Well, I obviously didn’t meet the April blogging challenge. Time and chance happen, and did in a big way this month.
Not gonna wallow in excuses or even apologize. It was beyond my control.
And now I’m so far behind in real-world stuff that I’m tossing in the towel on this challenge now. I’ll be back when I can. See you then.
23 Apr
Mama Hen’s Scratchings: T is for Time
15 Apr
Mama Hen’s Scratchings: M is for Movies
Let’s talk about movies since we’re all stuck inside! From the FB post going around now:
Copy, paste, and change your answers. You can’t say the same movie twice.
Favorite movie: Anne of Green Gables; Wild Hearts Can’t Be Broken; The Road Home (Chinese, subtitled)
Movie that makes you remember your childhood: Old Yeller and Rikki Tikki Tavi
Favorite Tom Hanks movie: That he was the star of? Forest Gump. That he acted in? Catch Me if You Can and A League of Their Own. That he produced? Too many to list.
Movie that makes you cry: Martian Child; The Art of Racing in the Rain; Return to Me
Favorite 80’s movie: Back to the Future
Favorite B&W movie: Sergeant York; Adam’s Rib; Arsenic and Old Lace
Favorite comedy: The Jerk; Mrs. Doubtfire
Favorite sports movie: The Natural; Seabiscuit; Jerry Maguire
Favorite courtroom movie: 12 Angry Men; The Winslow Boy
Favorite “teen” movie: The Outsiders
Favorite gangster movie: Public Enemies (I admit I haven’t seen many gangster movies)
Favorite horror movie: The Village; Sixth Sense (Do those count as horror?)
Most overrated movie: Fargo; The Big Lebowski
Movie you can watch over and over: Stepmom; Ever After
Movie with the best soundtrack: Footloose; Lion King; O Brother, Where Art Thou; Dirty Dancing
Movie you’re embarrassed that you love: ? Can’t think of any.
Favorite Halloween movie: The Crucible; any Good Witch movie (Hallmark)
Favorite Christmas movie: Meet Me in St Louis; The Holiday
Favorite sequel: The Bourne Supremacy
Favorite musical movie: Mama Mia!; The Sound of Music; Brigadoon
Favorite war movie: Hacksaw Ridge; Shining Through; 1917
Favorite western: The Hostiles; 3:10 to Yuma (2007 version)
Favorite romantic comedy: The American President; Pretty Woman
Favorite sci-fi: The Martian
Favorite comic book movie: Batman Begins
Best movie you’ve seen recently: Ford v Farrari and Little Women
Today’s post is number 15 in the A-Z challenge.
8 Apr
Mama Hen’s Scratchings: G is for Guest, Edgar
Have You Earned Your Tomorrow
By Edgar Guest
Is anybody happier because you passed his way?
Does anyone remember that you spoke to him today?
This day is almost over, and its toiling time is through;
Is there anyone to utter now a kindly word of you?
Did you give a cheerful greeting to the friend who came along?
Or a churlish sort of “Howdy” and then vanish in the throng?
Were you selfish pure and simple as you rushed along the way,
Or is someone mighty grateful for a deed you did today?
Can you say tonight, in parting with the day that’s slipping fast,
That you helped a single brother of the many that you passed?
Is a single heart rejoicing over what you did or said;
Does a man whose hopes were fading now with courage look ahead?
Did you waste the day, or lose it, was it well or sorely spent?
Did you leave a trail of kindness or a scar of discontent?
As you close your eyes in slumber do you think that God would say,
You have earned one more tomorrow by the work you did today?
This post is part of the A-Z Challenge.
8 Apr
Mama Hen’s Scratchings: E & F = Editing Fiction
A line in the movie Serialized struck me like a snake on a mouse. Three set-up lines first, then the zinger:
Publisher: We don’t pay advances anymore.
Author: Then how is an author supposed to make a living?
Publisher: Most of our clients teach creative writing.
Author: So in order to make up for the fact that it’s virtually impossible to make a living as an author, you want me to take money from other people by teaching them how to not make any money, too.
Ignoring the bad grammar, that is, sadly, all too true.
I know a LOT of authors. Big-name authors, even. NYT-bestselling authors.
And virtually all of them—I can think of only two exceptions—make money from other jobs in addition to their writing.
Most of them teach creative writing. Some tutor or teach related subjects like English or work as editors (as I do). Others do other things. The point is, they work at something in addition to writing.
(Or they did until retirement and now receive a pension/ss/etc. in addition to their writing income. And a few have a spouse/partner who earns enough income that the author doesn’t need to earn any.)
Want to be a writer? That’s great. Society will benefit from your voice, as it does all voices. But be prepared to work at something else as well. You might be one of the lucky exceptions, but best to be ready for the likely alternative.
This post is part of the A-Z challenge.
4 Apr
Mama Hen’s Scratchings: D is for Dandelion
What is it people have against these little yellow flowers?
Once considered among the most desirable of herbs, today the dandelion is widely reviled as an obnoxious weed. But it’s a valuable plant.
Dandelions are actually good for your lawn and garden.
- Their wide-spreading roots loosen hard-packed soil and help aerate the earth.
- Their taproots bring up nutrients for shallow-rooting plants.
- They help fruit to ripen by attracting pollinating insects and releasing ethylene
Dandelions are good for wildlife.
- They’re an important nectar and/or pollen source for many early-emerging pollinators, including honeybees and several butterfly species.
- The seeds are an important food source for certain birds.
- Many other animals eat the plant.
More importantly, dandelions are good for YOU. The entire plant is edible and nutritious.
- Dandelion greens are a rich source of vitamins A, C, and K, and also contain moderate amounts of calcium, potassium, iron, lutein, inulin, and manganese.
- The raw flowers contain diverse phytochemicals, including polyphenols and
- The roots contain a substantial amount of the prebiotic fiber inulin.
Humans have taken advantage of these nutritious plants for millennia. Dandelions were used by ancient Egyptians, by the Greeks and the Romans, and in traditional Chinese and Native American medicines:
- as a diuretic;
- to improve liver and gallbladder health;
- to boost the immune system;
- to support healthy hormone levels;
- to address warts, acne, and other skin inflammation;
- to improve digestion and overall gut health;
- to support the health of people who have cancer;
- to relieve headaches, menstrual cramps, backaches, stomach aches and even depression.
No wonder that from ancient times through the nineteenth century, people pulled the grass from their yards and gardens so dandelions could grow!
So, how can we take advantage of the many benefits of dandelions?
- Be sure any you pick have not been sprayed with pesticide, insecticide, or any other poison!
- Wash them well.
- Use the greens in salads or quiches, on sandwiches, or sautéed as a side dish—anywhere you’d use spinach or other greens, dandelion greens (both leaves and stalks) can be used. The younger and smaller they are, the more tender and less bitter they’ll be.
- Put the blossoms (before seeding, for best results) in salads, or fry as fritters.
- Wine can be made from the blossoms.
- Dry and roast the roots to make root beer or coffee-type beverages.
- An internet search will yield many tasty recipes.
Note: Dandelion’s strong diuretic activity makes it an inappropriate choice for someone with low blood pressure or excessive urination.
Non-food uses:
- The yellow flowers can be dried and ground into a yellow-pigmented powder and used as a dye.
- The latex, or sap, from the dandelion stems can be used topically on warts or other skin issues. Apply several times daily for best results.
- The latex produced exhibits the same quality as the natural rubber from rubber trees. Scientists have developed a dandelion cultivar suitable for the commercial production of natural rubber.
And, of course, you can make a wish before blowing a seed-blossom. Who knows; maybe it’ll come true.
Best of all: you can probably find plenty growing in your own and neighbors’ yards, free!
This post is day 4 of the A-Z challenge.
3 Apr
Mama Hen’s Scratchings: C is for Chips
Classic Lay’s potato chips have been my favorite all my life. You can keep the fancy rippled or kettle chips and the artificial flavors. Give me a simple light, crisp chip every time.
And that “every time” is important. All my life, I could count on a bag full of chips just like that. Light, crispy, salty goodness.
But for the past several months, something’s gone wrong:
What happened to my nice, light chips, @LAYS? This is ridiculous. And it’s bag after bag after bag.
So I’m looking for a replacement. What do you recommend? Let me know in the comments, and maybe I’ll send you my other bag of Lay’s. 🙂
Today’s post is day 3 of the A-Z challenge.
2 Apr
Mama Hen’s Scratchings: B is for Blind
The subject of blindness came up at one of my writing groups, so lack of sight has been on my mind.
The sightless do miss much. The face of a lover. The smiles of their children. The beauty of nature. They also miss some of the ugliness in the world.
Despite what they miss visually, I wonder if they might see deeper than those of us with sight.
If we were all blind
There’s much we’d miss
The smile of a child
The sneer of a bully
Beauty and fashion
Would count for naught
All attraction would be
To the person inside
If we were all blind
We’d never see color
On flowers or birds
Or peoples’ skin
How would we judge
If we couldn’t tell
Whether they wore
A cross or a burka
If we were all blind
There’s much we’d miss
But without eyesight
We’d look with our heart
Today’s post is day 2 of the A-Z challenge.
27 Mar
Mama Hen’s Scratchings: A is for April A-Z Challenge
How many times have I written about wanting to post more regularly? *Sigh.* In yet another attempt, I’ve signed up for the April A-Z challenge. As you know, this entails posting every day except Sunday for the entire month, with each successive one based on a word beginning with the next letter of the alphabet.
Trouble is, these posts are all supposed to be on along some theme. I’ve tossed around several themes: Little House/Ingalls; Texas; local flora and/or fauna; Freemasonry; heroes…. But honestly, how many people want to read about any of that, or any one thing, for an entire month? Only the fans of the topic, who’d probably know more than I do about it anyway.
So here’s what I decided: my theme will be “Mama Hen’s Scratchings.” Mama Hen is me, of course. I’m going to scratch out a post about whatever strikes me for the day.
There will undoubtedly be days I miss, but I’ll do my best.
Oh, and let me just give a heads-up: on days I have extra time [hahahahahaha…okay, picking myself off the floor to continue writing], I’ll probably write some posts ahead and schedule them. (I’m actually writing this on March 27.) The danger with doing that is that the info might become outdated; but it’s a chance I’m willing to take.
20 Mar
Guaranteed to Make You Laugh
After a week like this was, we all need a laugh. I dare you not to while reading this post.
The following are from a book called Disorder in the American Courts: Actual Quotes, Word for Word, from Real Court Proceedings by Marcelle Boren. I can’t imagine being the court reporter and trying to keep it together while these exchanges were actually taking place. I’d have been rolling in the floor.
ATTORNEY: This myasthenia gravis, does it affect your memory at all?
WITNESS: Yes.
ATTORNEY: And in what ways does it affect your memory?
WITNESS: I forget.
ATTORNEY: You forget? Can you give us an example of something you forgot?
___________________________________________
ATTORNEY: Now doctor, isn’t it true that when a person dies in his sleep, he doesn’t know about it until the next morning?
WITNESS: Did you actually pass the bar exam?
____________________________________
ATTORNEY: The youngest son, the twenty-year-old, how old is he?
WITNESS: He’s twenty, much like your IQ.
___________________________________________
ATTORNEY: Were you present when your picture was taken?
WITNESS: Are you kidding me?
_________________________________________
ATTORNEY: So the date of conception (of the baby) was August 8th?
WITNESS: Yes.
ATTORNEY: And what were you doing at that time?
WITNESS: Getting laid.
____________________________________________
ATTORNEY: She had three children, right?
WITNESS: Yes.
ATTORNEY: How many were boys?
WITNESS: None.
ATTORNEY: Were there any girls?
WITNESS: Your Honor, I think I need a different attorney. Can I get a new attorney?
____________________________________________
ATTORNEY: How was your first marriage terminated?
WITNESS: By death.
ATTORNEY: And by whose death was it terminated?
WITNESS: Take a guess.
____________________________________________
ATTORNEY: Can you describe the individual?
WITNESS: He was about medium height and had a beard.
ATTORNEY: Was this a male or a female?
WITNESS: Unless the circus was in town I’m going with male.
______________________________________
ATTORNEY: Are you sexually active?
WITNESS: No, I just lie there.
____________________________________________
ATTORNEY: Doctor, how many of your autopsies have you performed on dead people?
WITNESS: All of them. The live ones put up too much of a fight.
_________________________________________
ATTORNEY: ALL your responses MUST be oral, okay? What school did you go to?
WITNESS: Oral.
_________________________________________
ATTORNEY: Do you recall the time that you examined the body?
WITNESS: The autopsy started around 8:30 p.m.
ATTORNEY: And Mr. Denton was dead at the time?
WITNESS: If not, he was by the time I finished.
______________________________________
ATTORNEY: Doctor, before you performed the autopsy, did you check for a
pulse?
WITNESS: No.
ATTORNEY: Did you check for blood pressure?
WITNESS: No.
ATTORNEY: Did you check for breathing?
WITNESS: No.
ATTORNEY: So, then it is possible that the patient was alive when you began the autopsy?
WITNESS: No.
ATTORNEY: How can you be so sure, Doctor?
WITNESS: Because his brain was sitting on my desk in a jar.
ATTORNEY: I see, but could the patient have still been alive, nevertheless?
WITNESS: Yes, it is possible that he could have been alive and practicing law.
Have a fun weekend.
25 Feb
German Potatoes
I was editing a scene in my WIP in which a character was cooking potatoes with greens and sausage, German style. Made me hungry.
I like sausage, but don’t eat it anymore (you know what’s in that stuff, right? Ugh.).
But the potatoes and greens—that’s yum. Here’s how my German family makes potatoes.
- Scrub 2 pounds potatoes and boil in salted water until just tender; drain and allow to dry about 15 minutes. Peel and slice into ¼” to ½” rounds.
- Fry 1 pound bacon until crisp; remove from skillet.
- Sauté 1½ cups onions with 3 tablespoons flour and 1 tablespoon salt in bacon grease until onions are tender.
- Add ⅔ cup sugar, ⅔ cup vinegar, and 1¼ cup water and bring to a boil.
- Crumble bacon on top of potatoes.
- Pour sauce over potatoes and bacon. Stir gently.
- Optional: sprinkle chopped chives or parsley over the top.
- Serve hot. (We usually made the potatoes first, and kept them in a warm oven while preparing the rest of the meal. That way the potatoes get a little more tender, and they’re good ‘n hot when served.)
How do you like your potatoes?