IN OLDEN DAYS!

 Each day was going to be the last.  Swimming is definitely down to once a day, but the once a day is now dwindling. Walking is a much more social exercise!  

As I said last week, there was a 'part two' to the story.  Dana had to set up service of a paper in one of the towns where he grew up.  Being an 'army brat', he moved many times in his younger life, and when we get something to serve in a place where he had lived, he checks the maps and aerial views.  Although not bored, nor had time to spare, I took a few minutes and checked into where I used to live and other places of interest!  It did bring back many memories, and a lot of laughter.  I reread the 'Quarter of' blog, and saw that the writer mentioned a supermarket near where I lived, before it was a 'modern' supermarket. I read, and remembered walking into the large store, with counters either side.  There were no aisles, at least from what I remember before I was about seven, and if you wanted a can, or package, the person behind the counter would reach up and get it for you.  Dairy was on one side, and normally managed by women, and the meat was on the other, managed by rather elderly (from memory) butchers!  A far cry from the way we shop now!  However, it did make me rather nostalgic, which is not always a good idea!  Reminiscing is a vocation for me!

Much as I could spend hours on 'what was', I needed to concentrate on the present.  We were busy! After a while, I succumbed to the fact that  I would have to check out the aerial views, and discontinued biscuits (cookies) at another time.  

Walking into a deer is not an everyday occurrence, but when the deer is not looking where he is going, and the walker is not aware of the deer, it can happen!  As we took our constitutional on Monday, I was aware of a stag following me with his eyes.  Samantha had spotted his family up on the crags and they almost collided.  I wanted to tell her to get her camera ready, but it would have meant noise on my part and I did not want to disrupt the trance.  However, it did see her, at the last minute, and darted past quite quickly and swiftly.  It was quite the experience.  Spotting a 'live' armadillo was also quite the treat.  Of course, getting close to an armadillo is not as attractive! However, like hedgehogs, they are rarely seen upright and stout!  The picture was taken from afar!

"Last day", I said to Raul just before we headed off to work.  He is used to my "Last day" speech when it comes to the end of the swimming season.  He asked if I thought it would be warm enough. "We'll see!" I added, which normally completes the thought.  It was not cold.  In fact, it was rather warm, and I dressed for summer!

I decided to go with nostalgia on Tuesday, and make something that I have never made but remembered that I enjoyed immensely.  Peanut-Butter cheesecake.  Before you head for the bucket, let me explain that it was my first reaction!  However, the "Don't knock it until you have tried it" brigade had caught me several years ago.  In fact, it was nearing thirty years ago, when we took my son out for his birthday, to a place in London, called Smollensky's Balloon.  It was primarily a restaurant, but when the kids had eaten, they all went to see a show. The adults enjoyed dessert and freedom!  One of the desserts I remember was a 'floating island', a meringue, in something, that always left me feeling quite queasy, and another was a dessert sample plate.  Anyone who knows me, knows this would always be my option.  A little bit of everything!  Upon the plate was a small slice of peanut butter cheesecake.  I did try it before I knocked it, and it was magnificent.  So much so that I decided I would make it, one day.  The 'one day' finally arrived, almost three decades later, and I set to!

I read, and reread the recipe for the cheesecake.  I was determined to get it right, and despite my penchant for doing it 'my way', I decided not to deviate.  Most of the comments under the recipe had read, "Amazing, worked great. Just stick to the recipe".  I put out of my head the thoughts that told me it was the cook's mother and sisters, writing the reviews, encouraged by grandma and aunts. It was probably people who really tried the recipe!  Ninety minutes seemed like a long time for a cheesecake, but I persevered.  Then, as I was told, I opened the oven door, and left the cake inside, in a bath of water to cool.  When I returned, an hour later, I could hear some clicking.  It was probably my oven reacting to having the door left open. I checked the hob and all the lights were out.  I was concerned. I had dinner to make the following evening, and it was an 'inside the oven' dinner!  Eventually, I found out from whence the clicking was coming.  When instructed to open the oven door, and leave the cake in the bath of water for an hour, I had been so careful to follow instructions, that I had forgotten to actually turn the oven off!  I took the cake out, and hoped for the best!  Apparently, when done properly the cake is not overcooked!

"Last day", I said to Raul on Wednesday morning.  "We'll see", he quipped before I could get the last part of my regular saying out!  It was not cold, but there was a slight nip in the air.  I walked, and chatted to a neighbour.  I had to clean my kitchen before going to work, but I was still a little bit concerned a about the cheesecake.  I sent my 'personal shoppers' out at lunchtime to get a tub of ice cream, just in case!  At the very least my guests could pour the chocolate ganache, (that is meant to be poured over the cake to give it the 'Reese's' effect, but I thought manual application would be preferable - making it my own!) over the ice cream!  I really was overthinking this!

The verdict on the cheesecake was in.  One of my guests does not like peanut butter at all, but was willing to try a 'bite'.  Once she tasted it, she quickly handed back her plate and asked for a slice.  I was so excited.  It worked!  "I think keeping the oven on was a better option", said another.  I beamed from ear to ear!

The temperature had dipped a fair bit on Thursday morning, and I had the usual argument with myself in the afternoon.  Should I go?  I made a promise to myself that if the water was too cold, I would not persevere, but give up. I knew, once in the water, I would not get out!  It was glorious!  I was quite surprised as to how warm it was.  The outside temperature, however, was quite cool, and I marched quickly back home to get changed.  I had played hookie at lunchtime and gone to the Dollar Tree, where I had picked up, among other things, some solar lamps for my patio, together with a 'parachute' cord.  I would let everyone use their imagination!  Once I have finished with swimming for the year, perhaps I could go.....no way!  

The lamps were 'trussed' and hung when I got home, after the swim and before the clearing up of the ornaments, which had been given their biannual 'deep clean'.  I wondered how much sun they would need to activate them.  "Did you turn them on?" asked Samantha, and I said I had not found the usual 'tab', to remove, so I assumed they were active. She pulled a face and pursed her lips.  She chose not to investigate.

Long sleeves and short boots were the order of the day on Friday, and once again, it was a case of "Last day; we'll see".  I am my own worst enemy but I refused to give up.  I try not to make it a challenge, but when it is me against myself, it seems that someone has to win and someone has to lose!  It seems that I lose every time, and never win, so I am now starting to ask who the 'other' me really is!!  

'Last day....", I thought to myself as I felt the cold when I got into the water.  However, the 'splashback' on my face was not too bad, and I did persevere.  I was glad I did!  Upon returning home, I found that the solar lights had not activated, and was somewhat disappointed. I checked the torn off instruction card that I had discarded as I know best!  Apparently, they have a battery that needs to be turned on!  Out I went, in wetsuit and slippers, armed with a set of 'steps' and proceeded to unscrew each light, and flick on the battery.  It did look pretty!  They did not give out too much light, as the covers are blue, red, green and yellow, so a soft hew, rather than a bright glare, is achieved.  I stood back and admired them.

I did not feel the cold until I was dressed again, and then found my slippers to be soaking wet.  I did not think that the moisture retained by the suit would still be flowing by the time I reached home, but obviously it was, and the slippers were still damp Saturday morning!

My walk on Saturday was pleasant, if somewhat cold.  It is that time of year again. Reminiscing about real winters is something I do every year!  I stopped to chat to a neighbour.  "Doing anything for Thanksgiving?" I asked, always ready to invite someone on their own, as I have enough to feed an army.  "No", she replied, and continued to educate me on some finer points.  I stood and listened. "Anyway, I do not eat meat or dairy", she continued.  "When are you going to ask her over for dinner?" asked Dana.  "Never", I responded.  I could do fish, but not to cook in butter and cream would be a challenge!  I am sure we could find some mutual ground!  We do get along quite well!

The usual Saturday morning trip to Walmart and the warehouses was nothing more than routine!  "You ladies are here every Saturday", said one of the ladies handing out samples.  We smiled politely.  "It's our Saturday routine", I told her.  "I am surprised", she continued, "As it is always so busy.  I thought you would want to come in on a different day!"  She seemed to be somewhat agitated.  I wondered if we had somehow offended her.  "We don't have time any other day", I responded, wondering whether I should have just let sleeping dogs lie.  "Well, you get breakfast, lunch and dinner, like everyone else here!" It was an accusation! She was not smiling. She would not have been very good standing behind those long counters in those 'old' 'supermarkets'. I could imagine someone asking her for something from the top shelf. "Why don't you come back Wednesday!"  However, I will not attribute any more animosity to her than she apparently was feeling! I pitied the next person in line for her wares!  

All in all, despite the lady with the attitude, the shopping trip was fun and we came home, with all the necessities for our Thanksgiving lunch, which will be on Thursday.  We even bought a pecan pie! 

I went for a swim in the afternoon, and then after changing into some seasonable clothes, went back to start a new book.  It is funny how I make the most of the weather during the summer, and half look forward to the time when I can leave the patio to get on with some 'other stuff' and not feel I am missing out on sun-time, and when I have to leave as the sun has disappeared from the area mid-afternoon, I long for the long days again!  There is no pleasing either of me!

Warm as it was on Sunday morning, I am not sure the temperatures will rise much further during the afternoon.  I saw my 'pool' buddy and his wife, as they were cleaning out their car port.  "Not swimming?" he asked with a wry grin.  "Looks like it might be a nice day for it", said his wife.  He looked at her as if to say, "Do you know how cold it is!"  

It is amazing that we are nearing the end of November, and I am still swimming.  However, next week will probably prove to be the last week I can swim, as it really is heading towards winter, but we'll see, in ................ another story!