SmokeLong Quarterly has announced its Pushcart Nominees and here they are:
Congratulations to these talented writers.
Just finished reading the current issue of Black Warrior Review. Once again, it is a fine collection of fiction, non-fiction, poetry, and art work that does not disappoint. In fact, it inspires.
My favorites in this issue were:
If you haven’t read this journal before, do yourself a favor and subscribe.
One of my all-time favorite blogs–Riley Dog–is nominated in several categories for The 2005 Canadian Blog Awards. Round 1 voting is open from Thursday November 24th – Wednesday November 30th, with results announced on Friday December 2nd, 12pm EST.
I feel a deep sense of shame and bleakness when I read stories like this–Bargain hunters spark trouble at Wal-Marts:
In western Michigan’s Cascade Township, a woman fell as dozens of people rushed into a store for the 5am opening and several stepped on her.
When the rush ended, the woman and a 13-year-old girl suffered minor injuries.
And this–Shopping season off to a wild start:
Police were eventually called to calm unruly shoppers who climbed over a display case and shouted in a desperate effort to get their hands on one of a couple-of-dozen Hewlett-Packard notebook computers — on sale for just $22 off the regular price of $400.
To which I say: GET a fucking grip, people!
Do you have a really important question you need an answer to right away? Madame DeeDee is here to guide you.
The past few days have been a whirlwind! Thank you for stepping through my Thanksgivingaganza with me. Hope that all of the excitement has left you enough energy to shop-til-you-drop today. I was not among those who got up in time to hit the stores at 5AM, but I would like to hear about your bargains if you scored any.
“The Bird” is now “The Soup”, which was on the stove bright and early this morning and now sits cooling with a good healthy sheen of grease on top.
This morning we spotted some hunters out back beyond the hemlocks. They were following the deer trail and were shockingly close to our house. Since we have no posted signs, had a deer walked across our lawn right then, they would have been within their rights in this state to shoot at it. I don’t like that. I am buying posted signs.
Though I am proud of “The Bird” and all that he has accomplished in his short life, most of all I would like to give thanks for the sustenance he gave us, for my family, for my friends, and for this great earth, which continues to amaze me.
Thanks to all. I give you thanks.
We prepared a feast for “The Bird”‘s prodigal return.
Allen Dean worked with great concentration on the mashed potatoes. Even when I assured him they were smooth, he was undaunted.
Or, one might even say, intrepid.
Or even obsessive.
Mary Dreghorn drew “The Bird”‘s bath.
And laid out pies that he might feel welcome.
And in the end, “The Bird” was triumphant, graduating Summa Cum Laude and making us all damn proud. Damn proud, indeed.
We cooked and ate and cooked and ate and “The Bird” contiued to excel.
And the snow kept coming
And Allen got me pumpkin colored tulips.
And the turnips prepared for action.
And it snowed some more.
Whoa. I know that I have left you on tenterhooks–will Thanksgiving come off okay? Will “The Bird” be a success and get into the school of its dreams? Well, worry no more. Thanksgiving was fine. We are, as of this minutes, fat and happy and counting down the minutes until it is okay for us to have a turkey sandwich.
But first, let me give you the morning in pictures:
We woke up to snow. Since this photograph was taken several more inches have fallen. I think we have somewhere between 4-5 inches.
I immediately started work on my turkey prep.
My first cuppa.
College prep for “The Bird.”
“The Bird” ready to go to college. It got into Duke, Allen’s Alma Mater. We are so proud!
There’s lots more to come. Soon my in-laws will arrive with the pies (one blueberry, one pumpkin, and one apple), the squash, and the “special sauce” (this is a family dish and only those who marry into the family know the recipe. I will not be sharing it with you).
Later:
* Gin & Tonics
* Chex mix
* cheese & crackers
Coming tomorrow:
* Turnip (something of an exercise in futility as I am the only one who eats it)
* The Bird!
* Mashed potatoes, starring Allen Dean
* Gravy!
* Turkey sandwiches (leftovers don’t grow fur around here)
On Friday:
* Myfanwy makes soup!
I would argue that no Thanksgiving meal would be complete without a healthy serving of peas and carrots. For the peas, I have frozen baby peas (peas are the only vegetables I eat frozen and that is because a) fresh peas are hard to come by in these parts and b) fresh peas are a pain in the ass). Frozen peas are just fine as far as I am concerned. What are not fine are the peas of my youth–squishy, soggy, gray–canned peas.
The carrots, however, are fresh.
I have already peeled them and then steamed them (I never boil vegetables) and then I added butter and dill. Tomorrow I will nuke them and the peas and Voila! Peas and carrots if you please. Should you want something with a bit more pizzaz, you might try this buttered carrot pudding recipe I found (serves 250).
And now what you’ve all been waiting for, the photos:
The carrots in the steamer, awaiting their fate.
Huzzah! They are cooked and a tablespoon or so of butter is added, along with dill.
When I had a garden, I grew my own dill, but now that I live in the woods, I use this stuff.
myfanwy collins 