Saturday Michelle and junior enlisted me as the babysitter. They needed to have a date without the three little ones so they took the baby to her nino's and mi chica and I kept the other two.
It was a hot day so they kids asked me if I could take them out to the pool. So, while I waited for the food to be ready we went outside and put some air on our brand new inflatable rafts and went in the pool. Food was ready faster than we expected so our swimming time was cut short but that was OK. I was treated to mi chica's cooking which in my humble opinion is the best. A big steak with sopa de estrellita, rajas con crema, and a salsa made by yours truly that was finger licking good, ummm, ummm, ummmm.
Mi chica was tired as she had worked so she retired and went to sleep, meanwhile the kids and I had a movie night which started with "Shark Tale" followed by "I, Robot", half way throughout I Robot they were totally out.
Sunday was pretty much a lazy day. The kids borrowed our van (what else is new these days) and left for the most part of the morning. In the afternoon I took mi chica to get her nails done. She wanted to try this new place her sister told her about. She didn't like it that much, it was expensive and the service was not the best. Either that or they charged her for the time I sat on that chair and got a heck of a massage. I so want one of those chairs at home. It may not fit our decor but my back will love me for it.
By the time we came out of there it was 6:00pm so naturally I was hungry and so was she so she treated me to a restaurant I had never been to. I think it's called Pei Wei and it's a combination of Asian dishes. I am not too daring when it comes to new foods so I ordered a beef lo mein. The noodles were a bit overcooked making them too soft but I must admit that the flavor was really nice.
The funny thing is that this place is supposed have dishes from Japan, China, Korea, Thailand, and Vietnam according to the sign over the cash register but the voices coming out of the wall-less kitchen were in Spanish. Things that make me go hmmm! I just found out that Pei Wei is the little sister restaurant of P. F. Changs.
Happy on full stomachs we headed back home to the screaming sounds of four grand kids. Oh, yes I love my life.
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Back in Home Port
The Capt is home safe! He arrived by taxi from the bus station at almost midnight last night, after a week of struggle and strife on the road. Our VW Westfalia gave him no end of trouble in spite of a couple of days tinkering in a San Blas RV park—hemorrhaging oil, balking on hills and generally acting like it was suffering from a terminal disorder. So a trip that should have taken three days took six.
His problems would have been considerably worse if not for my beloved blogging buddies in Mazatlan. When he called to tell me he was limping up the toll road from San Blas, I emailed Nancy and Paul for help, and I couldn't have asked for a more helpful response. Having towed the van the last 100+ miles to Maz, the Capt was able to park the Westie at their place, until we can get back there with our pickup to tow it the rest of the way home. And Tufesa allowed him to travel with several large bags and bundles, at no extra charge (another reason we really like this bus company).
For your kindness and hospitality, thanks so much, Nancy and Paul.
And the good news just keeps coming. I had taken my Ford back to the shop three times trying to get my brake lights to function properly. This morning the Capt was able to fix it so I don't have to drive with the brake lights on... Now they only show up when I use the brake, like they're supposed to!
His problems would have been considerably worse if not for my beloved blogging buddies in Mazatlan. When he called to tell me he was limping up the toll road from San Blas, I emailed Nancy and Paul for help, and I couldn't have asked for a more helpful response. Having towed the van the last 100+ miles to Maz, the Capt was able to park the Westie at their place, until we can get back there with our pickup to tow it the rest of the way home. And Tufesa allowed him to travel with several large bags and bundles, at no extra charge (another reason we really like this bus company).
For your kindness and hospitality, thanks so much, Nancy and Paul.
And the good news just keeps coming. I had taken my Ford back to the shop three times trying to get my brake lights to function properly. This morning the Capt was able to fix it so I don't have to drive with the brake lights on... Now they only show up when I use the brake, like they're supposed to!
Gratitude unlocks the fullness of life. It turns what we have into enough, and more. It turns denial into acceptance, chaos to order, confusion to clarity. It can turn a meal into a feast, a house into a home, a stranger into a friend. Gratitude makes sense of our past, brings peace for today, and creates vision for tomorrow.
Melody Beattie
Karaoke Goes on Hiatus
Finally today I made it to karaoke at Manny's which was in a way kindda bitter sweet because today was the last day as summer has let us know it's here and the patio just gets too hot. I hear it will resume back in September when the heat is gone.
For one reason or another I had not been able to go the past two Fridays so today I got even. Even with the big group on hand I was still able to squeeze five songs. I made new fans, new friends, and new attempts at singing songs I had not sang yet. Even though it was hot it wasn't uncomfortably hot. Since I'm not drinking (doctor's orders) I only had a couple of diet cokes and nibbled on some tortilla chips and salsa.
Our core group is there every Friday and I know that they all look forward to karaoke night. Most of them are the coolest senior citizens you'll ever meet. I, at almost 50 years of age feel like the new kid in town. One of said group members is moving back east to Washington or some place like that and so next week there will be a gathering to bid him farewell. Yes some karaoke will be involved, because well that's how we roll.
Well it's all good because maybe now I participate in some of the car club's activities. There's a third Friday outing every month where the club reserves a portion of a dinner's parking lot and while our ponies are on display we get to eat and socialize. Since this year marks my tenth anniversary as a member I want to be a little more active.
Whatever I decide to do I am sure I'll be posting about it so keep coming back.
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For one reason or another I had not been able to go the past two Fridays so today I got even. Even with the big group on hand I was still able to squeeze five songs. I made new fans, new friends, and new attempts at singing songs I had not sang yet. Even though it was hot it wasn't uncomfortably hot. Since I'm not drinking (doctor's orders) I only had a couple of diet cokes and nibbled on some tortilla chips and salsa.
Our core group is there every Friday and I know that they all look forward to karaoke night. Most of them are the coolest senior citizens you'll ever meet. I, at almost 50 years of age feel like the new kid in town. One of said group members is moving back east to Washington or some place like that and so next week there will be a gathering to bid him farewell. Yes some karaoke will be involved, because well that's how we roll.
Well it's all good because maybe now I participate in some of the car club's activities. There's a third Friday outing every month where the club reserves a portion of a dinner's parking lot and while our ponies are on display we get to eat and socialize. Since this year marks my tenth anniversary as a member I want to be a little more active.
Whatever I decide to do I am sure I'll be posting about it so keep coming back.
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Barbacoa at Pico’s Bakery
I have become absolutely fascinated with barbacoa this year and the shocking amount of variety one can find in the various meats, methods, and spices. A seemingly simple substance comes diversely alive when slow cooked with assorted chilies and flavors, each version different from the last.
The barbacoa at Pico’s Bakery is quite simple, yet could go head to head with any middleweight meat in town. The meat simmers in a reddish-orange achiote marinade until it is achingly tender and rich with spice, shreds of sunset-colored goodness ready to sink into your taste buds at will. Wrap it in a warm tortilla just off the grill, top with onion and fresh cilantro, and you’ve got the ideal lunch: one that leaves you questioning the square footage of your tummy. Yum!
Pico’s Bakery (the new offering from chef Arnaldo Richards of Pico’s Mex-Mex Cocina) is open breakfast, lunch, and dinner, seven days a week. The breakfast tacos are outstanding, as are the tortas at lunch. The meats -- barbacoa and chilorio, et al -- are the real deal, as clean and fresh as sunshine, itself. And don’t miss the fair trade Katz coffee created especially for Pico’s.
Pico’s Bakery - 5710 Bellaire Blvd (near Chimney Rock)
The barbacoa at Pico’s Bakery is quite simple, yet could go head to head with any middleweight meat in town. The meat simmers in a reddish-orange achiote marinade until it is achingly tender and rich with spice, shreds of sunset-colored goodness ready to sink into your taste buds at will. Wrap it in a warm tortilla just off the grill, top with onion and fresh cilantro, and you’ve got the ideal lunch: one that leaves you questioning the square footage of your tummy. Yum!
Pico’s Bakery (the new offering from chef Arnaldo Richards of Pico’s Mex-Mex Cocina) is open breakfast, lunch, and dinner, seven days a week. The breakfast tacos are outstanding, as are the tortas at lunch. The meats -- barbacoa and chilorio, et al -- are the real deal, as clean and fresh as sunshine, itself. And don’t miss the fair trade Katz coffee created especially for Pico’s.
Pico’s Bakery - 5710 Bellaire Blvd (near Chimney Rock)
T-ball and The Duck
What? It's already Wednesday. I love me holiday weeks, they go by so fast, too bad they are so few and far. If it was up to me everyday would be a holiday. OK, that was a little too over the top, but I just got a little carried away. lol Of course I don't want everyday to be a holiday what would be the point of that?
I holiday is what you make of it. Take today for instance. Today is Wednesday and it should be just a plain Wednesday, althugh Wednesday always marks the middle of the workweek so it's never plain. Anyway what will make today special is that my 5-year old grandson "Ducky" will play his first T-ball game ever. Now if that is not the kind of event that makes a holiday what is?
I hear he has been practicing for a few weeks so I am really looking forward to catching today's game. T-ball games are the funiest, the kids really put on a great show as they run to the wrong base and still get excited, or crying because they couldn't hit the ball, or being happy because they did, I'm telling you these games will be the most memorable as they start developing their skills.
Although it won't quite be like "The Sand Lot" or "The Bad News Bears" tonight should be our little version of "Fields of Dreams".
I am hoping there will be some pictures to share, we'll see. Just make sure to check back again tomorrow.
There is my "Ducky" warming up for practice. Look at him he can almost do a full split.
Image borrowed from Nikki's blog.
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I holiday is what you make of it. Take today for instance. Today is Wednesday and it should be just a plain Wednesday, althugh Wednesday always marks the middle of the workweek so it's never plain. Anyway what will make today special is that my 5-year old grandson "Ducky" will play his first T-ball game ever. Now if that is not the kind of event that makes a holiday what is?
I hear he has been practicing for a few weeks so I am really looking forward to catching today's game. T-ball games are the funiest, the kids really put on a great show as they run to the wrong base and still get excited, or crying because they couldn't hit the ball, or being happy because they did, I'm telling you these games will be the most memorable as they start developing their skills.
Although it won't quite be like "The Sand Lot" or "The Bad News Bears" tonight should be our little version of "Fields of Dreams".
I am hoping there will be some pictures to share, we'll see. Just make sure to check back again tomorrow.
Image borrowed from Nikki's blog.
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The drug made me do it
I can't say I wasn't warned. I looked up Lyrica, the drug I was prescribed to deal with the nerve pain from shingles, and found a common side effect to be "dizziness and somnolence." Add to that the worst dry eye ever. The dizziness went away after the first couple of days, but the somnolence continues.
All I really want to do is sleep. I get up, have coffee and breakfast, clean up the kitchen, take a nap. Check my email and read friends' blogs, make a to-do list, and take a nap. Have lunch and do the dishes, take a nap. Look at my to-do list, take a nap. The prescription indicates I should take Lyrica for three months, and I wonder how I'll manage to function in between all those naps! I've always been a nap fiend, but this is ridiculous!
I guess I just should be grateful I don't have a job to go to; I'd be a big disappointment to the boss.
News flash: The Capt is trying to get home from Barra de Navidad. The VW Westfalia developed a nasty oil-spewing habit just north of Puerto Vallarta, and our intrepid skipper, with the help of extra quarts of oil, limped to a deserted RV park in San Blas where he is attempting to fix it himself, having wisely brought his tool kit. The diagnosis is a busted gasket on the oil pump, which is unfortunately under the motor. Tune in for further developments.
Crawfish at The Boiling Crab
Memorial Day is made for crawfish, and there’s no better place to get them than The Boiling Crab. So off we went last night in search of Cajun splendor. Right there on Beltway 8. Who knew.
As we pulled up, crowds overflowed from the tiny indoor waiting area to the sidewalk outside, and a forty-five minute wait greeted us from the hostess stand. Sigh. Fortune was smiling on us, though, because our name was called in a mere five. It’s a Memorial Day miracle!
Inside, sturdy wood tables are blanketed with butcher paper, an early indicator of the mess to come. The diminutive space is filled with kitschy nautical relics, and the mostly Asian staff scurries about, quickly catering to the diverse crowd. No sooner had we placed our order, in fact, did it show up: 2 pounds of crawfish, 3 blue crabs, sausage, corn, and potatoes, all cooked medium spicy with a cherry on top. Fine, no cherry, but we did get “the whole she-bang,” a fierce combination of the three house seasonings: Ragin’ Cajun, lemon-pepper, and garlic butter.
We ripped and tore our way through the whole lot, scavenging for meat and taking care not to touch our crying eyes with spicy fingers. All in all, the crawfish and crabs were outstanding. At $5.99/pound, they're not the cheapest offerings in town, but they’re fresh and huge, well spiced, and served red hot. Check out the carnage below!
The Boiling Crab - 8300 W Sam Houston Pkwy S (at Beechnut)
As we pulled up, crowds overflowed from the tiny indoor waiting area to the sidewalk outside, and a forty-five minute wait greeted us from the hostess stand. Sigh. Fortune was smiling on us, though, because our name was called in a mere five. It’s a Memorial Day miracle!
Inside, sturdy wood tables are blanketed with butcher paper, an early indicator of the mess to come. The diminutive space is filled with kitschy nautical relics, and the mostly Asian staff scurries about, quickly catering to the diverse crowd. No sooner had we placed our order, in fact, did it show up: 2 pounds of crawfish, 3 blue crabs, sausage, corn, and potatoes, all cooked medium spicy with a cherry on top. Fine, no cherry, but we did get “the whole she-bang,” a fierce combination of the three house seasonings: Ragin’ Cajun, lemon-pepper, and garlic butter.
We ripped and tore our way through the whole lot, scavenging for meat and taking care not to touch our crying eyes with spicy fingers. All in all, the crawfish and crabs were outstanding. At $5.99/pound, they're not the cheapest offerings in town, but they’re fresh and huge, well spiced, and served red hot. Check out the carnage below!
The Boiling Crab - 8300 W Sam Houston Pkwy S (at Beechnut)
Memorial Weekend
Well the idea was to have a relaxing weekend and I did just that. Since I decided to take Friday my weekend turned into a four day weekend and that was just fine by me. No trips to L.A. this year just stayed home and relaxed.
On Sunday we invited our kids to come over for a carne asada, so my son, my two daughters, the three in-laws and all seven grand kiddoes came over. It was a nice hot sunny day and the pool was the place to be. So while they all swam, I grilled some of the most delicious carne asada and chicken, which together with my special salsa, the rice, the pico de gallo, and grilled onions kept us asking for more.
For a good family gathering you can never go wrong with carne asada. To prove it here are some images of said fun gathering.
The kids working up an appetite by swimming all afternoon. My son there at the right acting as the life guard.
And as usual the kids at heart always make sure they entertain the little kids. Here's my son in law making a splash via a cannon bomb.
And to close it all out, I captured this beautiful sunset, it's so nice to have our backyard facing west.
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Is Anybody Listening
As I said before I was a hater specially when he destroyed Johnny Cash's "Ring of Fire". Who is this fool that commits such a travesty then he sings Tears for Fears "Mad World" and I see potential. The week after week this guy's performance was the one most of us would be waiting for. What is he going to do tonight? What song is he singing? Will he wear make up? Will he look like Elvis again? Black nail polish? Eyeliner? Screeching? Anybody that still doesn't accept that American Idol Season 8 revolved around this guy is living in denial.
I think Adam not winning the "title" is a blessing in disguise, he is already a winner, soon he will establish himself as a musical star. I am curious to see what he will come up with for his album debut. It's obvious his talent does not involve rock music only and if need be he can refrain from screeching (although I don't know why since he masters the high notes so well) if wants.
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I think Adam not winning the "title" is a blessing in disguise, he is already a winner, soon he will establish himself as a musical star. I am curious to see what he will come up with for his album debut. It's obvious his talent does not involve rock music only and if need be he can refrain from screeching (although I don't know why since he masters the high notes so well) if wants.
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Just a Thought
As I drive to work these days I now realize that it's better to be pissed off because of the morning traffic and finishing your coffee too soon while driving, than getting to work in 30 minutes and your coffee mug is still half full because traffic is so light due to the thousands of people that have lost their jobs. Heck, sometimes it used to take me half an hour just to travel five out of the 20-mile commute, and yes people that overslept would be driving like maniacs flashing their lights and flipping you the bird because they had only so many minutes to get to work and they knew that they were going to be late.
Oh, how I used to complain about those days, but truth be told I kindda miss them. For a while there if I didn't get on the freeway by 6:00 am I would be late. Lucky for me I never have to worry about getting to work on time, but many places will fire you by the third occurrence. As the days go by I see no increase in activity at work. May and June are our strongest months which makes me wonder that if things don't pick up we may have to start handing pink slips or worse yet I may be the recipient of one. No body is safe as no one is indispensable.
I know change is gonna come but unfortunately it won't happen overnight. I just hope that we remain strong as a company, as a society, and as a family.
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Triumph of the hunter-gatherers
It was no doubt a crazy idea, but I decided while I was feeling the good effects of the anti-shingles drug regimen I would make a quick (five-hour) run up to AZ. My friend J needed to renew her visa at the border, she offered me a room at her mom's house in Tucson and she wanted to get back here before her husband arrived on their boat. I had a list of things I can't buy in Mexico like unsweetened peanut butter and coconut, miso, rice cakes, my favorite tea (Tazo black chai) and four months of mail that had accumulated at my AZ post office. Plus there were items my friends wanted. So off we went Saturday morning. It was a fun girl-time, yakking and soul-baring, thoroughly covering everything from how we manage depression to how we cook brown rice to make it fluffy. J is only slightly older than my son, and it was fun to pretend she's my grownup daughter and best friend.
J's real mom is a college prof and artist, and she was all aflutter getting ready to host a Sunday brunch, so we pitched in a bit and made a last-minute supply run, before starting in earnest on our lists. For maybe the first time ever, I found everything I wanted (and then some). We visited an Indian grocery where I bought garam masala and coconut powder for coconut curry, and we took time for an after-dark stroll through the grounds of the beautiful St. Mark's Episcopal Church, where desert landscaping has risen to a higher level of splendor. A revelation: I am learning to love cactus!
Another Tucson discovery was Sunflower Market (with three locations) where I can still afford to get whole grains, Whole Foods having given me a case of sticker shock last time I was there.
In my mail was a wonderful battery charger that will allow me to recharge my camera batteries instead of always having to go buy more AAs. My friend Sue in Oregon sent it, so I'd have the same charger she's had good luck with. Thanks so much, Sue!
So for us hunter-gatherers it was a triumphant though exhausting trip.
The drive back went fine except my Escort's brake lights won't go off, so it looks from behind like I've got the brakes on all the time. We pulled the fuse on them when we found the lightbulb was melting the lens on the top light. I was so happy to get home safely I almost melted with gratitude. I'll need to take it to the dealership, I've been advised, but in the meantime, I'm taking the rest of the day off.
New York Food Shorts
This past weekend found me in a New York state of mind. And a New York state of body. Though it wasn’t *quite* as gluttonous as the trip to New Orleans, it was close. Here are a few favorite dishes.
Crispy Pork and Watermelon Salad at Fatty Crab
This? Was the best thing I ate all weekend. For reals, yo: Crispy chunks of fried pork belly sitting perilously atop vibrant cubes of watermelon, all tossed with scallions and a lovely splash of ginger dressing. The various textures, temperatures, and consistencies held a torrid threesome in my mouth that both made me a little shy [blush] and left me sorry that I agreed to share [curses]. Thank you, funky, outgoing, bespectacle’d server, for this stunning recommendation.
Pork sausage with Rice Cakes at Momofuku Ssäm
Ssäm Bar is the casual leg of David Chang’s restaurant trifecta. The diminutive space consists primarily of long, communal tables, giving the trendy space an oddly rustic feel. Our group’s favorite dish was easily the spicy pork sausage with rice cakes, served with Chinese broccoli and crispy shallots. Shazam! The gnocchi-style rice cakes perfectly balanced the meaty-and-heaty spice in the sausage, and the strangely texturific combinations were a welcome surprise.
Lobster Roll at Mary’s Fish Camp
We ordered Mary’s lobster roll at the suggestion of a friend, and thank goodness. Placed happily before us was a generous helping of lobster salad on a gorgeous, super-soft, buttery yum of a toasted hot dog roll. The uber-fresh lobster exploded with flavor, enveloped by just the right amount of mayonnaise and lemon. This thing immediately found a spot on my daily agenda for the weekend… until we scornfully discovered that “Market Price” actually meant $30. Grumble, grumble. Still worth it –- but just this once.
Sausage and Mushroom Pie at Grimaldi’s Pizzeria
We got to the original Grimaldi’s in Brooklyn around 6:15, hoping to beat the dinner rush. No dice. The line spanned the block. And we waited. And waited. And went for coffee. And waited some more. And finally took a seat more than an hour later. What we received in exchange for our time was a traditionally awesome New York pizza: thin, coal-charred crust topped with standard ingredients and smooth Mozzarella. And while I wasn’t blown away with the flavor, I was enamored of the pie’s sheer simplicity.
The famous Shack Burger at Shake Shack
We were a bit deterred by the line of 100+ snaking around the park, but two girls near the front swore that it moved quickly. Turns out they are lying liars because we waited an hour plus just to get an order in. Mere moments afterward, though, our annoyed patience was rewarded with the juiciest of Shack Burgers. Made with high quality meat, fresh vegetables, and secret sauce (which is oddly reminiscent of the one at In-n-Out) this burger is the real deal. Our only problem was that it seemed way too small for our needs.
Cupcakes from Magnolia Bakery
A mandatory stop on all my New York itineraries, Magnolia Bakery is as busy as ever, even despite the numerous cupcakeries that have matured in its shadows. Despite their abundance, though, I still like to top my meals with an original delight. And while the icing seems to have lost a step, the cake remains the golden standard: ever beautiful, ever buttery, ever pristine.
Crispy Pork and Watermelon Salad at Fatty Crab
This? Was the best thing I ate all weekend. For reals, yo: Crispy chunks of fried pork belly sitting perilously atop vibrant cubes of watermelon, all tossed with scallions and a lovely splash of ginger dressing. The various textures, temperatures, and consistencies held a torrid threesome in my mouth that both made me a little shy [blush] and left me sorry that I agreed to share [curses]. Thank you, funky, outgoing, bespectacle’d server, for this stunning recommendation.
Pork sausage with Rice Cakes at Momofuku Ssäm
Ssäm Bar is the casual leg of David Chang’s restaurant trifecta. The diminutive space consists primarily of long, communal tables, giving the trendy space an oddly rustic feel. Our group’s favorite dish was easily the spicy pork sausage with rice cakes, served with Chinese broccoli and crispy shallots. Shazam! The gnocchi-style rice cakes perfectly balanced the meaty-and-heaty spice in the sausage, and the strangely texturific combinations were a welcome surprise.
Lobster Roll at Mary’s Fish Camp
We ordered Mary’s lobster roll at the suggestion of a friend, and thank goodness. Placed happily before us was a generous helping of lobster salad on a gorgeous, super-soft, buttery yum of a toasted hot dog roll. The uber-fresh lobster exploded with flavor, enveloped by just the right amount of mayonnaise and lemon. This thing immediately found a spot on my daily agenda for the weekend… until we scornfully discovered that “Market Price” actually meant $30. Grumble, grumble. Still worth it –- but just this once.
Sausage and Mushroom Pie at Grimaldi’s Pizzeria
We got to the original Grimaldi’s in Brooklyn around 6:15, hoping to beat the dinner rush. No dice. The line spanned the block. And we waited. And waited. And went for coffee. And waited some more. And finally took a seat more than an hour later. What we received in exchange for our time was a traditionally awesome New York pizza: thin, coal-charred crust topped with standard ingredients and smooth Mozzarella. And while I wasn’t blown away with the flavor, I was enamored of the pie’s sheer simplicity.
The famous Shack Burger at Shake Shack
We were a bit deterred by the line of 100+ snaking around the park, but two girls near the front swore that it moved quickly. Turns out they are lying liars because we waited an hour plus just to get an order in. Mere moments afterward, though, our annoyed patience was rewarded with the juiciest of Shack Burgers. Made with high quality meat, fresh vegetables, and secret sauce (which is oddly reminiscent of the one at In-n-Out) this burger is the real deal. Our only problem was that it seemed way too small for our needs.
Cupcakes from Magnolia Bakery
A mandatory stop on all my New York itineraries, Magnolia Bakery is as busy as ever, even despite the numerous cupcakeries that have matured in its shadows. Despite their abundance, though, I still like to top my meals with an original delight. And while the icing seems to have lost a step, the cake remains the golden standard: ever beautiful, ever buttery, ever pristine.
Diego Graduates
The drive home from work on Friday was grueling. The temperature here in Phoenix is rapidly rising and we are already experiencing triple digit days already. I got home and the first thing I did was throw myself on the couch and pass out. But 20 minutes later my daughter wakes me up and tells me it's time to go.
My grandson Diego was graduating and as you know milestones such as this are very important. We left and soon I found out that the graduation was to be outside. What? We were among the first ones to get there so we got to choose a good shady spot, but realizing that we had over 40 minutes to wait before the ceremony started I knew it was going to be a long wait, add to this a crying granddaughter, let's just say it was interesting to say the least.
Finally, the school's principal (a very young girl) comes out and welcomes us. She goes through the process of how we the parents need to be respectful and to refrain from screaming when your graduate's name is mentioned. Yeah right! What's the point if you can't scream Diegooooooooooooooooooooo I LOVE YOU! and blow your air horn. OK, I didn't take an air horn but that would have been fun, and probably worth being ejected from the ceremony.
There were four graduating classes and as their respective teachers called the names the graduates started coming out and were handed their very impressive diplomas. They all looked so cute in their Hawaiian shirts and shorts as the graduation had a Hawaiian motif and became a Luau, as luck would have it our graduate was the third to the last to be called, remember we are outside in 100 degree weather and now screaming granddaughter has found her way into my arms while her mom and dad are busy taking pictures and film.
Finally we are all invited inside the cafeteria for a two song treat by the graduates and after that for lemonade and food, we stayed for the songs but left without eating, people can become savages when there's some free food around and we figured for us going home was better.
A few more pictures with our graduate whom by the way is totally ready for the challenges that the next year will bring and we were on our way. Upon coming home we were hungry so mi chica suggested we go to Costco were for the whooping amount of $16.00 dollars we all ate and had deserts.
OK, I know you all want to see pictures of our handsome graduate but since I didn't take my camera I will have to wait until my daughter post some so I can go and snatch them. lol So, stay tuned and make sure to come back to see them. In the meantime Diego says "First grade here I come".
For photos and a narrative from the mom's perspective CLICK HERE!
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My grandson Diego was graduating and as you know milestones such as this are very important. We left and soon I found out that the graduation was to be outside. What? We were among the first ones to get there so we got to choose a good shady spot, but realizing that we had over 40 minutes to wait before the ceremony started I knew it was going to be a long wait, add to this a crying granddaughter, let's just say it was interesting to say the least.
Finally, the school's principal (a very young girl) comes out and welcomes us. She goes through the process of how we the parents need to be respectful and to refrain from screaming when your graduate's name is mentioned. Yeah right! What's the point if you can't scream Diegooooooooooooooooooooo I LOVE YOU! and blow your air horn. OK, I didn't take an air horn but that would have been fun, and probably worth being ejected from the ceremony.
There were four graduating classes and as their respective teachers called the names the graduates started coming out and were handed their very impressive diplomas. They all looked so cute in their Hawaiian shirts and shorts as the graduation had a Hawaiian motif and became a Luau, as luck would have it our graduate was the third to the last to be called, remember we are outside in 100 degree weather and now screaming granddaughter has found her way into my arms while her mom and dad are busy taking pictures and film.
Finally we are all invited inside the cafeteria for a two song treat by the graduates and after that for lemonade and food, we stayed for the songs but left without eating, people can become savages when there's some free food around and we figured for us going home was better.
A few more pictures with our graduate whom by the way is totally ready for the challenges that the next year will bring and we were on our way. Upon coming home we were hungry so mi chica suggested we go to Costco were for the whooping amount of $16.00 dollars we all ate and had deserts.
OK, I know you all want to see pictures of our handsome graduate but since I didn't take my camera I will have to wait until my daughter post some so I can go and snatch them. lol So, stay tuned and make sure to come back to see them. In the meantime Diego says "First grade here I come".
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Drug-induced euphoria
For those in Mexico who might be curious what drugs were prescribed for the shingles, they are Cicloferon from Pfizer (spray and tablets) which I suppose suppress the virus; Benerva, which is primarily Vitamin B1; and Lyrica from Pfizer, which is indicated for calming nerves. Interestingly, the Lyrica website warns that one side effect can be blisters.
So far what I've noticed is wooziness in the morning, tottering to the door to let the dogs out and trying to make a pot of coffee. That wore off in an hour. And then I was feeling euphoric because the blisters and muscles didn't hurt, I had some energy and I spent a couple of hours volunteering at the library where it seemed everyone I know was looking for books and had their own shingles tales.
Thanks, everyone who sent me good wishes. It worked!
So far what I've noticed is wooziness in the morning, tottering to the door to let the dogs out and trying to make a pot of coffee. That wore off in an hour. And then I was feeling euphoric because the blisters and muscles didn't hurt, I had some energy and I spent a couple of hours volunteering at the library where it seemed everyone I know was looking for books and had their own shingles tales.
Thanks, everyone who sent me good wishes. It worked!
Weekend
It should be a busy weekend, as it turn out today my grandson graduates from kindergarten, yeap a full blown Hawaiian motif graduation, he is so excited and it should be fun to see a bunch of little kids graduating into first grade. Can you remember your first day of school as a first grader. I kindda can if I close my eyes and go back, back, back, way back in time. lol -- OK but that only means that for the third week in a row I won't go karaoke and as it gets hotter the cut out date for karaoke Friday approaches fast.
I started looking for things to see in our neighborhood yard sale tomorrow but anybody that knows me will be safe to assume that I don't part ways with my things easily. Still I have found a few items plus I intend to put all my frames out there too if at all to see if they create any comments. I prefer if the sell but comments and or conversation is welcomed too. The nice thing about neighborhood yard sales is that all the advertisement has been done for you. I do hope to get rid of a few things and maybe even make some money in the process.My "Ducky" is spending the night with us. I have been hired as the official baby sitter for tomorrow. This little kid loves coming to our house and I am so looking forward to having him. A typical phone conversation with him is like this:
Grandpa: Hi Ducky!
Ducky: (No hi grandpa or anything) I wanna go your house
Grandpa: Yo do?
Ducky: I wanna go your house
Grandpa: OK well ask your mommy to bring you.
(background voice -- "Say goodbye to grandpa".
Ducky: Bye grandpa.
And just like that he is gone. I gotta love my little duck.
Yeap, my weekend has been planned and promises to be an exciting one. What are your plans for the weekend?
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Woulda, Coulda, Shoulda
Today I found out I have shingles.
I could have headed it off, if I had taken the time on one of our trips to Tucson, to locate a public health center or one of those mini-clinics at Walgreen's, and get a vaccination of Zostavax, like my sister did last summer. I thought of it every time we crossed the border over the last year, but we’ve always been very rushed and it slipped my mind. (I have a very slippery mind.) Zostavax has been recommended by the CDC for everyone over age 60 who has had chicken pox, and please, even if you hate needles—don't procrastinate as I did but get the shot. It will make the difference between normal life and an extended period of pain that has been described by some as "worse than childbirth."
Last June when La Gringa in Honduras had shingles, she felt "excruciating pain...like someone was jabbing me with a sharpened knitting needle." La Gringa's outbreak was on her head; her eyes were threatened, her face was swollen. I've been lucky, in comparison...I've been affected on the right leg, from the lower back and hip to the knee, and my biggest complaint has been sharp muscle spasms that have kept me awake for four nights straight.
Today I went to my friend Lolita in desperation. “Let’s go to Dr. Ocampo,” she suggested, “I need to see him anyway. I'll be your translator.” The nearly two hours we spent in his tiny waiting room were made less onerous by Lolita’s wacky stories about her late husband.
Early in their marriage, he wouldn’t eat anyone else’s cooking. No restaurants, no dining at the homes of friends...”I had to do something!” Lolita said. So on the sly she hired a maid, taught her everything she knew in the kitchen, and then she began making “mistakes” now and then in her own cooking. “Pretty soon,” she said, “he was telling me her cooking was better than mine. He never knew...”
Self-diagnosis is frowned upon, but I had done enough research online to be convinced that the ugly, spreading red blisters on my leg and muscle aches indicated shingles. Dr. Ocampo agreed and gave me a prescription for four meds: two for pain and sleep, and two to fight the virus (one a topical spray and the other a pill.) Most of these medicines are supposed to be taken for three months! He also wants me to take a blood test and said I should wash my hands frequently and try not to touch the blisters or I could spread them to other parts of the body. He also said I'm contagious, at least to anyone who hasn't had smallpox. I asked him about a preventive vaccination and he’d never heard of it.
I dropped Lolita off at her house, headed straight home, took the prescribed doses and fell into bed to enjoy the first deep sleep I’ve had in five days. That’s the first good news. Numero dos: I found that only ten percent of shingles sufferers get it again. Another article said I could still get the shot, once the blisters have healed, just in case I fall into that ten percent.
Should I send Dr. Ocampo the information about Zostavax? I don’t even know if it can be obtained in Mexico, but I found a Spanish article about it that I could print out and give him when I go back next week. I don't want to offend him, but if one future patient can be prevented from what La Gringa and I have experienced, I'll take a chance.
And now, time for another siesta. And please, think about getting that shot.
I could have headed it off, if I had taken the time on one of our trips to Tucson, to locate a public health center or one of those mini-clinics at Walgreen's, and get a vaccination of Zostavax, like my sister did last summer. I thought of it every time we crossed the border over the last year, but we’ve always been very rushed and it slipped my mind. (I have a very slippery mind.) Zostavax has been recommended by the CDC for everyone over age 60 who has had chicken pox, and please, even if you hate needles—don't procrastinate as I did but get the shot. It will make the difference between normal life and an extended period of pain that has been described by some as "worse than childbirth."
Last June when La Gringa in Honduras had shingles, she felt "excruciating pain...like someone was jabbing me with a sharpened knitting needle." La Gringa's outbreak was on her head; her eyes were threatened, her face was swollen. I've been lucky, in comparison...I've been affected on the right leg, from the lower back and hip to the knee, and my biggest complaint has been sharp muscle spasms that have kept me awake for four nights straight.
Today I went to my friend Lolita in desperation. “Let’s go to Dr. Ocampo,” she suggested, “I need to see him anyway. I'll be your translator.” The nearly two hours we spent in his tiny waiting room were made less onerous by Lolita’s wacky stories about her late husband.
Early in their marriage, he wouldn’t eat anyone else’s cooking. No restaurants, no dining at the homes of friends...”I had to do something!” Lolita said. So on the sly she hired a maid, taught her everything she knew in the kitchen, and then she began making “mistakes” now and then in her own cooking. “Pretty soon,” she said, “he was telling me her cooking was better than mine. He never knew...”
Self-diagnosis is frowned upon, but I had done enough research online to be convinced that the ugly, spreading red blisters on my leg and muscle aches indicated shingles. Dr. Ocampo agreed and gave me a prescription for four meds: two for pain and sleep, and two to fight the virus (one a topical spray and the other a pill.) Most of these medicines are supposed to be taken for three months! He also wants me to take a blood test and said I should wash my hands frequently and try not to touch the blisters or I could spread them to other parts of the body. He also said I'm contagious, at least to anyone who hasn't had smallpox. I asked him about a preventive vaccination and he’d never heard of it.
I dropped Lolita off at her house, headed straight home, took the prescribed doses and fell into bed to enjoy the first deep sleep I’ve had in five days. That’s the first good news. Numero dos: I found that only ten percent of shingles sufferers get it again. Another article said I could still get the shot, once the blisters have healed, just in case I fall into that ten percent.
Should I send Dr. Ocampo the information about Zostavax? I don’t even know if it can be obtained in Mexico, but I found a Spanish article about it that I could print out and give him when I go back next week. I don't want to offend him, but if one future patient can be prevented from what La Gringa and I have experienced, I'll take a chance.
And now, time for another siesta. And please, think about getting that shot.
Michelada Me, Baby.
A recent Twitter conversation left me craving a michelada, another of Mexico’s great gifts to the culinary marketplace. There are, oh, upteen jabillion ways to make one of these tangy, tasty beverages, but the basic formula is [Mexican beer + clamato] salt-rimmed glass = delicious. From there, you can add lime juice, Worcestershire, or hot sauce. And don’t forget the ice!
Thanks to a recommendation from Plinio Sandalio, I squelched my desire with this limey, tall, Tecate-flavored bad boy from the Taqueria Arandas on Shepherd. Now that’s a lotta michelada...
I hear the michelada at Ninfa’s on Nav is not to be missed. And I love the one at Connie’s Seafood on Spencer Highway as well. The time (and weather) is right, my friends... Arriba!
Thanks to a recommendation from Plinio Sandalio, I squelched my desire with this limey, tall, Tecate-flavored bad boy from the Taqueria Arandas on Shepherd. Now that’s a lotta michelada...
I hear the michelada at Ninfa’s on Nav is not to be missed. And I love the one at Connie’s Seafood on Spencer Highway as well. The time (and weather) is right, my friends... Arriba!
Tidbits of Nothing
What Danny is out, it's about time. Now what, does anybody really think Kris will sell thousands of albums and go platinum. I just don't see it. Clearly Adam is the only realistic choice for the powers that be to make them money. We'll see how thing pan out next week.
So, I finally got another lap top computer yey. It's another hand me down but at zero cost to me its awesome. It just happens to be the exact same model of the one I had before, what were the chances. I am just excited as I will soon be able to karaoke on line again, sweet.
Tomorrow will be the last bike night at Westgate and I am planning on going, need to take some more pictures of those awesome bikes on display. I do intend to get mine fixed very, very soon so stay tuned for that. Now I just have to dig mine out of the garage. If this neighborhood yard sale scheduled for next Saturday goes the way I plan I just might free some very needed garage space, and the bike will be more visible and easy to get to. lol
Oh, yeah neighborhood yard sale, I must get my sh--t together and really start sorting out some of that old junk I have laying around, I am sure there is a buyer out there waiting to buy my possessions. But being the eternal "rat pack" that I am I probably won't let too many things out of my reach.
I'll come with a decent post soon, right now my mind is everywhere else but here. Michelle and I are trying to put together our second Photography Exhibition which will be held at my daughter in law's house as she will be hosting it. In our maiden exhibition we had 15 framed pieces, my goal for this one is to have 20 frames on display and available for sale. We are not raking in any profits but we are being able to buy more frames without spending any more out of pocket money. I will keep you posted on that too. In the meantime visit our new blog at http://melo-duckworthoriginalz.blogspot.com (melo-duckworthoriginalz.blogspot.com)and become our follower, our critic, our friend, our customer.
Until the next time, peace.
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So, I finally got another lap top computer yey. It's another hand me down but at zero cost to me its awesome. It just happens to be the exact same model of the one I had before, what were the chances. I am just excited as I will soon be able to karaoke on line again, sweet.
Tomorrow will be the last bike night at Westgate and I am planning on going, need to take some more pictures of those awesome bikes on display. I do intend to get mine fixed very, very soon so stay tuned for that. Now I just have to dig mine out of the garage. If this neighborhood yard sale scheduled for next Saturday goes the way I plan I just might free some very needed garage space, and the bike will be more visible and easy to get to. lol
Oh, yeah neighborhood yard sale, I must get my sh--t together and really start sorting out some of that old junk I have laying around, I am sure there is a buyer out there waiting to buy my possessions. But being the eternal "rat pack" that I am I probably won't let too many things out of my reach.
I'll come with a decent post soon, right now my mind is everywhere else but here. Michelle and I are trying to put together our second Photography Exhibition which will be held at my daughter in law's house as she will be hosting it. In our maiden exhibition we had 15 framed pieces, my goal for this one is to have 20 frames on display and available for sale. We are not raking in any profits but we are being able to buy more frames without spending any more out of pocket money. I will keep you posted on that too. In the meantime visit our new blog at http://melo-duckworthoriginalz.blogspot.com (melo-duckworthoriginalz.blogspot.com)and become our follower, our critic, our friend, our customer.
Until the next time, peace.
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Tonight No American Idol For This Kid
Since I don't really care for American Idol tonight I'll have to find something else to watch. I really think that this season was the worst season ever. With all the changes they did something was bound to go wrong. I hated the idea of a fourth judge but Kara won me over, the downside was that four critiques would take way too long and this year was a war between the judges. Boring!
Judges coming down the stairs like if they are the stars... Not! I am glad they stopped that. The list of failed changes is way too long and still I hanged in there until last week. It's like nobody can explain how is it that Allison was booted out and now the remaining three have only a top one. So, no I don't care to watch tonight or even next week, and if Adam is not cheated out of the obvious win I will
watch the finale.
At least we will soon have my new favorite reality show. So You Think You Can Dance. I don't foresee them coming up with stupid changes, someone said give change a chance but it's hard to give something a chance when you clearly can see it won't work.
It's obvious that Nigel Lythgoe knew something we didn't last year as he wisely left American Idol. But hey we'll see how the cookie crumbles from now on.
Does anybody out there really think that Danny will outshine and out sing Adam?
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Judges coming down the stairs like if they are the stars... Not! I am glad they stopped that. The list of failed changes is way too long and still I hanged in there until last week. It's like nobody can explain how is it that Allison was booted out and now the remaining three have only a top one. So, no I don't care to watch tonight or even next week, and if Adam is not cheated out of the obvious win I will
watch the finale.
At least we will soon have my new favorite reality show. So You Think You Can Dance. I don't foresee them coming up with stupid changes, someone said give change a chance but it's hard to give something a chance when you clearly can see it won't work.
It's obvious that Nigel Lythgoe knew something we didn't last year as he wisely left American Idol. But hey we'll see how the cookie crumbles from now on.
Does anybody out there really think that Danny will outshine and out sing Adam?
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Adventuring Out: Thai
Last week was our final Ethnic Night with the YES Prep sophomores. After previous trips to get Indian, Vietnamese, Greek, and Cajun food, Thursday found us at a Thai restaurant near campus. We took eleven students with us -- all experienced brancher-outers, ready to learn a new cuisine in the best way possible: family style, suckas!
Spring rolls set the tone for the evening, leaving everyone enamored of the flavorific peanut sauce. Then, oddly and interestingly enough, most students chose to skip the Pad Thai in favor of more authentic dishes like Pad Se Ew, Duck Curry, and Tom Yum. They were fascinated by the glutinous consistency of the thick rice noodles, the sweet heat in the brothy soup, and the new range of foreign spices in every single dish.
As always, the kiddos loved trying the various different drinks and desserts. Thai iced tea and Thai sodas were a huge hit, as were the fried ice cream and mango sticky rice. Mmmm, my fave!
All in all, Foodventure nights were a raging success. Nearly fifty different students joined us for at least one dinner. Three students joined us for all five. And twenty or so made it to at least three ethnic evenings. Ask them which was their favorite, and you’ll get a range of adamant answers and supporting evidence. Perhaps the biggest indicator of success, though, is the reaction of the junior class: “That’s not fair -- we didn’t get to do that last year!”
Well, sorry about that.
Spring rolls set the tone for the evening, leaving everyone enamored of the flavorific peanut sauce. Then, oddly and interestingly enough, most students chose to skip the Pad Thai in favor of more authentic dishes like Pad Se Ew, Duck Curry, and Tom Yum. They were fascinated by the glutinous consistency of the thick rice noodles, the sweet heat in the brothy soup, and the new range of foreign spices in every single dish.
As always, the kiddos loved trying the various different drinks and desserts. Thai iced tea and Thai sodas were a huge hit, as were the fried ice cream and mango sticky rice. Mmmm, my fave!
All in all, Foodventure nights were a raging success. Nearly fifty different students joined us for at least one dinner. Three students joined us for all five. And twenty or so made it to at least three ethnic evenings. Ask them which was their favorite, and you’ll get a range of adamant answers and supporting evidence. Perhaps the biggest indicator of success, though, is the reaction of the junior class: “That’s not fair -- we didn’t get to do that last year!”
Well, sorry about that.
El Weekend
It was a nice weekend, in the endless amount of birthday parties Saturday was my niece's birthday. It was held at my mom's house and let me tell you it was a hot day in Phoenix. Fortunately there are a couple of huge trees in my mom's backyard that provide tons of shade and then after the sun went down so did the temperature. All in all we all had a good time but best of all the kids had a great time. Why braking piñatas and eating cake and ice cream always does the trick. So, happy birthday Fernanda you are now one year old, whoohooo!
My son called and invited us to go to Prescott for lunch. It was a treat for the moms and the plan was to take mi chica, his wife, and her mom. We agreed to go and started on our trek. We needed to gas up so I stopped at the gas station and I noticed that mi chica was making noises as in I am not feeling so good this morning kindda noises so we decided to head back to the house and cancelled on going to Prescott.
I knew it had to do with the medication and the fact that we were on empty stomachs but as soon as I got home I went to Chipotle's and got us a pair of the biggest burritos that they make and had a great breakfast. After that she went to bed and I crashed on the couch and pretty much slept for the next four hours. Wow, that was good. lol
My son, his wife and the kids stopped by as they came back from Prescott and spent the next two hours with us. We had a nice time. The only thing is that I didn't get a chance to go see my mom but I will make up next Tuesday when I go to her house.
I hope all the moms out there had a great day.
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My son called and invited us to go to Prescott for lunch. It was a treat for the moms and the plan was to take mi chica, his wife, and her mom. We agreed to go and started on our trek. We needed to gas up so I stopped at the gas station and I noticed that mi chica was making noises as in I am not feeling so good this morning kindda noises so we decided to head back to the house and cancelled on going to Prescott.
I knew it had to do with the medication and the fact that we were on empty stomachs but as soon as I got home I went to Chipotle's and got us a pair of the biggest burritos that they make and had a great breakfast. After that she went to bed and I crashed on the couch and pretty much slept for the next four hours. Wow, that was good. lol
My son, his wife and the kids stopped by as they came back from Prescott and spent the next two hours with us. We had a nice time. The only thing is that I didn't get a chance to go see my mom but I will make up next Tuesday when I go to her house.
I hope all the moms out there had a great day.
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Messing with Mother Nature
It's been a long time since I did any mothering, but I haven't forgotten how.Walking the dogs with a friend Friday evening, we passed a house that was locked up and vacant for the season. I heard an insistent cry in the patio, and looked through the iron gate to see a tiny kitten with a big voice. She looked about two weeks old, and when she came toward us she tottered as though she had just learned to walk. She came out to the street and was obviously all set to follow us, but we had to keep her away from my dogs, so I scooped her up.
I might have put her back down, tried to shoo her back into the patio and walked quickly away, except that I knew she was in danger. Right next door live a pair of Samoyeds notorious for attacking feral kittens and killing them. They corner a kitten, grab it and break its neck or spine while their owner stands there at the other end of the leash; maybe he thinks he’s improving the neighborhood by removing another feral feline. I saw his little Samoyed Death Squad in action once, and have heard of two other young cats they killed, one feral and the other a beloved pet. This baby, not yet able to run, wouldn't have had a chance if they went after her. So we took her home.
My next neighbor turned away when I passed her door with the kitten, as if to say, “Oh, here comes Bliss with another feral cat. When will she learn?” But later when I was attempting to feed it with the syringe from a Visine bottle, my neighbor turned up with a better syringe. I opened a can of tuna and used a bit of it diluted with warm water to make a tuna soup for our orphan. Probably half of it ended up on her fur, but she had a good appetite. I nicknamed her Tuna Breath and allowed her to clamber over me, marveling at her vigor and energy. I tucked her into bed on a towel in a cooler box, added Chica's old orangutan toy for company, and got up a couple of times in the night to feed her again.
By morning I had located a woman whose daughter fosters kittens, and they came by to pick her up, along with a couple of boxes of “cat milk” I had bought. That afternoon the new foster “moms” took the kitten to the vet for worming, and accepted another kitten waiting for fostering. So now Tuna Breath has a safe, temporary home, and a foster sibling to play and sleep with. Eventually, with luck, someone will adopt her and she will live the life of a domesticated cat.
A very different prospect than the one she was facing before I took that fated walk. I’ve been messing with Mother Nature again, and many would say I should have just let events take their course. Perhaps TB’s mother was moving the litter and was already on her way back with another infant, and TB became impatient. Like Angelina Jolie and Madonna, I may have disrupted a family in my need to play rescuer.
But if I had it to do over again, I’d do it again.
P.S. Speaking of mothers, I heard from mine today and was thrilled that she can talk on the phone again, walk without a walker, eat without assistance and meet her friends for lunch every day. Quite a change from last year.
Happy Mother's Day
I do wish for this day to be very happy for all of the moms out there in blogland.
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Tidbit Time
When I bought my car back in 1990 my gas tank used to fill up with about $14.00 then gradually gas prices increased but it was still not too bad considering my Mustang has a 5.0 V8 engine under the hood. Then last year the gas prices sky rocketed and my small gas tank took as much as $42.00 on a couple of occasions. That pretty much meant $168.00 a month in gas and that only covers Monday through Friday.Well for the past few months I fill up my tank and the receipt total is usually between $16.00 and $17.50 now those are prices I can live with. How much longer this low prices will stay? When we used to have the Expedition it was nearly $80.00 to fill it up. How much is your tank taking these days?
I have to wonder how many people are not working these days, judging by the morning traffic which has been very light it doesn't look too good. Man I do wish and hope things turn around soon, even a small turn for the better will be welcomed. Pray people we need to get back to whatever our "normal" used to be.
So, I did not go karaoke last week so I guess tonight that's what I'm doing. It is getting hot in Phoenix and since karaoke is out in the restaurant's patio they stop it until the heat is gone. This week we already had three days of over 100 degrees, I believe today we were supposed to be at 105. That my far away friends is HOT! Then for tomorrow we have my niece's birthday that should be fun as well as productive because some of the pictures and frames ordered last week will involve portraits and we are supposed to see them tomorrow. Sounds like fun huh.Prison break, why did they move it from Monday to Friday? Well, thanks to my DVR because it has been doing a great job at recording it. Will this be the final season?
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TGIF
How is this for a hanging garden of sorts. I like it, specially because it is in at my tia's house.
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Foul Play
Can someone explain to me how is it that someone that clearly outperformed both Danny Gokey and Kris Allen and that apparently was well liked by millions still got booted off American Idol last night. This after she kept getting great performances while Danny and Kris stayed pretty bland and uninteresting.If Alexis got booted off immediately because of her bad performance, then Danny should have been the one leaving last night. If anybody out there other than his family says his performance of "Dream On" was even a little bit good you know you are lying. That performance was a musical travesty and he most than deserved to leave the show.
Radio and TV stations reach millions, by blog may only reach five of you, but we all agree that Allison leaving AI last night may have nothing to do with Americans voting. I said it before and I'll say it again, something stinks and it is not my socks. Many people including myself have been saying that somehow the voting system is rigged, and in this season that has become more obvious. True or not, many of us won't trust it anymore and I doubt I'll be tuning in next year.
As for this season, out of the three remaining there is only one clear winner. As of yesterday I stopped watching the show, I may tune in three weeks from now just to see Adam be crowned American Idol Season 8 winner, or to see him cheated out of the title. AI in my opinion has lost all it's credibility.
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Sylvia’s Enchilada Kitchen
Busting out of a strip mall on Woodway, Sylvia’s Enchilada Kitchen embodies the curtsy and flair of a Texican hacienda. Sylvia, herself, roams the place, checking on tables as her enormous turquoise earrings sway delicately along with her non-stop motion. She is the center of this colorful universe, mimicking the flavors of her youth in the Rio Grande Valley.
Start out, of course, with a margarita, limey and fresh. Avoid the bland tortilla soup, and instead try the plateful of fresh guacamole. Sylvia’s version is served with piles of diced tomatoes, onion, and jalapenos on the side so you can flavor it up to each person’s liking.
One would expect an “enchilada kitchen” to rule at enchiladas. But these are just so-so. Meats are fresh and well seasoned, but the sauce is where the dishes fall short. Portions are reasonable, though, rather than the hulking beasts you find at other joints around town, and not slathered with cheese. On the other side of the plate, pay close attention to your pile of rice lest it disappear at the hands of your dining partner... Jay Francis tells us that Sylvia actually employs an arrocero (read: rice guy) who is responsible for nothing other than making the rice, a lovely version of the traditional Mexican standard.
Looking past the enchiladas, fish tacos are a consistently solid choice: grilled or fried strips of tilapia stuffed into delicious housemade corn tortillas. What really sings, though, is anything made on the mesquite grill -- like beef fajitas, shrimp, and tilapia. Items arrive well cooked with a nice smoky flavor alongside a spicy set of poblano rajas in a creamy cheese sauce.
Sylvia’s is a bright and casual moderately-priced neighborhood joint, good for a night out with family or friends. It’s worth a stop if it’s on your regular route, but no need to go out of your way.
Sylvia’s Enchilada Kitchen - 6401 Woodway
Start out, of course, with a margarita, limey and fresh. Avoid the bland tortilla soup, and instead try the plateful of fresh guacamole. Sylvia’s version is served with piles of diced tomatoes, onion, and jalapenos on the side so you can flavor it up to each person’s liking.
One would expect an “enchilada kitchen” to rule at enchiladas. But these are just so-so. Meats are fresh and well seasoned, but the sauce is where the dishes fall short. Portions are reasonable, though, rather than the hulking beasts you find at other joints around town, and not slathered with cheese. On the other side of the plate, pay close attention to your pile of rice lest it disappear at the hands of your dining partner... Jay Francis tells us that Sylvia actually employs an arrocero (read: rice guy) who is responsible for nothing other than making the rice, a lovely version of the traditional Mexican standard.
Looking past the enchiladas, fish tacos are a consistently solid choice: grilled or fried strips of tilapia stuffed into delicious housemade corn tortillas. What really sings, though, is anything made on the mesquite grill -- like beef fajitas, shrimp, and tilapia. Items arrive well cooked with a nice smoky flavor alongside a spicy set of poblano rajas in a creamy cheese sauce.
Sylvia’s is a bright and casual moderately-priced neighborhood joint, good for a night out with family or friends. It’s worth a stop if it’s on your regular route, but no need to go out of your way.
Sylvia’s Enchilada Kitchen - 6401 Woodway
Cinco de Mayo and American Idol
About six years ago us warehouse guys at work decided to have a little "Carne Asada" for lunch, so we brought a barbecue grill and some salsas from home and on a Friday afternoon we during lunch we grilled the meat and had a great lunch. A couple of the Customer Service reps and other employees came out to the warehouse and saw us grilling, so we invited them a taco and before we knew it people were "visiting" us.
For a while they kept buggin' us about doing a Carne Asada and of course to invite them so as Cinco de Mayo was approaching I asked the guys if they would be willing to sponsor a Carne Asada but it needed to be for the whole company. We all agreed to do it and that was the beginning of what is now our annual Cinco de Mayo Carne Asada Fiesta. The owner of the company was so impressed and liked it so much that the following year with a month in advance he asked if we were doing it again because he wanted to purchase all the meat needed for the event.
Our quarterly staff meetings are always catered but nothing comes close to the food served during our Cinco de Mayo fiesta. The meat may be sponsored by the executives but it is up to us to bring all the delicious side foods, let me tell you there is never a shortage of good stuff to eat on this occasion.
Yesterday once again was a total success and the only regret everyone has is that we only do this once a year.
On a full stomach I went to my mom's house and waited for American Idol, the top four would perform. While there was a top four show last night was a show of two only. In many cases a particular contestant is supposed to be strong on a specific them and then they blow it completely. Last night was rock night which meant that both Adam and Allison would be strong. Well, last night they were the whole show, both Kris and Danny were totally opaqued by their performances and even though both of them have a strong following which I believe Allison doesn't they were really not that good.
I still don't get the fascination people have with Kris, he really is not all that. Danny an early favorite and one I liked before just didn't seem to bring anything new to the table and I really don't care for most of his performances. Allison, is consistently good but perhaps not considered the total package that they look for in an idol hopeful and keeps finding herself at the bottom of the pit. I really, really, really hope she survives tonight as she really deserves to be a top three contestant, maybe even a top two, but that is just wishful thinking.
Adam was the biggest surprise this season. I really didn't care for him at the beginning. I totally hated him on Country week but that was where the hate ended. The following week he surprised all of us and little by little he became the one we all wanted to hear and were interested in seeing what he would come up with. He has not disappointed since and yesterday when it counted as his night he shone like the star that he will probably will become.
Danny really sucked last night but the consensus is that it will all come down to an Adam vs. Danny finale. I would definitely prefer an Allison vs. Danny finale but either way no matter who's goes against Adam he or she does not stand a chance against Adam. But then again voters have been known to favor not the best but the favorite. We'll soon find out.
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For a while they kept buggin' us about doing a Carne Asada and of course to invite them so as Cinco de Mayo was approaching I asked the guys if they would be willing to sponsor a Carne Asada but it needed to be for the whole company. We all agreed to do it and that was the beginning of what is now our annual Cinco de Mayo Carne Asada Fiesta. The owner of the company was so impressed and liked it so much that the following year with a month in advance he asked if we were doing it again because he wanted to purchase all the meat needed for the event.
Our quarterly staff meetings are always catered but nothing comes close to the food served during our Cinco de Mayo fiesta. The meat may be sponsored by the executives but it is up to us to bring all the delicious side foods, let me tell you there is never a shortage of good stuff to eat on this occasion.
Yesterday once again was a total success and the only regret everyone has is that we only do this once a year.
On a full stomach I went to my mom's house and waited for American Idol, the top four would perform. While there was a top four show last night was a show of two only. In many cases a particular contestant is supposed to be strong on a specific them and then they blow it completely. Last night was rock night which meant that both Adam and Allison would be strong. Well, last night they were the whole show, both Kris and Danny were totally opaqued by their performances and even though both of them have a strong following which I believe Allison doesn't they were really not that good.
I still don't get the fascination people have with Kris, he really is not all that. Danny an early favorite and one I liked before just didn't seem to bring anything new to the table and I really don't care for most of his performances. Allison, is consistently good but perhaps not considered the total package that they look for in an idol hopeful and keeps finding herself at the bottom of the pit. I really, really, really hope she survives tonight as she really deserves to be a top three contestant, maybe even a top two, but that is just wishful thinking.
Adam was the biggest surprise this season. I really didn't care for him at the beginning. I totally hated him on Country week but that was where the hate ended. The following week he surprised all of us and little by little he became the one we all wanted to hear and were interested in seeing what he would come up with. He has not disappointed since and yesterday when it counted as his night he shone like the star that he will probably will become.
Danny really sucked last night but the consensus is that it will all come down to an Adam vs. Danny finale. I would definitely prefer an Allison vs. Danny finale but either way no matter who's goes against Adam he or she does not stand a chance against Adam. But then again voters have been known to favor not the best but the favorite. We'll soon find out.
So my daughter Nikki has not watched idol at all this season so last night she decided to sit down and give it a whirl. Ryan comes out and does his usual intro and then he says the now famous phrase, "And These Are Your Top Four America" at this point Ducky is watching with her and as they come out Ducky screams, "It's the Jonas Brothers" lol and sits down to watch. lol -- I thought it was too funny and so did Nikki.
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Beyond Tacos and Quesadillas
This is a foodie post. Anyone not interested in food and cooking, come back in a day or so.After three years in Mexico, I'm still mystified by much of what I see in restaurant menus and on grocery shelves. I was raised in South Texas, where you'd think I'd have plenty of exposure to South of the Border cuisine, but my mother never got beyond chili. So when Magdiel Lagunas, a blogger specializing in Mexican cuisine, emailed me wanting to exchange links, it looked like a good chance for enlightenment. Magdiel lives in Cuernavaca Morelos, 45 minutes from Mexco City.
His new blog, at Mexico Foods and More, offers authentic recipes, beginning with Caldo Tlalpeño, a chicken soup that uses the feet and tailbone (!), plus epazote, an herb that I've heard is good for beans but never tried. It's a carminative, Magdiel explains, so it reduces gas.
As a rank amateur timidly wading into the mysteries of Mexican cooking, I was inspired. No, I'm not going to rush out and buy chicken feet, but the Tlalpeño recipe can be adapted. On the same page were directions for making Cochinita Pibil, a slow-roasted pork dish from the Yucatan that looks appealing. His archives show more promising culinary adventures: mango bread, a Oaxacan version of pizza using those large, thick tortillas I've seen in stores, a mole recipe from Puebla. One humble homey recipe I thought I'd try today is Red Rice, considered a staple of Mexican meals.
Magdiel also gives an explanation of the many different kinds of breads you find in the panaderia. And he explains why traditional pastes (empanadas) are made with a rim around them, so when they were packed in a miner's lunch, the miner would have a "handle" to hold them with dirty hands. The "handle" would then be discarded.
Mexican Foods and More will be on my bloglist, so we can all check back now and then for ideas on what to do with those interesting peppers we found or that leftover chicken in the fridge. After all, anyone who uses habanero peppers in his guacamole is a spunky cook, in my book!
A Couple More
So my mom really liked the frame of the Ex-convento Dominico de la Natividad or as my daughter calls it "The Castle". My sister bought it first so they didn't want to have the same image in both houses so my mom saw this beautiful picture of the Cathedral in Cuernavaca and said she wanted that one instead. I had liked that image since I took it and I knew it would look fantastic once framed, I was right and so was my mom. All these old Mexican churches are protected by the state and it is against the law to alter them, all that can be done to them is restore them but they have to remain original. They are all beautiful if you ask me.
Cuernavaca's Cathedral.
Mike our gardener liked the "Rocky Point" sunset but wanted the darker frame. So we customized one for him to. Here is the end result.
There is the original at the left.
And this is his special order one.
All I know is that this is fun and I am enjoying it.
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Mike our gardener liked the "Rocky Point" sunset but wanted the darker frame. So we customized one for him to. Here is the end result.
All I know is that this is fun and I am enjoying it.
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Letting it bleed
No, dear readers, I have not expired from the swine flu. I haven't even been exposed to it or seen anyone else sick with it. Here in San Carlos the "epidemic" has turned out to be a flop. So far, anyway.
I've been distracted from blogging by my interest and struggles in other forms of writing. Three weeks ago, I started a local writing group, the San Carlos Scribblers, with minimal expectations and a faint hope that it might inspire me to write more regularly, maybe even produce a body of work. You could call a blog a body of work, but I'm thinking of articles, essays, short fiction, maybe even a book project. Interesting how I always refer to a "book project" instead of simply "a book." Adding the word "project" helps hold off friends who demand to know when the book is going to press, while it's still an amorphous wisp of an idea in my head, easily blown away if I expose it too soon.
"It's never too late to be what you could have been." George Eliot
Last November I managed to get four chapters drafted, no more, after I signed up with NaNoWriMo, the annual November challenge to writers to produce complete 50,000-word short novels. My chapters, deemed too intensely personal, were so cleverly stashed in my laptop that now I can't find them. Never mind, I will try again. And now that there's a writers' group, I won't wait until November.
Something I realized today: I find myself dreading going to the writers' group as though it were a trip to the dentist or the immigration office--until I prepare something to read aloud. Then I can hardly wait. I've been bringing selections from the blog so far (which could be considered cheating) but I do work hard when we have our 30-minute timed writings. I love blogging, and take my posting seriously (you should see how many edits it goes through) and no doubt the blog will help provide material for the other work. The regular practice of writing every day is one of the hardest disciplines I've ever attempted, but when I stick to it, I get an immense satisfaction just from having tried, even if I'm not thrilled with the results.
The group has exceeded all expectations: we continue to have at least five members at every meeting, amazing when you consider that half of them at any given time are away on their boats. This means we're steadily getting fresh blood, an image that brings to mind Just Open a Vein, a collection of essays on writing edited by William Brohaugh. The title refers to writer Red Smith's brief advice: "There is nothing to writing. All you do is sit down at the typewriter and just open a vein."
And since nowadays you might sit down to a computer instead, do try to keep the blood off the keyboard.
I've been distracted from blogging by my interest and struggles in other forms of writing. Three weeks ago, I started a local writing group, the San Carlos Scribblers, with minimal expectations and a faint hope that it might inspire me to write more regularly, maybe even produce a body of work. You could call a blog a body of work, but I'm thinking of articles, essays, short fiction, maybe even a book project. Interesting how I always refer to a "book project" instead of simply "a book." Adding the word "project" helps hold off friends who demand to know when the book is going to press, while it's still an amorphous wisp of an idea in my head, easily blown away if I expose it too soon.
"It's never too late to be what you could have been." George EliotLast November I managed to get four chapters drafted, no more, after I signed up with NaNoWriMo, the annual November challenge to writers to produce complete 50,000-word short novels. My chapters, deemed too intensely personal, were so cleverly stashed in my laptop that now I can't find them. Never mind, I will try again. And now that there's a writers' group, I won't wait until November.
Something I realized today: I find myself dreading going to the writers' group as though it were a trip to the dentist or the immigration office--until I prepare something to read aloud. Then I can hardly wait. I've been bringing selections from the blog so far (which could be considered cheating) but I do work hard when we have our 30-minute timed writings. I love blogging, and take my posting seriously (you should see how many edits it goes through) and no doubt the blog will help provide material for the other work. The regular practice of writing every day is one of the hardest disciplines I've ever attempted, but when I stick to it, I get an immense satisfaction just from having tried, even if I'm not thrilled with the results.
The group has exceeded all expectations: we continue to have at least five members at every meeting, amazing when you consider that half of them at any given time are away on their boats. This means we're steadily getting fresh blood, an image that brings to mind Just Open a Vein, a collection of essays on writing edited by William Brohaugh. The title refers to writer Red Smith's brief advice: "There is nothing to writing. All you do is sit down at the typewriter and just open a vein."
And since nowadays you might sit down to a computer instead, do try to keep the blood off the keyboard.
If You Build It They Will Come
OK, that worked for Fields of Dreams but in my fields of dreams when I put it together a few came but in the end it was a fun time for those who came and a good day for Michelle and I because we did sell a few of our frames and got a few custom orders too.
It wasn't until 6:30 pm that my sister, my niece and my mom came in. Before this I was thinking no one would show up. A few minutes later my other sister and my other niece came in. Hey not a total bust, then my sister in law, her two daughters (my nieces), and a friend of theirs showed up, and lastly Michelle's best friend came in.
My gardener got a private showing as he was here doing my yards and he was quite impressed with what he saw that he wanted to buy one on the spot, then he told me he really loved a certain image we had but wanted it on a darker frame to fit the decor of his house, needless to say he placed the order and we are already working on it.
How amazing that we can make some money out of something we have always done for free. If you know my clan we are all always carrying our cameras, a hobby passed down to all of us by my dad. So, without further ado here are some of the photos I took from last night.
Elegant and inspiring, this limited edition collection is mostly filled with one of a kind original images captured by either Michelle or me. We put a lot of love in the process of framing the images. These are perfect for mother's day and also as casual gifts. For any questions plese do not hesitate to contact us.
melo.duckworthoriginalz@yahoo.com
"The Angel" my sister in law snatched this one right away as she really loved it. This is one of Michelle's images.
The church in the photograph which my daughter nicknamed "The Castle" was bought by my sister. The Angel was bought by my sister in law.
At $50.00 the frame of the Rocky Point Sunset was the most expensive picture on display. Michelle's friend liked it so much that she bought the print only and paid a pretty good price for it, she wanted it in B&W and it came out really nice. She picked it up at the show and was very pleased with it.
"Rocky Point Sunset" won a first place out of over 800 images in a Internet photo contest on bix.com, "The Old Lady" and image I captured last year in our trip to Mexico was a favorite. Everyone that sees it seems to fall in love with it. The little frame holds a regular size photo and at $20.00 dollars is our best buy.
These two frames belong to mi chica and obviously are not for sale, however the concept was. The frame in the left showcases all of our grandkids in a fun collage. The one in the right is a picture of my daughter Nikki as she photo shopped it and made it look pretty unique.
This is the Dominique ex-convent of the Nativity in a little town named Tepoztlan in Morelos, Mexico. View from afar it totally resembles a castle so my daughter named this "The Castle".
One of Michelle's favorites works, she calls it "The Pretend Winter", my mom fell in love with it but wanted the image to be bigger, then she opted for two different ones.
So, there you have it. All in all we had a good show, only a few people showed up but it made it for a more intimate gathering. Once everybody got here I put my camera down so I could answer whatever questions they had and I had no chance to take pictures with people in them.
My niece Alex whom also loves photography has asked us to please include her in our next exhibition. This will bring an added variety to the two very different styles from Michelle and I. I am excited to work on another one, now I just have to find a new volunteer to host it in their house.
My daughter Nikki does a lot of our graphic designs. She created the wonderful invitation for the exhibition, and currently she is working on our logo which by the way came out really nice. She is doing the final touches to it. So, for her help Michelle and I presented her with a surprise frame of "Ducky". I believe she loved it (Click Here) and it now hangs in her leaving room. It kindda looks lonely so baby you need to buy some more frames from us. lol
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