Molly Goatwax

500 POP

On the way out of the fancy grocer's, one of the handles on my paper shopping bag snapped off. It sent tubs of yogurt spinning on the sidewalk. As I bent over to collect them, a man helped me fill up my bag and rolled the top of it into a handle. He accompanied me to my car and when I unlocked it with the remote he remarked "Oh that tiny Fiat! Maybe someday it will grow up and become a real car!". I said "Yes, I love it! It has the turning radius of a tricycle for making U turns in the middle of Charles Street!" He had nothing further to say.

96 degrees (in the shade)

It's too hot to cook. The heat is so oppressive, it's hard to think strait. So, if you can lift your enervated hands to open a few cans, here is a very tasty recipe adapted from a bomb shelter survival guide;

1 can chick peas
1 can quartered artichokes
1 small can sliced black olives
1or 2 spring onions
A lemon
Some olive oil
About two tablespoons green za'atar

Green and red za'atar are Middle Eastern spice blends that can be found at Hilal grocers or on the internet. Many spice brands have Mediterranean blends if you can't get green za'atar. That said, open the cans and drain them. I like to rinse off the chick peas. Dump them in a salad bowl and add the thinly sliced spring onions, squeeze the lemon over it, add the olive oil (to taste) and mix. Now add the green za'atar. I like mine to look properly peppered with it, but again, it's a matter of individual taste. My bag of green za'atar has these ingredients;

Roasted wheat, roasted thyme, ground sumac, sesame seeds and salt. It's not spicy hot.

After it's all mixed, stick it in the fridge for a few hours to marinate. It's great for picnics, it's vegan and has lots of protein, vitamins, calcium and fiber. A fancy glass bowl will make it stunning and unique at a summer potluck. Go ahead and try it, you'll like it.

All consuming

I have joined the zombie hoard. At level fourteen I have finally gotten bored with PokemonGo and will give it a rest.

Zombies

Across the street from our house young people slowly approach the post office with their phones out, rapt in the pursuit of collecting cartoons. The post office dispenses ammo and other goodies to play the PokemonGo game. The library across from that also dispenses the balls and berries, potions and lures needed to stay competitive. The coffee shop sited between these two is popular for its convenience, not to mention the WiFi hotspot. So in spite of the blast furnace type weather we are having, the sidewalks are populated with people shuffling along intent on the tiny screens they are holding in front of them as they walk. I wish them luck in the hunt, but more than that, I hope they stay aware of the traffic.

Weather and traffic

Yes, this is the hottest week of the year. Watching the news and heard the weatherman report that it was "nice and quiet" here in Baltimore. I mean, in addition to looming thunderstorms and the country's largest art festival. What he was remarking about was the low level of civil unrest, as if it were a weather condition. I see this in the traffic reports coming. People will turn on the radio before the morning commute to see which roads are blocked by protest.

Just another point to ponder

This morning started like most others these days. I had a lead on the coffee and Hubby was watching the news. As I was uploading art to a cloud, I began to detect a smell very like heating fuel oil. But we use gas. I was perplexed by the smoke wafting up from the basement until remembering the flyer of notice the city passed through our mail slot. It was something about testing the sewer pipes and how harmless the test smoke would be. Well...I dont, don't like being gassed in my home by the government. The very idea gives me the creeps. But it cleared up and not a trace remains. After a while I forgot it even happened.

Night Action

A few nights ago, our roommate, Joe and I attended some gallery openings at a set of pop ups that I hadn't seen before. They were each in the first floor of adjacent storefronts in the 500 block of West Franklin Street, near the expressway. As we got in the car to leave, I noticed we were surrounded by police cars, all lit up and flashing. I pulled the car into traffic and waited for some movement when an officer tapped on my window. I was startled, but I did not hesitate when he directed me to drive around the patrol car in front of me and beat it the hell out of there. It seems we had been on the edge of a protest where someone was shot, as I read in the media the next day. It had been one of three shootings that night.i was glad to get home.

A puzzle

If you are in the habit of walking labyrinths painted on the tarmac, do you walk on the line or in the lane between? I'm asking for a friend.

Cool and sunny

It's another eyeball bustingly beautiful day!