D is for Dimethylpolysiloxane

I was having a perfectly lovely evening enjoying my gardens . . . . a little random weeding amongst the petunias and oregano here, some watering of the pinks and mums there . . . .

I harvested some delicious Kentucky Blue Pole Beans, a zucchini, three Cayenne peppers, yellow and red carrots, and one ripe tomato from the vegetable garden. I peeked at an ear of sweet corn and am hopeful that I can enjoy one meal of homegrown sweet corn before I leave for the Holy Lands for two weeks.

The sunset was gorgeous, and at this time of year peaks through the western woods on our property, right past the old goat shed and just behind the beans and sunflowers. Mosquitoes weren't too bad . . .

So I came inside, pleased and proud of my modestly green thumb, plotting for tomorrow night in the hopes that I can convene a family dinner. I started digging around in the freezer to see what might complement the fresh veggies I anticipate preparing tomorrow night when I tripped across the whole chicken in a bag (Gold'n Plump, Bake It Easy, Seasoned Whole Chicken). I was compelled to read the ingredients list. Last time we ate one of these I didn't feel so well after the fact, and I attributed my digestive distress to the likelihood that the processed chicken probably contained MSG (Monosodiumglutamate).

Background information (TMI WARNING - skip this paragraph if you'd rather not hear about it): I am not allergic to MSG, but my central nervous system rejects MSG and Aspartame. I have a pretty immediate puke or diarrhea response to high levels of either of these common ingredients in processed foods. Thus my preference for non-diet soft drinks. Unfortunately, I also have the same response to raw raspberries, blackberries, cranberries, blueberries, kiwi fruit, mangoes, and acai berries. There is a spectrum of response; suffice it to say that I have come to an understanding that when any of these ingredients are present, especially in volume, they may cause my central nervous system to go on full TOXIN ALERT and purge the contents as efficiently as possible.

SO, as I read the ingredient list, which seemed ridiculously complex for a whole chicken, I tripped across a new word; Dimethylpolysiloxane.

"What the hell is that?" I wondered aloud. My husband had never heard of it. You know what I did.

Google, help! As I read the WikiEntry (linked here) I learned that I've been in contact with this substance annually for years when Santa delivered Silly Putty to my stocking each Christmas. And it makes sense that it helps my friend with a Boob job, I guess. This may also explain why I've never been a fan of Chicken McNuggets. I don't know if this is the culprit, because MSG is not on the list, but I am certainly suspicious!

Does my chicken with breasts really need silicone implanted before I bake it and eat it?!?!

Good grief!

(I would have said "YUCK!" but my grandmother taught me that "a polite no thank you will do.")

I think I'll thaw a venison loin and eat something less infused with crap when I enjoy all the fresh vegetables, grown organically in my little vegetable garden.

BTW - I did squish all the cabbage worms I was able to locate on the broccoli and cabbage. But that's a story for another day!

P is for Perfect

It was a perfect first Monday of vacation.

I spent the first six hours working in my vegetable garden, ignoring the occasional drizzle and overcast clouds. I didn't get too hot, nor did I get sunburned. The bugs left me alone, too.

We're down to the last four kohlrabi plants; sure is tasty this year. I pulled the bolted spinach and lettuce rows and fed some to the goat and composted the rest. I tilled and weeded and raked and weeded some more. I thinned out the sweet corn and pruned the tomato vines.

Joren, the Dill Pickle Maniac, planted cucumbers next to the dill. We're hopeful that the growing season will be good and long like it was last summer. We lost the first cukes to an early May freeze and failed to get them reseeded in a timely fashion. We planted with a prayer. I threw in another row of carrots and some scallions. I think we'll try some fall spinach, lettuce, and peas this year. We'll get one really nice crop of peas tonight. Yum.

The best news of the garden is that there is ZERO evidence of any rabbit penetration of the new fence. So I was quite cheerful getting grubby in the garden. Oh, and the Zucchini thing has begun :) Local friends, consider yourself warned!

The finish to the perfect day was a cruise on the Mighty Mississippi with Tom and Beth in their new boat, the Regal Eagle. After putting in with no problems at the public landing in Red Wing, Tom docked the boat at the Harbor Bar like he'd been docking boats all his life. We picked up Capt. Steve-the-Lumberjack and Princess Kathy and off we went to look at Lake Pepin.

It was a peaceful night on the river; lousy with Bald Eagles perched here, there, and everywhere. The river is flowing high and fast and was quite warm. I couldn't resist taking a dip in Lake Pepin. Sunset was captivating and after dropping Steve and Kathy back at the Harbor Bar, Beth backed in the trailer and Tom got the boat on the trailer on his first attempt. No marital screaming, no arguments. Dale and I were quite impressed. These proud new boat owners have the makings of River Rat written all over their behavior.

Welcome to the Mighty Mississipp'!

(And THANK YOU, Tom and Beth, for the delightful ride and an excellent kick-off to our vacation.)