SF Legacy

Saturday, January 18, 2025

I’ve been feeding my new sourdough starter. It’s supposed to have descended from a 100-year-old starter created on old San Francisco’s Warf by a then-baker, the grandfather of today’s seller.

I’m interested in starting to bake sourdough bread. A San Francisco starter is best for producing airy, chewy bread with a distinctive tangy flavor. Theoretically, San Francisco starters benefit from that area’s unique local microbes and famously foggy region. The cool and moist environment creates a unique microbial ecosystem, perfect for starter growth.

Besides, sourdough bread is historic, starting as a San Francisco staple in the Gold Rush era when miners brought their personal starters. San Francisco has an iconic bakery, Boudin, founded in 1849. It has maintained its original sourdough starter for over 170 years, and its skilled bakers have perfected the art of sourdough bread making. Boudin’s loaves are widely distributed (I can find its sourdough bread here in Central Oregon). Boudin’s longevity and success have boosted San Francisco’s sourdough legacy.

Sourdough starters can thrive in various environments and will accept many flour types. I’m confident that my new starter (regardless of its actual age and origins) will produce loaves that will satisfy. I will find new bread flavors and textures while re-experiencing a little history.

Dear Friends: Now, I will go feed my new starter again. Diana

Weathering

Friday, January 17, 2025

Here in Central Oregon, the weather has been warmer, a January surprise. I recall this time of the year more typically as finger-freezing wet and snowy. For years, I’ve had to be outside daily and in all kinds of weather, feeding and caring for my outside critters. I can attest that this is not a warmish month!

I’m prepared for the rough January weather I’m accustomed to. I have handy ski outerwear, snow goggles, and gear that offsets swirling winds against my neck and ears. These aren’t always necessary before March but are ready for possible earlier needs. However, I’m going outside nowadays wearing lighter jackets. My well-padded, heavy coats are waiting.

I’ve lived in this area for twenty years. Until recently, our fall and winter temperatures were reasonably predictable. Our first snow usually fell before Thanksgiving, with more occurring periodically before and around Christmastime. Last year and this one, our weather was relatively mild without snow before New Year’s.

Last year’s heavy winter weather hit us hard in early January and lasted until almost the Summer Solstice. I’ve anticipated this January to be the same, but that isn’t happening…yet, or maybe it won’t.

Climate changes have become serious matters, and they are now even worse after being driven to world attention by massive wildfires in California. Climate change and its possible aftereffects are high on our minds.

Dear Friends: Watching for what sort of weather may next occur in Central Oregon.

Eyes Open

Thursday, January 16, 2025

January’s full Wolf Moon remains impressive. It lit my way home from work last night, and it was equally lovely later when I fed my outside animals. That globe, visible through my kitchen window, was a high note on a tiring day.

This is another of my early-to-work days. These “earlies” push me into a “hurry mode” and gobble my mornings. In fact, my outside job gobbles whole days now with darkness occurring early. Come on and get here, Spring!

Maybe I shouldn’t rush the months ahead. Getting ahead for a “little guy” is being tough enough. Like many, I’m worried now about what to expect from America’s incoming administration and how it might impact my own planning and budgeting.

I doubt grocery costs will become more affordable (I happily have a few laying chickens!). I anticipate electrical bills will skyrocket more (my home, built back when electricity was cheap, is all-electric). And, there are overall environmental conditions and concerns! Enough! You get my drift, and besides, I’m in a time crunch right now.

Dear Friends: Truly, big concerns, regardless of the administration that rules. Diana

Needing To Knead

Wednesday, January 15, 2024

Yesterday, my ancient sourdough starter arrived. It’s tiny and needs feeding right away. The instructions are to feed it today and again daily for a while. As this starter grows and becomes usable, it’ll also continually need appropriate feeding and storage.

(This resembles acquiring another pet.)

Along with the loveliness of eating sourdough–enjoying its taste and texture–it’s a bread that connects us to our historical roots. Sourdough dates back thousands of years as one of the oldest forms of leavened bread.

Working with sourdough is a little more complex than other types of bread baking, but it’s worthwhile. The processes of working with sourdough connects us more to the “natural world.”

These days, I am yearning for feelings of connection and am open to finding dependable and lasting processes! Feeding my new pet suggests a gain toward that today.

Dear Friends: Another early-to-work day forces me to head outside now. Diana

Alight

Tuesday, January 14, 2025

This month’s spectacular full Wolf Moon has been filling and setting in the west. It’s shown through my bedroom window these last few mornings, awakening me earlier than usual. Last night’s then-full, bold, and lovely light added visibility to my area; it eased the nightly routine of “tucking in” my horses and poultry.

Again, today’s header is “borrowed art” from Sandra Boynton’s FB page. I’ve found she’s one of a few cartoonists who mostly “hit it out of the park.” Boynton is multi-talented, and her FB page charms.

Today is another all-too-early in-to-work, and now, I must start moving. My morning routine mirrors my nightly routine of caring for equines and poultry.

Have a wonderful day.

Dear Friends: The full Wolf Moon will enlighten a few more nights. Diana

Fast Forward

Monday, January 13, 2025

The upcoming Beta Generation (2025-2039) begins with this month’s brand-new babies. Researchers are exploring how Betas’ lives may differ from their predecessors, and to me, some projected differences are not very surprising but slightly staggering.

Some projections are that the new norms won’t include nuclear families, and there will be more pets than children. Another is that outer space will be a popular vacation destination, and future career paths will be in that space world. The future finance world won’t print cash because Betas won’t use it.

No surprises, right? But still, wow!

Rapid technology has profoundly reshaped our world since WWII. My generation and those following have learned how and grown accustomed to responding quickly to required new learning. We have learned to adapt rapidly to enormous pressures for making personal and social changes.

Rapid technology has made incredible progress. Advancements have created ongoing challenges and ethical dilemmas, and we grapple constantly. Today’s solutions are designing the possible Beta World ahead. That future is becoming more visual.

Dear Friends: Paraphrasing “Pogo”: “We can see the future, and it is us.” Diana

Breeze, et al

Sunday, January 12, 2025

I acquired an adorable trio of African Dwarf Goats in 2010: the mama (Sego Lily) and her twins (Breeze and Poppy). Sego Lily had originally been adopted from a herd environment, and by 2010, her real age was only an estimate; her babies were months old.

The trio was sweetly bonded and inseparable. They participated in official parades and often strolled with me on neighborhood streets, leashed, alertly cautious, and keenly aware.

Mama passed away about five years ago when I was guessing her age at fifteen. Little Poppy passed away a year ago at age fourteen. And yesterday, I lost Breeze; she was fifteen.

That morning, while outside and feeding my animals before leaving for work, I discovered Breeze lying down and apparently unable to rise onto her feet. I tried lifting her but hadn’t enough strength. Breeze’s legs were stiff and unmanageable, and she might have suffered a stroke sometime in the night or earlier that morning.

Breeze passed away before the emergency veterinarian could arrive at my place. My workplace is painfully short of workers; I felt needed and went to work, where I arranged to meet an emergency veterinarian later at my place. Meanwhile, my kind neighbors watched over Breeze and hours later let me know she had passed. Later, a concerned co-worker followed me home and helped with her remains.

RIP, my Breezey.

Remembering those three sweeties this morning, I’m sad with an empty feeling.

Dear Friends: Cute, fun, and stubbornly determined when wanting something. Diana

Heavenly!

Saturday, January 11, 2025

I started making bread from scratch recently after years of not bothering to. I’ve begun by cheating a little and using a bread machine. It does the labor and frees me to apply my energies elsewhere. I’ve been reviving an understanding of ingredients–the currently available choices and how to use them; and I’m gathering those required to recreate my favorite bread types.

On another day off from my part-time job, I’ll make a loaf from scratch and the hard way by myself. I’ll physically mix, knead (my favorite part!), shape, and bake. I’ve been intending to start by making an easy loaf. That might change because I have stumbled across and purchased a 100-year-old sourdough starter. This starter originated in the early 20th Century on San Francisco’s Fisherman’s Wharf by a baker whose family kept the starter alive, and now, his grandchildren are selling the descendants.

A living starter brings challenges. Starters need regular feeding to stay healthy and growing. Starters used inadequately will keep growing and may become unwieldy. A solution is to toss portions regularly, but that gets tiring. I’ve “been there” and “done that,” but not with an old original starter. Maybe the new one will encourage me to adapt by baking more often and using it.

There is much baking or tossing ahead. My bread machine turns out pleasing leaves and might also capably “do sourdough,” but early loaves with my new starter will be from doing the work myself.

Dear Friends, I have little spare time, but I am assuming a hefty project! Diana

Birding Artist

Friday, January 10, 2024

Some time ago, I casually listened as an interviewer questioned the popular and successful writer Amy Tan. I’d not read anything by Tan; I became more attentive as she explained some experiences and interests that turned into creative inspirations. She said bird-watching was a high note in her daily life, and the activity gradually had changed–from being very casual to becoming highly attentive. Best of all, focusing on birds made another of her artistic sides evolve.

I am a great appreciator, a casual watcher, and sometimes a photographer of wild birds. I have two domestic birds in my home, each very different–a retired racing pigeon and a busy Cockatoo. Each is interesting and intelligent (most overtly, the Cocktoo) in its own way.

I long remembered elements of that interview with Tan and wished to learn more about her affection for birds. I finally ordered her book and haven’t been disappointed. In fact, it’s more delightful than I anticipated because her “other artistic side” is pen-on-paper artwork–and her own!

Tan’s bird art is a fine art. Today’s header photo is of the book cover, with birds by Tan, hinting at more art on its inside pages.

She’s an excellent writer, too. Her words share Tan’s observations and delight, bringing readers near the writer’s first-hand experiences.

Dear Friends: It’s an original, a beaut that evolved from wishing to learn. Diana

Partnership

Thursday, January 09, 2024

I’ll spend much of this morning watching PBS cover Jimmy Carter’s funeral procession. I’ve always believed Carter and Rosalyn to be outstanding individuals, a consistently highly functioning team. They remained actively involved and productive during and beyond his presidency years.

On PBS, some historians describe their personal relationships with the Carters and offer educated Carter-related historical perspectives. I’ve not heard anything new or surprising about the Carters, but gaining more understanding of their relationship, perspectives, dedication, partnership, and pre- and post-Presidency activities.

Pomp and circumstance events always make me tear up a little. Wondering why, my best guess is that I sense surety relative to all the elements–clothing, steps, sounds, and colors–all representing perfect planning in our imperfect world. These moments in time do touch me deeply.

He outlived Rosalyn by months before turning 100 years old. Carter was determined to stay alive, at least, until he could cast his vote for our next President.

Dear Friends: I intend to learn more about both the Carters and their legacy. Diana