The Purple Ball

Last summer we had a serious wind storm. During that storm, a large purple ball blew into our fenced yard. It would have been quite a feat, jumping that fence, the ball must really have wanted to live here. I’ve been watching that ball, it blows around the yard with every passing breeze. I never know where I’ll see the ball, sometimes it is out of sight altogether, hiding near the back porch, or behind the shed. Most of the time it is resting comfortably somewhere in the yard, against a fence, on the compost heap, beside the ash tree, near the cloths line pole… I’ve grown quite fond of peeking out the kitchen window every morning, just to see where the purple ball has gotten to.

I have to get back to the bank again this week, how tedious! Also, the car has to go in for servicing, which isn’t a big deal, but things have to be scheduled around the event, as it leaves us with one vehicle.

I have decided that this week I will not attend Tai Chi, it is too hard to fit it in. However, if I am honest, there are factors acting as deterrents in my Tai Chi attendance this week. I didn’t want to attend the class with Little Miss Bossy this week. I was going to attend the next day’s class, but it was cancelled for an “intensive” Tai Chi event, which several people were adamant I should attend, which I did not want to attend, and there was a pot luck dinner after the event, Russian Roulette, no thanks, and I didn’t feel up to trying to explain about my allergy, and why I won’t attend the pot luck dinners, which in my experience is regarded as an antisocial act… avoidance seemed the best choice. Then two extra tasks needing a vehicle came up for later in the week, so that is that, no Tai Chi this week. I will be back at it next week. My knee is feeling better every day, so I should be in good form for it.

I have been enjoying hot breakfast cereal every morning over the last few months. I have taken to those offered by Bob’s Red Mill, Whole Wheat Cream of Wheat (discontinued), 6 Grain Cereal, High Fibre Cereal, and one called Mighty Tasty Cereal, a mixture of rice, corn, sorghum and buckwheat. The same method of preparation seems to work for all of them, 1/4 cup cereal, 1 tablespoon of flax seed, 1 tablespoon of desiccated coconut, 4 dates chopped, and 3/4 cup of lactose free milk, or almond milk, depending on my whim. I microwave this mixture for 1 minute, then stir, microwave for 30 seconds more, then stir, and if needed microwave for 30 more seconds, then stir. My adjusted palate finds this mixture dessert-for-breakfast sweet. I find that left to my own devices, I tend to eat the same foods every day. This habit developed as my interest in food dwindled, as more and more foods contained my allergen, and my choices dwindled. So it is quite pleasant to have these four different breakfast cereals, plus regular oatmeal, awaiting my pleasure each morning, choice without danger!

Worldly Distractions

Weather

3C
Date: 4:00 PM EST Tuesday 6 March 2018
Condition: Mostly Cloudy
Pressure: 101.2 kPa
Tendency: Falling
Temperature: 2.8C
Dew point: -5.3C
Humidity: 55%
Wind: ENE 20 km/h
Visibility: 24 km

Quote

“We can’t take any credit for our talents. It’s how we use them that counts.”
Madeleine L’Engle
1918 – 2007

10 Comments
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Bex Crowell

I love the story of the purple ball. (((hugs)))

Joan Lansberry

I love the story of the purple ball, too! 🙂

WendyNC

All the joys of a pet, with none of the worries and none of the expense. Your purple ball sounds great!

Like you, I don’t tend to seek much variety, especially at breakfast. I’ve been making my own whole wheat bread (all whole wheat flour) for more than five years. I eat it toasted with peanut butter for breakfast, day in and day out. Makes me happy. Glad you have found some things you can enjoy for breakfast.

As for Tai Chi, it’s there to help you, not make you stressed. No reason to expose yourself to Miss Bossy Pants.

Sandy

I love the purple ball story too. Wendy’s comment “All the joys of a pet, with none of the worries and none of the expense.” made me laugh 🙂

Bob’s Red Mill!! I Love their steel cut oats and make that for breakfast in the winter. I make it the old-fashioned way on the stove top. The steel cut oats are wonderfully chewy. I add a little butter, raisins, and brown sugar. Yummy!

Stubblejumpers Cafe

Did you see the CBC article about food allergies and personality? “Not What You’d Expect” could have been part of the headline. I thought of sending you the link but figured you’d come across it yourself. -Kate