Did You Ever Do Contra Dancing?

August 31, 2013.

 Yesterday my son and his wife asked if I would like to go to a contra dance class with them, and I said, "Indeed I would!" The class began at seven in the evening and the dancing would begin at seven-thirty.   I was quite happy to go with them because I like to see contra dancing. I've seen it done before, in Colorado when I visited one of my daughters. She absolutely loves contra dancing.

Last evening when we reached the class, there were just a couple of people there (plus the band), and the class began then with even a few. The teacher is very patient, knowledgeable, and sweet-tempered. I know that she also loves contra dancing. I wasn't going to try to learn, because of my injured foot which has been healing day by day.

For a couple of the 'students' it was difficult at first, but they caught on quite quickly and were enjoying all the instructions. Soon more people came in, a few more 'students' and several people who wanted to dance. Dance time came and the real fun began! The music was good, with three musicians who could play more than one instrument and were very talented.

As the dancing progressed, I could see and feel the thrill of contra dancing flowing from all twenty-some dancers, and watched their faces as they lit up with gratifying glee. Their bodies even seemed to become so relaxed that they would move arms and legs with great joy. As I was watching these dancers of all ages and status, dressed casually, I realized how deeply it was moving me to recognize the emotions they exhibited. I began to choke-up in my throat (wanting to cry but couldn't - right there in public) because of the affection and love I felt suddenly.

As I settled down, I thought of all the stress that people go through because of school, work, business, parenting, care-giving and problems, and I knew that contra dancing is a perfect way to let some of that stress drain away with every song they hear and dance to. I feel that contra dancing is much better than just going out as a couple to spend the evening couple-dancing. Even square dancing (old time barn-dancing) or showy square dancing aren't enough to make us lose stress as much as contra dancing does.

When the next contra dance comes up, I would like to attend, even just to sit and watch!

By the way, there are three ways of spelling this dance, that I know of: contra dancing, contradancing, and contra-dancing. Take your pick. The dictionary may tell you that 'contre' means 'opposite', and 'danse' means 'dance'. Contredanse is in some dictionaries.


I'll see you at the Corner Post ...

Palachinky -- Slovak Food.

August 20, 2013.

I know that there are a few members of this family who would like to try to make and eat those luscious palachinky that taste so good. I have a recipe for them, and to make it easier for anyone, decided to add a lot of hints, etcetera, to it. 

   ~~~~~    So, here is the recipe and information that I prepared for the Palachinky Lovers: 

" Slovak Palachinky.  It is also spelled palacinky, with a little check over the c, to pronounce it like ‘ch’ as in chest. Many years ago my Mom Josephine, Gram B, used to make palachinky for a meal now and then, and we really loved them.

     ~   Very thin crepes, use a filling and roll them up, then heat, and eat!.  ~

These are the ingredients: 2 eggs, 1 c milk, 1 tsp sugar, 1 c flour, ½ tsp salt, 1 Tbl melted butter.

Mix dry ingredients, add eggs one at a time; beat well, and add some milk for a thin batter.

Beat until smooth. Stir in melted butter. The batter should look like heavy cream.

Pour a measured amount of batter into the well-greased pan. A small pan would need less batter than a larger one. Just experiment if this is your first attempt.  

Some people like to put only two tablespoonfuls batter in the pan to make very thin pancakes.

Pour 1/4 to ½ cup batter into heated, lightly greased medium-to-large skillet, swirl batter around to coat the bottom of the pan. Cook the palachinky for about one minute or until you see little bubbles form on the surface. Then flip and cook the other side in the same manner; watching carefully so that it doesn’t burn.

(When browned on lower side, turn over and lightly brown the other side.) Place on a flat dish. Spread your desired jam, or other fillings, and roll up the Palachinky. Some people eat them as they are rolled up, but some wait until all the thin pancakes are done, rolled up and heated. 

Repeat the process until all of the thin pancakes are done. Spread the desired filling on all of the thin pancakes, and place them in a rectangular baking dish to bake in a 350˚ oven for approximately 40-45 minutes.

Or you may place the rolled-up palachinky in the frying pan to heat.

Some of the fillings are cottage cheese mixed with egg and sugar; thick applesauce; or sour cream. You may also use dried fruit purees like apricots or prunes.

Some people like powdered sugar on the thin pancake, then rolled up. Other fillings can be pie filling, cooked fruits, jelly, or fresh fruit.

You may use apple butter or preserves, to your liking.

You might even try savory, instead of sweet, palachinky. It’s almost like putting on toppings of your desire, as in pizza.

Some people even use bananas, ice cream, strawberries, or whatever they think of. "  

I'll see you at the Corner Post ...

Nap; Walk; Heat; Birds; One Flower.

August 4, 2013.

Hello, You over there, 

I've been on a hiatus for a few weeks, and it's good to be back here.

There's a storm coming in, we know not when, but the forecast says possibly overnight tonight, and tomorrow. Thunderstorms and rain. The skies look stormy in places, and I hope the storms bring only rain, no damage or injury. 

I was getting quite tired this afternoon, so a Power Nap was in order. I wasn't aware of falling asleep; I suddenly woke up and found that I slept twelve minutes. Aah, how refreshing these Power Naps are! Sometimes I sleep only six or seven minutes, and sometimes about eighteen. Feels so good! 

Then I suddenly had the idea of taking a walk, and did so. That took about eighteen minutes, on my usual route. I, of course, had to stop at least four or five times to catch my breath. I'm no spring chicken these days. Besides, it was quite warm outdoors, and I chose to do this in late afternoon. Early morning is better. There are some mocking birds around the neighborhood and still feeding their young, it seems. One of the adults was on a driveway as I passed, and I noticed that it had its beak open part way. "Oh, dear", I thought, "that bird is very thirsty." So, RAIN, come on down!  

A flower that I cannot identify is still blooming on a mailbox post. It has six open white petals about two inches long in a large flat circle, and the plant is a climber. The remains of the  flowers are about one-inch spirals of fibers in a circle or sphere. It is so beautiful, the flower itself, but the plant is probably approaching its end-of-summer stopping-to-grow cycle. Most of it is dried up. I stopped to visit with it a bit on the way up and also on the way back. There is a tiny bud sort of coming out from under the flower petals. I should have had my camera with me! I must remember to take it with me the next time I walk that route. 

I'll see you at the Corner Post ...