Heptadecagon

Worship not shadows but a goddess who sleeps in peace above death himself. That poem is by Zoe. I told her I thought she had an inner writer inside. She, as twelve-year-old girls are wont to do, rolled her eyes. I'll take what I can get, and in this case, it's a poem.

I've gone off the deep end, I tell you. Every book I read, I access the punctuation. And lately, I'm fixated on the colon. When is the proper time to use it? And how should it be used? Furthermore, is the author's usage consistent? I'm so caught up in the punctuation, I'm not holding onto the stories these days. Argh. It's enough to make me go batty, right? (And didn't I just imply that with my first sentence? It's worse than I thought!) So what are the rules on colon usage? It depends. Are you following the Chicago Manual of Style? Or the Associate Press Style Guidelines? Or maybe you use the Modern Language Association Style? I'm not going to bore you on those rules because you might as well just look them up. Find out which style you are supposed to use and then use it. Consistently, please, so I can go back to enjoying the story.

Tim had a birthday last week. Even though it went unnoticed on the blog, it did not at home. In fact, I made gnocchi from scratch for dinner and a lovely ganache pie for dessert. That's what I'm here to talk about. THAT PIE. You just have to try it. Here's what you need and what you need to do: For the crumb crust: 1 and 1/2 cups finely ground chocolate graham cracker crumbs 1/3 cup white sugar 6 Tbsp butter, melted Mix the ingredients until well blended and press into a 9 inch pie pan. For the pie: 3 packages (4 ounces each) semi-sweet baking chocolate 1 and 1/2 cups whipping cream Microwave the chocolate and cream in a microwavable bowl on high for 2 minutes or until the chocolate is almost melted. Check on it and stir after the first minute. Beat with a whisk or fork until the chocolate is melted and the mixture is well-blended. Stir in 1 Tbsp (more or less) honey or brown sugar to help sweeten the chocolate (see note below). Pour the mixture into the cr...

I love my family. I really do. Oh snap, didn't I say that already this week? Yes, yes, I did. But this time, I'm not talking about my parents. This time, I'm thinking of the four chatty kids, one forgetful husband, the whiny cat and the needy dog. I love these guys; I can't imagine life without them. They are fodder for good stories and the inspiration for this blog. But by golly, I need a break, a vacation if you will, from them. From all of them. (Tim will balk at that statement and inquire whether or not he can go with me if, indeed, I were to schedule a vacation. And Tim? I'd normally say yes, but this time honey, I have to say no. Because I'm not really scheduling a vacation anywhere but in my mind. Because it is the beginning of a new quarter. Not a good time to go anywhere. And where would you all be without me?) So my mind is open to jetting away, but my body can't quite do it. Instead, I say to myself, let's see about a "virtual vacatio...

I've got my eyes set on a few new items these days. Let me show you: Exhibit 1: Exhibit 2: And the pièce de résistance, Exhibit 3:

I love my family. I really do. But there are certain topics we just don't see eye to eye on--at all. I find these topics to crop up when I speak to my parents. They live in a conservative town and have very conservative views. I don't mind that they have more "right-wing" ideals than I do, except when they tell me that my own, more liberal views, are wrong. Sadly, that happens often. Maybe it has to do with them being parents--they feel as though they can tell me what to think. Or maybe that's just how they are. Yet they're the only parents I have, so no matter what their views, I love them. And I try to accept them as they are. (That's very hard, don't you know?) Sometimes, though, I find myself rolling my eyes at some of the gems that come out of their mouths. I guess that is my way of saying I don't agree with what they say. Perhaps I should try a less judgmental way of saying it, considering I always say that I'm not one to judge. But I...

I sat down this morning to read a nice little article on twins . It gave a few facts that some people might not realize about people who came from the same womb. Twelve years and some change into being the mother of identical twins--coupled with my science background--I already knew many of these facts. But the article, of course, got me thinking. About all the things other people might not realize, unless you're the mom of twins. 1. People will look at you with pity when they say, "Boy you've got your hands full!" 2. Other people will exclaim, "I've always wanted twins! Aren't you lucky!" 3. Identical twins can look a lot alike. 4. Identical twins can look completely different. 5. People will assume, incorrectly, that you underwent IVF. 6. With twins, it is always a party. ALWAYS. 7. Twins often eat together, sleep together, and poop together. (I stole that from the receptionist at the Multiples Clinic back in 2002). 8. You often speak in t...