Plants and Publication!

Becky’s Balcony Mid-May

Happily, my balcony garden is growing well, especially that huge tomato plant! The trick here in Texas seems to be starting plenty early (mid-March) so the plants are well established before the overwhelming hot weather hits. I already have lots of little green cherry tomatoes. I enjoy reading out here!

I’m also pleased to report that my story “Shelf Life” now appears in the 7th edition of the U.P Reader (Modern History Press). In this twisted tale of revenge, a woman discovers some shocking news and proceeds to serve an unusual recipe to guests! I’ll have to wait a while to share that one with you. Meanwhile, I hope you’ll enjoy my story below, which was published last year and features a very different type of meal.

Dinner for Two

by Becky Ross Michael

Built at the advent of the twentieth century, the proud house on Tamarack Street keeps watch over the neighborhood. With a facelift of white paint and new porches, the home embraces the whispers, laughter, and tears of those who came before. Tulips and daffodils reappear like clockwork each spring, and perennial flower beds rebloom every summer. Each autumn, the maple leaves let go of life and flutter to the ground. And the inevitable snows blanket the dormant lawn and insulate the foundation every winter.

Within the walls, modern updates conceal remnants of faded papers in floral prints and musty wooden lath. Residues of past colognes and stale cooking aromas occasionally escape into the air to puzzle the present-day residents.

***

In the kitchen, snowflakes swirl beyond the windows as the man carefully constructs a multi-layered vegetable dish. No meat or dairy, as a nod to her favored eating trends. Together, they learned to cook by trying new recipes and ingredients in their remodeled kitchen.

A snowplow churns past the corner, throwing a wall of white.

He places the pan into the oven and sets a timer for one hour. Surely, she’ll come. It’s her birthday, after all. Taking a sip of white wine from his glass, he glances at the bottle of red set aside for the occasion. I hope she’s careful driving on these roads.

While cutting and chopping vegetables for a colorful salad, he thinks back to other birthdays. One year, he hired a string quartet to accompany their meal. For another, the two dressed in Victorian garb for the memorable occasion. The man chuckles aloud, thinking of a time early in their story. The beef Wellington had refused to bake beyond an overly rare pink. Maybe that led to her dislike of meat?

He checks the timer and savors the lovely smells filling the kitchen. Now to set the dining room table. He has purchased roses, not easy to find in the North during long winter months. I’ll wait to light the candles. While choosing some of their favorite music, the man rests on the sofa near the fireplace, enjoying the ghostly reflection of flames dancing on the surrounding tiles. With escalating winds outside, the old house creaks and sighs.

The sound of the timer startles him, and he moves back to the kitchen, switching the oven from bake to warm. As he reaches for the wineglass, the man notices the quickening beat of his heart and admits to feeling nervous after all these years. Things have been rocky between them, as of late, with more time spent apart than together. Hopefully, this evening will be a step in the right direction.

Seated at a small bistro table near the stove, he finally opens the saved bottle of red wine, noting her still-empty glass. The sky is now dark. Through the frosty window above the sink, he sees the revolving white lights of a snowplow as it cycles through the neighborhood. He peers at the clock and is at first surprised to admit she is late, worrying that dinner will turn dry.

The furnace clicks on, disrupting the stillness in the room and breathing a soft puff of air upon his neck. Suddenly, a new dread grabs hold of his mind. What if she’s hurt and needs me?

When he jumps to his feet, the man’s shoe catches on wrought iron. The chair topples on its side with a clatter and jars his senses. Only then does he remember that she is gone. There will be no more shared birthday dinners or plans for a renewed future. The rooms will remain silent and lonely. They had already said their final goodbyes without realizing the truth at the time. This life is the “empty after” he has always feared.

With tears of regret burning his eyes, he leaves the warmth behind and heads out for a cold winter’s walk. After the door is closed and latched, the house heaves a long moan of sorrow.

Earth Month (Every Month!) Challenge

I remember the first Earth Day in 1970. I was a senior in high school, and the environment wasn’t exactly uppermost in my mind. Many of us weren’t all that worried yet. These days, I’m feeling a great deal of eco-anxiety but still have trouble finding purposeful things to do about that. If you’re feeling that way, too, Treehugger has 30 ideas for easy tweaks you can make in your daily routines!

Earth Month Challenge: 30 Easy Actions

And I’m reading Not Too Late: Changing the Climate Story from Despair to Possibility, which is a collection of essays edited by Rebecca Solnit and Thelma Young Lutunatabua. This book was suggested by Tracy Abell in one of her informative Climate Movement Monday posts. Thank you, Tracy! I’m already enjoying the book.

Maybe you’re lucky enough to have little ones to share books with! You can help them understand the importance of taking care of our Earth with some of these lovely picture books.

Let’s make it Earth Day every day!

Lax on Taxes

I Really Should Work on My Taxes

But…

Sleeping in was so fine,

with sweet dreams intertwined.

My black coffee was strong,

and I lingered too long.

To the store I will drive

and buy this week’s supplies.

I will take out the trash,

with the boxes all smashed.

Pluck the weeds from my flowers,

before getting rain showers.

I will write a new story,

as I aim for that glory.

Nudge some grime with my duster,

as I zoom that Dust Buster.

I will then call my sister,

who avoided a twister!

Take a walk in the sun

and gulp water when done.

I will edit a tale,

freelance work without fail.

Cook my dinner so tasty,

with air fryer so hasty.

Choose a show I can stream

with a snack of my dreams.

And those taxes can wait

until near the due date!

As an independent contractor who does freelance editing and writing through Upwork, completing my taxes each year feels a bit complicated, and I dread it. But, as is often the case, writing about something that’s on my mind can help me look at the issue in a more positive way. After working on this poem, I saw my way clear to get my taxes done and out of the way!

Speak Up for Library Funding!

From the ALA:

“Each year, the library community makes our voice heard for federal funding, which libraries across the country rely on to sustain crucial programs. Congress is crafting next year’s federal budget on a truncated timeline – with only one week for House members to show their support.

It’s time to take action. It’s time to #FundLibraries. 

Tell Congress to Fund Libraries!

The federal appropriations process began with the President’s proposed budget, before moving on to the House and Senate. Library champions in both chambers are leading our budget request letters and working hard to make the case for increased library funding through the Library Services and Technology Act (LSTA) and the Innovative Approaches to Literacy program (IAL): 

  • In the House, Reps. Raúl Grijalva (D-AZ) and Don Bacon (R-NE) are leading the LSTA letter, and Reps. Jim McGovern (D-MA) and Bacon are leading the IAL letter.  
  • In the Senate, Sen. Jack Reed (D-RI) is leading both letters! 

We are requesting funding of at least $232 for LSTA and $50 million for IAL. Learn more about the campaign – and find tools to share this action – at ALA’s #FundLibraries homepage

We are incredibly grateful for the time, work, and dedication you have put in to support libraries. Your efforts as advocates are responsible for some of the most consequential wins for libraries in decades. Now stand with libraries, library workers, and the communities they serve: take action to #FundLibraries! 

Speak Up for Library Funding!

Thank you for all you do for libraries! 

ALA Public Policy & Advocacy” 

***********************************************************************

Thanks so much for speaking up for libraries! What would we do without them?

If you love books and libraries, you might enjoy this book by Sara Nisha Adams that so clearly shows their transformational powers. I read this one for library book club and absolutely loved it. I hope you will, too! ~Becky

Detective Dog

I recently pet-sat for my daughter’s four dogs: two large boxers (Titan and Hazel) and two small mini pinschers (Rubble and Remi). They’re all friendly and affectionate, but each has its own personality, as well. Remi is the youngest and just turned one. She still exhibits a LOT of puppy-type behaviors, like pottying indoors on occasion, grabbing things to run away with them, and chewing on anything she gets her paws on.

When I went to their house, I took my laptop to work on freelance editing and also made sure to pack a few books I’m reading. One was an early Christmas gift from my sister, Terri. We both love mysteries and like many of the same authors. One of our favorites is UK author, Elly Griffiths. She has three mystery series, and I especially like the two featuring Ruth Galloway and DI Harbinder Kaur. Knowing for sure I’d like it and hadn’t read it yet, Terri sent me the latest Harbinder Kaur book, Bleeding Heart Yard. It’s a great story and pulled me in immediately.

One evening, I had the book set well back on the nightstand, thinking I was being careful. But I hadn’t considered that jumping up on the bed to reach interesting objects was easy for Remi. The next thing I knew, the sound of ripping paper met my ears. My wonderful new book was flung to the floor with pages 321/322 ripped out and lying in several pieces. (Sorry Terri!) I rescued the book right away and set the pieces aside, realizing the pages were from later in the book and wouldn’t be needed right away.

The next morning, I decided the best way to make sure I hung onto all the pieces was to tape them together and back into the book. A few were too small and mangled, so I certainly hoped enough of the print remained to get the gist of the paragraphs. With tape in hand, I began reconstructing, while matching up words.

Suddenly, to my horror, I realized my eyes had landed on a section with an all-important sentence…”X X has admitted to the murders.” What are the chances that in those 30 seconds of jubilant grabbing and chewing, Remi would choose one of the few pages that revealed the killer?! I had to laugh, though. It was almost as if she were playing detective and sharing the solution to the mystery with me.

Lucky for me that my main goal in reading a mystery isn’t just to solve the puzzle, although I do that to a certain extent, of course. I love the way mystery series authors weave their interesting characters into suspenseful plots and reveal more about the people in each book. Will I finish reading Bleeding Heart Yard even though I know the name of the culprit? You bet! That doesn’t make much difference to me, except that I’ll be reading from a somewhat different perspective. I’ll be looking to see just how artfully the author reveals the rest of the clues and keeping an eye out for any red herrings.

So Remi wasn’t “in trouble.” But I certainly was reminded to be even more careful about where I set things when she was around!

Remi’s 1st Birthday

So You’re Having Cataract Surgery: A Picture Story for Nervous Adults

A case of “the nerves” sometimes attacks when a person doesn’t know what to expect. I experienced such jitters, so maybe my little story can help tame your fears!

During a regular checkup, my eye doctor told me I had cataracts. Those are like clouds in your eyes and not in a good way. The doctor said I should have an eye surgeon remove them.

In the past, I’ve had a few operations. And I knew this was a common eye procedure. But I was so dang scared of anyone fooling with my eyes. I put that decision off for YEARS!

Finally, my glasses no longer helped me see well enough. The time had come to face facts. I needed operations to remove cataracts from both eyes!

One of my friends had already had cataract surgery and really liked the doctor. I asked him for the surgeon’s name. Before I could change my mind, I made the call.

The first appointment was a lot like a regular eye doctor visit. This included me trying to see and guessing at fuzzy letters. The medical worker also put drops in my eyes to dilate them for other tests.

Even more drops numbed my eyeballs. They did that to lightly touch them with an instrument to check the pressure. I had trouble keeping my eyes open for that test!

I also suffered from what they called “dry eye.” They told me to use artificial tear eyedrops at home for several weeks. Then I went back for pre-surgery eye measurements.

An office person gave me two appointments because they usually operate on one eye at a time. “Leftie” was the cloudiest and would be fixed first.

With my dates in mind, I set up transportation. I also filled out online medical forms for the surgery center.

The day before my first operation, I had to start using special drops in Leftie. I would use those according to a schedule for many days and was still using them when I prepared “Rightie” for surgery. I won’t lie. Those drops burned a bit. But they were super important to keep my eyes safe!

The night before eye surgery, I had to stop eating or drinking by midnight. My stomach had to be empty when they used anesthesia to help me feel calm during the operation.

The morning of the big day, I arrived at the center before sunrise. With check-in completed, the minutes dragged by. I wanted the entire experience behind me.

After what felt like forever, someone led me into the inner rooms. Friendly medical workers baptized Leftie with many types of drops to dilate and also prevent pain and infection during the procedure.

When my turn had almost arrived, they asked if I wanted to use the bathroom. “Yes, please,” even though my last drink was hours before, and I’d only taken a sip of water with my morning pill.

One understanding person assured me I could have my choice of beverage soon after the procedure. Margaritas were not on the list. But a soda, which I rarely drink, sounded very good.

They gave me a net for my hair, a cotton gown to wear on my top half, and slipper socks for my feet. The temperature in that area was kept chilly. I was happy my comfortable jeans could stay in place.

The doctor and the anesthesiologist took turns coming into the little room to talk with me. Then, a medical worker numbed my hand and inserted an IV tube with a little needle prick, so I would be ready for the anesthetic. They also stuck a few small patches onto my chest to help track my heart during the operation.

Next, someone came and whisked me away in a wheelchair to the operating table. Easy-peasy. I felt pretty calm by then. They placed something soft under and around my head to help it stay in place.

After seeing my doctor show up, I remember little except voices and lots of colored lights in Leftie. The next thing I knew, the operation was over! They helped me sit up slowly and guided me back to the wheelchair.

I have hazy memories from the next few minutes. Soon, a person wheeled me back to the small room and then outside to meet my daughter. Whee! I wore special sunglasses because my eyes were dilated to the max. To others, I probably looked more like an alien from outer space than a movie star.

At home, I had to avoid lifting and bending for a few days. I felt extra tired that afternoon and binge-watched a favorite TV show. I slept VERY WELL that night.

The next day, I went to the doctor for a recheck to test Leftie’s sight and pressure. Everything was good! I would go back in about a week for another recheck. My glasses no longer worked for me, so I needed someone else to drive.

The date for Rightie’s operation would arrive in a few weeks. I didn’t feel quite as nervous about that because I knew what to expect! Meanwhile, I used the special drops in Leftie and kept watch on the calendar for the day to start them in Rightie.

Being humans, we’re each different. You might wonder what made me the most nervous. I admit to worrying a lot about them touching my eyeball to measure the pressure at each checkup. I’m a world-class blinker and can’t stop when something comes at my eyeball!

I felt a little better after sharing my struggle about that with the kind and gentle medical workers. And I tried anxiety-calming techniques, like deep breathing and counting combined with breathing. I also tried distractions, like thinking about other sensory things in the room (what I could hear and smell, for example).

Of course, various doctors and surgery centers do things in different ways. But if any part of the cataract removal process makes you nervous, you might try those relaxation ideas. I hope reading about my positive experience helps you win against your own jitters!

EPILOGUE: Try to be flexible. The date for Rightie’s operation was changed by the surgery center just a day in advance. But I now have two “new eyes!” Becky

(Images from Pixabay)

Sunday: in a Stew

“The Sundays” Stew

I’ve never really liked Sundays very much. As a kid, I dreaded the afternoons when I invariably discovered I still had homework to complete. As a working adult, Sunday evenings usually reminded me that I had not accomplished enough or experienced as much fun as I had anticipated.

As a retired teacher, I could say that all days are now weekends. OR I could really claim that all days are weekdays, given that I rarely skip working on my freelance editing. But, somehow, this first day of the week still can get me down. I call this feeling that settles over me “The Sundays.” Maybe you get that, too?

I find that fixing myself some comfort food goes a long way toward making me feel better. And what better comfort food than a hearty stew! I no longer eat meat, so my stew involves mainly veggies with a spicy black bean burger thrown in for added flavor and thickening. Use whatever ingredients you prefer and have on hand. Those pictured above will find their way into my stewpot this afternoon. The only ones that originate from my balcony garden, today, are the rosemary and jalapeno. But they will help to add some depth to the flavors.

Here’s the basic recipe. Use what you have, in the proportions you like:

“THE SUNDAYS” STEW

To water or vegetarian broth add favorite veggies: potatoes, peppers, carrots, mushrooms, zucchini, tomatoes, green beans, onions, garlic, etc.

After cooking for about 1/2 hour, add a black bean burger. Continue cooking for another 1/2 hour or until broth is thickened and veggies are softened but not mushy.

Enjoy with a slice of bread!

Possible additions: lentils, rice, or even meat.

HAVE A GOOD WEEK!

Climate Movement Monday: in support of Puerto Rico, Western Alaska, + other frontline communities — Tracy Abell

Welcome back to Climate Movement Monday in which I highlight frontline communities in need of support. The climate crisis is on full display this week with hurricanes and typhoon-related storms causing mass destruction. I’m listing local organizations that accept donations. Every bit helps, no amount too small. WESTERN ALASKA was hit on Friday and Saturday […]

Climate Movement Monday: in support of Puerto Rico, Western Alaska, + other frontline communities — Tracy Abell

Tracy Abell is a nature enthusiast, climate activist, and author of both fiction and non-fiction. She blogs each Monday about climate issues to help keep readers informed about how we can all make a difference. Please check out her blog! ~Becky

Help to Mobilize Climate Voters!

You can help!

Write postcards to make sure people who care about climate vote in the Tuesday, November 8th elections. Choose from state and local races with elections this November where progress on climate is possible, but only if climate voters show up. They mail you free postcards, so you just need postcard stamps and a pen! Please sign up today! Without a healthy planet, nothing else really matters.

Please note: although the drop-down menu for the number of cards to order begins with 200, I found that you can add a message in the “Drop us a note” field near the bottom to request a lower number, if you wish!

Becky