Wednesday January 27 2016  AND TIME KEEPS TRAIPSING ON

It’s almost the end of January and soon our first month of twelve will be over.  One twelfth of our year is coming to a close, too quickly, too soon.  When I sit at this computer day after day and write each date, it just seems as if the days fly by.  The one thing I realize about this month is, if it is an indicator of what I will be able to accomplish through the remaining eleven months of 2016, I certainly will be far behind the goals I have set for this year!  So…as I look forward I must decide if I want to allow that knowledge to  defeat me, or roll up my sleeves and start persevering all the more!  Or, I could just revise my plans.  I just know my sister will say “I TOLD YOU SO” when I admit that I actually realize my year’s goals are a bigger bite than I can chew.  SMILE SISTER, I know you are right!

So, one hour blogs, less talking everywhere I go, more concentration of transcribing and editing the book I want finished by December, deleting all the Christmas movies I didn’t get a chance to watch, and last, but not least, working quicker and more efficiently on downsizing the contents of this house.  Oh, yes, one thing I forgot.  I also want to finish an album(s) of family photos for my younger sister.  So whoever said retirement meant taking it easy???

Speaking of my “wise, older” sister, I am using an email I received from her as a “guest blog” for today.  She had some interesting comments about glass that I thought might be interesting as a follow-up for yesterday’s blog about glass.  The quote was:

“Glass takes one million years to decompose, which means it never wears out and can be recycled an infinite amount of times.”

Below is her response (personal knowledge) about glass.

“What I understand about glass:  Glass can last forever if unbroken.  It all depends on how glass it tempered, (degree of firing).  If glass is to be used as a cooking vessel and how that glass will be used; such as casserole for cooking at 400 degrees, or as a canning jar under lots of pressure.  Example, you can use an old glass mayonnaise jar to freeze something but not for pressure canning.  Since I know not to can with mayonnaise glass jars (they are plastic now) I never used them in water bath processing.  My, long time understanding is that glass originally was made from beach sand.  Beach sand has a high percentage of highly polished, smooth glass in it as well as rocks, each little grain of glass and rock is so smooth it is not dangerous.  I think it could cause problems if consumed by mouth.  I have been to glass blowing places in Benicia – but strictly artistic glass object and expensive wine glasses.  Everything (chemical wise) does better processed and stored in glass, i.e. vinegar, pickles (of any kind), sauerkraut and the list goes on and on  Good wine is always stored in dark color glass bottles to protect the wine from light.  The world would be much better off if plastic was OUTLAWED WORLD WIDE.

This is what I have learned from experience and reading:  Glass is best to cook in, better heat distribution; Corning Ware is as good as glass for cooking.  Never, use metal when cooking with vinegar or lemons, i.e. lemon pie or brines with vinegar – don’t even use a metal spoon for those – the acid content is too high and causes the metal to leech into the food and discolor the pot and you can taste the metal in the food.

There, you have my quick knowledge of glass without me going to the internet.”

Thank you sister.  I thought your replay quite insightful and interesting.

MANY MANY THANKS

By Kathleen Martens

January 27, 2016

So many things I do not know

And so informative when others show,

What is deep, in their mind’s bank,

And for those who share, I give my thanks.

Just think how fortunate we are

That there are those who have traveled far.

And what they know, are willing to share,

Tidbits of knowledge that is rare.

I am so thankful for other’s words

That because of my blog I have heard.

It warms my heart when others tell

Of their experiences they know so well.

I especially enjoy the wisdom of age

From those who no longer work for wage.

So much life comes from the wizened

If the younger are willing to listen.

My hope for self as I grow old

Is that my story will be told.

Though I’ve nothing to brag about

I have lots to say without a doubt!

Thank you for reading what I write,

I enjoy doing it night after night.

Thank you for listening to my banter,

As some evenings I quickly canter.

If just one word a difference makes,

That was written for your sake,

My heart will be glad for all the time

It took for me to write, each and every line.

I will end with another FUN FACT that Dave’s sister sent to me:

“Gold is the only metal that doesn’t rust, even if it’s buried in the ground for thousands of years.”

Hmmm.  I must admit, I never had reason to give that much thought.  I’m just glad I don’t have to go around with a rusty finger.

Good night and God bless all of you!