The Blessed Cool: Autumn

Yesterday was hot and humid. I didn’t go outside very much because my body does not tolerate heat and humidity with grace and ease. The hot and humid weather appeared in June, and only let up for a few days through the whole summer season, until today. So here it is the 19th of September, with autumn about to enter the scene in a few days, (9:54 p.m. on Saturday, September 22nd). Suddenly the temperature has plummeted from 22C at this time yesterday morning, to 14C this morning.

I am wearing socks! And long pants! And shoes with toes in them! And I am comfortable! Being almost naked has its moments, but I prefer to be clothed for the most part!

This morning’s breakfast consisted of two Turmeric Breakfast Cookies, and a cup of coffee (50% chicory 50% coffee) with a teaspoon of maple syrup and a few tablespoons of almond milk. The cookies are a big hit with me! The first batch I made using squash puree, the last two batches were made with my canned applesauce. I keep them in the refrigerator because they disappear only two at a time, and are quite moist, so I want to prevent spoilage.

On the weekends Attila likes to BBQ chicken and sausages for himself, which he will share with me if I so desire, but I seldom do. Last weekend my food of choice was a recipe I made up myself, for the Instant Pot of course! I call it Spinach Quinoa ala Maggie, and I love it! It isn’t pretty though, something about brown quinoa and dark green spinach that doesn’t soar visually. Just the same, I have found a dish that I can make for myself that feels like a treat and is still healthy.

Attila continues to wander into the garden when he gets home from work, emerging with ripe tomatoes and Scarlet Runner beans which he brings to me in the kitchen. The bean harvest is providing enough beans to eat daily, and the tomatoes are mostly going into the freezer for canning later. Some of the tomatoes being are being set aside to make sandwiches.

Attila is getting physiotherapy for his back and ankle, thank goodness that has started. He is slowly getting better, but if he stays on his feet for very long he begins to limp. He limps by the end of his workdays.

A recent visit to the doctor revealed that my blood pressure is higher than last year, lower than the last time I visited the doctor, and borderline on needing further intervention. The upshot is that the only thing left for me to do myself to keep it where it is, is more exercise. I do get exercise, I move around all day. The doctor and I talked about that, and the thing is, she explained, that I should get my pulse up to 100 or 110 for 20 minutes at least three times a week. Well, despite the fact that I am up and about quite a bit in a day, I doubt I get my pulse up that high for twenty minutes at a time. This is where the elliptical machine comes in. I haven’t been using it over the summer, to hot, too humid, and much too busy with other interesting things to to do. It is easy to just ignore it.

Another influence that has had a negative effect on my habitual use of the elliptical machine is the incessant public commentary on how people should exercise 20 minutes EVERY day. If I weaken and listen to that, which I occasionally do, after a week or two I begin to avoid the thing, and shortly after that I find that I completely ignore it. Better some than none, and three times a week is a schedule I can follow without getting discouraged and/or overwhelmed. So much of what is in the media encourages us to PUSH, PUSH, PUSH for MORE, MORE, MORE, when in reality slow and steady usually wins the day. Everything in moderation makes for a more balanced life.

Also, recent medical test results have revealed that I do not have any aneurisms, how great is that! This past year I have had many medical tests, and my health is excellent, I should be good for a good many years to come. It is nice to hear the doctor say that!

Today our oil heating system was inspected, as required by law. It passed with flying colours. Thank goodness. In ten years it will require another inspection, and we are pretty sure it will pass that one as well.

A big discovery around here was unearthed by Attila. Our “walking onions” suffered from some kind of strange mildew this summer, which killed all the green tops. The plants were assumed dead. But then new shoots began to reach out to the sky, green and vigorous. Attila picked many of them, and put them in the dehydrater. It took days for them to dry, running the dehydrater in the evenings when the hydro was off-peak. The flavour is WOW, amazing, outstanding. Who knew! Next summer’s garden will include a lot of these onions, and the dehydrated onion will become a major flavouring in our cooked dishes. You know when there is a big discovery at Mist Cottage, it usually involves tasty food!

Attila and I are finding enjoyment in each other’s company, and in life.

Worldly

Weather

14°C
Date: 8:00 AM EDT Wednesday 19 September 2018
Condition: Mostly Cloudy
Pressure: 101.6 kPa
Tendency: Rising
Temperature: 13.8°C
Dew point: 11.8°C
Humidity: 88%
Wind: N 18 km/h
Visibility: 24 km

Quote

“How beautiful maleness is, if it finds its right expression.”
D. H. Lawrence, Sea and Sardinia, pg 62
1885 – 1930

Well, I agree, and wish that every little baby boy was born into an environment that helped him find his own right expression.

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Birdie

I made another batch of Maggie cookies yesterday and threw in some leftover trail mix that was sitting in the cupboard. Delicious! I will continue to make your cookies.

I get so discouraged with exercise. The last I read was 45 minutes daily. I gave up because it’s too much. But I know you are right. Slow and steady.

WendyNC

Recipe bookmarked! I don’t have an Instant Pot, but this is easily adapted for stove cooking. Hard to beat with two of my favorite ingredients.

Bah, humbug and phooey to the MORE, MORE, MORE people. I’m convinced that moderation and doing the best we can, as we can, is the way to go, especially since most of us around here aren’t so young anymore.

Teri

I knew I’d read something somewhere about 10 minutes of exercise, and the study was done on post-menopausal women, too. Although having bad knees I can’t exactly recommend the exercises they tied to this article.

https://www.cheatsheet.com/health-fitness/study-finds-minutes-of-exercise-is-all-you-need.html/

Teri

I take the article with a grain of salt. I was just pointing out that there is now research that shows 10 minutes per day is enough. But honestly, I think that just moving actively, like walking at a good pace, for that long would be a help to women of our age.

I guess in finding the article again I was just trying to get you some “permission” for lowering your time to 10 minutes. 😉

Personally, I walk the dogs with DH every evening. Since the last leg is up hill, I do get my heart level up but I honestly don’t gage my exercise in anynway.

Stubblejumpers Cafe

Then there’s the program I heard on CBC’s Quirks and Quarks where studies showed that one minute of fast sprinting, three times in a row, is all you need in a day. I like that one! -Kate

Teri

DH and I have taken to long walks on the beach when we’re at the cottage. I’m finding my knee and feet like walking on the sand. It’s increased my strength, balance, and allowed me to increase my walking pace. My walking at home has become easier due to the beach walking.

The cold front just blew through here. The temp has already dropped 4C in just an hour. Fortunately, I’m finally ready for Fall to begin.

meriset

I’m so glad you got a reassuring health report! Your garden results sound quite tasty, (I love onions, (Julia is chopping up an onion for cooking as I type, 🙂 ) ). If you wanted a bit more heat where you’re at (14C (57F) sounds so cold to me), if I could, I’d send you some of ours (ours is predicted to be around 40C (104F) here). Your days sound happy, and I am glad!

meriset

I am very grateful for good air conditioning, that’s for sure!