Stephanie says

I drink a lot of tea and tisanes, (a non-tea herbal drink). I’ve been amassing recipes, searching for ingredients I can grow in my garden. There are gazillion tisanes besides the standard mint or chamomile drinks. Inspiration struck when I walked past a violet patch, its wonderful fragrance catching my nose and imagination. I take delight in growing or gathering edible foodstuff. I must have been a medicine woman in a past life, gathering roots and berries and making concoctions to soothe a bellyache or ease a sore throat. Or maybe it’s now that I really am on my way to becoming a herbalist. This all fascinates me. I found recipes for violet syrup, jellies, tisane and a LOVE POTION. “In some countries people wear a violet leaf in their shoe for 7 days to find a love and treble that in terms of leaf and days on occasions, depending how desperate they are I suppose. Mixed with lavender flowers, violets are said to be an aphrodisiac, whether in a tisane or just the smell is not clear.” (f...

Have read the first three chapters - and found this book to be uproariously funny. I've been chortling! Claire Dederer's writing sytle is conversational and breezy.

I recently attended a family wedding in Eugene. The entire event was well planned then well executed. And a whole lotta fun! We’d received “save the date” cards months back so Tyler promptly made reservations and scored a great deal, (My daughter is a typically frugal Thompson). We met up at the hotel room, I was staying with her - a new situation sponging off my kid. I like it! Determined not to be late we were the first ones seated. Well, I was determined not be late. Tyler thought I was going overboard. My brother and his family slipped in next to us at the last minute. We’d been watching for them and were happy to have them show as they’re always fun, often entertainment in their own right. A collective jaw-drop when the mother of the bride, my cousin Cathy, was escorted down the aisle. She was absolutely stunning, wearing a lovely dress, her hair upswept. She’s been kick-boxing and it’s certainly paid off. Jees, I hope I look that good when I’m her age. In nine months time. The br...

perfume wafting by of sweet violets abloom teases me with spring

Last year - but my violets are blooming profusely now!

I’ve been on a low-carb diet for about six months. I’ve followed it faithfully but haven’t experienced any great weight loss although I have lost inches. I figured I lose at a slower rate than most. While chomping away on sugar-free gum this morning I had what some would consider an “ahah” moment. I however consider it a “duh, you dumb ass” moment. The carbs in the gum you ask? Yes. Peering through my spectacles at the miniscule print I discovered each piece has 2 grams of carbs. I often mock “Big Gulp” guzzlers, waddling by, drink in hand. Lo and behold, those diet soda drinkers are getting less than 1 carb gram per drink. Less than in one stick of my favorite gum. Damn, my judgmental-ness has doubled back and bit me on the ass. Here’s the math: I chew about a box a day, 15 pieces @ 2 each = 30 absolutely empty carbs a day. And I thought I was limiting my carbs to 50 a day… Hmm, go figure.

I watched “The Social Network” last night. Then I watched it again this morning. Most movies only merit one viewing for me so this is high marks indeed. The first rowing scene especially caught my attention. The river was remarkably calm in the early morning, water smooth as glass, the sound of the rowers’ oars slapping against the water a rhythmic drum beat. I love to be out on the water. I’ve always wanted to crew. (I knew a woman who did although I never liked her; something about the shape of her nostrils irritated me. I hated how great her arms looked. Oh sure, that was envy. Her biggest crime was dating my friend when I didn’t want to share him… But I digress.) Back to the water, just imagining the river smell in my nose, and the peace of rowing on a quiet river, feeling the heat of muscles working in my arms is an intoxicating fantasy. I imagine watching the sky change color as the morning sun moves across the horizon, foliage of passing trees coming into verdant fo...