Summer Madness

Crazy People


We have probably all encountered them. These are people who get the bit between their teeth so tightly that they swirl like a dervish spontaneously increasing their passion and speed. The crazy person gradually loses all sense of etiquette, as they wind themselves up to a frenzy.

The crazy person involves other people in situations that aren’t their business.

The crazy person’s vital weapon is the phone. They will ring and ring, but always avoid email. Perhaps it would slow them down.

Regardless of whatever it was that incited their craziness, this person is now crazy because you didn’t return their call within 2 seconds of receiving their message.

Any normal function you might perform -- such as sleeping at night, taking a shower, speaking to another human, going out to buy food -- is a lie. You weren’t doing any of those things, but insulting them by refusing to take their call.

Is there a crazy person in all of us, just waiting to get out?

If so, then the behaviour of 56-year-old Keith Walendowski, who shot his own lawnmower, seems the saner way to go... ;)

The Summit

I did it! Project complete, client happy (yippee!), and my apartment … a mess.

It’s been an intense couple of weeks, and it’s strange how time distorts when you’re working furiously towards a goal. It feels like I’ve been away from blogland much longer than 17 days.

And signing in to my Blogger account seems lovely and fresh.

And speaking of fresh: There are many pros and cons to working from home. But the number one advantage, a perk I never fail to appreciate, is putting a load of washing in the machine while also being at work. :)

Blog Break

This blog is on hiatus for two or three weeks.

I’m working on a design project that has turned tricky (naughty thing). There’s a mountain to climb. I don’t mind the challenge, but need lots of energy to reach the top. Once I’ve stuck a flag in the summit, I’ll be back...


In writing news: How I love submitting short stories! (Though I’ve sent out only two, thus far.) It’s so gloriously different than querying a novel. I’m hooked! :)

Novocaine

I had just recovered from my exhaustion/stress rash, and was feeling quite pucker as I dashed to a dental appointment yesterday afternoon. I tripped on the kerb, fell off my 3¾-inch heels and, in slow motion, collapsed towards the pavement. I managed to break the fall with my left hand, so avoided skinning my knees.

A kind stranger arrived at the scene in an instant. I assured him I was fine.

“As long as you’re all right,” he said.

“Yes, I think I’ve sprained my ankle,” I said, still crumpled on the pavement.

“That’s okay, then,” he smiled, before dashing back across the road.

Perhaps he’d hoped for a broken leg, a fractured skull, or maybe internal bleeding. ;)

I hobbled into the dental hygienist’s surgery then 'relaxed' in the chair. (I have a low tolerance for any form of dentistry, so much so that a humble clean and polish seems brutal.)

The hygienist asked if I’d tried the new PowerPolisher toothbrush heads she’d mentioned at my previous visit.

I must have been in shock from the fall, because I found this completely hilarious! Even when the goggles went on, with my mouth wide open and full of instruments, I couldn’t stop laughing at the dental dialogue.

Lying in the chair, my mind usually plays THAT scene from Marathon Man, but yesterday it was the black comedy Novocaine, with Steve Martin as the dentist. Then, suddenly, I was Jim Carrey as the patient... But which film is that?!

And it’s ironic that I should take such a tumble when my party-piece is stunt falls. Heart attack, bludgeoned from behind, gunshot impact... I do a convincing fall, without hurting myself at all!

Traditional Sherry Trifle

The most irresistible desert.


Barrie Summy put out a call for 4th of July side dishes. Visit her blog for a great 'ice cream in a bag' recipe and links to other recipes for delicious side dishes, salads and deserts.

We don’t celebrate the 4th of July in the UK (obviously) -- but is that any reason not to make a great big sherry trifle? Of course not!

Sherry trifle is quick to make and easily modified to suit different tastes. If you don’t like jelly, for example, just leave it out! If you prefer to use fresh fruit instead of tinned, please do, and decorate the top with raspberries, strawberries, or anything else you like...
 

Ingredients

 1 packet of trifle sponges
 1 pint (20 fl oz) milk, 2 oz custard powder, 2 oz caster sugar, or 1 pint ready-made custard
 1 packet of jelly
 1 tin of mixed fruit
 Medium sherry or port or brandy
 1 pint (20 fl oz) whipping cream (Or more if you prefer!)
 2 oz toasted, flaked almonds
 2 oz glace cherries, fresh fruit, or any other edible cake decoration


Method

1. Place trifle sponges into a 3½-pint glass serving bowl, or individual bowls or glasses.

2. Soak with the sherry, port or brandy. (If preferred this can be omitted.)

3. Make the jelly using any liquid from the fruit to top it up to make a pint.

4. Pour over the cake and leave to set.

5. If making your own custard form a paste with the custard powder, sugar and a little of the milk. Add to the rest of the milk and bring to the boil. Remove from the heat and leave until cold. Stir every so often to prevent a skin forming.

6. When cold, pour the custard on top of the other ingredients.

7. Whip the cream and spoon carefully over the trifle.

8. Decorate, chill, and serve. 

9. Eat. :)