Back to the Dome--Wild Veggies

growing on the side of the driveway

They pop up out of nowhere. These bright green nettles, with their hairy chemistry, burn, burn, burn. So don’t brush up against them! You’ll be sorry if you do.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stinging_nettle

There’s only one way to get back at their February proliferation and their poison. Cook ’em!

Before you tackle that job, you have to pick them without getting burned. That calls for gloves; but if you don't have gloves, get your fingers underneath the plant to grab it at the root. It pulls up easily and you’ll avoid those pain filled stems.

grasp the root where there are no painful hairs

Wash the nettles; you don’t want to eat soil, do you? Toss them in a colander blasting a stream of water over them. Soaking them like spinach also works well. If you don't want to eat those fibrous stalks, cut the leaves off or use just the tops of the nettle plant.

cut leaves off leaving the stalks for a mulch pile

You can find lots of recipes online. Here's one website that includes a tea I can't wait to try:

http://www.mariquita.com/recipes/nettles.html

I’m lucky enough to have an old cookbook with a recipe for Young Nettles and Potato Puree by Anton Mosimann. The taste is superb; so are the health benefits.

From Cuisine Naturelle by Anton Mosimann, Maitre Chef des Cuisine of the Dorchester Hotel, London

 

A Poem for Kids

    Subdued

I don’t know me; it’s plain as day

the childish dreams have gone away.

I thought, you see, I’d never lie;

and then I did, because of Kai.

I felt as if I’d always share,

till Joey B. asked for my pear.

I knew, of course, I was the best,

till teacher said I flunked the test.

I even swore I’d love them all,

but Stacy made me feel so small.

It’s true, you know, I’d never hurt

a soul; but then there’s Heidi Gert.

I don’t know me; I’ll chance to say,

it’s quite all right, it’s best that way.

The four week plan for the astronomy page

 

1.Let’s start with the moon.

2.The lineup—planets

3.What’s up? The constellations

4.Charles Messier

The Moon

Are you looking for an alien planet? There’s one hanging outside over your head. The Romans called it Luna and swore the orb with its various phases affected people in an evil way. People so affected were called Lunatics.

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Luna most often refers to:

• The Latin name for the Moon, Earth's only natural satellite
• Luna, the Roman incarnation of Selene, a goddess and the personified Moon in Greek mythology
• Luna (name), a given name and surname (includes a list of people and characters with the name Luna)

The Moon ideal to observe. Since it revolves and rotates at the same rate, only one side faces us. Seeing the backside of the Moon is possible through space travel, but for the backyard astronomer, only one face of the Moon is familiar. Call it the Man in the Moon, the great Maria (seas) created it. To get the names of these dry oceans you'll need a map of the moon. Good maps name not only the Maria, but also the individual craters, mountain chains, canyons and valleys. Much  like Earth's, they have been given earthy names. Mountains called Montes Apenninus cross the Mare Imbrium at whose edge rests the 58 km crater named Eratosthenes. The crater Plato nestled in the Alpes at the top edge of the Moon is a favorite because it is dark and large enough to see without binoculars. Yet binoculars will show details you won’t want to miss.

http://www.lunarrepublic.com/atlas/

You will find Plato in Sector A-2 of this map; the cleft of the “alpine valley” is also visible.

Want to walk on the moon? Go to http://www.google.com/moon/

This google map will get you hiking around places the astronauts visited. But don't get stuck at your computer. Go out and really look.

With or without binoculars, the best place to start your first observing experience is the moon. It’s big, it’s bright, and it has many nooks and crannies to visit. Take note—the full moon can disappoint if you want to see details, like how deep a crater is, or how rugged the mountain ranges are. For that, you must look along the terminator.

OK, so what’s a terminator? No, we aren’t talking about Arnold Schwarzenegger. The terminator is the shadow line between dark and light. As the earth’s shadow moves across the moon you can see each crater in stark relief from night to night, and even watch them fill up with the shadow.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RRZUCUkz8H0

PS don't forget sunglasses. That moon will fry your eyes if you are looking through a telescope.

The Presentation

This story is a fictional rewrite of the Gospel of Luke 2:22-40. It is appropriate since today is Candlemass day, or the feast of the Presentation of Jesus in the temple.

http://www.fisheaters.com/customstimeafterepiphany3.html

Anna

“Everything’s so dark these days,” said Anna.

Her spiritual confrere searched her lined old face, “You handle it well.”

“I’ll never give up hope,” she answered. “I know he is coming.”

“Perhaps sooner than you think,” he acknowledged.

“What brought you here today,” she asked? 

The older man cracked a wrinkled smile at her impertinence, “I’m not sure. . .” his voice trailed off.”

A temple priest crossing the square nodded respectfully to Anna, then addressed her mentor, “Greetings Simeon, shalom.” He expressed his need without hesitation, “We could use a little help today.”

“I’ve been retired for years,” answered Simeon.

“Priests don’t retire,” retorted the younger man. “We’re stretched thin.”

Simeon looked at Anna as if she could help him decide. His generosity won out, “And what duty shall I cover?”

“Receiving the children.” The priest turned on his heels and headed up the temple stair certain Simeon would take the job.

Chuckling under her breath Anna said, “Sly fox. He knows you too well. Looks like you’ve been inducted to bless the babies.” She watched Simeon make his way up the temple steps and called after him with a chuckle, “If the Hope of Israel shows up, call me.”

Simeon entered the courtyard where families had gathered to wait for a priest. He led a few of them inside where the altar’s candlesticks were lit and acolytes stood by to assist. One by one, Simeon took each child into his arms, and raised it above the altar in offering to God. He blessed the children individually and exhorted their parents to raise their children in holiness.

A second group of families led in by the acolytes stood quietly against the curtained wall awaiting their turn. Simeon noticed one of the young mothers keeping her baby peaceful by letting it suck on her pinkie. He motioned her forward first and held out his arms for the child. Unhesitating, the young mother passed the baby to Simeon.

Instantly, Simeon’s heart jumped to his throat, because he knew that he was holding the Redeemer, the savior of Israel, the One for whom he had waited all his life.

A voice rang out strong and clear; his voice, “Now you dismiss your servant in peace. . .” The words were spontaneous as a vision of the child’s future passed before his mind’s eye. He wasn’t surprised at the dark side of it, for how else does one redeem? The present moment was full of joy. Nothing could overshadow its grace.

He smiled at the little one and pressed it close to his heart not wanting to let go. As he returned the infant to its mother, he remembered his promise. He bent down to the acolyte and whispered urgently, “Go quickly; Call Anna!” 

  

All our children were brought to the Church as infants to receive the priestly blessing. Like Jesus, they too were offered to God.  

Kanon, cont'd--How to Write a Memoir

 

When Composer Ara Sevanian called me to ask, “Will you write my biography?” I had no idea how to produce another person’s memoir. However, I took on the task because Ara Sevanian gave the world music that bridges eastern and western classical music constructions. He deserves a hearing.  

My UCLA teachers assured me it was a great honor that a world class musician had made the request but warned, “First book takes ten years.” I must agree.

Here are things I learned while producing, “Kanon, the Life of Composer Ara Sevanian.”

1.     Read other memoirs, in my case, of musicians. (Hours and hours of reading).

2.     If you aren’t qualified, get help from someone who is. (Thank you, Dr. Cole)

3.     A good title might be the first that comes up. (By the last chapter, I was sure.)

4.     Interviews must be transcribed and organized. (Hours and hours of work).

5.     Outline, outline, outline! It’s essential. (I hate outlining).

6.     Find your voice. (I employed two voices; his and mine)

7.     Check source for accuracy, even on memoirs. (Hours and hours of research.)

8.     Check text for accuracy. (Edit, edit, edit; employ a qualified editor).

9.     Share manuscript with friends. (They correct your thought process).

10.  Prepare to spend money. (Recorder, computer, paper, ink, gasoline, trips . . .)

11.   Send proposals to mainstream publishers. (Hours and hours writing queries).

12.   Ignore rejections; they aren’t a reflection on your ability. (Never give up).

13.  If necessary, self-publish. (Many great authors have self-published).

And so I spent more money to create my own publishing company, pay for book production including cover art, and organize book signings. Ten years running, I still send queries to editors and agents. Although the book has self-published under Shareage Press, I still believe in mainstream publishers. They have the audience and the knowhow. Sadly, my next title should be The Death of a Composer.