Solar Flair

A 240 Watt PW Array aims for the sky at Whisperwood.

It's so hot the TICKS are nappin'!  It's true!  Haven't had a bite out o' THEM for nigh on two weeks now!  Of course, sprinkling sulfur in the kitchen area helped immensely, but it's a fact — they aren't takin' to the heat any more n' I am.  Just when I've got the chance to stay PUT awhile and enjoy the great outdoors the temperature gauge turns to a hundred degrees and the tent gets a little asphyxiating inside!  No matter; help is on the way!  I just ordered a DC fan to run off my new solar panel which, thanks to the unrivalled expertise of a certain Jimis Damet of Rocky Grove Sun Company, is now happily installed on the very sunny slope.  How utterly TICKLED I felt on first pressing the ON button of my CD player and hearing the beautiful sounds of Robert Tree Cody's native flute wafting from the windows of my tent via the pure, unadulterated rays of the SUN.  It felt like magic!  It IS magic, and as soon as that precious fan comes in the mail, maybe I'll have a little more of that magical BREEZE comin' through the window, as well!

Spring Grape & Noodle Soup

Got grapes?  Ever ate the leaves?  There's lots of 'em growing wild in Whisperwood.  Of course, most vines snake upwards to the treetops and feed only the birds, and sprouts on the ground feed the deer, but occasionally I find a thicket of 'em just right in height for ME, and they are delicious!  Mind you I'm talking about the LEAVES; the fruit hasn't yet ripened!  The leaves have a sweet and tangy smell, especially when young, and add a lemony taste to recipes.  You can eat them raw, but they're a little tough.  Here's a soup I made that makes a wonderful, light meal on a cool spring day.  Note that any kind of noodles can be used, but I chose quinoa noodles because they are gluten free and a complete protein:

Small handful young grape leaves

About 2 cups of water

Olive oil (about a tablespoon)

Organic apple cider vinegar (about a tablespoon)

Sugar (about a teaspoon)

Pinch of rosemary

Salt and pepper to taste

Simmer above ingredients for 20 or 30 minutes.

Add some noodles; cook through.