Stephanie says

He is a serious man Who creates with his hands Intent on fractions and wood cuts Jigs and clamps and levels A solemn man Seemingly. With a playful streak That erupts while telling a story He jumps up from his chair And performs an improv dance To illuminate a point A cappella In the middle of the office To my astonishment and delight

The plant is massive, towering over my head.  It's said to taste similar to an artichoke.   The stems are edible looking much like celery.  I considered cooking some but it's way too labor intensive requiring gloves, (because this plant is a thistle and is very thorny,) and a lot of time to destring, and lemon so your hands don't turn brown.  I'll just admire the flowers instead.

by George Packer Published 2013 434 Pages This book examines cause and effect of the economic meltdown of recent history through the experiences of a diverse group of people.   It is a disturbing, yet worthwhile read as it explores the financial difficulties of many people from different walks of life, regions of the U.S., socio-economic standing, political party, religious affiliation, education.   Deregulation of banking and the stock market allowed the Robber Barons a comeback.   The almighty corporate profit margin resulted in Industry outsourcing manufacturing jobs abroad, goodbye American jobs. Big box stores enormous purchasing power (goods from abroad) closed the independents and revenues left our communities.   Oil holds us hostage at the gas pump.   The politicians have their hands out, regardless of party. It’s not a rosy picture.   We’re being fattened/poisoned by engineered food.   A parallel between cag...

HBO is playing the entire Soprano’s series this summer.   I’ve watched 84 brutally violent and misogynistic episodes to-date.   The series runs chronologically with no interruptions for season breaks, just two days off during the weekend that leaves me jonesing for Monday. What’s not to love?   A story about the Mafia.   Crime, crime and more crime.   Payola.   Fine Italian cuisine.   Booze and drugs.   Love and lust.   Lots of guns and knives. It is just action packed with excess. We’re having a scorching hot summer.   It’s way too hot to toil outside after work.   Instead I sit in the darkened living room and watch the day’s episode.   On comes the Soprano logo with that infinitely clever depiction of a revolver replacing the letter “R” and then the opening strains of “Woke Up This Morning” and I am in HBO heaven.   James Gandolfini’s portrayal of Tony Soprano is brilliant.   His acting makes me forge...

These resemble desiccated bug carapaces.  The flower stalks are tall, a good four feet, and pods are two inches long.  They have a papery scalloped flower to catch the wind.  Seed pods, which are hairy presumably to catch a ride on passing wildlife, grow on a woody and flexible stem.  These babies are intent on propagation.  This photo is from an earlier post - before the seed pods began falling.  A most impressive plant.

Happy birthday to me . Birthdays make me sad.   Not because it’s a reminder of the dwindling number of heartbeats remaining to me, but because I particularly miss my mother on this day.    Year after year, decade after decade, Mom made a big hoopla for me.   She’d fix a nice dinner, followed by some elaborate dessert.   Sometimes a big party, other times a small gathering.   It was marvelous.    I loved my birthday as a child with the trifecta of parties, gifts, and cake.   Funny, I don’t have any specific dessert memories until my 17 th when Mom wowed me with Baked-Alaska, which was heavenly.    Her last year, she fixed a three-layer, fabulously gooey, orange sauced vanilla custard cake confection.   Ooooh, that was good.    Desserts aside, ultimately my birthday seemed like a celebration for the two of us.   After all, we were both there on that auspicious day.   We had a tacit unders...

My plants are producing!  What better than to walk outside, cut a few artichokes, then cook them up?  I knew Deb at Smitten Kitchen would have an interesting recipe. She has great recipes, directions, and photos on her site, as well as a recently published cookbook, (which I intend to send to my son-in-law. My daughter had the good sense to marry a man who cooks well. And creatively.) Here's the link:  Artichokes braised in lemon and olive oil This recipe calls for 8 medium artichokes. As ever, size is subjective. I had 6 of varying size on the stalk. This is the second season these chokes have produced; they’re not yet at a jumbo size. My hypothesis is they get meatier and bigger each year, (when in doubt, I just make it up.) Toss together: 1 recipe Artichokes braised in lemon and olive oil including the thickened cooking liquid. 1/3 pound fettuccine (or other pasta) cooked al dente, and drained Top with Parmesan cheese shavings That’s i...

This was new to me; isn't it pretty? (Click image to enlarge) Next to nasturtium leaves for scale. Yes, my planters are still alive.  Thriving even!  Must be the consistent watering... Foxglove blossom.