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