Festival of Rats In Tupperware

Pearl is adopting a young rat on Monday, a hairless male.

I took Pearl yesterday to the Rat Show in at Scopes Auction off Mullinex Road in Port Orchard. For an aspiring new rat adopter, it was a great place to learn, and the perfect day for Pearl. It was fascinating. They had a little track and tiny trainers ran around the track next to each rat while the MC listed the particular fine points of the animal . . . no, wait, that's with dogs.

Actually, it was pretty low key. A dollar admission honor system, a couple of tables for judging set up in front of the bleachers. In front of the judges the rats for each category [solid or marked, satin, shaded, dwarf, etc, as well as two hairless] sat in individual clear plastic boxes with colored lids, like giant Tupperware containers, for viewing. Judges took out each rat in turn, handling them, assessing body and head shape, ear and tail formation, color, markings and temperament.

Several ratteries had tables with displays and cages for their pets. Yes, ratteries. There are rat fanciers and fancy ratteries. I was surprised to see similar facial features: wide, deep-set eyes, recessive chins, long, pointy noses. Unconsciously I was applying the idea that pet owners tend to resemble their pets.

Pearl came back from a shopping spree with some toys and articles, including one of those hollow balls for rats to run around in safely while you clean the cage.
I said, "You already have a ball."
"I actually was offered a second rat, the brother to the original rat."
"When were you planning to tell me this?"
"I was working up the courage."

Then I just had to mention this: "At least you'll have a spare rat when the cats eat one . . . come on--three cats and one rat--who do you think will win?" At this I happened to glance over and see a stare of pure, appalled hatred on the face of one of the judges who had overheard. I just kept smiling. I already know my humor is pretty cold.

We learned lots about proper rat diet and how to handle the rats to socialize them right away. I saw more rats in one day, being petted and snuggled, sitting on shoulders, poking very cute little noses out of sweater sleeves, than I have in a lifetime. I guess having a rat in the house is not the end of the world. I almost want one. And, hey--no annoying barking, howling, or meowing.

Anyway, Pearl had a great time.

The Place For God's Creatures

There's a really cute T-shirt I've seen twice in the last few days, with the caption, "There's a place for all God's creatures--right next to the potatoes and gravy."

I'd like to make a shirt that says, "There's a place for all God's creatures--in your coronary arteries, your adipose tissue, your liver, your pancreas . . . " I'm not sure about the graphics, but there are a lot of gruesome possibilities.

Raised By Wolves

Driving back to Tacoma from Eatonville this morning I saw a bumper sticker, "Forgive me, I was raised by wolves." There was another one about being naked but I couldn't get close enough to read it.

The 24 or so hours I spent on my second day off in Eatonville, my husband was glued to Radio Sedaye Iran on the internet, listening to endless Farsi commentary about Ahmedinijad's speech to the UN. Apparently he wound it up by promising a return of the Mihdi and of Jesus. He didn't say whether or not they would be the same person, or even be in agreement.

Tuesday Pearl took her test and got her drivers licence, so we were very celebrational. Interestingly, I was also 21 when I got my license. I'm making up for it now, driving everywhere like crazy.

This afternoon my car was vandalized for the third time. The first time several years ago someone broke a window and stole a briefcase with nursing supplies; two years ago someone tried to steal my catalytic converter. This afternoon there was evidence that initially they tried to jimmy open the drivers door lock, and got it too messed up to use my key; then they broke the drivers side back window. I guess they must have been interrupted, because they didn't disturb the inside or steal my CD's or recyclable grocery bags. Probably they were planning to steal the car.

I'm getting pretty cynical about this. Just sort of the cost of driving a CRV. I have a police case number but it was too late in the evening to contact my insurance agent. Then I remembered my daughter's car, which I can drive until this one gets fixed.

Sigh.

Yippee Ki Yo Captain Hook

The original unabridged Peter Pan is a wonderful read. Moving quietly through the forest on his way to rescue the Lost Boys and Wendy, kidnapped on the Pirate Ship, Peter Pan passes the crocodile and starts ticking. [The crocodile, if you remember, has swallowed a clock in the past.] He continues ticking for so long that it becomes automatic. When Peter comes up the side of the pirate ship, still unconsciously ticking, he wonders why Captain Hook and the pirates have fled the deck, hearing the sound of the crocodile.

He remembers he is ticking and figures it out. "Oh, the cleverness of me!"

I watched Die Hard again for the first time in several years, as the character John McClane hunts bad guys through the jungles of a building under construction, eventually calling out the Chief Bad Guy--Snape--"Yipee Ki Yo, chickenplucker!" What an elegant Captain Hook is the Chief Bad Guy, and what a gleeful Peter Pan is John McClane.

I'm just saying.

How To Justify Your Existence

Today the DNS offered me the new, revamped charge nurse position, which I cheerfully accepted. Someone at work mentioned that this practice has become common; of requiring people to reapply for positions when the terms are changed. I guess I should have been more confident about the process.

Isaac Asimov wrote stories about a men's club called the Black Widowers which had periodic dinners. New prospective members were always put on the spot and required to speak on one specific topic: "How do you justify your existence?" Now I know how they felt, or would have felt had they been actual people instead of fictional characters.

I'd like to go back and reread those stories. I might get some new ideas.

The new staffing schedule won't start until about October. In the meantime I am allowing my native early morning waking pattern to gradually reassert itself. I'm also planning to spend some time getting organized so my extensive cooking is done on days off and I won't need to cook at night or go out to eat too much. I might use the slow cooker over night and make items that freeze well.

Today I carried out my plan to try making "Mushrooms and Dumplings" in lieu of "Chicken and Dumplings," which I miss. The mushrooms were good, and the vegetables and broth were good. I used miso as the main broth ingredient, and lots of garlic and onions, as well as sauteed mushrooms, and the dumplings were good. But [as meat-lovers would predict] it just wasn't the same. Score one for chicken afficionados. Score zero for the chickens.

I haven't yet thrown in the towel. I doubt that would add the right flavor. I'm just going to have to let my ideas simmer for awhile.

Liberty, Equality, Fraternity

The motto for the French Revolution. Too bad some of that fraternity didn't extend to the people under the guillotine.

Liberty: tonight my schedule of working every other weekend revolved a little more, possibly due to a month with five weekends. For the first time in about a year I was able to attend the gathering at Gig Harbor tonight, on the second Saturday. I've missed that house, the people, that fellowship so much.

Two youth played guitar and sang prayers and Baha'i writings. Suddenly I found myself transported back to the house in Pullman where I used to hang out with the Baha'is, and the first time I experienced that particular, indescribable feeling of fellowship and unity. Naturally I fell in love with all the Baha'is. I guess that happens a lot.

Liberty: yesterday I interviewed with the Director of Nursing for the Charge Nurse position at work; one that I already hold but which is being revamped. I felt it went astoundingly well, and was able to talk about many challenges I had faced that turned out well in the end. The DNS mentioned that she liked my Letter of Interest [which I have to say was elegant but blunt. (Previously posted.)] I no longer feel that my job is so threatened. I have felt so supported by everyone's friendship and prayers. So that's a feeling of release.

Liberty: tonight I mentioned my stress level during the eating and chatting portion of the gathering, and some of us spoke about the concept that what we think determines how we feel. If only my thoughts were fewer and simpler, and it was easier to root out which thoughts or assumptions were at the cause of which feelings. My thoughts tend to whirl around as I imagine my life as I know it swirling down the drain. But I have a place to start, anyway.

"The reality of man is his thought."

~'Abdu'l-Baha

P.S.: Chris, I found my wallet in my car.

Baha'i' Men

This poem came to mind after returning home from Feast yesterday evening. I've known so many wonderful Baha'i men most of my life. I also think of the Black Men's Gathering, which, being neither black nor male, I don't have the privilege to attend, but which, if you listen to their recordings, reflect some of these qualities.

The poem is not to imply these qualities are not found in people of other religions or no religion, or that Baha'is are superior in any way. Practicing the principle of gender equality seems to make people more whole and balanced. Spiritually focused people, however you define that, tend to be more whole, more alive. Knowing them is such a gift.

For some reason, when I wrote the last line, I burst into tears.

Baha'i Men

Baha'i men--
They are lighthearted,
They take nothing lightly.

Baha'i men--
They laugh out loud.
They laugh with their wives,
They don't laugh at them.

Baha'i men--
They pray, play music, cry,
Write poems, camp out, sing out,
Build fires.

Baha'i men--
They bring their children
Home.

Friends and Food

About 20 years ago we became friends with another couple from our birthing class. The husband was a vegetarian, and they used to have us over for dinner and cook wonderful vegetarian food. One evening I had them over for a Greek-type dinner with lentil soup, hummus and Greek pita bread, and so forth. When we sat down the husband asked me if I used beef broth in the soup, which I had to admit I had. I was so chagrined, though he was very kind about it. To cook like a vegetarian, it's necessary to, at least temporarily, to think like one.

Tonight I was speaking with two sisters at Feast, who seem to take medications for a variety of ailments. I informed them [kindly] that it would possibly ease some of their symptoms to avoid animal-sourced foods such as meat and dairy products. I referred them to The China Study by T. Colin Campbell. They said the very thing I said the night before I gave up animal sourced foods: "Oh, I'm too emotionally attached to meat! I could never give it up!" I said, if I could give up animal sourced foods, anyone can.

About ten years ago my former husband stopped eating my chili when he read the label on the package of chorizo. Today I looked at it in the store to refresh my memory. Chorizo contains:
pork salivary glands, lymph nodes, fat, cheeks, tongues, vinegar, pork, salt, spices and sodium nitrite. The beef is the same, only with beef.

I'll have to look up Soyrizo for comparison next time I see it.

Smiling . . . Or Not

My father did not believe in God. It was his assumption that belief in God robs people of personal responsibility. I don't agree, but I respect his opinion.

My father and I were not very close. It's hard to get close to someone when you are poised to run for your life. His personality was powerful and he was physically large. I've had more leisure, since his passing, to reflect on and recognize our similarities. As I age I'm getting in touch with my inner crank.

At the devotional meeting yesterday, a wonderful little lady related her experience as a smiling, happy person; she just feels better when she's happy. I may have had some spontaneous joy as a child but I learned to suppress it. I was surrounded by very intelligent people. Critical thinkers tend to be critical. I formed the opinion that happy people are shallow and artificial. Realistic people realize that there isn't too much to be happy about in the world.

When Peg commented on happiness, I thought of a nurse at work who was a barmaid for many years. Now she spends a lot of time hugging and kissing on residents in a more or less revolting way. Some she treats as a sort of pet. I want to say, we're not in a bar any more. But her outstanding quality is that she seems sincerely happy and there is always a smile on her face.

When I come to work my extreme level of focus shows as a frown. Under what circumstances would a smile come naturally to my face?

Basic Beans and Rice

I cooked some brown rice today and ate it with the black beans I made previously, with cumin, coriander, basil, dill and sea salt stirred into the beans, which I heated in the microwave. I added raw sliced tomatoes and chopped onion on top of that. It makes a good, basic hearty legume and grain dish. The chopped raw tomatoes and onions are something my husband puts on top of his rice and lentils. [He also adds quantities of olive oil. When it comes to excessive oil you can just leave me out.]

I'm pondering signing up for a Cornell University online class based on the book The China Study by T. Colin Campbell.

With prayers and with support from friends at work I'm feeling less like a target is on my back with this planned rearrangement of hours and duties of the charge nurses, and having to reapply for my own job. I'm realizing it may not just be about Me, Al Franken. I'm not crazy about it, and I don't know what will happen next, but I'm not being assassinated by my own adrenaline.

This sounds silly, but I bought a coloring book [adult level] the other day.

What's wrong with the world when the word "adult" has lost its innocence and has come to mean "pornographic" or "virtually pornographic'? A perfectly good adjective has become unavailable, hijacked by the entertainment industry.

Also studying the Kitab-i-Iqan with a study guide.

Lentil Soup Recipe Featured in Lentil Festival Cookbook

My entry in the National Lentil Festival cook-off did not get first or even sixth place, but was published in the Cookbook [pulse@pea.lentil.com]. There it is under soups, "Stealth Soup", the idea being that it might qualify for the special "I Hate Lentils" category, as the lentils are pretty difficult to detect in the smooth, rich, creamy soup.

First place went to the "Animal Cracker Dip (Fudgy Chocolate Frosting)" recipe filled with cocoa and butter, vanilla, powdered sugar and, incidentally, lentils. To crib from T. Colin Campbell, worms and cardboard would taste good with butter and cocoa.

Anyway, a lot of the recipes look pretty good and some are even made sans animal-sourced products. It was worth it to participate. It made me happy.