Sunny Southern California, hot rods, fast cars, and drag racing makes for a lasting impression.
Two weeks ago The Man, Jerry, and Z. made the long drive south to Pomona. They had a blast.
It was a dream come true for The Man.
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| Dream On, Baby |
Friday, February 26, 2016
Dream On, Baby
February in Colorado, snow on the ground, (snowing since November) and The Man-child is watching ABC's Wide World of Sports - the thrill of victory, the agony of defeat - NHRA Winternationals from Pomona Raceway.
Sunny Southern California, hot rods, fast cars, and drag racing makes for a lasting impression.
Two weeks ago The Man, Jerry, and Z. made the long drive south to Pomona. They had a blast.
It was a dream come true for The Man.
Sunny Southern California, hot rods, fast cars, and drag racing makes for a lasting impression.
Two weeks ago The Man, Jerry, and Z. made the long drive south to Pomona. They had a blast.
It was a dream come true for The Man.
Saturday, February 20, 2016
Slow Foods: It Ain't Instant
So, there I was making orange juice.
On this unseasonably warm winter day (80°) I was finally getting around to putting the squeeze on the box of oranges that Jerry had shared with us. From the kitchen sink window I could see The Man - and his entourage of dogs and goats - walking back and forth as he went about his chores.
We've been fortunate that Jerry has been keeping us in fresh Vitamin C these past few months by bringing us boxes and bags of oranges, lemons, and kiwis grown in his neighborhood.
It seemed wasteful to turn the oranges into juice, all that lovely fiber, but The Man thought it was a tad too sour for eating, so it went untouched for a few weeks. It would be even more wasteful to have the oranges go bad, so juice it is. Besides the goats eat the peels so no waste - really. But it also means I have to cut the peels up into bite-sized pieces; a choking, coughing goat spewing a mouthful of food is not a pretty sight.
Last month we canned albacore tuna.
It was a week of planning: Two frozen fish to thaw slowly in the refrigerator - just like a turkey, one day to clean the fish by my personal fishmonger, aka The Man, and then the next day - Canning Day. The Man's commercial fisherman skills kicked in and he did an excellent job of cleaning the fish. Maybe too good of a job - I ran short of jars. The Man had to make a run to Ace Hardware to pick up more jars and lids for an unplanned second batch in the pressure canner.
This was our second go-around of canning our own tuna; let's just say the process went a lot smoother compared to the first time. Our two fish yielded 39 half-pint jars.
Oh, and while I was getting my jars and canning stuff ready for the tuna, I thought, what the heck, I think I'll make some orange marmalade with Jerry's oranges and preserve with the water bath canner. Easy-peasy, it shouldn't take too long, right?
Wrong.
Note to self: Spur of the moment marmalade-making and canning is not a great idea.
This week: Apple sauce (I used the last of Jerry's apples from last fall's harvest).
I don't know, maybe part of it's the fact that you're in a hurry. You've grown up on instant orange juice. Flip a dial - instant entertainment. Dial seven digits - instant communication. Turn a key - push a pedal - instant transportation. Flash a card - instant money. Shove in a problem - push a few buttons - instant answers. Sergeant Joe Friday, Dragnet, 1968.
On this unseasonably warm winter day (80°) I was finally getting around to putting the squeeze on the box of oranges that Jerry had shared with us. From the kitchen sink window I could see The Man - and his entourage of dogs and goats - walking back and forth as he went about his chores.
We've been fortunate that Jerry has been keeping us in fresh Vitamin C these past few months by bringing us boxes and bags of oranges, lemons, and kiwis grown in his neighborhood.
It seemed wasteful to turn the oranges into juice, all that lovely fiber, but The Man thought it was a tad too sour for eating, so it went untouched for a few weeks. It would be even more wasteful to have the oranges go bad, so juice it is. Besides the goats eat the peels so no waste - really. But it also means I have to cut the peels up into bite-sized pieces; a choking, coughing goat spewing a mouthful of food is not a pretty sight.
Last month we canned albacore tuna.
It was a week of planning: Two frozen fish to thaw slowly in the refrigerator - just like a turkey, one day to clean the fish by my personal fishmonger, aka The Man, and then the next day - Canning Day. The Man's commercial fisherman skills kicked in and he did an excellent job of cleaning the fish. Maybe too good of a job - I ran short of jars. The Man had to make a run to Ace Hardware to pick up more jars and lids for an unplanned second batch in the pressure canner.
This was our second go-around of canning our own tuna; let's just say the process went a lot smoother compared to the first time. Our two fish yielded 39 half-pint jars.
Oh, and while I was getting my jars and canning stuff ready for the tuna, I thought, what the heck, I think I'll make some orange marmalade with Jerry's oranges and preserve with the water bath canner. Easy-peasy, it shouldn't take too long, right?
Wrong.
Note to self: Spur of the moment marmalade-making and canning is not a great idea.
This week: Apple sauce (I used the last of Jerry's apples from last fall's harvest).
I don't know, maybe part of it's the fact that you're in a hurry. You've grown up on instant orange juice. Flip a dial - instant entertainment. Dial seven digits - instant communication. Turn a key - push a pedal - instant transportation. Flash a card - instant money. Shove in a problem - push a few buttons - instant answers. Sergeant Joe Friday, Dragnet, 1968.
Saturday, February 13, 2016
Saturday, February 6, 2016
Balloon Highway
I read the text message The Man had just sent me.
It was only then did I become aware of the continuous sound from above. In that moment, the drone of an engine broke through my thoughts: It's very goaty in here today ... I wonder if I'll smell like a goat for the rest of the day ... (deep breath) aaah ... gee, I wonder when I started enjoying the smell of goaty goats ...?
Yeah, so anyway, I dropped the broom I had been using to sweep out the soiled straw in the goat house, hurried from the pen, and started to run-walk in the direction of the house. I stopped suddenly to take a quick pic with my iPhone and almost got rear-ended by the parade of animals following close behind me.
I ran into the house and grabbed my camera. Since we take off our shoes before we enter the house, Japanese-style, I tiptoed across the carpet in my work boots. Because, you know, wearing shoes in the house doesn't count if you tiptoe; I see The Man do it all the time.
Spirit of Innovation
Heading to Super Bowl 50, Santa Clara, CA
February 3, 2016 Wednesday 2:52 pm
We've been fortunate to catch glimpses of the airships as they travel back and forth along the Balloon Highway, aka Highway 101. A couple of years ago we spotted the Metlife blimp as we headed home along the Cuesta Grade.
Metlife Snoopy
November 15, 2013
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| Santa Margarita |
A couple of months later we spotted the Metlife blimp southbound.
Metlife Snoopy
January 3, 2014
Early last August, Goodyear's blimp, the Spirit of America, was retired after 13 years of service. She was our first blimp sighting in our new home and created quite a stir of excitement as she suddenly appeared overhead. I was a little sad to read that she was deflated and decommissioned.
Her twin sister, the Spirit of Innovation, the blimp that we saw on Wednesday is scheduled for retirement next year according to Goodyear's website. The balloon blimps are being replaced with semi-rigid airships - they'll be faster, larger, and with quieter engines.
We might not be able to hear them right away but at 246 feet long - 50 feet longer than the Spirit of Goodyear blimps - we'll certainly be able to see them when they make their looming appearance overhead.
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