J is for Justifications

Lame ones, that is.

I've been eaten up by my first week of work. I go in early and come home at night exhausted. I'd forgotten what this kind of dedicated brain-stuffing does to me. Also this week is the week my back decided to turn traitor again, and while it's not so bad that I can't hobble to work, it slows me down, and I'm even more loopy when I give up and take the meds. I haven't read blogs in a week, let alone answer email, so I apologize for the lack of responses. Hopefully I'll be less braindead after the 3-day weekend.

Yes yes, I've got an appointment with yet another physical therapist on monday. I should go back to sports med doc from last time and ask him WTF. But he's just a 40-minute drive away and I haven't felt up to explaining everything again, let alone trying to unfold myself out of the car after 40 minutes in 1 position.

Aren't I a whiner. It's a talent, I tell you. I definitely seem to practice frequently. Bah.

Here's a real J:
mmm, jam

The berries have started in earnest (strawberries are the harbinger, but we've made it into rasp/blue season. A few more weeks for blackberries) and I'm unabashedly stuffing my face with berries. Every summer at some point I get overambitious and buy a half flat to make jam. Making your own canned jam is easy-peasy: you can add whatever you like and you don't have to pressure cook it, just boil it awhile. There's no danger of botulism, because fruit is too acid for that particular bacteria to survive. I learned from my Mom but any of those little packets of pectin have a insert that explains how to do it.

Making jam makes me feel like a domestic goddess -- look at me, I PRODUCE MY OWN FOOD! (well, sorta. Don't destroy my dream). Also, it's like self-patterning sock yarn, people are usually impressed: "you make jam! Wow, you must be Mr/Ms Perfect Home." Ha. I wish.

Anyway, happy 4th everyone! It's raining here (per tradition. It's a pacific NW thing), but that's OK because I've gotten a couple weeks of warmth and sunshine and this summer rain just means I don't have to water all the damn plants. I wish you all a happy day full of tasty food, pretty yarn, good company (or blessed solitude should you so desire), and pain-free movement, wherever you are.

P.S. Heidi, you are officially TAGGED for that meme from the last post.