The Ciel Show

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Wednesday, December 24, 2014

My eggplant just exploded.

Probably I should have stuck some holes in it. The recipe for baba ganouj starts with burning an eggplant (on a wood fire, ideally, or an oven at 500F) then mixing the innards with sesame tahini, olive oil and garlic. It's served warm or cold, with pita bread or on a salad or... however you like it! I always think middle-eastern food is a good Christmas feast tradition. We're planning to have a sandwich bar, kind of cross-cultural: excellent cold ham and swiss cheese on rye, chicken with avocado... Sign in to see full entry.

posted by Ciel at 3:53 PM | add or view comments (9) | leave calling card | link to this | view only this entry

Monday, December 22, 2014

Someone has been looking at my pictures!

Usually, when I have posted new pictures, the stats page shows numbers maybe as high as the 300s. When I haven't, it's fewer than 100, usually. Sunday and Monday, the stats were 5428 and 3405. Kabu? Sign in to see full entry.

posted by Ciel at 5:37 PM | add or view comments (11) | leave calling card | link to this | view only this entry

Friday, December 19, 2014

I'm giving my younger daughter an elephant for her birthday.

She's a young, orphaned Indian elephant named Jubilee, and will be the adoptive child of my daughter for a year. The adoption of various animals is available through The Born Free Foundation in England, originated by the people who brought Elsa the Lioness to us years ago, both the actual people, and the ones who starred in the movie. There is a US Born Free Foudation, too. I highly recommend this gift to anyone who loves animals and who doesn't need or want other stuff so much. It's a gift to... Sign in to see full entry.

posted by Ciel at 1:02 PM | add or view comments (14) | leave calling card | link to this | view only this entry

Thursday, December 18, 2014

Up again at 5:30

There is a bit of snow this very early morning, and the thinnest of crescent moons among the tag-ends of clouds in the dark sky. The Christmas tree in the living room is all blue lights until I turn on the lamp, and the gold decorations suddenly are there, shining... When I wake up so early, before dawn, I am reluctant to commit to opening my eyes, to starting the day. Violetta insists, however, that she must have food now, or die... She used to regale me with the song of her people... Lately,... Sign in to see full entry.

posted by Ciel at 4:53 AM | add or view comments (10) | leave calling card | link to this | view only this entry

Tuesday, December 16, 2014

We finally got the tree up...

And here it is, to wish you a happy season of solstice celebrations of every kind, and Christmas and Channukah: All these are celebrations of Light in dark times, of miracles and faith, of trust that whatever is happening to alarm us and worry us, in the end, all will be well. Whatever your beliefs, wherever you place your faith and trust, I hope this season of lights and miracles brings you your heart's desire. https://flic.kr/p/q9Y6Zv Sign in to see full entry.

posted by Ciel at 7:02 PM | add or view comments (13) | leave calling card | link to this | view only this entry

Saturday, December 13, 2014

Strange behaviors

There could be snow by tomorrow, They tell Us. It is for sure grey overhead in many places, with a few stripes of blue. Violetta seems to have a cold. She is coughing and sneezing very roughly every so often, and in other ways behaving a bit strangely. Usually, when I get up, she races me to the kitchen where she demands immediate dishing up of breakfast. Today, she didn't. I looked back, and there she was sitting on my bedside table, watching me. I put down food for her, and she just sat there,... Sign in to see full entry.

posted by Ciel at 12:29 PM | add or view comments (7) | leave calling card | link to this | view only this entry

Wednesday, December 10, 2014

First day of school

Charlie had his first day of being a substitute teacher at a local charter school today. First, it was a gym class of 6th graders. He had them playing some of the games that acting students play. Then he had a batch of 2nd graders in a computer class. Computers for 2nd graders! How the school scene has changed! A charter school is one that receives public funds but is independent of the school board. It can set its own standards and style. This one I notice doesn't have great test scores in the... Sign in to see full entry.

posted by Ciel at 5:48 PM | add or view comments (8) | leave calling card | link to this | view only this entry

Tuesday, December 9, 2014

Amazing, the difference a curtain makes...

I hung a soft pinkish sheer with a leaf pattern scattered across it, across the sliding door that faces the sunrise. Such a soft sunrise, today--usually, sharp bright sunlight stabbing through the bare trees and across the dining table. It cut across where I sometimes sit with the laptop, illuminating every crumb and cat-hair... And the front window also has sheers up since the other night, softening the view of the street and of Pike's Peak, while it helps hold in the warmth. It's wonderful how... Sign in to see full entry.

posted by Ciel at 10:13 AM | add or view comments (5) | leave calling card | link to this | view only this entry

Monday, December 8, 2014

Trying for a little Christmas spirit...

Charlie put up some lights on the deck railing last night, and with some mom-direction, the curtains on the front window were changed from the familiar ones to some a little more festive. Today some furniture was shifted, more changes of this and that, making a place to put a tree... thus I attempt to bring a sense of Christmas into the house. I've been looking through my photos and costumery and calligraphy, to see what will make gifts. It will be sufficient extravagance, mailing things this... Sign in to see full entry.

posted by Ciel at 5:07 PM | add or view comments (3) | leave calling card | link to this | view only this entry

Wednesday, December 3, 2014

Finally, after 40 years...

I gave blood today. It's been since I was a college student, mainly because a while ago I started taking lithium, and that was a deal-breaker last time I asked. Apparently, it's not any more, and none of the many questions they asked today precluded me from donating. In fact, it took more time to fill out the questionaire than to donate a pint. I'm glad to do it, my blood type is O-, Universal Donor. and not too surprisingly, the blood banks are glad to get it. I think it's cool, too, that I can... Sign in to see full entry.

posted by Ciel at 4:07 PM | add or view comments (13) | leave calling card | link to this | view only this entry

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About this Blog

I'm doubtful the events of my life will be of great general interest, but I'd like to share a little more of me to the several of you on Blogit I've come to feel are real friends, and the many I imagine are potentially real friends. We'll see how it works out. ______________________ all my words and images posted on Blogit are copyright 2005-present, all rights reserved.

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