COLD DARK ROOM

[Tidgy's Dad]

Yucky, muggy day here in Maryland (so far). Overcast, high 70’s AND 84% HUMIDITY. - wet brow from just watering the banana plantation. A few ripe figs picked, watered snapdragons that are now looking sad here in late Summer. Removed Japanese beetle traps, looked at getting some Milky Spore powder to spread to control these darn beetles and grubs, watched a few hummers checking out the feeder for breakfast, checked on a sleepy Sully who gave me a few eye blinks.

• Watched an interesting short TV program on a Vermont cheddar cheese producer, who uses innoculations from both British and American cheddar spores... he also has his own special herd of Guernseys thst he uses for his very fresh milk.

Here is a pix of the finished up/cut baklava thst wifey served up to her lost relatives..

View attachment 248747

Looks lovely!
And the cheese documentary would have been just my cup of tea.

 

[Tidgy's Dad]

Well.
Now it did come up....

Hi, Ed, hope all is well in your world.
The names of members who haven't posted in a long time don't seem to come up, but they're just 'sleeping', they will come up if you spell them exactly right, but you only know when they come up highlighted in green after you post.
Nobody's heard from John for months, I've tried to e-mail him, Lyn's tried, so have you, I believe, but he doesn't respond.
He's lost to us, I'm afraid.

 

[ZEROPILOT]

I'm going to try a phone call.
Last message I left went unanswered though.

 

[Maro2Bear]

Some well-aged cheddar would go well with this plate of fresh figs I just picked. Of course SOME didnt mske it into the kitchen..

 

[ZEROPILOT]

I'm going to try a phone call.
Last message I left went unanswered though.

I just texted him
Is INTERNATIONAL TEXTING even a thing?

 

[EllieMay]

Oh wow! That is a major undertaking and I am full of admiration for you for trying to help this young man. Heather, I wish you all the luck in the world... and we are here whenever you need to scream and holler but not in his presence!

Thanks Linda!

 

[EllieMay]

It's great when people share their lives in the Cold Dark Room.
You are more than welcome to share with us here and if it helps you cope or unwind, that's a bonus.
Good luck with that, it could go either way, I guess.
But what you're doing is a brave thing and the right thing to do if you are able.
Good morning, Heather!

Good morning Adam.. I am able and I am willing. It’s hard to balance protecting my own children and helping others if the two conflict.. but this young man may just need someone to care.. I can do that..

 

[EllieMay]

Good luck with this new/next phase. Is the plan for short-term stay....or for long-term? Good luck...

Good morning Mark. ... and thanks. I’m not really a short-term kinda person.. my legal papers are for 6 months at this time but I’m in it for the long haul if he just shows any effort at all..

 

[EllieMay]

He's a lucky boy to have you in his life. Let's hope he's mature enough to appreciate it.

Thanks Yvonne... that’s my thoughts too.. I’m going to do all I can.

 

[Bee62]

Good morning all. We woke up to a wonderful view towards the Cevennes mountains - it’s a little misty today so you can’t see them, but that doesn’t ruin the view
View attachment 248734

Our house has an open plan kitchen/diner/living room at one end
View attachment 248735

The pool in the middle and the two en suite bedrooms at the other end. Our bedroom has windows overlooking the pool as well as the view.
View attachment 248736

The house is built into the hillside so there’s a garage underneath and a balcony running the full length of the view side. We have the binoculars out as it is proving a good spot for bird watching

I could live here forever!

We are off to buy bread before the weather gets too hot!

I believe that you could live there forever.

 

[EllieMay]

On the upside, all the food posts have made me hungry.. my new child is about 30 min away so I’m going to fix some chicken Alfredo for lunch and after he gets settled in, we are off to my daughters teenage friend’s bday party... no down time here. Also bought me some flower seeds to throw in my tortoise garden! Thanks y’all for letting me lean this morning!!

 

[Bee62]

The minions scared me off.

Bad excuse ! I was waiting for you but you submerged somewhere in the dark.
Not nice.

 

[JoesMum]

Some well-aged cheddar would go well with this plate of fresh figs I just picked. Of course SOME didnt mske it into the kitchen..

View attachment 248753

Oh yum! We forgot to buy some yesterday. Shops are generally closed on Sundays in France... things aren't as bad a they used to be when France was closed on Sundays... but there's little point trying to rectify it today!

 

[JoesMum]

I make both these alot, particularly when we are on holiday in France.

Courgette crisps
Slice very thinly lengthways. Put kitchen paper or a towel on a tray and lay the slices on top. Salt the slices on both sides and then places more kitchen paper or a towel on top. Leave to 'sweat' water for at least an hour... The paper/towel will absorb the moisture.

Season some plain flour. Heat some vegetable oil in in a frying pan. Coat each slice in seasoned flour before dropping it in the hot oil. Fry until both sides are crispy golden brown. (You could use a deep fryer, but I don't have one!)

Ratatouille
Delicious accompaniment to grilled meats

Chopped onion
Chopped zucchini
Chopped bell pepper (any colour, but I like red)
Optional: chopped egg plant
2 x 14 oz cans chopped tomatoes - or use chopped and skinned fresh tomatoes
Generous teaspoon mixed herbs

Throw the lot in a large pan. Don't add extra water. Cover with a lid and simmer gently for as long as you want. The idea is that all the veggies go very soft. Remove the lid and let it boil a bit harder towards the end so most of the liquid evaporates and you end up with a thick mixture.

I am making both these now and realise I left the garlic out of the Ratatouille recipe [emoji33]

You need a couple of cloves of crushed garlic in the mix!

 

[Bee62]

Good morning! I’ve been a little on edge this past week so here’s the deal. I’m getting a new baby today... a two legged variety, 14 yrs old complete with a long history of not good stuff.. I am a last resort option but I guess God put me in The plan somewhere. I could use some prayers for this one I believe.. The boy is my Godson and my nephew by marriage. His parents took separate roads in life a long time ago and they were the type people who never should have been parents. I haven’t been around this child in 12 yrs. I did have his older brother living with me while he was in high school for a couple years and he is still close to us... working and making a decent start now. I’m just a bit nervous but I’m going to follow my own advice and believe that this is just what was meant to be... guess I just needed to share all that with someone not in the picture??? Sorry for rambling.. I do hope everyone has a great Sunday!!!

Wow Heather, you are very brave to take this new "baby". I wish you all the luck in the world that the boy turns to good being a member of your family. I have much respect that you made this decision.

 

[Bee62]

Talking of France, here are the new public toilets in Paris.
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/av/world-45217575/icymi-oui-oui-paris-s-new-and-very-public-toilets

Silly French !

 

[Bee62]

Hello.
I just attempted to tag John Sellers on a post
@johnandjade
But the name doesn't come up.
Has he completely left the forum?
I'm getting so out of touch with ya'll.

Hello Ed, I`ve send John an e-mail.- no response. I think he will have no contact with us but I don`t know why.
It is nice to see you here in the dark. I hope we don`t loose contact with you too.

 

[Yvonne G]

On the upside, all the food posts have made me hungry.. my new child is about 30 min away so I’m going to fix some chicken Alfredo for lunch and after he gets settled in, we are off to my daughters teenage friend’s bday party... no down time here. Also bought me some flower seeds to throw in my tortoise garden! Thanks y’all for letting me lean this morning!!

Have you spoken to him? I'm wondering how he feels about this new situation.

 

[Yvonne G]

Bad excuse ! I was waiting for you but you submerged somewhere in the dark.
Not nice.

I like your new avatar.

 

[Tidgy's Dad]

I'm going to try a phone call.
Last message I left went unanswered though.

Good luck!