Support the US Post Office and a Small Business!

For reasons somewhat beyond my understanding, President Trump is eager to defund the Post Office. Apparently he thinks this is the best way to attack Jeff Bezos, owner of Amazon.com and the Washington Post--he doesn't like the Post's coverage of him so he wants to make it harder and more expensive for Amazon to send packages.

Yeah, right--destroying a public service that benefits every American, just because Bezos happens to own a newspaper that is usually critical of this president. I think that no matter what one's political leanings might be, we can probably all agree that this is just not smart, not a good idea. So, how to support the Post Office, which we all need?

Leaving aside the big structural changes that Congress should consider (although we can and should all make suggestions to our Congress-people), one thing we can all do is buy stamps, tell our postal workers we care, and send cards and letters to our friends and family members.

And I have a suggestion for you on where to get cards, if you don't have a stockpile of nice stationery at home (or even if you do)!

Archelaus Cards is a small business in Washington, DC, which sells cards wholesale to stores all over North America (and even to Australia)... and also, retail, to individuals. Since stationery stores and bookstores are not generally open for visits just now, buying direct from Archelaus gets you a nice supply of cards while supporting a small business that is currently seeing lower sales from its usual customers.

Here's a link to the newest designs, which include some particularly pandemic-suitable items. You might also want to stock up on get-well cards and (I hate to say this) sympathy cards. A Welcome Back card is also very suitable for returns from the hospital or practically anywhere else someone may have gone (even the supermarket)! Archelaus also offers many birthday options, as well as Mother's Day cards and cards for all manner of other occasions.

(You can see the card below more clearly here.)

My Bread Recipe

I never expected, when the pandemic began to take hold in the US, that bread-baking would become a major American pastime. Maybe this was short-sighted of me, because when people are spending more time at home, this potentially makes it easier to engage in baking projects. On the other hand, lots of people are simultaneously working from home and trying to home-school their kids, or are working stressful hours at essential jobs where they may be exposed to coronavirus, and so may not feel up to embarking on intensive baking.

Well, had I realized this frenzy of baking was about to occur, I would have bought yeast, because I'm one of those people who bakes bread even in normal times, and I was about due for a new jar of yeast!

Not that I bake lots and lots of bread--I'm not someone who eats bread every day. But I certainly average at least a loaf a month, and probably more than that--sometimes I make bread very regularly and sometimes I go for a month or two without baking any. I use an easy bread-machine recipe developed by my sibling, which produces a dense, compact loaf suitable for one or two people (or for more people to eat it up more quickly).

This recipe was developed for the Zojirushi Home Bakery Mini machine and takes about 15 minutes to put together, then three hours to bake.

Add the ingredients in the order listed (well, basically wet to dry, yeast must be last) in the bread machine's baking pan.

1 cup water (if substituting yogurt for dry milk, put 2 T yogurt in your cup measure first, then add enough water to bring it to 1 cup)
2 T oil (I normally use olive oil)
2 cups whole wheat flour (or add in some rye flour for rye bread)
2 T honey, molasses, or sugar
1/4 cup (4 T) other whole-grain flour(s) such as flax-seed meal, buckwheat, rye, spelt (I usually use one T of each of those); other options are teff, oatmeal, corn meal, amaranth; don't use 1/4 cup of potato flour--always try a new flour with just 1 T
2 T dry milk unless substituting yogurt
1 t salt
6 T nuts and seeds (whatever strikes your fancy)
Optional: 1 T herbs of your choice
1 t dry-active yeast
Optional: 1/4 cup of dried fruit (add when the first timer rings)

Once the ingredients are in place, plug in the bread machine and press the "Mode Select" button twice to choose the "Soft Course" option (3 hours). Then press the Start/Reset button. With this recipe, it is best to scrape down the sides of the baking pan when the first timer rings (or a little before).

When the second timer rings, the bread is finished. Press and hold the start/reset button until the machine beeps; then unplug the machine. Be very careful removing the bread from the baking pan--it's very hot and easy to burn yourself even with hot-pad holders in each hand! The wire handle in particular is hot! Let bread cool, ideally on a wire rack, for about 15 minutes before serving.

Boursin cheese pairs well with this bread!

Masks Received

Around the world, kind people are sewing and donating masks to health workers and the public. I've been using scarves and bandannas since I don't go out all that much, but in preparation for things opening up somewhat more in our state, I accepted a neighbor's offer of masks and picked up four, two for me and two for my housemate.

Once I get some more yeast (or maybe with my last teaspoon--I think I have that much left), I'll make her a loaf of bread!

NWU Webinars on Internet Archive and Our Books

There are still seats available for the National Writers Union's public educational webinars on, "What is the Internet Archive doing with our books?"

TODAY: Monday, April 27, 7 p.m. Eastern Time

Tuesday, May 5, 10 a.m. Eastern Time

These webinars are organized by the NWU, but all are welcome. Please let your friends know about these events.

More info and links to register:

https://nwu.org/what-is-the-internet-archive-doing-with-our-books/

I Begin a Pullover

For the most part, my life during the pandemic is not as different from my normal life as is the case for most people. My teaching suddenly got much more time-consuming (and lower quality, alas), and I no longer get to do any of my work in libraries or cafes. Like most people, I haven't had a haircut. And I've attended two online meetings, bought two take-out pizzas, and occasionally (less often than before) pick up coffee and a pastry to take home. I've also accomplished a little more gardening than is typical for me at this time of year, and have watched two or three genealogy presentations (thank you Legacy for offering free ones this month).

However, being in the house nearly all the time makes one want somewhat more variety in one's amusements!

First, I began a puzzle that was waiting to be given to my mother. She enjoys jigsaw puzzles; I enjoy them too, but rarely do them because I become obsessive once I start one, and spending all day staring at puzzle pieces is not quite my idea of well-spent time. (No criticism of anyone other than myself who does this is intended.) Anyhow, I've nearly completed my mother's puzzle and am suspicious that she may find it too hard. It involves photos of a gazillion different cameras on a white background. Still, if I had let myself get really obsessive with it, I could probably have completed it in two days rather than a week.

With the prospect of lots and lots of grading in my immediate future, the idea of something more tactile and definitely non-computer-related began to draw me. I used to knit a fair amount--when taking BART to work each day, I could get about two hours of knitting done just on public transit. And later I used to make easy scarves while listening to holiday conversation--I'd give them to people later. But it had been more than ten years since I knit anything. I realized that one of my favorite cotton sweaters is missing and another is falling apart (neither was made by me, although they could have been). Clearly I needed to make myself a new spring sweater!

And so, with the help of a colleague, I found a place where I could make an appointment to look at yarn and patterns. I didn't find exactly the kind of pattern I was hoping for (one with an interesting but easy knit-purl design), but I did find a pattern for a simple stockinette stitch pullover with easy knit lace trim. And so it's launched!

The pattern and my gauge swatch...

And a bit of the lace edging for the bottom.

It's World Book Day!

Today we celebrate the annual "World Book Day."

If you're a book author, please join the international campaign on social media to remind readers that #BehindEveryBook is an author.

Post a pair of selfies, one of you and one of you "behind your book". Tag them @paythewriter as well as #BehindEveryBook and #worldbookday2020.

I hope you'll join me in celebrating #WorldBookDay2020, whether as an author or as a reader!



Aren't I lucky that I had the pdf of the front cover available to print? Magnetic Woman will be out in November but you can pre-order now!

And We Have a Book Cover!

I've been waiting to post the cover of Magnetic Woman until I was sure it was final. Since it's now live on University of Pittsburgh Press's website, where you can pre-order (publication date is early November), and on Goodreads and Amazon.com (the latter currently displays the wrong book cover, though), I think it's time to post it! I've also created an author Facebook page where news about the book (and other writing) can go.