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United States, North Carolina, Carrboro, English, Paul, Male, 56-60, All Music, All Food.

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Tuesday, February 04, 2003

This morning, I took my previously unopened copy of Cooking Pleasures, a publication from Cooking Club of America, along for my Civic's oil change and state inspection. While waiting, I finally finished Pagan Babies which had previously traveled along with me twice to Japan and, once, to a colonoscopy. It had a surprise ending. I glanced through Cooking Pleasures and considered booting up my laptop to take some notes to post here later. As I scanned the recipes, I thought it might be nice to call Liz and ask if she'd like to come over for lunch. Coconut Curry Chicken with Potatoes sounded interesting, so I gave her a buzz. She had to stop at home for lunch, but suggested dinner. I already had all the ingredients, so gave that a conditional okay dependent on my dinnertime energy. It was fine, so I started the chopping later on. Chicken breast, potato chunks, onion, and jalapeno quasi stir-fried, then mixed with coconut milk, grape tomatoes, seasoned with curry powder, then simmered in cocunut milk and topped with fresh cilantro - colorful. A moment of cognitive dissonance clouded our minds as we looked at the accompanying photo. It was shown served over rice, a rare combination of two starches. Liz agreed with my veto of that and so did the text of the recipe, which made no mention of rice. Not great, not bad, a hint of warmth, the soothing chaser of curry. Neither of us had ever seen potatoes in a curry either, come to think of it. Liz suggested it would make a killer cold potato salad; I agreed, sealed the leftovers up, and put them in the fridge. 9:13:51 PM    comment []

XS806 GARDEN GIANT (Outdoors) Organic Stropharia rugoso-annulata Also known as "King Stropharia", this is a giant burgundy-colored mushroom. Success requires a site that receives neither direct sunlight nor wind, has high natural humidity, ready access to water and a supply of non-aromatic wood chips. Not recommended for areas with expanses of pine, cedar, or other aromatic trees. Kits include innoculated sawdust and hardwood chips. You'll need to blend them with additional hardwood chips (not included) in a hole 4 feet square and 4 inches deep. Expect your first flush of mushrooms in 4-12 months. Produces up to 2 years depending on conditions. Certified organic. (Found on page 89 of Territorial Seed Company print catalog. A complete index of their mushroom growing supplies may be found online here) 7:49:37 PM    comment []

US Chooses Saddam's Successor! While searching for breaking news, I ran across the link to this site on Drudge Report. I got the picture at the story's source and did not doctor it. 5:13:10 PM    comment []

This place, once the home of hundreds of cats, is now in ruins. It wasn't the cats' fault. They lived outdoors and, except for one, were all models of feline fastidiousness. Most of them lived off the land, dining mostly on small rodents. Compared to domestic animals then or now, they had it pretty rough. The rules of the jungle prevailed and only the strong survived, wintering in the barn. During peak season, there might be as many as 40 cats sunning themselves on the lawn, prowling in the barn, or wandering the fields in search of whatever it is that motivates cats. 2:41:57 PM    comment []

CIA celebrates Chinese New Year by recruiting spies in China! I've been confused for weeks now. Just when I was pretty sure it was the year of the ram, or maybe the sheep, the BBC article says it is the year of the goat. There is a difference... Sheep Inflected forms: pl. sheep 1. Any of various usually horned ruminant mammals of the genus Ovis in the family Bovidae, especially the domesticated species O. aries, raised in many breeds for wool, edible flesh, or skin. 2. Leather made from the skin of one of these animals. 3a. A person regarded as timid, weak, or submissive. b. One who is easily swayed or led.   Goat 1. Any of various hollow-horned, bearded ruminant mammals of the genus Capra, originally of mountainous areas of the Old World, especially any of the domesticated forms of C. hircus, raised for wool, milk, and meat. 2. A lecherous man. 3. A scapegoat. 4. Goat See Capricorn. 2:14:47 PM    comment []

Microplane ® eagerly sniffs her new accessory, an onyx slider attachment, while ‘Ove’ Glove and Twyla (rear) feign indifference. 11:41:54 AM    comment []