Knitting

As some of you know, after a long gap, I started knitting again. Just scarves so far. They are easy, no counting rows. Over the past 1 1/2 years, I have knitted over 60; many were knit during my father-in-laws illness when my husband and I would have sit and wait for doctors and others. Simply knitting is a good way to pass the time especially when you are not at home.
Yesterday, I attended a knitters workshop . I could not believe how many people were there and how far they had travelled. Some had come from Washington, D. C and other parts of the eastern United States for the two days. This was an opportunity to attend workshops and buy wool and buy wool they did by the bagful. There was yarn of beautiful colours and textures. Joseph would have appreciated a coat made from these fibres.
In addition to yarn, there were tools- the instructor for my second workshop had bought a set of knitting needles: 10 for $300. I had trouble getting my mind around this. She is a professional knitter in addition to working for bus company dispatching the buses. As well as knitting for knitting designers and having her worked photographed for knitting books and magazines and for sale in specialty stores, she is a speed knitter. She placed second in the world in a recent contest in Minnesota.
After an afternoon with dedicated knitters, I decided that this is not my group. I love knitting but only as a diversion and break from other things that I am doing such as computing which captures my imagination and can keep me occupied much longer than I am willing to admit.
Going to take a break now and knit a few more rows on a scarf that I am knitting.

Giving

After reading books about the lives and ambitions of the Clintons, it was good to read Bill Clinton's book, Giving which focuses on his foundation which he started after leaving the White House and the work that many others at all walks of life are doing. He offers hope that we can all contribute to help make the lives of others better. We can give skills, money or time or combinations of these. It is good read about people who have wealth and do not just flaunt it and use their wealth to lead lives that do not help others despite the fact that the media glorifies them and gives them inappropriate amounts of attention.
I am not under the illusion that Bill Clinton has given all his money to charity and that he has not become wealthy with his speaking engagements and books but he does give some of his time to very worthy causes and helps to make the world a better place. If we could all spend some time doing things. The world would be a much better place.

May flowers

The old saying goes "April Showers bring May flowers", well I don't know where the April showers are but the May flowers are here. Violets are blooming in the garden already and lily of the valley which I have a love hate relationship with because it spreads every where is already poking up. Everything in the garden is well ahead of schedule. Usually, I am lucky if the garden is this far along in May on the long weekend.
My lilies which the squirrels enjoy are also making their presence known. Time for me to start working on my photography and posting some photos.
What a wonderful spring as long as you don't have allergies.

Schmaltz

A few days ago, I commented on a friend's blog that sometimes over 30 years after leaving home I still crave schmaltz. Apparently, I am not the only person who enjoys its flavour. An article in today's National Post has an article about Kosher chicken schmaltz. There are stores that sell schmaltz in a bottle and the article explains how to make chicken schmaltz. I must confess that the schmaltz that I crave would not fit in a kosher diet. Never found it in a bottle at the butcher's. The containers were round tubs much like margarine containers.
Jason Chow who wrote the article mentions that many Jewish stores sell the stuff and Toronto Kosher has as its name suggests, a rabbi-approved version. He incorporated schmaltz into his Matzo Brei, a Jewish frittata made of eggs, matzo and onions. With schmaltz it must be yummy.
Always interesting that what we crave is not part of a fat-free diet. How did we survive?

Goofing Off is good

"The internet is often seen as the nemesis of productivity in the workplace. Bloggers write myriad posts in the hope of someday signing a book deal. Proud parents e-mail pictures of babies outfitted as small animals. MySpace profiles are used to communicate to the world that a favourite book is Ulysses, despite having read only 40 pages seven years ago.
But a new study by a U.K. research group might help boost the Internet's image. It found that taking short breaks to surf the Internet at work might actually beneficial to an employee's productivity."
What a relief that these indulgences are actually positive. I don't have to be concerned about the time that I am spending writing these posts on my blog. Yup, I spent too much time reading the paper this morning and did not have time to post before work. I am now gearing up to get some serious work done before I face my students.
Oh, no just read further, apparently, I need to be careful- "It turns out a little surfing of the internet at work isn't such a bad thing. But some are questioning where to draw the line between a reasonable break and an unnecessary distraction." Guess it is time to get those letter to parents done and need to organize next week's concert.

Good News

In my never ending quest to find new publications in the GTA so that I can publicize the many groups that I am associated we and try to help I discovered a new publication "Good News Toronto". The Publisher, Eva Karpati decided that we read enough about the negative activities of some of the residents of the GTA but rarely about the positive accomplishments and contributions of others. She started Good News Toronto to give voice to those people and their groups that are helping make this a better city.

There are many people who quietly go about their lives making the lives of others better. Hopefully, their efforts will be recognized. Sometimes, people who contribute are very reticent about letting others know what they do.

If you are in the GTA, pick up Good News Toronto and if you know someone who should be recognized write or contact Eva at info@goodnewstoronto.ca and check the website www.goodnewstoronto.ca.

Spring

Spring is definitely here. I spent over two hours in the garden clearing the flower beds and planning what I would put in the few bar spots. Tomatoes are definitely are requirement. Last year was the first time that I was able to plant vegetables in nearly twenty years because we never had a sunny enough spot. After much agonizing over the decision, we had an overgrown cedar hedge removed and now I could plant tomatoes and roses- what a combination. Love fresh tomatoes from the garden. Might even try a heritage tomato this year. Need to get to the nursery and get those seeds planted indoors now and if I have extra plants, they can be given away.

I found a pansy blooming this afternoon and not an icicle pansy which I would have expected. Love these days when I can get out and just dig, prune, fertilize and plan the garden. Feels good to be moving out doors and love the results. The robins were happy digging for worms. Last Sunday, saw a hawk in a neighbours tree, hard to believe that we are almost in the centre of the city.

I also make cards with the photos of the garden. Too early to get the camera out but the daffodils look like they will be ready to reveal their blooms any time.

Amazing what has been hiding under the snow.

Time Well Spent

If time heals all wounds, then we need more of it.
At least, that seems to be the underlying philosophy of the Timeraiser, an event geared toward helping organizations dealing with poverty and crime, hunger and illiteracy, abuse and neglect.
In Canada, the concept was coined five years ago by Toronto Anil Patel, 33 who had the bright idea to raise what charitable organizations need just a much as funds-skilled volunteers.

Patel who founded Timeraiser explains that their events get young people to support the not-for-profits working to solve society's problems.

This year's Timeraiser was at the Distillery's Fermenting Cellar. About 350 people in the 20's and 30's were expected to bid time instead of money for works of art by emerging Canadian artists. The winning bidder would donate volunteer hours to not-for-profit organizations of their choice.

They have 12 months to work up to 150 volunteer hours-the maximum bid. Once completed they take home their art.

This sounds like a wonderful idea. My only question is how do the artists get paid for their work or do they donate their art with the hope that they will gain exposure.

Bassoon

For those of you who have wondered what a bassoon is here is the answer:

Often, when I finish performing with my chamber groups ( I have a trio which has been busy playing for over 9 years and an octet that meets every year from May to September while most of the large ensembles take a break for the summer), audience members comment that they have never seen a bassoon before. I finally realized that unless you are a musician, you would not see the complete bassoon during performance. When watching performances, you see the top half of the bassoon with the reed that the player blows into. Many people do not realize that there is just as much instrument hanging down below. For those of you who can not picture how big this instrument is, I am just over 5 feet tall and when standing can rest my chin on the top of the instrument when it is resting on the floor.

Some of you might ask how I got started playing this large and actually moderately heavy instrument and I do have that story ready for later in the week. It was published in a music journal this past week. In the meantime, I have to get back to practising. Played Brahms Requiem this past weekend and that was challenging but fun- the audience responded with a standing ovation which is always gratifying and an incentive to keep working.

Hope that you have some music to listen to. Will check about some clips to post.

Manatees

One of my favourite animals, the Manatee. This past January, we went to Florida just to see manatees in the wild. The only other time, we saw one was in San Francisco's Golden Gate park aquarium of all places. Since then, I have become a member of the Save the Manatee society.
We went to Crystal River and Homossasa, Florida and spent a couple days exploring different places where the manatees winter trying to stay warm. They look for springs, and other sources of warm water. Apparently, they gather at power plants that generate warm water.
I am always surprised that there are people who do not know what this gentle creature looks like.
One of the days that we spent exploring, we met up with a friend who I have known since 1967, when we met on a band exchange to Boston. We have kept in touch all these years and several times have managed to met and spend some time together. Always amazing how enduring some relationships are and what can bring us together.


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Swimming Pools

This past week, a number of swimmers have gathered in Montreal to compete for a place on the Canada's Olympic swim team and at the same time, the Toronto District School Board is planning to close 23 swimming pools in June and 16 more will close in 2009. Unfortunately, the city, provincial government and school board have not been able to work out an agreement to fund the pools. This is at a time that we are concerned about the fitness levels of young people and people in general. Also, if we have another extremely warm summer pools are a place that many people can visit to cool off. Some of these pools are at schools that are well known for their swim teams. While we want winning athletes to bring glory to Canada, we do not seem to be able to find ways to make sure that they will have the facilities to train, and become the winners that we hope for.
One of my students is part of these Montreal swim trials. I don't know if she placed but it is certainly an honour for her to be able to compete and since she is only 15, there will be other chances for her to participate. Hopefully, there will be the facilities for her to train.
For the rest of us, let us hope that there will places for us to stay fit. Swimming and swim fit are benign ways to stay in condition since they do not stress our aging joints as much as running and other weight bearing activities.

Soup

I know with spring most of us are thinking about salads and asparagus, rhubarb not soup but when I am in a hurry a good hearty soup works. This is a recipe that I love and guests have given it their seal of approval as well. If you have left over vegetables, rice or pasta you can add it and it will just get better. Just made it before I head out to perform the Brahms Requiem with two choirs and orchestra. I will be playing bassoon of course.

Curried Winter Vegetable and Bean Soup

Warm up a frosty winter evening with this low-fat, nutrient-loaded broth. For the beans, a canned or frozen mixture is convenient but any cooked beans can be used (red, white, pinto, Romano, black-eyed peas, chickpeas, etc. )

1 tbs. (15 ml) vegetable oil
1 large onion chopped
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 tsp. (5 ml) minced fresh ginger
1 tbs. (15 ml) curry powder
4 cups (1 L) chicken stock
1/2 cup (125 ml) drained canned tomatoes, crushed
1 each medium carrot and potato, diced
1/2 cup (125 ml) frozen or canned corn kernels
1 cup (250 ml) drained canned or frozen mixed beans
2 tbs. (30 ml) chopped fresh parsley
salt and pepper to taste

In a large heavy saucepan over medium heat, heat oil. Add onion and cook until softened but not browned. Add garlic, ginger and curry powder, cook, stirring for about 2 minutes. Add chicken stock, tomatoes and carrot. Bring to boil, reduce heat, cover and cook until carrot is slightly tender, about 3 minutes. Add potato, corn and beans. Return to boil, reduce heat, cover and simmer for about 15 minutes or until potato is tender. Stir in parsley. Add salt and pepper is needed. Makes 6 servings.

Homemakers December 99

Made December 5, 1999 - excellent, flavourful, hardy

So Many Books so little time

One of the catalogues that I receive regularly has a shirt with the quotation- So Many Books so little time and it reflects how I feel at times. I am sure that one day I will be found surrounded with a mound of books that I was hoping to read. There is always another wonderful book to discover. Recently, I have been reading a great number of mysteries. I have several series that I follow- Rita Mae Brown's series that features two cats, a corgi and horses as well as their human companions in Virginia- the next in the series is coming out this month, I will be getting that. I have followed Sue Grafton from A is for Alibi to T is for Treason. I will be sorry when she finally reaches Z and the series is finished. Alexander McCall Smith's series about the Ladies Detective Agency which takes place in Botswana is a series that deals with life at a much slower pace, days begin with bush tea and a chat. Knitting series have also been added to the mix. I enjoy Maggie Sefton's series of Deadly Yarns which are based on a couple yarn stores in Colorado and after reading the mysteries I would love to visit Colorado. Monica Ferris' Crewel World series takes place in Minnesota and her store is a yarn store catering to all of us who love to work with yarn in all forms. I have read the James Patterson series the Women's Murder Club which is very violent compared to all the other mentioned but I love San Francisco and read them to read about the landmarks that I recognize. I don't think that I will ever be able to keep up with all these books and the others that I want to read but it is fun trying.

An excerpt from a Maggie Sefton mystery.
A Deadly Yarn3rd Knitting Mystery When Kelly and Megan arrive to take a friend to the airport, they find her dead on the apartment floor, apparently from an overdose of sleeping pills...Read

Cash for Manure

Now that I am ready to get out in the garden and be environmentally friendly putting my compost and then manure on the garden, I find out that farmers have finally discovered another good source of cash. "In today's hyper-inflated agricultural economy,even manure is recording record prices. As the cost of what goes into animals has climbed, so too has the value of the material that comes out. "Mr Dick, a agronomist with Agra-Gold Consulting Ltd cites a hog barn in his area as an example. Five years ago, with 2,000 pigs doing their best work over 12 months, the excrement might have fetched less that $10,000 to a local grower interested in soil nutrients. 'This past fall, it was just under $18,000. And if I use spring pricing ...it's closer to $28,000,' says Mr. Dick, who advises grain farmers on applying manure to their crops."
Something that some farmers used to give away has now become valuable. Who would have believed it.
It this is what the price increase will be, I will make sure that I harvest everyone of the tomatoes and peppers that I grow this year. No letting the raccoons get them. With the cost of gas as well, we can certainly expect the cost of food to continue to increase.

Spring

It is official; spring is here. This morning, I finally managed to get into my backyard which had been blocked by a mound of snow up to my waist until today. I still had to walk over some snow but persevered and to my amazement found crocuses blooming. Where are they, you might ask? Well, that is my next project taking digital pictures of these wonders so that we can all share in the blooms. I am so pleased. I will get out into the garden and prune some of last year's growth from a few plants that I could not get too last fall when the snows came early.

Hope that everyone is having the same wonderful weather that we are enjoying here. I am going to walk to the store later just to enjoy the weather. It is a perfect day.

Going to buy some begonias to add to my collection and get them started. Apparently, it is only 6 weeks until the danger of frost passes and I want to be ready. Most of my garden is filled with perennials but I am sure that some of them succumbed to the cold and others are victims of the resident squirrels. I found some suspicious holes in the garden. Time to plan.

Enjoy the arrival of spring!

Chain Letters

Just sent an apology to a friend for breaking the link in a chain letter. I could have sent the message to six friends; the continuation of the chain was supposed to net 36 books for a person if they sent on the letter and their friends sent on their letters and so on. After a short debate, I decided that the next link was very weak and the chain would collapse completely at least on my end. Sad because someone starts these things with good intentions. In this case, no one was going to experience 7 years of bad luck if they did not follow through.

My friends are nice otherwise why would I call them friends but following up on a project like this is not likely. I support all means of communication but some of them have difficulty with one or more of them. I have learned the fine art of checking confirming plans. Once and awhile, I slip up and am reminded about making the extra phone call, e-mail, letter which ever works for that person. Some of you might find this shocking but I have friends who check e-mails every couple weeks or months. I think that they have missed the point of e-mail.

Back to the chain letter, (book project), this was the first snail-mail chain letter that I have received in a long time. I receive e-mail messages regularly but they are easy to deal with by just clicking on the appropriate list in the e-mail box. Not so difficult.

It would have been nice to receive the books and even more interesting would have been seeing where the books came from as the network of letters fanned out across the continent.

Oh well, maybe next time.