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How to Cut Your Own Christmas Tree
2010-12-14 20:34:00
(and still have a Merry Christmas ) It's been a tradition ever since my Dad was little; we cut our trees. In the wild. Back in the 40s and 50s Grandma and Grandpa would bundle up the family in search of the perfect tree but once my Dad and Uncle Jim were old enough (back then that could have been around 11 or 12, who knows?) they were assigned the manly task of getting the tree.  Dad tells the story of one particular year while, as a teen, he was out searching for a tree with his younger brother and once they were way out in the middle of the wilderness with nothing but lots of snow and a large handsaw between them he turned to Jim and said in his wickedest voice, "You know . . . Mom and Dad sent me out here to kill you." Yes, that's our family and the Christmas spirit. As a kid I thought the story hysterical. Now, as a mother I think it's an abomination, but what can you do?  Normally we go tree hunting on a school day so the kids have the added thrill of missing a...
More About: Alaska , Tree

Mediterranean Pesto Sausage Soup
2010-12-12 10:00:00
Seems I've been on a soup kick. Is that so wrong? Soup s are healthy, filling, easy to make and are usually fairly economical as well. We eat them at least twice a week, especially in the winter and this one was a new recipe I recently came across that is Fabulous. With a capital F. olive oil 1 pound smoked pork sausage 1 red onion, finely diced 1 tablespoon minced fresh garlic 1 pound red lentils 28 ounces chopped tomatoes 8 cups chicken broth ½ cup fresh basil, julienned salt and fresh ground pepper to taste 4 ounces pesto Saute the smoked pork sausage in the olive oil until broken up and browned. Add the red onion and garlic and saute until onion is tender. Add the lentils, tomatoes and broth and bring to a boil. Reduce heat and simmer for 1 hour or until lentils are tender and breaking up. Add salt, pepper and pesto and serve with julienned basil for garnish.© 2005-2011 Scribbit, LLC all rights reserved
More About: Sausage , Pesto

Nativity Sets
2010-12-08 19:53:00
I have a couple nativity sets though neither is particularly full of sentimental value to me. I can't remember where I got the first one but it's the teeniest, tiniest, bite-sized nativity you've ever seen, with baby Jesus being about the size of a pea--a split pea that is. The other I got at Walmart for about $9.95 because I figured I really ought to have a nativity set and as I didn't really like any of the sets I saw in the stores, one was as good as another so I went for cheapest.  Ten years later it's still not fancy or pretty but it's what we've got. Now maybe if I'd seen one of these (and had plenty of money) it would be a different story. How many nativity sets do you have? I know people who collect them until their homes are overrun with magi and barnyard animals. This faux-origami porcelain nativity from Gumps is really quite the thing, isn't it? If you have small children and want to have the pieces last until the next year you may want this wooden block...
More About: Sets

A Christmas Book and Giveaway
2010-12-07 10:00:00
We've got our decorations up and this Saturday we'll be suiting up to head south into the wilderness to harvest our very own Christmas tree so I'm definitely feeling the spirit of the season. Pictures to follow. I wanted to share this beautiful book that I was sent to review that is more than just a sweet little book about Christmas.  If you've ever felt that Christmas was overly commercial or that the meaning of the holiday was lost among the wrapping paper and price tags then I completely (or should I say unreservedly? Unconditionally? Fervently? Take your pick) recommend that you read What Think Ye of Christmas? whose beautiful message shared through brilliant water color illustrations teaches that the holiday is still there and spiritually thriving if only we take the time to look for it in the many symbols of Jesus Christ. It's simple and full of hope and joyous--all of which we need more of in our lives, no? The book is by Ester Rasband and this second edition is i...
More About: Book

Planting Flowers
2010-12-06 10:00:00
When I was a young-ish teen I read a story that's stuck with me.  It's an allegory about a young man named Malcolm who, on his way to work one day, comes across a random stranger who irritates him.  Maybe the stranger cuts him off in traffic, maybe he unknowingly insults Malcolm--I don't exactly remember--but in memory of the offense Malcolm picks up a small rock and puts it in his pocket so that he won't forget what was done to him. Throughout the day Malcolm rubs his rock, reliving the rudeness.  So begins a habit and from time to time in the coming week Malcolm repeats his odd ritual, picking up rocks any time someone does something he doesn't like.  Sometimes the offense is a little thing, sometimes it's a bigger insult, but soon Malcolm's rock collection is thriving so well that he begins carrying a backpack for all his rocks.  Each day there are more rocks and, as stories often go, things progress until finally we find Malcolm stuck in his home...
More About: Flowers

Spanish Potato Soup
2010-12-05 10:00:00
You go along, thinking you've seen every soup under the sun and then one day without any warning you come across a new recipe and just like that your world is a little bit better. It's got that regular old potato soup base but then with addition of paprika and tomatoes it becomes something so much more . . . so much better. I LOVE it. 4 tablespoons olive oil 1 1/2 large sweet onions, finely diced 8 garlic cloves, minced 6 large potatoes, cubed 2 tablespoons paprika 1 28-ounce can pureed tomatoes 6 roma tomatoes, diced 1 teaspoon crushed thyme 9 cups chicken broth 2 teaspoons corn starch salt and pepper to taste 2 cups light cream sliced olives for garnish Heat the oil in a large stock pan, add the onion and garlic and potato and saute for five minutes until the onions begin to soften.  Add paprika and cook another few minutes.  Add the can of tomatoes and chopped tomatoes (I just used half canned and half fresh because that's what I had on hand but you can go eit...
More About: Spanish , Soup , Potato

Best Christmas Gifts 2010
2010-12-02 20:17:00
I've nearly got all my Christmas shopping done which is a Christmas miracle in itself. I'm organized, I'm top of things, but when it comes to holidays I'm always busy having fun rather than shopping and planning. Here's my list of Christmas gifts I'd recommend. Some of them are already here and wrapped, some are on the wishlist for coming years, but all are guaranteed and certified to be 100% great gifts. 1. The Icelandic Design Nepalese Cardamom Earflap Hat from REI. (have you ever had such a string of modifiers in your life??)  But despite the offensively long name that means so little I am in love with this hat. I can see myself skiing with those cute little pompoms waving in the breeze. I hope they make it in godzilla size for my extra enormous head. 2. The Kitchen Sink from Sea to Summit. I have a man who is obsessed with backpacking and light weight camping who would go bonkers for this. You can see how tightly it folds up and how big it gets so you can . . . do ...
More About: Gifts

Hodge Podge
2010-12-01 19:14:00
As my title suggests, I have here an odd mix of items for your attention. A plethora. A veritable cornucopia of links. First, courtesy of my favorite husband, is a fascinating preview of a new documentary called "The Joy of Stats" (yes, I know, statistics thrills me about as much as standing in line at the DMV but pretend with me for a minute).  Four minutes of your time might change your mind about how you feel about statistics after this classy little show. Then, a photographer that is different from your average.  I'm a bit of a grump when it comes to the funky, crazy, bizarre, modern engagement photo. I don't like the couple hanging all over each other and I don't like that vogue washed-out look designed to make the photo look as if it's sat in a drawer for 50 years.  I don't like the weird camera angles and ripped jeans attire but I do like Jason Lee's creative photography. Somehow it's not just about the gimmicky stuff, it's about the models and how t...

Woodburned Boxes
2010-11-30 19:43:00
I've had this project sitting around for about 18 months and I finally got to it and it turned out so pretty and was so much easier than I thought it would be that I'm not sure why I didn't get it done before. Who knows why my mood swings function as they do. I was inspired by one of my favorite Etsy stores--Sixth and Elm--that takes woodburning to new heights. Any wooden box will work and I got mine at a local craft store for $4.99. The idea of burning all that script freehand was terrifying but once I figured out the cheating techniques it wasn't hard at all.  Here's how I did it: Step One Print whatever script you'd like to use from your computer.  I didn't go fancy but used Monotype Corsiva in 16 point font, double spaced, with wide enough margins so that the text would fit over the entire top of the box, side to side and top to bottom.  At Sixth and Elm Chantelle uses the French text of the love letters of Abelard and Eloise but I chose my favorite poem...

My Latest Sweater
2010-11-23 02:33:00
I partially knitted the front of this sweater three times before I finally got it right. The first time it was smaller than the pattern indicated (even with my gauge being accurate) and the second time I noticed the tiny cables were much looser than they were pictured in the pattern. As in not as pretty. So I unpicked and knitted one size bigger and twisted twice as tightly (every 4 rows instead of every 8) and was finally satisfied. The fun thing is, the cowl and the sweater are actually two separate pieces so that if you're cold you can wear it with extra warmth (and fashion) but without for a cooler day (or a coordinating scarf). All in all very nice.  And I'm on to another. If you're interested in this one for yourself you can find the pattern here at Lion Brand (for free!!). And by the way . . . I'll be taking a break until after the Thanksgiving weekend.  We've got volleyball and sledding and The Nutcracker and lots of pie-baking and gluttony on the schedul...
More About: Sweater

Baked Potato Soup
2010-11-21 23:03:00
If you're not already eating hot, chunky, stick-to-your-hips-to-build-up-those-rese rves food this winter I guess this may not be your thing but as for me, I'm working hard on the hot, steaming carbs. Soup s are a staple around here and this one is a favorite (because what's not to like about potatoes, cheese and bacon?) And if you happen to have extra mashed potatoes left on Friday you can use those quite nicely. Sometimes I'll give it a Mexican flair with a good dose of paprika and chili powder. 2 large potatoes 1/2 cup minced onion 1/3 cup butter 1/3 cup flour 4 cups milk ¼ teaspoon salt ¼ teaspoon pepper 1 1/2 cups Cheddar cheese 4 slices crumbled bacon 3 tablespoons green onion Bake potatoes at 425 for 40-60 min till tender, cool. Scoop out of skins.Saute minced onion in butter till tender. Add flour, salt, pepper and mix well.  Add milk slowly, whisking as you go to keep it smooth. Add it all, whisking constantly. Cook till thick and bubbly. Lower heat and c...
More About: Baked , Potato

Really?
2010-11-19 02:33:00
I got my latest Athleta catalog yesterday. Yes, I like working out (even more if I've got spiffy workout clothes) and yes I do a bit of yoga here and there but when I got to this picture my mouth fell open. Are they kidding me?? Do they really think that this is going to get me to buy their clothes? All I can think about is the feeling of tearing and ripping and intense pain.  It totally took me out of the spending-money-on-workout-clothes mode. Completely.© 2005-2011 Scribbit, LLC all rights reserved

Good Stuff Coming: Teen Underground
2010-11-17 03:47:00
Big, BIG news! Our local Z.J. Loussac Library, with the help of the Anchorage Rotary Club (Downtown), is creating a special area at the library just for teens and they held a contest this past month to create a logo for the newly christened Teen Underground project. Spencer, with his new little Mac Mini and his crazy Illustrator skills decided to throw his hat into the ring . . . and he won! The prize is an iPad but I think the thrill of winning is nearly as mind blowing as the electronics.  He was thrilled not only that he won but that the judges were so complimentary and kind in their praise, one of them even offering to mentor him (which I think is probably the biggest prize of all). Anyway, it was all a terribly potent and explosive secret to try and keep but today at the club luncheon they unveiled it all and I can officially let that cat out of the bag.  And actually, that experience was wonderful in itself.  I'd never been to a Rotary meeting before and it ...
More About: Alaska , Stuff , Good

Bring on the Apples
2010-10-28 02:12:00
We have a family tradition of holding taste tests.  Sometimes we'll go for junk food and sample half a dozen different kinds of chocolate or perhaps vanilla ice cream (the best flavor, by the way) but sometimes we'll exert ourselves to be a little healthier and we'll nibble our way through fruits and veggies. With all the fall produce on sale, I bought one of every kind of apple I could find and we sliced them up and each tried a slice to determine which apples were the best tasting. Out of Braeburn, Red Delicious, Golden Delicious, Granny Smith, Honeycrisp, Jazz, Gala and Fuji we were fairly unified on preferring the Honeycrisp, which received the highest marks overall.  It ranked #1 more often than any other apple though Jazz (which was my personal favorite) was a consistent #1-#2 as well right behind it. Since Honeycrisp are typically the most expensive apple out there I've been happy to get Jazz apples instead for nearly the same taste but with a huge difference i...
More About: Apples

How to Mummify Your Chicken
2010-10-26 19:39:00
Otherwise Entitled: Because Everyone Needs More Embalmed Fowl in Their Life My sister, Carinne, has been homeschooling two of her children this year and as part of their study of ancient Egypt they decided to (get this) make their own mummies. But as full-fledged bodies are a little scarce (even at Halloween) they opted for the more legal and safe method of learning about embalming by mummifying chickens. Or rather, they used cornish game hens (smaller and easier to manage). When you're dealing with dead animals, smaller is usually better. You'll need: 1 small chicken (or game hen) 3 boxes baking soda 3 cans baking powder lots of cans of salt paper towels 2 large plastic Ziploc bags protective gloves rubbing alcohol scented oil spices of your choosing water white glue linen strips Step 1 Put on those gloves. No one wants mad chicken disease. Remove the neck and whatever organs may be included.  You can mummify them separately if you wish but unfortunately the organs wil...
More About: Chicken

Chicken Rockefeller Pizza
2010-10-24 10:00:00
We have been on a huge pizza kick lately.  Well, actually, we've always been on a pizza kick but I finally took a stand and said, "NO MORE PEPPERONI!!!" Yes, I said it just like that. In fact, I could go the rest of my life and never eat another piece of pepperoni and would consider my days a success.  We'd fallen into that bitter meat trap and as pepperoni is nearly the only topping everyone could agree on so by default that had become our staple. But no more.  I told them that it didn't matter if they shriveled and died from the pining but I was instituting a moratorium on any pizza swimming in that nasty pool of red grease. I went out and bought a book on pizza, got some recipes from friends and then picked up the menu from Moose's Tooth (our favorite pizza place on the planet) so I could try and immitate their succulent non-pepperoni varieties. You see here the Chicken Rockefeller pizza from Moose's Tooth (or rather, my own knock-off) and it was so good I...
More About: Pizza

Treat Yourself to a Galloping Giveaway
2010-10-23 09:20:00
You've heard about people who are addicted to lip balm? Yea, that would be me.  Though I'd probably expand that addiction to include anything that you rub on your skin that smells good. Galloping Goats Farm contacted me to see if I'd try their products handmade from goat milk and it didn't take much arm twisting to get me to give them a try.  I was curious if I could feel much of a difference between regular soap and their soft goatsy stuff because it's supposed to be better balanced to the pH of your skin and therefore less prone to drying it out (I have the world's driest skin). I was pleased with how mild it was--it didn't seem nearly as filmy and hard as my normal stuff and while it smelled wonderful (I liked the Confederate Jasmine scent) it wasn't overpowering.  The lip balms likewise were great and I love the honey clover flavor. I mean scent. I noticed on their site they're also advertising an insect repellent skin product that I'd be interested i...
More About: Treat

Seen Any Good Squirrels Lately?
2010-10-20 10:00:00
When my world-famous brother, Luke, came to visit the kids had a list of things they wanted to do. Right around number one was "Build a squirrel trap." Because the last time Uncle Luke came to visit he built them one with some scraps of lumber and they did, in fact, catch a squirrel.  Apparently all you need is a good dose of peanut butter on a stick and they're putty in your hands. The kids set out the trap along the fence in the back yard and within hours the door had snapped shut and there was one very angry squirrel rattling around inside. The kids, of course, were thrilled with their forest friend and wanted to keep him but their mother (the killjoy of the family) insisted that the squirrel be free range which meant taking him down to the woods at the end of the cul de sac and letting him go. Problem is, apparently our squirrel had developed Stockholm Syndrome or something because when the kids opened the door to let Elsa go, there it was, stuck inside the box, unwilli...
More About: Squirrels , Good

Something I Had Vowed Never to Do
2010-10-19 00:49:00
Andrew and I did something we swore we'd never, ever do. We have allowed our kids to have a computer in their bedroom. For years I've sworn that my kids would never be allowed to have a computer, let alone one in their bedroom, I've said that parents who give in and let their children have such a dangerous piece of equipment are completely crazy and then here am I, breaking my own first commandment like a loony. I've told my kids that letting them access to the internet is rather like letting them play in the street--sooner or later they're likely to get hit--so as a responsible mother I'm duty-bound to regulate things for their protection which has meant that the only computers in the house were our two Mom-and-Dad laptops which Andrew and I could move to the kitchen counter when the kids needed to do research online. They didn't like this approach but then they're not much of a voting block around here when it comes to formulating policy. Take it or leave it. But then S...

Linguini Puttanesca
2010-10-18 06:33:00
This is one of my favorite go-to recipes for a quick dinner and while it is one of those dishes where it's guaranteed to offend nearly everyone at the table (Diner A doesn't like olives, Diner B doesn't like capers, Diner C doesn't like any of the above plus distrusts the little green leaves throughout) I like it and that's pretty much all that counts, right?? Trust me. It's good. 6-8 roma tomatoes, finely diced ½ cup diced olives 3 tablespoons capers 4 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil 2 tablespoon balsamic vinegar 1 teaspoon sugar ½ teaspoon salt 1 tablespoon minced garlic 1 cup chopped fresh basil leaves 16 ounces linguini parmesan Mix everything but the linguini together (if I'm in a hurry I tend to resort to pulsing the tomatoes in a food processor) while the linguini is boiling. Once the noodles are draining throw the tomato mixture into the hot, empty stock pot and let it heat slightly.  Toss the noodles back in the pot and mix them well to coat. Serve topp...

Crabapple Butter
2010-10-14 10:00:00
I have two big crabapple trees but usually by the time the weather gets cold I'm too tired to bother messing with them. Then I saw this post on how to make crabapple butter and I knew what I was going to do with all those bright red little guys.  I picked three big buckets full of crabapples then rinsed them off and tossed them into the pot with a bit of water (don't worry about the stems or cores, you'll strain those out eventually). After ten or so minutes of stirring them around in the boiling water until they start breaking up they're ready for the next step. I pushed them through a sieve with the back of a wooden spoon which produced a large bowl of pink crabapple mush (which you see sitting on my counter there).  A little sugar to taste, a little cinnamon for a kick and then I was ready to boil it down to its butter form.  I boiled it and boiled it until my house smelled like heaven and I had a big pot of sweet-tart crabapple butter.  Not only is it...

Zemindar
2010-10-13 10:00:00
by Valerie Fitzgerald I don't have much of an excuse for being so glaringly absent--though that doesn't stop me from trying to make one anyway.  Say it was the hibernation sickness that's coming on with the cold weather, say it was the baking of apple pies, say it was the sewing and cleaning--pick one. It doesn't matter, I've just been enjoying life quite a bit and unfortunately my hands haven't touched the keyboard. Instead, I've just finished this book given to me by my friend Kathryn who said it was one of her favorites. Now don't let that smokin' 80s cover put you off--it's a fabulous book. Have you read Gone with the Wind? The Far Pavillions? Forever Amber? Then you'll like this one. It takes its place among other epics where love is caught in the midst of political turmoil and you follow along for 700+ pages wanting to know how the heroine will get her guy and get out alive.  Zemindar follows our girl, Laura Hewitt, as she accompanies her rather ric...

My Latest Crochet Creations
2010-10-06 10:00:00
I've been crocheting, trying to teach myself to get better (it's so much harder than knitting!) and here are the two latest creations. First, here's a Flared Shell Brimmed Cloche hat that I made using creme nylon crochet thread exactly according to the pattern. I need to block it and straighten that brim, the picture on the above link looks better but I'm thinking of embellishing it with a ribbon rosette and a pearl pin. I think that would look sweet--a black ribbon and a little cameo in the center? And then I made this Honeycomb Hat from a free pattern on the Lion Brand Yarn site. It turned out so sweet and it was highly gratifying to have all of Grace's friends say they wanted one too when she wore it to school. If you're interested in the pattern check out the comments on the site because I made the same modifications as they did. Eighty chains at the beginning work just fine but the openwork pattern needs to be taken in by one stitch in each loop or else it's enormou...

Creepy Crawlies
2010-10-05 10:00:00
A friend of ours loaned us his aquatic bug collection and I can't decide if I'm more fascinated or disgusted.  I do know I was terrified of one of the kids dropping one of the vials. The only thing worse than a live beetle the size of a dump truck is a dead beetle the size of a dump--and dripping with formaldehyde.  Talk about night of the living dead.© 2005-2010 Scribbit, LLC all rights reserved
More About: Alaska

Preparing Our Kids for Life: Conclusion
2010-10-04 10:00:00
Continued from Preparing Our Kids for Life : Part Two from September 28, 2010. *** Too many people show up at college trying to find themselves and too many people leave without any experience beyond the classroom. Andrew and I have given a great deal of thought lately to the way the world is changing. Technology is speeding along so fast that it's difficult to predict--actually, impossible to predict--how the job market as a whole or how individual professions will be affected. If you'd told somebody 50 years ago that real estate agents, travel agents, insurance agents and stock brokers would be obsolete they'd have laughed but now it's not a matter of if it will happen, it's a matter of when it will happen. It used to be that being a professional (i.e. doctor, lawyer, accountant, etc.) was as solid and reliable as anything you could choose but would doctors twenty years ago have been able to predict the massive changes hitting the country in the health care industry? And ...

Bragos Bruschetta and an Avocado Contest
2010-10-03 10:00:00
Today we're talking avocados (which just makes me so happy) because I have both an avocado recipe and an avocado contest. This recipe is called Brago's Bruschetta and I got it from my mom many years ago and I haven't a clue where it originated. It might as well have spontaneously sprung up from the earth as far as I know but it's definitely worth sharing. Bruschetta are little appetizers similar to crostini and are rather like cross-wise slices of baguettes with toppings.  The recipe was originally meant to be used this way and it's certainly good as an appetizer but I much prefer eating it as a sandwich or as a pizza topping. You can make up this fresh salsa (which is what it essentially is) and put it on a split roll as a tasty sandwich or on a pizza crust for a fabulous pizza. Then you can grill it or toast it so that cheese melts perfectly and the garlic is beautifully mellow.  Your choice, but I'm just saying that melted is better. 4-6 large roma tomatoes, ...
More About: Contest

A Christmas Miracle
2010-10-01 10:00:00
I bought a chili pepper plant on a whim this spring. This is Alaska, people, I really didn't expect it to grow. But look what it produced! One tiny, cute, sweet little yellow pepper. The photo is blurry because apparently I'm quivering with excitement.© 2005-2010 Scribbit, LLC all rights reserved
More About: Christmas , Miracle

Kid Crafts: A Magnetic Turtle Toy
2010-09-30 10:00:00
Have you ever looked at those pretty little wooden boxes that cheese comes in and wondered what to do with them? Not that I'm confessing anything here, that would be kind of an odd thing to think about. But regardless, here's what we did with one of the little boxes. If you can't see it, it's lined with felt and that's a piece of a toilet paper tube as the little turtle's house.  We glued flowers for his garden and put a few tiny sea shells just because. The turtle is made from Sculpey clay and he's glued to a string and a magnet that is threaded through a little hole in the back of his house. On the other end of the string underneath the box is another magnet and when you put the two magnets together through the wood they make him toodle around his garden magically. I suppose he doesn't need a string to do his walking but it kind of keeps it all attached so he doesn't get lost.© 2005-2010 Scribbit, LLC all rights reserved
More About: Turtle , Crafts

8 Ways to Be the World's Greatest In-Law
2010-09-29 10:00:00
Today I'm guest posting at Chocolate on My Cranium who is having a month-long "celebrating the family" party.  She asked me to join in my contributing a post on the subject of family so I've written about how to be the world's greatest in-law.  Here's a teaser but you can find the entire post here.  *** If you ever get with a group of women and want to start the conversation off with a bang there are two topics guaranteed to get things going: pregnancy and mothers-in-law. Every woman's got a story about her labor and an even worse account of her mother-in-law. But the funny thing is, I have a great mother-in-law. In fact, both sides of the family could write a book on how to be a good in-law so I'm sharing a few things I've noticed that my mother-in-law and my parents do that get them big points in the "Greatest In-Law" category. Some may seem pretty obvious but I'm continually surprised by how many families have problems incorporating these "obvious" sugge...

Preparing Our Kids for Life: Part Two
2010-09-27 10:00:00
Continued from Preparing Our Kids for Life : Part One from September 21, 2010. *** So if college isn't the way to guarantee a job, riches and success that it might once have been and if the cost-benefit ratio has faded I'm very open to the idea of learning good trades and skills that are more concrete and (sometimes) more in demand.  But college or tech school, whatever path one chooses, getting that certificate of completion isn't enough anymore--there needs to be something else, something much more important than a slip of paper and most people nowadays are missing it because it's so elusive. We need goals. Set Those Goals Too many people use college as a way to "find themselves" while lost in wasted semesters, sabbaticals and aimless travel. The funny thing is, of all the people that have told me that they're taking time off to find themselves I've never heard anyone who later claimed to have been successful at the endeavor. They're often as lost after as they were...