2007 November « Howling Hill

No New Job

Posted On November 29, 2007

I was hoping to post I had gotten a new job in the organization I currently work for, but to do so would be a lie. Anne called me today to tell me I’m SOL–they hired someone else.

My heart is heavy and my wallet shivers in fear. I am so very, very terrified what little we have will be taken away because I cannot find full-time employment. I took my current job as a stepping stone both into the work force and into the progressive movement. I’ve come to realize it’s not just the feminist movement which is made up of entirely middle class white folk, the entire progressive movement is for those who can afford it. And I’m not one of those people. Well, I’m the white part, but not the rest.

I have never been so afraid in my life. So afraid I will never find gainful employment. So afraid my mobile home will be taken away and I’ll be homeless. So afraid of drowning in debt.

I get laid off Jan 9th. I’ve not found a job to fill the gap. Try as I might, I can’t get a waitressing job because I don’t have any experience. Times like this remind me how foolish I was to get a college degree. I never should’ve left the workforce and wasted my time and money in academia. It’s left me nothing but afraid and in debt.

Questions on Pressure Canning

Posted On November 29, 2007

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The pressure canner I ordered came in yesterday (it was fast!!) so today, I decided, would be the day to try it out for the first time.

Last week I froze turkey soup in the pot I made it in (put the whole pot into the freezer) so today I defrosted it, cleaned the mason jars I have around the house (I actually have a ton of them but most are in storage), and put the soup into the jars. I followed the directions which came with the pressure canner but I’m not convinced I’m doing it right.

First, the directions say to use 3 quarts of boiling water. I did this but this amount of water doesn’t cover the jars. Should the jars be completely submerged in water? Is it ok the jars are not submerged?

Second, I’m having a really hard time keeping the pressure at 11psi. I keep fiddling with the burner (it’s gas. I can only imagine how much more difficult this would be if I had an electric stove) but haven’t found “the spot”, thus the pressure goes from 10-15, averaging at 12. Is this ok?

Third, will the 3 quarts run out? If the purpose is to steam the jars, won’t keeping the heat high boil down the water so there’s nothing in there? If it does run out of water, how will I know? Should I replace it or just let it be?

Am I just being paranoid?

Thing is, the directions booklet has me completely afraid I’m going to poison myself and Wolf. I felt like that when I did my first canning project, but now I’m at a new level of fear.

Assistance, please!

Canning

Posted On November 25, 2007

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Earlier this year I taught myself how to can. I made lots of Eden’s Zucchini Pickles, (waaaay to) sour pickles, stewed tomatoes, kosher pickles, and spaghetti sauce. I tried to get both a bath canner and a pressure canner off Freecycle a number of times over the summer but was unsuccessful. Beverly was nice enough to give me her bath canner in order to make this process easier (and cheaper).

Today I splurged and bought a pressure canner so I can can soups and stews. Freezing them is all well and great (and will take up space in the freezer chest) but it’s hard to give away frozen soup to people. Canning them makes it so much simpler as far as gift giving goes.

It’ll take a week or so for my handy dandy new pressure canner to come in. I’m very excited!

Pressure Canner

Posted On November 25, 2007

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Earlier this year I taught myself how to can. I made lots of Eden’s Zucchini Pickles, (waaaay to) sour pickles, stewed tomatoes, kosher pickles, and spaghetti sauce. I tried to get both a bath canner and a pressure canner off Freecycle a number of times over the summer but was unsuccessful. Beverly was nice enough to give me her bath canner in order to make this process easier (and cheaper).Today I splurged and bought a pressure canner so I can can soups and stews. Freezing them is all well and great (and will take up space in the freezer chest) but it’s hard to give away frozen soup to people. Canning them makes it so much simpler as far as gift giving goes.

It’ll take a week or so for my handy dandy new pressure canner to come in. I’m very excited!

John, Zach, and David…Where Are All the Pagan Men?

Posted On November 25, 2007

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I forgot to post this when it first came out on Witchvox. Better late than never! John, Zach, David…Where Are All the Pagan Men? by Silverwolf Sanctuary. A wonderful article calling Pagan men forth.

Full Moon in Gemini

Posted On November 25, 2007

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Wolf and I went to Silverwolf’s last night for a wonderful full moon ritual entitled “Ritual to Strengthen Communication”. It seemed so appropro for me. My job requires good communication and while I think I’m open and communicative, my workmates don’t always agree.

The night was a bit cold last night, after all, it is winter now. Mistress was in her full glory but high clouds shrouded her. Still her light came though, but muted. Glenn light a nice fire which we gathered round for the ritual. There were seven of us there: Kim, Maggie, Myself, Annie, Wolf Glenn, and Sean. It was a nice, intimate ritual, the kind Wolf and I like best.

Maggie is a wonderful singer so often we sing to the deities. I feel bad for the rest of the ritual goers, though. I can’t carry a tune in a ten gallon drum. Regardless I sang this chant with the other six:

We are one, the stars and the moon and the sun,
We are one, the stars and the moon and the sun.
Pathway through the universe, flying in and out of the spiral
Pathway trough the universe and we’ll rise with the setting sun.
We are one, the stars and the moon and the sun
We are one, the stars and the moon and the sun.
Pathway through the universe, we are sojourning together
Pathway through the universe, twine the thread for we are one.

After ritual we went back to Silverwolf’s house and hung around. Wolf and I have been very isolated of late so the downtime just being with people really nourished us in ways we needed. It was a night filled with laughter and stories, my favorite kind of event. I want to talk to Maggie and Glenn for a few minutes alone but we all stayed to late for that. I’ll have to call them and set up a time when we can get together to discuss what I want to discuss.