Oh my gosh, it is so windy today!! I had some asthma wheezing for the first time in a long time this morning, walking from the MAX stop into the building where I work. Wind is deadly for ashthma, although I don’t know why. I guess I better start taking my daily medication again. I was having such a good summer, not having any attacks even without the medication (I’d prefer NOT to take medication, if I can get away with it). It’s been a few years since I’ve had a really bad attack, and a few more years since I had to go to the ER for it (and OY! was that expensive!).

Okay, I admit it. Like Jack Bog, when all else fails, we can write about the weather. Actually, I’d love to add a weather feed to my website, for Portland (and maybe someplace nice, like Acupulco…).

Maybe I’ll work it out today.

Instead of going off about how crappy I feel (depression kills, I tell ya, and I can’t afford to go to a doctor but that’s a whole ‘nother post), I thought I’d post my latest favorite recipe.

Quick Fish Soup

2 tsp safflower oil
1 leek
3 large potatoes, cubed
2 carrots, cut into 1″ chunks
1/4 cup chopped parsley
1/2 tsp dried dill
1/4 tsp salt
6 cups water
1 lb firm fish (cod, orange roughy, perch) cut in 1″ pieces
paprika for garnish

In a large pot, saut? onion in oil until translucent.
Add vegetables, water, and seasonings and simmer 20 minutes.
For a creamier texture, pur?e part of the soup and return to the pot.
Add fish and simmer 10 minutes more.
Serve in bowls and garnish with paprika.

This stuff rocks. We love it. You will love it too.

I’m feeling really weird about some stuff going on in my head and life, and find I’m really uncomfortable talking about it here. Usually, I don’t care, I’ll spew forth for whoever reads.

But I’m in a spot where I don’t feel like I can talk about some things until they’re done or at least until I’m done processing them.

I’ve been taking a class on women and trauma at PSU. It’s sort of a weird name for a class if you aren’t up on your psychojargon-ese. We talked about child abuse, domestic violence, sexual assault. The trauma part relates to the physical and psychological effects of abuse. It has been very, very interesting.

If I don’t update as often, it’s probably because I’m too tired of pretending life is hunky-dory for the benefit of friends and co-workers, to come here and pretend some more.

In Oregon-related stuff, how about this weather? It’s been so strange, so very warm lately. I’m waiting for plagues of locusts or something… I also just want to say how glad I am I live in Portland. The advangates of a bigger city are really coming in handy right now.

Happy Monday, y’all. Let’s be nice to each other, it’s a crazy world out there.

I’m hoping to go to Seaside this weekend. I haven’t been to the beach in ages…

We’re taking Sunday off, so maybe I’ll get a chance.

The weather is supposed to be nice, too. I made a ton of soap this week, scents I haven’t had in stock for a while, so I’m hoping sales are good on Saturday.

Happy Friday!

Elliott Smith died yesterday. He apparently committed suicide.

This makes me so very sad, because I greatly admired his music.

Depression is a terrible, terrible thing.

Goodbye Elliott.