Made by Me, August

Initially, I was going to post a weekly round up of the 'made by me' clothes. This proved to be rather boring. The weather is such I have been wearing summer skirts, sun hats, and a headband. Therefore, it has switched to a monthly one instead.

• Paris wrap skirt and navy headband
• Kid-silk shawl
• Blue batik wrap skirt
• Red batik wrap skirt
• Crocheted blanket
• Aquas crocheted sun hat
• Navy crocheted sun hat
• Blue headband

The crocheted blanket was 'worn' on a pyjama day. It spent a great deal of time draped over my knees, keeping me lovely and toasty.

Quorn and Butternut Squash Lasagne

Ingredients
1 butternut squash, peeled, deseeded and thinly sliced
3 tsp ground cumin
olive oil
1 large onion, finely chopped
2 garlic cloves, crushed
1 courgette
1 tsp ground cinnamon
500g Quorn mince
400g can diced tomatoes
bunch parsley, chopped
500ml béchamel sauce (gluten-free)
Parmesan cheese
cherry tomatoes

Method

Preheat oven to 200C. Line 2 baking trays.

Place the butternut squash slices in the trays, brush lightly with oil, and sprinkle over the cumin. Bake for around 25 minutes, until golden and tender.

Add oil to a skillet, and then sauté the onion. Add the garlic and courgette, and cook for an additional 2 minutes.

Add the cinnamon, Quorn, diced tomatoes, and chickpeas, and bring to a simmer. Remove from the heat, and add the chopped parsely.

Layer up the tomato sauce, the butternut squash slices and béchamel sauce. Add a sprinkling of Parmesan cheese, and top with a few cherry tomatoes.

Bake for 15 minutes, and allow to rest for 10 minutes before serving.

Notes
Serve with a green salad.

Chicken Burgers

Ingredients

2 chicken breasts

1/4 cup of gluten-free oats

1/4tsp curry powder

1/4tsp Italian herbs

1/2 tsp diced garlic

salt & pepper

oil

Method

Add oil to a skillet. Bring to a medium hot temperature. Place all of the ingredients into a blender and pulse until smooth. 

Spoon out the chicken mixture into the oil, making three patties. Smooth over the tops with the back of a spoon.

Take the heat down to low, and cook for 10 minutes. Flip over to the other side and cook for an additional 10 minutes.

Serve with burger bun, coleslaw and onion rings.

Salmon Burgers

Adapted from Healthy Living James' Salmon Burgers

Ingredients
500 g salmon fillet skinned
½ cup gluten-free oats 
juice of ½ lemon
¼ tsp curry powder
¼ teaspoon garlic granules
small handful of parsley or chives
freshly ground black pepper
oil for brushing

Method
Chop the salmon into cubes. Place all of the ingredients into a food processor. Pulse until the mixture starts to hold together.

Shape into burgers. Brush one side with oil, and fry for 5 minutes. Brush the other side, and fill. Again cook for 5 minutes.

Notes

Serve on a brioche burger, or with potato salad and a green salad. 

I need to see a doctor!

Many years ago, Little Miss fell and grazed her knee. I cleaned her up, put cream on the graze, and added a magical plaster. This stopped it all from hurting. 

The following day, on the way to church, the plaster fell off. Little Miss was not impressed, and declared, "I need to see a doctor!" Obviously she didn't, but she was insistent.

When we arrived, I saw a friend. "Hi, Phil. You're a doctor aren't you?"  Phil nodded, and replied 'Yes, but my wife is...' I knew what the end of the sentence and I  did not want Little Miss to hear it, so I stopped him mid-sentence. "Are you a doctor?" Of course, 'Yes' was the answer. "Could you please have a look at Little Miss's leg? She hurt it yesterday, and is a little worried." 

Phil examined the proffered leg. "Ah, yes. This must have been rather sore. However, it looks like it is healing nicely. My prescription is ice cream. Have some ice cream, either after lunch or dinner, and that will help."  Little Miss's eyes grew wide, "Okay!" and she ran off to find her friends.

Phil turned to me and said, "You do realise it's my wife that's a medical doctor. I have PhD in agriculture." Grinning, I replied, "If I had any concerns, I would have taken Little Miss  to see a medical doctor. But, she asked to see a doctor, and  did not specify the type of doctor."

Squat-tastic!

I can't believe the difference a few days has made!  

It started off with five very shallow, supported squats. This was painful, and I definitely needed to hang on to the banister for balance. 

Now, on the fifth day of squatting, I am able to do squats like the ones in the image, 10 in the morning, and 10 in the evening. There's no pain, and there's no stability problems. The difference is huge, and it's rather nice to have no pain. 

Exercising Whilst Under the Weather

Yesterday started with a nasty migraine, most likely weather induced. I was about to say, "All I was able to do was 10 medium-ish squats." Let's re-phrase, despite the migraine, I was able to accomplish 10 standard squats. These were done whilst holding onto the bannister for stability. This morning, I managed another 10 squats whilst using a stabiliser.

I dislocated my knee two years ago, and for 6 months it was partially subluxed. This is not a good thing (TM) for knees. There were lots of problems kneeling, and rising from the floor. With the exercise challenge, I decide it would be the perfect time to work on my knees, and get them back in working order.

My plan is to do 10 medium squats a day this week, and then increase to 10 in the morning, and 10 in the evening. When this become comfortable, I'll move on to the exercises in the 28 Squat Challenge. When the pause squat is easy, I'll start doing the single leg squats off a box, and the lateral squat. By that stage, I hope I will be able to work on really deep squats. 

However, I must, must, must not allow myself to try to do too much too soon. This is about improving my long term health and flexibility, not achieving milestones as quickly as possible.

Made by Me Challenge

It has been a lovely change not to 'have' to write a blog post each day. A week off has been good, but tomorrow sees the beginning of a new challenge, 'Made by Me'.  

For the next 100 days, I shall be wearing items I have made, or adapted. I think I shall post a summary at the weekend of the items worn that week. 

When I started thinking of this challenge I thought it would be hard work, but over the last little while I have been making more items, and now think it's going to be pretty easy. To try to make the next 100 days a little more challenging, I'm also going to do an exercise challenge - some form of exercise for the next 100 days. My goal is to cycle for 5 minutes every day, and throw in some other specific exercises for my knees and shoulders.

Over the weekend, we walked along Marine Drive, and I've been cycling. This has done wonders for a sore back.

100 Days of Writing

Reflecting on 100 Days of Writing

It has been very hard to consistently write each and every day. There is a myth that goes around, do a task for 1 month, 2 months, or even 3 months, and it will become a habit. This might be true for neurotypical people, but for this neurospicy individual, it's has not become a habit. It is something I need to remind myself of every day, and it's always a conscious choice.

Most of the time it's been quite easy to find something to write about, whether it's a silly story I've made up, a family story, a new recipe, or new project. It's been easy to write the little nuggets, but much harder to write larger stories, ones that require lots of thought and planning. And, I'm fine with being a writer of nuggets, and mirthful moments. However, I would like at some point to write a book, and some longer stories.

There was one day I was unable to write due to illness. My perfectionism kicked in, and I thought the whole project was in tatters. Thankfully, I listened when I gave myself a stern talking to, and I extended myself the same grace as I would to someone who had missed a day on a project.

There have been other periods when I have missed a day or so, and have later gone back and filled in the missing days. 

I've learned I am not a habit former. I have also learned creativity comes in clumps, and it is highly influenced by my health, tiredness and stress.

A tidy Bedroom

Back in February, I started putting together lists of the decluttering, cleaning and tidying tasks for each room in the house. Having a list on my Kindle meant it was a great deal easier for everyone. 

I didn't have to create a decluttering, cleaning and tidying list from scratch each time. The information was there for people to use, and it was no longer me asking people to do things. Each person could choose which tasks to do from the list in front of them.

This system was working really well, until life became very busy for me. Without me driving things forward people don't think to start using the list.

However, today the Beloved and I did a deep clean of the bedroom. As a result of the previous decluttering, and tidying, it was a huge deal easier to clean today.

I am loving how much simpler life is when we keep on top of tasks. 

Red Lentil Tofu

Ingredients

¾ cup red lentils

1.5 cups boiling water

1.5 cups room temperature water

½ tsp salt

Method

Add your lentils and boiling water to a blender and let that sit for 10-15 minutes for the lentils to cook slightly.

Blend until smooth, adding salt and any spices of your choice.

Transfer the mixture to a small saucepan along with the room temperature water and cook over medium heat, stirring continuously until the mixture thickens. It should take about 5-7 minutes.

Transfer the mixture into a container of your choice; this will be your mould.

Let that sit in the fridge for 3-4 hours to set. 

Slice your red lentil tofu into cubes, drizzle on some olive oil and spices, and bake or air-fry until crispy.

Note

The red lentil tofu can also be pan fried, but it will not be as crispy as fried soya-tofu.

New Hair Band

I've made a new hair band, and my curly locks are semi-contained. However, I now look like (well, my hair at least) Deanna Troi from Star Trek: Next Generation. It makes such a refreshing change not to be Hagrid, Weird Al, nor Maui.

The Beloved asked if the hair band will count in the "Made by Me" challenge. Let's see - I identified a need, I designed something to fill that need, and then made it. Yup, I'd say it counts. It doesn't matter it took only 30 minutes to make, I still made it. :o)

The hair band was made on my Atelier 6 sewing machine. I brought it into work this morning for a service, and it is now going to live in the shop. When I am at home, I am very rarely in the mood to climb to the top floor and sit down to sew. Knitting and crochet are far, far more likely. By bringing the machine into the shop, I will use it, and the rest of the staff can use it too.

The hair band was made from a strip of cotton 10x50cm, and elastic 10cm long by 4cm wide. 

Sausage Pinwheels

Ingredients

100g vegan cream cheese

1 level Tsp of onion relish

6 vegan sausages

1 sheet of vegan, gluten-free puff pastry

Method

In a bowl, stir the cream cheese until smooth. Add the onion relish, and then the saucesages. Mix well.

Spread this mixture over the puff pastry sheet, leaving a small part of the pastry uncovered along the long edge. Brush some water along that edge. 

From the opposite edge, roll towards the uncovered section.

Wrap the pastry roll in paper, and put in the fridge to chill for about 30 minutes. 

Preheat the oven to 220C.

Cut the sausage pastry into 12 or 16 equal pieces, and arrange on a baking sheet. Cook for 18-20 minutes, or until the pastry has risen and is golden brown.

Notes

The pinwheels can be eaten hot or cold, and can be frozen. 

They make great picnic or party food. They can also be served with a salad as a packed lunch.

Roasted Parmesan Carrots

Ingredients

6 medium-large carrots (approx 700 grams)

70 grams freshly grated parmesan cheese (Parmigiano Reggiano cheese)

2 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil

2 large garlic cloves minced or grated

2 tsp smoked paprika

1 tsp cumin powder

1/4 teaspoon curry powder

handful fresh parsley finely chopped

Method

Preheat oven to 200°C/400℉. 

Peel the carrots, and cut them in half in both directions.

Mix together the oil, grated garlic, paprika, cumin, curry powder, and parsley. Coat the carrots in the flavourful oil.

Sprinkle a handful parmigiano on a non stick oven dish or baking sheet. Dip the flat sides of the carrots into the remaining grated parmesan cheese and place them cheese facing downwards on the baking sheet.

Roast for 20 -25 minutes until fully cooked and tender.

Fired for being kind!

I am not impressed, so very not impressed!  Let me tell you what happened, and you can decide for yourself.

Last Saturday, I was leaving town, the traffic was terrible and we'd waited at the traffic lights for two life times at least. The town was busy, and the bus was crazy busy.  

A little old lady got on the bus. But every single seat was taken. People cast a glance at her, her walking stick, and then looked away. Not one person was willing to get up out of their seat and stand so this lovely old lady could sit down.

"Can't be having that!" thought I. Jumping out of my seat, I offered it to her. She smiled and refused. I offered again. This woman was the age of my dear old Granny, and I'd get a clip around the ear if Granny heard I'd let a wobbly old woman stand. The woman grinned at me, touched my arm and said I'd made her day.

Third time's a charm, so I offered again. This time she laughed and agreed.

On the Monday morning, I walked in to work, and Jimmy shouted that the boss would like to see me. Into the office I strolled, not having a clue what was about to happen. "You're fired!  Andy will accompany you to your locker. You will clean out your belongings, and you will leave!"  I spluttered, "What? Why?" The boss stood up, and locked their eyes on mine, "You gave up your seat for an old woman. Get out!"

So that's the story: old woman needed a seat on the bus. No one would give her their seat, so I did. You'd do the same, wouldn't you?

If anyone hears of job openings for a bus driver, please do let me know.

Baked Doughnuts

 Ingredients

120g self-raising gluten free flour

75g caster sugar

30ml vegetable oil (plus extra for greasing)

125ml oat milk

1 large egg

1 tsp baking powder

1 tsp vanilla extract

½ tsp ground cinnamon

Cinnamon Sugar

30g unsalted butter (melted)

4 Tsp granulated sugar

½ tsp ground cinnamon

Method

Preheat the oven to 180'C.

Grease  a 12 hole doughnut tin well with a little oil. 

Mix all of the dry ingredients in a large jug. Mix all of the wet ingredients in a jug. Add the wet to the dry, and whisk until it forms a runny, lump-free batter.

Pour the batter evenly between the doughnut moulds (approx 2Tsp per hole) 

Bake the doughnuts in the oven for 12-15 minutes until well-risen and golden brown on top. 

Remove from the oven and place the tins on a cooling rack while you make the sugar coating.

Mix well the granulated sugar and cinnamon. Pour onto a plate.

Remove the doughnuts from the tin. One at a time, brush the doughnuts with melted butter using a pastry brush, then coat in the cinnamon sugar. Repeat until all coated.

16th July and Inequality

I'm always saddened to see the male/female imbalance on Wikepedia. The activities and lives of men are documented to a far, far greater extent than women. This is understandable in the past due to the ways in which women were excluded from the public arena in many times and cultures. But I had hoped things would have started to improve.

Looking at the entries for births on the 16th of July from 1970 onwards, there are 48 entries. 40 of them men, and 8 women. 33 were listed because of their sporting achievements (30 m, 3 f) and of the rest (most actors, producers and singers) 10 were male and 5 female.

There is most definitely still a huge inequality between men and women in sport (10:1). The sports men are engaged in are seen as being of much greater importance than women's sports.

The Twelve Days of Christmas

Nine years ago, things got a little dicey in the shower room whilst I was painting.

I had managed to enter without my Kindle, and my hands were so covered in paint that I would not touch it even if it had been there. This meant I had to make my own entertainment. For some reason I started singing the Twelve Days of Christmas whilst painting. I was doing well until 'four'. It turned out there were 'four something-somethings'. But apart from that the song progressed well until day 10.

It was at that point I really started deviating from the original lyrics. On the 10th day a restraining order was taken out because I was knee-deep in bird poo, had poisoned my family with too many pears and goose eggs. The 11th day was spent hiring a hitman, and the 12th day was spent in the peace of a jail cell.

It is often not a good idea for me to make my own entertainment.

The winds were moaning in the heights

As I was leaving the grocery shop this morning, I heard a piping tone. It was the wind blowing across part of the structure, and causing it to resonate. The phrase, "The winds were moaning in the heights" popped into my brain. It is a mangled version of the Dwarves song from Lord of the Rings, Far over the Misty Mountains. The original is, "The pines were roaring on the heights, The winds were moaning in the night."

This set my brain to thinking about other structures making noises. The first was the Zadar Sea Organ. It is a wave powered organ in Zadar, Croatia. As the tide comes in against the structure, it pushes air through pipes (think pipe organ pipes) and this makes random, but harmonious sounds. Many people find it incredibly relaxing, but I need moments of resolution in music, little times when it all comes together before it opens out again.

I was wondering about other sculptures/structures that make music, and discovered the Blackpool High Tide Organ. Eight pipes connect to the water through the sea wall and link up to 18 pipes in the body of the High Tide Organ. When the tide rolls in or out, air pushed up the pipes causes the sculpture to resonate with its unique music. The sound of this sea organ is more melodious to me than the Zadar one.

Blackpool is not terribly far out of the way when I am travelling to see my parents, and I was starting the get excited about the prospect of hearing this 'musical manifestation of the sea'. Sadly, sadly, the High Tide Organ was very poorly maintained, and only lasted 20 years before it was dismantled in 2022. Part of me wonders if the organ was also poorly designed, at least in terms of the materials used. Outdoor sculptures need to be able to withstand the elements, and when the sculpture is right by the sea, strength and durability need to be planned in right from the start.

Safety First

A migraine was brewing yesterday, until the rain came down, and washed it all away. (Yeah! for beneficial changes in air pressure!)

This morning on the way to work. I realised I was *me* again. What caused this revelation? I saw the pneumatic road tubes. "Every time a vehicle's tires hit the tube, it sends a burst of air that triggers a switch, which then produces an electrical signal that's recorded by a counter device."

Well... I was thinking about getting one of those huge, heavy, lawn rollers, and pushing it back and forth across the pneumatic road tubes.

Naturally, I have completed a health and safety audit. It will be done at 2am, and I'll wear a high-vis jacket.

These Islands

It's strange watching people give a potted history of 'these islands', the names of kingdoms, areas and getting 70% of it right, and then the rest becomes rather mangled and garbled.

Here's my attempt at setting the record straight  - and whilst we're talking about getting things straight, I'd be so happy if this image was set on a north/south axis. This titled map was used on the weather reports when I was a child. It wasn't until Google Maps happened across my computer screen I realised most of Scotland is further west than most of England.

The Norman Invasion of Ireland (1169-71) is the time where I'm starting. This saw the end of Celtic rule, and the office of High King of Ireland. The island was declared a fief of the Holy See under the Lordship of the King of England. The reality was Ireland was carved up, and power given to Ango-Norman nobles.

In 1541, the Parliament of Ireland conferred the crown of Ireland upon Henry VIII of England. The Catholic monarchs of Europe  did not recognise this as Ireland had previously been decreed a fief of the Holy See, and as Henry had been excommunicated (1538) he could not possibly be king. When Henry's daughter, Mary became Queen of England, the Pope (Paul IV) issued a papal bull  recognising  Mary, and her husband, Phillip II of Spain as Queen and King of Ireland together with her heirs and successors.

Between 1277 and 1283, the English (under the rule of Edward I) attacked and subjugated Wales. The Statute of Rhuddlan (1284) formally declared the end of the independence of the Principality of Wales, and annexed it to the crown of England. Later, in 1535 and 1542, under Henry VIII, Wales was legally incorporated into the Kingdom of England.

By 1555, Mary was Queen of England (including Wales) and separately of Ireland. Three years later, on her death, her half sister, Elizabeth inherited the crowns.

On Elizabeth's death in 1603, her second cousin, James VI, King of Scots,  became king in Ireland, and also England (inc. Wales).

Then in 1707, with the Union of Parliament, James became king of the Kingdom of Great Britain. (Great Britain also refers to the largest island, as well as the name of the kingdom.) This incorporated Scotland, England and Wales. Ireland was still a separate country, albeit with the same monarch.

In 1801, Ireland was added into the mix. The new country was called the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland. In 1921, Ireland was partitioned into two provinces. Six of the nine counties of Ulster formed Northern Ireland, and the rest of the island was to be Southern Ireland.. The UK government intended them to be self-governing, but remain with in the UK. This was accepted by Northern Ireland, but the people of the south refused and in 1922, the Republic of Ireland was formed. The name of the UK changed to the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland.

The Isle of Man has never been a part of the UK. It is a crown dependency, and the monarch of the UK is the Lord of Mann.

Missing from the image above, are the Bailiwicks of Guernsey and Jersey. They are also crown dependencies, and not part of the UK.

There are many people, especially in the Republic of Ireland, and on the Isle of Man, that using the term 'British Isles' for these islands is woefully outdated, and colonial. In joint governmental papers (UK and Ireland), the term used is 'these islands'. Other names are the  'Anglo-Celtic Isles' and the 'Atlantic Archipelago'. 

Shark Attack!

"Hello, Mrs Dixon?  It's Oakwood Primary School."

"I'm afraid there's been a little incident in school today. Maria was bitten. The skin hasn't been broken, but there will be bruising. She is tearful, but okay."

"No, no. she says she'll be fine and she doesn't need you to come to school to pick her up. Currently she is comforting the child who bit her. We just wanted to let you know what's happened."

That's pretty much how the conversation with the school administrator went. The conversation with Maria was a little different.

"Yes, I'm fine," said in a confused tone, after all the biting incident was a whole 90 minutes ago. 

"Oh!  That!  Last week were visited the Sea Life Centre, and decided to play  'Shark Attack! It was fun. We were swimming out beyond the Great Barrier Reef, and Julie attacked me. She grabbed my fin (holds up arm), and bit! Hard!  I cried, and Julie cried. She didn't realise she'd bitten me so hard. She was so sad I gave her cuddles and told her it was okay. Next time we play she is going to be a Basking shark, and not a Great White."

Mum's The Word

Up until a week ago, the front garden was a riot of colour. The foxgloves and aquilegia have gone over, and the giant daisies won't be far behind them.

I had been thinking about cutting them back to allow new flowers to be planted, and new colour to be added. Unfortunately, when coming home of Friday I saw at least ten sparrows fly out of the stems and greenery. They were having a feast on the seeds from the plants. A garden shouldn't just be for the pollinators, but also to feed as much of the ecosystem as possible.

However, the plant in one of the big pots has died. It was definitely time for it to go. The Beloved pruned it right back, and I have planted chrysanthemums, lavender, and a cutting of some fruit bush.

The rain last week has caused a number of weeds to sprout, and these need to be cleared. The second big pot can be cleared and planted with something interesting. And then, hopefully, I can attack the central bed, and add summer/autumn bedding.

Chocolate Cheesepots

 

Ingredients

Chocolate layer

2 Tsp Nutella

2 Tsp butter

Biscuit base

80g Oaties (gluten-free, vegan, oat biscuits)

30g butter

Cheesecake layer

280ml double cream

250g vegan cream cheese

2 heaped Tsp icing sugar

2 teaspoons lemon juice

2 teaspoons vanilla essence

Method

Heat the Nutella and butter in a microwave. Stir to ensure it is well mixed, free from lumps. Set to one side 

Crush the biscuits. Add the butter to a saucepan and heat. Pour the crushed biscuits into the butter, and also the chopped, toasted hazelnuts. Mix well. Split the crumbly biscuit base between four wine glasses. 

Blend the cream cheese, lemon juice, vanilla essence and icing sugar. In a separate bowl, whip the cream to stiff peaks. Fold the cream cheese into the cream. Carefully spoon into the wine glasses. Smooth over the top.

Add the chocolate layer to the top. Add some chocolate curls, and place in the fridge until needed. 

Notes

This is the dairy-rich version of the vegan Raspberry Cheesepots The verdict was the raspberry version was good, but this is better. 

Dog Days

In Homer's Iliad (circa 8 BCE) he wrote:

Priam saw him first, with his old man's eyes,

A single point of light on Troy's dusty plain.

Sirius rises late in the dark, liquid sky

On summer nights, star of stars,

Orion's Dog they call it, brightest

Of all, but an evil portent, bringing heat

And fevers to suffering humanity.

Achilles' bronze gleamed like this as he ran.

Orion's Dog... bringing heat. This is one of the earliest written references. It was in 7 BCE, Greek poet Hesiod, in 'Work and Days', used the phrase to mean  “searing” or “scorching”.

The dog days of summer is the period when it is so hot you want to so little but sit in a cool breeze, sip and iced drink, and dream of future times.

The phrase 'dog days' entered English in the 1500s. It is a direct translation from the Latin term 'caniculares dies', which refers to this specific seasonal phenomenon and is modelled after the same term in Greek.

Hans Island

One of my favourite YouTubers is The Tim Traveller. The lovely Tim travels to interesting places, and tells us interesting facts. Often it's about strange borders,, train lines, or even abandoned buildings.

One of the places mentioned was Hans Island. It is right in the middle of the Kennedy Channel of Nares Strait. When Canada and Denmark  (Greenland is one of the constituent countries of the Kingdom of Denmark) were drawing up their maritime borders, they agree to the border being equidistant from both land masses. However, Hans Island lies right in the middle of the Nares Strait. Both countries have claimed this little bit of barren rock. 

From time to time, Canada would visit, hoist their flag, and leave a bottle of Canadian whisky. Later, Denmark would do the same, but leave a Danish equivalents. This has been been dubbed the Whisky War. No shots have been fired, only drunk.

On the 14th of June 2022, an agreement was signed to divide Hans Island roughly in half, along a rift. I haven't heard that it has yet been ratified, but once done, it will be the most northerly international land border, and will become the world's third shortest international border at 1,300m. It will also give Canada and Denmark two international land borders (Canada currently has the USA, and Denmark, Germany).

Driving Without Due Care And Attention

"Mr Anderson, how do you plead to the charge of 'Driving without due care and attention?" 

"Not guilty." 

The trial started and PC Robertson took to the stand. Flipping open his daybook, he read out his notes: 22.04, 18th of June 1991, approx. 200m from Junction 10 on the northbound M9, Charles Anderson recorded travelling at 114mph. Confirmed by PC Wilson, and Mr Anderson himself.

Charles Anderson nodded along, visually confirming everything the young police constable had said. Then, he took the stand.

Charles' lawyer spoke to his client. "As PC Robertson was reading out the details you appeared to be agreeing with the facts. Is this correct?" 

"Yes, I agree that on the 18th of June, I was driving towards Stirling at 114mph."

"Mr Anderson, you agree with the officer, but yet you pleaded 'not guilty'. Can you please explain this apparent discrepancy?"

"Certainly. Careless driving is an offence under the Scottish Road Traffic Act 1988 section 3. It is driving a "motor vehicle on a road in a manner that falls below what would be expected of a competent and careful driver” or driving  "without reasonable consideration for other persons using the road". To be  convicted of driving without due care and attention  it must be shown that the driver departed from 'the standard of a reasonably prudent and competent driver in all the circumstances of the case'."

"Mr Anderson, were you driving below the standards of a 'competent and careful driver'?"

"No, I was not. The weather was dry, visibility excellent. Whilst it was after 10pm, the light levels were very good, and the road was empty, apart from PC Robertson's police car."

"Please comment on the speed at which you were driving."

"I freely admit I was driving to the conditions, not the speed limit. However, I have not been charged with speeding, but with driving without due care and attention. I maintain I was driving safely, and within my capabilities."

"Mr Anderson, can you please explain to the court how do you know your capabilities?"

"I am an advanced driving instructor, and I train the Police in high speed driving and pursuit. I also teach officers how to drive in adverse weather conditions. As part of my job, I am required to undergo regular testing to ensure I can drive at speed safely, and with due care and attention."

The Justice of the Peace scowled slight, then cleared her throat. "I think we have heard enough. Mr Anderson, you are free to go. It is clear you are innocent of the charge brought against you. However, I'd like to have a quiet word with PC Robertson about charging a person with right bloody crime!

----

Many years ago, a colleague gave me a lift to Stirling each day, and she told me, with great glee of a recent case her husband had defended. The names, times and places have been changed. But there was indeed a man who was charged with driving without due care and attention. He did indeed train police offices in how to drive safely at speed, and the Justice of the Peace was not at all impressed.

I Eat Stress For Breakfast

“I eat stress for breakfast, and operate best when I am a half step from disaster.”

A youtube short form video started with these words, and it felt like a very accurate description of my life. I’d ask ‘Why am I like this?’, but I already know! It’s ADHD.

 My brain as an inability to focus on some tasks, and it’s only when there’s stress, a serious time deadline, and the fate of the western world resting on my shoulders that action will happen.

----

In other news, a friend is coming to visit this evening. Therefore, the sitting room is looking fantastic. It has been decluttered, cleaned and tidied.

Vegetable Curry

Ingredients

olive oil

1 medium onion, diced

3 cloves garlic, diced

1 Tsp freshly grated ginger

1/4 tsp ground cinnamon

900g diced vegetables

240ml natural yogurt
1 Tsp lemon juice

2 Tsp medium curry powder

2 tsp ground turmeric

1 tsp ground cumin

200g diced tomatoes, canned 

120ml coconut cream

2 Tsp gluten-free flour

Method

Prepare the vegetables. 

Heat the oil in a large pan over medium heat. Cook the onion until translucent. Add in garlic, ginger, and cinnamon. Continue to cook until onions are browned, stirring frequently. Transfer to a dish.

Add a bit more oil and gently fry  the vegetables. 

Add in the onions.

Mix the yogurt, lemon juice, curry powder, turmeric and cumin. Add to the vegetables, along with the can of diced tomatoes. Cooking for about 10 minutes. 

Add in the chicken with the yogurt marinade into the pan. Cook 5 minutes. Pour in stock and bring the mixture to a boil. Then lower the heat, and simmer for 15 minutes.

Add the coconut cream. Mix well.

Mix the gluten-free flour with a little water, and use to thicken the sauce. Season to taste.

Notes

Serves 6.

Serve with rice, mango chutney, and a side salad.

This recipe is based on the one for Butter Chicken, but without the butter, and without the chicken.

Raspberry Cheesepots

Ingredients

Raspberry layer

250g raspberries

1 heaped Tsp  icing sugar

Biscuit base

80g Oaties (gluten-free, vegan, oat biscuits)

30g vegan butter substitute

Cheesecake layer

340g silken tofu

200g vegan cream cheese

2 heaped Tsp icing sugar

2 teaspoons lemon juice

2 teaspoons vanilla essence

Method

Place 2/3 of the raspberries in a bowl, and sprinkle over the icing sugar. Set to one side, and leave for 20 minutes. 

Crush the biscuits. Add the vegan butter substitute to a saucepan and heat. Pour the crushed biscuits into the 'butter', and also the chopped, toasted hazelnuts. Mix well. Split the crumbly biscuit base to wine glasses. 

Blend the silken tofu, cream cheese, lemon juice, vanilla essence and icing sugar. When smooth, carefully spoon into the wine glasses. Smooth over the top.

Return to the raspberries. Use a wooden spoon and crush the raspberries. Mix well. Spoon on top of the cheesepot, and then add the uncrushed raspberries on top.

Notes

I was all set up to make some dairy-filled cheesecake, and instead went the vegan route. The recipes I saw had too many ingredient I didn't have, so I improvised, and it's tasting rather nice. Hence, I am writing out the recipe.

Rude Words!

A few years back, in the spring, we were driving in the countryside. By the road were glorious daffodils; a "thousand saw I at a glance, tossing their heads in sprightly dance."

And, I burst out laughing, then said, "Oooh, that was naughty, wasn't it." The others in the car looked over and asked for more information.

This is when I explained that I wanted to plant lots and lots of daffodil bulbs, enough bulbs to spell out rude words. A look of consternation crossed the Beloved's face, and he asked, "Which rude words?" Grinning, I explained I wanted to spell "rude words - R U D E  W O R D S".

They all laughed, and agreed that it was indeed naughty.

Each spring, whilst others might think wistfully of longer days, more light, and cherry blossom, I think of 'Rude Words'. 

Mary Shelley by Frankenstein

Ah, the classics! ''Great Expectations' by Dickens, The Adventures of Tom Sawyer' by  Twain, 'Mary Shelley' by Frankenstein, .... yeah, something a little off there!

But.... what if it wasn't? Why would Dr Frankenstein make of the story of Mary Shelley? Would this unconventional scientist view this outsider as a heroine, as a tragic figure, or would he look down on her for flouting so many of the societal conventions of the day?

I think I need to find out.  It's time to delve into the life of Mary Shelley, her husband, parents, family, her life choices, and also to learn of Dr Frankenstein.  

Half Year Round Up of Crafting Projects

So far this year, I have made:

Two large gift bags

Five crocheted dishcloths

Two twiddle muffs and a fidget mitt

Two knitted facecloths

Two crocheted sun hats

A crocheted bag

A crocheted cardigan

A pair of knitted socks

That's 17 projects.