Dearth of Cow Chips, Isaac Flooding,

Now here’s a new story for you. Apparently the extreme lack of rain this summer has caused a shortage of cow chips – or what I would call cow pats. This has become something of a problem for the cow chip throwers of Wisconsin. They hold an annual Wisconsin State Cow Chip Throw with some 300 throwers and 40,000 spectators. I quote “The hot, dry summer — which has caused crop, water level and other problems across the nation — caused the grass to brown and cattle to stay near their barn for food and to keep cool. That means the manure in the pasture wasn't able to dry and flatten in the sun.” The report says once they are dried, they don’t really stink any more. I can verify that, we used to collect mushrooms in a similar type of field, very early in the morning, before it was light, and once in a while one mistook cow chips for mushrooms. Yeah, really. Oh, apparently there is a world championship throw in Oklahoma. Do read the article, there are even details on what makes a good throwing cow chip plus the record distances they have been thrown.

There is a lot of bad flooding in Florida caused by Hurricane Isaac, people are being evacuated from their homes and haven’t even had time to grab shoes the waters came upon them in such a rush. People are sitting on their roofs or in their attics. Matt was watching TV this morning and there was a deer swimming along, we tend to forget the wild animals in such disasters. Even pets are not given much priority. This flooding reminds me of Hurricane Floyd which caused such flooding disaster in North Carolina some years ago. Pretty devastating to have your whole house flooded, bad enough to get a couple of foot of water rushing through the ground floor, been there, done that. Not funny.

Going on vacation is all very well, but trying to work out all my delivery problems for Avon and what date I should do which, is not the easiest thing in the world. I intend to bowl this afternoon too, I don’t know how that is going to work out for me with one thing and another.

I came across an article saying Eggs are Better for Us - specifically they were saying British eggs although maybe all eggs are much improved. They contain more Vitamin D and selenium for a start. Reading the article, I do wonder if this does apply to North American eggs. Its interesting though. I guess one needs to check with the egg marketing board to see what they have to say about it. Will see what I can find out.

This recipe came from Splenda and I thought it sounded a good one.

Poached Salmon with Papaya Avocado Salsa

4 servings

Ingredients

1 papaya or mango, peeled, seeded and diced

1 avocado, pitted, peeled and chopped

1 green onion, finely chopped

1 tbsp (15 mL) lemon juice

2 tsp (10 mL) SPLENDA^® No Calorie Sweetener, Granulated

2 tsp (10 mL) thinly sliced hot red pepper rounds (optional)

Pinch each salt and pepper

2 cups (500 mL) vegetable stock

4 salmon fillets (5 oz/140 g each)

Directions

In bowl, combine papaya, avocado, green onion, lemon juice, SPLENDA^® Granulated, hot pepper (if using), salt and pepper. Set aside.

In shallow Dutch oven or skillet large enough to hold fish in single layer, bring 4 cups (1 L) water and vegetable stock to boil; reduce heat to simmer. Add salmon; cover and barely simmer for 10 minutes or until fish flakes easily when tested.

Transfer fish to plates; spoon salsa over top.

Have a great day