This week I was planning on planting my spring veggies and herbs, but it is cold today. I'm going to pay a visit to my friends at Sunnyside Seedlings, and get my herbs and spices.
These folks can be found at the Lake Merritt farmers market every Saturday or just stop out at the farm in Richmond. That's all I have in the world of food today.
Time to plant. Time to grow.
That's it.
Life is what happens in between meals.
Peace,
Make Food/Not War
Monday, March 31, 2014
Friday, March 28, 2014
Funeral + What's For DInner + Weekend
The funeral for my dear old friend Jimmy Nolan was the best best service I have ever attended. The boys choir of St. Vincent De Paul in the City were world class. The was was packed. A testament to a good man.
I had no blog today or no desire to create one then I got the call from the wife.The one that comes everyday with a frequently asked important question, what's for dinner?
Tonight my response was to suggest going out to eat, so I don't have to work at preparing a meal. The next question of course is, what do you want to eat?
That seems like a ridiculous to me because anyone who has been with me for 25 years should know the answer. It would be pizza of course. It's always my answer. It's really all I want to eat, and chocolate. "A salad would be fine dear, and a walk with the dogs."
Pizza brings me to my next subject which is it's spring time, and that means it's time to crank up the Forno Bravo pizza oven in the back yard. Lovin' my oven continues. I am itching to cook some pies.
Off to visit friends in the forest this weekend.
That's it.
Life is what happens in between meals.
Peace,
Make Food/Not War
I had no blog today or no desire to create one then I got the call from the wife.The one that comes everyday with a frequently asked important question, what's for dinner?
Tonight my response was to suggest going out to eat, so I don't have to work at preparing a meal. The next question of course is, what do you want to eat?
That seems like a ridiculous to me because anyone who has been with me for 25 years should know the answer. It would be pizza of course. It's always my answer. It's really all I want to eat, and chocolate. "A salad would be fine dear, and a walk with the dogs."
Pizza brings me to my next subject which is it's spring time, and that means it's time to crank up the Forno Bravo pizza oven in the back yard. Lovin' my oven continues. I am itching to cook some pies.
Off to visit friends in the forest this weekend.
That's it.
Life is what happens in between meals.
Peace,
Make Food/Not War
Tuesday, March 25, 2014
Quinoa Tubbouleh
Geri made this dish last week, and no exaggeration, it's just about the best thing I've ever had in my life. I know I'm on a mid-eastern thing right now. It's so healthy and the flavor is great.
This salad with some roasted chicken, humus, and a little toasted peta bread, and you don't need anything else. Maybe a little dark chocolate
and almonds, or some fresh fruit for dessert, and it's complete.
This is my recipe for the week. Geri got this from somewhere else, and here it goes around again with our additions. Make this, eat this regularly, and you'll live longer.
That's it.
Life is what happens in between meals.
Peace,
Make Food/Not War
Quinoa Tabbouleh
Ingredients;
* i cup cooked quinoa
*1/2 tsp kosher salt
*2 tablespoons fresh lemon
*1 clove garlic
*1/2 cup EVOO
*fresh ground black pepper
*1 English cucumber cut 1/4 pieces
*1 pt. cherry tomatoes, halved
*2/3 cup flat leaf parsley
*2 scallions thinly sliced
*large handful of Kalamata olives
*1/3 cup fresh cut mint leaf
Instructions;
Cook quinoa and fluff up with a fork...keep it fluffy OK. Spread the quinoa on large baking sheet, let cool (there is a recipe in an old blog)
In a medium mixing bowl whisk the lemon, and garlic. Slowly whisk in the olive oil. Then add in the salt and pepper.
Transfere the cooled quinoa to a large mixing bowl and mix in 1/4 cup of dressing.
Add the cut and diced veggies, tomatoes, scallions, herbs and drizzle the remaining dressing over the mixture.
You're good to go.
Monday, March 24, 2014
Zatar , Climbing That Mountain, Good Jim Nolan RIP
Saturday night we went to dinner at Zatar in Berkeley. Zatar is spelled several different ways, and it's name refers to a mixture of spices that is commonly used in mid-eastern cooking. It's the med-eastern version of herbs of Provence. These spice include; sumac, thyme, roasted sesame seeds, marjoram, oregano and corse sea salt.
This restaurant is located at 1981 Shattuck Ave. in Berkeley. The cross street is University. This tiny little cafe has been serving great eclectic mid-eastern food for twenty years. Many of the herbs and other ingredients that are served are grown at the home of the husband and wife team who own the restaurant. The food here is superb. One of my favorite mid-eatern restaurants in the Bay Area.
Go. We've never called for reservations and always get a table.
That mountain that looms to the east of me has plagued me since I started riding a bicycle again. It got a little smaller this weekend. The top of Skyline Drive, at Grisley Peak, in the Oakland hills it is 1500 feet. This Sunday Geri and I made it up the second leg of that mountain. We have one more tough leg to go. My bike is back at the shop to get tweaked to reconfigure to my body.
My old boss and friend Jim Nolan of Nolan Brother's Painting, San Francisco, died this last week. This was a kind, gentle, sweet, talented, husband, father, grandfather, and all around stand up human being. He was a devoted husband to his wife Daisy, his four children, and his two grandchildren. I worked for these guys 20 years ago when they first started their business. He will be sorely missed. He was 53 years old. RIP Jim. This world is cruel. The veil is thin.
That's it.
Life is what happens in between meals.
Peace,
Marke Food/Not War
This restaurant is located at 1981 Shattuck Ave. in Berkeley. The cross street is University. This tiny little cafe has been serving great eclectic mid-eastern food for twenty years. Many of the herbs and other ingredients that are served are grown at the home of the husband and wife team who own the restaurant. The food here is superb. One of my favorite mid-eatern restaurants in the Bay Area.
Go. We've never called for reservations and always get a table.
That mountain that looms to the east of me has plagued me since I started riding a bicycle again. It got a little smaller this weekend. The top of Skyline Drive, at Grisley Peak, in the Oakland hills it is 1500 feet. This Sunday Geri and I made it up the second leg of that mountain. We have one more tough leg to go. My bike is back at the shop to get tweaked to reconfigure to my body.
My old boss and friend Jim Nolan of Nolan Brother's Painting, San Francisco, died this last week. This was a kind, gentle, sweet, talented, husband, father, grandfather, and all around stand up human being. He was a devoted husband to his wife Daisy, his four children, and his two grandchildren. I worked for these guys 20 years ago when they first started their business. He will be sorely missed. He was 53 years old. RIP Jim. This world is cruel. The veil is thin.
That's it.
Life is what happens in between meals.
Peace,
Marke Food/Not War
Wednesday, March 19, 2014
Corned Beef
The best way that I ever cooked cooked beef was just like this. I put the brisket a large stock pot of hot boiling water and reduced it to a simmer for 20 minutes. Then I took it of the water and finished it off in the oven at 350 degrees, cooking the meat at 15 minutes per pound.
In the case of the 4 lb. brisket it was 20 minutes in the stock pot, and 40 minutes at 350 degrees in the oven. Cooking it in the water is like giving it a bath from the brine, and it sears the exterior of the meat. This produced a brisket that was 150 degrees internal temperature. In other words, it was perfect.
Let the meat sit for another 20 minutes before trimming the fat, and cutting it against the grain of course.
That's the recipe I promised.
That's it.
Life is what happens in between meals.
Peace,
Make Food/Not War
Tuesday, March 18, 2014
Jerry Brown Against Pot + St. Patty's DInner + Salute
Jerry Brown has come out against legalizing marijuana in California. Brown said that people need to be more focused today because the world is a scary place to live, and people shouldn't go around in a stoner haze.
No wonder this man never made it as a Jesuit Priest. He has to be one of the most dour uptight people I have ever met in my life. Obtuse is a great way to describe Jerry. Potential Asperger's patient is another. Moonbeam never suited him, and might be an insult to a hippie who goes by that nickname. Gavin Newsom, the Democrats version of Gumby, who's positioning himself for Jerry's job, has wisely come out in favor of legalization.
That's exactly why people are getting high Governor i.e., because the world is a scary place. We want to forget about the sorry state of the world. When was it not a scary place? This man lived in Oaksterdam.
Most people in America think that California is full of liberals, or people who call themselves liberals, but it's bullshit. The very same initiative was handily voted down the last time it was on the ballad four years ago. The people who currently grow and sell pot don't want it legalized because it will become cheaper, so they didn't promote it's passage. The medical marijuana people are getting rich off it not being legalized.
You would think the 30 year old, we invented cool, liberal hipsters would come out in droves and vote for legalization of marijuana. These are the very same people who are starting families. They are also the people who put helmets on their children when they're playing on the grass, and carry a bottle of hand sanitizer with them at all times. God forbid their delicate little geniuses would ever spark up a dube.
Conversely in the last election who came out in favor of legalizing pot? Answer, the Mormon Church came out in favor of the marijuana initiative because it was made by the hand of god for our use. Praise the Lord and Joseph Smith, I couldn't agree more. So was barleycorn and yeast. Yeast floats around in the air.
It would be much cheaper to let people get high than to incarcerate them for committing crimes to get drugs, but the prison system is big money, big money. Jerry Brown is always saying that California can't afford to keep all these prisoners in jail. Jesuit scholar you say? Priest like? Every party needs a pooper that's why we invited you, party pooper, party pooper. People doing prison sentences for pot, for getting high, please. Is that the tolerance the Catholic Church taught you in seminary school Father Brown?
This is a man in dire need of the medicinal benefits of marijuana himself. Maybe he's like someone who is anti-gay person because he's afraid that he/she is actually gay themselves, and they have to fight back those strange impure urges they get must fight back. Quit fighting Jerry, and light the fuck up. Free your mind, and your fake liberal white ass will follow. Jerry was one of the people who inspired the political terminology "green fascist", back in the late 70's.
That is my rant for the week. I can't say how much I've disliked this man over the years. "Oh, Jerry, Should we spray the med fly or not spray the med fly?"
I always hear people say, if everyone just voted Democratic instead of Republican it would all be better. No kidding? California is run by Democrats. One look at the sorry state of the sate of California and you might rethink that statement. My problem is that they're all the same to me, and I'm tired of choosing the lesser of two evils.
I promise I will post a recipe for something related to corned beef, and Saint Patty's Day, before the weekend comes. I cooked a 3.9 pound brisket, at 350 degrees, and it took about an hour to reach an internal temperature of 150 degrees. I let it cool for 25 minutes and it came out the way I like it, medium/medium rare. I did use a brown sugar glaze, and served it with red and yellow fingerling potatoes, and sauteed cabbage,. Geri picked up some Irish cookies at the bakery, and served them with mocha fudge ice cream from Lorde's.
Our friend Buzz and I did our toast, as repeated from his father-in-law, Johnny Gallagher, to the Irish, "When the good lord made the Irish he didn't make much, but what he did make was a damn sight better than the Dutch."
That's it.
Life is what happens in between meals.
Peace,
Make Food/Not War
No wonder this man never made it as a Jesuit Priest. He has to be one of the most dour uptight people I have ever met in my life. Obtuse is a great way to describe Jerry. Potential Asperger's patient is another. Moonbeam never suited him, and might be an insult to a hippie who goes by that nickname. Gavin Newsom, the Democrats version of Gumby, who's positioning himself for Jerry's job, has wisely come out in favor of legalization.
That's exactly why people are getting high Governor i.e., because the world is a scary place. We want to forget about the sorry state of the world. When was it not a scary place? This man lived in Oaksterdam.
Most people in America think that California is full of liberals, or people who call themselves liberals, but it's bullshit. The very same initiative was handily voted down the last time it was on the ballad four years ago. The people who currently grow and sell pot don't want it legalized because it will become cheaper, so they didn't promote it's passage. The medical marijuana people are getting rich off it not being legalized.
You would think the 30 year old, we invented cool, liberal hipsters would come out in droves and vote for legalization of marijuana. These are the very same people who are starting families. They are also the people who put helmets on their children when they're playing on the grass, and carry a bottle of hand sanitizer with them at all times. God forbid their delicate little geniuses would ever spark up a dube.
Conversely in the last election who came out in favor of legalizing pot? Answer, the Mormon Church came out in favor of the marijuana initiative because it was made by the hand of god for our use. Praise the Lord and Joseph Smith, I couldn't agree more. So was barleycorn and yeast. Yeast floats around in the air.
It would be much cheaper to let people get high than to incarcerate them for committing crimes to get drugs, but the prison system is big money, big money. Jerry Brown is always saying that California can't afford to keep all these prisoners in jail. Jesuit scholar you say? Priest like? Every party needs a pooper that's why we invited you, party pooper, party pooper. People doing prison sentences for pot, for getting high, please. Is that the tolerance the Catholic Church taught you in seminary school Father Brown?
This is a man in dire need of the medicinal benefits of marijuana himself. Maybe he's like someone who is anti-gay person because he's afraid that he/she is actually gay themselves, and they have to fight back those strange impure urges they get must fight back. Quit fighting Jerry, and light the fuck up. Free your mind, and your fake liberal white ass will follow. Jerry was one of the people who inspired the political terminology "green fascist", back in the late 70's.
That is my rant for the week. I can't say how much I've disliked this man over the years. "Oh, Jerry, Should we spray the med fly or not spray the med fly?"
I always hear people say, if everyone just voted Democratic instead of Republican it would all be better. No kidding? California is run by Democrats. One look at the sorry state of the sate of California and you might rethink that statement. My problem is that they're all the same to me, and I'm tired of choosing the lesser of two evils.
I promise I will post a recipe for something related to corned beef, and Saint Patty's Day, before the weekend comes. I cooked a 3.9 pound brisket, at 350 degrees, and it took about an hour to reach an internal temperature of 150 degrees. I let it cool for 25 minutes and it came out the way I like it, medium/medium rare. I did use a brown sugar glaze, and served it with red and yellow fingerling potatoes, and sauteed cabbage,. Geri picked up some Irish cookies at the bakery, and served them with mocha fudge ice cream from Lorde's.
Our friend Buzz and I did our toast, as repeated from his father-in-law, Johnny Gallagher, to the Irish, "When the good lord made the Irish he didn't make much, but what he did make was a damn sight better than the Dutch."
That's it.
Life is what happens in between meals.
Peace,
Make Food/Not War
Monday, March 17, 2014
Motrin + Victoria's day + Food/Drink + New Bike + St. Patrick's Day
I thank the gods for modern medicine. The 800 milligram Motrin knocks out the back muscle problems. I feel extremely fortunate that the pain I experienced last week wasn't anything connected to disks and nerves.
Saturday was declared Victoria's day, my sister-in-law, for no particular reason at all. We went for a bike ride. The last time Geri and I tried to do that with Vicky she fractured her wrist. I'm happy to report that it worked out better this time.
We started Vicky's Day by stopping at the Lake Merritt farmers market. I spoke to Jess who works for Sunnyside Organic Seedlings about getting my starters of veggies and herbs to plant this year. It's early in California to plant, but it's time to plant. You can't argue with the weather. It's always there, no matter where you go. I bought Vicky a ring that we both admired at a jewelry stand. We got some fruit and peddled our asses over to Jack London Square, along the water and over the Fruitvale draw bridge to the flatlands of Alameda.
We cycled all the way to Alameda, and rode all over the place. Victoria, our queen for the day, has never been to the city of Alameda, go figure. We had cappuccinos at the Alameda Market Place on Park Blvd, one block before the Park Blvd. drawbridge. The coffee shop there is run by a Persian man who makes the best coffee drinks in Alameda. This market has something for everyone; a deli, charcuterie, meat, fish and poultry, wine, beer, and great produce section. They got it all.
I Rode about 25 miles on my new Jamis commuter bike. After quite a bit of tweaking of the seat position, handlebar height, placing of lights, bells, and whistles I think I got it dialed in. I've got a new saddle on order that has chrome spring shock absorbers. It's a real compact bike with 27 gears. I like the lower gears. I feel I now have a bike that I can tackle these Oakland hills. It's a different machine than the one I've been riding. If I had my way I'd have a few more bikes, but then the dogs wouldn't have any place to sleep.
Victoria's Day ended up with dinner at the Slow Club, in the city, and a show. The meal at the SC was wonderful. I haven't been there in 20 years. It's reassuring to know some restaurants have survived. I broke my fast for Lent and had two Manhattans. They were perfect. I love the open kitchen at the Slow Club. The waitperson, Savannah, is one of Vicky's art students. The opening act at the theatre was, singer/song writer, Virgil Shaw, who is her old friend from her Humboldt school days. It was truly her day, which ended with a full moon.
Today is St. Patrick's Day. If I've said it once I've said it a thousand times, I love the Irish. I married an Irish girl. San Francisco is a very Irish town, in the extreme. If you can't find a free meal in an Irish Bar on St. Patty's Day you haven't been around town long.
When I make my cabbage for the corned beef I par steam it and finish it off in a hot sautee' pan with olive oil, salt, pepper and caraway seeds.
My other tip for cooking corned beef is to regulate the heat. Remember this is not a thick piece of meat. Take it out at 138 or 140 degrees. I prefer to bake it in the oven with a honey mustard glaze. At 350 degrees it should only take about an hour to cook a 3 pound piece of meat. There is nothing worse than tough corned beef. It doesn't even make good hash.
Looking forward to lunch Ron.
That's it.
Life is what happens in between meals.
Peace,
Make Food/Not War
Slow Club...2501 Mariposa Street, San Francisco CA
Saturday was declared Victoria's day, my sister-in-law, for no particular reason at all. We went for a bike ride. The last time Geri and I tried to do that with Vicky she fractured her wrist. I'm happy to report that it worked out better this time.
We started Vicky's Day by stopping at the Lake Merritt farmers market. I spoke to Jess who works for Sunnyside Organic Seedlings about getting my starters of veggies and herbs to plant this year. It's early in California to plant, but it's time to plant. You can't argue with the weather. It's always there, no matter where you go. I bought Vicky a ring that we both admired at a jewelry stand. We got some fruit and peddled our asses over to Jack London Square, along the water and over the Fruitvale draw bridge to the flatlands of Alameda.
We cycled all the way to Alameda, and rode all over the place. Victoria, our queen for the day, has never been to the city of Alameda, go figure. We had cappuccinos at the Alameda Market Place on Park Blvd, one block before the Park Blvd. drawbridge. The coffee shop there is run by a Persian man who makes the best coffee drinks in Alameda. This market has something for everyone; a deli, charcuterie, meat, fish and poultry, wine, beer, and great produce section. They got it all.
I Rode about 25 miles on my new Jamis commuter bike. After quite a bit of tweaking of the seat position, handlebar height, placing of lights, bells, and whistles I think I got it dialed in. I've got a new saddle on order that has chrome spring shock absorbers. It's a real compact bike with 27 gears. I like the lower gears. I feel I now have a bike that I can tackle these Oakland hills. It's a different machine than the one I've been riding. If I had my way I'd have a few more bikes, but then the dogs wouldn't have any place to sleep.
Victoria's Day ended up with dinner at the Slow Club, in the city, and a show. The meal at the SC was wonderful. I haven't been there in 20 years. It's reassuring to know some restaurants have survived. I broke my fast for Lent and had two Manhattans. They were perfect. I love the open kitchen at the Slow Club. The waitperson, Savannah, is one of Vicky's art students. The opening act at the theatre was, singer/song writer, Virgil Shaw, who is her old friend from her Humboldt school days. It was truly her day, which ended with a full moon.
Today is St. Patrick's Day. If I've said it once I've said it a thousand times, I love the Irish. I married an Irish girl. San Francisco is a very Irish town, in the extreme. If you can't find a free meal in an Irish Bar on St. Patty's Day you haven't been around town long.
When I make my cabbage for the corned beef I par steam it and finish it off in a hot sautee' pan with olive oil, salt, pepper and caraway seeds.
My other tip for cooking corned beef is to regulate the heat. Remember this is not a thick piece of meat. Take it out at 138 or 140 degrees. I prefer to bake it in the oven with a honey mustard glaze. At 350 degrees it should only take about an hour to cook a 3 pound piece of meat. There is nothing worse than tough corned beef. It doesn't even make good hash.
Looking forward to lunch Ron.
That's it.
Life is what happens in between meals.
Peace,
Make Food/Not War
Slow Club...2501 Mariposa Street, San Francisco CA
Friday, March 14, 2014
Land For Sale/Weekend
These weeks keep flying by. I hope everyone has a wonderful weekend. I plan on riding my new bike as far as I can.
Anyone want to buy 80 flat ares of the most beautiful high dessert land you've ever seen?
Anyone want to buy 80 flat ares of the most beautiful high dessert land you've ever seen?
Here it is below. Only 1 hour north north of Gerlach, Nevada, home of the Burning Man festival, held each year in August. The property is situated at the north east tip of Lassen County in lovely Surprise Valley.
It has a 3500 sq. foot steel barn with a concrete foundation. The property is fenced, but need repair mainly on the north side. There is a large pond, 75 feet in diameter, 9 feet deep, stocked with fish, and an artisan well, 160 foot deep. The area is abundant with natural hot springs, hunting, and fishing and wildlife. It is also frequented by artists, rock hounds, equestrians, hikers, and photographers alike. The best star gazing you ever seen. There is no street light pollution here. Redding is 150 miles to the west and Reno is 120 south.
This property is off the grid, but can easily be tapped for solar and wind power. Surprise Valley has 300 days of sunshine a year on average, and the wind can blow like crazy. You could be completely self sufficient if you choose to. The closest gasoline is 30 miles away to the north in Cedarville, but you can get fuel and natural gas delivered if you have on sight storage.
To the west is the Warner Mountain Range, and to the east is the Hayes Mountain range, and to the north Fandango Pass. Across the Hayes Mountains to the east is the old Oregon trail. Wild horses roam this area on BLM land. If you are looking for solitude this place has it in spades.
There are four towns in Surprise Valley. To the north is Ft. Bidwell, Lake City, Cedarville, the largest, in the middle, and Eagleville to the south. There are three lakes in Surprise Valley; upper, middle and lower. These fill up with water during the winter months, and are dry in summertime.
This land is perfect for cattle, or cultivating hops, organic hay, sugar beets, potatoes, and certain varietals of grapes, such as Merlot, grow well in high altitudes
Why am I selling it. I need the money what else.
Also, it is long enough in length, one half mile, to put a runway for an airplane and the barn makes for perfect storage.
Also, it is long enough in length, one half mile, to put a runway for an airplane and the barn makes for perfect storage.
See the photos below.
That's it today.
Life is what happens in between meals.
Peace,
Make Food/Not War
 |
| Warner Mountain Range Looking West |
 |
| Geri, Kahlua (R) and Frida (L) at our Yurt |
 |
| The Pond Looking North |
 |
| Barn, Yurt Platform and Outhouse Looking East |
 |
| 85' Airstream & Warner Mountains |
Thursday, March 13, 2014
Yesterday/ Today/ New Bike
Yesterday I got the cracked tooth fixed. and then I ordered and devoured a shaking beef sandwich from the Vietnamese take out joint across the street. It's on Ocean west side of 19th. 2.5 joint rating.
Today I go to the doctor to hopefully get some back relief.
This is what getting old involves. Multiple doctors visits in a five day span of a week. You kids stay in shape, and most of all don't get old.
My new bike has arrived, and is being assembled. I'm excited of course. I pick it up tomorrow, but I might not be able to ride it because of the back. Lovely. I haven't ridden in over a week and I feel like a fat blob of an old man.
This reinforces my theory that blogging leads to increased episodes of whining. I'm thankful to have a doctor I can see when I have the need, and that I can have another bike to ride.
Pizza tonight. Pity food.
That's it.
Life is what happens in between meals.
Peace,
Make Food/Not War
Today I go to the doctor to hopefully get some back relief.
This is what getting old involves. Multiple doctors visits in a five day span of a week. You kids stay in shape, and most of all don't get old.
My new bike has arrived, and is being assembled. I'm excited of course. I pick it up tomorrow, but I might not be able to ride it because of the back. Lovely. I haven't ridden in over a week and I feel like a fat blob of an old man.
This reinforces my theory that blogging leads to increased episodes of whining. I'm thankful to have a doctor I can see when I have the need, and that I can have another bike to ride.
Pizza tonight. Pity food.
That's it.
Life is what happens in between meals.
Peace,
Make Food/Not War
Wednesday, March 12, 2014
Bad Back, Cracked Tooth, Trouble, Trouble, Trouble
My back is shot, and I have a crack front tooth on top of the back pain. When trouble comes, in often comes in spades.
This is the price of old age. These problems come with the territory, and there's nothing anyone can do about it, but tough it out with Aleve and Mary Jane for pain, alternating ice and heat.
It's off to the dentist I go for the cracked tooth.
Who knows when the back will repair itself. I've already had one surgery on it. Maybe it's time for surgery number two.
This time I injured the back by carrying Kahlua, the dog that died last week, up a flight of stairs. In the words of the my mother Mary, "No good deed will go unpunished." and it hasn't.
Oh yeah, the washing machine is broken. That's two in that last 16 years.
My woman left me
My mule went lame
Lost me money in a poker game
Wind storm came just the other day
Had a house, blew it away
Having so much trouble
So much trouble
So much trouble, bout to lose my mind
That's it.
Life is what happens in between meals.
Peace,
Make Food/ Not War
This is the price of old age. These problems come with the territory, and there's nothing anyone can do about it, but tough it out with Aleve and Mary Jane for pain, alternating ice and heat.
It's off to the dentist I go for the cracked tooth.
Who knows when the back will repair itself. I've already had one surgery on it. Maybe it's time for surgery number two.
This time I injured the back by carrying Kahlua, the dog that died last week, up a flight of stairs. In the words of the my mother Mary, "No good deed will go unpunished." and it hasn't.
Oh yeah, the washing machine is broken. That's two in that last 16 years.
My woman left me
My mule went lame
Lost me money in a poker game
Wind storm came just the other day
Had a house, blew it away
Having so much trouble
So much trouble
So much trouble, bout to lose my mind
That's it.
Life is what happens in between meals.
Peace,
Make Food/ Not War
Monday, March 10, 2014
Weekend Update + Back
A fine meal was shared by friends on Saturday evening. Afterwards we had dessert outside by the fire with decaf coffee.
Because of persistent lower back problems there was no exercising this weekend. There was a minimal amount of spring cleaning as well. I can't ride my bicycle because of the back. When it goes out, everything that involves physical exercise and endurance is put on hold. Ice, heat, ice and heat, plus Aleve and visits from Alice for pain relief.
That's it.
Life is what happens in between meals.
Make Food/Not War
Because of persistent lower back problems there was no exercising this weekend. There was a minimal amount of spring cleaning as well. I can't ride my bicycle because of the back. When it goes out, everything that involves physical exercise and endurance is put on hold. Ice, heat, ice and heat, plus Aleve and visits from Alice for pain relief.
That's it.
Life is what happens in between meals.
Make Food/Not War
Friday, March 7, 2014
Here Comes The Weekend, Time Change, Spring Cleaning
Guests are coming for dinner tomorrow night, and it will be a cheese fest with baked ziti, Italian sausage, and sauteed peppers, onions and garlic bread. I used Asiago, Pecorino, Parmigiano, Mouzarella, and Ricotta, I made a turkey marinara sauce for the ziti. For dessert we have Zanze's cheese cake from San Francisco. We are having grilled asparagus for vegetableI picked it up after I went to the dentist this Wednesday.
It is time to move ahead an hour this Sunday. Spring has sprung and I'm trickled pink about it. We didn't have much of a winter, so I can't complain about the weather. Another hour of day light will be greatly appreciated. It will be time to get the pizza oven heated up again, and the herbs and vegetables in the ground.
Spring means spring cleaning, and we will be working on that all weekend. A girl's work is never done. Geri keeps complaining that the house smells like dog piss, and that's because it does. That and cat vomit. Thanks god for the old hippie recipe, incense.
That's it.
Life is what happens in between meals.
Peace,
Make Food/Not War
It is time to move ahead an hour this Sunday. Spring has sprung and I'm trickled pink about it. We didn't have much of a winter, so I can't complain about the weather. Another hour of day light will be greatly appreciated. It will be time to get the pizza oven heated up again, and the herbs and vegetables in the ground.
Spring means spring cleaning, and we will be working on that all weekend. A girl's work is never done. Geri keeps complaining that the house smells like dog piss, and that's because it does. That and cat vomit. Thanks god for the old hippie recipe, incense.
That's it.
Life is what happens in between meals.
Peace,
Make Food/Not War
Thursday, March 6, 2014
Kahlua ... The Last Of The Old Guard
Kahlua, shown here, was one of my clients for the last 13 years. Her owners, Peter and Joe, had another dog, Miles, before her. I took care of him also.
They asked me to check in on her the other evening, and I found her at the bottom of the stairs, laying her a pool of her own urine. I cleaned her up then carried her up the stairs, but her legs were shot. She could walk. She tried, but just kept falling down. Before it had been her hind quarters that no longer would support her. Now her front legs were gone. She hadn't eaten her breakfast.
I tried to standing her up 5 or 6 times, but she kept falling down. I phoned Peter, and he texted back that he thought it was her time. I agreed. I laid down with her, and told her how much I loved her. We kissed. I told her she was a great dog, a lovely faithful friend, that I would miss her terrible. I told her all her old friends would be coming to see her soon, Bacchus, Che, Tucker, the whole gang. Her old pals from doggie day care would be there waiting for her, and all the cats that had passed through her home over the years too. She was tired, and she was ready to leave this world.
When Kahlua was at our home I never locked the back door of our house or set the alarm. This was the queen of watchdogs. I think she bit 4 people at our place over the years. If she didn't know you, sorry for you.
She is the last of my old dogs that I've cared for over the last 16 years. She had a great life, and wonderful people who loved her and gave her everything a dog could ask for.
What a dog. Love you Kahlua.
That's it.
Life is what happens in between meals.
Peace,
Make Food/Not War
Wednesday, March 5, 2014
Smoking Egg Carton + Lent
The other morning I was making my usual breakfast, poached eggs and a potato pancake. This seems to be the only thing I've tried that gives me enough energy to sustain me till later in the day. If I eat cereal with fruit I'll be hungry in an hour.
I had the potato pancake cooking in a fry pan. The water for the eggs started to boil and I added a little vinegar to the water. I had the egg carton on the stove, and after I cracked my eggs into the boil water I put the carton back in the fridge.
About a half hour later Geri says, "I smell something burning."
She opened the fridge and lo and behold the egg carton was on fire.
Apparently I had placed it too close to the stove burner. Good thing I didn't eat and run. I could have burn the joint down.
Lent is here and although I am not religious in any sense of the word, it's a good excuse to give something up for the next 40 days, and that something will be alcohol. I had two margaritas with dinner last night.
That's it.
Life is what happens in between meals.
Peace,
Make Food/Not War
I had the potato pancake cooking in a fry pan. The water for the eggs started to boil and I added a little vinegar to the water. I had the egg carton on the stove, and after I cracked my eggs into the boil water I put the carton back in the fridge.
About a half hour later Geri says, "I smell something burning."
She opened the fridge and lo and behold the egg carton was on fire.
Apparently I had placed it too close to the stove burner. Good thing I didn't eat and run. I could have burn the joint down.
Lent is here and although I am not religious in any sense of the word, it's a good excuse to give something up for the next 40 days, and that something will be alcohol. I had two margaritas with dinner last night.
That's it.
Life is what happens in between meals.
Peace,
Make Food/Not War
Monday, March 3, 2014
Parkway Theatre And The Oscars
The Parkway Theatre did a GREAT job of putting on a wonderful Oscar show, BRAVO. The food spread was actually pretty good. The pizza still needs work, but the selection of cheeses, and the fruit plate was excellent. Thank you Parkway.
Out of the 13 Oscar picks that I made I think I got 9 right. Gravity took home the most Oscars, all for technical skills, such as editing, sound mixing, visual effects, etc. I'm not trying to minimize these accomplishments. Shooting a movie is one thing, but putting it together is a whole other part of the process, a very important part of the process. Half of the time when we watch a movie we are unaware of the sound, the music, the editing or the effects, but what would a movie be without these things? Boring, is what it would be.
In terms of acting I wanted Amy Adams to win, but Cate Blanchett was my second choice. Matthew McConaughey took home best actor, and Jay Leto took home an Oscar for best supporting actor. I got it right with the best supporting actress also, and best picture as well.
There was a woman there who took home two Oscars. One for production design, and one for hair and make up, on two different movies. She now has 13 Oscars. Enough for a football team, and two extras in case of injuries. That's a wow!
Thank you again Parkway Theatre.
That's it.
Life is what happens in between meals.
Peace,
Make Food/Not War
Out of the 13 Oscar picks that I made I think I got 9 right. Gravity took home the most Oscars, all for technical skills, such as editing, sound mixing, visual effects, etc. I'm not trying to minimize these accomplishments. Shooting a movie is one thing, but putting it together is a whole other part of the process, a very important part of the process. Half of the time when we watch a movie we are unaware of the sound, the music, the editing or the effects, but what would a movie be without these things? Boring, is what it would be.
In terms of acting I wanted Amy Adams to win, but Cate Blanchett was my second choice. Matthew McConaughey took home best actor, and Jay Leto took home an Oscar for best supporting actor. I got it right with the best supporting actress also, and best picture as well.
There was a woman there who took home two Oscars. One for production design, and one for hair and make up, on two different movies. She now has 13 Oscars. Enough for a football team, and two extras in case of injuries. That's a wow!
Thank you again Parkway Theatre.
That's it.
Life is what happens in between meals.
Peace,
Make Food/Not War
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