The Author and Trees

By Cal Orey

Art is the tree of life. Science is the tree of death.

In San Jose Suburbs

William Blake

Trees. Since I was a kid trees have always had me at first glance. The trees my father planted to landscape our home (especially the huge magnolia one with its breathtaking picture-perfect flowers) in the suburbs were my first welcome. 

Then, as a teen driving over Highway 17, the Santa Cruz Mountains with redwoods captivated me. Going to Oregon for a family vacation to south San Jose swimming in the summer at pools surrounded by trees of all kinds made me feel safe.

Coming home

Walking dogs amid trees

Bellevue, WA for book signing

As I grew up and out of Northern California to travel through America and Canada, the variety of mountains always made me feel secure. I recall finding a dog in the Cascades of Washington, sleeping in van when in the Colorado Rockies, alone in a hotel room via the Appalachians on the Eastern seaboard, lying in a sleeping bag on the sand shaded by palm trees in Florida, savoring colorful leaves on trees in Vermont, again alone with my dog at night in the forest in Quebec, and swimming nestled by trees in the high desert ofFlagstaff, Arizona...

En route to SAC book signing

Later, moving to Santa Cruz Mountains and commuting to SFSU... I loved studying outdoors in the springime surrounded by trees...Not so much fun when a 6.2 quake hit in April of '84. Redwoods seemed anything but something I wanted to run to for safety's sake. Then, moving to San Carlos in the SF Bay Area I was surrounded by fruit trees again living in a historical bungalow setting...and onto Lake Tahoe a place that won my heart at the age of 27.

Mt. Tallac

Montreal last fall

Fallen Leaf Lake during off season

There is something about living with green trees that makes me feel embraced. Sure, during earthquakes it can be spooky; when a megastorm hits with lightning and thunder to when a giant tree falls on your home can be surreal. Not to forget the threat of wildfires and covering the Oakland Firestorm and evacuating the Angora Fire. It's like losing dear friends. 

Trees, big and small, all kinds, wherever they be, will be my forever best friends. They take on a life of their own, not to forget the shade, beauty, olives for universal and versatile olive oil--and sense of calm they provide.  I am connected to trees now and hereafter. 

Author-Intuitive Goes with the Flow

By Cal Orey

Pre-fall is in the air at Lake Tahoe. This morning it was a chilly 39 degrees; the kids have returned to school; and soon the resort pool will be available to me week long.  Other signs, including ads for autumn attire, falling pine needles, squirrels nibbling stuff on the ground, firewood lined up against the fence, flannel sheets en route to me--and teas galore to taste and enjoy for days, weeks, and months to come. 

On the Road  I was making plans to promote the Healing Powers series and combine tea book research. Still surprised at pricey Boston. California (Gilroy and Montclair) and Ohio (Cleveland) bookstores have shown interest and provided invites for me--author signings. Currently, I've decided to put these events on the back burner due to unexpected life's twists and turns. Read: Dog tooth surgery; new computer; and the latest challenge? 

Munching on a lozenge I chomped down and chipped a lower back molar. Today, I went to my friendly dentist who shaved the rough edge. A few hours later, it reminded me of the small rip in my water bed liner. Fixed it with a new one for peace of mind. Next Thursday morning I will be getting a crown for safety's sake and so I can continue to munch on crunchy apples and carrots--never again cough drops.  I do not want to be a Castaway character and end up in pain, stranded somewhere in Canada (if I do go to Ohio) with a tooth gone bad.

Book Research/Signings  So, my travel plans are on hold. The Ohio store intrigues me because several hours north puts me in Ontario, Canada the place I really want to revisit. I didn't want to take a small aircraft but this way I will be able to take the big plane and then board a train. 

Actually, Portland, Oregon was my first destination. I was welcomed to a Chinese tea garden and even got a press pass for the Coffee Fest come for late October. But it looks like I'll be brewing tea from China instead for now. 
I lived in Oregon back in the day when I was in my early twenties. It truly wasn't my favorite state and my goal was to waitress my way back to California which I did. Still, I almost booked a flight and room in downtown Portland but now I realize it's not going to happen. A collective sigh from my two dogs and cat.

Here Comes Autumn I believe in destiny. For now, nesting at Lake Tahoe, enjoying the upcoming off season, preparing my taxes for October 15 (not fun but a necessity), tasting, cooking, baking with countless teas--is all good. 
I don't need to get up a 2:30 A.M. to catch a shuttle bus, grab a jet plane to Salt Lake City and then Portland, fly away to a Coffee Fest...I will save travels for a rainy day. And with the chatter El Nino may just bring the West Coast rain and more rain. So perhaps if the end of October is stormy I'll see it as a blessing for the 1,000 dollar new crown of glory.

So for now, I will enjoy the moment and the moment after that: Bathing my boys, researching for the new book at home and via interviews around the world thanks to technology, and waiting for queries from the third edition of VINEGAR. And it's time to take the computer out of the box and set it up. My saved flight miles are in a safe place waiting for the right time for me to spread my wings.

Sweet Pancakes for Late Summer

By Cal Orey

 

Welcome to pancakes or hotcakes, a worldwide favorite food that goes way, way back in time around the globe. Fast forward to me working on deadline during Labor Day weekend to finish a book before autumn. While fine-tuning the book due, I watched films, including "Something's Gotta Give," a romantic comedy and "2012," a doomsday movie. Both flicks included the seven letter word: Pancakes. And that got me craving the thin, flat round cake made from batter, cooked on a frying pan or griddle.
In the Diane Keaton romantic comedy, the 50-something heroine, a single playwright, offers to make homemade pancakes late at night for her 60-something male friend, of sorts. I watched her take out the flour and that's when guilt set in. In the end days movie the mom character invited her ex-husband to join in for a pancake breakfast with their kids. The bottom line: Pancakes are both a comfort and romantic food. And they take me back to when I was a kid. On Sunday mornings, my mother made flapjacks from scratch.

So, on Monday morning I went to the kitchen and instead of grabbing the complete pancake mix that reads "add water," I took out the whole wheat flour, organic milk, and brown eggs. It was so easy to mix up. When I flipped over my first homemade pancake I woke up.

"Why didn't I do this before?" I asked myself.

Doing it yourself gives you the freedom of getting natural stuff - no artificial ingredients. That means you're getting both calcium and protein, and the fresh blueberries give you plenty of dietary fiber and antioxidants.

 Honey Pancakes with Berries or Chocolate Chips

1 1/2 cups whole wheat flour

3 teaspoons baking powder

1 teaspoon granulated table sugar

1 1/4-1/2 cups 2 percent, low-fat organic milk

3 tablespoons European style butter

1 brown egg, beaten

1 cup fresh blueberries or chocolate chips

Honey for syrup

European style butter

In a bowl, combine dry ingredients. Add egg, milk, butter. Fold in half of the berries. On medium heat warm up a non-stick frying pan. Drop batter in medium-sized circles in pan. When the pancake bubbles flip over and place on plate. Top a few pancakes with a pat of butter, drizzle with warmed up honey, and top with blueberries. Makes a dozen or more pancakes.

My pancakes were picture-perfect. The first bite was as good as a mix pancake - actually better. The flavor of sage honey (mine is from a beekeeper in Reno) and tart blueberries with a small amount of real butter was as good as it gets. Sure, these blueberry pancakes could have been a winner for a mate or kid(s), but the reality of it is that I made a short stack for me - a solo author with two dogs and a cat named Zen. I paired this fresh breakfast with a fresh brewed cup of chocolate mint coffee. It was a morning filled with sweet aroma and fit for a royal queen bee before she morphed into a worker bee (again).

Motto: If you pace yourself you can do whatever it is you want to do - including making homemade pancakes to writing a big book during the hot summer in a tourist town.

- Cal Orey is an author and journalist. Her books include "The Healing Powers" series (Vinegar, Olive Oil, Chocolate and Honey) published by Kensington. 

Here Comes the Fall (Sort of)

By Cal Orey

Fall is on its way!

Years ago summer was my fave season. Nowadays, not so much. The back-to-school ads make me smile. I am in my countdown mode... 40 days, give or take and into pre-autumn we go. The thing is when you live at a resort town, like Lake Tahoe, off season is bliss. It means you once again have access to the stores, less crowded roads, resort pools, dog trails, the Lake, and quietude. Less vacation homeowner visits, loud noises, stray dogs, and then the season itself? 

Last Sept. Quebec was my destination

I love the crisp mornings and evenings. The change of colors, from trees to the sky, make me think I live in the Pacific Northwest (almost).  And, of course, I love to bake and cook in cooler temperatures as well as walk the Brittany and Aussie (double dense coat).  It's coming...

High Tea Time is Coming

Autumn with Aussie

PNW for tea and coffee books in late fall?

And this year I do not have to purchase firewood because of last year's drought. I've got enough wood in the garage and against the fence (all nicely stacked and dry). It's probably time to start stocking the pantry and begin pre-seasonal cleaning before I dive into the next Healing Powers series book: TEA! (HONEY, COFFEE, OLIVE OIL, VINEGAR, and CHOCOLATE are available now for the upcoming autumn season.)

Soup for fall, homemade is best

The world of tea awaits!

Yes, my pantry is chock-full of teas--all kinds--ready for me to sip and savor, cook, and bake with as I enter Teaworld. This topic excites me and I am going to go somewhere where the tea people live but still can't decide exactly where...perhaps more than one destination will suffice.

So, I wait and prepare for the season of all seasons... Pine cones dropping, the first fire in the old rock fireplace, cuddling up with two dogs and a cat, planning a getaway to use those flight miles I postponed, bringing out the cozy throws, flannel sheets, sweaters and jeans, and quietude. Bring it on!

Healing Powers Series Author Feeling Pre-Fall in the Sierra

Off season in autumn

By Cal Orey

As we are coming closer to August, and the second Full Moon of July, I feel the end days of summer are coming sooner than later. Squirrel sitings, a chill in the morning, fresh pine cones chunks on the deck, fall fashion on websites, talk of El Nino (writing about it for the September issue of Oracle 20/20 Magazine), and kids back to school on the 10th next month are some cues to me that my favorite season will be here early.

Honey and Muffins for Fall

Pre-fall baking and cooking with superfoods for my next Healing Powers book is on my brain. Chocolate Mousse and a Peach Tart with a special tea twist is on this weekend's menu. I have an ongoing love affair with muffins — a sweet and savory mini cake. These cuties don’t need frosting. Homemade muffins taste so much better than pre-packaged, store-bought types and are less pricey than the monster-size ones at Starbucks. The best part is, you can control and store the ingredients — including seasonal fruits and nuts, like our wildlife in the mountains do when storing up for wintertime--forecasters predict a wet season, and I agree.

These muffins take me back to my living on a shoestring days in San Jose as an undergrad student. One Sunday, my guy pal brought home apples he picked from an unknown neighbor’s yard. I had lots of walnuts his mom gave me in a care package. So, I baked a batch of apple nut muffins. In the morning, it was the usual trek to school to get West Valley College for a grueling day of back-to-back classes. That special day in my favorite creative writing class, I asked my professor the all too common question, “Do I have any talent? I want to be a writer.” She looked at me. She smiled. I waited eagerly for her response as if she was a psychic. She answered, “You should move on to SFSU. That is where you need to be.” I gave her an apple nut muffin and she gave me the incentive to move forward and get my bachelor’s and master’s degrees.

Here I sit in my cabin and I am writing health cookbooks and articles. So, I have a soft spot for apple nut muffins from yesteryear and I’ve come full circle. This is a new, improved recipe for my muffins — a gift from me to you.

APPLE NUT MUFFINS

1/2 cup, packed, light brown sugar

2 teaspoons baking powder

1/4 teaspoon baking soda

1/2 teaspoon sea salt (optional)

1 1/2 cups whole wheat flour

1 brown egg, lightly beaten

1/4 cup European style butter, melted

1/2 cup sour cream

2 capfuls of pure vanilla extract

1/4 cup orange juice, not concentrated, with pulp

1 1/2 cups apples, peeled and cored and chopped (into small cubes)

1/2 cup walnuts, chopped

Granulated sugar

1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon

A trip to the Northeast this Fall?

Line 12 muffin tins with paper liners. In a bowl, combine sugar, baking powder, baking soda, salt and cinnamon. Add flour. In another bowl combine egg, melted butter sour cream, and orange juice. Mix all ingredients. Fold in apples and nuts. Spoon batter with an ice cream scoop into muffin tins. Sprinkle with cinnamon and sugar mixture and bake for 18-20 minutes. Makes 12 muffins.

Once in the oven I felt these cakes would turn out nicely. After about 10 minutes I peeked. They looked like wholesome muffins. Once baked, I savored a warm apple nut muffin spread with a bit of whipped cream cheese or drizzle with honey. (I was going to add cream cheese icing but decided to ditch the extra sugar.) These fruit muffins make the grade as is. Enjoy.

Motto: Hard work and drive can pa

On July 26, tourists light for Sunday

y off whether it’s following your dream or making muffins.

— Cal Orey, M.A. is an author and journalist. Her books include “The Healing Powers” series (Vinegar, Olive Oil, Chocolate, Honey, and Coffee) published by Kensington. (The Healing Powers of Honey was offered by the Good Cook Book Club.) The Healing Powers of Coffee, Vinegar, Olive Oil, and Honey are sold at Walmart stores nationwide. The Healing Powers of Vinegar, 3rd edition is in production; The Healing Powers of Tea is in progress.

July 19 Meltdown for Author on Break

By Cal Orey

Today is Sunday, a day in the week that is usually a good one filled with fun and spontaneous outdoor activities with my dog duo. But on this mid-summer afternoon I find myself in a minor meltdown mood. Let me count the ways how this day tanked and it's not over but should be...

Boston in the Fall? Planning my
B-Day book research escape

1) The go-to Reno guy to repair my bed with a cosmetic tear has gone simply AWOL. Translation: The problem is back in my court. He flaked right after I sat outside on a log with fresh pine tree sap; ruined my favorite skinny blue jeans. A call to Victoria's Secret repaired my grief. RIP. I loved those jeans.

My attire for the next trip: Boston, Chicago or somewhere cold
with Tea People

2) That freshly painted deck is now on the back burner. My loyal sibling has been MIA since yesterday. (I had a dream last night where someone showed me a newspaper article that he was missing.) So, the job remains undone much like the bed...
3) Speaking of beds...  He is somewhere, someplace with an ex boyfriend (no label ever made it to the table) who wasn't good enough for me but is fine for him to have good times the way guy pals do. (Thank God for my two canines who can spell loyalty.) It's not that I care; it's that our dog day afternoon has been scratched. Howl.
4) Last night a weak moment hit me. After dishing predictions on a psychic network I decided to play the online dating site, similar to hitting the casinos. Yes, I snagged a live one: younger, cute, blond, Gemini...

I miss Monday morning in B.C. Tomorrow
it's to the outdoor pool.

5) This morning when I called per his request I was rewarded with an obnoxious jerk on the road. Remember, I'm intuitive. As he loudly confirmed he was driving out of town and on a cell phone the words I heard were like scraping your fingernail on a blackboard. Let me recount how it went: "Are you a homeowner? How many square feet is your home?" Hello? Still at a loss for words.
6) And it got progressively worse. "I date women of all ages. I'm seeing a 26-year-old. When he returns I got an invite to travel 100 miles round trip to meet him because this one will be too tired.  I need an aspirin. And so it goes. Happily single...just needed a quick reminder of the reason behind my status.

Getting ready to decide where to flee to for pre-fall

7) By now my sinus headache (or another quake is due from the one last night that rocked Truckee) is about 11 on 1-10 scale and 10 being a mega pain in the bum.
8) So what was going to be a productive, loving life day has turned into a ice pack on the forehead (right between the eyes), "I'm not thrilled" weekend and I'm praying for magical Monday.
9) Tomorrow has to be better... and this week promises a teeth cleaning, touching up those roots on the locks, and summer cleaning this rustic Tahoe-style cabin.

10) One positive thing...I just heard the sound of thunder. The weather gods have sent Pacific Northwest clouds, thunder, and hopefully rain this way. Perhaps I will shop online and figure out how I'm going to spend those saved up flight miles...
A Bonus: My fico score is still in good standing. Maybe I should break the news to the one I tossed back to the sea.  I need a nice cup of hot tea.  And then it's time to brush the dogs' teeth... count my blessings. Thank God I am single and in love with soulmates with paws. No questions asked. Oh, and my senior Brittany has papers and is a Gemini...

UPDATE: Bed man showed. Sitting on it now! Great job. No longer longing for a man (especially after the dude who wants to know the square footage of my home).  Planning a pre-fall escape. Mondays are my favorite day. Motto: Everything is temporary. 

Author Departs Vinegar Land

By Cal Orey

It's official. I am leaving Vinegar Land tomorrow morning. My bags are packed, I'm ready to, and wishing I was off on a jet plane. (I may be sooner than later.) This time, however, I've been busy at work working on the third edition of The Healing Powers of Vinegar (Kensington). 
It's been fun. It's been challenging. It's been another experience. While I am done with this updated and revised edition I know too well that it will return with some notes from the editors. It's the way it's done. However, I also know that I'll have some time to exhale, regroup, and treat myself to lots of things that have been neglected...

Later this week a teeth cleaning. Both dogs have had their dental check-ups. The hair? Ah, it's about time to deal with those oh-so natural dark roots. And swimming? On Wednesday it's either back to the resort pool early in the mornings or to the outdoor pool. Decisions, decisions. 
And this old cabin I live in? Cob webs on the high beam ceilings. Raking is needed after the thunderstorms all last week. Summer cleaning. 

After working day and night (living and breathing a topic) for a lengthy time on a book project it's not uncommon for an author to get a surge of physical energy.  The thing is, writing is sedentary (after the research), and to stay focused often things that need to be done are put on the back burner. Also, staying balanced is a challenge because you enter another place--like Vinegar Land. But today, is a good day. For the most part, the project is done--or I will enter the land of over writing and editing (an editor once taught me that fact). I'm leaving the Vinegar People and regaining my life again. Caveat: I will be entering Teaworld once I find my balance.  A writer's work is never done.