It’s Friday, so it’s time for the Random 5! Check out Nancy at A Rural Journal to catch up with a lot of fine bloggers. I’m still making my way through the list, but I’m seeing some quality writing and brilliant photography. Enjoy, and have a great weekend!
Here’s my five:
- Cloris Leachman has the town abuzz. She’s been visiting, and the Cloris sightings are everywhere (she even showed up at an open house for a friend’s birthday). We caught a glimpse of her, too, as we passed by one of our favorite restaurants and saw her sitting at a table near the window. She looks amazing!
- I picked the first figs off the tree. The fruit will keep me busy for the next few weeks. Figs are fragile things and can get mushy if left unpicked for too long. I’ve just put a batch of them in the freezer!
- I’m oh so close to finishing draft #2 of my next novel. I have about twenty pages left, though I am sure I will need to add more to the end. I’m wrapping it up waaayyyyy too fast. I was hoping to finish this draft by the end of August, and it looks like I may make my goal, even with adding more scenes!
- The sun has returned after two rainy days. We took a walk in the rain yesterday, and it was glorious! It made a mess of my hair, but I didn’t want to put my hood up…it was like getting a nice, misty facial.
- Just as I woke this morning, I learned from American Express that someone tried to use my card number yet again. I’m grateful that the good folks at AmEx are on top of these things, but I’m annoyed at what will be the third replacement in just a few years. Worse, it creeps me out that any time someone attempts a fraudulent charge, it’s for something that I might actually purchase. Are these creeps reading my blog? Makes me wonder.
Here’s a bonus for friends who may be going through menopause. I’m going to be listening to a webinar this coming week. If you’re interested in learning more about “The Powerful Transition of Perimonopause and Menopause,” take a look at this video here. I hope it’s helpful!
Oh, that’s cool that Cloris Leachman is visiting your town! I enjoy her acting. A friend of mine studied Mel Brooks’ films in grad school, and we watched “High Anxiety” numerous times. Loved Leachman in that.
I’ve never eaten a fig right off the tree. What are they like? Do you freeze them whole?
Congrats on the draft of the novel! It must be such a good feeling to be almost there. I’ve been thinking about setting some goals for myself.
I’ve forgotten about High Anxiety! I think I’ve seen it once…should watch it again. I love Mel Brooks. PBS did a “Masters” documentary on him, in case you’re interested, that’s very good. Figs are really sweet fruits with a tender skin. They are easily bruised when they are ripe. Usually I freeze some whole, and some cut up. They go in my smoothies in the wintertime! I also have a wonderful book filled with fig recipes, from fig martinis (haven’t tried those) to chocolate & fig cake, to chicken with fig sauce. I bought it last year because I didn’t… Read more »
C. Leachman-one day in Chinatown, Vancouver, B.C. I was in a small wig specialty shop picking up the first wig for a friend who had lost her hair to Chemotherapy-in the back I saw a pair of crossed legs wearing beautiful shoes, I love flashy high heeled shoes though I’ve never worn them, this pair caught my eye as one shoe lazily dipped up and down while the owner carried on a conversation with whomever was serving her. I’d watched my share of Mary T Moore and thought I know that voice and I did, it was her-she was playing… Read more »
What a wonderful, poignant story. Thank you for sharing it with us…I hope your friend ended up okay. It’s hard to watch someone going through that kind of difficulty.
Enjoy your figs! We certainly are. I picked a few dozen more this morning.
I just love Cloris Leachman! Such a vibrant lady and wonderful actress. I would definitely being stalking her. 🙂
Turns out that a lot of people weren’t sure who she was, even when she was introduced as “Cloris.” Not exactly the most common name in the world!
Fesh figs – yum! It’s funny that we were both writing about being in our 50s – so glad you’re enjoying it as I am!
I found it so interesting that we had such a similar focus. I’m looking forward to reading more from you.
Nadine, you can freeze figs? I wish I had known this a week ago. You see, my mother bought a basket, failed to eat them quickly and by the the second day, they were already moldy. The heat here is abominable and fruit doesn’t seem to make it past sunset. Given her passion for figs, we bought another basket. This time, caramalized! ha! I’m sorry about your American Express. A few years back, my sister had her identity stolen and they used hers to try and purchase jewelry at Tiffany’s!
Nadine, I meant to say, Tiffany jewelry! And now I can’t stop thinking of Breakfast at Tiffany’s. hee hee! 🙂
Yes, figs can be frozen! I rinse them (quickly, but do not soak), then let them dry on a cookie sheet in the refrigerator. Once they are dry, they can be frozen whole. Also, some people dehydrate them first before freezing (cutting them in halves or quarters depending on size). Now, when they thaw they will have good flavor, but the texture isn’t as good as when they’re fresh (better if dehydrated first). They can be made into sauces, smoothies, etc., so there’s plenty of good eating. A really good book for figs is Under the Fig Leaf by Sherri… Read more »
I may join you in your random 5 Fridays. It seems like a good way to keep blogging consistently. I have lots of little things to say that aren’t worth an entire post. I’ve enjoyed the ones that you’ve done.
I like the Random 5, too. I’m struggling a bit with the blogging as well, and I find that I enjoy doing that one. I also enjoy reading what others are writing. I find that people can get really creative with their lists.
I am so glad I checked your blog out this morning. Although I had read this I reread it again as I liked it the first time around. BUT today you reminded me that I have figs in the fridge… poor things I forgot them. They are still looking fine though so they will get used. Whew!
Glad to be of service, Debbie! 🙂 It’s great that you caught them in time…those little guys don’t last very long.
I’m still picking figs. I’m eating them, putting them in recipes, and freezing them as fast as I can. The ones on the tree that are overripe are making the bees happy!