Always, at sometime during my birthday weekend, the two of us have a special meal with my favorite food and wine(s). Tonight was the night.

Rack of lamb is my favorite red meat, and my favorite dinner partner prepared it in his usual delicious way: cleaned of all excess fat, it was rubbed with fresh rosemary, lemon zest, and garlic, and left to rest for several hours. Meanwhile I rendered some scraps of lamb and lamb fat and in the two teaspoons of fat I sauteed four crimini mushrooms, added 1/2 c. leftover red wine (yes, sometimes we really do have leftover wine) and let it reduce to half. I added 1/4 c. chicken broth and simmered it a few minutes, and added a tsp. seedless blackberry jam and a pinch of  salt. I always use Kosher salt, as it doesn’t have the bitterness of table salt. Taste them side by side and see for yourself. I whisked in 2 tablespoons of cold, unsalted butter and waited for the lamb. It was taken off the grill at 145′, covered with foil and left to rest for fifteen minutes.

 Because I didn’t want to have a green vegetable which would affect the taste of  the wine*, we dined on the lamb and some brown rice with almonds and a few dried cranberries.  After dinner and wine, we had a salad of fresh organic arugula and other greens from Two Rivers Farm, with a dressing of toasted walnut oil and balsamic fig vinegar, topped with a sliced fresh new-crop pear, toasted walnuts, and Maytag blue cheese from an old friend in Iowa. I didn’t even want dessert!

It was a quiet meal; we talked of past birthdays…and I hope for many more, but as I told a friend today, “No one knows if there’ll be another birthday, so enjoy each one as best you can.” We remembered past celebrations with family members no longer here; we talked of special days in Nova Scotia, a surprise party in Atlanta, one here in Leavenworth, a birthday trip to Vancouver.

There have been SO many…the total is almost scary! But already I am looking forward to next year.

*wine: This year we had a very special bottle of Pinot Noir from a very special man who graduated from high school in Wenatchee. He is Michael Browne, winemaker of the Kosta Browne winery in California. In 2006 the Wine Spectator named their 2004 Russian River Pinot Noir the 7th best wine on the WS Top 100 wines of 2006.  Rick Steigmeyer of the Wenatchee World did an excellent article on Michael Browne last year.

Hometown boy makes good…and makes good great wine.

Michael Browne

www.kostabrowne.com

http://www.amazon.com/Walnut-Oil-Tourangelle-500-igourmet-com/dp/B0000D9MRD/ref=sr_1_14?ie=UTF8&s=gourmet-food&qid=1220243984&sr=1-14and

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I don’t know why melodies from Julie Andrews’ movies are running through my head right now, but today it’s “These are a few of my favorite things….” Maybe it’s because September 1 is so close, and it’s one of my favorite things….my birthday. I’m not one of those who says, “Oh, no, another birthday, another year older.” I prefer, “Wow! I’ve made it through another year, and hopefully I’m another year better.”  By better I don’t mean thinner, or richer, or less picky.  I try to get thinner, but food keeps getting in the way; I really am richer…not financially, but in new friends, new family and the love of old friends; and I work at the “less picky” part, but I guess it’s in my genes.(today’s most common excuse for everything) And it isn’t always a bad thing.  

Instead, I’ve learned more, made new friends, helped some who needed it, rescued a stray animal, and tried to say “I love you” more to family and friends. I’ve also tried to listen more….not always easy for a ‘talker.’   So if it’s your birthday, too, “Happy Birthday to YOU.”

Topping my list of favorite things are family, friends, good food, good wine, sunny days, and oh, lots more. Yesterday combined all those, when friends supplied the food and wine, and nature, the day, for an early birthday dinner.  With a delicious grilled leg of lamb with a Scotch and blueberry sauce, an onion pie so good I almost cried when it was gone, and some excellent wines, that first celebration was perfect.

September 1 is a splendid date for a birthday, for I get to celebrate the entire holiday weekend. Now I am waiting to see what the rest of the weekend brings.

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Ever heard of “Pre-conceived cognitive commitment”? It is a potential detour on our way to clear thinking that I was reminded of today when a car careened around me at “God-knows-how-many-miles-per-hour”! I started to get upset, but then realized that the motorist simply had a powerful “pre-conceived cognitive commitment”. In his mind, since he was driving a car, his belief was that he should be quickly passing all cyclists on the road, regardless of the “fact” that the cyclist was already going over the speed limit!

Now this is not uncommon around here, as we have several roads that have downhill stretches where it is pretty easy for a cyclist to travel at 30mph in a 25mph zone. However, the response of some motorists provides a potential lesson about how we can cloud our vision of reality with pre-conceived commitments. Not long ago, a small group of us were coming down a hill at 28-30mph (in a 25mph zone), and a mom in a surburban with kids on board nearly struck a traffic island with the pedal to the metal to pass us. Since there was a stop sign at the bottom of the hill, we all ended up looking at each other at the intersection. I am sure that she felt it was necessary to pass us simply because we were on bicycles, and of course cars should always pass bicycles. A glance at her speedometer could have been a reminder of the reality that she ignored as she gave into her commitment, but instead she delivered a glare and a finger to us. The lesson here is that she endangered a car full of kids by giving into her “pre-conceived cognitive commitment”, and totally missed the reality of the situation!

It is easy to let such pre-conceived notions set limits on our thinking. This often occurs in cycling as people are getting started, yet it can even occur at the highest levels of the sport. The common thing is to set limits of time and distance on our efforts as we begin. “I can only ride for an hour”, or “That ride is just too far for me”. Well, if you commit to such limits, you are destined to fulfill them! The reality is that the real health benefits of cycling come when you push yourself a bit into longer rides and distances. At the higher levels of cycling, coaches and directors are actually experimenting with hypnosis to overcome the limits that riders put on themselves: “I can’t win a sprint; I can’t beat so-and-so”, etc. Good coaches just seem to have a talent for helping athletes overcome their “pre-conceived cognitive committments” as they can often limit performance. Beyond these little vignettes, is the not so subtle truth that recognizing your own “PCC’s” can be good for life at large.

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          Mercy me!        Some people just love to go on the attack in these comments. I’m almost afraid to post a blog for fear that someone will find something in it to attack. I doubt that some will touch the one on writing and grammar, as that doesn’t seem to be some peoples’ field of expertise. ( that’s the ‘eye for an eye”)

I remember and value a lot of things my grandmother used to tell us children. She looked to the Bible for most of them. No matter what your personal beliefs — whether you have a religion or not — I think you can’t find fault with many of the teachings found in the Bible, or in other such tomes. http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/tomes. Remember that I said, “many”, and not “all.”

A favorite was, and still is,” A soft answer turneth away wrath: but grievous words stir up anger.” —Hebrew Bible, Proverbs 15:1.  www.wordspy.com/waw/20020529232220.asp  As my sister, my uncle and I were very close in age, and squabbled much of the time, we heard that one frequently.

Another one was, “Be ye kind, one to another.And do not call names….”  a bit of Bible in her own words.

And perhaps the best, and applicable in all situations, was, “Love one another,” at which, when her back was turned, we would look at each other and make faces.

I don’t like even minor violence on TV, or anywhere else. Considering the popularity of movies and TV which feature both physical and emotional violence, many will consider this trivial and possible abnormal. However, it surely is possible to make serious, considered comments without resorting to attack methods and name-calling. It isn’t kind, it isn’t enjoyable to read, and “grievous words stir up anger.”

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 I love that this is posted under “General Interest”, as I think more readers would look for it under “Yawn…So What?”

(more…)

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Vivid visuals are flying around in my head at the moment.  I see WJC looking into the camera and barking, “I did not have sexual relations with that woman….”  The next frame shows HRC proclaiming that there is a vast right wing conspiracy.  Finally, the visuals pan to one John Edwards calling the then purported claims by The National Enquirer nothing more than a baseless smear.  Now its payback from the left wing loons.  Only this time it has less to do with the truth and more to do with your unwillingness to seek the truth and identify these less than intellectually savvy blowhards.  Now the sin is being  a woman, not named Hillary, from Ak, who dares to challenge the corrupt political establishment in her home state.  How dare she go after the entrenched corruption regardless of their political affiliation; 80% approval is not chopped liver!

The newest target of all this drivel is Governor Sarah Palin.  Yes, she is from a sparsely populated state.  Yes, she is the duly elected Governor of AK, the very same sparsely populated state.  Yes, she was mayor of a community of approximately 9,000 residents.  No, she was not a community organizer.  No she was not a recalcitrant State Senator from IL voting present more than 130 times.  No, she does not have affiliations with Tony Rezko or Wm. Ayers. 

The Governor’s Executive experience entails much more hands on activity and involves many more decisions than similar length legislative experience.  There is a reason that U.S. Senators usually do not ascend to run for the Presidency, let alone find themselves successful when doing so.  Those with both executive and legislative experience, like Dirk Kempthorne, (R) ID, will tell you that the differences are significant.

Even as the Mayor of Wasilla, AK, Sarah Palin has made more meaningful governmental decisions than Barack Obama as a legislator in the IL State Senate.  http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_United_States_Presidents_by_previous_executive_experience  Having lived in IL for nearly five years I can attest to the legislative silliness that took place year in and year out in Springfield, IL; case in point, Emil Jones.  On the other hand, Mayors, Governors,  and Presidents all make hundreds of decisions monthly.  The President of the United States not only has close advisers he also has at his disposal a cabinet.  The cabinet is compromised of approximately 40 policy specialists.

Richard Nixon relied heavily on Henry Kissinger for foreign policy.  On matters from the military to the treasury to education and health and human services, the White House oversees the huge bureaucracy that we know as Washington D.C.  Governors have similar responsibilities only smaller by comparison.

Sarah Palin oversees a state budget that is in excess of $5 billion.  Obama depends on his wife to handle a budget that is perhaps in excess of $13 thousand dollars per month.  Regardless, Governor Palin oversees, daily, the state government in AK.  For Governor Palin the buck stops at her desk.  For Senator Obama the buck is passed daily when he or others in the legislative branch (either party) pass it along to unsuspecting targets in front of microphones.  Don’t embarrass yourself with silliness attempting to minimize her experience.

For the left wing loon who left (no pun intended) a thread on my previous blog.  No one has been indicted.  No one is a person of interest.  The investigation is just that, a state probe to get to the bottom of why a certain official was fired.  Nothing was said by the loon that this person served at will and was there to serve at the Governor’s whim, for better or worse.  However, why let justice and fairness get in the way of a great smear and better left wing conspiratorial story.  If you happen to believe in the sanctity of life, belong to the NRA, actually fight corruption, etc.  rumor and innuendo are sufficient to frame you on any and all charges.  If you are going to follow the news, don’t tie yourself to one network, one anchor, one iteration of the story.  To do that may in fact get you burned.  Be responsible, open-minded and forget that you are prone to being small minded and silly!  I appreciate thoughtful and inspired comments not political prattle that illustrates clearly your ignorance on matters such as these.

http://online.wsj.com/article/SB122005063234084813.html?mod=googlenews_wsj

http://blogs.wsj.com/washwire/2008/08/29/palinfrom-beauty-pageant-to-popular-governor/?mod=fpa_blogs

http://www.businessweek.com/bwdaily/dnflash/content/aug2008/db20080829_271957.htm

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Experience is only achieved one way!  An individual must roll up his/her sleeves and dig right in to the issues/tasks at hand.  Experience is a measure of familiarity, related knowledge and relevant to any and all matters at hand.  These are some of the arguments as to why Governors, with their Executive backgrounds, are better suited than similarly experienced Senators.  Sarah Palin (pay-Lynn) is a great choice for the McCain Campaign.  She is a reformer; she comes from a state where its location and resources demand that she deal with Russia on issues concerning fisheries and with Canada on issues regarding transportation, oil and natural gas.

Governor Palin appears to be a tough minded reformer.  Her track record after nearly 2 years is significantly more discernable and robust than Obama’s lifetime record.  She chose to attack corruption at all levels in Alaska State Government and thus far has succeeded mightily.  Try as you may, compare her record of achievement with the record of Senator Obama.  Sitting on your hands on the sidelines does not necessarily give you experience; let alone meaningful experience; it does give you exposure.  Exposure is in no way, shape or form experience.  On the sidelines you do not get the opportunity to see how, in this instance, a candidate would handle adversity.

Forget Biden, he garnered all of 9,000 votes or so in the Democrat Primary.  Obama is at the top of the ticket, compare apples with apples, not oranges.  Forget the fact that he, Obama, has achieved celebrity status and little else.  His experience is less a hands-on approach and more that of an indirect nature.  He has watched as things unfolded.  Like a skilled poker player he is unlikely to reveal his hand unless forced by the rules of the game.  Even then he will protest hoping that someone coming to his defense will offer him an out.  He loves to talk a strong theme but is very thin in terms of his actual record.  Sarah Palin as Vice President, for me, is much less a gamble than Barack Obama as President.  I say that for those of you experiencing hearing loss.  Governor Palin gladly has left a record, for all to see.  It appears that her political career is one of acting out her political beliefs; what a novel notion.  She, as Governor of Alaska, has perhaps made more critical decisions for her state in her first six months, than Obama can honestly claim in his last 8 years.

You will ultimately have to choose for yourselves but I say thanks to the McCain Campaign for delighting me and surprising me.  For the first time in my adult life I can confess publicly that John McCain has captured my total and complete respect and my unwavering support!

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It’s fresh corn season and to me, that means time for corn-on-the-cob, Mexican-style. When I was a kid, I didn’t understand the appeal of corn-on-the-cob. It was too messy for what it was worth. Plus, my teeth don’t line up perfectly straight for a good bite of corn-from-the-cob. Eating it was just too much work.

A trip to Mexico in 2002 changed my view of corn. We went all over the country. At one point, we went to the colonial (and really historic, ever heard of Cinco de Mayo?) city of Puebla, Puebla. The main city square in Puebla, as in the majority of large (and lots of small) Mexican cities, is next to the cathedral. In the evenings, the square comes alive with people of all backgrounds and ages milling about and enjoying the cooler nights. Around the square, lots and lots of vendors sell street food. One of the most prolific offerings is corn-on-the-cob or elote. I was there with family and after tasting my cousin’s cup of corn, with all of the fixings offered, I made a beeline to the closest vendor and bought my own. (more…)

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Good grief! Turning out that first blog was harder than writing a final term paper in college, except that this is just a few years later. In those few years….ok, many years….writing has changed dramatically. Let me mention a few words to see if you recognize any of them: typewriter, white-out, carbon paper, mimeograph, ink eraser, typing paper. All these were necessary adjuncts to creating a paper for a class.

The computer, the internet, email, IM’s, instant research, MySpace, Google…the list goes on and on. I sometimes wonder how I ever lived without the internet. Sometimes I get so excited about all that’s out there to discover and learn that I nearly have a conniption.

Wait! I’d better look that up right here on my computer, to be sure I’m using the word properly. Oh, no… one of my favorite words and it really doesn’t fit here. I use it in more senses than Merriam-Webster describes. So I’ll use it anyway. With all the changes in language occurring now…especially all the functional shifts (did you read about the bear that was “darted”?)….I’ll give the word my own meaning.  Conniption: a moment of extreme, intense excitement.

Well, that took all of a minute to learn, and I didn’t even leave my chair.  Now I’ll go to my Saved Recipes and find something to make for dinner.

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Back when I was covering city government a few months ago Wenatchee Mayor Dennis Johnson jokingly called Sonic and the yet-to-be-opened Jack In The Box “health food restaurants.”

Tuesday night I attempted to drop by the newly opened Sonic on my lunch break around 3:30ish, but when I arrived I quickly turned around because there was a line of more than 20 cars waiting in a parking lot across the street just to get into the drive thru. I wanted a cheeseburger, but I didn’t want to wait forever for my fast food.

So last night I visited Sonic again to check out what all the fuss was about. There was still a line of cars waiting to get into the drive thru (and there was a Sonic employee directing traffic with an orange flag) so I decided to park and walk across the street to the restaurant in hopes of getting served quicker.

I walked up to a large menu board that had a speaker on it. There were plenty of menu choices including breakfast options, burgers, chicken (World reporter Christine Pratt told me her sister recommends the popcorn chicken) and Coney Island hot dogs. The Coney Island chili dog looked sinfully delicious, but I decided against ordering it. Sonic’s dessert menu looked great (it is mostly ice cream treats) and there was a decent selection of specialty drinks (I’m told they are famous for their cherry limeade).

Having never been to Sonic before ( I think the Wenatchee Sonic is only the third in the state, with the other two in Pasco and Spokane) I was a little overwhelmed, but in the end, I ordered a double cheeseburger meal with a Coke and was given the choice of fries, or tater tots or some other side. I chose the tater tots and then I was asked if I wanted cheese and of course I said yes, but I didn’t know I was being asked about whether I wanted cheese on my tots. I was surprised when I opened my tots and they were covered with yellow-orange American cheese. I took photos of my food so you can see exactly what to expect if you drop by Sonic.

It took about 10 minutes to get my meal, which I think was a little too long for fast food, but it was still likely quicker than waiting in the long line of cars. A nice server named Esmeralda rolled up to me on roller skates and delivered my food. Apparently servers on roller skates is Sonic’s thing. The servers also act as car hops, delivering food to your vehicle when it is parked next to a menu. Very retro, 1950s-ish, sort of like something else I blogged about earlier this summer.

The total was slightly more than $10. Oh, I also ordered a fried ice cream blast, which is a soft-serve ice cream treat that has caramel syrup and bits of Cinnamon Toast Crunch cereal. It was yum-o and easily the best part of my meal.

But for my tastes I found Sonic to be just another fast food joint, with nothing all too special to offer. The burger was just okay and the tots with cheese really weren’t that good at all. Overall, I would say Sonic is really just … meh.

So bottom line is, I’ll likely return to Sonic but not for the burgers and tots. I’ll come back for the desserts and the (hopefully) sinfully delicious chili cheese dogs.

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