The View From Mrs. Sundberg's Window

The sleeper must awaken

August 15, 2011

Listened to the show Saturday and it was not bad. Mr. Keillor started his Summer Love Tour on Friday, I believe, with a show in Grand Rapids, Michigan, and is planning to travel the country with somewhere around twenty shows in the next month or so. My gosh. Thank goodness he'll be back in Minnesota for the State Fair on Friday the 2nd of September, and again for the season opener at the Fitzgerald on September 17th. I won't make it to the state fair as I'm taking my daughter off to college that weekend and I may not be able to think clearly for a bit. The street dance, however, is possible, and there's nothing like that evening out there, dancing to good music with good people, the scent of meatloaf in the air, and stars twinkling above.

I recently came across a quote that stuck with me, something a man named Frank Herbert wrote: "Without new experiences, something inside of us sleeps. The sleeper must awaken." I got to thinking about that Love Tour, and how some people understand about adventure, and that life is short and you get only one, and how easy it is to slide into a kind of comfortable routine where not much happens. Not that routine is bad, mind you. But I'm thinking Mr. Herbert is right -- ain't nothing gonna happen unless you get out there and make it happen. I don't think I'd have it in me to do that many shows in a row, but Mr. Keillor does, and thank goodness for that. No sleeper, that man.

As for me, and mine, today is a routine day and I like it that way. I'm baking peanut butter chocolate chip cookies and finishing up the laundry, getting things ready round the house so I can have good peace of mind while I'm away fishing in Alaska with my father. A journey upon which we embark in the dark hours of Wednesday morning for six days of the Quest for the Halibut-Bigger-Than-I-Am. Yes, I know. It's a little silly. You ought to see me in my fishing gear.

However, it IS a new experience. I recommend the New Experience. You'll get a fluttery feeling in your chest, and misplace your insect repellent and your gardening/fishing/adventure bra as you prepare, and feel some apprehension about getting eaten by a bear. But you'll be awake. Feel awake. Feel. Be. Oh, yes.

I can't seem to get enough blueberries this year, and I've been throwing them into everything and everything into them. Here's a really fine muffin with berries and wild rice. Home-style for sure, and sweet, and plain good.

Blueberry Wild Rice Muffins

1 cup fully cooked wild rice
2 eggs, beaten
1/3 cup oil
1/3 cup honey or brown sugar
3/4 cup buttermilk
1/4 cup sour cream
2 1/2 cup flour
4 tsp. baking powder
1/2 tsp. salt
1 cup blueberries

In medium bowl, mix rice, eggs, oil, honey (or brown sugar), buttermilk, and sour cream. In large bowl, mix flour, baking powder, and salt. Stir in blueberries. Add ingredients from medium bowl into large bowl, stirring until just blended. Spoon into prepared muffin tins. Sprinkle lightly with sugar. Bake at 425 degrees for 15 to 18 minutes. Makes 18 muffins.

Enjoy!

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