June 14, 2012 · 4:56 am

Poem of the Week: A Blessing from My Sixteen Years’ Son by Mary Karr

They’re all gorgeous but this one especially so.

 

I have this son who assembled inside me
during Hurricane Gloria. In a flash, he appeared,
in a heartbeat. Outside, pines toppled.

Phone lines snapped and hissed like cobras.
Inside, he was a raw pearl: microscopic, luminous.
Look at the muscled obelisk of him now

pawing through the icebox for more grapes.
Sixteen years and not a bone broken,
not a single stitch. By his age,

I was marked more ways, and small.
He’s a slouching six foot three,
with implausible blue eyes, which settle

on the pages of Emerson’s “Self Reliance”
with profound belligerence.
A girl with a navel ring

could make his cell phone go brr,
or an Afro’d boy leaning on a mop at Taco Bell –
creatures strange as dragons or eels.

Balanced on a kitchen stool, each gives counsel
arcane as any oracle’s. Bruce claims school
is harshing my mellow. Case longs to date

a tattooed girl, because he wants a woman
willing to do stuff she’ll regret.
They’ve come to lead my son

into his broadening spiral.
Someday soon, the tether
will snap. I birthed my own mom

into oblivion. The night my son smashed
the car fender, then rode home
in the rain-streaked cop car, he asked, Did you

and Dad screw up so much?
He’d let me tuck him in,
my grandmother’s wedding quilt

from 1912 drawn to his goateed chin. Don’t
blame us, I said. You’re your own
idiot now. At which he grinned.

The cop said the girl in the crimped Chevy
took it hard. He’d found my son
awkwardly holding her in the canted headlights,

where he’d draped his own coat
over her shaking shoulders. My fault,
he’d confessed right off.

Nice kid, said the cop.

–

A big thank you to Alison McGhee for her generous curation of these fantastically beautiful poems.
For more information on Mary Karr, please click here: http://www.poetryfoundation.org/bio/mary-karr
–
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/home.php?#!/pages/Alison-McGhee/119862491361265?ref=ts

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June 13, 2012 · 1:38 am

Kale Salad with Chick Peas, Feta, Artichoke Hearts & Tomatoes From Shiny Tomato

I got this recipe from my friend Bonnie over at Shiny Tomato and it was fantastic. I love kale but I usually cook it and have never considered using it as a salad. Well, surprise surprise, this sturdy green veg stands up to the artichokes, feta and other goodies in this salad. The only change I made was to add avocado and a little sliced red onion.

Here are the ingredients:

Kale Salad with Chickpeas and Artichokes
1 bunch of kale, torn into bite size pieces
Marinated artichokes, chopped roughly
1 cup of rinsed canned chickpeas
Chopped cherry tomatoes
1/2 cup of crumbled feta cheese
Salt and pepper to taste

Mix and serve. Yum.

For other great recipes visit Shiny Tomato.

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May 29, 2012 · 4:46 pm

Poem of the Week: Gate C 22 by Ellen Bass

At gate C 22 in the Portland airport
a man in a broad-band leather hat kissed
a woman arriving from Orange County.
They kissed and kissed and kissed. Long after

the other passengers clicked the handles of their carry-ons
and wheeled briskly toward short-term parking,
the couple stood there, arms wrapped around each other
like satin ribbons tying up a gift. And kissing.

Like she’d just staggered off the boat at Ellis Island,
like she’d been released from ICU, snapped
out of a coma, survived bone cancer, made it down
from Annapurna in only the clothes she was wearing.

Neither of them was young. His beard was gray.
She carried a few extra pounds you could imagine
she kept saying she had to lose. But they kissed lavish
kisses like the ocean in the early morning

of a calm day at Big Sur, the way it gathers
and swells, taking each rock slowly
in its mouth, sucking it under, swallowing it
again and again. We were all watching—

the passengers waiting for the delayed flight to San Jose,
the stewardesses, the pilots, the aproned woman icing
Cinnabons, the guy selling sunglasses. We couldn’t
look away. We could taste the kisses, crushed

in our mouths like the liquid centers of chocolate cordials.
But the best part was his face. When he drew back
and looked at her, his smile soft with wonder, almost
as though he were a mother still

opened from giving birth, like your mother
must have looked at you,
no matter what happened after—
if she beat you, or left you, or you’re lonely now—

you once lay there, the vernix
not yet wiped off and someone gazing at you
like you were the first sunrise seen from the earth.
The whole wing of the airport hushed,

each of us trying to slip into that woman’s middle-aged body,
her plaid bermuda shorts, sleeveless blouse,
little gold hoop earrings, glasses,
all of us, tilting our heads up.
–
For more information about Ellen Bass, please click here: http://www.ellenbass.com/index.php
–

A big thank you to Alison McGhee for her generous curation of these beautiful poems.
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/home.php?#!/pages/Alison-McGhee/119862491361265?ref=ts

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May 26, 2012 · 8:15 pm

Carol Off interview with Joe Oliver – Gerald Kaplan “Harper is right: Foreign radicals are after the oil sands”

I am not a political person but I’ve always had an interest in politics and history. I read the paper, I listen to the radio – I vote – I can hold a semi-intelligent conversation on the issues of the day. And while I can feel passionate about issues there’s not much that could make me want to write about them or god forbid – go out and protest. I am so not French:)

A few months ago I was cooking and listening to Carol Off (CBC As it happens)  interview with Natural Resource Minister Joe Oliver. This is what I heard. A full transcript of the interview is here:

Carol Off : Mr Oliver, who are these radical groups you mention in your letter?

Oliver : Well I’m not going to name names but there are, as people know, a number of groups who are opposed to the development of hydro carbons – they even oppose hydro-electricity development. I don’t know where they think we’re going to get the energy to maintain our current level of civilization but that’s where they’re coming from and they’re trying to game the system.

Carol Off : Why can’t you tell us who they are?

Oliver : Well because I don’t think we need to get into that level of specificity. The point is they’re there, some of them are being financed by, er, by groups, and we think that these decisions which are so important for the Canadian economy, for Canadian jobs, should be made by Canadians in Canada.

Carol goes on to ask what the difference is between the multi-billion dollar foreign oil company investments in Alberta and the so-callled foreign capital fuelled interests of Canadian environmental groups? (I left radical out on purpose)

I thought it was one of the most interesting interviews I had heard in a long time because it’s the first time I had heard government refer to environmental groups as ‘radical’.  In the end the Minister looked foolish but not so foolish for the government to alter its course. Because by keeping the message deceptively simple – ‘environmentalists are radicals’ and they are funded by foreign money and therefore foreigners are driving our national agenda…they have been able to put environmentalists on the defensive by making simple but wrong connections. Smart. We happened to watch Good Night, and Good Luck last night about the honourable Joe McCarthy who used a similar tactic to ruin people’s lives.

Anyways, that interview gave me the chills. It actually scared me. Because I realize the world is not necessarily filled with people who have the best intentions. That I live in a country where I can speak my mind (still). That I don’t want scientific research to be muzzled. I don’t want to live in a climate of fear. We have a government that means business. Serious business. So as a public service I will continue to bring relevant articles where I can. Because I can.

Now this is a very interesting article about the Koch Brothers and their investments in Alberta. It’s also about funding for the Fraser Institute.

Harper is right: Foreign radicals are after the oil sands

GERALD CAPLAN

Globe and Mail Update

Stephen Harper’s Conservatives have courageously chosen to expose and confront foreign interests that have surreptitiously been infiltrating the Canadian oil industry – and they don’t mean their Chinese Communist partners. They are apparently in possession of revelations about these extremists and criminals that, in the words of Senator Nicole Eaton, “would make your blood boil.”

Launching a much-needed Senate inquiry into “interference of foreign foundations in Canada’s domestic affairs” and their “abuse” of registered charitable status, Ms. Eaton stated: “There is political manipulation. There is influence peddling. There are millions of dollars crossing borders masquerading as charitable donations.” I am glad to contribute to their work.

Welcome to the world of American brothers David and Charles Koch. According to Forbes, in 2011 Koch Industries was the second-largest privately held company in the United States with annual revenue of about $98-billion; the total revenue for the government of Canada for 2011-12 was $248-billion. The brothers each had a net worth of $25-billion, more than the Walton family of Wal-Mart fame. Among the most powerful men in the world whose holdings included major commercial investments in the Alberta oil sands, for years the Kochs have moved heaven and earth to protect the unrestrained pursuit of oil from environmental considerations. Continue reading →

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May 21, 2012 · 7:43 pm

Bill C-38 Sucks But There’s Still Hope

Bill C-38 – the omnibus bill that contains changes to retirement age requirements and numerous changes to environmental protection is upsetting for a number of reasons. Green Party leader Elizabeth May provides a summary of the changes of the proposed legislation in this excellent piece and how it will impact the environment.The Burnaby Now also wrote about the impact of this legislation  on fish habitat. Richard Poplar in this weekend’s Globe wrote a guest editorial piece called “Forget Hockey and tuition: If anything calls for a riot, it’s Harper’s stealth governance.” that outlines why we should really be angry.

In spite of this there is a lot cool stuff happening that gives reason for hope and optimism. Through my work I encounter numerous individuals, businesses and organizations who are committed to mitigating their environmental impact.

Simon Fraser University, Pacific Blue Cross, VanCity, Hemlock Printers, Ritchie Brothers, Earls Restaurants, the folks at SeaChoice  to name just a few and of course the amazing people at Climate Smart. Climate Smart works with municipalities to match funding for companies wanting to take a workshop that uses software, and coaching to help SME’s measure and reduce  their carbon footprint.  Cut Carbon Cut Costs is their tag line and it underscores the positive message that sustainability is also money-saving and cost effective. When I see organizations on a local level doing this kind of thing it gives me hope. I love it.

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May 15, 2012 · 6:03 pm

How Fast Can You Read? Compare Yourself to the National Average!

This is awesome! I was 20% above the national average but didn’t understand one single thing I read. Just lucked out on the test:)

ereader test
Source: Staples eReader Department

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May 10, 2012 · 5:45 am

The Heat of Summer: Running From Storms with My Mom

There is something about thick summer heat – the kind that winds itself into every nook and cranny on your body, sneaking underneath your shirt, lying like an extra layer of clothing on your skin, that makes me feel electric. As though the submersion of my skin in this wet heat shocks me into a euphoric sense of being. Like I have just fought and won a war. It reminds me of so many things, like that fragrant breath of air, blossoms, that occasionally break through the wall of dampness. It uplifts me and reminds me I am alive. Like the hot summer nights when we would sit outside until all hours, wearing as little as possible, talking against the sound of crickets performing their nocturnal minuet – and the dread of going to bed where sweaty tossing and turning awaited me.

Or the time my mom and I went walking because that’s what we liked to do, her long legs, leather keds and impertinent head of curls making her seem more school girl than woman – walking and talking in the thick summer heat until storm clouds formed overhead – followed by that sense of forboding then adventure. Where can we go? Until suddenly the storm broke – rain, clouds and thunder. We grabbed each other’s hands and ran like children to take refuge in the local school. We sat on a bench, my mom dangling those impossible legs – looking every bit the truant I knew she had been as a child, now a grown woman. I think about how that summer heat carried us that day. How we flew on its wings -how the alchemy of summer turned ordinary to extraordinary, to exotic and beautiful.

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May 6, 2012 · 6:39 pm

How to Make Dog Biscuits by Gardenfork Guy

This guy is totally awesome.

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May 4, 2012 · 7:00 pm

Shiitake Hot & Sour Soup – Gluten-Free, Dairy-Free, Vegetarian (if you want:) and Delicious!

Finally! The mystery is out of this delicious Asian soup! I love it. For years I stopped going to Chinese restaurants because of my finicky stomach and not knowing enough of what was in the food. But Hot & Sour is definitely one of my favourite things to eat. I just never thought of cooking it because it seemed so exotic and mysterious and well – inaccessible. Well guess what? It’s not. The truth is that this is the easiest recipe ever and it adapts well to either a veggie or meat eating diet.

1 tbsp grapeseed oil

1 jalapeño, minced with seeds

1 tbsp minced ginger

1 tbsp minced garlic

2 bunches scallions, green and white parts sliced, 2 tbsp greens reserved

1 lb shiitakes, stems removed and tops 1/4-in sliced

2 1/2 quarts vegetarian stock (unless you want to use chicken stock)
2 tbsp naturally brewed soy sauce

Juice and zest of 2 lemons

1 block silken tofu, cut into 1/2-inch cubes

2 cups shredded carrots

I also added a small can of bamboo shoots (thinly sliced, I also thickened the soup with corn starch/water paste, and I added some prawns)

Freshly cracked black pepper.

Directions

In a stockpot over medium-high heat, add oil and swirl to coat the bottom. Add jalapeño, ginger, garlic and scallions. Sauté until aromatic, about a minute. Add shiitakes and sauté 2 minutes, until softened.

Add stock and soy sauce, bring to a simmer and reduce by 20%, about 5 minutes. Add lemon juice, tofu and carrots and cook gently for 2 more minutes to heat tofu through. Season with black pepper.
Ladle soup into serving bowls and garnish with reserved scallion greens and lemon zest.

I got this excellent recipe from Dr. Oz.

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May 3, 2012 · 7:26 pm

Poem of the Week – What the Living Do by Marie Howe

Johnny, the kitchen sink has been clogged for days, some utensil probably
fell down there.
And the Drano won’t work but smells dangerous, and the crusty dishes
have piled up

waiting for the plumber I still haven’t called. This is the everyday we
spoke of.
It’s winter again: the sky’s a deep headstrong blue, and the sunlight
pours through.

The open living room windows because the heat’s on too high in here, and
I can’t turn it off.
For weeks now, driving, or dropping a bag of groceries in the street,
the bag breaking,

I’ve been thinking: This is what the living do. And yesterday, hurrying
along those
wobbly bricks in the Cambridge sidewalk, spilling my coffee down my
wrist and sleeve,

I thought it again, and again later, when buying a hairbrush: This is it.
Parking. Slamming the car door shut in the cold. What you called
that yearning.

What you finally gave up. We want the spring to come and the winter to
pass. We want
whoever to call or not call, a letter, a kiss – we want more and more and
then more of it.

But there are moments, walking, when I catch a glimpse of myself in the
window glass,
say, the window of the corner video store, and I’m gripped by a cherishing
so deep

for my own blowing hair, chapped face, and unbuttoned coat that I’m
speechless:
I am living, I remember you.

–
A big warm thank you to Alison McGhee for lovingly curating and sharing these beautiful poems.
For more information on Marie Howe, please click here: http://www.mariehowe.com/
–
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