Finger Lickin' Good!

For more opportunities to read about New England doings, go here.

Summertime…..4th of July parades, fireworks, picnics, and New England Clambakes. Last weekend Paul and I joined a group of extended family at a good old-fashioned clambake in his hometown.



There were over 750 people (not all relatives!) together for a traditional outing held every August. I took pictures of the ‘bake’ as it’s called for those of you who don’t have a clue as to what I’m talking about.

Here’s a picture of the bake when it's just about ready to be uncovered and served. Usually there’s a Bakemaster in charge. He's helped throughout the day by a couple dozen people. A multi-stage process, everything has to be done right or you've got a very expensive disaster and lots of unhappy people.

What you’re looking at is a concrete pad where early in the day they layed down a layer of round stones. You can dig a pit in the sand if you have the room but this is an established location for clambakes. Over the stones they spread a layer of logs which they burn down until they get the stones red hot so they can be used to radiate heat during the cooking process. At the right time, they pull the logs off and cover the stones with a thick layer of seaweed which was probably brought in that morning and soaked with seawater.

Over the seaweed are layers of wooden baskets filled with the ingredients of the bake: sweet potatoes, white potatoes, peeled onions, bags of seasoned white fish, hot dogs, bock wurst, chourico & linquica (Portuguese-style sausage), stuffing, fresh corn on the cob still in the husks and soft-shell clams or what we call steamers.

Then the entire mound is covered with canvas that has been drenched in sea water to seal in the heat and prevent the canvas from burning. The food is allowed to steam for several hours. It takes an experienced Bakemaster to get all the combinations of food, heat, seaweed & timing just right. For a bake this size you’re talking thousands of dollars worth of food and it’s not something you can stick back in the oven or back on the grill if it’s not quite done.

Here's last weekend's bake being uncovered.

The food is served right from the baskets and we dig in!

As you can see this is 'finger food' and the clean up can get messy........

....so I never travel to a clambake without my trusty Wet Ones.

Adventures in Pompeii---La parte due

Here are additional photos of our visit to Pompeii. It is said that some of the most fascinating clues about the lives of the people of Pompeii can be found in the numerous brothels in the city. If that's true, they must have been a fun crowd, and an apparently wealthy city.

This is a photo of a carving of male genitalia in the street. I guess the implication was This way to the Fun House.

The brothel we toured was a small building with a center hallway. Along the aisle on either side were cubicles or private chambers. Over the doorways of the rooms were frescoes of the women apparently to be found inside plying their trade on the stone couches.

The erotic frescoes that line the interior of the building are quite well preserved and very descriptive. There certainly was not as much room as the frescoes would lead you to believe. The rooms are only about 5 feet wide. As they are lined up one after another I had to wonder about the privacy. Can you imagine the sound bouncing off the stone walls?

Then there was this dude. I'm guessing he was a legend in his own mind.

Pompeii must have been a fun town until that dark day in 79 A.D.

Adventures in Pompeii

When we visited Italy in 2007 I was anxious for Paul to see Pompeii. I had been fascinated by the site during my visit in 2005 and couldn't wait to show him what I found most interesting.

Pompeii is a ruined and partially buried Roman town-city near modern Naples in the Italian region of Campania. Along with Herculaneum, its sister city, Pompeii was destroyed, and its 20,000 citizens and buildings completely buried, during a long catastrophic eruption of the volcano Mount Vesuvius spanning two days in AD 79.

The volcano collapsed roofs and buried Pompeii under 60 feet of ash and pumice, and it was lost for nearly 1,700 years before its accidental rediscovery in 1748. Since then, its excavation has provided an extraordinarily detailed insight into the life of a city at the height of the Roman Empire.

When I visited in '05 we had a tour guide who called himself Mimmo. He conducted the tour in the persona of a slave who was living in Pompeii at the time of the eruption. He wasn't dressed in costume but just took us through the tour with his narration in the first person. Here's Mimmo:

These were some of the slave quarters. When the excavations got to this area they found bodies of slaves still chained to the walls and in some cases they also discovered bodies of noblewomen with them. The theory was that the women had rushed to the slaves to try to free them during the volcano eruption only to be entombed with them.



In the 1700's when the excavations began they found empty pockets in the rubble and determined that they must have been bodies that had decayed over the centuries. They devised a method to fill those pockets with a plaster mixture and dug the mold out after it dried. Below is one of the bodies. The detail was incredible. You could see the straps on the sandals as well as the belt around the victim's waist.




During my first visit, the sight that most took my breath away were the ruts in the cobblestones made by the cart tracks nearly 2,000 years ago!


Here are some more photos of Pompeii.

Highbush Cranberry---August

Not much of a difference in the Highbush Cranberry in the last month. The biggest change is in the fruit seen below. Many of the inferior berries have dropped leaving the best for last.

Take a look to see what the bush looked like in June and July.

There Outghta Be a Law

Here's a pretty close transcript of a telephone call I just received:

HIM: Mrs. S?
ME: Yes
HIM: How are you today?
ME: I've been better.
HIM: Mrs. S, this is Anthony calling from the Reserve Police. The reason for this recorded call today is that the Reserve Police are having a fund raiser........
ME: Hold it, Reserve Police officers where??
HIM: Yonkers, New York
ME: Forget about it! (or fahgedabowd it if you prefer) CLICK!!!

AFTER I hung up, I said They got big balls! Why didn't I say that for the recording?! Just so you know, I live in RHODE ISLAND! Last time I checked a map, Yonkers was in NEW YORK.

Except for being disturbed and having to answer the telephone it was pretty much 'no harm, no foul.' I hung up and they didn't get any of my money. But what about my mother?

A couple times a year I see a check she's written to the North Shore Animal League. North Shore of where??! It's not local. Somebody got this nice old lady on the phone and talked her out of $15 she can't afford to give away. Okay, she's an animal lover (wonder where I get it?) and if she wants to give to some animal rescue league, that's great, but she probably would rather give somewhere local. I don't know where they say they are located when they talk to her and they MAY BE legit, but it's not local and I think that's a scam.

I'm sure when Anthony got my click in his ear he had some choice words about me, too. But what I really wonder is What kind of people do they hire to prey on little old ladies this way?

Image from Google Images

High Speed and High Anxiety

Had my first ambulance ride yesterday. Reluctantly, it's nothing I ever aspired to. I'm okay but more doctors' follow-ups to come.

I had a jam-packed real estate business day and could not afford this little 'vacation.' I am negotiating offers for buyers and sellers, preparing to close on a transaction on Friday, 3 hours of continuing education, clients to show new property to and a dentist appointment, all scheduled yesterday. Whew! Seeing it that way makes me think maybe it was a bit much.

Nevertheless, most never occurred because on my drive back to meet an appraiser at a property, I started feeling very strangely; tingling in my left side, disorientation and THEN my car started acting funny, like a bad tire. On a stretch of highway with no breakdown lane, I pulled off an exit into an area I'm marginally familiar with.

Pulled over, tried to make a phone call and couldn't remember how to use my phone. Not worried yet; decided to test the car, seems okay so I begin to drive. I'm not certain of the best route so I tried to plug my destination into my NAV system. I don't remember how to use it. After trying repeatedly with no success, I just drive. I am certain I was not okay but that's in hindsight. I distinctly remember swerving around a trash barrel on the side of the road. Nothing wrong with the tire, by the way, don't know what that sensation was!

I got back to my office after about a 15-minute drive on many busy roads which is scary to recall. There was another agent and my manager in the office, and I walked in and sat on the steps. They immediately realized something was wrong and asked questions that I couldn't really answer as I was struggling with putting thoughts into words.

They called Paul on his cell, I was able to recall his number somehow. I heard Holly explain it to him, and they decided to call the rescue. I wasn't in total favor but surrendered to the plan as long as I got to go to the hospital of my choice in Providence rather than a local one. Paul told me today he heard me say "I hate you!" to Holly. Oops! Not a good thing to tell your manager. (I was kidding, Hol, you know that, right?)

The next thing I know I heard a siren (did they have to do that?!) and there had to be at least 7 medical personnel peering at me asking questions, etc. They decided I didn't need the closest facility and put me into the ambulance (I walked, so you know) and got strapped in for the ride. Strange experience. They started an IV in my hand (ouch! Only my 3rd in my whole life) and soon I was being wheeled into the ER past all kinds of people. Again, strange experience!

No less than 3 IV's in me (ouch, ouch ouch). Blood pressure is fine; heart rate, respiration, all fine. Pulse oxygen in the ambulance was low. I realized that after watching my asthmatic mother's pulse ox reading but figured it was my nails. So did they, but nobody suggested messing with my fingernails!

The CT scan came back fine and there was lots of conversation about my history of migraine which dates back to 18. Apparently they were trying to rule out a cerebrovascular accident, a stroke. I have noticed over the last 3 years or so (hello Menopause?) that my migraines have been a little different. Much experience with the aura, which is a funny visual disturbance, not always followed by pain. Good! you'd think right? Maybe not. As I laid there in the ER for several hours, I kept going into an aura and out; something that never happened before.

More questions (I sent away the chest x-ray order, what?!?) and finally the attentding ER doc came to check on me. "We don't really know what happened." He suggested a follow up with a neurogologist, no caffeine, start taking an 81 mg. aspirin daily and slow down. Yeah, okay. Paul said I kept saying "I'm really very healthy!" Okay, right. (I was trying to text clients and other agents from the ER).

I'm home. Today tried to catch up on what I lost yesterday. Late this afternoon I answered a cell call from a lender friend of mine that I am sharing a transaction with to hear a very calm question/statement: "You were rushed to the hospital yesterday afternoon and you were emailing me at 6:30 a.m. this morning?!"

Ok, ok, I'll make an appointment with the neurologist......after I make this call.


Image from Google Images

Wordless Wednesday

This little goldfinch comes and visits outside my window by the computer.


The quality isn't very good 'cause I shot the photo through the window.

Cosmo The Wonder Cat

I wonder whatever happened to Cosmo.

The Marmelade Gypsy has a picture of her beautiful orange cat on her banner. I have always wanted an orange cat.

I've had two orange dogs, both Golden Retrievers. My beloved Jessie, gone since 1997 and Rosey, my competition for Paul's attention. Have I told you how Rosey barks and jumps up in the air when Paul hugs me? Sometimes we do it just to piss her off.

Madeleine, our granddaugther, said to me once when she was about 3, Grama your hair's not red, it's orange. Since I have orange hair and an orange dog, I've always thought I should have an orange cat.

And one showed up in our garage about 6 years ago. Paul came in one morning saying 'there's some animal out there making an awful racket.' I went out and from under my car comes this skinny orange tomcat yelling his head off. He looked about 4 months old. Despite being so thin he had the most beautiful coat and gorgeous dark orange eyes. He kept meowing like crazy and running around my legs.

He was so skinny, of course, I fed him. No idea where he had come from; I checked with a few neighbors and no one claimed him. We made a bed in an old cat carrier, and he stayed a couple nights while I tried to figure out what to do. After making calls I found a really nice lady who was running a no-kill cat shelter a couple towns away. Actually in the next state, she wasn't supposed to take out-of-state cats but I prevailed upon her,and we made arrangements for a drop-off.

In the meantime, we got kind of attached to the little guy. He was so affectionate, he purred constantly. Pam and Madeleine came to visit and Madeleine name him Cosmo. It was the perfect name.

Paul said several times keep him. But when Tiggy died I swore off litter boxes and since we live near the woods with the foxes and coyotes (remember what happened to Lucy last fall?) I can't in good conscience have an outdoor cat. So, no, he'd go to the shelter and they'd either find him a home or he'd live there permanently.

So the day came when I took him to the shelter which was in an old store front in a strip mall. I was pleased to see about 15 cats of various ages running around having a great time, no cages in sight. As I passed Cosmo to the lady, I teared up and couldn't speak. I had told her his name was Cosmo, and she promised to keep it. I left knowing he was in good hands.

A few days later she called to give me an update. The shelter quarantines new cats and has them seen by a vet as soon as possible. She told me that Cosmo was pretty sick. They had to worm him three times, and he was still at the vet's office. I checked back in a couple weeks and she said he was doing well, back at the shelter and was the life of the party. He had become the favorite of all the shelter volunteers with a personality like they had never seen.

She also told me that he was scheduled to be adopted by a couple who had two other cats they had rescued and was going home that weekend. And his name was going to remain Cosmo.

So when I saw Jeanie's kitty today I thought I wonder whatever happened to Cosmo?

The photo isn't Cosmo, but it could be!

Sunday Visit with Sookie

Meet Sookie, my friend Carolyn's Boykin Spaniel. She's made of milk chocolate and came in an Easter basket. Just kidding but that's what I think of whenever I see this little girl. This photo is when she was just a pup. She's a big girl now.

Sookie decided she wanted a pet of her own. A toad seemed like a good possibility. So she brought this big, fat one home.

Something just isn't right. This toad doesn't taste too good.

Notice Sookie's foamy mustache. Toad doesn't look like he's feeling too good either. Guess she won't be licking anymore toads!

Dear So and So.....Friday Edition

Dear Toyota Service Department,

When I come in for an oil change, all I want is an oil change. Quit trying to get me to spend hundreds of dollars on unnecessary work. It's a Toyota, after all, and my regular mechanic tells me most of what you want to do is BS.

Seriously close to being a former Toyota owner,
Sandy

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Dear Appliance Manufacturers:

How do you arrange it so that SEVERAL different appliances all seem to crap out at the same time? My refrigerator alternately freezes and warms things, my microwave oven door seems iffy, and last night the dehumidifier started emitting a not-so-pleasant smell. Nothing is more than 13 years old. These are not my first appliances but their predecessors all seemed to last much longer.

Soon to be in-debt homeowner,
Sandy

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Dear Garden Slugs,

Please get OUT of my yard. Weather wise this has been the worst summer in my history and you aren't helping much by making lace out of my broccoli leaves.

Lady with the flashlight coming to pick your ass off my plants,
Sandy

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Dear Lucy,

The next time you see one of those striped black and white cats that waddle, leave it alone! Your little face still stinks and I'm tired of washing your bedding,

The loving mom you've got wrapped around your paw,
Sandy

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Dear Rosey,

Please stop looking so old. It makes me sad to realize you aren't the cute little puppy we brought home from Canada 9 years ago, and you aren't going to be with us forever and ever.

The loving wife of the man you have wrapped around your paw,
Sandy

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Dear Readers,

This is fun! If you want to give it a go, grab the button from my side bar (courtesy of Kat at 3 Bedroom Bungalow) and go!

Sandy

You Don't Say?!

My friend Kaye at The Road Goes Ever On has been one of my absolute favorite bloggers since I joined this bloggy community just a few short months ago. Visiting her blog is one of the high points of my daily routine because I still love to look at her banner as it opens. If you haven't been there, I really suggest a visit, and you'll see what I'm talking about! And, of course, I'm not there just to gaze at her beautiful banner but I often find something to comment on after reading one of her posts.

So imagine my surprise when she left a message in one of her comments on my blog that she had a surprise for me. When I dropped by to visit, there in one of her Thesaurus Thursday posts was an award for me in appreciation of my comments. Take a look:

Isn't it beautiful?! And Kaye wrote:

"This cute award is for beautiful people who practice blogging etiquette by visiting or visiting back, and leaving comments. Their observations are apt and helpful and it's a pleasure to have them comment on your posts..."

I couldn't have said it better. As anyone who owns a blog knows, the comments we receive are very important to us. They often give us inspiration and encouragement. I love writing here and I suppose I would continue even without comments but I'm not certain of that. So now I want to pass this award on to eight of my bloggy friends whose comments I look forward to daily and whose opinions and thoughts are greatly valued. Thank you all for time and energy.

Pam at Pam's Perspective

Tammy at Keep in Touch with Mommakin

Anita at A Woman, a wife, a mom

Debbie at Suburb Sanity

Alex at Please Try Again

Bonnie K at Mama K

KathyB! at The World According to Me

Michele at It's a Dog's Life

Please stop by and check out these very special bloggers and see why I think they are all so terrific.

And thanks, Kaye!!