Cooking the NYTimes and Other Assorted Retirement Activities

There are those teachers who made an indelible mark on your educational career--some for the better, others for the worse.  I've been fortunate to have more of the former than the latter.  Lately, I've been revisiting memories of Miss Sheila Creighton (aka Mrs. Perrone) and the class I was extremely lucky to take from her at Notre Dame High School for Girls in Chicago.   The class was U.S. History.  Miss Creighton had the highest standards of about any teacher at NDHS.  It was lecture with sidebars where she shared her extensive knowledge of the subject.  She outlined her presentation on the blackboard and it was a challenge to keep up with her.  I loved it, especially when we studied the US Constitution and the branches of government.   Any surprise those memories have been popping up? Many reasons currently exist to question what the hell is going on in our government these days.  Recalling what I learned about the Constitut...

When I plant my garden, I talk with the plants.  First, I welcome them to the garden, introduce them to their neighboring plants.  They are warned against the rabbits and deer who after lo these many years, still have not gotten the message that meals and snacks are plentiful in other parts of the yard.  I assure the plants they will be well cared for and thank them for all they will provide this season.  During the summer, I frequently encourage them, saying, "Good job!" when seeds burst into plants or plants put forth flowers, then fruit.   When I pick the tomatoes or beans or dig up the potatoes, I say, "Thank you, God, for the garden."   The vegetable garden is pretty much in the driver's seat as far as when the show is over for those plants.  We enjoy the bounty as long as it continues, never taking it for granted.  In my opinion, nothing tastes better than something which goes directly from the backyard to the dinner plate. ...