Most people “hate” okra, but I happen to love it. I can eat it cooked anyway, whether its boiled, in stews, or in casseroles. However, my favorite dish is fried okra (with fresh tomatoes on the side). I grew up eating okra so that is probably why I like it so much.
We planted a garden every spring, and okra was always included. Picking okra is definitely not as much fun as eating it. The okra plant is lovely. The flowers are big and white and look like hibiscus, but picking okra off the plant can require perseverance because the plant is very prickly and the okra itself is so sticky. You have to wash your hands and arms thoroughly and immediately after picking it, or you will be itching and scratching for a long time.
Nutrition-wise okra is high in dietary fiber (6 boiled pods have 2.5 grams), and it has a lot of vitamins such as A, C, K, B6, and minerals such as folate, calcium, magnesium, and potassium. All of this nutrition would surprise most people because who would think that it has any good value to it?
Now, fried okra is probably not the way to get the best nutrition okra has to offer, but since I don’t eat many fried foods in general, surely a little fried okra every now and then is okay. Mama makes the world’s best fried okra, cut into little round circles and coated with corn meal, salt, and pepper. She fries it just right until it is golden brown. Oh, it is so good.
Since Mama is older now, and she doesn’t cook very much, I have tried fried okra at several restaurants. I have found that The Charlotte Café in the Park Road Shopping Center cooks their fried okra very close to the way Mama cooks it. They also serve a “mean” okra and tomato stew that is so good. I would highly recommend trying their okra dishes, especially if you want to live dangerously and try some of that awful, yucky okra.
Sunday, March 29, 2009
Saturday, March 28, 2009
JUST OLDIES
Thanks for the song lists, Antoinette and Lauren. I will listen to those that I’m not familiar with on iTunes and will probably add some of them to my collection. Since you started something neat, I thought I would share my top 25 with you.
Keep in mind that I’m from a different generation, and I can’t help the fact that I like some disco and mostly soul/beach, in other words, just oldies for the most part. And I love easy listening like Frank Sinatra and Diana Krall, plus movie soundtracks such as The Phantom of the Opera and Out of Africa. I also like some classical, and my favorite is Vivaldi’s “Winter” from The Four Seasons. Oh, and as I mentioned before, I do so love Christmas music.
Try to listen to a few of these and see what you think (in alphabetical order, not favorite).
1. Bein’ Green – Frank Sinatra
2. The Best Things in Life are Free – Luther Vandross and Janet Jackson
3. Cool Me Out – Lamont Dozier
4. Far Away Places – The Embers
5. Games People Play – The Spinners
6. I’ll Fly Away – Allison Krause
7. I Can’t Make You Love Me – Bonnie Raitt
8. If I Were Your Woman – Gladys Knight and the Pips
9. It Only Takes a Minute – Tavares
10. Let’s Groove – Earth, Wind, and Fire
11. Let’s Stay Together – Al Green
12. Little Girl Blue – Nina Simone
13. The Look of Love – Diana Krall
14. Love Machine – The Miracles
15. Lovergirl – Tina Marie
16. Never Can Say Goodbye – Isaac Hayes
17. One Less Bell To Answer – The 5th Dimension
18. Santa Baby – Eartha Kitt
19. Sleigh Ride – Johnny Mathis
20. Someone to Watch Over Me – Willie Nelson
21. Silent Nacht – Mannheim Steamroller
22. Summertime’s Calling Me – The Catalinas
23. There Is – The Dells
24. Yeah – Usher
25. Yes, I’m Ready – Barbara Mason
Keep in mind that I’m from a different generation, and I can’t help the fact that I like some disco and mostly soul/beach, in other words, just oldies for the most part. And I love easy listening like Frank Sinatra and Diana Krall, plus movie soundtracks such as The Phantom of the Opera and Out of Africa. I also like some classical, and my favorite is Vivaldi’s “Winter” from The Four Seasons. Oh, and as I mentioned before, I do so love Christmas music.
Try to listen to a few of these and see what you think (in alphabetical order, not favorite).
1. Bein’ Green – Frank Sinatra
2. The Best Things in Life are Free – Luther Vandross and Janet Jackson
3. Cool Me Out – Lamont Dozier
4. Far Away Places – The Embers
5. Games People Play – The Spinners
6. I’ll Fly Away – Allison Krause
7. I Can’t Make You Love Me – Bonnie Raitt
8. If I Were Your Woman – Gladys Knight and the Pips
9. It Only Takes a Minute – Tavares
10. Let’s Groove – Earth, Wind, and Fire
11. Let’s Stay Together – Al Green
12. Little Girl Blue – Nina Simone
13. The Look of Love – Diana Krall
14. Love Machine – The Miracles
15. Lovergirl – Tina Marie
16. Never Can Say Goodbye – Isaac Hayes
17. One Less Bell To Answer – The 5th Dimension
18. Santa Baby – Eartha Kitt
19. Sleigh Ride – Johnny Mathis
20. Someone to Watch Over Me – Willie Nelson
21. Silent Nacht – Mannheim Steamroller
22. Summertime’s Calling Me – The Catalinas
23. There Is – The Dells
24. Yeah – Usher
25. Yes, I’m Ready – Barbara Mason
Wednesday, March 25, 2009
The Federal Reserve is Getting on My Nerves (Essay No. 2, That Is)
I agree with Andrew that Essay No. 2 has definitely been more difficult to write than Essay No. 1. Frankly, I’m disappointed in both of my essays, but at least I felt a little creative with the first one. It is easier to write creatively about something that is personal to you vs. writing about a subject that is impersonal, even though you know a lot about the topic.
I have been thinking about revisions for both essays, but mostly the second one. I think I am going to highlight the major cash operations, add more “stories” and personal memories, and definitely come up with a better introduction and closing. The good thing about this topic is that I know a lot about it. The bad thing is that I’m thinking like a manager or auditor when I write about it. I need to take those hats off, put on my writer’s hat, and just make it an enjoyable but also informative piece for the reader.
Thanks for all the feedback.
I have been thinking about revisions for both essays, but mostly the second one. I think I am going to highlight the major cash operations, add more “stories” and personal memories, and definitely come up with a better introduction and closing. The good thing about this topic is that I know a lot about it. The bad thing is that I’m thinking like a manager or auditor when I write about it. I need to take those hats off, put on my writer’s hat, and just make it an enjoyable but also informative piece for the reader.
Thanks for all the feedback.
The Elderly Always Get the Shaft
As you know from my first essay, Mama lives in rural South Carolina. I make sure that she has regular doctor’s visits in Charlotte with a practice that she has been going to for a long time. Until recently, she has not had any dental problems. She hasn’t been to a dentist in a few years, but her doctor has been checking her mouth and gums routinely to see if she has any problems.
About two months ago, she lost one of her wisdom teeth. She said that just “out of the blue” the tooth got loose and came out within a couple of weeks. This really worried both of us. Mama has never lost a permanent tooth, and she is very good about brushing and flossing so for this to happen is unusual.
I started calling around to see if I could set up a dental appointment for her only to find out that Medicare does not cover routine dental visits. I decided to make her an appointment with my dentist and to pay out-of-pocket for it. She went week before last and most everything in her mouth looked good. However, she did have another loose tooth and an abscess in another wisdom tooth which was not bothering her at all. The dentist said that aging brings about tooth loss and recommended that she have both teeth extracted so he arranged for an appointment with a dental surgeon.
The hardest part of all this for me was not realizing how apprehensive Mama had gotten over this. Since she had never had a tooth pulled, she was very emotional. But in the end all went well, except for the pain of the long needle putting the anesthesia in her gums. She has recovered from this just fine, and she is scheduled for a tooth cleaning in early May.
Back to the issue of no dental coverage for an 86-year-old who does not have the money to go to the dentist. Since dental health is an important part of overall health, I am struggling with this lack of coverage and struggling with the fact that if I could not help Mama with this $650 expense, she would probably have had severe problems from these bad teeth.
I am going to research this further so I may report back on this so that we will all have the facts when and if we need to help an elderly person with a situation like this.
About two months ago, she lost one of her wisdom teeth. She said that just “out of the blue” the tooth got loose and came out within a couple of weeks. This really worried both of us. Mama has never lost a permanent tooth, and she is very good about brushing and flossing so for this to happen is unusual.
I started calling around to see if I could set up a dental appointment for her only to find out that Medicare does not cover routine dental visits. I decided to make her an appointment with my dentist and to pay out-of-pocket for it. She went week before last and most everything in her mouth looked good. However, she did have another loose tooth and an abscess in another wisdom tooth which was not bothering her at all. The dentist said that aging brings about tooth loss and recommended that she have both teeth extracted so he arranged for an appointment with a dental surgeon.
The hardest part of all this for me was not realizing how apprehensive Mama had gotten over this. Since she had never had a tooth pulled, she was very emotional. But in the end all went well, except for the pain of the long needle putting the anesthesia in her gums. She has recovered from this just fine, and she is scheduled for a tooth cleaning in early May.
Back to the issue of no dental coverage for an 86-year-old who does not have the money to go to the dentist. Since dental health is an important part of overall health, I am struggling with this lack of coverage and struggling with the fact that if I could not help Mama with this $650 expense, she would probably have had severe problems from these bad teeth.
I am going to research this further so I may report back on this so that we will all have the facts when and if we need to help an elderly person with a situation like this.
That’s Just Nasty
I have a fetish. It’s not anything bizarre, but before I get seated in a restaurant, I have to check out the sanitation rating (SR). If I’m a “regular” at a restaurant, I still check the SR. I feel okay if it is 92 rating or above, even though I start getting weary if it stays at the lower rating over time.
I have walked out of restaurants before if it has a 90 SR because I feel that something is just not right at that point in time. I don’t want to get sick or have food poisoning, or just not enjoy my meal.
I routinely check WCNC’s website for the “Eat, Drink, and Be Wary” section, and there are many small restaurants that get higher SR’s (100 or higher rating) than the more established restaurants. Then, there are the lower SR’s at around 79 or 80, typically due to unsanitary conditions or food preparation, bugs, or staff cleanliness issues. YUCK!
Yes, it is my choice to eat out, and I don’t know if the rating system is what it should be so I try to be as aware as I can be of what is going on in the places I eat. By the way, my favorite restaurants are Red Rocks, Harpers, Providence Café, and Zen. Out of these, only Providence Café still allows smoking in their restaurant. But that is another fetish and a story for another day.
I have walked out of restaurants before if it has a 90 SR because I feel that something is just not right at that point in time. I don’t want to get sick or have food poisoning, or just not enjoy my meal.
I routinely check WCNC’s website for the “Eat, Drink, and Be Wary” section, and there are many small restaurants that get higher SR’s (100 or higher rating) than the more established restaurants. Then, there are the lower SR’s at around 79 or 80, typically due to unsanitary conditions or food preparation, bugs, or staff cleanliness issues. YUCK!
Yes, it is my choice to eat out, and I don’t know if the rating system is what it should be so I try to be as aware as I can be of what is going on in the places I eat. By the way, my favorite restaurants are Red Rocks, Harpers, Providence Café, and Zen. Out of these, only Providence Café still allows smoking in their restaurant. But that is another fetish and a story for another day.
Saturday, March 7, 2009
Just Do It
Alright, you will see that I have been blogging like crazy today, but I wanted to get it done so that I can relax this next week. After this, I plan to go ahead and read our reading assignments plus the three essays and then write feedback. I am a "last minute Sally," but since I need a break, I am going to do it (I will do it). No, I have not been drinking at 10:00 a.m. on a beautiful Saturday morning.
By the way, since I only need five credit hours to graduate, my other class is a piano session so I also plan to practice for that. I have been trying to get into a piano lesson for a couple of years now, but because I need to have lessons after work, there were no teachers available at that time. I go on Tuesdays, and it is a challenge for me.
I took lessons when I was around twenty-five years old, because I have always wanted to play the piano. Well, here's the thing, I do not have any natural music ability in my body. I cannot seem to make my brain talk to my fingers, or to my vocal chords. When I go to church, I sing the hymns wholeheartedly, but I only mouth the words because my alto, off-key voice is not pleasant at all. My piano teacher is wonderful, and who knows, maybe I will be able to play a couple of songs when I complete this class.
Happy Break to all my fellow bloggers!
By the way, since I only need five credit hours to graduate, my other class is a piano session so I also plan to practice for that. I have been trying to get into a piano lesson for a couple of years now, but because I need to have lessons after work, there were no teachers available at that time. I go on Tuesdays, and it is a challenge for me.
I took lessons when I was around twenty-five years old, because I have always wanted to play the piano. Well, here's the thing, I do not have any natural music ability in my body. I cannot seem to make my brain talk to my fingers, or to my vocal chords. When I go to church, I sing the hymns wholeheartedly, but I only mouth the words because my alto, off-key voice is not pleasant at all. My piano teacher is wonderful, and who knows, maybe I will be able to play a couple of songs when I complete this class.
Happy Break to all my fellow bloggers!
WINTER BLAHS
I am so relieved to have a week of no classes (and just a little bit of studying). I don’t know why, but I feel so tired during January through March. It could be I need more sunlight than I get during these months.
I am looking forward to April and May, and then in early June, we go to our favorite place in the whole world—Hilton Head. It is the one time of the year when my husband and I have a whole week of special time with our son and his family.
We like to stay at South Beach in Sea Pines at the very end of the island. We can walk to the South Beach Marina, which is such a nice area with interesting shops, boat rentals, bike rentals, and couple of really good cafés. The place where we stay offers free tennis at the South Beach Racquet Club, where they have around 25 courts. All we have to do is call in advance to reserve a court/time, and we get to play “free” each day for one hour. We usually play every day we are there.
As for our water view, we can look right out to the Calibogue Sound, where we watch plenty of dolphins bobbing up and down right off the beach and so many fishing boats. It is only a few steps to the beach, and I take an early morning walk with my grandchildren almost every day we are there. We find many treasures, such as starfish, jellyfish, sand dollars, and interesting seashells.
We have two favorite restaurants: Truffles is near HarborTown in the Sea Pines Resort, and Red Fish is just outside of Sea Pines. Both have wonderful little shops with very unique items so it is fun to go and browse while we are waiting on our delicious food.
Hilton Head, here I come (and it won’t be soon enough)!! Now, back to real life--mid-March and the winter blahs.
I am looking forward to April and May, and then in early June, we go to our favorite place in the whole world—Hilton Head. It is the one time of the year when my husband and I have a whole week of special time with our son and his family.
We like to stay at South Beach in Sea Pines at the very end of the island. We can walk to the South Beach Marina, which is such a nice area with interesting shops, boat rentals, bike rentals, and couple of really good cafés. The place where we stay offers free tennis at the South Beach Racquet Club, where they have around 25 courts. All we have to do is call in advance to reserve a court/time, and we get to play “free” each day for one hour. We usually play every day we are there.
As for our water view, we can look right out to the Calibogue Sound, where we watch plenty of dolphins bobbing up and down right off the beach and so many fishing boats. It is only a few steps to the beach, and I take an early morning walk with my grandchildren almost every day we are there. We find many treasures, such as starfish, jellyfish, sand dollars, and interesting seashells.
We have two favorite restaurants: Truffles is near HarborTown in the Sea Pines Resort, and Red Fish is just outside of Sea Pines. Both have wonderful little shops with very unique items so it is fun to go and browse while we are waiting on our delicious food.
Hilton Head, here I come (and it won’t be soon enough)!! Now, back to real life--mid-March and the winter blahs.
Looking for Good News Somewhere
I don’t think I can take anymore bad news of any kind. Today’s announcement that the unemployment rate is up to 8.1% (from a norm, if there is one, of around 4.5%) is so scary. I read that the number of unemployed persons in the country at the end of February was 12.5 million, up 851,000 from January and up 5.0 million over the past 12 months, and that the rate has increased by 3.3% over the past 12 months.
It seems that companies think that the only way they can save money is to reduce staff. Some companies could probably tighten up the number of staff they have, but others, especially small ones, are going to have to close their doors and will probably never open them again.
I am hoping that the new Administration can turn things around more quickly than anticipated. Of course, it takes people working together to get this done, and there is definitely a problem when it comes to that in Washington. All I can say is that we need some good news, and we need it fast.
It seems that companies think that the only way they can save money is to reduce staff. Some companies could probably tighten up the number of staff they have, but others, especially small ones, are going to have to close their doors and will probably never open them again.
I am hoping that the new Administration can turn things around more quickly than anticipated. Of course, it takes people working together to get this done, and there is definitely a problem when it comes to that in Washington. All I can say is that we need some good news, and we need it fast.
Tuesday, March 3, 2009
SLIPPING AND SLIDING
Snow is beautiful, but why can’t it ever happen on a Saturday or Sunday? It was a terrible weekend weather-wise, and I had things to do that I could not postpone. So I was out in it, wet and cold all weekend. Then, the snow came Sunday night, and I had to stress about getting to work yesterday. I got up around five times during the night to “check things out,” and the only thing that was good for was interrupting my sleep, putting more stress on me, and being exhausted on Monday.
Luckily for me, my husband cleaned off my car yesterday morning; however, his work was closed all day so he was at home all comfy and cozy. So, I left home around 7:15 a.m., driving like a little old lady (which I am, but I don’t usually drive like one), and worrying all the way that something could easily happen to my car. I made it, but I slid a couple of times and had some other drivers irritated with me for driving so slowly.
Please let this be the last of the ice and snow for several months, and the next time it does snow, please let it happen on a weekend so that I can ENJOY it.
Luckily for me, my husband cleaned off my car yesterday morning; however, his work was closed all day so he was at home all comfy and cozy. So, I left home around 7:15 a.m., driving like a little old lady (which I am, but I don’t usually drive like one), and worrying all the way that something could easily happen to my car. I made it, but I slid a couple of times and had some other drivers irritated with me for driving so slowly.
Please let this be the last of the ice and snow for several months, and the next time it does snow, please let it happen on a weekend so that I can ENJOY it.
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