COOPED UP ...

Yesterday's blue skies were most welcomed and beckoning after 3 rainy dismal days. The chickens had been given free range from their coop but they needed feed. Natureman was ready to head out for the local Co-op where they would leave his order on a pallet by the warehouse. I stopped him at the door and suggested we could combine it with a dog walk on our local town's trail right next to the Co-op. So, he waited for me to change to walking clothes as I had been exercising and off we went... 

It was a light jacket day and we did see a handful of others with the same intentions of changing their scenery. The handful of folks we did see were very space conscious either moving onto the grassy areas and cutting their own path. 

I felt for the young mom with 4 boys all under the age of 5. This social distancing must be really tough for young families. These guys really needed to stretch their legs after being 'cooped up'. One dog owner with 2 furry creatures had one off leash who ended not being happy with her decision to approach Balto. Our Balto now after a couple doggie daycare visits thinks every dog must want to play with him. Well, he found out otherwise. It took everything I had to hold him back with his leash. The other owner looked PO'ed but never called her dog back and seriously, my dog wasn't the one off leash. Now who's getting testy?

What also caught my attention were 2 teenaged girls who drove up in separate cars. Did their parents know of this meeting/ did they care?  We passed the girls 20 minutes later as they visited on a bench near the water's edge. It's this naivete that still takes me aback.  This social distancing has to be understood. 

When emails arrive talking about seeing each other in April, I am befuddled. Seriously, this virus is not going to just dissipate because it's inconvenient.  The  La Crosse county so far only has had 18 testing positive but the CoVid19 tests are limited and most folks with some symptoms are sent home for the 2 week household isolation. Until folks start getting really sick and needing to be hospitalized will we begin to know this virus's severity. 

Meanwhile we need to be vigilant limiting interactions and really helping others understand the importance of using our electronic devices to connect us and help us with this cooped up feeling. 

       Oh yea, there's this thing called a phone too ...

 

MONDAY MUSINGS: UNORTHODOX

Unorthodox according to the dictionary means 'contrary to what is usual, traditional, or accepted. By that definition I'd say we are living in pretty unorthodox times, wouldn't you? 

Today's musing is fueled by our isolated in the End of the  Rainbow Valley household watching a new NetFlix movie UNORTHODOX about a young, unhappy woman who lives in an insular ultra orthodox Jewish community. A community where there are traditional rules to live by, where there is no room for individualism. If you are cut off from the modern world then that is the only world you know. There are so many parallels of what our country is facing right now. Power, control and the threat of change...UNORTHODOX (movie trailer)

internet image

At one period in time we all now find ourselves living with a pandemic, bizarre climate issues and an economic crisis to boot. Those in charge of decision making like those elders/ Rabbis in UNORTHODOX don't want to lose control and the U.S.A is a white, male christian dominated society who interrupted their insularism by deciding for economic reasons to go global. Oops. Difficult to go back now...

Those in charge are rightfully panicky trying to regain control. Hence the divisiveness based on gender, class, race, religion and now age. Tightening their reign by making others the enforcers, providing misinformation, covering up for their /others's mistakes. 
Do we have the time to waste trying to figure out the who/whys right now as there will be others to write the history?

Wouldn't it be more helpful for everyone just to do what's right? Just like no amount of mind control can squelch the human spirit forever those male/female/ color/ age/class who have expertise in these different areas need to be able to do their jobs. Couldn't we just let them?

It's Monday, I'm just musing... 

FOTO FRIDAY: NAT'L PET DAY

Our goats are still with our neighbor and we're minus a chicken. The barn cats are no longer in the barn but camped out on the front porch awaiting a weakened resident  (Natureman / me) to let them in the house. Balto is the only pet moving between the inside and outside.

So in honor of National Pet Day FOTO FRIDAY is dedicated to Balto, Blanca and Bebe (r to l). 

Here are the kids greeting a new day.

This is a real screen shot.

                             Here's Bebe insisting on her own  selfie.

Bebe alias barn cat

Come on everyone loves sharing their pet. Send me your pets's pic and they will be included too!

From Minnesota come these two cuddlers part of the Levitt household (R)


and Hershey from the Sadoff household below...

From Arkansas  we've got Ginger's pugs.












Here from Wisconsin with Barb's Louie with Big Bird.



Click here for last week's FOTO FRIDAY.

MUDDY TIMES...

'Spotted green foliage of the daffodil and daylily leaves just emerging .  Spring is always ahead of us in town and since the frost is still coming out of our End of the Rainbow drive, it's still really muddy in spots. So, this week was the perfect week to go to a hard top path for our walks with Balto.


Our first time we didn't see a soul on the Chaseburg Nature Trail that runs along Coon Creek but we did spot our first red wing black bird. The second time we walked the trail we were passed by a young guy running with his lab, 1 woman walking and one arriving as we were almost finished. Yesterday provided the opportunity to take an even less populated trail in nearby Coon Valley. 

Natureman mentioned wanting to bake bread and needing more  flour. A call placed to the Mennonite run Valley Market in Coon Valley let me place the order, pay by phone and have the bag of groceries left on one of  their chairs on their front porch. 'So appreciated for this immune compromised household.

It was a perfect drive up 'n grab the merchandise.  The plan worked like a charm with no one to exchange money with/ run into and no deterrents unto we got to the walking trail with a sign which read " Sidewalk Closed".  We knew the sign was due to last year's flood damage. But as far as we could see, the path looked fine. There was no machinery nor gaping holes in sight so we continued... We could always turn back.

 We crossed the bridge with the creek really moving beneath us. Across the creek a trout fisherman cast his line back into the waters and almost immediately was reeling in a 10 incher.  I yelled across to him if this was his first and he replied, Nope, it was his eighth. He was one happy fisherman.  Even with catch and release until the first Saturday in May he was enjoying the sport and being outside...

The devastation of the flood was so immense the large pavilion was gone and the asphalt mud lined trail showed a lot of work had been done with bobcats to remove the mud. It wasn't until we got to the bridge's underpass were the path was none existent  rocky and not quite dried out. It was passable, just a bit muddy. 

During the flood due to the nearby dam's failure, the water had flowed across this county highway above us. (16+') Homes and a senior living facility had to be evacuated in the middle of the night.  I also will add FEMA's funding has never appeared to fix that dam... There will be issues again this year for sure.

After completing that horseshoe bend we did pass another young guy who walked out of his way to not pass us on the wide walkway. 

The outing was a success with the grocery stop and exercise. We returned home with flour to bake and a clean dog!

I made a new recipe of a grape cake using the new cake flour and that almost new spring form pan and  am anxiously awaiting Natureman's freshly baked challah.

Mark off another day of social distancing as we head to the end of our second week... BTW I liked the cake and it turns out it was a good thing we got out when we did as 3 continuous days of rain are expected...

TIME ON MY HANDS...

Now that exercise is becoming part of our quarantine days, what else can we do with time on our hands? There are all those unfinished projects...

The dining table has been become Craft Central as I've reapproached finishing our youngest two children's fall wedding scrapbooks. If we can't be with the kids at least I can satisfy some of their distances with recreating this special time in our families...

First sidetracked  by completing scrapbook pages of the present , I worked backwards from March and now in October it's time for the wedding in the San Francisco area...

Both boys's wedding photos had been sorted into events and which pages they would don but still needed to pick out papers and design those pages. If I told you this is not a quick process, believe me. 

The last 2 days have just been working on the Tea Ceremony with hopefully today completing that and moving onto the Wedding Ceremony followed by the party and Sunday brunch. Perhaps next Monday it will be completed before heading onto the next wedding.

Meanwhile when it's meal time, the table gets cleared off, piles moved onto chairs, a bit out of sight so we can sit down to eat... You know Natureman has to be a saint to put up with me at these times in the End of the Rainbow Valley... 

MONDAY MUSINGS: WAISTLINES BEWARE

Our social distancing days have put us like many of you on new daily schedules. Our exercise programs were a half an hour away which means an hour of my day spent commuting. I have a confession to make, I don't miss the drive. 


Whereas Mondays and Wednesdays we had to be out of the house by quarter to eight to make it to the Y for  LiveStrong, it was 8:30 for me on Jazzercise days.  It has been a real vacay being able to lounge in the am's even if I'm still up by the crack of dawn. I'm an early riser, what can I say?

Believe me it definitely has taken a conscious effort to reinstate exercise while at home. It means you might even have to get out of your comfy pjs and put on shoes...

The latter part of last week my Jazzercise instructor sent her classes a link to OnDemand for Jazzercise exercise videos to prevent us from withdrawal. It worked and it's been really fun to be able to do the Jazzercise routines at home. Balto (the dog) tends to get underfoot but we 've learned to share the space. I prop my laptop on the dining table and use the carpeted space between it and the couch for Jazzercising.* I can do a different set each day before Natureman is even up. 

So many routines to choose from...

Walks have always been a part of Natureman's day but I tend to be a fair weather friend. This southern raised body feels if the birds fly South for the winter that's a good enough reason for me to stay inside... But since the ice has thawed and the mud has calmed down the 3 of us can be found before late afternoon heading down the road with a mile to the mailbox and back (2mi/day) before I start on dinner.

Our LiveStrong instructors have also sent suggestions and activities of ways for all of us to stay toned. Yesterday we received a challenge from one of our classmates to share how we're keeping fit. At dinner Natureman declared he had done planks. "Really?" I quipped, "How many did you do? ""One," he replied and added, "but I held it really long." We both busted out laughing. The man's becoming a real comedienne.

I do miss the socialization of LiveStrong and coffee time with my Jazzerbuddies but have a feeling Zoom.com  just might give us that visiting opportunity... For right now I'll savor the time with my Natureman. It's a gift social distancing has afforded us.

WAISTLINES beware we're planning to give you a workout come hell / high water. I'm not sure which will come first...

* BTW   OnDemand.Com/ Jazzercise is offering a free trial month. Perfect way to try it out.

FOTO FRIDAY: FOOD PORN , NO WAY!

FOTO FRIDAY FUN finds its self coming out of the kitchen last night. Cutting meat intake is easier when good sounding recipes come across one's way. I love this recipe from ALLRECIPES.com This one was meatless meatballs made with, are you ready?

Mushrooms! 

Even if you don't like mushrooms you won't know their mushrooms by the time you finish. (That's for my brother Marc)

I  doubled the recipe below even though I'm just feeding two.  I figured I could freeze a couple dozen. Follow the video directions for chopping and cooking and you won't be disappointed.

Below is the original recipe for those who want to try making these.

MEATLESS MEATBALLS

1 T olive oil
1 lbs white mushrooms, finely chopped
1 pinch salt
1T butter
1/2 c chopped onion
4 cloves garlic minced
1/2 c  fast cooking oats
1 oz (1/2 c ) parmigiano reggiano cheese
1/2 c bread crumbs
1/4 c flat leaf parsley
2 eggs (divided)
fresh ground black pepper to taste
1 pinch cayenned
1 pinch dried oregano
3c pasta sauce
1 T parmegiano reggiano cheese
1T chopped fresh parsley 

Watch video:MEATLESS MEATBALLS

Heat oil in skillet on med high. 
Add mushrooms to hot oil.
Sprinkle with salt, stir until liquid evaporated.
Stir butter in, reduce heat to med.
Cook until golden brown ~ 5 min.
Stir onion into mushrooms, stir often til onion translucent (5 min)
Remove skillet from heat and stir in mushroom mixture (1 min)
Transfer to mixing bowl.
Mix oats in. 
Gently stir in 1 oz cheese, bread crumbs, 1.4 c parsley and 1 egg.
Season with salt, black pepper, cayenne and oregano.
Mix together with fork until crumbly.
Stir in remaining 1 egg. 
Mixture should hold together when pressed.
Cover bowl with plastic wrap and refrigerate at least 4 hours. 
 (I refrigerated overnight for better flavor)

Preheat oven 450.
Line baking sheet with parchment paper.
Form small meatballs with 2T scoop.
Roll lightly between hands
Arrange meatballs on baking sheet.
Bake until lightly golden brown. (12-15 min)
Bring sauce to boil in lg saucen, reduce heat to low.
Gently stir in meatballs until coated. 
Simmer until cooked (45 min- 1 hr)

Transfer to bowl garnished with cheese and parsley. 
YUM!

TO MASK/NOT TO MASK THAT IS THE QUESTION

We have been socially distancing ourselves earlier than most and now that the first cases of the CoVid19 virus are official in La Crosse County hopefully the population will get it, THIS IS REAL.

Please don't think I'm slacking but I have another day job which is keeping friends informed on Caring Bridge as to what's happening to us in the End of the Rainbow Valley and a little glimpse we get outside of it on 'Infusion' days.

Yep, the infusions will go on as long as health holds up for Natureman and there is staff available to run the clinic.

I got a lecture from my daughter yesterday informing me I was feeding into misinformation. Well, I hope the changed wording on that blog entry helps clarify these are my experiences and opinions shared with both Caringbridge/ Blogspot readership. 

'Our' reality is a scary time as daily news and info changes daily as to what/ what not to do. Besides washing hands/ wearing gloves, do we wear a mask / not when we go in the hospital? We weren't given any suggestions with our appointment reminder. So I made a call beforehand to see if we use a different entrance and whether masks were available.  We were told they would be but they weren't.

There were signs saying beepers were wiped down in between users. Good. I did notice staff at the check in desks wiping down counters, phones,  sign in pads and stylus after each patient. That was a relief as mask wearing Natureman put his hand in his pocket where his hanky is after signing in. He didn't want to wear gloves. 

AND only one patient in the waiting area was wearing a mask... We discovered a staff which was not wearing them. And when asked if staff was required to take their temp when they arrive at work, 
" Nope "was the answer. Is that a wise policy of like 'don't ask, don't tell? ' 

Apparently this department's nurses have only had one member out not feeling well. They are supposed to make their own decision at home if they feel okay.  Understand, their patients are in one of those high at risk groups being immune compromised.  So I just don't get it.

Well, you know where to find us. Back hunkered down in the End of the Rainbow Valley on a Staycay where we have the ease of taking daily walks where we don't run into anybody... masked/ not. San Francisco has banned walking.

Natureman has relegated his mask meanwhile to under the sink with his meds... 

TBT: SPRING OF 2018, HAS SPRING SPRUNG

TBT: Looking back 2 years ago and making comparisons. Nature is a good stress releaser. Has spring sprung?

Snow melted earlier this year. BUT, the mud will just last longer.  Temps seem milder. This is a rainy week and yet we all still need to get out, take a walk  get some exercise and maybe even see a robin?

FOR THE BIRDS

WOMEN, THE WORLD OVER...

"We are all parts of a whole. Our individual actions, conversations, behaviors and mindsets can have an impact on our larger society. Collectively, we can make change happen. Collectively, we can each help to create a gender equal world. We can all choose to be #Each for Equal." internationalwomensday.coms

This year's celebration of International Women's Day was once again held at the University of Wisconsin's Student Unions Bluffs room with light refreshments sponsored by over a dozen local community organizations. Many of the organizations' tables lined the perimeter of the back of the room.

Four women of different nationalities and backgrounds were part of a symposium to address a couple hundred mostly women. These speakers hailed from Kosovo, Myanmar, Pakistan and Poland. They shared tidbits of their upbringing in their native male dominated countries, their work ethic and desire to improve their lot and a cultural difference they encountered here in the States.

Dr. Lema Kabashi, Ph.D. grew up in the war torn country of Kosovo whose population suffers from mental health issues such as PTSD. Dr. Kabashi with the support of her family furthered her studies at an older age in the field of the autistic spectrum. Her future plans include educating Kosovo teachers how to identify, evaluate and work with their autistic students. Her motto " It's never too late to do what you want to do and never give up" rings true in her aspirations to continue bettering herself and helping others. Her cultural comparisons revolved around time. One example was regarding going for coffee. In her country when people meet for coffee, they can make a small expresso last a couple of hours, whereas Americans always seem in a hurry, downing a coffee quickly/ even getting it 'to go' ...

Dr. Wah Wah Htun educated in her home country of Myanmar is in the very male field of Interventional and Structural Cardiology. She felt her chances of entering top tier medical schools here for her residency (even with top scores) was affected by candidate review boards not even knowing where Myanmar was. Dr Htun lives by the Buddhist belief of karma and kindness affecting everything she does. Unlike Americans, one's good deeds will come back to you...

Maira Sarfraz from Pakistan works in financial services. Her education had ended traditionally in Pakistan when she entered an arranged marriage. As a newlywed she followed her husband to to the States for his studies. A tumultuous marriage resulted with her being a victim of mental abuse. The marriage ended in divorce. Returning home to Pakistan was difficult as a divorcee and she wanted to return to the States. She did, stayed with relatives here for a while but knew she needed to be on her own. With limited funds because it cost so much for her immigrant papers, she lived on a slice of bread and ketchup for her 3 meals/day for 6 months. Determined, Ms Sarfraz found a job in the banking field and experienced success even recently receiving a promotion. She believes in working for equal pay, women being in leadership roles and justice for women. Her new confidence has helped her find her voice...

Ania Meier, the last speaker's home was western Poland in a dysfunctional family with a mentally unstable father and a mother who thought an orphanage would raise her better. Fate had her meet her best friend, an American with whom she became engaged to be able return with him to the States. With time this union has provided her with an education and a loving, extended family. Ms. Meir received a masters in Environmental and Cultural Studies and is a UW-L's associate in Philosophy.  She's an advocate for equal pay, to treat immigrants with respect and dignity, protecting everyone's freedom. 

The four international women's sharing demonstrated no matter where/how women are raised, they share the same plights the world over as today's modern women. Raising awareness is the only way to realize as Ms Meir stated: "People have to talk to each other to get to know each other." Amen.

MONDAY MUSING: SHARING/NOT

The idea of sharing MUSINGS was fostered by my pink nose toting buddy Sue. Her daily 'Musings' used to enlighten my FB early mornings and I'm glad something sparked her to write again as she and I unfortunately find our 2 households in a similar situation... 

Actually we all find ourselves needing to understand and implement what is called 'social distancing.' Something crucial to the survival of not only our 2 households where we fit two of the most susceptible populations to the coronavirus of being autoimmune and elderly.

The thing is we all have the potential to jeopardize lives... 

It was a no brainer for Irv and me to agree last Friday to impose staying home, to socially distant ourselves. Continuing Jazzercise and the Y's LiveStrong programs would be out of the question. We informed our instructors and classmates. The LiveStrong program actually also came to the same conclusion hours later and has since cancelled... 

We spent the entire weekend at home, will miss a family bris. Those laborious homemade pastries of strudel and rugelach I made just will have to be frozen... We wouldn't want to take a chance of contacting/sharing germs...

Yet, there will be times which necessitate leaving the End of the Rainbow Valley like infusion days. In fact, one is scheduled for tomorrow so we will have to carefully join the outside world again briefly. Just when we discovered the chemo meds's progress, it could could all be all for naught if/when either of us gets this virus...

This deadly virus's threat has now forced public spaces like libraries, schools, theaters, sports arenas, etc... to close in addition to mandated meeting cancellations of 50 /more people. The virus's spread must be slowed down. 

What we all have to spread is the word to social distance ourselves, to be considerate of others. 

Remember for all our safety:

Wash hands with soap ad nauseum.
Keep hands off face.
Stay put, limiting outings. If shopping is a dire necessity, include shopping for others 
Stockpiling's not the answer. It's selfish and those who really need products,will be without.
Seek help for flu symptoms. Visit drive throughs for kit testing... 
Check on the elderly and the infirmed...

No way about pandemics, they don't choose between sexes, class / race with or without pink noses. We are all susceptible just some more than others... 

Virtually hugs to dear buddy Sue and all you humans...

• 
  Sue sharing pink noses...

FOTO FRIDAY: FIESTA FUN

FOTO FRIDAY is of last weekend's 60's flower child from Bert and Judy's 80th birthday party at the Waterfront with her date








minus the jacket and flower headband over to UW-L's Student Union The Bluffs for LASO's (Latin American Student Organization) FIESTA celebration...





We can go into more detail next week but suffice it to say we took advantage of the photo booth and our 'Prom' picture. 

                                     Still young at heart...

TBT: DRESS UP TIME

Some kids never grow up AND I confess, I am one of those  concerning 'dressing up'. Not as in putting on fancy clothes but creating a costume. I love the challenge of using whatever is around at home to create that outfit.

This past weekend since my buddies Judy and Bert were celebrating beginning their eighth decade with a party, I thought it would be fun for the Jazzergals to dress in different decades as attendees at the event. 

Can you believe not everybody was game? Some of us did follow through and here we are in our regalia. 

 We gave Judy and Bert a good chuckle and that's all that matters.

 We can always wear fancy clothes at other occasions, right?We had a great time Twisting and Shouting...

It was a terrific celebration with 110 of their closest friends.

INT'L WOMENS DAY ACTIVITIES CONTINUED...

Last Friday night our local co-op La Crosse People's Food Co-op featured their women owned vendors and some of their products.

Pearl Street Brewery Tami  Latchever
 owner/marketing& sales director 

Remember the Virginia Slims ad of "You've Come a Long Way Baby?"   

Well, besides eliminating that diminutive of BABY, we still have a ways to go but we're going...


Donations and drink proceeds for the evening went to our local YWCA whose mission is to empower women and erase racism.   


There was a table of sampling products. For example: a bruschetta made with garlic toasted bread rounds with a sheep cheese olive tapenade, topped with chopped tomatoes, onions and microgreens.  We also sampled a cranberry goat cheese ball from nearby Eau Claire goats, and salsa and rye bread, etc...All from different female owned businesses.

Unfortunately unlike last year there wasn't a panel to tell us about these female entrepreneurs: their struggles, business dreams come true / hopes for the future but there was a wall of photos and blurbs about these ambitious hardworking women.  

I think you'll enjoy learning about knowing about some of our female farmers/businesswomen who represent similar women  living in your communities/ area. Be sure to seek them out and patronize their business endeavors. 

  

Jackie Hoch

Family owners like the Trempeleau Bakery who have owned the bakery for 10 years. Sister Corrie drives delivery. harmony the older sister works the early shift making the dough and prepping for  sally, who comes in by 5 am.

Hidden Springs Creamery - Sheep Cheese makers

Businesses who many times help others in the greater community by donating product/ proceeds. 

Kudos to our local co-op for buying local as much as they can and making sure women owned businesses can also thrive...

Thank you to La Crosse People's Food Co-op for keeping the people in your business of providing good healthy food choices...


* Sorry I couldn't remember all the vendors but there was also Tiffany Cade, River Root Farm, B&E Bourbon Flavored Maple Syrup , Marieke Gouda and others...  

MONDAY MUSING: A WEEKEND CELEBRATING

It was big weekend celebrating gender equality...

Below is an overview of our weekend and why we ran out of energy... 

Yes, that extra hour of sunshine at the end of the day was appreciated but it was an early Sunday bedtime for us here in the End of the Rainbow Valley.





On Friday to celebrate International Women's Day La Crosse's People's Food Co-op  offered a sampling of products produced by women run businesses. 








Saturday held 2 events for us.  

First was helping friends celebrate their 80th birthdays. It's obvious with these two,  80 is the new 70.

       We've always known they know how to have a good time...

                  

                         



                           Happy Birthday Bert and Judy!

Then, it was off to the UW-L campus to attend FIESTA where more food and music awaited ...

A 65 degree Sunday lent itself to out of door activities and difficult as it was going back inside for an international panel discussion of gender equality on campus  ...

Don't worry you'll hear more about each activity later this week... 

                                        Have a great week!