Tuesday 18 October 2011

A Recent Obituary

!±8± A Recent Obituary

In my literary life, there have been four phases:

1. When I didn't know how to read (birth to 3 or so)

2. When I loved to read! (3 until, say, 13)

3. When I hated reading and only picked up a book when it was assigned (13-17)

4. When I re-learned some passion for the written word; so much so I began to create my own (17-present)

For the last four or five years of phase #2, I'd often check out books from the public library in Montgomery City (just a hop, skip and a jump from my hometown). On Saturday mornings, you could find me sitting on the floor in the back of the library, flipping through giant picture books of warfare; everything from spears to M-16s in the Vietnam Conflict. In those shelves was where I learned the value of just how much knowledge there is in the world-and that's probably why I want to know EVERYTHING now! The rebellious, slothful teenage years hadn't kicked into full gear, so I was still able to dig books just because, well, I dig books. It wasn't yet cool to NOT like reading (something I hope teens today don't emulate.)

Anyway, there at the Montgomery County Public Library was an elderly librarian named Laura. The things I remember about Laura were 1. She was a heavy, heavy smoker (yes, this was in the days when no one seemed to have a problem with smoking in the library) and 2. she seemed to know EVERYTHING about books! It was Laura who first introduced me to J.R.R. Tolkein and the Lord of the Rings trilogy-some 15 years before the movies made "Hobbitt" a household word!

While at my parents' home last week, my Mom was flipping through the local paper when she came across Laura's obituary. Laura hadn't really crossed my mind in years, but at the news of her passing, I thought back on those Saturday mornings. I also began to remember something Laura taught me without ever even knowing she was sending a lesson along...

Another library employee who worked with Laura was profoundly disabled. I don't think I ever knew this woman's name, and my best guess is that she had a severe case of cerebral palsey. This woman would sit behind Laura's desk in her electric wheelchair, body twisted at what looked like painful angles, jerky, robotic movements to sort books into large metal bins.

What I assume was C.P. had robbed this woman of all but the most sparce of motor functions. She could grip a book, but couldn't sit it down gently. Into the big metal bin the books would go, nearly shaking the windows with the clattering "BANG!" In the years I went to the library, this woman never spoke. Guessing here, but it seemed her disability wouldn't allow her verbal communication, either.

Sitting just a few feet away from Laura, she'd do her tasks of book organizing, books banging all the while. Laura, meanwhile, checked the cards in each of my loans, talked to me about the content of each, asked me about the last books, I'd read, never once paying attention to the ruckus being raised just a step away.

Was she oblivious to the noise? Unlikely. She was, however, comfortable working with this woman and her limitations. At the first loud slam, it would have seemed proper to drop what she was doing, run to the aid of the woman at the rear, check to see if everything was okay. But she didn't. Why? Probably because she knew nothing was wrong, just accepting this woman's disability and the tiny inconveniences that went along with it. She didn't offer help, didn't hover, just let the woman perform her task.

Laura certainly never acted like her co-worker had any sort of cognitive disability. To this day, I don't know if she did or not. My guess is no. She simply lived in a body that had more limitations than almost any other I've ever met. But Laura didn't treat her like she was profoundly disabled-she just let her do her job.

Frankly, Laura's comfort level with a person of this limited ability was disconcerting to my pre-teen self. It was, however, exactly how a person with a disability should be treated: with respect, honor and without making the disability their sole identity. Some of the best lessons are taught by inaction; when a loud crash would happen, Laura wouldn't even look up. I wanted to yell, "What happened?! Is she okay?!" all while pointing toward the figure in the electric wheelchair. But I didn't. Because Laura didn't act like anything was wrong. That made me also think nothing was wrong. Laura would finish her stamping of my books, wish me luck and would turn back to her own novel and overflowing ashtray.

You know, I'm not sure I'd ever thought of this until I heard of Laura's passing, but I have to think her actions (or more specifically, lack thereof) towards individuals with disabilities helped mold my opinions. Never assume that if one's body doesn't work well, that their mind doesn't, too. Don't hover, don't coddle, don't protect-just allow that person to live his/her life and to do their job.

When I became a person with a disability, I knew darned good and well I didn't want to be treated in a way other than the respect Laura showed her co-worker. I hope this memory may remind you, faithful reader, of how to respect and honor the existence of all people, those with disabilities and those without. If there's net access in the hereafter, I hope Laura may read this and rest assured she helped mold the life of one little bookworm many years ago.


A Recent Obituary

Honey Nut Cheerios Nutrition Facts Buy Online Blendtec Commercial Blenders Compare Optoma Ep1691 Clearance Sale

Friday 14 October 2011

Dry Rubs - Simple Steps to Amazing Flavor

!±8± Dry Rubs - Simple Steps to Amazing Flavor

As warmer weather approaches, many of us look forward to cooking on the grill. There's just something special about the taste of food that's fresh off the grill, and one of the best ways to amp up the flavor of grilled meat is by using dry rubs. The beauty of using a dry rub when cooking meat is that the method is the same, whether you're cooking beef, pork, chicken, or fish. So for those of you who have never used a rub, here are the simple steps to cooking incredible meals.

First, rinse the meat in running water, and pat it dry with paper towels. Then, apply some oil to the surface of the meat and rub it in well, making sure you have covered the surface evenly. Use any good quality vegetable oil. Now, sprinkle the rub onto the meat, taking care to cover the entire surface. For best coverage, put the rub into a shaker. A good rule of thumb is to use 2-3 tablespoons per pound of meat. For some interesting variations, you can rub milk, yogurt, flavored oil, even beer or whiskey onto the meat before applying the rub. If you're using a spicy rub, keep in mind the more rub, the more heat you will have in the finished dish.

Now here's the fun part - rub the seasoning into the surface of the meat really well. If you're cooking poultry with the skin on, make sure to rub it under the skin. Once you've given the meat a good rub-down, wrap it tightly in plastic wrap, and put it in the refrigerator for anywhere from an hour or so to overnight to marinate. Larger pieces of meat will require a longer time to marinate.

When you're ready to cook, allow the still-wrapped meat to warm to room temperature before cooking. While the meat is warming, make sure the grate on the grill is clean, and, if you're cooking a delicate meat like fish, you'll probably want to apply some oil or cooking spray to the grate, so the meat won't stick. Then remove the plastic wrap and grill the meat as you normally would. Keep in mind that if the rub you used has sugar in it, you'll need to keep an eye on the cooking process to keep the sugar from burning on the surface of the meat. That's it - now all that's left to do is eat.

On those days when you choose not to grill, you can use these same methods if you're oven-roasting or pan-frying the meat. Now that was easy, wasn't it?


Dry Rubs - Simple Steps to Amazing Flavor

Good Bob Revolution Se Stroller

Sunday 9 October 2011

Big Green Egg Grill - Smoke and BBQ

!±8± Big Green Egg Grill - Smoke and BBQ

The great thing about the Grill Big Green Egg is the variety of cooking choices you have at your disposal, including the ability to power the smoke, grill, oven and outside.

The Green Egg barbecue grill is a well-designed that it is easy to use and very easy. It 'available in a range of different sizes, depending on the amount of cooking, you need to do. It has a stripped down version of what an original version, plus great calllarge. Obviously, the food than with each grid, or more guests to entertain you, then you need to tend to cook more cooking space. This usually leads to one of the largest models. If in doubt call the company, because their customer service is excellent.

This grid is very functional in all kinds of weather. Even if you live in northern climates, it is possible to achieve good food even in winter, whenSnow and cold. The key is the shape and design of the barbecue, the ceramic used for the walls. Resisting the ceramic material capable of receiving large low temperatures, and also allows heat the grill as much as 1800 ° F. Of course, if you're out of the kitchen in the middle of a snowstorm that your neighbor that you are a bit 'strange, but not as you think the next time you try to invite some of your grilled dishes.

The construction of theGreen egg grill allows you to maintain a constant temperature maintained for a long time, even with traditional coal. Desired, for example, if you cook ribs or other brands slowly for a very low temperature, say 250 ° C for several hours, you do not have to worry about temperature fluctuations with a grid almost as much as normal.

This grid is very versatile and allows the food to cook slowly, but it is also used for smoking grills and various types of largeVegetables and fish. You can also simulate the grid of a wood-burning oven for baking pizzas with exceptional taste. Each pizza is cooked by the fire, famous in New York, and this grid can be simulated with these conditions of extreme heat and walls of ceramic tiles.

As well, there are a number of accessories made specifically for this grid, including a walk that allows gadgets to cook rice or vegetables, mix well. Another accessory thatmany people find useful is the fishy taste at your fingertips. Grill or broil the fish is always a difficult thing for many people do not have to overcome, because it is very easy to fish for too long and lose all the flavor and fun. Must be with this grid, even the most novice cook can create delicate dishes of fish, resulting in slow cooking.

This is a durable product and the investment should last for many years. Conventional grid can not get close to some ofFlavors are available from Green Egg grill.


Big Green Egg Grill - Smoke and BBQ

Delta Savile Faucet Grand Sale

Tuesday 4 October 2011

How to Cook Rump Roast

!±8± How to Cook Rump Roast

Aka Rump steak or round, rump roast cut refers to a special premium for beef that is often used in savory dishes and delicious, because it is difficult and meat free of fat. One of the most effective ways to learn to cook rump roast will through the steps and instructions in various recipes. Here are some of the most simple and easy to prepare-rump roast recipes, you will consider serving you delicious food and inviting.

Spicy Italian CroupRoast

This exquisite and delicate flavor uses key ingredients like two cans of tomatoes and three pounds of rump roast. To this delicious flavor, add a packet of Italian seasoning and spaghetti sauce ingredients in 16 oz. Apart from the above ingredients, you will need ½ cup diced onion ½ teaspoon salt, garlic.

Put meat in crockpot and season with salt, garlic. Mix all ingredients except onions in a bowl separately. Best meatwith onions. Divide the mixture into crockpot. Bake the dish for half a day, if you prefer the low setting. If you prefer the high setting, you can use it for four hours to six hours to cook. Serve with a cup of rice or a cup of noodles.

Rump roast in the oven

The ingredients of this attractive and easy recipe to serve 4 pounds rump roast, three tablespoons of vinegar and a can of French onion soup. Put the meat in a baking dish. Pour the vinegar over the meat and the shell within aOven preheated to 350 degrees is Fahrenheit. Bake for one hour. Pour onion soup to the pan and return the dish in the oven. Cook for 3 hours and make the season with ¼ teaspoon of salt and pepper.

Sirloin Tip

If you do not have enough time to make a unique and delicious dish to serve your family, you can try the recipe sirloin tip. The ingredients of this delicacy, five pounds of beef, a package of dry onion soup mix ¼ cup of mustard and ¼ cup water. To begin with,Wash and dry the meat. Brush the meat with mustard. Make sure that all parties had the meat with mustard brushed to enhance the flavor. Sprinkle the meat with the onion soup mix. Roll the meat in aluminum foil. Grill the meat over medium heat for 2 hours, two and a half hours.


How to Cook Rump Roast

Bodipedic Memory Foam Review Promotional Cocoa Puffs Nutrition Facts


Twitter Facebook Flickr RSS



Français Deutsch Italiano Português
Español 日本語 한국의 中国简体。







Sponsor Links