Hola, Sneakers. Welcome to Episode 443 – apologies for the lateness, but you can’t fool with Mother Nature!
This week: apologies; swelling bits; muzzled heads; timeless living; old journals; recording your life; memory training; total recall; allergic to breakfast; reliable kitchen; demanding diets; retro veg; all dressed up; taco talk; awkward; dirty talk; manipulative media; Red Who?; and much, much more (…but I just want to get this darn show posted).
Thanks for listening.
Question of the Week: Who was a teacher that made a real difference in your life? (For good or bad.)
Sub-question: Is there something you have learned how to cook or bake recently?
AND DON’T FORGET!!!
Don’t miss out on your chance to WIN WIN WIN!!!
That’s right! Our 450th episode is fast approaching and we will be hosting our traditional Listeners’ Questions Episode! Every question gives you a chance in our GRAND PRIZE DRAW. The more questions you ask, the better your chances to win! So get to asking!
Send your list of questions by email to sneakyd@sneakydragon.com. If you’d like, record your questions, send us an audio file, and we’ll play it during the show. Fun, right???
Here is Louise’s journal drawing of some squirrely behaviour!
And here is Ed’s series of violence against cartoon characters drawings!
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A teacher who made a real difference in my life was my high school drama teacher, Mr. Simpson. He was great at directing large groups of students in elaborate productions. He cast students in roles regardless of their ethnicity. He also had us create our own theatre pieces. He was usually very gentlemanly, but I saw him lose his temper a few times when students were goofing around during rehearsals. He’d yell and throw his script binder on floor. It was educational to learn that even great teachers could lose it.
I don’t think I would’ve met you two if I hadn’t gotten so involved in theatre, so he had an indirect influence on your lives too (for good, I hope.)
This was hard to pin down one teacher who made a difference to me, being I’ve had so many. I decided to go back to 7th and 8th grade when this teacher really took an interest in my me and basically inspired me for the first time about a career in art. Her name was Bobette King and she was my art teacher for two years while I attended middle school. Mrs. King wasn’t a great artist herself but she really knew how to create an enjoyable atmosphere for learning. Everyone loved her. Most students just took art as an easy elective but Mrs. King saw something different about me and that I was serious about my work. I remember the day she asked me if I knew what commercial art was, she followed by explaining to me that might be the field for me to focus on. With that in mind, Mrs. King would take me aside and explain how certain projects we did could be applied to commercial art and advertising, she actually went out of her way to put me on the right path.
I kept in touch with Mrs. King over the years. When I had trouble with my high school art teacher in the years to come, I went to Mrs. King for her counsel during the school district art shows. I almost failed high school art due to the fact that I didn’t get along well with my teacher at all. As well as I did with Mrs. King in middle school, high school was the direct opposite. Mrs King was always there to listen and encourage me to carry on, even though I was no longer her student.
I remember a sadness in Mrs. King though, and I learned that her husband was very ill with an incurable cancer. She had to care for him and after a long illness that left Mrs. King a widow and I didn’t see her for many years following that. One day when I was in my early 30’s I called the middle school to ask what had become of Mrs. King. They took my number and told me that would pass my request onto her. A few days later, Mrs. King called me while I was at work! She asked me if I remembered her husband who had died and I said I did. Due to his lengthy illness, Mrs. King was never able to travel abroad and visit all the great art throughout the world. This was something I remember her being very passionate and sad about at the same time because she had to care for her husband. “Eddie,” she said, “Do you remember how I wanted to travel the world and see all the great museums?” “I do remember that.” I replied. “Well, after my husband died I met my second husband at church and he’s taken me around the world….twice! I finally got to see all those great museums.” I fought back the tears I was so happy for Mrs. King, to me this was her reward for all the great advice over the years. And finally, I heard a genuine happiness in her voice. I don’t think a teacher could get much better than that or be rewarded for a career she unselfishly cared so much about. I owe her so much for those first steps and the help along the way.
Susan and I decided to make homemade pizza about two months ago and now that we have it down to a science, we’ve been making it about once a week. We make the entire pizza from scratch. Susan makes the dough first then the sauce while I shred fresh mozzarella. I think being freshly shredded makes a huge difference in the taste so it’s worth the work. We get all the toppings ready in bowls, chopped black olives, fresh chopped mushrooms, seasoning and then we top the pizza with turkey pepperoni so it’s not as greasy. (Regular pepperoni gives us both heartburn) I make my crust a bit thicker than Susan does and even though we’ve been through some trial and error, I think we got it down now. We always make extra because I swear it’s even better heated up the next day.
I finished Doctor Thorne and enjoyed it all the way through! The climax involves a lot of finagling over the execution of a will, and Trollope wishes there were a charity organization of lawyers who would provide free fact-checking for writers to help them get the legal details right. His closing remark: “But since there is no charity like that yet, don’t blame me if I got all the legal stuff wrong. I just did whatever was necessary for the plot to work!” (or words to that effect). Like I said last time, it’s touches like these that make the book feel surprisingly modern for a Victorian novel. I’ll probably check out “Can You Forgive Her?” later this year, but for now I’ll take a Trollope time-out. Thanks again for the recommendations.
Something I’ve learned how to cook recently: udon and more udon.
I’ve always enjoyed cooking, especially for my family or a group of friends. Our children are all young adults now, but we’re one of those families that still get together round the dinner table, where I can honestly say I’ve enjoyed some of the deepest and most hilarious conversations of my life.
Anyway, almost four years ago now, our son Jake returned home from university, where he had become vegan. So we had a choice – cook different meals to eat together, each do our own thing, or give it a go and join him. At first, I had the usual omnivore’s doubts about making the change. I mean, what do they eat, these people? However, after learning more about the environmental benefits of going meat-free, I realised I had to try.
Incidentally, that reminds me of a favourite short joke. How do you know when you’re talking to a vegan? Don’t worry, they’ll tell you.
initially, I was planning to be, like 80% vegan. But, after a few months, I found the diet so easy and enjoyable that I knew I had to go the whole hog. (Wait, that can’t be right…)
I’d always made pasta dishes, pizzas, risottos and curries that were either vegan or easy to adapt. And I’ve expanded my range to take in hummus, falafels, all kinds of plant-based burgers, samosas, spanakopitta and, well, you get the idea.
Store-bought vegan cheese isn’t quite there yet. So I started making my own, using cashews, with really good results. There are so many great blogs that make it simple to find and try new recipes. Another favourite I thought I’d miss was mayo, but I make one with soy milk now and would defy anyone to tell the difference.
Oh, and if I’m invited to someone’s house for dinner, I have a rule: don’t be a dick. If you’re kind enough to make me a meal, I’m not about to get all snooty just because there might be some cheese or chicken stock in there. Bon appetit!