After many days of cold and rain, we have sunshine. The temperatures are still rather cool, but it is very pleasant out there. The Dogwood trees are almost done with their blooms and the Spirea and Lily of the Valley are taking over the show. The fragrance that floats in through my open window is heavenly. Heavily scented, the brisk breezes enchant the day.

"The Teenager" spent the "May 2-4" weekend camping with her friends. I was required only to lug tents, poles, pots, and dishes etceteras, from one location to another. She has arrived home with a cold; she always does when she spends time overnight with friends. My theory, that lack of sleep is the cause of her illness, is not well accepted. She did ask.

Attila is still very busy at work but we are starting to see more of him. He spent the day at home last Sunday; we took the opportunity to put in tomato plants and basil seeds. Basil is the most important crop in our garden. Each fall we spend a few days harvesting basil and processing large quantities of Pesto, which we spend the following winter happily consuming. Our seedlings are set out under a wire rack, which we hope will keep the squirrels from digging them up now, and the groundhogs from nibbling them to death later.

I have spent the last few days with the program Quicken and a new dialup Internet account. I must preface all comments on the subject of Quicken with the admission that I hate accounting, budgets, bank statements, and the like. This program is supposed to make keeping the household and business accounts easier; thus far I am rather confused and very tired.

The usual "rain of problems" fell upon me. First, the computer I was setting up to use for bookkeeping decided that a hard drive format was in order before we got down to business. One whole day was devoted to formatting and reinstalling software. Finally, I was ready to install Quicken and configure it for banking. Formatting the computer turned out to be the easy part. After spending the better part of a day trying to move information from bank accounts into the computer, I broke down and called the bank for help. They cheerfully gave me the Quicken support telephone number; I cheerfully accepted it.

I called Quicken, only to find that I would have to pay to speak to someone. No thank you. Back to the computer and the help files. I have not got it figured out yet, however I remain optimistic. I have given up the project for today and will resume early tomorrow morning, after my brain and my patience have had time to recuperate.

Now, as if Quicken was not enough to make the day challenging, I am suffering a sore tongue. I bit into my own tongue during dinner last night. It is a misery of minor proportions in the general scheme of ill health, to be sure. What exacerbates the unpleasantness is that I unconsciously chew my tongue when I am focusing on a puzzle and deep in concentration. Quicken is puzzling. I have been chewing. Ouch!

My reward for gnawing my way through computer programs is sitting on the kitchen table; Rhubarb Crisp, hot from the microwave. Not only is this treat extremely fast and easy to prepare, it is extremely fast and easy to consume. "The Teenager" has had her eye on it since she came home from school and has just now abandoned the telephone and taken up the spoon.

Rhubarb Crisp

2 cups rhubarb
3 tablespoons lemon juice
1/2 cup granulated sugar
grated rind of 1 lemon
1 cup brown sugar
3/4 cup flour
1/4 cup rolled oats
1/2 cup soft butter

Wash and cut rhubarb into 1/2 inch pieces. Add lemon juice and sugar. Mix well. Place in an 8 x 8 inch baking dish, sprinkle lemon rind on top. Mix together brown sugar, flour, rolled oats and butter until crumbly. Sprinkle on top of the rhubarb. Microwave 10 minutes at high and 5 minutes at medium. Serve hot or at room temperature.
Source: Madame Benoit (1986),
Encyclopedia of Microwave Cooking,
Desserts and Jams, pg 29