Glimpses through the blog

The Wiz is a published author!

ccc@chattycraftycook.com (CCC) — Fri, 18 Dec 2009 10:57:00 GMT

Attention all online surfers! The Wiz is riding the wave of the future. One of his books (he has written three) has been published online - and it is now available world-wide for downloading!

    The book is "Roadkill", and the author is John Rasor - as you can plainly see from the book's cover *BIG SMILE*:



    Now, if you want to do us a HUGE favor - and give The Wiz his best holiday present ever - please consider downloading his book from the publisher's site www.ireadiwrite.com - where you can read the first chapter for free in order to decide whether or not you like it.

His book is also available through www.amazon.com in their "Kindle" section. Is this exciting, or WHAT???

The difference is that if you download it from the publisher, The Wiz gets half the price of each download (which is $7.99); but if you download it from amazon or someplace else, The Wiz only gets half of what the publisher gets after amazon (or whoever) has taken their "cut".

Chatty could go on indefinitely about the excitement that this had generated in our house - but the proof of the pudding is in the eating.

Chatty wants you to READ THIS BOOK! Because truly, even if the Wiz had not written it, she would still have read it. It is an excellent book - though not for the faint-hearted. It is a thriller - and it delivers!

Please understand that this is not a "vanity press" type of thing - The Wiz paid nothing to get it published. But the publisher believes in him, and has found his book worthy of publication. If you want to read the article The Wiz wrote about this whole process, please check it out at http://hubpages.com/hub/My-New-E-Book

www.ireadiwrite.com is a small publishing company in Canada, established about a year ago. The Wiz is their 40th published author. They believe that e-books are the future, and think that the market will probably grow exponentially in the next 24 months. However, they are also considering expanding to print publishing as well in the coming months.

So, when you have a moment, give it a shot - at least go to the publisher's site www.ireadiwrite.com and read the first chapter. You can also leave a comment there, after you have read it. The Wiz would love to hear your comments!

If you aren't hooked after reading the first chapter - Chatty will be surprised.

Once again - to friends and family who read Chatty's blog - downloading his book (and telling him that you did) would be the very best Christmas present you could give the Wiz. Chatty's just sayin'...

Later, alligators!

Non-gender specific - Yay or Nay?

ccc@chattycraftycook.com (CCC) — Fri, 18 Dec 2009 06:40:00 GMT

    Chatty was meandering her way home from the post office, having just posted four Christmas packages AFTER HOURS, using the special postage machine/box/miracle. Chatty *hearts* this marvelous machine.

    She was humming along to the 24/7 Christmas radio station, and was stopped at the light by her local community college. Having time to look around, she noticed the cool flashing traveling sign at the front entrance - one that notes upcoming events, when classes for the new semester begin, etc. It's very eye-catching.

    So, Chatty was watching it flash, and saw: Congratulations to our Theater Department students and their production of 'Twelve Angry Jurors'!

    Hmmmmm. Chatty is pretty sure that the name of that play is "Twelve Angry Men", and she is also pretty sure that the playwright wouldn't be too happy to see his title changed. She is also pretty sure that much of the drama results from there being twelve (all Caucasion) men on a jury deciding the fate of a Puerto Rican teenager. In fact, had there had been women on the jury, Chatty is pretty sure the whole play would have been a one-act, rather than a three-act - but that is neither here nor there, and just her opinion, anyway.

    But Chatty's point - if indeed she has one - is this: What gives a school - or any other body producing a well-known play - the right to change the title of that play, and with it no doubt also the content and force of that play?

    Did they want to make it less gender-specific, and therefore somehow more palatable to audiences? If so, get a clue - it's about TWELVE ANGRY MEN - palatable was never a priority to the playwright - in fact, just the opposite. Did they want to cast some females students as jurors? Again - NOT AN OPTION. Or shouldn't be, anyway. Did they think they could just take a well-known, brilliant play and....um...PLAY with it? Again, NOT AN OPTION, at least in Chatty's opinion.

    Chatty wonders what's coming next...how about "The Merry Spousal Units of Windsor"? Or, "Two Gentlepersons from Verona"? Maybe "I, Claudia". How about "Romeo and Julian"?

    We could enlarge on the theme, and add songs: "Here Comes Mrs. Santa Claus"..."The Person from Ipanema"... "Thank Heavens for Little Boys".

    Now, any one of the above might make for some very interesting productions or songs - but they would NOT be the play - or song - as it was intended to be performed by their various authors.

    And, don't even get Chatty started on possible book title changes - although of course we DO have both "Little Women" and "Little Men" - which pretty much makes Chatty's point - because they are TWO DIFFERENT BOOKS!

    Chatty has nothing against things like "It's a Wonderful Life" being re-cast with a female playing the lead. If the story is not harmed by being non-gender-specific, why not? Besides, Chatty loves Marlo Thomas.

    But "Twelve Angry Jurors"?

    Puhleeeze...

    This is Chatty, over and out.

    OK - gotta come clean here. Chatty DOES know that there is an adaptation of the play, credited to Sherman Sergel - but that doesn't make it RIGHT!

Eat our shorts!

ccc@chattycraftycook.com (CCC) — Mon, 07 Dec 2009 05:58:00 GMT

The Arizona Cardinals just beat the Minnesota Vikings - one of the best teams in the NFL…and, we BEAT THEM LIKE A DRUM!

Chatty adores Brett Favre, but tonight - she wanted her sweet, darling, BRILLIANT Kurt Warner to slam the Vikings into the ground and leave them there. And, he DID! It goes without saying that he had HUGE help from his defense. But still - coming off of a concussion, and the crushing defeat at the last moment last week against Tennessee (because he was HONEST with the doctors, and admitted he was still not feeling well - and so was taken off the roster) - made it even sweeter.

Because Chatty believes that it pays to be honest.

Kurt Warner is a true gentleman. He finds it hard to lie even when it would be easier to do so - which is why Chatty thinks he decided he could not lie when he responded honestly to the doctors, and was therefore judged not eligible to play last week.

And then, we lost.

Kurt is getting a lot of flak for that – and Ben, the quarterback for the Steelers – has gotten a lot of the same flak - because he was in the same situation, and also refused to lie. Way to go, Mr. Hunt! Your apology is too little, and too late. Chatty's opinion only, of course...

Chatty is so proud of both Kurt and Ben for deciding that honesty is the best policy.

Chatty LOVES football, and accepts that it is a violent game.

However, she absolutely draws the line at players lying to their doctors so that they can play injured. This is a huge deal with the NFL right now, so Chatty has to applaud both Kurt and Ben for taking the very controversial stance that any player – no matter how much he has been paid, and no matter how much his presence is needed – must admit it when he knows that he should not play in any given game.

These two men (and all the other players who quietly do the same) deserve our respect not only for their brilliance when playing football - but also for their courage OFF the field.

Chatty shall now step off of her soap box.

And - GO CARDS!

A New Necklace

ccc@chattycraftycook.com (CCC) — Sun, 27 Sep 2009 09:27:00 GMT

    Chatty has finally finished one of the necklaces she is making for her sister-in-law - JUST in time to take it to LA and give to her next week.

    It took forever to bring this together to Chatty's satisfaction, but she is finally pleased with the results.

    The pendant is glass - hand-blown by her artist son - so Chatty used painted glass beads as accents, along with oblong carnelians, white quartz, and iridescent Japanese seed beads. It is double-strung on very fine wire, and has a copper clasp.

    Chatty hopes she likes it!





    Chatty and The Wiz are heading to Los Angeles on Monday (by way of Lake Gregory and a flying visit with a dear friend there.) We will be cramming a lot of activities into our week - this is the first time we have been back to Los Angeles in three years, so we have many friend to see and lots of favorite haunts to visit.

    We will be back on October 6. Until then - later, alligators!

The Sacred Blue Cenote of Chichen Itza

ccc@chattycraftycook.com (CCC) — Mon, 14 Sep 2009 01:28:00 GMT

We stopped on our way to Chichen Itza for lunch, and a chance to swim in the sacred Blue Cenote.

    The entrance to the cenote complex was gorgeous - flame trees, hibiscus, thatched buildings, trees that looked like ancient sculpture, and stone "conversation benches", so-called because the seats face one another, but are part of the same bench. They can be found in almost every public park and attraction, all nicely painted white. They remind Chatty of the wooden 19th century ones she has seen in museums, albeit much more modern in design.















    The cenote itself took Chatty's breath away. Cenotes are huge holes in the ground that have filled partly with water from underground rivers. Because all the rivers in Yucatan are underground, cenotes were sacred in ancient civilizations - both because of their majestic appearance, and because once away from the sea, water was scarce and precious. It's hard to know exactly how deep this amazing cenote is - suffice it to say that "deep" barely begins to describe it!

Chatty - and everyone else who ventured in - had to take a shower BEFORE she climbed down the 120 (slippery and uneven) steps to the water's surface, because the state is very concerned about keeping as many non-natural ingredients (perfume, sunscreen, hair spray etc.) out of the pristine and amazingly clear water as possible. In addition to the magnificent blue-green colors, the water is also deliciously cool - about 73 degrees. You can dive off a 10 meter platform hewn from the rock, or climb down rustic wooden ladders (Chatty chose the latter!)

This picture was taken from a height of about 120 feet - at the first "rest-stop" going down the stairs carved out of the stone surrounding the cenote. The vertical lines in the picture are vines. Because they dart so quickly, in this picture you are unable to see the tiny birds that flutter and dive in and out of the foliage that descends all the way down to the water's surface - but they are everywhere, and you can hear the beating of hundreds of tiny wings above you when you are swimming. The tiny black "specks" in the water are fishes about 6 inches long, that swim around and tickle one's feet. At the bottom right, Chatty swears she can see a foamy mermaid...

Once in the water, swimming away from the platform and toward the other side, seeing no other people - only tiny fishes and tiny birds, and looking at the greenery hugging the edges of the cenote up up and up to a sky that seemed endlessly high - Chatty had a moment where she felt part of earth's long history - and could almost feel the presence of the people who swam in this ancient body of water thousands of years ago, just as she was doing now. It was eerie, and lovely - and an altogether moving experience. Then, she turned around - and there were all her fellow tourists - and she was jerked back to the present just in time for lunch (which was excellent!)

    This second picture will give you an idea of what the rock ledges looked like - and also how incredibly bright the sunshine was at the top! A lot of people were enjoying the cenote when Chatty took this picture - but by the time she gathered her courage, took her shower, and descended, she had it practically to herself, which was also cool, and helped create the atmosphere described above. Note that although this picture was taken from over 120 feet above, you can see the legs of the swimmers. We're talking CLEAR WATER, folks!



   The Wiz did not swim in this cenote (he swam in the Grand Cenote a couple of days later), but he did climb down to the first viewing point:



    After our buffet lunch, we got back on the bus for the 10-minute drive to Chichen Itza and its fabulous pyramid. More on that another time.

Later, alligators!

We Remember

ccc@chattycraftycook.com (CCC) — Sat, 12 Sep 2009 00:46:00 GMT

Those who cannot remember the past are condemned to repeat it.

- George Santayana

Chatty is not dead...

ccc@chattycraftycook.com (CCC) — Sat, 29 Aug 2009 08:01:00 GMT

No, dear people who have wondered why Chatty is so silent these days - she is NOT dead...

She has just fallen into the world known as Facebook...

As her friend Heather says - it's blogging for those with ADHD!

Instant gratification! It's a real buzz, folks!

Happily, Chatty has discovered that most of the people who read her blog regularly are ALSO on Facebook - so they understand this current obsession of hers...

Chatty DOES have more pictures of Mexico, and wants to report on her tomato crop (insert horse laugh here)...

But...for the moment - Facebook has her mesmerized...

Chatty WILL return...

At long last - some pictures from Mexico

ccc@chattycraftycook.com (CCC) — Wed, 29 Jul 2009 07:58:00 GMT

    Chatty would like to thank those few readers who stick with her through thick and thin.

    Chatty has not recently been either a loyal or a good blogger. Partly because she was sick, partly because she didn't have much to say, partly because she was depressed about that, and partly because she is lazy.

    Also, Chatty must point out that her computer has been re-loaded 3 times in the past 3 weeks. A Nasty Virus. The Wiz KNOWS what the virus is, but...well...he just wanted to see what it could actually do. He has fixed everything, of course, and learned much in the process. And this falls far short of an excuse for not blogging - because he fixed it within hours of the occurrence.

    However, Chatty just lost interest in her blog for a bit.

    Partly because, as many bloggers do, Chatty lives for comments - and the only people who comment are those who are either relatives, close friends, or the few who genuinely enjoy Chatty's blog, and actually follow it - although we have never met - as opposed to the people who only comment if Chatty leaves comments on THEIR sites, or buys products from them. Chatty is pretty much through with that.

    Friends, relatives - and KCINNOVA (you know who you are, my internet friend), thanks from the bottom of my heart for caring and commenting whether or not I comment on your site from week to week. I love you all.

    Let's face it - not much happens to Chatty from day to day. She is certainly not as interesting as her fellow bloggers. In fact, Chatty's life is pretty boring.

    Now! Enough of the half-assed excuses, and the pity party!

    Chatty DID go to Cancun, and she has pictures.

    She has finally managed to downsize some pictures to the extent that they are acceptable to GoDaddy.

    Chatty will start with our journey to Chichen Itza. Notice Chatty said JOURNEY - not Chichen Itza itself.

    The reason is that Chatty had never been to any Mexican town that wasn't either a "border town" (Tijuana, Nogales, etc.) or a "tourist town (Puerto Penasco/Rocky Point) - so she was particularly interested to see what an actual Mexican town that wasn't dedicated to the Almighty American Dollar looked like.

    She found this Mayan town beautiful. It was on our way to Chichen Itza, and for the life of her she cannot remember its name. This is probably because she couldn't pronounce it when she first heard it - much less remember it. Bad Chatty. *sigh*

    However...

    The church and its grounds emcompass one whole block surrounding the town square. It is a Catholic church, but has all sorts of Mayan symbols in bas relief on its doors:

    It is truly a lovely thing to see.

    The other three sides of the square are businesses, hotels, etc. They are all painted in the most beautiful ice-cream colors - here is the one side I was able to catch (because all of these photos were taken from the bus...)

    Chatty was lucky to get a shot of the huge Mexican flag that was flying just outside the main town square as our bus passed by:

    And inside the square, in the middle, was a lovely statue of a woman.

    This is unusual, because it is one of only two or three statues of women in the whole of Mexico to have the position in the center of a town square. (Chatty apologizes for not getting a shot - but the bus was moving.) It was explained to us by our Mayan guide that the Mayans are a matriarchal society - which is why they chose a woman to be honored in this town's square.

    Here are a few more shots Chatty managed to take while passing through the town:

    Here's an elementary school - Chatty loved the trees painted on the side of the building:

    As Chatty mentioned, she had never been to a Mexican town that was not dedicated to tourists like herself. So, these pictures are not particularly interesting, except maybe to those of you who, like Chatty, have no idea what a "real" Mexican town looks like. That's why Chatty decided to post them:

    Finally (at least for this post) this was Chatty's first glimse of the incredible "flame trees' of which she had heard, but had never seen. They are magnificent. No pictures can possibly do them justice. The sight of them takes one's breath away:

    Note that the road to the left leads to Chichen Itza - which is where we headed.

    More pictures to follow!

Miko, Movita...and Michael Jackson

ccc@chattycraftycook.com (CCC) — Sat, 04 Jul 2009 10:02:00 GMT

As those of you who follow my blog know, I have not been well. I had planned to come back with many pictures from my trip to Mexico, and will do so soon, because I am finally feeling better.

However, I want to talk about something else first.

Those who are kind enough to follow this blog know that I rarely speak of current events - and when I do, it is only because I feel strongly about the subject, and take the opportunity my blog affords to have my say.

Perhaps you will also note that I do not speak as "Chatty" - but as myself.

So, here goes.

We have been innundated with the circumstances surrounding the death of Michael Jackson.

I have just a tiny bit of input - not much, as you will see - but something I believe to be significant in its way, because it speaks to the friendships he had that endured.

You can tell a lot about a man by listening to the friends who speak up for him in times of trouble or death, can't you?

Deepak Chopra and his son are two people I would consider blessed to have as long-standing friends - wouldn't you?

So - a bit more on that...

First, let us be clear.

I did not know Michael Jackson.

I did, however, know the mother of one of the friends who has stuck by him through thick and thin. That friend is Miko Brando, and I am happy and proud to have known his mother.

It may might not sound like much - but I do believe that we can learn a lot about a person if we know his mother.

By the way, I met Miko's father in passing at a restaurant many years ago - and only the once. He was charming, funny, and interesting. We never worked together, but I'm glad I had the chance to meet him - if only in informal circumstances.

But, that doesn't really count.

What counts is that I met and got to know Miko's mother over a period of several years. I was working as an assistant director in Hollywood, and she was working as a background talent - aka "atmosphere".

Her name is Movita Castaneda, but she was better known as just "Movita" in her years as an actress.

Yes - a single name - just like "Cher" or "Madonna" - but she was known by a single name long before anyone else (everything old is new again, right?)

Movita met Marlon Brando in the 1950's. They married, and had two children together - a son and a daughter.

As Movita told it (and I cannot know if it is true, but I prefer to believe it) she left him when he "fell" for his third wife - a beautiful woman from Tahiti - while filming the re-make of "Mutiny on the Bounty" in 1962 (ironic note, Movita had a starring role in the ORIGINAL version). Movita asked for no alimony, and whether or not he contributed child support for their two children (both of whom SHE raised) she never mentioned. She did say once that she could not abide unfaithfulness - and if Marlon wanted someone else, her only choice was to give him his freedom, though she was Catholic. I'm sure this was difficult for her

In point of fact, she did not speak of Marlon Brando often - in fact, I had known her for a year before she even mentioned it - and then it was just in passing. However, when she did speak of him after we knew one another better, it was always with affection. I liked her for that. I also believe that she and Marlon remained on good terms throughout his life, and stayed in touch - at least sporadically - and always as friends.

As I came to know her, I liked her for many other reasons as well. She was kind. She was an oasis of calm on any busy "set". She was charming and fun. She was absolutely reliable. She did things like make tamales for friends in the cast and crew at Christmas.

And, she loved her children so very much. She never bored anyone with stories, but it was obvious that she loved them - and that they were the most important people in her life.

She spoke once to me of the horrific accident that befell Michael Jackson on the set of the infamous Pepsi commercial - how his hair caught on fire and that he could have died. She mentioned it with great sorrow, but also with pride - because it was her son, Miko, who was the first to jump to help Michael. They both received severe burns. Everybody has heard how much Michael suffered - perhaps fewer remember how badly her son was also hurt.

We are hearing a bit from Miko now that his friend has died - he has been interviewed by many news organizations. I truly believe that he is trying to give us a picture of the man HE knew - his friend. I applaud him for that, and for his unswerving loyalty to a man who by all accounts was difficult to understand, though perhaps not difficult to love.

I say again - you can learn a lot about a person just from knowing his mother.

Movita - wherever you are - it was a privilege and a pleasure to know you. Miko - I have never met you, but I know your mother is proud of you for a myriad of reasons - one of which must certainly be your steadfast loyalty and love for your friends - one of whom happened to be Michael Jackson.

Let us eschew the attention-mongering hangers-on and press vultures who pretend to help us "understand" Michael Jackson's life and death before he has even been laid to rest.

And, let us remember him as we will - for better or for worse - but always as a great talent whose music made its impression on us all.

May he rest in peace.

And, while I am at it - let us take a moment to remember ALL of those who have passed away in the past couple of weeks - famous or known only to their dear ones.

Death comes as the end for all of us - but love and memories live on always in the hearts of all who are left behind.

Under the Weather

ccc@chattycraftycook.com (CCC) — Tue, 16 Jun 2009 05:47:00 GMT

    Chatty is far more under the weather than she at first thought.

    Sadly, it is not the kind of "under the weather" that would have ended up with Chatty having free vacations to Mexico for the next three years - because that would have entailed having the swine flu.

    Oh, no.

    Chatty and The Wiz just caught colds.

    *sigh*

    BAD colds.

    Chatty sleeps 12 hours every night, and has to drag herself out of bed.

    Then, she sits next to The Wiz, as we sneeze and cough at our respective computers.

    Then, Chatty takes a nap.

    And then we sit and stare at the TV.

    Then, Chatty goes back to bed.

    This is all by way of explaining why no pictures of Mexico have been forthcoming.

    Chatty apologizes.

Back from Mexico

ccc@chattycraftycook.com (CCC) — Mon, 08 Jun 2009 01:27:00 GMT

    Chatty and The Wiz are back from Cancun, and we had a great time!

    However, we are both a bit under the weather - The Wiz has been feeling poorly since last Thursday afternoon, but is much better today. Chatty got a sore throat last night, after we got home, and is fairly miserable today. With luck, it will run its course in a couple of days, like it did with The Wiz.

    Don't panic! We are NOT talking about the flu! Just sore throats and stuffy noses. Chatty is fairly certain this is the result of going from basically NO humidity in Arizona to 90% humidity in Cancun - a HUGE difference, and certain to make allergies worse. Chatty and The Wiz both have allergies - remember, we were both suffering from them when we left - but we both "passed" the airport checkpoints in Mexico going and coming, which means it isn't the flu - because our temperatures are normal.

    And yes, they DID check the temperatures of everyone at the airport, both entering Mexico and upon leaving. When we arrived in Cancun, they had a machine where you had to press a button with your finger - if it lit up green, you were passed. If it was red - well, Chatty assumes you would have been pulled aside and examined further. Upon leaving Mexico yesterday, they actually had a man with a thermometer who held it to everyone's temples and checked our temperatures. The Wiz was feeling lousy yesterday, but he passed the thermometer test (thank heavens!) and was allowed to leave for Houston.

    Chatty is going to have to wash ALL of our clothes - even the ones we didn't wear - because everything is still DAMP. The humidity was just a misery all around. Chatty's hair was NEVER dry at any point during the 7 days she was on vacation! And at night, we would slip between clean sheets - but they were DAMP. All the clothes in the closets and drawers - DAMP.

    The tours and trips we took were fantastic, though! The ruins at Chichenitza and Tulum were incredible - and Chatty swam in two amazing natural wells (called cenotes) - the sacred Blue Cenote, around which Chichenitza was built, and the Grand Cenote, not too far from Tulum, which is south of where we stayed.

    We also went out in the lagoon in a speed boat and then boarded a glass bottom boat that looked like a little submarine - the part we sat in was completely underwater, and all glass. We saw a tortoise, and a "sleeping" shark (Chatty thought that sharks could never stop moving, but apparently this type - which also has no teeth - can "rest"), schools of brilliant blue fishes, and lots of live coral.

    We also went parasailing right from the beach at our resort - but we couldn't swim there, because of the rocks. Hurricane Wilma washed all the sand away, so you can't walk in to swim, even wearing water shoes. They are slowly replacing the sand, starting in Cancun and working their way south toward the Riviera Maya, where we stayed - but it is taking a lot of time and money, and the work is slow.

    However, on a private tour we took with a fun couple we met, our guide took us to a private beach near Tulum, where his friends own a resort with a little restaurant and private bungalows right on the beach. The sand was white like Chatty has heard sand can really be, and the water was many shades ranging from blue to green to true turquise - and so warm that you didn't even notice when you walked in - like bathwater, truly! The sand was so fine that Chatty didn't even realize her bathing suit was full of sand until we went to dinner and Chatty had to go to the ladies room. The sand when flying everywhere when she took her suit off - but since she couldn't change clothes, she just pulled it back on, and again - didn't feel a thing! Amazing! Usually sand in your swimming suit is unbearable!

    Our room was lovely - stuff was expensive if you had to buy it at the resort, but the place was beautiful. And, there was a shuttle into Playa del Carmen, where they dropped you off at - brace for it - the local Walmart - where you could buy whatever you wanted, and they would ferry it to your room for you upon your return. The pool - well, pools, really - was unbelieveable - Chatty took pictures of it while we were parasailing, and you will see what she means when she gets the pictures downloaded and sized to put in her blog.

    The food was excellent, too - and Chatty found the most marvelous corn and poblano chile chowder she has ever tasted. Chatty has experience with corn and poblano chowder - having eaten it at the wonderful restaurant in the Getty museum in Los Angeles several years ago - but this stuff was even BETTER - Chatty ate it three nights running once she discovered it. The chef was kind enough to give Chatty the recipe - not that difficult, but time consuming - and she is going to make it as soon as she gets to the store to restock the larder and buy the proper ingredients.

    Pictures of our Cancun adventure will be forthcoming.

    Chatty hopes your week was as nice as hers!

Chatty goes south...and east...to the Yucatan Peninsula

ccc@chattycraftycook.com (CCC) — Sat, 30 May 2009 07:27:00 GMT

    Well, to say that Chatty is innervated would be to put it mildly.

    She is ALMOST ready to head for new frontiers (read Cancun), but at the moment she is bouncing around like a ping pong ball that fell off the table long ago, and is now just looking for a place to come to rest.

    Which will be in the darkest, most inaccessible corner, of course.

    The Wiz has just been out in the garage, spray-painting his favorite black plastic sandals. Why? Because he likes them, but they were looking a bit shabby. The Wiz HATES to buy new shoes. He finds a pair he likes, and he wears them until they fall off his feet. He is wearing his "heavy" shoes on the plane (because Chatty has drilled into him the 50-pound limit for checked bags), and he is totally copacetic with taking only two pairs of shoes for seven days. The second pair being spray-painted plastic ones.

    Gotta love The Wiz. He knows what he likes - but he also wants to look good (hence the spray paint). Chatty is wondering how good spray painted sandals will be in hot, humid conditions. Guess we'll find out! When she mentioned this to The Wiz, he shrugged and said "Well, I could just buy new sandals in Cancun."

    The Wiz is pretty smart, and very laid-back.

    Chatty, meanwhile, is angsting over whether or not to take her cute, jewelled sandals in case we go "someplace nice" for dinner one night - or whether she should jettison them in favor of more practical footwear. Considering that The Wiz will be swanning around in spray-painted plastic sandals, Chatty is leaning toward leaving her cute, jewelled sandals at home.

    Chatty got up at 6:50 am on Friday.

    Yes.

    This was because you can "check in" 24 hours before your flight.

    Her dear friend - who is not only looking after our puppies but is also a travel agent - got on the phone with her to talk her through the computer check-in process at the crack of dawn. Because Chatty has not flown for over 4 years within the country - and it's been WAY longer than that since she has gone outside the country - on a plane.

    So, with his help, Chatty inputs the information about herself first. Name, passport number, etc.

    All goes well.

    Then, she inputs the information for The Wiz.

    We get started, and then the computer screen announces "Cannot complete automatic boarding process. Please report to the airport and request assistance". Or something along those lines.

    Naturally, Chatty ~~freaks~~ thinks nothing of this.

    Her travel agent friend talks Chatty down off of the ledge and makes soothing noises about "just random, probably" and "worst case scenario, The Wiz has a name that is similar to one on the "no-fly" list..."

    Uh-huh.

    Chatty asks if she should re-enter the information. He advises her that it probably won't make any difference - if the name is flagged, it's flagged.

    *sigh*

    Now we are looking at three people with boarding passes, and...The Wiz.

    The Wiz is still asleep, resting comfortably. He has NO idea what is in store for him.

    Chatty knows that her travel agent friend is right. But, Chatty is - well, the polite term would probably be "anal-retentive". So, even though she knows it is probably in vain, she waits 20 minutes, and inputs the information for The Wiz again.

    Wonder of wonders - it goes through.

    *big sigh of relief"

    She calls her friend back, and he is surprised, but very pleased for her.

    Chatty has not even TOLD The Wiz about the hour she spent going crazy, thinking their trip would be ruined because his name (or whatever) would keep us from getting on the plane. She just let him sleep. And then, when he woke up, she just didn't mention it.

    Because Chatty CAN be cool, right?

    Uh-huh.

    As much as Chatty could go on about the packing in progress (and how she HATES to pack), she must close, because, well...she still has to pack!

    Chatty fully intends to check in from Mexico - she won't be able to post, but if anyone wants to contact her - please feel free.

    Actually, she might be able to post - but don't count on her figuring out how in the mere 7 days she has to figure it out.

    We will be back on the 6th of June.

    Until then...

    Later, alligators!

Can Coughing Get Chatty Incarcerated?

ccc@chattycraftycook.com (CCC) — Thu, 28 May 2009 13:22:00 GMT

    Chatty is in the midst of an allergy attack.

    Two days before she goes to Mexico.

    All this swine flu talk is abounding.

    Everywhere.

    Chatty is wheezing and sneezing and coughing. Chatty herself knows that it is allergies...but - what about the people on the plane with her?

    Are they going to panic?

    Should Chatty call out "No worries - it's just allergies!" the first time she coughs or sneezes?

    Will anyone believe her?

    Will Chatty be able to control the coughing and sneezing long enough to get through airport security and onto the plane bound for Houston?

    And, if she coughs on the plane...

    Will they remove Chatty from the plane when she lands in Houston, and not allow her to continue to Cancun?

    Even worse, when trying to be homeward bound, will they hear her coughing and hacking at the airport in Mexico and refuse to let her go home - and then stick her in a hospital - make her pay for her time spent there - and then make her pay for another flight home a week later (because by then they will have realized that Chatty has ALLERGIES, not the FLU) - for which she has no money - having shot her wad to pay for the trip in the first place?

    In addition to her allergy attack, Chatty is now also having a panic attack.

    Which makes her sneeze and cough even more.

    Sheesh.

When Too Many Tortillas Are Just Enough

ccc@chattycraftycook.com (CCC) — Mon, 25 May 2009 22:59:00 GMT

    Chatty made tacos a few nights ago. Ground beef for The Wiz, and Morninstar crumbles with a ton of taco seasoning thrown in for Chatty.

    The Wiz is picky about his tortillas - and his bread. Both have to be fresh fresh fresh. Chatty thinks tortillas in particular last several days, but she cannot convince The Wiz of this, so she usually buys just a little bag of 12 and ends up throwing a few away.

    However, she was at a store that only had bags of 24. She didn't want to go to another store, and besides - 24 at this store were only 10 cents more than 12 at the other store.

    The tacos were great, but Chatty was left with 16 tortillas.

    What to do? She couldn't bear to waste that many tortillas, but if she made them into chips, which she often does, we wouldn't have time to eat them before leaving for Mexico.

    Then, Chatty remembered the fabulous dish she discovered while in Rocky Point two years ago. It is actually designed to use leftovers - including tortillas - and while it is usually served at breakfast, Chatty thinks it is great any time of day.

    It is called "chilequiles", and there are as many versions of it as there are recipes for chili. It's the sort of dish where almost any leftover will work - meats and vegetables and beans - all held together with slighlty stale tortillas, enchilada sauce, and cheese. A lot of people add eggs, too.

    Chatty had never made the dish, but she had eaten it for breakfast practically every day while in Rocky Point, so she decided to mix some up.

    One key is having the tortillas slightly "stale" - so that they dry out and are curling up a bit. It is suggested that you leave them out overnight, but Chatty wanted her chilequiles for dinner, so she just let them take the air all afternoon.

    First, however, she cut them into 1-inch pieces, then scattered them on the cutting board to let them dry and curl.

    When it came time to assemble, she diced one half of a large sweet onion and threw it into a mixing bowl.

    She flash-fried the tortilla pieces in three batches, putting each batch to drain on paper towels. The number of batches depends on the size of your pan, obviously. The main thing is that you don't want to crowd them. You don't have to use too much oil - just enough to crisp them up a bit. Each batch took about a minute - you do NOT want these overdone.

    She grated some hard white Mexican cheese - Cotija in this instance - but many cheeses would work - jack, cheddar, or that pre-shredded Mexican blend would all be good.

    Then, she added the (by now) cooled tortilla pieces to the onions in the bowl, poured in half of a LARGE can of green enchilada sauce (you can also use red, but the taste is completely different - both are good) and about half of the grated cheese. She stirred - you want it pretty soupy - so add more enchilada sauce if necessary - and poured it into a casserole. She topped it with the rest of the grated cheese, and put it in the oven, covered, at 350 for 25 minutes. Then, she turned off the oven, uncovered it, and let it sit in the cooling oven for about 5 minutes.

    It tasted EXACTLY like the wonderful stuff she had eaten in Mexico. She ate it with beans and a tomato salad.

    Since a couple of the places where she ate chilequiles were buffets, Chatty is fairly sure that you could make this whole thing on top of the stove and serve it immediately. Chatty just baked it because she wanted to put it in the oven and forget about it. You could also crisp up the tortilla pieces in the oven instead of frying. It wouldn't taste as authentic, but it would be lower in calories.

    If you like Mexican food, you should try this! An internet search turned up tons of variations - feel free to throw in leftover chicken, corn, beans, beef, green beans, zucchini, etc. - and by all means add a few beaten eggs if you want. You could also serve each portion with a poached or fried egg on top.

    Chatty realizes it's a bit silly to be making and eating Mexican food a week before she goes to Mexico and can get the "real thing" - but heck - when you have too many tortillas, you have to get creative.

    Salud!

Packing, Chatty-style

ccc@chattycraftycook.com (CCC) — Fri, 22 May 2009 09:39:00 GMT

    Chatty is deep into organizing and planning for her first trip on an airplane in over 4 years.

    Chatty is accustomed to going on her vacations by car - which she loads to the gills for a mere weekend trip to the mountains. Chatty's mother used to refer to this as "traveling Okie-style" - which she was, after all, allowed to do - being from Oklahoma herself.

    So, packing for 7 days and keeping it to 50 pounds per bag is quite a challenge. Happily, it is summertime, so Chatty does not have to worry about packing sweaters, heavy shoes, parkas, etc.

    No, it's just shorts, bathing suits, and sandals.

    And laptops, and cameras, and video cameras, and sewing projects, and books, and batteries, and sunscreen and sun hats and instant tea for The Wiz, and sweetener and lemon packets to go in the tea, and snacks and...

    Chatty is cheered by the fact that in addition to a bag each to be checked (linear measurement not to exceed 62 inches, and weight not to exceed 50 pounds), Chatty and The Wiz are also both allowed a carry-on bag. The Wiz will carry on the computer case - on wheels and capable of carrying (Chatty hopes) not only the laptop but also the DVD player, the video camera and the digital camera.

    We shall see.

    Chatty's own carry-on (not to exceed 45 linear inches and 40 pounds) will take all the odds and ends.

    Naturally, Chatty can't go anywhere for 7 days without a couple of her needlework projects:



    And a book or three:



    And a few other things to make a little home away from home for a week:



    Oh - in case you were wondering about the hat - it is very light-weight, and crushable. No problem with the hat!

    So, does anyone besides The Wiz foresee any problem with these few items fitting neatly into Chatty's carry-on?

Flu's Got the Money?

ccc@chattycraftycook.com (CCC) — Wed, 13 May 2009 10:59:00 GMT

~~Horton~~ Chatty hears a W.H.O.

Chatty has been planning a trip to Cancun for about 8 months now.

Her trip is scheduled for the first week of June.

~~The U.S. government and the World Health Organization~~* A lot of people have been trying to scare Chatty out of going.

Out of going on a trip she started planning 8 months ago.

Using tickets she paid for 8 months ago.

Because Chatty should not make a "non-essential" trip to Mexico.

Nobody defines non-essential - but Chatty is guessing that it includes trips that have been planned for 8 months.

In Chatty's case, it is a trip to Cancun - a city of 600,000 people - with only TWO reported mild cases of this flu. And by "mild", Chatty means - recovered within a week with no problems.

Chatty is wondering.

The news reports have terrified us with words like "pandemic", and remind us of the great flu pandemic of 1918, which killed (depending on your sources) anywhere from 50 to 100 million people.

However, the actual statistics concerning this current scurge are - under 6,000 people sickened, and 68 dead - world-wide.**

And, when Chatty went to the CDC website, she learned that - on average - 5%-20% of the U.S. population gets the flu, 200,000 people are hospitalized from complications of the flu, and 36,000 die of flu-related illnesses every year.

Yes.

Every year.

It seems that these two sets of figures are WAY out of balance.

So - flu's got the money?

Because someone, somewhere, is (or will be) making a GREAT deal of money out of this.

OF COURSE, this strain of flu must be followed, researched, and reviewed...constantly.

AND, it is absolutely necessary that this flu (having hit the northern hemisphere at the end of the "typical" flu season) should be carefully monitored in the southern hemisphere (which is beginning its flu season) - because it may recur in a more deadly strain in the northern hemisphere come next fall - for which we should all be prepared.

BUT - Chatty found it astounding that for a a couple of weeks, her local stores and major websites had upped the cost of things like facial masks and hand-sanitizers by about 1000% (and yes, Chatty knows that there can only be 100% of ANYTHING - she's seen "The Producers", after all!)

What's up with that?

In case you were thinking of purchasing masks (even ones rated N-95), think twice. Chatty has done enough research to assure you without hesitation that while facial masks are good at filtering pollen and dust - they are about as useful against flu germs (or any airborn viruses) as a spaghetti strainer is against water.

And, Chatty also knows that the best defense against any airborn virus is washing her hands frequently. Since that is not always possible when traveling, she has plenty of hand-sanitizers - in handy bottles for purse and pocket.

Chatty was also raised to believe that IF you must sneeze or cough, you should cover your mouth - and NOT with your hand, but with your arm.

Apparently, a lot of people don't know (or care) about covering one's mouth when sneezing or coughing - and more particularly that the covering should be done with an arm, not a hand. But, Chatty had a couple of doctors in the family who told her about this way back when she was a mere stripling. And, when you think about it, it makes sense. Your arm is less likely to come in contact with things that might pass the germs along - whereas your hands touch EVERYTHING.

Chatty's mom always described things like covering your mouth when sneezing or coughing as "common courtesy" - but Chatty has come to learn that there is NOTHING "common" about courtesy.

She's just sayin'.

In any case, Chatty is just as likely to be sneezed-upon in the U.S. as she is to be sneezed-upon in Mexico. Actually, right now, she is LESS likely to be sneezed-upon in Mexico than she is in the U.S. - because the citizens of Mexico are hyper-alert to the situation.

Chatty loves Mexico. She has been there several times, and has beautiful memories of the country and the people.

She also realizes what this flu frenzy is doing to Mexico's economy - which was not doing too well even before this latest scare.

So, Chatty is going to Mexico, as planned.

She knows that she will have an excellent time - drifting along underground rivers, climbing ancient pyramids, swimming in the sea and in lagoons, and eating fabulous food.

Does this mean that Chatty is crazy?

Maybe.

But Chatty likes to think of it this way - if (worst case scenario) Chatty DOES get the flu in Mexico - it will be the current (and mildest) strain. So, if this flu DOES come back with a vengeance next fall - Chatty will at least have built up a bit of immunity.

As far as Chatty is concerned, this makes her trip to Mexico a win/win situation.

Of course, if 2,000 people in Cancun drop dead of flu in the next two weeks, Chatty will have to re-assess the situation.

* OK, OK - don't get in a swivet defending WHO - Chatty knows that the organization stopped suggesting no travel as of a few days ago - she just couldn't resist a nod to Dr. Seuss...

**These figures change daily, and depend a lot upon who is doing the counting. Nobody can seem to agree. So, what else is new?

Laissez faire, or; The Spray Bottle of Peace

ccc@chattycraftycook.com (CCC) — Fri, 08 May 2009 09:46:00 GMT

The dictionary defines “laissez faire” as:

"- Noun

- 1. The theory or system of government that upholds the autonomous character of the economic order, believing that government should intervene as little as possible in the direction of economic affairs.

- 2. The practice or doctrine of noninterference in the affairs of others, esp. with reference to individual conduct or freedom of action."

We tried Definition # 1 first - letting "the theory or system of government" stand for "Chatty and The Wiz".

But, that didn't work.

So, we proceeded to Definition #2 - and added a spray bottle.

Here is Definition #2 in action...for the moment...

    Who knew that a simple spray bottle, filled with water, could bring about peace between such two great nations as Canine and Feline?

    Chatty is calling it "a lot of laissez, with a little bit of faire"...

    Does the U.N. know about this tactic?