feeling the constraint of circumstances
If we examine every stage of our lives, we find that from our first breath to our last we are under the constraint of circumstances. And yet we still possess the greatest of all freedoms, the power of developing our innermost selves in harmony with the moral order of the universe, and so winning peace of heart whatever obstacles we meet.
Johann Wolfgang von Goethe
When I'm not so busy, I have time to think. Thinking isn't good for me, so I'm trying to stay busy. I even washed the kitchen floor and made menus for the rest of the week. I shopped for all the groceries (though I'm sure I've forgotten things) and am going to make cookies.
The mornings are still kind of cool here but I think I'm going to do the Great Wardrobe Switch this week. That will take about two days. I'm looking forward to re-discovering my warm weather clothing.
K is doing a month long stint, editing, in town which is also good because he needs to stay even busier than I do.
The plaster in Youngest's room looks great - that's another project I need to tackle. The whole room needs to be painted and I'm starting with the ceiling. While I'm in there I think I'd better hem his curtains. We got them a year ago and they are still unfinished.
Youngest's room is going to be the guest quarters for Bloghere '08 and the painting is on the top of the list of projects to complete by then.
It would be an excellent time to sign a contract or to simply celebrate the finalization of a plan you've been working on for a long time.
K's Susan Miller horoscope
Gratuitous shot of extraordinary Guinness Brownies:
Baked cod and roasted potatoes.
This recipe used to be a favorite of mine. My family tolerated it. This last time it was just awful. It will never grace our table again.
Finally, there is another piece of string near my house. It is at least half a mile long and it makes my neck itch. If anyone wants it I will roll it up...
Johann Wolfgang von Goethe
When I'm not so busy, I have time to think. Thinking isn't good for me, so I'm trying to stay busy. I even washed the kitchen floor and made menus for the rest of the week. I shopped for all the groceries (though I'm sure I've forgotten things) and am going to make cookies.
The mornings are still kind of cool here but I think I'm going to do the Great Wardrobe Switch this week. That will take about two days. I'm looking forward to re-discovering my warm weather clothing.
K is doing a month long stint, editing, in town which is also good because he needs to stay even busier than I do.
The plaster in Youngest's room looks great - that's another project I need to tackle. The whole room needs to be painted and I'm starting with the ceiling. While I'm in there I think I'd better hem his curtains. We got them a year ago and they are still unfinished.
Youngest's room is going to be the guest quarters for Bloghere '08 and the painting is on the top of the list of projects to complete by then.
It would be an excellent time to sign a contract or to simply celebrate the finalization of a plan you've been working on for a long time.
K's Susan Miller horoscope
Gratuitous shot of extraordinary Guinness Brownies:
Baked cod and roasted potatoes.
This recipe used to be a favorite of mine. My family tolerated it. This last time it was just awful. It will never grace our table again.
Finally, there is another piece of string near my house. It is at least half a mile long and it makes my neck itch. If anyone wants it I will roll it up...
Comments
And keeping busy will be tougher when you are old. You should develop an alternate distraction like tequila.
p.s. candle lit - of course.
Stay away from that string. You don't know where it's been...
The string. The string. The string. I think you need to gather it just to have it picked up and in its place. Plus it'll preclude thinking while you're rolling it up.
Why do we need to keep busy in order to not think? And why is thinking so bad for us?
I then comforted myself with chocolate mint cookies. Then the evening got better...
"I didn't know fish could taste like this." And he wasn't smiling when he said it.
The string may have belonged to cousin Sonia. Ivan collected it, it was one of the reasons she loved him.
It's Amanda Hesser's: throw the cod in a pan, heat oven to 375 ish, slide about 8 bay leaves under the fish - more if you want - season with olive oil, salt and pepper, and cook for 7-8 minutes per inch or until it's as cooked as you like it. I love it. I serve with Nigel Slater's squidgy potatoes...
Here's to not thinking - chin chin.
Guinness brownies. Huh. I was planning to bring brownies to the first meeting of the county finance committee next week (I'm on the county board! And the finance committee! w00t!), and -- if I can score some Guinness between now and then -- I shall make those to bring.