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| Home --> Writings --> Summer 2009 |
Kato Arhanes, Crete, 2006
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July 27, 2009
Summer 2009 Preface A recent email from a maternal cousin asked "What are you doing this summer?" The email was generated by the moderator for Yahoo group "Capps Cousins". This page is my response to that question. Summary Since April 1st, I have rented a bedroom from sister Sylvia, assisted with food and living expenses, practised daily my 'Survival Cooking' skills, prepared for the transition to semi-retirement, read 20+ books, continued my involvement and ties with several Internet-based communities, investigated alternatives for my next "Great Adventure", and prepared for medical emergencies and final expenses. Note: Hypertext links are shown below in this color. My 'space'
My temporary living arrangement suits me reasonably well - lots of good light and time within a quiet zone! I prefer to have a constant flow of 72° (approximate) air moving toward and around me, and use a 20-inch box fan positioned a few feet from me for this purpose. I intentionally do not own many possessions - the stuff I have will fit easily within a 5x8 storage room or within the bed of a pickup truck or van. I have a few boxes of books and a few travel bags of "stuff" stored in the garage. In a month or two, when I move into my own farm house/cabin/residence, I will purchase some of the things which I gave away when I sold the Oak Island house. I made the platform for the chaise lounge so that entry/exit is at a comfortable elevation - without the platform, getting my 6-foot+ body vertical was annoying work. The triptych and egg on the altar are sacred sentimental souvenirs collected along my spiritual path. I continue to enjoy the imagery and iconography. I continue to appreciate my involvement with Arian Catholic, Tao, and Buddhist communities; and, several weeks ago, I began an investigation and study of Druidism, which is now a part of my spiritual path - relevant thoughts are here. I suppose that I am beginning to realize and appreciate my ancient and ancestral 'roots' in Neo-Paganism The pond and fountain is 25 to 30 feet from my 'desk'. Nice scenery and the 24/7 sound of falling water is relaxing. Photos made July 27, 2009. Survival Cooking
I've named my style of cooking "Survival Cooking" because: 1. Ya gotta eat!; 2. Food is medicine!; 3. If you cook it yourself, you decide what's in it; 4. Cooking your own food usually saves you money. While living on the island of Crete and eating Greek and Crete foods, I decided to incorporate many of the Greek/Crete/Mediterranean cooking ingredients and methods into my personal 'style' of cooking. You may obtain Greek/Crete recipes (and see some of my food photos) here, and learn more about a Mediterranean diet here. Several times a month I grill meats, seafood and vegetables on a barbecue grill. I use an inexpensive Weber "Smoky Joe" grill - a good size in a smoker-grill for one person (or two people). I prepare my meat or seafood the night before use by: 1. washing the food in cold water (to re-hydrate and to remove extraneous stuff); 2. sprinkling (lightly) - both sides - with Adolph's Seasoned Meat Tenderizer and (meat only) stabbing vigorously with a salad fork prior to covering with plastic wrap; 3. refrigerating overnight. I remove the marinaded meat from the refrigerator about an hour before use to allow the meat to approach room temperature. A Charcoal Chimney Starter negates/eliminates the use of harmful petroleum-based starter fluids - an ignited crumpled-up section (or more) of newspaper works just fine - to prepare the mesquite charcoal. Just before placing the meat/seafood on the grill, I drizzle the food with melted Smart Balance 50-50 butter. YYY-UUU-MMM..!!! Plain yogurt (sweetened with Splenda) works just as well as CoolWhip and without the Hydrogenated Oil! Substitute diced and sweetened strawberries, peaches, etc. for the bananas. Some people prefer CoolWhip; others, yogurt. Photos made in July and August 2009. Transition to semi-retirement "A bird in the hand is worth two in the bush! . . . meaning, in a few days I will be 62 years young, my Social Security Benefit and AT&T Pension Benefit begin in August, and time is my (your) most precious resource. Naturally, both benefits have been discounted because I elect early "retirement". "Ya gets what ya pay for in life, Bubba!" Actually, I hope it is a long, long time before I am forced to retire to a rocking chair and hospital bed, etc. (though I do enjoy a Craft-matic bed!) - I seriously hope/doubt that I will make it to the "bed-ridden and vegetative state". I have enrolled in a major-medical plan and I have a burial (insurance) policy. Perhaps, when I am eligible, Medicare will assist with some medical costs. I am in reasonably good health, overall, and I hope to live another 61 years - well, if you're going to hope, don't be modest! Some of the things I hope to continue/do/experience/try:
I'll stop here. This Summer is, in my opinion, a pivotal, important, and blessed time in my life! I hope I have not bored anyone with the above. Bright Blessings to all! James W. Stanfield, Jr.  The Stanfield family (originally Stansfeild) are of Norman descent and the founder of the family was Wyon Maryons, who came to England with William the Conqueror and fought at the Battle Of Hastings in 1066 which was the start of the occupation of England by the Normans. Wyon obtained from King William the lordship of Stansfeild an extensive township, comprising nearly 7,000 acres, in the county of Yorkshire for his help at the battle of Hastings. It appears that he also helped to put down an uprising by the local people against the Norman occupation. This uprising was brutally suppressed and a lot of the county of Yorkshire was destroyed and many of the population killed. The Latin family motto of the Stanfield, Stansfield, Stansfeld families and other variations of the name who were entitled to bear arms was "NOSCE TE IPSUM" (know thyself) which, even in the present time is a worthy ambition. |
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