Dove Soup

Growing Old Graciously - Or Not

2010-06-06T04:39:00.000-07:00

I pray I grow into a gracious old ladyIn advance - I apologize for posting yet another story with more of the same crap about living with an elderly parent.Here is the story... saga... my complaint... by bitch... my moan.While I was getting dinner started, mom obviously heard me moving around in the kitchen. I know this because it wasn't long before she showed up to see

A lot of blow and nary a show - tornado warning in the night

2010-06-03T06:56:00.000-07:00

Matt was out of town last night, we (my 82 year old mother and I) spend part of our evening in the basement while tornado sirens blared. I have never seen blinding rain like I did last night. There is a 1 acre field between my house and the neighbor's, I could not see my neighbor's huge 2-story home through the heavy rain.Mom and I are fine, although getting her 82 year old butt out of bed,

Thoughts on Okra

2010-06-03T05:06:00.000-07:00

I had okra in a New Orleans style restaurant in Pasadena California once.I thought it was the most fabulous thing I ever tasted.I wondered where okra had been all my life?I wondered why everyone did not eat and love this delicious vegetable?Why wasn't okra on every restaurant menu?That was the 1st and the last time I loved okra.I gave it several more tries but

A Freshman at 56 - do I cry or do a happy dance?

2010-06-01T09:45:00.000-07:00

I'm ten published poems beyond thrilled and about a 1/2 century past total (give me meds) anxiety. My chest is all puffed out with pride and my heart is beating madly with (oh my god) fear. I suppose that's the yin and yang of it.Apparently my feelings about returning to college after a 23 year break are zenfully balanced between suffering and happiness.

Authentic, Fun, Totally Delish!‎

2010-05-11T05:14:00.001-07:00

I'm talking about the "Shish Kebab Mediterranean Grill‎" in Columbus, Ohio.I met the Chef (Mike) in the grocery store, he had a shopping cart full of gallon jugs of milk and I knew it had to be for yogurt - so I asked. Sure enough he makes his own yogurt. Anyplace that makes their own yogurt, well we just had to try it. So I took my husband, Matt, for his birthday. It was a Monday night so things

Awhile back I wrote this for my mother.

2010-05-01T09:34:00.000-07:00

It’s really for all abused people (male - female) who have survived the devastation caused by someone who claimed to love you. In this poem the abuser is the male, it could easily be the female. Mom still communicates like an abused woman, she still wonders if all the horrible things

A few of my favorite things

2010-01-13T08:20:00.000-08:00

Although long and sometimes wearisome, winter in Ohio can be beautiful, when it snows. It is exceptionally dreary when we have days on end of below freezing temps, leafless trees, gray skys and brown grass. The snow is what transforms Ohio's uninspiring winter into an enchanted realm.Frost covered Crab Apple Cuervo's snow covered snoutLast summer's picnic garden

It's the little things that say "I love you" in a big way

2010-01-13T07:52:00.000-08:00

My husband, Matt, knows I prefer brown eggs. Matt also knows that brown eggs with "freckles" tickle me. He actually checks for cartons with the most freckled eggs when we shop for groceries. This morning I opened the egg carton and found this note.

Cilantro Pesto Recipe

2010-01-10T05:33:00.000-08:00

When it comes to pesto, I wing it. Most pesto recipes are so stingy with ingredient amounts they never have enough of what we like in them so I always change the recipe to suit our taste.When it comes to pesto, I don't measure exact amounts of anything, I go by consistency and taste, but I'll give you a general rundown. You will need to have the following ingredients on hand.Cilantro, pine nuts,

I am the proudest wife ever!

2009-12-15T10:05:00.000-08:00

Every year at Matt's NOSC (Navy Operational Support Center) they plan and host a huge event that is for the 700 reserve Sailors and the families of Sailors that are attached to the Columbus NOSC.This even is called "Navy Reserve Family Readiness Day"It's to let the Sailors & families know what resources are available to them while their spouses and family members are recalled to active duty /

Why is my rosemary still alive?

2009-12-11T10:15:00.000-08:00

It's freezing out... no I mean literally freezing out, as in the low last night while we slept warm in out beds was 12° freezing. As in the high so far today is 19° freezing and lastly freezing as in there is a layer of ice on the inside of my bathroom window freezing.Now that you have the picture, you can ponder with me why my rosemary just outside my kitchen door is alive and well? I thought

To be, or not to be? A matter of moles....

2009-10-19T10:28:00.000-07:00

To Be -or- Not To Be? I have a cute little mole living in my vermicompost bin. The question is, do I let him "BE" while he does what moles do best, eat 65 lbs of nasty grubs annually? Or do I "NOT TO BE", considering I would have ...to screen in my worm/compost bin because they also eat about 45 lbs of earthworms per year.For a time I let my little mole live, every now and again I would see him

Dragon Tongue Beans

2009-08-07T05:03:00.000-07:00

I love these heirloom beans! They are big and fat and tender. Not to mention stringless and can be left on the vine for harvesting as shelled beans.Last year we tried to grow blue lake green beans and oh my gosh what a pitiful harvest that was. I ended up buying beans from a local farmer to freeze for winter use (not organic, but at least local grown).The plant seems impervious to disease and

Dill Pickles - The Old Fashioned Way

2009-07-27T06:43:00.000-07:00

3 days ago I started my 1st batch of "real" Dill Pickles.My recipe came Sandor Katz book "Wild Fermentation" ISBN 1-931498-23-7 No vinegar to create the sour, it comes naturally when you allow the pickles to ferment in a salt brine.It was very easy,I layered the bottom of my crock with oak leaves, then added fresh dill from my herb garden (I added more dill that his recipe called for - just

Thoughts on Okra

2009-07-24T13:38:00.000-07:00

HEY JACK - In the style of the "Beats"

2009-07-24T05:49:00.001-07:00

Hey JackJack, why did you slash the wrist of your immortal muse?Did you stareas Red idioms pooled?Dripping, seeping, spilling, pouring streams ofskillful consciousnesssoggy on the soles of your boots, leavingtracksalong Route 66.Allen, the hawk stopped by my garden for breakfast todayMajesticmenacing brazen magnificent.Can you imagine having Bukowski as yourmailman?And what would you Say to the

My Vegetables will be Famous!

2009-07-15T10:23:00.001-07:00

I was out in the garden harvesting squash & Brussels Sprouts and doing a little weeding when our local (Columbus Ohio) NBC news pulled into my drive way and asked if I would give them a tour of my vegetable garden.As soon as they introduced themselves (being all hot and garden work sweaty) I blurted out, "Sure, but Don't take my picture".I did give them a tour, told them about my organic

Beefy BBQ & Bread Stew - recycled bread #3 ©

2009-07-14T09:10:00.000-07:00

Beefy BBQ & Bread Stew © Ingredients: * 2 Lbs Stew meat * 1 Tblsp of assorted herbs, Mrs Dash or what ever you have on hand* 3 to 4 tablespoons bacon drippings* 1 chopped onion* 1 (to 4) cloves of garlic, minced* 3 cups beef stock* 1/2 cup red wine or dark beer.* 2 to 3 cups diced potatoes, cooked* 2 cans (15 to 16 ounces each) cream-style corn* 1 teaspoon hot sauce, or to taste* 2 tablespoons

Dealing with Mother - or - Who is This Woman?

2009-07-11T10:08:00.000-07:00

She's like fat Persian cat sitting on a satin pillow waiting for the world stroke her silky hair, at her bidding of course.She thinks it's a privilege when she lets you sniff her puckered cat ass. Surely the entire world is interested in a whiff.You don't know how often I wish I could once again just be her daughter... not her maid, her cook, her legal secretary, her chauffeur, hair stylist and

Whole Foods is Evil... E, E, E, Vil

2009-07-10T04:16:00.000-07:00

The Myth of Natural Food, Farming, and ProductsWalk down the aisles of any Whole Foods Market (WFM) and look closely. What do you see? Row after row of attractively displayed, but mostly non-organic "natural" (i.e. conventional) foods and products. By marketing sleight of hand, these conventional foods, vitamins, private label "365" items, and personal care products become "natural" or "almost

The Vegan Myth

2009-07-04T19:44:00.000-07:00

Sorry to spoil your holier than thou belief that your food choices do not cause the death of an innocent animal, or infringe on the quality or length of life of an insect.I grow my own herbs & vegetables in an organic garden, it is impossible to harvest them without also harvesting small insect eggs, caterpillars and other insect larvae. Impossible with a capital I, capital M,

When life gives you lemons - Make apple jelly

2009-06-26T11:49:00.000-07:00

You know the saying "If life gives you lemons...."?Well yesterday life gave me three pounds of unripe Fuji Apples. I let the dog out and he ran off barking like a crazy fool, probably chasing after a squirrel he will never catch.Being the dork dog that he is, he ran into the support stakes that are hold up our young apple tree that was loaded with

Hey Jack

2009-06-06T05:09:00.000-07:00

Hey Jack Jack, why did you slash the wrist of your immortal muse?Did you stareas Red idioms pooled?Dripping, seeping, spilling, pouring streams ofskillful consciousnesssoggy on the soles of your boots, leavingtracksalong Route 66. Allen, the hawk stopped by my garden for breakfast todayMajesticmenacing brazen

Tornado warnings in the night

2009-05-06T08:29:00.000-07:00

Last night we were sound asleep, snuggled next to each other with the fan gently stirring the air around us - and then... in a flash, (I swear at the stroke of midnight) the tornado warning sirens went crazy!The thunder was ear shattering and

Recycled Bread #2

2009-03-14T11:52:00.000-07:00

I recently read this recipe on my daughter's blog.I thought it deserved a mention in the recycled bread section because it calls for 1/2 cup seasoned bread crumbs.Stale bread is so easy to make into seasoned bread crumbs.Chop your bread into small squares, spray with Pam or sprinkle a little olive oil over them, add some garlic powder, Mrs Dash, or what ever herbs you have on hand... toss them

Recycled Bread #1 - ©

2009-03-04T12:37:00.000-08:00

Matt makes a lot of bread.Some it great - some is greater than great.But with the three of us we often can't eat it fast enough and it often goes stale.I loathe wasting such yummy bread so I've begin collecting ways to recycle it (other than feeding it to the birds) I've come up with a few recipes so far and I must confess they are winners.Here is recipe #1Cream of Garlic Bread Soup Recipe · 2

Making Malt Vinegar ©

2009-03-04T08:51:00.000-08:00

Malt vinegar is made from malted barley.Rather than malt my own barley, which I do not know how to do, I decided to use a bottle of Guinness and 1 cup of Braggs Apple cider vinegar. Braggs is a living vinegar and as the starter should do the trick fairly quick and easy.I began my vinegar on February 18th by pouring the Guinness and Braggs into a small crock and placing it in the pantry. I covered

Overall I'm a Saint

2009-02-19T11:20:00.000-08:00

I keep thinking I should write something... after all, when asked, I tell people I'm a writer, I tell them I'm an unknown poet, I do not mention that underneath it all I'm confident that after my death I will acquire the fame I so richly deserved but did not achieve during my life.(As a writer I must confess that is one hell of a "run-on sentence" the kind your elementary school teacher warned

Surprises - Jack In The Green

2009-01-23T07:15:00.000-08:00

FedEx dropped off a couple of packages today...Our dog "alerted" me with his explosive barking, actually he startled the begeebers outta me.I assumed it was shoes we ordered for a Tai-Chi class and was happy to think we would have them before our first lesson.I was totally surprised when the FedEx guy hauled out a one big box and one smaller box. My husband had secretly ordered a

Watching the inauguration

2009-01-20T12:04:00.000-08:00

Like millions all over the globe, I spent the morning watching the inauguration of Barack H. Obama: Loved President Obama's speech:Our challenges may be new. The instruments with which we meet them may be new. But those values upon which our success depends - hard work and honesty, courage and fair play, tolerance and curiosity, loyalty and patriotism - these things are old. These things are true

I fear I'm loosing my California Cool ©

2009-01-17T20:12:00.000-08:00

I am frozen. Breathing the air gives you a brain freeze headache... no I am not eating my ice cream too fast, I am walking from the grocery store to the car and breathing air... just air, the kind in the sky all around you everyday, But to day it is frozen air and it gave my head a brain freeze, that's just crazy.Everything is frozen, the garden is frozen, the dogs water dish on the patio froze

Snow is fun - Ice is scary ©

2009-01-16T09:58:00.000-08:00

We woke up to -14 this morning. That's not a very nice way to greet the birthday girl. (yes today is my birthday)I don't even know what it is with windchill factored in *shivers* 20 below maybe? 25?I worry my mom's poodle with freeze her little poodle ass before she gets her "business" done.I love the snow and we still have plenty of it, but it's hard to get my head around 14 below. There is ice

NFL Playoffs & Muffaletta Sandwichs - Oh Yeah!

2009-01-11T05:17:00.000-08:00

Today it's Chargers VS PittsburghGo Chargers!Go Chargers!Go Chargers!We are going to watch the game, and feast on Muffaletta Sandwiches, Don't let the Mortadella scare ya, every ingredient in this recipe is a must, the flavor combinations are absolutely fabulous.Muffaletta Sandwich Recipe Step 1: Ingredients for the New Orleans-Style Olive Mix2 cups chopped pitted green olives with

Naming Streets

2009-01-09T09:27:00.000-08:00

With our plans to purchase a family farm in the 100 acre range I've come across the fabulous idea of naming the dirt roads (long driveways) leading to each family member's home.At this point I think there will be at least 6 roads to be named, I know this is getting the cart way... way before the horse, but it's a fun thing to ponder.To the best of my knowledge you can actually petition the county

Oil Pulling - What Say Ye?

2009-01-09T09:11:00.000-08:00

I just recently stumbled across some information, up until several days ago I had never heard of it.I'd really like to hear about the experience from someone who has tried it.I don't think it's an end all to cure all, but some of the information makes sense.I mentioned it to Matt, my husband.Well, he laughed at me... and asked where I come up with "this stuff".He has 20 years in the medical field

Marc Chagall, Painter of Symbols

2008-12-05T06:10:00.001-08:00

I was recently shopping calendars at Barns & Noble when I came across a Marc Chagall edition. I fell in love with his symbolism, which I have been researching the past few days.His frequently repeated subject matter was drawn from Jewish life and folklore; he was particularly fond of flower and animal symbolsUse of symbolismI gleaned from the web, in most cases I've tried to add my own thoughts.

We got a hard freeze last night.

2008-11-11T19:10:00.000-08:00

Early in the morning we took a photo of one of the last of the roses in bloom.It's covered with beautiful ice crystals.Floribunda - Calliope

2008-11-07T07:04:00.000-08:00

You know the saying "If life gives you lemons...."?Well the other day life gave me three pounds of unripe Fuji Apples. I let the dog out and he ran off barking like a crazy fool, probably chasing after a squirrel he will never catch.Being the dork dog that he is, he ran into the support stakes that are holding up our young apple tree, that was loaded with soon to be, but not yet ripe apples. We

2008-11-06T08:24:00.000-08:00

Mom is bugging the shit outta meMom got her checkMom needs to go to the bankMom is tossing her paper trash into shipping boxes in the library -what's up with that?Mom organized her insurance crap,and had to ask me for our zip code, phone number and address while I was trying to ignore herand read the morning paper - did they really say Russia was going to point missiles at us?Mom just

Finish this statement

2008-11-02T04:36:00.000-08:00

The world can be divided into two groups of people;Those who _______, and those who _______.I'll start it off with this.The world can be divided into two groups of people;Those who pee in the shower, and those who don't.or...The world can be divided into two groups of people;Those who think trees have feelings, and those who take their meds.Personally I think trees have feelings until they die,

Keep it to yourself Joe! (Rant)

2008-10-21T12:22:00.000-07:00

Recently a guy standing in queue at the grocers blamed drinking from Styrofoam cups provided by his work for making him sick.He went on to say it had to be chemicals leached from the Styrofoam (or the dandelion greens salad he had for dinner the night before).I was privy to detailed description of the symptoms, a horrible stomach ache with "terrible lower abdominal cramping" and "gas or diarrhea

2008-10-16T06:04:00.000-07:00

While sitting on the patio watching the squirrels scurry about and playing tag, I had a conversation with my mother (she's 80) and asked if she ever ate squirrel as a child.She said yes, squirrel, rabbit and once they had opossum for Thanksgiving.She doesn't remember much about the rabbit or squirrel, I guess it was more ordinary fare for them.But the opossum for Thanksgiving... that she

Meeting Kierkegaard - Poetry

2008-09-26T04:52:00.000-07:00

Me in the bath, eyes closed,He lounging on the floor, pillow under his headreading Kierkegaard.Happy to introduce us,He didn't know Kierkegaard's melancholy winked at meor how horribly sad it made me feel.© Dove Cochrane

Dead-heading Roses - poetry

2008-09-26T04:31:00.000-07:00

Dead-heading, the saddest of all garden commissions.A faded bloomA necessary evil,A tiny death falls into my palm.I'm sorry, apology whispered.Only able to do so many before I must escape.I sit on the deck, smoking.I smoke a cigarette, rockingand chide myself for the griefthat like a thorn burrows in my chest.©Dove Cochrane

Picnicking with the Governor

2008-09-26T04:11:00.000-07:00

We went to the picnic at Governor Strickland's residence (that would be Governor of Ohio, Ted Strickland)Anyhow, it was cool to be invited, it made me feel a little "A" Listish.The best part was the adorable turtle in his pond. He was a curious little fellow who kept popping his head above the water to watch the people walk by. The Governor's gardens were mostly impressive and we enjoyed

Paradox

2008-09-19T11:45:00.001-07:00

Lucy has a headacheLucy is confusedLast week she was desensitized,numbed by ugly news.Lucy is a vegan and aboveher youthful breast, "eating meat is murder" is etched across her chest.Lucy hates Republicans, Lucy says fuck those who wear fur.She loves a good hunting accident, it's Karma if you ask her.Lucy is peace loving, Lucy wouldn'thurt a fly.Then she turned and walked away, her husband

If you are a woman...

2008-09-19T11:45:00.000-07:00

If you are a woman - You have a secret fear.If you have a sister the worst thing she could ever do would be to tap into this fear.You just don't do that to your sister, no matter what kind of bitch she is.If you are a husband or a boyfriend and you want to cause irreversible damage to your relationship, if you want to shut your woman up and you are not afraid of her murderous wrath, you may want

You can never trust a blogger.........

2008-09-18T04:28:00.000-07:00

I'm already breaking my promise regarding only posting useless self-adsorbed crap. Come on you really didn't trust a blogger did you?This morning I told Hershey's to Kiss, to kiss-off.Hershey uses GM Sugar in their Kiss candy.If you live in a cave and don't know what GM is let me suggest you read a newspaper now and then, and I will try to explain in words a 8 year old can understand.OK Bubba, GM

2008-09-17T04:20:00.000-07:00

Nothing to say.... and so much time to say it.The internet is full of bloggers with nothing to say.I'm just one more in the pile of self adsorbed solid bovine waste with spell check.My promise to you is this: Everyday, if I have something meaningless to anyone other than me, I will post it here.© DoveEarth Keeper, Locavore, Green BitchWoodland Rose GardenAmazon has all the crap you'll ever need

Dove Soup

Growing Old Graciously - Or Not

A lot of blow and nary a show - tornado warning in the night

Thoughts on Okra

A Freshman at 56 - do I cry or do a happy dance?

Authentic, Fun, Totally Delish!‎

Awhile back I wrote this for my mother.

A few of my favorite things

It's the little things that say "I love you" in a big way

Cilantro Pesto Recipe

I am the proudest wife ever!

Why is my rosemary still alive?

To be, or not to be? A matter of moles....

Dragon Tongue Beans

Dill Pickles - The Old Fashioned Way

Thoughts on Okra

HEY JACK - In the style of the "Beats"

My Vegetables will be Famous!

Beefy BBQ & Bread Stew - recycled bread #3 ©

Dealing with Mother - or - Who is This Woman?

Whole Foods is Evil... E, E, E, Vil

The Vegan Myth

When life gives you lemons - Make apple jelly

Hey Jack

Tornado warnings in the night

Recycled Bread #2

Recycled Bread #1 - ©

Making Malt Vinegar ©

Overall I'm a Saint

Surprises - Jack In The Green

Watching the inauguration

I fear I'm loosing my California Cool ©

Snow is fun - Ice is scary ©

NFL Playoffs & Muffaletta Sandwichs - Oh Yeah!

Naming Streets

Oil Pulling - What Say Ye?

Marc Chagall, Painter of Symbols

We got a hard freeze last night.

Organic Green Apple Jelly ©

The joys of caring for your elderly mother ©

Finish this statement

Keep it to yourself Joe! (Rant)

Put the Squirrel back in Brunswick! ©

Meeting Kierkegaard - Poetry

Dead-heading Roses - poetry

Picnicking with the Governor

Paradox

If you are a woman...

You can never trust a blogger.........

Nothing To Say... ©