I was gone all day…got back, check-in here, immediately shutdown the computer and went outside to play with the dogs. So I’m just going to leave this here for you. Feel free to use it as an open thread with some good news.
We are partying here tonight, it is Bixby’s third birthday. I’ve been feeling nostalgic and posting photos all over today. You can see some here, including him at one month old.
I only tell you that so you’ll understand why there are no food photos with tonight’s menus…just Bixby. LOL
Here are the menus for week three: June Menu Week Three
Highlights: Grilled Salmon with Orange Glaze (Thursday) Greek Grilled Potatoes (Monday) and a yummy Chocolate Orange-Cream ice cream treat (Friday).
Here are the shopping lists – remember they are color coordinated so you can easily eliminate any recipe ingredients you aren’t going to use. June Week Three Shopping List
If you have any questions on any of the recipes, hit the comments and I’ll do my best to answer. What’s on your plate this weekend?
Have a great weekend!
ETA: I am planning a writing thread on Sunday! Same time, same place.
Sab
Took me forever to figure out what that top picture is, until I noticed the eye in the bottom corner.
TenguPhule
That’s an awfully lively main course you have photoed there.
SiubhanDuinne
THAT PAW!!
TaMara (HFG)
Also: I am planning a writing thread on Sunday! Same time, same place.
Ruckus
TaMara
Thanks for all the pics that show Bixby in his actual size. Huge!
Did you get to take the one of him standing with his paws on your shoulders at his third birthday? Just to compare to when he was a pup of nine months and only looked like a medium sized pony.
Major Major Major Major
@TaMara (HFG): yay!
Aleta
Love these pictures. The first one is just …
Most of all I love Bixby.
Congratulations to your family of mammals!
Major Major Major Major
Question: what if my cat eats ants?
jl
So, I don’t get it. We need to have dogs to help us cook these menus, or what?
Or we need a dog as a taste tester?
I’ll wish Bixby a happy B-day while I wait for an explanation.
debit
Somewhat pet related: does anyone else here follow Vet Ranch on youtube? If you don’t, check it out. Vet Ranch was started by a Texas vet who was called to euthanize a presumed stray dog that had been hit by a car on a Friday night. He took the dog to his clinic and decided to try to save her and filmed it on his iphone. He went on to form a non profit and partners with animal rescue groups that go to high kill shelters, pull out pets scheduled to be euthanized because of medical issues, and then provides all medical care the animals need until they’re ready to be adopted. I seriously heart this channel and the vets that donate their time. I’d love it if the next time Balloon Juice does a fund raiser if we could consider this worthy cause.
Ken
@jl: Can’t be taste-testing, dogs shouldn’t have chocolate. And I never met a dog that could help cook, though most are enthusiastic about cleaning up any spills.
ruemara
Happy B’day, Bixby. I want to nom those paws so much.
I’m now publishing short stories and photos on Medium. We’ll see where it goes
Adam L Silverman
@ruemara: Most likely it will take a middle passage.
Lalophobia
Just found something interesting….consider checking out Straight Outta Oz on Youtube. It’s a visual album, made by the same guy who made this, which I believe someone posted on here a while back. The songs are catchy as hell, the costumes are crazy and there are some interesting guest stars.
Omnes Omnibus
@Adam L Silverman:
Really?
Adam L Silverman
@Omnes Omnibus: I was playing off of medium and publishing stories. It’s been a long, long week. Work with me.
Omnes Omnibus
@Adam L Silverman: Not with an angry black woman and that reference. You are on your own.
Major Major Major Major
@ruemara: I wanna see!
Adam L Silverman
@Omnes Omnibus: Oh hell, didn’t even cross my mind. I’ll delete it.
Adam L Silverman
@ruemara: My sincere apologies. Didn’t even think about the historical meaning of the pun I was trying to make. I am very, very sorry and apologize completely if I’ve offended you. It wasn’t intentional, but that doesn’t excuse what I wrote.
CaseyL
I love Bixby updates! What is it about Danes and posing in weird positions? I don’t have a Dane, but know a few people who do, and they – the Danes – all seem to enjoy hurling themselves into doggie yoga poses.
John Revolta
@Major Major Major Major: Does it also have a long pointy nose and a long wormy tongue?
They say if you look around the pet store and you can’t spot the sucker, then it’s probably you.
Major Major Major Major
@John Revolta: that’ll teach me to trust the people at the shelter! No wonder!
Mnemosyne
@Omnes Omnibus:
Hey, now, ruemara’s not angry, just a little cranky.
But, yeah, good call, especially when we’re all a little wound a little tight tonight.
A fun little essay from the Root about Kamala Harris’s secret superpower that I just posted downstairs. Hint: it’s regional.
Omnes Omnibus
@Adam L Silverman: I’ll admit I was a bit shocked. We all fuck up on occasion. Good on you for stepping up.
Mnemosyne
@Major Major Major Major:
You mean those tiny little protein snacks that run around on their own? Keaton loves ’em.
Be careful about putting out ant baits or spraying poison if Samwise likes to eat them. We’ve been surprised at how well plain old ground cinnamon from the grocery store works to keep the ants away.
Adam L Silverman
@Omnes Omnibus: Didn’t even cross my mind. Complete brain fart on my end. In case my unintentional stupidity pissed her off so much she moved on for the night I emailed her directly with an apology as well.
Major Major Major Major
@Mnemosyne: just wanted to make sure cats weren’t allergic to formic acid or something. The innertubes don’t have a lot to say.
ThresherK
That paw is the size of a flat iron.
Mnemosyne
@Major Major Major Major:
Don’t all of us in the cat cafe group know each other’s real names?
Major Major Major Major
@Mnemosyne: asking in nicer than stalking.
If we ever form a schism though we should call it the Cat Cafe Gang.
Mnemosyne
@TaMara (HFG):
Yay! I’m still debating going to a prep group for July’s Camp NaNoWriMo tomorrow. On the one hand, prep group! Other writers! Getting back on track!
On the other hand, it’s at 9 AM and I’ve been sleeping poorly all week.
@Omnes Omnibus:
In the other thread, TenguPhule unmasked himself as a romance reader. Seriously. He has bona fides.
I did not see that one coming.
Mnemosyne
@Major Major Major Major:
True. Hopefully she’ll tell us when she’s ready.
I need to get cracking on my essay about Some Like It Hot, but I’m so freakin’ tired. It’s my own fault for staying up too late reading all week, but still … tired.
Omnes Omnibus
@Mnemosyne: Is s/he still calling for blood in the streets? Me? I’ve been into this band recently. They are really taking risks.
ruemara
Oooo, middle passage. Adam, I’ve changed my mind. You have to do all the pushups I’ve missed while my abs recovered. 120 per weights class, 2 per week, you owe 480 pushups for that pun.
@Major Major Major Major: Well, you asked for it.
ruemara
@Major Major Major Major: I wanna be in a gang! That has cats!
Adam L Silverman
@ruemara: ?
efgoldman
@Mnemosyne: @Omnes Omnibus:
Well, bodice ripping is a kind of violence fantasy, too.
Major Major Major Major
@Mnemosyne: @ruemara: I saw this and thought I should share, by the way.
Mnemosyne
@Omnes Omnibus:
Yes, and then apparently curling up with Amanda Quick’s latest afterwards. Which is why I’m a little boggled.
My friend’s wife lives in England (long story) and they went to Dismaland on one of his visits there. He said it was pretty cool, especially given where we work.
Jeffro
This is a good bunch of people – respectful and straight-up when things go sideways, intentionally or not.
Jeffro
Also, TaMara, I’m going to try to do this whole week’s recipes…just not this coming week! First week of July.
The family is already coming around to the idea that our starches are going away, replaced by lots more fresh veggies, both in salads and grilled/roasted.
Ruckus
@Adam L Silverman:
Ruemara is very good people. As you can tell from the pushups she assigned. Maybe she should run for CA senator. She’d be a bad ass. Do the kids still say that or did I just step on myself?
Omnes Omnibus
@Mnemosyne Ummm… Pu$$y Riot was really the point. They are living resistance. We aren’t where they are, but we should be aware.
Adam L Silverman
@Ruckus: I went back to the gym for the first time today in two weeks now that I’m over the sinus infection and off the antibiotics. Since I’m only going to get two splits in this week I did my normal chest/back supersets and then did my dedicated core workout followed by 50 minutes of high intensity cardio. I am quite sore.
Ruckus
@Mnemosyne:
Do you think anyone did?
Mnemosyne
@ruemara:
There is precedent.
Mnemosyne
@Omnes Omnibus:
I know, but the Dismaland part caught my eye. I don’t disagree with you, or with them.
Ruckus
@Adam L Silverman:
Ruemara will be pleased!
ruemara
@Mnemosyne: She is still quite lovely.
@Adam L Silverman: good, good. feel the fitness flow through you.
and do more pushups
Ruckus
@Adam L Silverman:
I’ve spent a good part of the last 4 yrs getting over surgery, going through the cancer gauntlet, including multiple invasive biopsies and 9 weeks of radiation – every fucking weekday, different meds to control tremors (some of which caused hallucinations and no, not the good kind), now stroke prevention, working, and just being old, and so working out has taken a rather far back seat. I’d like to find the motivation to get back into it. Not going to train for a marathon or do any power lifting but I think a modicum of working out just might be good for me.
Mnemosyne
Speaking of cats and kittens, the folks at TinyKittens kittencam decided to also foster an elderly feral cat who adapted to life with kittens far better than they ever imagined.
efgoldman
@Jeffro:
Glad I’m not in your family
[I’m a bad person, and a horrible example. I’m also old enough not to care]]
Mnemosyne
@Ruckus:
Have you tried tai chi at all? It’s easy to find classes and it’s great for your balance. It’s what you see all of the elderly (mostly) Chinese people doing in the parks.
Mary G
@Mnemosyne: I am still able to be shocked at how different the other parts of the country are. I was surprised when I was watching the Sessions hearing that she didn’t bite McCain’s head off.
Ruckus
@Mnemosyne:
No.
That’s the simple answer. The better answer is, it just doesn’t appeal to me. Yes my balance is not as good as it once was but it’s still fine. It’s the light cardio and over all workout that I need. I have the equipment, I have the time, other than work days, those kick my ass anymore, I really am thinking, and talking, retirement more and more these days. Started working and paying into SS 55 yrs ago this month. Don’t really have a lot to show for it, other than experience and some tools, a lot of which are as worn out as I am.
TenguPhule
@efgoldman: You’re why we can’t have nice things here.
Adam L Silverman
@Ruckus: Get yourself a good trainer to ease back in.
Omnes Omnibus
Shit, I tried to refer people to a band that has fought oppression and spent time in jail for it. No one really cared. Even if you don’t like the music you heard of the band. Oh, well.
Ruckus
@Mnemosyne:
See, old farts can be nice!
Ruckus
@Adam L Silverman:
I owned a triathlon and bicycle shop. Did a lot of professional bicycle fittings for people with less than stellar health and fitness routines, worked with a lot of coaches who trained people from rank beginners to professional triathletes. It’s not the knowledge or restraint that I need, it’s motivation to get off my dead ass. And yes, I’d still have the shop if it wasn’t for that last little recession we all so fondly remember.
Lyrebird
@Omnes Omnibus:
I noticed and cared, but I’m not very good at clever comments.
Adam L Silverman
@Mnemosyne: Go the Taoist Tai Chi route if you’re going to do it.
Lyrebird
@Ruckus: Hey, that’s awesome! I hope the right workout buddy shows up just when you need him/her…
Adam L Silverman
@Ruckus: Noted. And sorry to read that.
Mnemosyne
@Ruckus:
I still think Adam’s advice to find a trainer is good, though, if only because you’re going to need to figure out what your new limits are. Plus it’s quite motivating to know that you spent money on a trainer that’s going to go to waste if you don’t show up.
Ruckus
@Lyrebird:
One of my favorite fitting was a middle aged man who told me once I was finished that his knee no longer got hot. In my head this voice was saying WTF but then he told me that he had an artificial knee and we figured out because he was so badly fit on the bicycle, the knee was just being way overloaded and like any overloaded mechanical bearing it got hot. With an OEM knee it hurts and you know to not do that any more, with an artificial one you don’t get that biological feedback.
Lyrebird
@Ruckus: Very cool (pun unintentional) that you got him back on the road safely.
I have a friend who’s studying biomechanics & design of prosthetic limbs, and I sometimes wish I could go be him and fit people out with stuff that helps them get back in action.
Ruckus
@Mnemosyne:
My problem is that I have figured out my limits. Unfortunately it involves sitting on my ass. All kidding aside, Adam’s advice and your seconding is sound, it’s just that I understand both the difficulties and the restrictions I face. And I have taken advantage of the VA PT department in what and how to do restricted workouts and that was helpful. I saw a lot of people who had no idea what to do and far more importantly what not to do in my shop and with the coaches I worked with. I also have reasonable equipment and solid knowledge about low effort/expectations training so that isn’t really an issue for me as it is for many.
Mnemosyne
@Ruckus:
Right, that’s why I mentioned the secondary issue that paying someone to show up and work out with you will force you to do it, because you don’t want to be out that money.
Ruckus
@Lyrebird:
That is a place where dramatic strides have been made over the last couple of decades. Today these things are computerized and allow a person to walk or use arms and hands relatively normally. When I was a child in the fifties we lived 2 doors down the street from a fellow who was a clown (should have given an OO warning!) with an artificial leg. Given his age and the time I’d bet he lost it in WWII but he wouldn’t tell us. But he walked around the neighborhood in shorts and so we all knew about the leg. It was basically a wooden leg with a hinge in the middle. I also have a slightly older acquaintance who still wears a hook, he’s had it for decades and if you watched him in action that would be obvious. Don’t know how he lost his forearm/hand, he’s not telling and I’m not asking. But it looks a lot less useful than the new stuff. OTOH, I saw a fellow at the VA hospital late last year who had lost both legs just below the hips and he had two steel posts with pads on the ends. No joints, the “legs” were probably 15 inches long at best and he walked normally (that is normal considering no knees, lower legs, ankles and feet) but was only maybe 4 ft tall. His torso was about the same as mine and I’m about 5’11”. He didn’t seem to care though, walking around with a smile on his face. He drew a lot of looks and that’s hard to do for an amputee at a large VA hospital.
Ruckus
@Mnemosyne:
I’m too cheap to make that first part of paying work out. There I said it.
ETA I also am working with my docs at the VA as to what I can and should/shouldn’t do, given what we are working on. And finding out what that is takes a lot longer than one might imagine. Longer than I imagined and I’ve been in the system for a few years now.
Amir Khalid
@Major Major Major Major:
There are other insects that present a greater challenge to a predator, and no doubt taste better too. Your cat lacks ambition.