What NO Coffee?

 

There was a catastrophe in the Schmaing household this morning. It was discovered that the sacred drink, Pejuta Sapa, Coffee was out.  Such things should not happen for to long without the sacred drink can cause time to slip and when that happens it's never a good thing.  To replace the need for caffeine the black medicine was replaced with several cups of green and black teas.  Although not a perfect substitute it will suffice in a pinch until the stores of the holy bean can be replaced.  

Later in the day with intentions of replacing these important supplies the Pony drops a lud nut on the way to Walmart.  So upon seeing the delema I was in the small lud wrench was freed from it's resting place next to the spare tire in the back of the CRV.  I tightened all luds as tight as I could with my little wrench.  I have a few extra grams of mass to use in such emergencies so the wheel was tightened back snug.  I was discovered that there were loose luds all around the car, so a few foot pounds of John was pressed into each one.  I did manage to get to Sanel before it closed to purchase a new lud and added it to the tire.  Tightened with my grunt and good til the morning.  I will take it to the Master of Auto at school and again he will look at my Pony's shoes and let me know what could have happened.  So far it is a mystery.  All tires are new and the torque was applied to each lud upon adding them.  They should not have loosened.  We will see tomorrow.  My fingers and toes are crossed,  Hoping my luck stays with me.  Until then.  Then to refill the coffee.

Peace and Balance,

John 

The Wood Elves Decloaked.

 Every Friday there is a Burn Wood, Sacred Coffee event in a small, but well prepared Pow Wow ground.  The Three meet together to speak the big talk, and make comment on those things that other's are afraid to speak on.  This fear comes from possible ridicule and disbelief at the things spoken of, but not believed.  However, the Three speak on these things and partake of the Sacred Coffee waiting for "visitors".

Ordinarily bundles of wood used to stoke the sacred fire seem to magically appear at the edge of the Pow Wow ground.  Non of the Three has seen fit to question the origin of the wood bundles.  They just appear at the proper time.  The wood seems to have mystical powers.  It is guaranteed to ignite.  Add a little news paper. ignite with a match and poof, the fire burns bright.  Every time  the wood burns.  

As stated the wood seems to magically appear, it is just there at the right time, in the right place.  Today upon arriving from my teaching duties, a class that goes itself without a hitch, we breathe the deep breath, any who, upon arriving to the Pow Wow ground I inadvertently disturbed the mystical creatures that have been leaving the Magic Bundles of Wood every week.  I drove up the drive and found the Wood Elves placing the bundles of wood in the area just outside the Pow Wow ground.  They were ingeniously disguised in people suits, pretending to be the mystical brother and sister of those who use the grounds.  The Wood Elves disguised in a form that on lookers would not expect to see magical creatures, but I could see..  Now I know the nature of the arrival of the bundles of wood for the Sacred Fire every week.  

Tomorrow we drink the Sacred Coffee for the magical Wood Elves who so eloquently disguised themselves as the Keepers of the fire.  Burn Wood Sacred Coffee day to perform the CSFM which needs no explanation.  Thank you my mystical kin...

Peace and Balance,

John

Real Good Raspberry Pancakes

 

Occasionally I cook.  I've since learned how to actually cook through the tutelage of my Cheffy wife, and her dear mother, who after her passing I found a certificate from a culinary institute declaring her as Chef.  So, I learned from two very good cooks.

Being a science oriented sort of fellow, I'm a believer in certain technologies that have snuck their ways into the modern kitchen.  Things that the purest would subject to snobbery and elite prejudices.  Objects such as the Microwave oven. Which I personally find as a time saver and if used properly can cook up a plethora of real good stuff.  

This morning I created a fairly passable recipe for the Raspberry Pancake, here it is:

Add about a cup and a half of frozen raspberries in a microwave safe container.  Add about a teaspoon or so of sugar and mix well.  Microwave on high about 2 mins and stir container then put aside.  Depending on your taste, the amount of time you want to spend, and your inkling for a thing called, "Scratch", however you mix up about a cup of pancake batter, let sit for about a minute to a minute and a half.  Mix half the Raspberry mixture into the batter and stir well.  The next step is important because this is the only area where butter or margarine is used.  On a HOT griddle melt a goodly portion of butter and let it simmer for a few seconds then add the batter mixture and let them fry until you see bubbles then flip.  Let sit, then flip again for measure.  This morning I served them up with Jimmy Dean sausage links, the rest of the Raspberry mixture as a syrup and a dollop of whipped cream.  For myself a couple of fried eggs, my wife can't eat those things, so more for me.  

All turned out real good and passed the Cheffy inspection and taste test.  It was a good breakfast.  

Feel free to try it out and let me know how it goes.  Here's my disclaimer: if it sucks, So sad to bad...

Peace and Balance,

John

The Three Coffee Maji

 

Tonight three old guys will re-emerge from the abyss of time and again share coffee and burn sticks.  The three will parle and create things that normal folk will not or can not understand.  Conversation will flow from subjects unknown to subjects almost forbidden.  The Three are The Elders of The Fire, The Coffee Maji.

The weather has changed.  Lifted from the pit is the four feet of snow that has been recently occupying the space leaving the ceremonial iron tire rim through which the flames will breath.  This evening the weather man has predicted temperatures that will remain stable and warm enough to keep the frost from our nostrils.  We will have a grand ole time.

Before the commencing of the ceremony sacred coffee must be brewed and placed in the Thermos of Everything.  This is the special receptacle that carries the sacred brew until it is consumed in the proper manner.  An important part of raising the energy.

Part of this holy process is the creation of  the magical lie that has the power of transformation.  When one learns to weave a tale and speak that story in believable tones, as the Three Old Guys have, then the power to transform the lives of the listener has been shared.  The power of Myth can find the lost and save the injured. Healing is the reason the Three have gathered, the Beginning of Spring in the Great Northern Woods.

Inviting the many unseen ones, and the powers that create back to the world will transform the Earth and allow her to accept her children.  Mankind will emerge from the Winter and the Breath of Life will be shared amongst them.  Breath, Live, Love are the words spoken.

The Three Old Guys will raise their cup of Sacred Coffee and all Hail in the Rebirth.

Peace and Balance,

John