Book Review - "Modoc - The True Story of the Greatest Elephant That Ever Lived"

Minutes ago, I just finished this book - "Modoc - The True Story of the Greatest Elephant That Ever Lived". I still have tears stinging my eyes. I started reading it this morning, and haven't stopped reading it (with brief breaks) all day. Anyone who is an animal lover of any kind should read this book. The story is true, yet the author Ralph Helfer (who personally knew Modoc) wrote it in a way that makes you feel like it's a novel. To quote him in a note at the beginning of the book - "The story of Modoc is true. When writers attempt to write a story based on the truth, they must first take all that they themselves have seen and know it to be a fact. Next comes research and documented proof which may-or may not-be true. And, finally there is "hearsay"-that which people tell you is factual. All this is put in a bowl, mashed and ground, and spread onto the pages in as close a semblance as possible. Then a little (poetic) political license is taken. Therefore, the story of Modoc is true-at least as far as I know. It's the best I could do." The story is epic really. Amazing that one animal could have done so much and had so much love, and had such an adventure - spanning 70 years and 3 continents. Saving people's lives, and escaping death numerous times. Modoc's story also enhanced my disgust for people who abuse animals in any way. (I seriously believe these people ought to suffer torturous deaths) More than anything else, the book is a story of a relationship between an elephant and her boy. Born on the same day, in the same hour on the same German farm; and best friends until the day they died. Following Bram and Modoc's journey is an exciting ride let me tell you. Totally worth spending an entire Saturday reading. Anyone who has ever had a bond with an animal will love this story and will cry as much as I did. Read it!!!!!

Big Changes in the Water Bottle World

After reading much recently about Nalgene plastic (Lexan - #7), and other plastics containing toxins that are carcinogenic and also (slightly more important to me - though it probably should be the other way around) disruptive of the endocrine system; I have decided that after 8 years of carrying around my little 1 litre friend - Nalgene to move on to a safer water bottle. So, yesterday I walked into MEC, looking for a different solution. I found this little number... The Bilt Designs Fresco Water Bottle - for $10. Cheap, stainless steel - safe (for now), and a reasonable size for my needs. So, I bought 2. One for now, and one for later. The only problem is - when you fill it with water it becomes freezing to the touch. So, I went back to MEC today, and bought the Outdoor Research Water Bottle Tote. I'm a made advertisement for MEC. I love MEC. It's a retail paradise for all who love the outdoors. The great thing is (and I only just realized this) it's a mere 10 or 15 minute walk from my place of work. I think I may be spending more lunches there in the future. So, I'm off of Nalgene forever now. My new water bottle may be cheap and not the world's greatest quality, but it does what it's supposed to, and it's reasonably safe for me to drink from. (for now) I went to look at bikes on my way back from MEC today. Stopped into this little bike shop on 11th Ave that has quite a selection and really knowledgable staff. It looks like I'll be spending at least $1000 on the bike alone. That's ok though because it's a great investment, and it's going to be my only transportation besides my 2 legs and public transit. Still really excited about that.

I Want To Ride My Bicycle

So, last night as I was saying my prayers, I had a revelation or an epiphany if you will. It was one of those ones I wasn't seeking, but just came to me. I've been trying to think of a way to get to where I want to be financially so that I can move on to the next thing in life. Without even soliciting advice last night, I had this idea thrust into my head; and I know you're all going to think I'm crazy when I tell you what it is, but here goes anyway...

In April after I get back from Utah and general conference, I'm going to sell my car, and trade it in for a bicycle. I'm going to ride my bike 20 km to work every day I can and 20 km back. (on rainy days and days where I just can't move, I'll take transit) This is really a great idea for so many reasons. # 1 - Cost - no car = most of my debt gone, also, gas costs and insurance are totally gone, not to mention parking with the CHR. # 2 - Exercise - not being able to drive to the gym after work every day will be absolutely no problem, as I'll get plenty of exercise without that jaunt to the gym. # 3 - I'll feel better about doing my part to lower emissions in the city. # 4 - NO TRAFFIC, and therefore less stress. There are oodles of bike paths in Calgary that will make this a fantastic, lovely stress free ride to work. Honestly, there are soooooooo many reasons why this is the most fantastic idea and could only be inspiration from above. There are some downsides to this, one of which I'll not be able to go wherever I want when I want, but where do I go much anyway? I'll figure all of that out. It was no problem before I had a car, and I can do without with reasonable ease now. So, if anyone knows of someone who wants a 2003 Honda Civic DXG - Black, Standard Transmission and in pretty sweet shape for $14000 obo, please give them my phone number. (or email me) Now all I need to do is decide which bike I'm going to replace my car with. There's no point on skimping in price, this thing's going to be my only transportation and my pride and joy, so I think tomorrow on my lunch break I'll take a jaunt over to Mission Cycle and ask their advice. I think I want a basket. So, there you have it, I know you all think I'm nuts, but I feel so good about it, I don't care.

Ebay Excitement!!!!

Sorry, just had to share my exciting news with everyone. I was asking my friend advice about Yoghurt making - as he's had previous experience with this, and he said a crock pot would probably be too hot. He recommended putting it in a container on top of my hot-water tank. Well, I went to check out the hot-water tank, and it's cool to the touch. Darned new homes with their "safe" hot water tanks. Anyway, he also recommended that I go to either Value Village or look on ebay for an actual Yoghurt maker appliance. Tonight, just had a minute (or two) and decide to check out ebay. Well there was one Yoghurt maker which the auction was about to run out on and it looked to be in perfect condition. (see picture) So, I bid on it, and WON!!!!!!! So exciting. The lady I bought it from says she'll ship it out on Monday. So hopefully some time next week, I'll be making Yoghurt the proper way. Normal life will carry on until then. ;-) Then, I will update you about Yoghurt Trial # 2. Heehee

Yoghurt trials - # 1

Well, as I thought would probably happen, the first batch of Yoghurt did not turn out as well as I had hoped. The instructions on the package are as follows...

1. Heat one litre or quart of milk to 82 degrees Celsius (180 degrees Farenheit) or bring to boiling point. Then let cool down to 42-44 degrees Celsius (108-112 degrees Farenheit)

2. Dissolve 5 g of starter with a small quantity of lukewarm milk in a cup, then pour back into the litre or quart of milk. Mix well.

3. Incubate 4 to 4.5 hours, or until yoghurt has reached the desired firmness. May be used with any make of appliance, according to instructions. For best results, use a Yogourmet yogurt maker.

4. Refrigerate to stop incubation.

This is what I did...

Well, I don't have a Yoghurt maker, or a thermometer for that matter, so I was pretty much guessing at temperatures, and also creating my own incubator environment for the bacteria. It turned out pretty much like sweet milk with some bacteria in it. I think in order to salvage what I did come up with, I may just throw some gelatin in there (I know, it's cheating) and use it anyway. I may have killed the bacteria in the process of not knowing what actual temps are, but whatever right? Anyway, I have a feeling that the reason it didn't set is - well, for several reasons... Perhaps it requires some fat in the milk (I used skim), so maybe I'll try 1 or 2% next time. Also, as I said, I had no real idea what the temp of things were, so just guessed. I could have dissolved the starter a little better and mixed it a lot more as well. I've decided that instead of incubating it in a double level pot on the stove as I was doing, to give the old crock-pot a try. Who knows, it may work out just perfect. Oh, and I added splenda at the beginning when I was boiling the milk. Perhaps that had some effect on things. So, in conclusion, this is what I'm going to do next time... I will boil the milk (1%) with no splenda in it, let it cool, use the candy thermometer I bought today to know the right temp, add the bacteria starter, let it incubate in the crock-pot for 4.5 hours, then will see what I come up with. It's worth a second try right? Perhaps I'll wait a couple of days to try it again. I'm going to see today if I can salvage my first batch and use that up first.

Just to get you all excited for the 4th greatest holiday of the year! My personal favorites...

My Science Experiment

The other day, I was there in the Yoghurt aisle at the grocery store trying to find a good yoghurt that has the really good kind of bacteria in it. There's so many of these fancy schmancy kinds of bacteria out there now that are supposed to be really good for you. I was starting to get frustrated because all of these yoghurts are high in fat and sugars. I've been reading in this book about my condition that I need to avoid added sugars, and also fat, so I found myself frustrated that I couldn't find one that had the special bacteria and also was low in fat and sugar. So there I was at work voicing my frustrations at work to my co-workers, and Natalie suggests to me "Why don't you make your own yoghurt?" She told me that she found this Yogourmet mix at Sunterra Market that has the special bacteria in it that you make yourself. So, I figure, skim milk, splenda, a bit of fruit, bang, I've got my own special yoghurt. So, tonight, I'm going to give it a try. I'm sure I'll screw up my first batch, but why not, it's fun - like a science experiment. Heehee, so fun. Will let you know how it turns out. I'm sure it can't turn out too badly. If it works, maybe I'll move on to cheese one of these days. I was thinking last week, if there was a major emergency, and I was living on food storage for like a year or whatever, what would I do about cheese? I really don't know if I could live a whole year without cheese. So, the only answer is, one must learn how to make their own cheese. Granted, I would need land, and milk-producing cows, etc to begin with, but someday I do plan to have those things. Yes, I know I grew up in the city, but I'm a farm girl at heart. I long for the simple life really. Don't know if I'll ever have a simple life, but one can dream.