July 16, 2013

  • The Beast Returns And A Sad State Of Affairs Arises

    TALES FROM THE BRAT FARM

    The Beast returned home around 3pm today, having gotten a later start than he had hoped to get.  But it's always tough leaving a house full of relatives that met for a semi-sad event.  It seems the Beast's cousin had brought along his wife's ashes and decided to disperse them in his aunt's yard.  Actually, the thought appealed to me for Lin since it's actually a pretty vista.  The yard is large and beautifully appointed as only some can be that are up in the mountains.  A large creek runs through it as it travels from the top of the mountains down into the valley beyond.  I loved that vista when I first saw it.  I think Lin would have approved even though she never liked the female cousin.

    He told me Chewlee slept most of the way home.  Probably from boredom since she was told by the wicked female cousin that their TV had no cartoons.  An out-and-out lie, of course, just because the female cousin doesn't approve of a kid watching TV at all.  She has always been strange.  I'm sure if it had been up to her, she would have taken away Chewlee's little computer and the DVD's, too.  I'm not actually sure that she didn't try but the Beast would NOT have let her do that, I'm sure. 

    She did tell me, rather brightly, that she had a bedroom ALL TO HERSELF!  I think they have five bedrooms there as well as a family room with a hide-a-bed and another one out in the family room.  They could also put someone up on a sofa bed in the living room if necessary.  Chewlee had been concerned that she was going to have to sleep with the Beast but I knew she wouldn't.

    Now, the truly sad thing.  A piece of advice.  Do NOT make salsa with tomatoes that could possibly be right on the verge of being overripe.  My knife I used was so sharp that, as long as the tomatoes felt firm to me, I really couldn't tell unless I cut into them and they foamed (yes, they DO foam).  The Princess told me that she had gotten one the other day that did that to her.  What happens is that the salsa sours.  I thought that cooking it would prevent the salsa from fermenting or souring but, alas, it was not to be.  All that work for nothing.

    I wouldn't have known it except that Chewlee wanted some salsa and chips so I got her out a small custard cup and poured some in it for her.  She complained that the juice didn't taste right so I tasted it.  It was soured.  When I told the Princess not to take any, she told me about the tomato she had brought home.  She said only part of the tomato had done that and the rest of the tomatoes were fine.  But it just made me sick at heart.  My hands are still a bit sore from the acid when I was cutting up the tomatoes.

    However, I will persevere.  I will be much more thorough in my testing of the tomatoes but I WILL make salsa this year from our tomato crops.  It's just such a big disappointment....

    The Beast went to bed early because his back was stiffening up on him.  He took a hot bath and headed for bed.  Baron has been his shadow since he returned and was really affectionate.  When he crawled on the bed with the Beast, I couldn't even yell at him because I know he truly missed him as only an animal can.

    It was hot AND humid here today so our 88 degree high felt like 96 degrees according to my weatherbug.  I hope you didn't have more of the same or worse.  Love you all and have a fantastic Hump Day.