tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-484915268092812945.post6701996417947488244..comments2023-10-22T14:27:21.241+01:00Comments on From the Desk of Bee Drunken: Some of Various ThingsBeehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02375981493145612394noreply@blogger.comBlogger18125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-484915268092812945.post-32665054957477316512008-05-23T13:44:00.000+01:002008-05-23T13:44:00.000+01:00Yes, I do have some good girlfriends around, but h...Yes, I do have some good girlfriends around, but having a 3 year old all day makes it all but impossible to have lunch dates with friends. Once in awhile I'll get together with one of them on the weekend, but then weekends are usually very busy family days. At this point in my life, a weekday lunch with a friend sounds like the ultimate luxury. I don't want to hurry Adam up in his growing, but I do look forward to even a tiny bit more free time during the week to do something like that.Alyson | New England Livinghttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16209837924378793507noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-484915268092812945.post-68015488839044156002008-05-22T19:24:00.000+01:002008-05-22T19:24:00.000+01:00Bitty,I have to agree with you that I am really st...Bitty,<BR/>I have to agree with you that I am really starting to admire what Jenna is doing with her life. I have read quite a few interesting and complimentary things about her new book. Maybe the new generation of women will turn the smug Bush boys around!<BR/>That's funny that you've read about Hideous Kinky twice in one day! I can't think of a good example now, but I'm often learning about new things -- and then suddenly hearing about them again and again.<BR/>I'm always pleased to get your input -- and I look forward to the day that you have time for MORE input.<BR/><BR/>Debski Beat,<BR/>I'm so excited that you've joined the blogging world! Your inimitable voice is always so welcome.<BR/>Lavender creme brulee is a great idea . . . one of our favorite desserts, actually. Do you (or Anne) have a good recipe that I should try.<BR/>I'm sorry that you don't like Tamasin. Jay Rayner told me that he had met her, and that she was a real "hippie." (I think that's a hair reference.) I loved her recent food memoir, "What Should We Eat for Dinner," but Jennie couldn't get past the first chapter. She's a bit of a snob -- food and otherwise.<BR/>You brought up an interesting point about how expensive it is raise to children in the privileged segment of the western world. No wonder we aren't even managing to replace our population. Irony: rich countries can't afford children. Shriver's article points out that the population explosion has a direct correlation with poverty.<BR/>Last thing: let us know about Rushdie's latest. I thought that it sounded fascinating.<BR/><BR/>Sarah,<BR/>I would like to help others more -- and not just think about them! That's one of the my goals for this coming year.<BR/><BR/>Alyson,<BR/>I actually don't do it that often, but there is nothing more "nourishing" to my soul than to have lunch with a friend. You get the best conversation. Hopefully, you'll have time for that soon. Do you have some good girlfriends where you are?<BR/><BR/>BSR,<BR/>As you acknowledge, domestic abuse is a complex issue. It's so easy to be emotionally trapped, and if you are financially trapped as well . . . well then, you've really lacking in power.<BR/><BR/>K,<BR/>I've definitely noticed how the days are getting shorter (or at least going faster)! <BR/>No, I haven't read any Lipman -- although I have one of her books. When I finish doing my Bookers I will check out your recomendation. (And yes, we are still doing the Bookers! I wrote about it recently.) Like Bitty, I am almost finished (less than 100 pages to go now) with The Blind Assassin. I am reading Midnight's Children next.<BR/>My oldest daughter LOVES the Meyer books -- she has read Twilight and New Moon, and is now begging for Eclipse. I didn't realize that they were good adult reading, too! I will have to check them out.<BR/><BR/>Jason,<BR/><BR/>There is certainly a lot of wickedness around. I tend to feel more guilty (about being so fortunate in my birthplace), than embarrassed -- but I know what you mean.<BR/><BR/>Anne,<BR/>Yes, 6 miles feels like a dawdle now!<BR/>Please post the sour cream cake! That sounds SO GOOD.<BR/>Thanks for donating to the shelter . . . isn't it sad that they really struggle for financial support in the UK? I wonder if that is true in the U.S. as well.Beehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02375981493145612394noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-484915268092812945.post-75150940354885009252008-05-22T00:17:00.000+01:002008-05-22T00:17:00.000+01:00So many things to respond to. First things first: ...So many things to respond to. First things first: did your six-mile walk feel ridiculously short today, given how far you've been going recently? <BR/><BR/>How frustrating about the roses! It does seem ridiculous that they would be back-ordered until six months from now. I would say take a trip to the nursery, but I, like you, am impatient--and I'm not sure how far "not exactly close" is. <BR/><BR/>I second Debski Beat's suggestion that you make creme brulee! I had one recently at the Big Sur Bakery, and it just about knocked my socks off. I would make one myself this weekend, but it wouldn't feel right taking the kitchen torch and ramekins that the Suitor gave me for Valentine's day (with the promise of actually doing something <I>together</I> in the kitchen) on their maiden voyage while he's off in Brazil for a week. I'll make bread instead. <BR/><BR/>If you're still looking to use up a bunch of eggs after you've made your quiche and pavlova, I have a fantastic recipe for sour cream cake. It uses six eggs, and is heavenly (if not exactly spa food).<BR/><BR/>Your mention of wanting to do more to help abused women comes at a time when my grocery store is encouraging shoppers to add a few dollars to their checkout total in order to donate a small "gift basket" (basic toiletries and such) to a local battered women's shelter. I try to participate in these programs when I can, and this week I thought of you when I donated one.Annehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07338782102030629262noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-484915268092812945.post-66882555182602631212008-05-21T16:37:00.000+01:002008-05-21T16:37:00.000+01:00I feel embarrassed to be human when I read about c...I feel embarrassed to be human when I read about cultures that treat women so poorly.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-484915268092812945.post-41252009806394739182008-05-21T16:06:00.000+01:002008-05-21T16:06:00.000+01:00BSR - I know what you mean. The reasons are compl...BSR - I know what you mean. The reasons are complex. It's not a simple matter, but still I wish there was a way to make the trasition easier for them so they'd feel they could.Alyson | New England Livinghttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16209837924378793507noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-484915268092812945.post-54065248865255268262008-05-21T15:58:00.000+01:002008-05-21T15:58:00.000+01:00ps/ helen hunt adapted the novel by elinor lipman ...ps/ helen hunt adapted the novel by elinor lipman into the screenplay. she collaborated with some other people on it. have you read any lipman? i loooooved "inn at the lake devine."<BR/>i'm reading "twilight" right now by stephenie meyer and couldn't be more into it. deliriously romantic. are you still reading the booker winners? i was disappointed at the lack of them at my local half price bookstore. and if i go to the library i'd have to pay my fines. which are huge.khttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04172344270571916666noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-484915268092812945.post-21110412926239697732008-05-21T15:52:00.000+01:002008-05-21T15:52:00.000+01:00bee!thanks for visiting me. i've been so neglectfu...bee!<BR/>thanks for visiting me. i've been so neglectful of my & everyone's blogs lately. i guess i've been busy but when i think of what might have been keeping me so busy i can't really think of anything. i guess the days just get shorter the older i get.<BR/>i love memes, and i'll do this one soon.<BR/>happy wednesday! do they call it "hump day" in england? i've always hated that phrase because of what "humping" meant when i was a kid. it was that thing you giggled about on the playground.khttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04172344270571916666noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-484915268092812945.post-83765119860382554192008-05-21T15:40:00.000+01:002008-05-21T15:40:00.000+01:00it's infuriating to watch these women stay with th...<I>it's infuriating to watch these women stay with their bully husbands because in their minds they have no choice. I wish I could do more for them too.</I><BR/><BR/>There was a time when I would have said the same thing.<BR/><BR/>I understand a little better now why they stay.Brave Sir Robinhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11885043536453757210noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-484915268092812945.post-54907384709965272262008-05-21T15:08:00.000+01:002008-05-21T15:08:00.000+01:00I must say I envy your to-do list. I dream of the...I must say I envy your to-do list. I dream of the day when I can just go to lunch, on a weekday, with a friend. Soon enough, I'll be there. <BR/><BR/>I love your billionare list too. I know a lot about domestic abuse (not myself, but close family) and it's infuriating to watch these women stay with their bully husbands because in their minds they have no choice. I wish I could do more for them too.Alyson | New England Livinghttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16209837924378793507noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-484915268092812945.post-41014048624031230312008-05-21T14:00:00.000+01:002008-05-21T14:00:00.000+01:00Bee, that’s a nice to do list. How good to think ...Bee, that’s a nice to do list. How good to think of charity when imagining billions. Thank you for drawing attention once again to disturbing news stories in developing countries. It’s important both to enjoy life and to think about others. You blend the two well in your blog and in your life.Sarah Laurencehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00423008641739156182noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-484915268092812945.post-54258227306834815612008-05-21T08:48:00.000+01:002008-05-21T08:48:00.000+01:00Hello Bee I finally found my way here ! I have don...Hello Bee I finally found my way here ! I have done my walking for the day, I had to walk through the process they send you on to be able to do this.<BR/><BR/>I do not think you will be able to get really good roses for a while but November did strike me as a bit odd, really odd but what do I know.<BR/><BR/>Make a lovely creme brulee Bee and use some of the lavender about now to scent it with instead of vanilla, its very 'now' or hopefully will be after this posting, I believe the gardens if used with thought can really jazz up most things.<BR/><BR/>I cannot have lunch with a friend as I am awaiting new home office furniture, a surprise for my own Siguemund, known in my house as The Bearded One. I will however attempt that very soon.<BR/><BR/>The Tamsin Day Lewis thing. bless her I have tried with her but until she ties her hair back instead of flicking it in a Tourettes style (minus the tics) into the food I cant go there with you Bee. However Nigel Slater is wonderful, what a joy in the cooking world and his book he wrote, Toast, is brilliant especially if you are a UK Baby Boomer.<BR/><BR/>I am not qualified to comment on Yemen. Like you I am in the comfort zone. The Bearded One does not so much comment on bills but more that the bequests for our wee bairns as described by yourself are more akin to living wills, at 23 and 25 respectively for L&L, we have done the college (university) education, and have high grades on the car and I know deep in my DNA that the home will follow, the truth is Bee, The Bearded One is starting to think that by the time L&L have finished with general 'needs' he will have nothing to leave them. Mother In Law has given us a fridge magnet it says " be kind to your children, they choose your nursing home", she is 92 and as sharp as a tack, living in her own home, she has not had to succumb to her own advice yet, but the thought is now planted in Bearded One's mind.<BR/><BR/>Oh by the way Bee, in my usual ditzyness I have just discovered that I am reading the wrong Rushdie book. I am reading The Enchantress of Florence, I'll plow on tho' and after the Booker I'll let you know what I think.debski beathttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14099374348417485598noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-484915268092812945.post-19703841661467728112008-05-21T02:19:00.000+01:002008-05-21T02:19:00.000+01:00To clarify, that's my paraphrase of what Jenna sai...To clarify, that's my paraphrase of what Jenna said about her presidential vote, not precisely her words. <BR/><BR/>She didn't say "knee-jerk," but I do believe she said "thinking." :)Bittyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13328808801958155196noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-484915268092812945.post-86330587270937035832008-05-21T02:18:00.000+01:002008-05-21T02:18:00.000+01:00Last things first: I've begun to admire Jenna, to...Last things first: I've begun to admire Jenna, too, because she could've had the big splash and didn't go for it, she's showing a decidedly progressive bent in the subject of her recent book (what? Acknowledging the humanity of the "other"?: http://www.amazon.com/Anas-Story-Journey-Jenna-Bush/dp/0061379093/ref=pd_bbs_3?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1211332165&sr=1-3), and most importantly, because when she and Mom were on Larry King, she said she was <I>thinking</I> about her choice for president, not just knee-jerking for McCain. Ok. Done politickin.'<BR/><BR/>What I was going to say was that I wish I had the time to properly comment on your posts. For now, I'll just say that someday I'll have a lot to say about your eloquent and thoughtful musings. <BR/><BR/>That, and this is the second blog I've read today that mentioned <I>Hideous Kinky,</I> and I'd never even heard of it until about 8 hours ago. I think I am supposed to read that book. <BR/><BR/>(Less than 200 pages to go in <I>The Blind Assassin</I>!!! I know others are finding it a drag, but as someone who has read a number of Russian novels, I know that when I pick up a 540-page book, I can expect a good amount of detail, and it's simply not going to be a short trip. I guess I'm emotionally prepared.)Bittyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13328808801958155196noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-484915268092812945.post-65493811807765827472008-05-20T22:39:00.000+01:002008-05-20T22:39:00.000+01:00BSR,Well, maybe not . . . and definitely not witho...BSR,<BR/>Well, maybe not . . . and definitely not without some good AC! <BR/><BR/>I had a long talk with my mom today and she mentioned the HEAT WAVE . . . also that Salado got hit by a mini tornado . . . and also that Jenna Bush just had most of her wedding in Salado!! She had her rehearsal dinner at the same restaurant (The Inn on the Creek) where I had mine. Or maybe she just stayed there. I can't remember all of the details . . .<BR/><BR/>Anyway! Despite my loathing for her father, I admire her for organizing a really secret, down-home wedding for herself.Beehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02375981493145612394noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-484915268092812945.post-2065806117377183002008-05-20T22:25:00.000+01:002008-05-20T22:25:00.000+01:00it is dusk now; and I was absolutely freezing!It i...<I>it is dusk now; and I was absolutely freezing!</I><BR/><BR/>It is currently 92 F in Port Lavaca/<BR/><BR/>Wanna trade weather?Brave Sir Robinhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11885043536453757210noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-484915268092812945.post-67787974913483756292008-05-20T21:46:00.000+01:002008-05-20T21:46:00.000+01:00BSR,Oh yes, there are lots of nurseries and "garde...BSR,<BR/><BR/>Oh yes, there are lots of nurseries and "garden centres" -- including one in walking distance from my house. They had one or two roses that I wanted, but not in the quantity that I want. I'm going to call David Austin tomorrow and see if there are any other possibilities . . . because I'm way too impatient to wait until November.<BR/><BR/>JAPRA,<BR/>We don't have any roses blooming yet, but I have a quite few with buds. Roses without a smell are so sad!! All of my new roses will have gorgeous fragrance. I'd like to pull out some of the old, hoary roses that don't have scent . . . but there is just so much to do in our garden!! I was just out watering the new plants; it is dusk now; and I was absolutely freezing!Beehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02375981493145612394noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-484915268092812945.post-49131081833953295832008-05-20T20:58:00.000+01:002008-05-20T20:58:00.000+01:00Oh, Bee, your roses! I have to say, other short st...Oh, Bee, your roses! I have to say, other short store hours, "out of stock" is one of the most annoying shopping experiences here in England. <BR/><BR/>BTW, I had my first rose bloom today. It's a gorgeous pink growing on a seemingly thornless bush--but no smell?!TBMhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05587580447766102705noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-484915268092812945.post-8248154508524871452008-05-20T19:47:00.000+01:002008-05-20T19:47:00.000+01:00Aren't there any nurseries nearby? At least a "bi...Aren't there any nurseries nearby? At least a "big box" garden store? They won;t have some of the more exotic selections, but they will have things suited to your growing area.<BR/><BR/>Or is that a strictly American thing?Brave Sir Robinhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11885043536453757210noreply@blogger.com