365 Photos Day 180

180/365

A couple of weeks ago I made 2 pies for the Pies for Dad fundraiser at our church. I also made some for Father's Day at our house. They were a big hit. People were asking for the recipe and telling me that they'd never heard of this kind of pie. Apparently it's a Southern kind of pie, at least according to the recipe that I'd found for it. I don't know...I didn't have it growing up, even though I had plenty of other southern foods.

Part of this was because of my mom's family background. They came up from the South after the Civil War and eventually ended up in Northern Central Washington. But the ways of doing things didn't necessarily get left behind, both upbringing- and food-wise.

For instance, I grew up saying "Sir" and "Ma'am" to older people, especially if I didn't know them. I talked with a sort of drawl that only comes out now if I'm really really tired (when I moved from Eastern Oregon to Western Oregon I was made fun of for the way that I talked, so I consciously "lost" the drawl).

One of my favorite foods is pickled beets, and I have yet to find a chicken fried steak as good as the ones that were served in the Blue & White Diner in the town I grew up in. Not only do I know what hominy is, I have a preference (yellow); I also know what grits are, and even though it's been awhile since I've had them, I know what to add to them (lots of butter and some salt). I'm not really fond of biscuits and gravy for breakfast, but they make a good dinner.

But this Southern Pies cookbook...oh my goodness. I'd like one of almost all of them, please and thank you.

365 Photos Day 179

179/365

I've spent some of the evening trying to figure out the Kid's college schedule for next year. The level of difficulty is rather high because I have to balance it with what she needs to graduate from high school (she's doing what's called PSEO, which stands for post-secondary something or another; she gets college credits and high school credits at the same time).

It's made even harder because of the guidance counselor at the high school, who refuses to give more than a semester's worth of credit for any given college class. Her rationale is that the college classes ONLY last for one semester, therefore they are equal to one semester in the high school. Uh, no...one semester in the college is equal to more like one YEAR in the high school. Basically, the Kid is doing twice (or more) the work as her classmates, yet is only getting the same amount of credit.

The positive thing about all this is that she'll be graduating with her 2-year AA or AAS degree 2 weeks before she graduates from high school. Best of all, it's been mostly FREE because the state pays for it.

She has been taking 2 summer classes, and was to start a 3rd next week, but a couple of days ago had a meltdown because all the go-go-go was getting to her. In the interest of keeping her sane, I had her drop the 3rd summer class so she can recharge (she can take it next spring, so no big deal). So I'm juggling around her schedule to make sure every requirement is going to be met.

All I gotta say about all this is that planning and executing a world takeover would be easier.

(the "artwork" at the bottom of that page is my version of Kandinsky & Rothko. I was trying to sell her on the History of Modern Art class. I don't think she's buying, though.)

365 Photos Day 178

178/365

I actually took this picture yesterday, but ended up using the parade picture as my picture of the day.

However, this one deserves to be a picture of the day too.

Mostly because of its "thank you, Captain Obvious" aura. You know, its "No shit, Sherlock" vibe. Its "Gee...you think maybe?" wording.

Honestly. Isn't that pretty much what happens with bait? It either catches something or dies trying because of the internal damage done by the hook or because the fish are smart enough to eat the bait but not get hooked?

Or maybe it's just because I've been in a squirrely mood today. Either way...duuuu-uuuuh.

365 Photos Day 177

177/365

It's been a busy weekend. The Kid had a softball tournament this weekend, plus today was her first official parade as a candidate (she's the blonde in the middle front). There was a 4 hour break between games, so she was able to make the parade and wave like a pro.

365 Photos Day 176

176/365

Ah, Coppertone. One of the smells of Summer...

One of the things I've learned over the years (and years and years) of watching the Kid play softball is to have some of this stuff in the car at all times, especially during tournament weekends.

I look at the SPF of 8 and remember when I was about her age and I used a 2 SPF (never above an 8 for sure), when I even remembered to put any on.

Actually, that's about how I am now. But at least I have it in the car, which is a step in the right direction.

365 Photos Day 175

175/365

Today was week 2 of Summer Reading Storytime. It went a little smoother, which is always a plus.

These young ladies are my Summer Reading Crew, either because they work with me at the library or because they volunteer their time during the summer. They're all good kids, and I really enjoy working with them.

And goodness knows, I couldn't do most of what I do with the Summer Reading Program without their help.

365 Photos Day 174

174/365

Now, I'm pretty sure that this temperature reading here in town might be a little off. The TV weatherguy said it was 63 degrees, but felt like 53 degrees. But that weatherguy has been known to be wrong before. He also said that the normal temperature for this time of year is somewhere in the 80's.

I'm thinking this summer didn't get that memo.

Either way, this is one of the weirdest summers weather-wise I've encountered since I moved to Minnesota in 1993. It's also been one of the weirdest life-experience-wise too, but that's a whole other story.

In any case, I'd like some warm sunshine for the rest of the summer. Really. Even if it means I have to endure 100+ degree days.