left in the crock, it was practically wiped clean. Big groups make so-so dishes tastier. It helps that, to be perfectly honest, most people really do not know good food until the have the opportunity to sample from creations by people who actually make something as opposed to buying something pre-done that is filled with way too much salt and sugar.

So, I have used various sauces and such as a base. It is such a small part of the recipe, but key to flavour and moistness. Yet, I find, due to the small quantity needed, I do not make the sauce from scratch. Plus, the whole point is to save time.

This year, I am branching out to the more common. I was in a shop a few weeks back, and there was a guy running through the aisles frantically. He was looking for a bottled sauce that was on sale. He was making meatballs for a dinner as I would soon be as well. The problem, we both were having actually, is that they just rearranged the whole store. It was no longer intuitive to shop in. A tad frustrating. He had given up, he set off to get his other items and then was going to another shop for the sauce.

About a half-minute later, I found the sauces he sought. I turned round and went searching for the fellow. It was the right thing to do frankly and it was no big-beans to me. Plus, I got to find out in the end how he did his meatballs. When I located him and told him I found his quarry, his face lit up. I led him like a shopping mall Sherpa to his Everest. He grabbed a sweet-and-sour and a plum sauce each. He said one was a back up as he may have a second meal to participate in yet.

I asked him how he made it? Easy. Slow cooker, dump a pack of meatballs, dump a jar of sauce, turn on slow cooker, wait a few hours and "Robert is your mother's brother". Wow! I asked about other sauces. Sure, any will do. Well, I grabbed what he grabbed, plus some various garlic ones too. I have three or four potlucks this year.

Fast forward.

I started my meatballs this morning at 7:30 AM. The potluck supper is at 6:30 PM tonight. However, we are running around in between. We will set off for our day out and drop the meatballs at my Club to stay warm and then they will be super juicy when we go to stuff ourselves.

However, me being me, I cannot just dump a jar on a bunch of meatballs. I have coarsely chopped two onions and julienned a dozen cloves of garlic. That is all I am doing except maybe tweaking the seasoning a bit. I may yet add a bit of jerk sauce to give it some zip and make it saucier. That is the key: making it saucy. Do not add loads at the start. Let it cook for a bit. Check on it now and again as you wander through the house. After a couple/few hours, your wet/dry status will stabilise. At that point you will definitely know if you need to add more sauce or not.

I am going to do just that and keep you updated.
.....

Three hours in and coming along nicely.
.....

Gone out and back down the road for a Christmas tree. The sauce level is about perfect, but thin. Added some flour to thicken it. I put a couple of heaping tablespoons in a measuring cup, then cold water, mixed it with a fork, and poured it in and stirred. I will monitor the thickness now and if it gets too thick, the jerk sauce goes in. Standby.
.....

Five hours from the start and she be ready. Perfection. Now, I will package the whole slow cooker and contents in to an insulated bag and we will stop by my Club and set it to warm and hit our annual run-a-round of small town shops and them back to the Club for the potluck.
.....

In the end here is what you do:


Slow Cooker Meatballs

Slow cooker, of course
2-4 lbs (approx. 1-2 kg) meatballs, any kind
1-2 jar/bottle of whatever sauce (cooking, bbq, what-have-you), dressing if you like
[You can even use a can or two of condensed soup: mushroom, chicken, celery, or even tomato.]
1-2 onion, coarsely chopped (optional)
6-12 cloves garlic, julienned (optional)
seasonings, whatever you like, if you like (optional)
other veggies, whatever you like, if you like (optional): peppers, carrots, parsnip, parsley root.....

Let cook for several hours. Check on it occasionally and stir it it around.
Add more sauce if needed after a couple/few hours. It should just cover your balls!
If thin, thicken with a bit of flour or cornstarch (see above in main body of post).
If it thickens too much, add a bit of water or broth.
Cooking time: as long as you want/need, but at least a few hours. It should be just bubbling.
Have a serving spoon, non-slotted (for sauce to hit the plate) or slotted to grab less sauce.

Enjoy!

Se ya later, gator.


blbbl

i'm burnin' up!

Just got up from four hours "sleeping" on the couch.

I am barely awake.

I have a fever, I am sweating, and cold.

I have a huge day tomorrow.

I am going to bed to let it burn out, hopefully.

I guess winter has landed?

First flu/cold/plague of the season.

blbbl