TOWANDA!

After living huddled next to any heat source available while wrapped up in layers of fuzzy clothing since last September, it’s almost a shock to have sunny days and warmish weather.  The blossoming trees and green leaves poking out of the once snow-covered ground are always startling no many how many years I it see it happen.

The longer days and the milder weather kick in some kind of fever in me to grow things.  Yet I’m still under doctor’s restrictions to stay away from heavy lifting and strenuous exercise.  So I found myself ordering an assortment of mosses.  I could at least plant a terrarium.

The mosses came from a far-away forest in little zip lock bags. They made a wonderful garden under glass.

The place was immediately invaded by dinosaurs. 

 I told them there was no unauthorized breeding in Jurassic Park.

If there is one thing the history of evolution has taught us it's that life will not be contained. Life breaks free, it expands to new territories.

And so it was that the extra mosses took up residence in a big bottle I’ve had for years. I've made a living biological attraction so astounding that it will capture the imagination of the entire planet!  Or not.

Still itching to grow things and inspired by a story on the NPR Radio program, Science Friday: Michael Pollan—You Are What You Cook-- http://www.npr.org/2013/05/03/180824408/michael-pollan-you-are-what-you-cook It was so interesting I ordered his new book: Cooked: A Natural History of Transformantion, and I decided to create my own sour dough bread starter.

Basically, you make a paste of flour and water, leave it in a warm place and feed it occasionally with more flour and water.  Over a period of a few days it becomes colonized with microbes.

http://www.kingarthurflour.com/blog/2012/04/05/creating-your-own-sourdough-starter-the-path-to-great-bread/

From there I went to making my own sourdough bread using a recipe from allrecipes.com.

 http://allrecipes.com/recipe/san-francisco-sourdough-bread/

 http://www.preparedpantry.com/howtobakecrustybreads.aspx

After an hour of raising in a pan and another hour raising on a baking sheet I had dough ready for the oven.

Forty minutes later I had my very own loaf of crusty artisan bread.  Towanda!

 Still, I didn’t get the first slice and I had to fight for the second one. 

Yes, spring fever is a strong force.  Well, it’s either that or those pills the doctor had me pick up at the pharmacy.

Evelyn Couch:  Towanda, the Avenger!

I'll put tiny bombs in Penthouse and Playboy...so they'll explode when you open 'em.

I'll ban all fashion models who weigh less than 130 pounds.

I'll give half the military budget to people over 65...and declare wrinkles sexually desirable.

Towanda, Righter of Wrongs, Queen Beyond Compare!

Ninny Threadgoode:  How many of them hormones you takin', honey?