she's a nut

 Hannah is awesome. She may think I am not as I found her paper for her science teacher still open on the computer and loved it so much (it really shows her personality, doesn't it?) that I'm posting it. Hannah, my vegetarian, writes papers instead of dissecting things during labs. I'm guessing this is her latest paper for the latest "I'm not dissecting that" lab. Sadly, her visual aids (drawing of the heart) did not copy and paste, so whenever there is a , that means you need to imagine an illustrated heart or two.


Hannah Perazzo
Mr. Sluyter
Anatomy and Physiology
27 Mar 2013

For the Sake of Sheep Everywhere

“VEGETARIAN: Native American for poor hunter.”

    So you might be squeamish. Maybe care for animals. The kind of person who faints at the sight of blood. Or maybe it’s because you enjoyed my last report so very much that you wanted to read another one of my intellectual and insightful reports. Anyway you got here, I hope that you’re ready to learn tons and tons (not literally; this will only be about four pages) about the anatomy of our ever-so functioning (we hope) heart.
    Alas, no quote from our home boy Johnny Depp, but we do have some words from H. Jackson Brown, Jr. He said, “Sometimes the heart sees what is invisible to the eye.” Now I’m sure that this man had a great personality and led a normal life and ate ice cream. But misleading the youth of this world is not a very kind thing to do. As we expand our knowledge on heart anatomy, we will be able to pick apart H-Dawg Jackie’s words to shreds.
    To start on our wonderful adventure, we will do as Jordan Pruitt is and we will start from the outside looking in. The outside of the heart is probably really gross looking in real life. But that’s the reason we’re all reading this report, so we don’t have to look at a real one. So for the sake of this, we will refer to our hearts as Play-Dough. The muscular walls of our Play-Dough hearts is composed of three layers.
    If we start like an onion (or an ogre) the outermost layer is the epicardium. It’s pretty much just connective tissues and fat. Not super exciting, but pretty important. Right underneath that is the bulk of the heart’s walls called the myocardium. The myocardium has the responsibility of contracting and relaxing the heart. Namely the ventricles and atria. It is composed primarily of cardiomyocytes. Cardiomyocytes are pretty big cells (you know, for a cell) that make up 80% of the heart volume. Each cell physically contracts to shorten the heart muscle. Okay, now take a breath. Only one more layer to read about (more or less).  So maybe now would be a good time to grab some Chex Mix to help you stay awake. So, the innermost layer (assuming you are back with your Chex Mix) is named the endocardium. Nobody’s quite sure where these names come from… But the endocardium is actually pretty awesome because it’s a smooth membrane that lines the chambers of the hearts and their valves too! [One of the things I said in that last sentence was no a true statement. Try to find it.] (Thinkquest).
    But wait! To make sure you don’t end up with internal bleeding after rough roller coasters or intense trampoline sessions, we have the pericardium! “What is the pericardium?” you’re [not actually] asking me?? Well children, gather around and you might get to hear a story about how a pericardium is a double-walled sac in which the heart hangs out. It has within it a pericardium fluid that is like a shock absorber for your little Play-Dough heart. The outermost fibrous pericardium and the inner serous pericardium are the two layers, and they make up the pericardial sac. Yup, it’s “peri” fun.
    Just had to leave off that paragraph with a good pun. Everybody loves puns, just like everybody loves the heart. Especially the right side! Now the right side consists of things that are notably from this side, most of the time because it states what side it’s on with it’s name. There’s the superior vena cava, right pulmonary artery, right atrium, right pulmonary veins, fossa ovalis, right atrioventricular valve (tricuspid valve), right ventricle, chordae tendineae, and the inferior vena cava. Don’t those sound awesome! Who know that so much awesomeness is thriving in your body?!
     Okay, well the superior vena cava and the inferior vena cava have the mighty job of receiving the oxygen-poor blood from the veins in your awesome body and it pumps it out through the pulmonary trunk. It sort of looks like one of those fat straws that you drink really thick smoothies out of. Not saying that I want to drink your blood like a thick smoothie. Just saying. Now, inferior to the superior vena cava is the right pulmonary artery. Yes, it did say right. Probably insinuating that there’s a left somewhere, but calm down tiger! Don’t get too ahead of yourself. This artery is a split off of the superior vena cava. The superior vena cava takes blood to the right atrium where it gets squeezed like toothpaste up through the right pulmonary artery. The right pulmonary artery take the blood for a car trip to the lungs, picks up some oxygen (with a side of large French fries, of course) and pays with carbon dioxide. This is just a drive-through though, so it is quickly removed by  being drained out of your lungs and is returned to the left side of our Play-Dough hearts by way of the pulmonary veins. And it’s oxygen-rich blood and carbon dioxide-poor blood. Take a wild guess on what that now means! …. My guess is that if you have to read this paper to learn, you probably guessed the wrong thing. But have no fear! The answers are here! From the pulmonary veins, blood is taken to the LEFT atrium. Then, the left atrium is contracted to push all that oxygen-rich blood through the left atrioventricular valve (also known as the bicuspid valve). This bicuspid valve takes the blood into the left ventricular which is, in turn, compressed through the aoritic semilunar valve. And that’s pretty much how your heart does what it does. You’re welcome.



    Isn’t that picture just so super duper helpful?! I just think it’s my favorite picture!
    Now. Let’s go over this whole cardiac cycle with the squeezing and the filling and the letting out. “In a healthy heart, the atria contract simultaneously. Then, as they start to relax, contraction of the ventricles begins. Systole and diastole mean heart contraction and relaxation, respectively. Since most of the pumping work is done by the ventricles, these terms always refer to the contraction and relaxation of the ventricles unless otherwise stated” (Essentials 357). So let’s go over this slowly. Let’s say that our left and right atrium of our Play-Dough hearts are both filled with blood at this current time (because we’re healthy people who only enjoy Chex Mix on occasions). With our atriums full of blood, our body starts saying, “You know? I want to stay alive. I don’t know what about life it is, but I kind of like it.” So in response to your body’s urgent plea, the atriums decide it’s time for some fancy atrial contraction and all the blood ends up in the left and right ventricular. Now we are in the ventricular systole stage (meaning that the atria is in diastole; yay for relaxing!). After filling and contracting, the valves open up to cause the ventricular ejection phase. At the end of all this hard work, the heart takes a second for early diastole where it’s is isovolumetric relaxation. This is the “….” in your heart beat. Don’t understand my strange definition? It’s the “….” when you’re listening to your heart beat (or watching it on a fancy monitor) and your heart sings to you, “Bum-bum …. Bum-bum …. Bum-bum…. Bum-bum….” and so on and so forth until you’re dead.



    You’re welcome.
    Well, I hope you have a better understanding of the cardiovascular heart and my love for Johnny Depp. And I hope you’ve been able to see why our gangster friend, H-Dawg Jackie was so wrong. Do you understand why? Well we’ve been through this whole heart and not once did we notice anything about a pair of eyes or ESP so therefore, he was dead wrong. “Sometimes the heart sees what is invisible to the eye”? No. I don’t think so. I know for a fact that the eyes can see way more than our little hearts can every hope to see.



Works Cited (not in MLA format; because of laziness)

Think quest - http://library.thinkquest.org/C003758/Structure/walls.htm

Essentials - Essentials of Human Anatomy & Physiology: 8th ed.

What kind of mother doesn't recognize her own child? (I am the mother, Eric being the child)

I don't know what kind of mother doesn't recognize her own child (Eric being the child in question), but I'm the mother involved.

Last night was the cast and crew screening party of the movie that Eric helped out with last year. The name of the movie is "Collapse" and I was just going to the screening because Eric was involved and not because I really wanted to. But in the end, I was really glad I went. I really liked it. It was written, directed, and produced by Dave McCormick, and it starred his 2 sons. It also had some of Glen's drama students in it and an adult or 2 we knew (Ryan Sorensen and Judy Deluge).

We knew Eric had a little part, but we didn't know what it was. Towards the beginning there was a dead man laying in the street, but you couldn't see his face. Glen wondered if that was Eric. But the guy looked heavier than Eric, so I didn't think so.

We didn't find out what role Eric had until the ending credits. In the credits Eric is listed in 4 areas like assistant director of photography and then finally the cast was listed. He was one of the 2 roadblock robbers. Apparently he even had a line--and we didn't recognize him! Dave later told Glen the line, and I remember it being said, but I had no idea it was Eric. Can't wait to see it again and really look at  him.

The DVD and movie posters are available for purchase, though the DVDs won't be in until the end of August. It was shown with "borrowed" music. The idea is to submit the movie to some film festivals (like Slam Dance where Napoleon Dynamite was first shown and then made into the movie we have today) and in order to do that, it needs an original score. The score is currently being worked on.

The idea of the movie is that hyperinflation has caused a break down-the collaspe- in our society. People, including police and military, wind up just walking off their jobs because money is meaningless and they have to find food for their families in other ways. For many that means stealing from others and there is no law and order. The 2 brothers, ages 8 and 14, wind up traveling from Spokane to Winslow, Arizona and it's about who they meet and how they travel. It's not my typical kind of movie, but I found myself wondering what was going to happen next. Kind of fun.

There is a trailer for Collapse. Click here to see it. If you watch the trailer you can see part of Eric getting out of a white truck while his partner shoots at the car which is passing by. Or come on over in September and you can watch the whole movie.

OK, other family news.

There has been a change in part of Andrew and Heather's wedding plans. Now, instead of an Open House in Provo the night of the wedding (April 25th--a month from tomorrow!), there will be an Open House here in Fallon at our church building on Saturday April 27th.We are excited as it seemed that Heather, who hasn't been in Fallon before, wouldn't be able to visit here for a long time, will now get to come and see where Andrew grew up.

I have decided to attend BYU's Ed Week this year. My sister isn't able to come with me--I've only been twice without her and the last time I did that was many years ago. Usually if Denise can't go, I don't go either. But this year I will have to go to Provo in August anyway, so I figured I might as well make it so I can attend Ed Week. I contacted the roommate I had the first year Denise couldn't go with me, Michell. Michell and I have kept in contact over the years in that each year we would email each other and ask if the other were going to Ed Week. Shortly after we were roommates her son David, who is Eric's age, was diagnosed with Asperger's Syndrome. Anyway, David is currently serving a family history mission and is finishing this summer. Michell is going to Ed Week, so we are going to sign up together. I'm excited.

We are currently working on getting Ryan a bike and some suits for his mission. Hopefully both can be taken care of this week.

Big news on my sister's homefront--she gets to retire from teaching this year, which is one year sooner than originally hoped for! She is thrilled. So congratulations for her.

One of her boys, my nephew Zach, is currently in Texas doing basic training for the Air Force. Denise gets to go to his graduation soon. Zach's wife, Stephanie, is pregnant and due in May. He'll be in special training for munitions then and will be to get a few days off to be with her.

The next five weeks are going to go by in a whirlwind. I'm looking forward to them.

Mostly Hannah's news

Pictures from Poetry Out Loud:

Graciela, who came in 1st; Hannah; Jennifer, who came in 2nd

All 13 participants--the boy in red in front, Ralston, came in 3rd

KNPB filmed the competition and afterwards each had to say what they liked best about it

 
Hannah actually had opposition in her bid to be the Student Body Secretary next year (the Pres, VP, and Treasurer ran unopposed). We are happy to say that she won and will be serving with her good friends, Garrett, Dylan, and Paolo.

I also found out that Hannah was accepted into the National Honor Society this year--I guess that Glen, as NHS advisor, knew last week, but didn't share with us (and rightly so--I'm not complaining). It was a neat year--all the applicants were accepted. Glen said that had never happened before.

On Wednesday, Hannah went early to the Nevada Acting Conference (or whatever it's called) in Henderson, Nevada. Hannah and Jared were running for a place on the Student Thespian Officers board (neither got chosen, though), with Dustin needing to be there early because he was one of the opening numbers for the conference. Glen and the others went on Thursday for the start of the conference.

Hannah was in the musical number "They Both Reached for the Gun" from Chicago. Click here to see the clip from the movie. They earned a superior rating, but they did not showcase (so they did really well but not really, really well).

Hannah had to leave before it was over, however. Saturday morning Glen took Hannah to the Vegas airport and she flew in to the Reno airport where I picked her up and took her to Nevada's Poetry Out Loud State competition. Thirteen out of 16 NV counties were represented. Grandma and Grandpa came to cheer her on.

Each contestant was asked to provide a bio for the program. This is what Hannah submitted:

Hannah Perazzo has lived in the same house in Fallon, Nevada for all her seventeen years of existence. Like most humans, Hannah was born a baby. Her life now is best described as "jack of all trades; master of none," as she plays six instruments and tennis, is an actress, ballerina, artist, professional singer* and church youth leader, and serves on the Student Council. She has no plans for the future except to be a princess (lack of princes is the cause of her dream's demise). Hannah thanks her parents, Glen & Beth Perazzo; her adventure buddy and inspiration, Geoff Humildad; her motivator and pizza provider, Ms. Pace; the greatest poet, Hannah Lindsay; and her oldest brother Andrew Perazzo; along with her other brothers, Ryan, Eric and Alexander.


*when I mentioned to Hannah that I didn't know she was a professional singer, I thought she was going to say someone paid her a quarter for singing once, but she didn't know what I was talking about...apparently when she edited something out while getting her bio ready, she didn't edit it completely out and left "professionally" in (but she doesn't remember what she was going to say she did professionally. hmm. I'd like to know what it was).

So, all 13 gave their first poem, then their second poem. Hannah did one of the same ones from the Churchill county competition (April Love by Ernest Dowson), but instead of Fire and Ice by Robert Frost, she did Ode by Arthur O'Shaughnessy.

Then the 3 finalists were chosen. I made my guess of 3 and I got 2 of them right. It was interesting to note that none of the 3 came from Vegas or the Reno area. They were: 1st place-Graciela Maya-Joseph of Elko county, 2nd place-Jennifer Simon of Nye county, and 3rd place-Ralston Pederson of Lyon county.

After we got back from Reno, Alex, Hannah, and I went to Standards Night at church. Hannah also had a talent show at the school and had a church dance. Glen was traveling home from Henderson. So, it was a very busy day. And week.

April Love by Ernest Dowson

We have walked in Love's land a little way,

We have learnt his lesson a little while,

And shall we not part at the end of day,

With a sigh, a smile?

A little while in the shine of the sun,

We were twined together, joined lips, forgot

How the shadows fall when the day is done,

And when Love is not.

We have made no vows--there will none be broke,

Our love was free as the wind on the hill,

There was no word said we need wish unspoke,

We have wrought no ill.

So shall we not part at the end of day,

Who have loved and lingered a little while,

Join lips for the last time, go our way,

With a sigh, a smile?

Ode by Arthur O'Shaughnessy

We are the music-makers,

And we are the dreamers of dreams,

Wandering by lone sea-breakers

And sitting by desolate streams;

World losers and world forsakers,

On whom the pale moon gleams:

Yet we are the movers and shakers

Of the world for ever, it seems.

With wonderful deathless ditties

We build up the world’s great cities.

And out of a fabulous story

We fashion an empire’s glory:

One man with a dream, at pleasure,

Shall go forth and conquer a crown;

And three with a new song’s measure

Can trample an empire down.

We, in the ages lying

In the buried past of the earth,

Built Nineveh with our sighing,

And Babel itself with our mirth;

And o’erthrew them with prophesying

To the old of the new world’s worth;

For each age is a dream that is dying,

Or one that is coming to birth.

watching "The Giver" and making yogurt and granola

The Giver by Lois Lowry (which was probably the first dis-utopian book I read)

Last night and tonight, Glen's theatre students put on the play The Giver. Originally it was going to be a regular play performance but a week or two ago the decision was make to have it be a reader's theatre piece instead. It was really fabulous. I think it was better as a reader's theatre piece than it would have been with a set and the actors moving all over the stage, which might have been a distraction. It made it more stark and intense, I think. The focus was on the story. The students did an outstanding job, too. I'm really glad I went.

Spoiler--
The book's ending is considered ambiguous--though to me they clearly froze to death even if the words didn't come out and spell it in black and white. But others (my sister included) thought they made it to another town. At the end of tonight's play it was clear that Jonas died since Rosemary, who was dead, welcomes him. Turns out that the director (one of the students) added that so that the end outcome would be clear. Man, I got all choked up when Rosemary greeted Jonas--and felt silly about it. But it was great.

Next weekend is the play Almost, Maine. Hannah's in that one--I think she has one line. But it'll still be fun to see her on stage. Apparently, it's a romantic comedy with several different storylines going on at the same time. It sounds good.

*****

I made some yogurt today. And then I made granola to sprinkle on the yogurt.

Making yogurt used to be Glen's domain. I had him show me once, but then never had the courage to take it on. I think that's because I'm an "exact" sort of person (give me a measurable amount, like--add 2/3 cup of powdered milk) and he is more of an "estimate the amounts" kind of cook (like--just add a scoop of dry milk).

I recently overcame my fear and chose a recipe. It turned out to be such an easy thing to do, and it only takes about 30-40 minutes of hands-on time. So I've started doing it a lot. It just makes sense when you live on a dairy farm to not buy your yogurt. We like to make smoothies and frozen yogurt as well as eat it with fruit and granola sprinkled on top...which led to our making our own granola. Which in the past has been Glen's domain, too.

So, here's how I make yogurt. We have 2 different yogurt machines, both bought 2nd hand. One has five 3/4 cup sized jars (one of which we don't eat but use as our starter for the next batch) and the other one is a single quart-sized container. So we make a double batch which is:

Yogurt

heat 7 2/3 cups raw milk in a pot over medium-high flame while stirring almost constantly
when thermometer says 185º remove from heat and whisk in 2/3 cup of powdered milk

set the pot in cold water in the sink until the temperature reaches 110º (between 90-120) then whisk in the yogurt starter

ladle the mixture into the various cups, put them in the yogurt makers for about 7-8 hours
put the yogurt in the fridge

And that's it. The consistency is a bit different from store bought...maybe because there's not gelatin in it.

When we go to eat it is when we add some sugar according to our likes. Good stuff.

Plain Granola

4 cups old fashioned oats
1 cup coconut
3/4 wheat germ
3/4 cup almonds, sliced, slivered, or chopped
2/3 cup brown sugar
1/2 cup powdered milk
1/3 cup honey
1/4 cup oil
1 teaspoon vanilla
1/2-1 teaspoon cinnamon

Combine oats, coconut, wheat germ, almonds, sugar, cinnamon, and powdered milk in a bowl. Heat the honey and oil to dissolve the honey. Add the vanilla extract then pour over the oat mixture. Stir well.

Spread on a greased or parchment-lined 11 x 16 cookie sheet or baking pan. Bake at 325º stirring every 5 minutes until lightly browned, about 20 minutes. Let cool and store in an airtight container.

chocolate chip cookie recipe

I think I finally found a chocolate chip cookie recipe I'm happy with. Often I just use the recipe on the back of the chip packages and usually I am disappointed as I keep having to add more flour as my text cookie doesn't have enough body and is thin and anemic looking. Then I am not totally happy with the cookie. My family likes a certain recipe that uses shortening, but I don't really like shortening in my cookies.

So here's the recipe we've used several times lately and I'm going to stick with it:

Chocolate (or any flavor) Chip Cookies

mix together and set aside:
2 1/2 cup flour
3/4 teaspoon soda
1/2 teaspoon salt

cream together:
1 cup (2 sticks) butter, softened
1 cup brown sugar if you like a softer cookie, like I do
     or 1/2 brown and 1/2 white, or even 1 cup white sugar if you like crunchier cookies

then add:
1 large egg
1/2 teaspoon vanilla

Now mix in the flour mixture without over beating.

Add:
2 cups of desired chips

Use small cookie scoop. Put on ungreased or parchment-lined cookie sheet. Bake 375º for 10 minutes.  Makes 46 cookies with my scoop.

I think I might play with adding oat flour or bean flour next time.