Tag Archives: the Ultimate Blog Challenge

PASSIONS – Sourdough & Learning

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I am having an almost perfect day. I started the morning at 7 with kettle on the stove for a cup of tea. Then I got out the sourdough loaf that was chilling in the fridge. I dusted the inside of the cast iron Dutch oven with cornstarch before transferring the dough into it. Next, I scored the loaf, covered the Dutch oven and put it on top of my cast iron pizza pan. It all goes into the oven set at 450℉ for 55 minutes. That’s right. I started everything cold. No preheating anything. Saves energy and it turned out great. By 8 it was done and so was our breakfast.

The pizza pan underneath the Dutch oven somehow prevents the bread from sticking. The loaf came out pretty slick and allowed to chill. It made for a healthy tasty afternoon snack. It is my most successful sourdough. It is my first white flour loaf. Next one I try will be half white/half brown.

Baking bread is a wonderful to start the morning. The chill of the morning is warmed by the oven and aroma of bread baking. It was a perfect setting to receive my first online class titled: From First Among Equals to Elected Dictator: A Political History of. Canada, 1867- Present. Instructor: Dr. Jason Zorbas. Dr. Zorbas is an awesome lecturer. His classes are always filled. It is an in-person one as well as being on-line. On-line is a good option for me. I don’t have to run to catch a bus to the university. Parking on campus is difficult. I am finding, to my surprise, that Canadian history is très interesting.

SOUP AND BOOKS FOR THE SOUL

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‘Twas a foggy cool morning as we headed across the University bridge towards our gym. We could not really see the river for the mist rising from below. It was not inviting. We were out by habit. I was happy that I have the making of turkey soup in the Instant Pot before we left. I can relax read when we get back.

I am also happy that I got my reading mojo back. I’ve been an errant reader for a long while now. My attention span has been reduced to that of a gnat by electronics and other distractions. I’m working on getting it back. I feel that all these things I am doing are helping – the writing, cooking, baking and reading. I am doing and engaging rather than just watching. That is why I dislike and don’t watch reality TV. I might be doing too much useless scrolling. But at least I don’t do reality TV.

I’ve never kept track of how many or what books I’ve read. I have no clue how many in a year. I do think it is a good idea though. I will start keeping a list. In order to read 50 books a year, I will have to read one a week. I’m on track so far having read Atomic Habits by James Clear and half way through The Arsonist by Sue Miller. The Arsonist did not get many good reviews but I love it. The next book on my list is The Other Einstein by Marie Benedict. It’s about Albert Einstein’s first wife. Sounds like a good read, doesn’t it?

THE THINGS I USED TO DO

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I woke up this morning. The jukebox in my head was playing. First, it was Bobby Darin singing Splish, Splash, I was taking a bath. It was a good waker upper. Then he was singing Things, another good one that got me thinking of things I used to do.

It got me started thinking. What happened? Why did I stop? Why don’t I start doing them again? So this morning, I made 2 jars of fermented beets, using this recipe. I flavoured them with coriander seeds, ginger and orange rind. It takes a week. They look pretty, don’t you think?

Another thing I used to enjoy was making sourdough bread. It was quite an adventure for me, starting from scratch, making my own starter. Then somehow, I stopped but kept feeding Oscar, the starter for sourdough pancakes every Sunday. We had the pancakes this morning. Now, I am in the processing of making one loaf of sourdough bread.

I don’t know why I stopped. It is actually quite easy. I used the recipe on this site. It is a slow process. It won’t be ready to bake till Tuesday morning. The photo was after the first pull and fold. I have to do a few more tonight and let it sit covered tonight. Then I have to prep it tomorrow and let it sit in the fridge till Tuesday to bake. Here’s hoping for a fantastic loaf.

WHAT IS THE POINT?

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Photo by Lukas on Pexels.com

Snow and winter came yesterday just when I thought it wouldn’t. Goes to show that I am not a reliable predictor. It’s January the 6th, the 6th day of the Ultimate Blog Challenge. I hope I have the stamina to go to the end. The excitement and bravado that comes at the beginning of any challenge is waning a little. I’m starting to get a little bored and thinking: What’s the point of this? What drivel I write!

So it is time to do a review. What is the point? The point is I was bored, feeling aimless. I am getting forgetful, my brain chaotic. I am a little worried about getting the big A(lzheimer). I can’t remember some of my relatives Chinese names. I know that it could be because I haven’t seen or talked about them for a long time. Still, I worry. There are other forgetfulness. A writing challenge is an exercise for my brain – finding words, making sentences and thoughts. Writing is a love I had dropped. It is a good time to pick up the letters, words and sentences to problem solve.

The first few days have been easy. Now starts the more difficult part. To make it easy, I have to come to the keyboard every day and tap away like a woodpecker. A woodpecker taps for food. I am, too, in a sense. I’m tapping for words to sustain my mind and soul. I don’t have to be brilliant but I do like to shine. For now it is satisfying just to be here talking. To succeed, I have to endure and learn to love boredom and monotony of staying to the end.

WHEN I CHANGED

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When I changed, the whole world changed with me. Or so it seems. Now, what the heck do I do? I have to sit and look at the landscape before and in me. What is it I see within and without? How do I feel? What do I want? And how to get? I am not in a hurry. I do not have to figure it all out today.

I would love to use the 4 laws of how to create good habits from James Clear’s Atomic Habits for solving everything. I like #3. Make it easy. It makes me want to start right away.

  • The 1st law (Cue): Make it obvious.
  • The 2nd law (Craving): Make it attractive.
  • The 3rd law (Response): Make it easy.
  • The 4th law (Reward): Make it satisfying.

Then there’s Miguel Ruiz’s The Four Agreements. The agreements are the ways I want to live.

  1. Be Impeccable With Your Word.
  2. Don’t Take Anything Personally.
  3. Don’t Make Assumptions.
  4. Always Do Your Best.

Now it’s become more obvious some of my wants and desires and the way forward. It will be worthwhile to take my time, ponder and tap out my paths. I have 26 days left in this Ultimate Blog Challenge. 26 exciting days to explore possibilities. I love that word, don’t you? It holds promises.

MAKE IT EASY

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Photo by Yan Krukau on Pexels.com

I’ve been reading Atomic Habits by James Clear. It’s a very good read. I’m finding it very helpful in my mission of writing a post/day for the Ultimate Blog Challenge. If you don’t want to read the whole book, here’s a quick summary.

How to create a good habit:

  • The 1st law (Cue): Make it obvious.
  • The 2nd law (Craving): Make it attractive.
  • The 3rd law (Response): Make it easy.
  • The 4th law (Reward): Make it satisfying.

The 3rd law works for me. In the past, I haven’t always chose the easy route for anything. I always have to make everything complicated and hard. I’m exhausted by all that. It wasn’t very satisfying at all. Now I’m willing to try easy. Easy is attractive. In order to write a post, any post, I have to sit in front of my keyboard. That is quite obvious. It works! I sit and I tap. The letters, words and sentences come of their own accord. So far there’s no hard struggle. I should not talk too soon. I might jinx myself.

Making it easy works for other goals as well. I’ve tried it out. When I know what the goal is, I map out the simplest steps to do it. Then I follow through. It feels so easy and rewarding. Now that I’ve finished this post, I am making myself a cuppa.

AWESTRUCK

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Day 2 of January and the Ultimate Blog Challenge is a cloudy one. There is no sun to spark me but I am remembering the sun of yesterday. I walked into the living room to find it lit in gold. I snapped a couple of pictures for I knew it would be gone in minutes. It’s hard to describe and photographs do not do it justice. But I was awestruck. There’s something magical about the winter sun on the wooden floor in late afternoon. I never get tired of seeing it. The magic never wanes.

I store these awestruck moments to sustain me and keep me on track. I find washing dishes magical, too, not in an awe striking way. Rather the magic is flowing, being carried away on a cloud. It’s a delightful physical sensation. I suppose you’re thinking I’m a bit nutty. I am. It is a wonderful feeling.

GIVING IT UP

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Photo by Marcus Aurelius on Pexels.com

It’s been difficult to live up to the commitment of writing a post every day this month for the Ultimate Blog Challenge. This is my official announcement of giving it up and letting myself off the hook. Most days I do have the time, but not the energy or the inclination. It is better that I honour my body and spirit. Without them, I wouldn’t get far.

More snow came yesterday. Winter has come early this year. I don’t think it’s going away any time soon. So I am giving up on the greenhouse, too. No use wasting solar energy to run the little heater for night time lows. Now with mostly clouds and no sun to heat up the rock wall, the temperature is low most of the time. I will be harvesting everything in the next day or two.

It is wiser to give up those things that no longer works than to keep on doggedly, depleting my energy and spirit. I will make no further commitments other than to begin anew each day.

A SLUMP

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Photo by Andrea Piacquadio on Pexels.com

I am afraid I’ve fallen into a slump again. I’m trying to climb out but it ain’t easy. I am devoid of ambition. Nothing is calling my name. I’ve managed to do 2 drawings for the Inktober Challenge to stay on top of things. The Ultimate Blog Challenge is not so easy. Besides no ambition, I have no ideas. I’m sleepy as can be. I want to close my eyes and have a nap. But that won’t get this post written.

I can blame this on the weather. Our first snow came 2 days ago. I’m waking up in darkness and low minus temperatures. I’m sure the change in barometric pressure is causing me some grief. I’m so stiff these mornings. I feel like a block of wood unable to bend and make my way around corners. I’m forced to do my stretches and exercises whether I’m in the mood or not.

At least the sun is shining on us today. Though it is -2℃ out this afternoon, the greenhouse is almost 15℃. The tomatoes, bitter melons and peppers are still going strong. I’m thinking we can keep it going till mid November. Here’s hoping. I’ll try to hang on, too, post by post, day by day.

WHAT MAKES ME HAPPY

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It’s a cool cloudy October 23 at -3℃ at 10 pm. This is rather late to be writing a post for the Ultimate Blog Challenge. It is how it is and I am again at a loss as to what to write. My cold is much better so I am a happier camper. My head is not thick and hollow at the same time. I’m seeing the world through different eyes now. Life is not as heavy. I can breathe a little easier. And that makes me happy.

What makes me happy seems like a good topic. The house is quiet and peaceful. I’m at the keyboard with my thoughts and words. I’m happy at the task. Things are not exactly flowing but they are trickling out. I’m surrounded by some of my artwork. I brought them out in my search for what brings me joy. They show the happiness within me much better than words. Sometimes a picture is worth a thousand words. Other times words paint a picture in my mind’s eye.