Pools

I've learned a lot about pools during my journey; most recently, maintaining a 30,000 gallon in-ground pool in Maryland. While the Maryland pool is large for residential, its not big enough for lap swimming:(. What I've learned is that pool maintenance can be a lot of work, requiring regular application of chemicals, and, by my standards, is quite expensive.

I've also learned a lot about lap pools. Some are metric but most I've visited are English (length 25 yards). Lap pools have a center line on the bottom of each lane to help guide swimmers; some of the lines are quite colorful but most are just black tile. Each pool typically has a set of swimmer rules for safety and to help swimmers get along (e.g., swim in counterclockwise direction). Most swimmers I've met are friendly and will share a lane if asked; on more than one occasion, other swimmers have just jumped in the lane I'm swimming without asking - makes for quite the surprise when one is focused on swimming laps:) Also, every pool I've visited has a schedule for when the pool can be used for lap swimming or aquatics classes. Something I didn't realize is the number of people who just like being in a pool - walking in for exercise or just hanging out.

Vashti

A big part of my current care taking gig in Maryland is watching after the owner's dog (Vashti) when they are away. Vashti is a female German Shepard who seems to like Mom best but tolerates me; she is a bit nervous (and more affectionate) when the owners are way. I'll miss her:)

Moving On

After 2+ months in Maryland I've decided to move on at the end of the summer. This care taking opportunity has been great; I've been able to resume my passion for baking, further reduce my worldly possessions, regularly swim/exercise, and expand my meditation practice. My time in Maryland also enabled more formal study (online courses) of Buddhism which I find intriguing and plan to continue.

So I'm planning to complete my Maryland care taking commitment through August and then travel back to Colorado to regroup before moving on to destinations unknown. While in Colorado, I hope to further reduce worldly possessions in my remaining storage unit and possibly sell my truck. Ideally, I seek a living situation where owning a motor vehicle is not necessary (not the case in Maryland). I'm advertising on care taking and house sitting websites for living situations beginning sometime in September; other options include traveling and a Sesshin. I feel so fortunate to have these options; life is wonderful:)

Book Review: What the Buddha Taught by Walpola Rahula

This is the most authoritative book I've read on what the Buddha taught. It dispels some myths and clarifies some of the confusion about Buddhism. It seems well-documented and provides a straightforward explanation of the Four Noble Truths and Eightfold Path. Other chapters on the Doctrine of No-Soul: Anatta and Meditation are very interesting. Although first published in 1959, I found the Chapter on What the Buddha Taught and the World Today still relevant.

Adzuki Beans and Kale Salad

Adzuki beans originated in East Asia and are not very common in US grocery stores so I bought mine online from Japan. Used the last to make a salad with Dino kale and pine nuts.  In addition to their nutritional value, what I like about Adzuki beans is their texture; they don't get soggy like some beans. This recipe called for sautéing garlic in olive oil and adding chopped kale, cumin, tamari, and coriander. After a few minutes, the cooked beans are added and simmer for about 20 minutes. I added pine nuts and served it over wild rice. Not much color contrast but the taste was delicious and it is filling.

Worldly Possessions

The quest to reduce my worldly possessions continues. I sold some furniture with the sale of my home. Storing most of my remaining possessions in two climate-controlled storage units allowed me to begin my Airstream journey across the west; I've since sold the Airstream.

Before moving to Maryland in April, I consolidated the two storage units to one by selling and giving away more possessions. Since moving to Maryland, I've donated numerous kitchen items and clothes to the local Buddhist center and gifted other items to family members. I'd like to give my daughter more furniture but her current living situation/lifestyle isn't conducive to having more stuff.

Without the Airstream, my big truck is the next possession up for sale. But what to do next? I'd really like to get rid of everything in my storage unit and replace my truck with another motor vehicle.

Tea Brack (aka Irish Freckle Bread)

First time making this Tea Brack recipe (http://www.kingarthurflour.com/recipes/tea-brack-recipe)  with lots of dried fruit, it is similar to common sweet breads (e.g., banana bread). The big difference is the Irish Style Wholemeal flour. A copy of my review of this recipe appears below.

Baked in my 12" Tea Loaf Pan

Challenging to turn out of the pan without breaking up.

The dried fruit distributed evenly throughout; along with the wholemeal flour this combination provides the firm structure I prefer. 

With encouragement from the KA chat line, I baked Tea Brack in my KA Tea Loaf Pan (Item 5785); it turned out well. I greased the pan with canola oil and filled it to about 1 inch from the top; it rose in a nice rounding arc about 1/8 inch above the pan rim. Placed the loaf pan on the oven rack in the bottom 1/3 of the oven, set oven temperature to 325 and timer for 40 minutes. It was at this point, I realized I’d forgotten to add the sparkling white sugar:) 

Recipe calls for raisons and currants but lacking the latter, I used 213g raisons. Also used 163g chopped prunes and 116g chopped dates; recipe calls for 142g dates but I ran out so used 26g of dried cherries to make up the difference. For the brew, I used 227g Korean green tea given to me by a friend. All other ingredients followed the recipe.

Cake tester had wet batter at 40 minutes; color was fine and it wasn’t turning too dark but I tented with foil just in case and baked for another 10 minutes. At 50 minutes the cake tester came out clean on one end of the loaf but wet on the other. Interestingly, each time I inserted the cake tester, the loaf center deflated somewhat (about 1/4 inch) and never fully bounced back, leaving a slight depression down the center (lengthwise) of the loaf. 

At 55 minutes, the cake tester was still a bit wet, but at 60 it came out clean in 2 places so I removed it from the oven and let it cool on a rack for 5 minutes. I was nervous about whether it would turn out of the pan without breaking up; after it cooled in the pan for 5 minutes I optimistically turned the pan over onto a rack but nothing came out:). I then used a stainless steel dough cutter to carefully loosen the brack from the sides of the pan; it then turned out onto the rack without breaking! It looked great, even with the slight depression down the center line. 

After 1.5 hours cooling on the rack I cut into the loaf - delicious! The loaf actually stuck to the rack a bit but not enough to break up when I moved it to a cutting board. The distribution of fruit was even and plentiful; providing a moist, sweet bread with fruit in every bite. Didn’t miss the sparkling sugar topping:) The density of fruit gives the loaf a firm structure which I really like.

I love the loaf size of KA’s tea loaf pan but for this recipe I worried too much about removing the product without breaking up so next time think I’ll try baking in the small paper loaf pans so I can gift the final product; thanks KA!