I participate in a forum elsewhere - but thought some of you regulars might get a kick out of my lifestyle change. I've been SO busy learning so many new things, that I never sat back to ponder how my life's changed. The following is just a cut & paste of my post elsewhere. Don't have time to be philosophical. I have lots of mushrooms to chop/cut tonight. ------------------------------------------------------------

<I had the opportunity to "press the flesh" with Mike Wallace last night at a DC hotel.>

Well ... I got a hug and air-kiss from Dan Rather when he spoke in Houston at Forum Club 3 yrs ago:-)

Then again - that was my other life. I'm a happy gardener up in Oregon these days. I have NO idea why I waste good closet space with old designer clothes. I guess I keep them just in case I go to the "big city". Besides, it just killed me to take a $1,200 outfit to a consignment shop ... and only get $160 back. That's what I did with a few outfits before I left Houston.

LOL - I'm going to Goodwill Wednesday to pick up some more gardening clothes.

You missed my "60 Minutes" pot-luck dinner. I provided the smoked salmon ravioli and fresh asparagus (yummy) from my garden. Rest was pot luck. We only had 8 people, so I pulled out those Baccarat Massena glasses @$185/stem - Maybe it was $135. Can't remember. Depended on size of goblet.

Funny thing. In Houston I rarely used the Baccarat. Too expensive. Had to be hand-washed. My maid broke 3. Doesn't seem to matter anymore. Now I wash the dishes.

Today a friend came over to give me a "canning lesson". I got 20 lbs of mushrooms @$.97/lb. All other stores were $2.99/lb.

I have this WONDERFUL easy recipe for mushroom duxelle - for canapes. Found out I could can this stuff!!! Regardless of whether Y2K's bad or not ... I found out how to have a stash of something I absolutely adore. I've gotten creative. I'm gonna use it with fettucine, sandwiches and baked potatoes. Just hope there's some left come January 00!

------------------------------------------------------------

In late '97 and early '98, I spent about $12,000 of my own money ... trying to educate and "save the world". All to no avail. I met with technology editor of Time Magazine. Worth Magazine. Used contacts with USA Today, 48 Hours, Inc Magazine, Newsweek ... and no one cared.

In early '98 I spoke at conferences in NYC & Washington D.C. - to investment & legal community re "embedded systems" issues. Very discouraging. Plus I couldn't get reimbursed for all my expenses:0(

Finally decided I wouldn't spend anymore money trying to "save the world". I would concentrate ONLY on my IMMEDIATE family. No more effort with friends from my "old" life - and even cousins, aunts and uncles. Gotta establish priorities.

It hasn't been easy. It's been tough. Hardest thing is to have people who've always respected you ... now look at you like you said you were abducted by a UFO .... well, you guys know what I'm talking about.

I've met wonderful people in my "new" life. I have more in common with my new friends. Life's more casual. Less pretense. I love having people show up on my doorstep. In Houston, everyone had to check their "Daytimers".

Anyway - just thought I'd share. Gee, I feel like I'm at an AA meeting ... Hi, My name is Cheryl ... and I ...

-- Cheryl (Transplant@Oregon.com), May 24, 1999

Answers

Cheryl -

thanks! those of us who are in the process of picking up and getting out need to hear from y'all who've already gotten there!

Arlin

-- Arlin H. Adams (ahadams@ix.netcom.com), May 24, 1999.

Absolutely delightful story. Good luck! By the way, you said, "I have this WONDERFUL easy recipe for mushroom duxelle - for canapes. Would you post it?

Mr. K

-- Mr. K (Mr.K@a.crossroad), May 24, 1999.

Blech.

-- . (.@...), May 24, 1999.

Barf

-- barf (barfbarf@barf.com), May 24, 1999.

I'd like the duxelles canning recipe too! And thanks for risking the rude children (identified by their bleches) to tell us about your good luck. Um, you haven't got any more good recipes, have you? Dish them up!

-- Old Git (anon@spamproblems.com), May 24, 1999.

Cheryl,

Welcome home. That's how I feel. Went through a less transformaton but am happy to be of this mind. Simple real stuff, once seen, shatters. No cult guy here. I'll be better off regardless of how y2k works out

-- Carlos (riffraff1@cybertime.net), May 24, 1999.

bad sentence structure. please "shatters" a verb

-- Carlos (riffraff1@cybertime.net), May 24, 1999.

Cheryl- Best of luck in your new life! You sound soooo much like someone I know. I'm having mini feast flown in from Balducchi's for New Years Eve. May be our last chance to party for awhile.

-- Gia (Laureltree7@hotmail.com), May 24, 1999.

i>Blech. -- . (.@...), May 24, 1999. Barf -- barf (barfbarf@barf.com), May 24, 1999.

ROFLMAO - I get such a kick out of these guys who do this stuff. Amazes me why people even respond to people like this.

Here's the Mushroom Duxelle Recipe - very basic. Not hard. 1 lb mushrooms - chopped fine 1 Medium onion - chopped fine 2 Tablespoons butter/margarine 2 Tablespoons flour 2 Tablespoons milk Salt Pepper Herbs of choice - I like garlic and fresh rosemary. Be creative with what you personally like. Mushrooms are pretty bland.

Saute mushrooms & onions in butter/margarine. Add salt/pepper/herbs. When mushrooms are done, they are grey in color. When done, sprinkle flour and milk over mixture. You want to make a "paste".

If you want to use this for an hors d'oevre (canape) ... take Pepperidge Farm VERY THIN bread. Spread butter/margarine on outside. Fill with mushroom/onion "paste". Heat in oven @350-400 for about 10 minutes until golden brown. Remember to turn over. You want it golden brown on both sides.

OR ... CAN IT!!! Do everything ... but don't make the little sandwiches. CAN IT!

And, later ... spread on bread ... or baked potato ... or add extra milk/water/wine ... and put on fettucine. (I'm a butter freak. So, this is an easy way to get the richness of something I really like.) Be creative.

Don't trust me with the canning instructions. I'm making the mushroom mixture --- and a friend who's canned mushrooms (an all other kinds of stuff, for many, many years) ... is helping me with the canning process. I'm just a beginner. I'm sure there are others who can give more specific info from here.

It's amazing how many things can be "canned". Next week we're canning fried chicken (no skin). I'm fortunate that I live somewhere now where people know how to do this stuff. I need to have "hands on" experience. It's tough just doing it thru the "written word".

Good luck.

-- Cheryl (Transplant@Oregon.com), May 25, 1999.

<You sound soooo much like someone I know. I'm having mini feast flown in from Balducchi's for New Years Eve.>

"Flown in???> For New Years Eve????? LOL - good luck.

-- Cheryl (Transplant@Oregon.com), May 25, 1999.

Re: Balducchi's Well aren't we a gracious person? They send their stuff frozen, keeps for weeks. Nice talkin to you

-- Gia (Laureltree7@hotmail.com), May 25, 1999.

OK, I have a serious question. How much of the reported upgrade in lifestyle and values is directly related to the relocation aspect ?

Are there no people with these improved, simpler, more real, etc. attitudes where you came from ? Are there no materialistic phonies in Oregon ? I'm not disputing your reality, I'm trying to figure out why the concept of relocation is so crucial to our American ideal of the perfect and genuine re-imagination of our lives.

-- Blue Himalayan (bh@k2.y), May 25, 1999.

Gia - Don't be so sensitive. You misunderstood my comment. I'm not familar with Balducchi's. Didn't realize that their food was frozen. I'm gonna have a freezer filled with stuff at the end of the year too. Enjoy.

-- Cheryl (Transplant@Oregon.com), May 25, 1999.

Cheryl, so nice of you to post so fast with the recipie, sounds positively delicious. Mrs. K says it will be one of my cooking lessons [grin].

Did you happen to catch the thread on hamburger rocks? Do a FIND in the Foods archive. It would be interesting to hear about canned fried chicken, that's for sure! Even Col. Sanders could use that one, lol.

Mr. K.

-- Mr.K (Mr.K@a.crossroad), May 25, 1999.

Good luck Cheryl, my brother has a place in Grants Pass, I'm planning on working at a mainframe site at rollover, but if the signs in the preceeding weeks look ominous I will be heading towards the Rogue river :)

Later,

-- Andy (2000EOD@prodigy.net), May 25, 1999.

Cheryl,

Thanks for a delightful recipe. I grow so tired of canned peas, beans, and 'taters. However, I must take issue with your statement: "Mushrooms are pretty bland..." They are truely a food for the Elves, and I will brave mad ferocious dogs to "acquire" them.

Sincerely,

Ringbearer

-- Frodo (Baggins@Shire.com), May 25, 1999.

Cheryl, You are delightful... please come back and visit us... or, what is the URL where you usually post? Thanks again, Y2Dave

-- Y2Dave (daveforbes@earthlink.net), May 25, 1999.

<OK, I have a serious question. How much of the reported upgrade in lifestyle and values is directly related to the relocation aspect ? >

It's all personal. In my case the "upgrade" is emotional. My Houston friends would die laughing to think that what I've done is an "upgrade" in lifestyle.

Sometimes we're on treadmills  and don't even realize it. So many responsibilities and obligations 

<I'm not disputing your reality, I'm trying to figure out why the concept of relocation is so crucial to our American ideal of the perfect and genuine re-imagination of our lives.>

Physical relocation isn't the big thing. It's a mindset. Acknowledgement. Acceptance. Get on with your life. Make the best of what's been handed you. Once you've gotten over that hurdle - it's a piece of cake. But, that first hurdle is tough. Still not easy. Hard to walk alone and give up so much of your past. And have the support of so few.

<Are there no people with these improved, simpler, more real, etc. attitudes where you came from? >

Listen - there are good people everywhere. Bad people everywhere. And some in the middle.

My case is unique. I was born on a farm in Pennsylvania. For a few brief years when I was very, very small ... my dad was a coal miner. Had an outhouse in our first home - a long, long time ago. Almost all of my uncles worked in auto plants. I was the first of the 2nd generation to go to college. My background is "blue collar". I have a strong extended and loving family.

I moved to SF in the 70's - after backpacking thru Europe. Was in advertising back then - managing accounts. [Eventually supervised a multi-million dollar computer account ... before anyone heard of "personal" computers.] Got paid less than half what the guys got. Always felt like I had to work harder to prove myself. Mary Tyler Moore personality. Still am I guess.

I worked my butt off to prove myself, because ... many thought what I accomplished in life ... was because of my looks.

I'm the first to admit. Many of the EXCEPTIONAL opportunities in life probably did occur because of that. I hate to admit it. And, it's not fair.

In any event ... in the mid-80's I owned a national marketing research company. Got burned out. But, stayed on the treadmill.

Met a wonderful man. Cut back on my business. Finally had a personal life. Was very fortunate. He was quite wealthy. For 8 years we travelled throughout the world. From Patagonia to Bali to Istanbul to Bora Bora ... and each year we would bike for 2 weeks in various areas of France.

I developed customized software applications for my company [self-taught]- eventually did it for his company. He sold his company to someone then listed on NASDAQ ... now NYSE. Thank g*d - my "ex-clients" ultimately changed to something else ... which, funny enough ... is not Y2K compliant.< Didn't realize that until I saw a press release regarding a class action suit. [Let me off the hook.]

In any event, thru all of these so called glorious years of the "lifestyle of the rich and famous" ... I never lost touch of my roots and values. Each year there would be a Directors Meeting" in Jamaica.

Listen, I really enjoyed those trips. First class air. First class private villa with maid & buttler. But - heated discussions at dinner. Me against the world - LOL. I learned to pull back - after all - I was the hostess. My "ex" was paying for everyone's trip.

GEEZ  I'm tired. And, I'm probably talking about stuff that no one has an interest in.

So, I'll sign off. But - this is a catharsis. It's been lonely not sharing. And I guess I offer a unique perspective.

FINAL COMMENT BEFORE I SIGN OFF ... I anticipate very grave disruptions. I made this move to Oregon, not for myself. But, for my niece and nephews. They don't realize it - they're too young. I can't openly discuss this with their parents. They'd freak out.

I would love to be wrong with what I envision. But, of anyone in my family ... I'm the only one who understands the potential risk and who is willing to make the sacrifices necessary to prepare adequately ... just in case.

If I'm wrong, I've lost a substantial amount of money and maybe alienated some "friends". If I'm right ... I've protected my family.

-- Cheryl (Transplant@Oregon.com), May 25, 1999.

As a friend pointed out one day ref mushrooms: "There's no such thing as too big"

But we were discussing a TRUE delicacy===== PUFF BALLS and he had just traded me even a half pound of Amish butter for a half pound of puff ball (roughly 30 % of the original ball which was aproximately volleyball sized).

Chuck

-- Chuck, a night driver (rienzoo@en.com), May 25, 1999.

Cheryl,

Get off that other forum, and come hang with us! You'll fit right in here, for many reasons that I can see. Besides, we can all benefit from your experience. Please... <:)=

-- Sysman (y2kboard@yahoo.com), May 25, 1999.

Second that! Welcome, bright voice!

-- jor-el (jor-el@krypton.com), May 25, 1999.

Cheryl...except for the hubby being an ex, you could of written my life. I am older than you and I quit the treadmill and bought a farm in western Washington State in 1974. I no longer live there, having moved to Florida 4 yrs ago. But let me tell you, I never looked back except to say "thank you God". I learned how to can, bake, fish, garden and all those things. Best decision I ever made in my life. Go for it girl....each learning experience is so exciting. The first time I canned I let the jars sit on the shelf for a week before putting them away. I just had to look at them and the glow of satisfaction radiated from me. My first attempts at bread will probably be dug up by archeologists some day and classified as part of a meteorite that hit the ground millions of years ago. But once you learn how to do it....its wonderful. And look at all those skills I now have which I have dusted off. Yesterday I canned 40 pts of stuff out of the garden. I get excited for you because I know the joy of it all.

Got guts enuff to make the move?

Taz

-- Taz (Tassie @aol.com), May 25, 1999.

You have lost nothing. You regained yourself. Time is the most valuable of things. You have regained your time..and possibly your soul as well. As you age you will forego many things to have a few more moments of freindship, of love, of family. All the things we thought were so important weren't really that important; career, status, priviledge.

Country people don't have as high a ladder to climb and spend more time being neighbors and friends to those around them.

Have fun and do your part as well.

-- David (C.C@I.N), May 25, 1999.

but this is one of the "benefits" of Y2K- the chance to really take a good hard look at where you are and what you're doing. and if that look doesn't please you- how can you change your life so it does. And if it takes something like y2k to do that- well- nothing wrong with that.

-- anita (hillsidefarm@drbs.com), May 25, 1999.

top

-- top (top@top.top), May 26, 1999.