For all who are passionate about beer.

The Hymn to Ninkasi
(inscribed on a nineteenth-century B.C. tablet, contains a recipe for Sumerian beer.)
The earliest known record of beer brewing.
"Bappir" is a barley bread that was used as the source of the yeast.

Translation by Miguel Civil

Borne of the flowing water (...)
Tenderly cared for by the Ninhursag,
Borne of the flowing water (...)
Tenderly cared for by the Ninhursag,

Having founded your town by the sacred lake,
She finished its great walls for you,
Ninkasi, having founded your town by the sacred lake,
She finished its great walls for you

Your father is Enki, Lord Nidimmud,
Your mother is Ninti, the queen of the sacred lake,
Ninkasi, Your father is Enki, Lord Nidimmud,
Your mother is Ninti, the queen of the sacred lake.

You are the one who handles the dough,
[and] with a big shovel,
Mixing in a pit, the bappir with sweet aromatics,
Ninkasi, You are the one who handles
the dough, [and] with a big shovel,
Mixing in a pit, the bappir with [date]-honey.

You are the one who bakes the bappir
in the big oven,
Puts in order the piles of hulled grains,
Ninkasi, you are the one who bakes
the bappir in the big oven,
Puts in order the piles of hulled grains,

You are the one who waters the malt
set on the ground,
The noble dogs keep away even the potentates,
Ninkasi, you are the one who waters the malt
set on the ground,
The noble dogs keep away even the potentates.

You are the one who soaks the malt in a jar
The waves rise, the waves fall.
Ninkasi, you are the one who soaks
the malt in a jar
The waves rise, the waves fall.

You are the one who spreads the cooked
mash on large reed mats,
Coolness overcomes.
Ninkasi, you are the one who spreads
the cooked mash on large reed mats,
Coolness overcomes.

You are the one who holds with both hands
the great sweet wort,
Brewing [it] with honey and wine
(You the sweet wort to the vessel)
Ninkasi, (...)
(You the sweet wort to the vessel)

The filtering vat, which makes
a pleasant sound,
You place appropriately on [top of]
a large collector vat.
Ninkasi, the filtering vat,
which makes a pleasant sound,
You place appropriately on [top of]
a large collector vat.

When you pour out the filtered beer
of the collector vat,
It is [like] the onrush of
Tigris and Euphrates.
Ninkasi, you are the one who pours out the
filtered beer of the collector vat,
It is [like] the onrush of
Tigris and Euphrates.

Gracious permission from: "Copyright J.A. Black, G. Cunningham, E. Robson, and G. Zlyomi 1998, 1999, 2000. The authors have asserted their moral rights." Scholarly Versions at their Home Page The Electronic Text Corpus of Sumerian Literature, Oxford University,

The weekend had happiness and sadness, as does all of life. On Friday
as I was pulling out to go to Summer War we received word that the nephew
of my in-laws passed away suddenly in North Carolina. Brandon
was 24. We watched him grow up from a sweet child to a talented young
craftsman who remodeled and upgraded my mother-in-laws' bathrooms when he
was around 17 or 18. He and Amy were close for awhile, (and he drove
us batty with phone calls back then.) He complained to his mother late last week that he just didn't feel well, and she asked him if he was coming down with the flu...and then he was gone.
My love and condolences go to the Patrick family, who have already been through a LOT of tragedy over the years. And again, I say, "Live FULLY, because you just never know..."

So a nice, laid-back, cozy event was a good and timely thing, and I enjoyed hanging out with old and new friends (and LITTLE kids.) I ate and drank REALLY well, and got to share some of my goodies with others. Amy brought her friend Katie out for the first time. (I looked out across the field, and SURPRISE! There they were, in garb.)Katie wanted to know about the fire dancing/breathing thing (Poi? Koi? Whatever.) and there was a merchant on site who was happy to give her some pointers, as well as show me how to finally wrap a linen headcovering and it not slide around and make me crazy.
I was laughing at Tracy's comment about me being Caer Mear's own version of
Friar Tuck (that is funny) and we were admiring Elizabeth the Tender Hearted's new tent
when I stepped into a stump-hole and ungracefully crashed to the ground.My wrists and forearms reverberated for a couple of minutes, but happily, no injury.Fortunately the Baron
got the press with his spectacular dive out of the hammock ;) Hope His Excellency is feeling
okay today.
My car with the "quirky" electrical system (poltergeist that causes lights to flash on and off and the car locks to go up and down at random) decided it didn't want to be moved from the woods area, but responded well to a jump start, and is behaving itself...for now.
It was good. Thanks everyone.

My boy will be 17 on Friday.
He got into a little trouble, so he's
spent part of the summer grounded and getting
himself together. We made him get a haircut.
We're all amazed.
What a handsome guy.

Reading Rumi (1207-1273) while I'm home sick...


LET GO ALL your scheming, lover
let yourself go mad
go mad
just step into the heart of fire
make yourself a moth
a moth
Turn yourself into a stranger
raze your house down to the ground
then come stand here under one roof
beneath the same roof
and live among the lovers.
Scrape your breast, like a plate,
clean of envy, with cascades of water
then fill up like a chalice,
like a chalice
with the wine of love
Metamorphose purely into soul
make yourself worthy of the Soulmate
If you're going to see the drunkards
walk tipsy
with inebriation
Like a model
your earring pendant dangles
brushing intimate against your cheek
incline that cheek and ear
to the Mother Pearl
that Precious Pearl
As your spirit rises in the air
from the sweetness of our tale
efface yourself and like the lovers
be a legend
legendary

I'm in class this week to go for ACLS certification. (Advanced Cardiac Life Support)
Long time coming, "codes" are definitely not my strong suit. I'll feel better about
getting some of these skills solidly under my belt. Back to my CD to review these
algorhithms...

Good picture of my oldest, Ashley, taken by Ursus at Sapphire Joust.

wan·der·lust (wndr-lst) KEY

NOUN:

A very strong or irresistible impulse to travel.


ETYMOLOGY:
German : wandern, to wander (from Middle High German) + Lust, desire (from Middle High German, from Old High German; see las- in Indo-European roots)

I'm usually game for a road trip, BUT
I had a nice long chat with my pal in England, and
now I've got it BAD.

I was driving to work this morning, was almost there, and the palms of
my hands, my wrists and my neck started to ITCH. I got to work, and was
having an overwhelming case of hives. (Ok, so I'm allergic to work???)
My coworkers saw me and sent me straight to the ER. So a $100 ER copay,
a missed day of work, and a sore arm from a big old Benadryl injection
later, I don't know what caused an allergic reaction. SOME environmental
assault...the only things I did differently was to use some bug repellant
on Friday night (days ago...)and get completely ambushed by ticks over
the weekend. I had around 15 bites, and still found one crawling on me
this morning as I sat in the ER (after 3 showers). I've spent the afternoon
in a Benadryl-induced fog, and now it's time to wash everything that went
to the site, and all the linens... creepy little devils...they haven't bothered
anyone else in the house. What's up with THAT?
Benadryl knocks me on my behind, so I'll be home for awhile, taking naps.

It always amazes me, the amount of work that gets done every year to pull off this
event. Months of it, on all levels: the planning, the sheer physical work of setting up
and breaking down, the A&S projects, classes, the care of the Royals and the populace,
the fighting activities,
the merchants...and I know this happens at all the events, but I'm most aware of it at
Sapphire. I brought two newcomers with me this year, and they both had a BLAST. One of them
wants to bring his family and get them involved. Thank you all.
Sapphire has become an unofficial family reunion for us. Everyone got there except Nathan, and
the girls all worked part of the weekend and drove out to the site as they finished their shifts.
I sang with my daughters for the very first time. That was HUGE, and it just fills up my heart right now to think about it.
It was wonderful to spend time with friends, sharing stories and food and brew.
I was scheduled to work Monday, sleep deprived and COVERED with tick bites. Miraculously, I
got the happy phone call at 0530 from the hospital, "Our census is down, so you'll be on call
today." Sweeeeeet. The kids want barbeque ribs.
Memorial Day. So that we may say "Thank you," and NEVER forget.

Countdown to Sapphire Joust weekend. I have 2 days to get the prepwork done, Monday and Tuesday...and the sun is setting on Monday.
Samantha got a summer job today at the Red Robin at Chesterfield Town Center. Her sibs all said, "FINALLY!" (All the kids have worked except her, since she was always doing band camp,
then away at a 4-year college). So the child who said she would never work in food...is working in food. We ALL do our time...
FOOD... With my recent dietary overhaul, I completely eliminated all high fructose corn syrup, which has been a challenge. It's in everything, commercially prepared sauces, ketchup,
jam, bread...Sweet Baby Ray's Barbecue Sauce. Which was a major component in MY barbecue. No more. Making my own from scratch. I found a recipe online that has roasted veggies and Jack Daniels in addition to the vinegar and tomato marriage that I prefer. Gonna make a trial run tonight.

I planted this rosebush 3 weeks ago. I looked out today, and found big, fragrant blooms.
Nice...I've never had much success with roses.
Looky, Aldyth! Our mint/woodruff mead with Raysons of the Sun is off and running.

from my kid, posted to facebook:

"Samantha Miller wants to wish all of the mommies out there a very happy mothers day. Thanks to all of your hard work and dedication to your families, your children, and to the world. Especially to my mommie, I love you very much!"

Yesterday was a recovery day. I was wiped OUT from the week, and spent the morning napping, and NAPPING...then spent the evening with my butt parked in a camp chair at the Cityslickers
Bluegrass Festival, NOT dancing with abandon, like usual, just enjoying and chilling. The area next to the Science Museum at the train tracks has been converted to a lovely space for events and concerts, with ample hassle-free parking.

Going to whittle at some ongoing projects, then off to the gym to work out some more kinks.

After 4 months of diet overhaul, walking, and twice weekly trips
to the gym, I have FINALLY dropped 10 pounds. Ten.
It appears my belly is old, tired, and comfortable right where it is,
and sees no reason to relocate. The Diabetes Nutritionist says "slow"
weight loss means "permanent", and I'm good with that.

My yard has EXPLODED with flowers. Iris, rhododendron,
roses, about 35 azaleas of every color, and a hot pink peony that has taken 5 years to bloom. A little TLC has gone a long way. I just can't stay out in the flowers very long. I
start sniffling and sneezing.

Recital pics.
She was always one of those kids that liked to pick people up...
her sibs, her friends("Look Mom, I can lift Nathan!")
The girl learned how to dance during her first year of college.
Finals are finished.
She is coming home for the summer on Sunday.

A picture of my Mom with Samantha.
They adored each other.
Yesterday was the 5 year anniversary of Mom's
passing, on Earth Day, which was appropriate,
somehow, given her love of trees, plants and
flowers. It's a very difficult anniversary for me,
so I am thankful to have a couple of self-indulgent
days to plant a rose bush, hollihocks, and a lilac,
and to have dinner with a friend last night. (Thank you,
dear friend.)

I'm a' walkin. 
All donations to the Good Life Center Care Fund are used to advance education for families and children
in Central Virginia on prevention of obesity and diabetes.

4/18/2009 A Walk for Children's Health
Saturday, April 18
Byrd Park's Shields Lake

Childhood obesity affects over 30 percent of children. Bon Secours Children's Services is dedicated to building a healthier future for Richmond's children. Join Bonnie, the Bon Secours mascot, at A Walk for Children's Health to combat childhood obesity by teaching children about nutrition and exercise.

8:30 a.m. Registration
8:30 a.m.-12:00 p.m. Activities
10:00 a.m. Walk
12:00 p.m. Prizes Announced

There will be:

• An appearance by Bonnie, the Bon Secours mascot
   

 

• Educational activity stations
• Free health screenings
• Obstacle course and exercise stations
• Free prizes and giveaways

359-WELL