MY WANDERING, PONDERING, WONDERING MIND....

 

                                                                     

I’m constantly scratching my head.  Lousy lice or flaky dandruff are not the cause for my head scratching.  One plus, strange as it may seem to some, is I don’t get any splinters.  

An important issue causing me concern is Superman’s welfare. His privacy must be protected at all costs.  Superman’s right to modesty must be respected. With almost everyone these days, other than me, with his/her head buried in mobile phones, the lack of phone boxes is a major worry.  Therein lays my dilemma.  Where can Superman change into his super-duper, freshly ironed costume in readiness to fly off to save the world?  And, let’s face it, the world does need saving!  When necessity demands Clark disrobe, and he isn’t allowed privacy, what hope is there?  It’s impossible for him to change in a mobile phone case! Who can we rely upon to save the world if not Superman?  The proof is in the pudding...just look around you.  I live on a lane, but I’m not Lois.  Maybe he could swing by my place to change outfits when the need arises.  Knowing my luck, it’d be Mighty Mouse who’d turn up!

Many other things intrigue me.  Why do characters in movies and TV series, when popping pills, throw their heads back with forceful gusto?  Is such a vigorous jerking action to force the pills down their throats necessary?   Neck braces must be mandatory on film sets for when the actors put their necks out...which are regular occurrences I suspect.  I swallow vitamin supplements daily. Never have I found it necessary to forcefully throw my head back to assist in the swallowing of same.    

Another thing causing my head scratching is the characters never push their chairs back in upon leaving the table.  I wait with bated breath to see if it will occur.  Still I wait. Apparently, these days, like phone boxes, pushing one’s chair back in when leaving the table is old hat. 

The fanning of faces with hands when flustered always has me wondering, too.  How does all that hand flapping help, or is it just for effect?  To me, it’s an annoying affected affectation.   

Back to mobile phones over-taking the world...because everyone these days in series etc., are texting instead of speaking, a magnifying glass is needed by the viewer to enable one to decipher the damn script.  In the majority of the cases the print is too small for even the most eagle-eyed of eye to read.  It’s on those myriad instances I’m thankful I have a vivid imagination.  It allows me to ponder a while before inventing my own script!

Perhaps I over-think things too much, too often...maybe I should just flow with the flow, free-wheeling along the stream, allowing the mere bagatelles be what they be.  Que sera, sera! What will be, will be!

 I could screw a roller-blade onto the end of my walking stick to enable me to keep up with the times.  Nah! I don’t want to keep up with the times.  The present time isn’t crash-hot.

 With that being the case, by choice, I’ll remain back here, or there, where, in my opinion, the music was/is far better. 

Being a day-dream believer, doing it my way, I ain’t misbehavin’ on the sunny side of the street, nor in stormy weather.   

Oops! Hang on Sloopy! Here comes the sun, and now I can see strawberry fields forever. Don’t stop until you get enough! If I was at the bay, I’d be sitting on the dock with raindrops falling on my head.

 

Feta-Strawberry Salad: Combine 2tsp Dijon mustard, 1tsp honey, 1 small, minced shallot and 2tbs red wine vinegar; add 1/3c x-virgin olive oil; season. Put 12c packed assorted baby lettuces in bowl; add 4c sliced strawberries, 1c crumbled feta and 1c chopped smoked almonds; drizzle dressing over salad, toss well.

Salmon Fillets with Strawberry Relish: Brush 6 salmon fillets with melted butter; season. Heat skillet over med-high heat; add fillets, skin side up; cook 2-3mins per side or until fish begins to flake easily with a fork. In small bowl, toss 1-1/4c finely chopped strawberries with 1tbs minced fresh basil, 1tbs honey and dash of freshly-ground pepper. Serve salmon with relish on side, or over fillets.

Strawberry Mint Chicken: In saucepan, mix 1tbs cornflour, 1tbs sugar, 1/8tsp nutmeg, 1/8tsp pepper and 1/2c water until smooth; stir in 1c coarsely-chopped strawberries and 1/2c white wine or white grape juice. Bring to boil; reduce heat; simmer, uncovered, 3-5mins or until thickened and strawberries are softened; stir occasionally. Remove from heat; stir in 2tsp minced mint. Season 4 boneless, skinless chicken breast halves. On lightly oiled grill rack, grill chicken, covered, over med-heat 5-7 mins per side; brush occasionally with 1/4c sauce during last 4mins. Serve with remaining sauce.  

Very Berry Trifle: Beat 1/2c heavy cream, 1/c icing sugar, 1-1/2tsp vanilla and1/4tsp almond extract until soft peaks form. In large trifle dish (or individual glasses), layer 8-10 cubed pound/sponge cake, whipped cream, 454g sliced strawberries, 180g each, raspberries, blackberries and blueberries and 1/2c raspberry or strawberry jam (warmed for easy pouring. Layer it anyway you like.