WHAT'S UP IN THE GARDEN?

So here I sit trying to figure out what to do with my day.  My left leg is now doing what my right leg did....swelling, pain and difficulty walking.  On Friday, the physical therapist said to ice it and take NSAIDS to get the swelling down.  He said to work out as long as it is pain free.  It was better than Friday but no where near 100%.  I need to sit more than I would like.

Saturday and Monday a did a couple very modified work outs.  The lower body is getting limited work which makes me very sad. 

Because movement is limited, I bring you this blog posting.  Of course it is one that doesn't require much thought.  Yes, a synopsis of the certification weekend is long over due.  Hope to do one soon because there are many kudos to share.

Here is the status of my garden...

My grape vine is rocking!

Some of the tomatoes including some green tomatoes.  There are an amazing number of green tomatoes...I smile every time I look at them.

Some are in pots and some are in the ground.

Broccoli...

Broccoli Rabe...waiting for transfer

 Every year we grow corn.  Believe it or not it usually does well.  What's the problem?  The squirrels know exactly when the corn is ready.  Sometimes they end up with more delicious corn than we do.  Me?  I would prefer not to grow corn, but the boy insists on it.

Lettuce was bountiful...

I started my baby zucchini from seed in small pots.  They have since been transplanted.  They are doing well.  The small plants behind the squash are tomatoes grown from seeds from tomatoes from Maine.  The boy is always experimenting. 

I found this link on growing squash so they don't run wild which does become a problems.  

http://growagoodlife.com/growing-summer-squash-vertically/

Much more is going on but that is the only pictures I took.  The eggplant is flowering.  The herbs are flourishing (and frequently being used.).  The peppers other than the cubanelles don't look particularly happy out there.  Both butternut squash plants look good. 

And the fig tree...not looking so good.  Okay it is looking dead but I am not yet prepared to admit it. 

That is all I've got for now.

Pick a tomato from the garden...add a little bit of salt, some good quality extra virgin olive oil, garlic and let it all marinade for awhile.  Heaven on earth!

REVELATION AND THE RANT

'

I spent the last couple of months bemoaning my injuries and freaking babying myself.  I didn't train for the cert enough or at all.  I didn't think I could hit the numbers.  Apparently somewhere along the line I forgot what weight I had to lift and press.  I stumbled on the numbers...in a notebook. 

Baby...the weight I have to pull and press is so very doable I can taste it.  If I had effing trained, there would be no doubt that I could pass the deadlift and the military press.  Plus training is the process and I effing love the process.  I feel like I missed out on something.

We were told we needed knee length socks for deadlifting...so although not entirely evident in this pic...I decided to sparkle.

The strength component of the bench press is also within reach but, honestly, it will still difficult.  Ya know what...I am giving it my best effort. 

Here is what is making me so angry right now...right this minute.  I never ever ever give up on myself.  I fight.  I do what I need to do.  Oh did you say never?  Not true this time.  I gave up myself.  I didn't try or put in the work.  Don't get me wrong.  I was working out but I wasn't focused on the goals.  I WAS EFFING READY TO DROP OUT OF THE CERTIFICATION.  I appreciate the fact that Dr. Hartle convinced me otherwise.

I am facing tomorrow with a new frame of mind.  Anything can happen.  Anything is possible.  By the end of the weekend I may actually pass a skill or two.  Rock on...

SO I GUESS IT IS NOT THE SUMMER OF CHIN UPS

Follow me on the journey!!!

Yes, bear with me everyone.  I will be pretty obsessive until this weekend is over.  I am trying to mentally get my head in the game.  Until Tuesday it will be blah, blah, blah barbell, blah blah blah StrongFirst, and blah blah blah certification.  Hang in there with me please.   

When I am training at the gym or at a certification, I really like to push my limits.  I want people to respect the amount of weight I can lift.  I think when people look at me they realize my strength.  I've worked hard.  I have been dedicated.  I like showing that off...so to speak.

Skill of Strength - home base for the weekend.

I also did a barbell user course here.  Find me in the picture

if you can.

The SFL this weekend will be different.  My injury really does limit what I can do at the moment.  I won't be squatting.  Goblet squats with an 8 kg kettlebell are a challenge at the moment.  I didn't train my press or bench because I was in a funk nor did I want to hurt myself.  I am not sure what weight I can bench or press.

Anyway, as the excitement builds, let me share some videos and words from Strong First (not necessarily barbell).  

The following video does bring tears to my eyes.  First, because it is so exciting.  StrongFirst weekends are amazing.  Second because I will not be able to fully participate in the weekend as I had planned.

 

I am an introvert who willing does the StrongFirst experience.  Go figure!

 

AND I QUOTE - MARILYN

A friend posted a Marilyn Monroe quote this week.  I liked it.  I wanted to read and reflect on other quotes attributed to her.  So here we go...

IT IS ON!

Yes...despite my lack of substantial training, I am doing the StrongFirst Barbell Certification next weekend.  Dr. Hartle, Chief SFL, convinced me to attend the weekend.  The plus is I will have the opportunity after the weekend to video the technique, send it to Dr. Hartle and pass.  So it is on. Wish me luck and yes I am crazy!

Dr. Michael Hartle

According the StrongFirst website the requirements are:

THE STRENGTH TEST

Deadlift
Student must complete 1 repetition (conventional or sumo) with a weight that is equivalent to:

Men—2 x bodyweight, rounded up to the nearest 5lbs/2.5kg, not to exceed 450lbs/205kg
 Women—1.5 x bodyweight, rounded up to the nearest 5lbs/2.5kg

Bench Press
Student must complete 1 repetition with a weight that is equivalent to:

Men—1 ¼ bodyweight, rounded up to the nearest 5lbs/2.5kg
Females—3/4 bodyweight, rounded up to the nearest 5lbs/2.5kg

THE TECHNIQUE TEST

The following skills are tested for 5 reps with the specified weights:

• Back Squat

Men—bodyweight, rounded up to the nearest 5lbs/2.5kg.
Women—3/4 bodyweight, rounded up to the nearest 5lbs/2.5kg.

• Deadlift (conventional or sumo)

Men—1.5x bodyweight, rounded up to the nearest 5lbs/2.5kg.
Women—bodyweight, rounded up to the nearest 5lbs/2.5kg.

• Military Press

Men—2/3 bodyweight, rounded up to the nearest 5lbs/2.5kg.
Women—1/2 bodyweight, rounded up to the nearest 5lbs/2.5kg

Want to check out what happens?  It is only 5 minutes long.

STUFF

 Do we all have our garden planted?  Partially planted?  If you do, what is planted? 

So far I have:

20 tomatoes plants in the ground and in pots. (We usually aim for 35 plants)

Sweet potatoes

Potatoes

Corn

Habanero, Jalapeno, Cubanelles and Green Peppers

Broccoli

Red leaf, green leaf and some bitter lettuce

Spinach

Celery

Butternut squash

Italian zucchini

Basil

Parsley

Sage

Mint

Oregano.

I think that is everything so far.  Oh and we have seeds in...kale and broccoli rabe.

And what have I used so far...

Parsley

Sage..fresh sage is a must in this recipe.

All the different kinds of lettuce and the spinach.  I used the parsley trying to re-create my mother's chicken nardizzi.  I was moderately successful.  I planted plenty of parsley to keep trying.  I used the sage for an awesome pork recipe by Elizabeth Minchilli.  More information and pictures about those two recipes will follow.  If you can't wait for the pork and sage and tomato recipe, check it out at the link below.  Fresh sage from your garden people is the key to this recipe...oh and good pork.

http://www.elizabethminchilliinrome.com/2016/05/pork-chops-sage-tomatoes/

She is also a great food tour guide of Rome but that is a story for another day.

What do you do with mint that grows like crazy?  Well, Mint Julips of course.  I don't make Mint Julips but the boy does.  I make chocolate chip mint ice cream.  So delicious. 

You all know I believe gardening, farmer's market and locally sourced food is the healthiest way to live but what about those time when you need something decadent?  My go to is usually ice cream.  However, I keep thinking about the most delicious hot dog in the world.  I had it this past weekend and it was heaven.  I was so focused on the dog I didn't even think about pictures.  

A local equivalent?  Fred's Franks in Wakefield, MA, right on Lake Quinapowett near Route 128.  I spent just about a whole summer eating hot dogs from Fred at lunch..meeting and listening to a friend in distress.    They needed  a friend and someone to listen.  I was more than willing.  The side benefit was the hot dogs. 

http://fredsfranks.com/

Check their hours before you go to make sure they are open. 

Not everyone can get to Wakefield...so what is your favorite hotdog?  No, disgusting is not an answer. 

MAY MOMENTS

It is Memorial Day.  Can there be more than one moment?  I don't think so.

After a busy weekend of good eating (best effing hot dog of my life; not that I eat a lot of hotdogs mind you), friends and family,
Monday was a day of reflection.  A Memorial Day ritual of mine is to go to the Civil War and the Vietnam War sections at Pine Grove Cemetery.  My visit to the Civil War section became a little frantic today when I couldn't find the grave of my great grandfather Charles H. Pendexter.  Ultimately, I did find it but not without a frantic facebook shout out and not without getting soaked in the rain.  I was soaked to the point where I thought my phone was died...problem was I wasn't wearing my glasses. 

There was another gentleman visiting his relative...and we talked a little civil war and family history.  He even reflected on the fact that the males in his family had all served in the military; he had not.  He said it was around the time of the Vietnam War and it was his biggest regret...

Photos from the Civil War section of Pine Grove Cemetery...

The great uncle of the gentleman I

chatted with today.

This character is Charles H. Pendexter.  My Dad is Charles W. Pendexter.  I am not sure if I've ever told the story as to how I came across this photograph.  The picture is in the Great Hall of the Grand Army of the Republic Building in downtown Lynn, MA.  I was visiting one day and the caretaker of the building helped me find his photo.  He mentioned that they had found some glass negatives.  CHP was one of the negatives.     

The Vietnam section of the cemetery is emotional.  I remember the war as a young child. 

Vivid pictures on TV. 

Bombs and hatred. 

Emotional scarred men returning from the jungles of a foreign land.   

Men returning to their country only to be rejected and spit on. 

There are always people at these gravesites.  I do not take pictures.  It is very much a time of reflection.  It is a time to be respectful of loss.   

We send our young men and women to war.  Some come home and some do not.  When we make the decision, we need to be very sure it is the correct one.  We need to be very sure that there is not an alternative to war.  Some of these men and women do not return home to their families.  Anguish, pain, and lives lost.