But with the acreage charred, the air quality is what you would expect when the skies are khaki beige. Not good anywhere in the LA Basin.
May God be with those whose lives are on the line for the sake of people they may not even know.
The trio of Our Lady of Guadalupe™ floribunda roses are loving this heatwave. Amazing how deceptively delicate they appear while bearing the full brunt of late August afternoons in Southern California.
Me- I think this is a great time to be in menopause. How would anyone ever notice a hot flash?
Information was ample and organized. The actual bill- where else to find it- and a 5 page fully annotated synopsis of concerns was available. Two doctors advised the audience of what the bill if implemented as written would mean to their most special interest group- their patients. They expressed the belief that it would be a great injustice.
The problem with H.R. 3200 is that it is not common sense that the client base can be expanded and costs controlled without both foregoing medical breakthroughs and access to these. It is so complicated, that people who have difficulty working their way through the current system- it is wishful thinking to think this will open up choices to them.
This is what Reality TV should be: enthralling and energizing . From the tiny specs I've spied- what passes today for Reality TV- is about as real as Silicone breast implants. As satisfying as processed potato-bit chips pressed with artificial flavoring pressed into a can . With Julia- crepes weren't always perfect- on camera- they got dumped in the trash. Quips, like vegetarians for dinner was not to be an expose on cannibalism- leavened things up.
Hot water and a lathered loofah set me free from the cocoon of dirt and I fluttered to experiment in the kitchen.
Thumbing through the July 2009 Gourmet magazine inspired what to do with a leftover lump of dough from last night's pizza. EVOO was slathered over the egg shaped dough, then rolled to the thickness of a deck of cards. Herb leaves pulled from their stems- parsley, thyme and rosemary- which were madly rolled over and over with the pizza wheel into bits of fragrant bits of green. Into a dry froth of freshly grated Parmegiano Reggiano cheese sprinkled gray sea salt and smashed garlic clove, the topping was tossed together to in turn be tossed onto the waiting slab of dough.
The pizza wheel easily created tape-ruled width ribbons of the dough. These were twisted and allowed to rest on a parchment covered baking sheet while the oven heated to 400 F. Twenty minutes later the fresh bread sticks were GOOD- but when they were cool and crisp- they were even better dipped in Marinara sauce spiked with hot chili pepper flakes.
At home, the the 'Betty Boop' roses thumbed their flowering faces at what it is supposed to be their August siesta. They radiate their smiles through the deciduous trees which are living umbrellas shading them. I am green onion deep into Julie Powell's book Julie and Julia - just deep enough that I am getting past her overtly salty language and on to shear pleasure of food.
Gerry grilled one side until the bottom was crisp- 2 or 3 minutes with the lid closed.
The toasted side is flipped over and brought in to have toppings laid upon it.
Not much sauce. The cases of the Italian sausage marinated in red turned the purple of eggplant. Pepperoni. Black Olive, green onion and red bell pepper. Freshly grated hard mozzarella and slices of fresh were sprinkled with Romano and Parmesan. From the garden, a shredded chiffonade of basil lifted the taste very close to the altitude of heaven.
The pizza is carefully slid back on the grill- the lid is closed until the cheeses are bubbly.
The puppies love it when daddy barbecues- they are allowed to play on the lawn as long as they stay in sight when we see and hear no signs of stalking predators .
Sunset. Time slows as daytime fades to evening. This is the first summer for the 'Renae' tree roses to cascade their pink blossoms as if a living bridal bouquet. Posted in large pots, they frame the view. They will never get so large as to block it.
Peer through the 'Betty Boop' Roses and you will see our oldest son, Trevor. Planting a short tree form rose between two standard bushes- their arms lock together to form a nearly ever-blooming hedge for a mom to take a paparazzi shot of the only oldest son she'll ever have.
Before Jack came on, the Eli Young Band opened. More than a garage band- they are just beginning to break into the big time.
Following Jack, Rodney Atkins made me ashamed to think I ever disdained country music. The evening was perfect. It might have been headlined “hard times and hope” for the respect and love shown the audience- which Rodney closed with the song I want played at my funeral- If You’re Going Through Hell (Before the Devil Even Knows).
A couple bird baths have become plant stands for succulents, or as in this case, to serve as plant stands for orchids. But the pot never quite looked grounded. So off to Roger's Gardens in Corona del Mar for the solution;scoops of tumbled glass in shades of blue and green.
In case any water builds up- a disk of Mosquito Dunk rests under the pot to prevent the spawning of the buzzing biters.
Mosquito Dunks are non-toxic to birds and animals. Ask for them at your favorite hardware, nursery or pet store.
