Random Knowledge

It has been a year, more than actually, since I last blogged. My life over the last year has been growth. Pure and simple. I have grown, changed, learned, stretched. It has been, as one of my friends frequently says...epic. At least from my perspective. This year looks to be no less substantial. So I bring to you the new topic header: Random Knowledge

Under this heading I will let you in on some of the random knowledge and skills that I have aquired over the last year and what I am working on now. Be warned...much of this information will be completely useless to a great majority of people out there. Much of what I am learning are skills that were rendered obsolete centuries ago. However, if that apocolypse ever actually happens and you need wool socks to stay warm...where you gonna turn? Yup...I will be me. And I don't come cheap people. Errr person. I take comfort in the knowledge that really only one person is reading this and he aready has to listen to me ramble about it all the time anyway.

This week I am planning the menu for a cooking group I meet with about once a month. Being a part of this group is slightly humorous in that I am really not a great cook. But the people in this group ARE great cooks. Some of them mind blowingly good. I hope to some day be half as good as even one of them. That would be a tremedous accomplishment for me.

My area of study right now is medieval Ireland since much of my cultural roots stem from there.
Unsurprisingly, there are no recipe books from that time period. The people just didn't write that stuff down at that time. So, I have spent much of my time when planning the menu pouring over archeological history books. I was hoping to determine what types of foods and cooking equipment they would have used to prepare foods. My hope is that the menu would at least reflect those aspects of their history. What I have learned:

The Irish had apples. I don't know why that surprises me but it does.
They did not have potatoes in medieval times.
They fried foods... a lot.
They ate very little pork...eating mostly beef and game animals.

Most of what we know as "traditional" Irish food is post medieval.

Who knew?

Next post: adventures in teaching myself to knit

D&D

Dreadful - Waking up with a headache. This is no way to start a morning.

Delightful - Four wheel drive. I only wish all of my vehicles had it!


Be safe on the roads people...the white stuff is back.

"May the Lord keep you in His hand and never close His fist too tight."

D&D

Dreadful - Mornings. I hate mornings. Waking up is no fun. Also, cracked bleeding skin sucks. The two are not related, but they are both dreadful.

Delightful - Hanging out with my boy! John is the very best part of my day.

What is your D&D for the day? Write it in the comments. Doing this has really sort of grounded me and made me look at each day a little differently. Most of the time I have to think really hard about the dreadful part of the entry. Perspective!

A good one:

These things, I warmly wish for you-
Someone to love, some work to do,
A bit of o' sun, a bit o' cheer.
And a guardian angel always near.

D&D

Delightful - Benedryl...it is heaven sent for so many reasons!

Dreadful - I just spilled my breakfast all over my desk. Managed to save all of the electronics!


A thought to take you through the weekend:

May peace and plenty be the first,
To lift the latch to your door.
And happiness be guided to your home,
By the candle of Christmas.

D&D - Thanksgiving Edition

Delightful - Pie...yummy yummy pie! Tomorrow I get pie and decorating for Christmas!

Dreadful - My kids being away for the Thanksgiving holiday.

Wishing you always...

Walls for the wind,
A roof for the rain
And tea beside the fire.
Laughter to cheer you,
Those you love near you,
And all that your heart may desire

Happy Thanksgiving!

D&D the WOOHOO edition!

Delightful - I just submitted my last assignment for school! I am now free to enjoy the holiday season stress free!!!!

Dreadful - Dental bills...again. It would be so nice to go to the dentist and not have to have something fixed.


This one is a good one!

May the enemies of Ireland never eat bread nor drink whiskey,

but be afflicted with itching without the benefit of scratching

D&D

Imagine today's entry all in white...like the snow that blankets my unprepared yard.


Delightful - I got a new jacket that is lovely and green. I love green.


Dreadful - Snow. I like the look of snow, I dislike the feel of snow. It is cold and slippery. The snow could have been good enough to stay away until after Halloween, but no...it had to show up now and mess with everyone. Stupid inconsiderate snow.



"It takes time to build castles. Rome was not built in a day. "

D&D

Today's post is brought to you by the letters S and T...


Delightful - I have one paper and one presentation before I will be done with school for this semester! YAY!


Dreadful - The first hand experience that facebook can give you with your more distant relatives. I am beginning to think that there is a reason they are distant.


"May neighbours respect you,
Trouble neglect you,
The angels protect you,
And heaven accept you."

D&D

Today's edition is brought to you by the number 4... as in the number of hours I slept last night.

Delightful - One more week and Halloween is here!

Dreadful - My little girl waking up at 2:30am. Sleeping in a ball at the foot of my bed because she wanted to lay on my pillows.


A thought to take you through the weekend.


"As you slide down the banisters of life may the splinters never point the wrong way."

D&D

Today's D&D is brought to you by the letters Y and P.

Delightful - I am on the home stretch with my final projects in school. I am also on the home stretch with all the Halloween costumes I am making.


Dreadful - My little girl is sick again.


"If God sends you down a stony path,may he give you strong shoes."