gildedacorn

Meme stolen from osewalrus

Thu, 10 Dec 2009 20:34:00 GMT

If I came with a warning label, what would it be?

Who is going to (and from) Darkover?

Mon, 23 Nov 2009 23:21:43 GMT

Thanks to the generous offer of transportation from someone passing by our house, we will be able to go to the Darkover Grand Council after a two-year hiatus. However, he won't be bringing us back, and the person who thought he could do so may not be able to. Which might leave us stuck in Timonium with no way home.

Is there anyone within the sound of my voice who might be able to give us a ride to the Philadelphia/New Jersey area? (30th Street Station, any train station on the Septa line, any train station on the Northeast Corridor line ...)

Dorigen

On this day in history ...

Thu, 15 Oct 2009 16:44:29 GMT

A. and I were married.

Welcome Home

Fri, 24 Jul 2009 14:46:09 GMT

Our journey took us through the dark, a long and winding road;
our caravan was weary, and right heavy was our load;
we saw the light, we found the gate, we made our way within;
no words can tell our thankfulness, when greeted by our kin:
Welcome home.

CHORUS
Welcome home from near and far,
welcome home whoe'er you are,
welcome home again, wherever you may roam,
from north and south, east and west,
to the place we love the best,
where the heart may find its rest:
welcome home.

We stumbled and we staggered, for we had travelled long;
our eyelids they were heavy, and our bodies far from strong.
But through the gate we entered, and from every friendly face
came words that gave us strength again, like herbs of healing grace:
Welcome home.

CHORUS

Each time I walk those lands again, returned on pilgrim feet,
I almost kneel and kiss the ground, the grass so green and sweet;
the sky so fair, the stars so bright, the fires and friendships dear,
and sweet as any song to me, the words I love to hear:
Welcome home.

CHORUS

So all you joyful pilgrims, who once a year are found
upon the shores of Cooper's Lake, that well-beloved ground,
pass on the words that welcome you, in early times or late,
and greet the weary traveller who enters through the gate:
Welcome home.

CHORUS

My birthday present to Manfred von Halstern

Wed, 22 Jul 2009 22:04:20 GMT

Calls to battle the King of the East
his swordsmen and shieldmen, to stand together,
defying the fire-worm, the foreign dragon.
The knights are gathered, the grim war-leaders,
oath-bound warriors, honour-burdened.

Manfred answers, mighty shield-bearer,
bringing his kinsmen to the King's summons,
his fierce war-wolves, the white-maned pack.
As grass to the scythe, grain to the harvester,
the foemen fall before his sword;
the dragon-armies are driven back.

Across the far-reaching field of battle
his banner unfurls, blowing like smoke
on the wind of the fray, a wild summons
to a red feast for ravens and crows.
Dead at his feet lie the dragon's minions,
slain by his skill, skulls burst and bleeding.
Thus Manfred pays the price of his oath,
pays to his King in the coin of war.

More Garlic Fennel Soup

Sun, 14 Jun 2009 21:59:23 GMT

CREAM OF GARLIC FENNEL SOUP

6 large garlic cloves, peeled
1/2 bunch of fennel, including the feathery ends
3 tso stick butter
ca. 2 cups chicken broth (Swanson's, reduced fat, 50% salt)
ca. 1 cup half & half
lemon juice
soy sauce

Slice the garlic cloves thinly. Slice the fennel into thin slices, then chop it up. Melt the butter in a cast iron pan, and in it cook the garlic and fennel over low heat (do not brown) until they are cooked through and soft. With the heat still on, add chicken broth until they are well covered, and continue to cook another 10-15 minutes, adding broth if necesssary.

Take it off the heat and let it cool slightly. Drain and reserve the broth. Put the cooked vegetables in a blender with a little broth and blend on low setting, adding the broth as needed, until it is smooth. (It won't get perfectly smooth, and you'll still see flecks of fennel feathers.) (Can you say that fast? Neither can I.)

Return it to the heat and carefully add half & half until it has a cream-soup color -- a little at a time, stirring constantly, because you don't want it to actually boil. Turn off heat and add lemon juice to taste -- a tablespoon or two -- also carefully and a little at a time, so it doesn't curdle, then add soy sauce. Serve in bowls or cups. Makes about 2 cups.

Notes:
Although it's more trouble, I like this better than the earlier version. I still intend to try this using vegetable broth instead of chicken broth, and also a vegan version with no chicken broth or dairy products. Stay tuned.

Garlic Fennel Soup

Sat, 06 Jun 2009 14:31:16 GMT

This idea came from an online roleplaying game. : )

It is, as someone pointed out, a good soup for a cold rainy day (like yesterday).

Since I was making it up as I went along, the measurements, if any, are approximations.

GARLIC FENNEL SOUP

6 large garlic cloves, peeled
1/2 bunch of fennel, including the feathery ends
1/3 stick butter
chicken broth (Swanson's, reduced fat, 50% salt)
half & half
lemon juice

Slice the garlic cloves thinly. Slice the fennel into thin slices, then chop it up. Melt the butter in a cast iron pan, and in it cook the garlic and fennel over low heat (do not brown) until they are cooked through and soft. With the heat still on, add chicken broth until they are well covered, and continue to cook another 10-15 minutes, adding broth if necesssary. Carefully add half & half until it has a cream-soup color -- a little at a time, stirring constantly, because you don't want it to actually boil. Turn off heat and add lemon juice to taste -- a tablespoon or two -- also carefully and a little at a time, so it doesn't curdle. Serve in bowls or cups.

Other ideas I haven't tried yet:
1. Pureeing the vegetables and broth before adding the half & half.

2. Using olive oil instead of butter, vegetable broth instead of chicken broth, and leaving out the half & half.

It's a little late ...

Wed, 13 May 2009 20:29:21 GMT

... but here are the sonnets I wrote for East Kingdom Coronation (April), but actually exhibited at Crown Tournament (May).

Yes, they do have fifteen lines; so does Sonnet 99 ("The forward violet thus did I chide") by William Shakespeare.

Above the clouds and closest to the sun
Now flies the falcon through the morning light,
Down the bright wind, with wings surpassed by none.
Rejoice, O Eastern people, at the sight!
Exalt the Falcon-King whose throne was won
And crown confirmed by might of sword and shield,
Strong-armed and fierce defender of our lands,
Ever the first to fight, the last to yield
In any battle where the Eastrealm stands.
Say to the north, the dragon-shadowed west;
Far to the south, and eastward, be it heard:
Andreas reigns, whose sword was proven best;
Let all the Eastrealm hear and heed his word!
Know well his worth and wisdom; likewise know,
Each day he reigns, the Kingdom's blessings grow.

Glad tidings to the East and all its kin:
A Queen of beauty now adorns the throne,
Beauteous without and likewise fair within,
Revealed in grace, and by her virtues known,
Inspiring well her King a crown to win.
Embodied courtesy and bright noblesse,
Love's emblem, flowering Rose, we sing your praise;
Lily of honor and of gentilesse,
Admired by all, let bards and heralds raise
Voices of joy in poetry and song,
Offerings fair of skill and artistry.
No other stirs such inspiration strong;
Unrivalled courage, pride, and chivalry,
Like banners o'er the Tyger's hosts unfurled,
Make known her name throughout the whole Known World.

What Herb Are You?

Wed, 08 Apr 2009 05:07:39 GMT

You Are Basil

You are a mild mannered person. People feel naturally calm around you.
You are warm hearted and loving. You have a close knit circle of friends and family.

You have the courage to be who you are in life, even if others disagree. You're proud of your uniqueness.
You are good at caring for and healing others. You are naturally soothing.

What Herb Are You?

Artificial sweeteners

Thu, 02 Apr 2009 14:25:02 GMT

Which one would you pick, and why?

(I don't absolutely have to, but it's been suggested, especially for beverages.)

Spam. : (

Sat, 28 Feb 2009 04:04:16 GMT

Some random person appears to have friended me for spammish purposes and I'd like to remove that person from my account entirely; how do I do that?

Mulling things over ...

Mon, 16 Feb 2009 20:35:15 GMT

Hot Mulled Grape Juice

6 oz Welch's 100% Purple Grape Juice
cinnamon
cloves
ginger
nutmeg
lemon juice

Heat juice slowly. Sprinkle spices and juice over it to taste until dissolved. Serve in a mug or earthenware container (not glass; it's too hot to hold).

Note: It may make you just as sleepy as real wine.

Scadian things done meme

Thu, 15 Jan 2009 17:23:17 GMT

1. Post this list to your LJ.
2. Add three SCA-related things to the bottom that you've done.
3. Bold everything in the list that you've done.
4. Tag people, if you're so inclined [I'm not], and watch the list grow.

Taught a class at Pennsic
Ran a court
Fought or fenced at an event while drunk
Worked the "Puking Duke" shift at Chirurgeons Point at Pennsic
Been an Event Stewart/Autocrat (if demos count)
Been an officer (Local, Regional, Kingdom, Society)
Had a name and/or device accepted by the SCA College of Arms
Had a name and/or device rejected by the SCA College of Arms
Worked in at least three different volunteer departments at Pennsic
Written a scroll text
Ran a bardic circle
Attend a foreign war
Traveled more than 10 hours each way for a one-day event
Had the privilege of begging a boon for a Peerage
Been involved on some level with a "gotcha" moment
Spent the night in a hotel room with more people than the bed space holds
Slept in more than 1 tent at a camping event
Fought/fought for in a Crown/Coronet Tourney
Been to an SCA event/function in every Kingdom except Drachenwald and Lochac
Lived in three Kingdoms
Been in the SCA more than half my life.
Won a tournament in five different kingdoms
Been authorized in a fighting style not legal in your home kingdom at the time
Met your future spouse at an SCA event
Taught at a Collegium
Ever had a Marshallate Complaint as a Heavy Weapons fighter or fencer
Perform at least one "stupid peer trick"
Ever have anyone request permission to conflict with your authorized device
Have at least one story that involves a camping event, alcohol and a porta privy
Ever had both a suzerain and vassal at the same time
Ever been present at the formation of a Principality
Worked in at least three different volunteer departments at Great Western War
Ever been to an SCA event which was being covered by the press
Ever been quoted by the press regarding the SCA (I was interviewed. I don't remember whether or not they quoted me.)
Remember the Rattan shortages of a couple of decades ago
Ever participated in an experimental weapon program
Attended An Tir / West War
Attended Lillies
Attended Gulf Wars
Provided garb to a television crew covering a big event
Had a "Your Majesty, this is madness!" conversation with your Crown
Lent kitchen equipment to Duke Cariadoc
Re-written a portion of Corpora
"Zenned" an award scroll...in Welsh
Changed my persona
Been an ambassador to another Kingdom (Ealdormere)
Visited a Kingdom that's actually a mundane foreign country (see above)
Written a (complimentary) song about royalty

Rime Royal: Hodie Christus Natus Est

Wed, 24 Dec 2008 22:10:00 GMT

Hail, God the Father, Lord of all,
Our dear Creator, Source of Grace,
Descending to each hearth and hall
In every near and distant place.
Eternal blessings on our race
Come forth from thee, who deigns to stay
Here with us on this joyful day.

Rejoice, for now the Prince of Peace
Is here on earth a human child,
Securing thus our souls' release
To Heaven's grace from dark defiled.
Unfailing Love, who reconciled
Such needful souls to holy light,
Now lives on earth both day and night.

And unto God the Spirit raise
The song that blessed angels sing
Unto His everlasting praise:
Sing out and make the heavens ring
Eternal joy in God our King;
Sing sweetly on this holy morn:
Today our Saviour Christ is born.

Not what I expected ...

Thu, 25 Sep 2008 23:07:55 GMT

<img src="http://www.flarn.com/~warlock/tarot/fantastical/3.jpg">
You are The Empress
Beauty, happiness, pleasure, success, luxury, dissipation.
The Empress is associated with Venus, the feminine planet, so it represents, beauty, charm, pleasure, luxury, and delight. You may be good at home decorating, art or anything to do with making things beautiful.
The Empress is a creator, be it creation of life, of romance, of art or business. While the Magician is the primal spark, the idea made real, and the High Priestess is the one who gives the idea a form, the Empress is the womb where it gestates and grows till it is ready to be born. This is why her symbol is Venus, goddess of beautiful things as well as love. Even so, the Empress is more Demeter, goddess of abundance, then sensual Venus. She is the giver of Earthly gifts, yet at the same time, she can, in anger withhold, as Demeter did when her daughter, Persephone, was kidnapped. In fury and grief, she kept the Earth barren till her child was returned to her.
What Tarot Card are You? <a href="http://www.flarn.com/~warlock/tarot">Take the Test to Find Out.</a>

Wikipedia Birthday Meme

Wed, 20 Aug 2008 20:27:54 GMT

FOUR EVENTS
1740 - Maria Theresa takes the throne of Austria. France, Prussia, Bavaria and Saxony refuse to honour the Pragmatic Sanction and the War of the Austrian Succession begins.
1803 - The United States Senate ratifies the Louisiana Purchase.
1944 - General Douglas MacArthur fulfills his promise to return to the Philippines when he commands an Allied assault on the islands, reclaiming them from the Japanese during the Second World War.
1955 - Publication of The Return of the King, being the last part of The Lord of the Rings.

THREE BIRTHS
1632 - Sir Christopher Wren, English architect (d. 1723)
1940 - Robert Pinsky, American poet and Poet Laureate of the United States
1958 - Viggo Mortensen, American actor

TWO DEATHS
1890 - Sir Richard Burton, British explorer and writer (b. 1821)
1936 - Anne Sullivan, American teacher (b. 1866)

ONE HOLIDAY
St. Andrew of Crete, martyr

Welcome Home

Fri, 25 Jul 2008 01:32:31 GMT

Our journey took us through the dark, a long and winding road;
our caravan was weary, and right heavy was our load;
we saw the light, we found the gate, we made our way within;
no words can tell our thankfulness, when greeted by our kin:
Welcome home.

CHORUS
Welcome home from near and far, welcome home whoe'er you are,
welcome home again, wherever you may roam,
from north and south, east and west, to the place we love the best,
where the heart may find its rest: welcome home.

We stumbled and we staggered, for we had travelled long;
our eyelids they were heavy, and our bodies far from strong.
But through the gate we entered, and from every friendly face
came words that gave us strength again, like herbs of healing grace:
Welcome home.

CHORUS

Each time I walk those lands again, returned on pilgrim feet,
I almost kneel and kiss the ground, the grass so green and sweet;
the sky so fair, the stars so bright, the fires and friendships dear,
and sweet as any song to me, the words I love to hear:
Welcome home.

CHORUS

So all you joyful pilgrims, who once a year are found
upon the shores of Cooper's Lake, that well-beloved ground,
pass on the words that welcome you, in early times or late,
and greet the weary traveller who enters through the gate:
Welcome home.

CHORUS

Happy Easter

Sun, 23 Mar 2008 03:34:15 GMT

... to all within the sound of my voice.

(Keep it, pass it on, or both.) : )

Seasons

Thu, 06 Mar 2008 17:18:56 GMT

When snow was falling deep, I dreamed of you:
I dreamed a quiet walk, a summer's green
whose stillness made the very air serene.
The sun like golden oil sang sweetly through
my skin and soul -- your voice was golden light
--or did I see the sun? Your eyes were very bright.

And still you walk in daydreams through my mind
unasked, unlooked-for, like the subtle shoots
of green that slowly wake from sleeping roots,
or sudden leafbuds and the rain and wind.
So what to think or dream? My heart has sworn
that dreams are no more truth than is the sun
the summer, when its light has feebly won
through clouds of March: summer is not yet born.

Portraits

Tue, 19 Feb 2008 17:15:49 GMT

This afternoon, A. and I are going to have our portrait painted in oils by the wife of one of his old professors. We will have four sittings of two hours each, on a schedule to be determined.

I Neither of us has ever done such a thing before. The artist isn't charging us anything -- *she* asked *us.* She said she thought we'd be interesting. : >

Of course, once it is finished we have to figure out which set of parents gets the portrait.

Thu, 07 Feb 2008 04:03:36 GMT

A. and I worked at the polls yesterday from 6:00 am until 9:00 pm. (The polls closed at 8, but it took almost another hour to get things settled and packed up.)

It was hard work and we wore ourselves out. Usually, that polling place (located in the Physics Department building and one of three polling places mostly used by students and faculty) sees about thirty people in an entire day. This time we had almost 300, ran out of forms twice and had to have more brought by courier, and had to hurry through lunch and skip dinner because it took our entire contingent of four people to keep up with the rush (especially after classes, during lunch, etc.). (We got a break for lunch, but the people who were supposed to bring us food -- I think it was the League of Women Voters or someone like that -- never showed up, and we think they were so swamped that they could not get to us.)

It seems clear that this college community was galvanized; it was quite enjoyable to see all those interested, excited students in line. No matter what the outcome, I think this is a good sign.

Super Bowl Fantasy Menus

Sat, 02 Feb 2008 00:57:44 GMT

Elsewhere, bytchearse described the menu he is catering for a Super Bowl party. It was mouth-watering, but I got to thinking about some things I would do differently.

If you were having a Super Bowl party (which, incidentally, I am not), what would you serve?

I would do the following:

From the beginning of the afternoon, there would be grazing opportunites consisting of the following (asterisks indicate things I would buy rather than make):

Hummus
Babaghanoush*
Devilled eggs
Hot wings*
Assorted crackers and bread*
Assorted chips (corn, potato, sweet potato)*
Assorted dips (salsa, queso, cream cheese/salmon)*
Grapes, bananas, oranges*

Toward evening, there would be
Chili with meat (in crockpot since early morning), rice, grated cheese
Green salad (lettuce, cucumbers, cherry tomatoes, thinly sliced onion, lemon and olive oil dressing)
Potato salad
Pound cake
Gingerbread
Whipped cream

Throughout the day, there would be

Cider*
Beer*
Assorted sodas*

Please discuss.

Proselytizing

Thu, 31 Jan 2008 17:14:28 GMT

Can anyone explain to me why it is considered socially acceptable to do things with regard to politics, e.g.: assaulting total strangers in the checkout line, the bathroom, etc. and buttonholing them on your beliefs; stating that all people who believe [politics] are evil, dirty, ignorant, and scratch themselves in inappropriate places; assuming that of course all the people you associate with must share the same politics; refusing to change or drop the subject when asked; and refusing to take NO for an answer -- all of which, if done with regard to religion, are considered unacceptable behavior?

If anyone has an explanation for this, I would like to know.

(I am aware that in both religion and politics, there are people whose assigned jobs involve exposing other people to their beliefs, and unlike many of my acquaintances, I cut such people some slack. They are not what I am talking about. Also note that I differentiate between saying "all people who believe [politics] are evil, dirty, ignorant, and scratch themselves in inappropriate places" and saying "all people who believe [politics] are WRONG.")

Rime Royal: Hodie Christus Natus Est

Tue, 25 Dec 2007 17:03:07 GMT

Welcome Home

Thu, 26 Jul 2007 20:08:13 GMT

Our journey took us through the dark, a long and winding road;
our caravan was weary, and right heavy was our load;
we saw the light, we found the gate, we made our way within;
no words can tell our thankfulness, when greeted by our kin:
Welcome home.

CHORUS
Welcome home from near and far, welcome home whoe'er you are,
welcome home again, wherever you may roam,
from north and south, east and west, to the place we love the best,
where the heart may find its rest: welcome home.

We stumbled and we staggered, for we had travelled long;
our eyelids they were heavy, and our bodies far from strong.
But through the gate we entered, and from every friendly face
came words that gave us strength again, like herbs of healing grace:
Welcome home.

CHORUS

Each time I walk those lands again, returned on pilgrim feet,
I almost kneel and kiss the ground, the grass so green and sweet;
the sky so fair, the stars so bright, the fires and friendships dear,
and sweet as any song to me, the words I love to hear:
Welcome home.

CHORUS

So all you joyful pilgrims, who once a year are found
upon the shores of Cooper's Lake, that well-beloved ground,
pass on the words that welcome you, in early times or late,
and greet the weary traveller who enters through the gate:
Welcome home.

CHORUS