So, yesterday something exciting happened. I arrived at the Civic Center as the sun was coming up
and from 8am-5pm took the second half of my intensive NERT Training. People, this stuff is amazing. We learned terrifying facts about natural disasters and the truth about Emergency Services resources in an actual wide spread emergency (bottom line, not even a fraction of enough available). But we also learned how to take care of ourselves, our families and our neighbors should "the big one" or any other big bad thing occur. I put out a fire in a dumpster, lifted a heavy weight using a lever, fulcrum and cribbing, and tagged people in a simulated medical triage situation. And now I am a certified Disaster Worker with my own kit of gear:
I'm also now on a list to receive information about more training options offered free to NERT members-- like CPR (I took it in High School but need to be refreshed), HAM Radio licensing and courses on how to organize rescuers during an emergency (basically, disaster leadership and administration). So, yay! I was never a Girl Scout, but I definitely think their motto applies here, and I am more prepared than I was before.
As a happy coincidence, Wednesday is Civic Center Farmer's Market day, so I went on the lunch break
It may not be as high end and chi chi as the famous Ferry Building Farmer's Market, but it is a great place to get seasonal, locally grown produce at an excellent price (unlike the Ferry Building with their $5 peaches). I got all the ingredients for tomatillo soup (barring chicken stock and cumin) for about $1.25. Two jalapeno peppers for 5 cents! When did anything last cost you 5 cents, really? Not even gumballs.
And, for my mom, and my friend Toast'n'Candy, who both asked "What is a tomatillo?" pictures:
In three stages-- unpeeled, partially peeled and denuded of peel entirely. They look like smallish green tomatoes, and have a lemony flavor when cooked in the soup. I had to fake it since I once helped my friend Corinne make it but didn't actually write down her recipe. My made up version wasn't exactly the same but it still tasted pretty good.
Now, back to crafting!