Opening Stuff:
I finished this Tids with a
nice little piece of music by Randall Standridge, “Gently blows the Summer Wind” – played by
a Junior HS band. What’s all the ruckus about, I thought, as I watched these talented
boys and girls. They say kids aren’t doing much today; that they weren’t like
we were. Yet every day I see kids creating, giving a helping hand. I see
extraordinary talent and resourceful intuition. I see them performing on
stages, in orchestra pits and on playing fields; in labs and in academic
challenges. And, performing at a very high level. I think these young people are going to keep
America going, despite their occasional disappearance inside a smart phone..
That is if the Politicians leave them something to work with.
Do you get the sense that
the Ted Cruz
announcement will bring to the surface other down in the polls Repub hopefuls?
And, how about that Hill at her arrogant best in front an adoring crowd and fawning
newspeple, making jokes about her devotion to secrecy and possible flaunting of
the law. If we’re going to elect the first woman, lets at least try for
integrity. The 2016 knockout round is under way, and I’m not talking about The
Voice. The pols will be singing for your
votes, and it’s going to get pitchy.
On a brighter note, Aunt Carries will open for
its 95th season. Grey, weathered shingled Aunt Carrie’s is one of
those wonderful throwbacks to the era when a jaunt to the beach was indeed
getting away from the madding crowd, from big city and small suburb congestion.
This seaside comfort food institution serves fish and lobsters and clamcakes
and chowder…and homemade pies. I still maintain that their fried fish made with
local fresh flounder or sole is the best of all the fried fish up and down the
USA coast. This annual Spring opening is a sure sign of a warming Summer. Next,
the openings of the local ice cream stores.
The Question:
It’s
not too early to start thinking about your Easter and Passover menus. What are
considered the top traditional foods for these major Jewish and Christian
holidays?
The Headlines:
--Kraft
Foods To Merge With Heinz; Deal Seems to Have Been Forged Out Of Pressure From
Giant Brazil Investment Company 3G Looking To Buy Kraft A Day Earlier.
--Two
Americans Among Those Who Perished In Germanwings Crash.
--For
a Nuke Deal, Iran Insists On Removal Of All Sanctions.
--0-Man
Apparently Snubs New Head Of Nato Who had Asked For Meeting Over New Expected
Aggression From Russia.
--Google
Execs Had Free Pass To White House Pals During Tense Negotiations With FCC.
--Ted
Cruz To But family Insurance Through ObamaCare.
Last night he Voice had several pretty good
battles. One guy I liked quite a bit, Cody of West Virginia, got knocked out. I
was surprised he wasn’t stolen. Cory is ok, but I don’t rhapsodize over him
like the d=judges. I like Deanna a lot
and personally don’t notice her supposed lack of confidence as defined by the Judges.
Hannah is intriguing to me tough at times she has the look in her eyes of a
person ready to leap from the Newport Bridge. I liked Kaitlin better in
previous efforts. She didn’t impress me last night. It’s almost time for the
real thng.
The Judges on American idol have surely lost their
collective minds using their save on Quaasem Middleton. Egads!
I saw an interesting
juxtaposition of two photos, one of the Selma Bridge 50 years ago and the other at the
recent commemorative ceremony. The 50 year old pic showed a bevy of American
flags proudly waved. The new pic showed nary a one. What going on here?
It’s getting tougher and
tougher to
find the perfect, quiet getaway place, unless you have a couple of billion and
can buy an island with a heliport. And if you do come across the idealic pasture overlooking the
rolling seas, it’s sure bet that a developer somewhere has it already in in their
sights. Might as well just stay home where it’s always comfortable and warm.
The word is out that Castle is on the chopping block. I
have always enjoyed it, but their time slots were often conflicting with some
pretty good shows. I thought it was more playful before Castle and Kate got together
officially. But shows come, and shows go. They’ll make big buck in reruns.
If a bear starts chasing
you, the
best defense is to have a hiking partner who is slower than you. RIP.
Rand Paul makes a lot of sense in is
critical opinions of Ted Cruz. I’ve always liked Paul.
Today’s pro teams sometimes go more for the
“Look” than the combative skills of the player who is often a winner without
the ooohs and ahs. I wonder if Larry Bird would have still made in this new
glam era? I’ll take a few winners in my trenches any day.
The Volvo Round the World
Sailing
race is in its toughest leg going from Aukland New Zealand to Brazil. In just the
first third of the leg, they have encountered an over a half mile wide iceberg
which immediately put them on the lookout for growlers (Large ice chunks that
are hard to see and which can easily rip a hull to shreds.) Now, apparently
having passed through he ice field they have encountered a fierce storm that
has knocked three boats to their sides (Death Rolls) and wiped out another -- the Team SCA (All Woman). The woman survived
got back underway, but lost a lot of time. The leaders are Mapfre, Team Brunel
(13.8 miles back), Team Alvimedica (Bristol RI Skipper, American team) (18.9),
Abu Dhabi racing (28.7), Dongfeng (31.2)
and SCA (151.8). Vestas Wind didn’t start due to damages from previously
reported grounding. See the adventure (Navigate the site): http://www.volvooceanrace.com/en/video/37295_Inside-Track-Leg-5-5-Southern-Ocean-death-rolls.html
I guess if I were to
overreach
for one thing, it would be to try my hand at the Volvo round the world race,
even though my heart is in my throat just reading about it.
The Answer:
Well,
first Roast lamb is tops for Easter, mainly because it goes back to the first
Passover! The lamb was roasted abd eaten together with unleavened bread and
bitter herbs in hope that the Angel of Death would pass them over. The early
Christians who after all were Jews brought the lamb to their early Easter
dinners. In the US, ham has become the most popular main dish, along with, in
many households, lamb. These dishes would be accompanied with early Spring
vegetables, and maybe a nice creamy potato dish like Scalloped or au Gratin
Potatoes. and of course Hot Cross Buns. And finished with a hard boiled Easter
Egg. ( Also great for the Egg cracking game) In Italian households, sugary rice
and ricotta pies are standards fro dessert. E Passover meals are much more
rigid to the past. The Seder is a feast over 7 days, and much oif the food is
symbolic. Matza and vegetables are dipped in slt water. The six items on the
Seder plate are 1&2. Bitter herbs,
typically horseradish and romaine lettuce. 3. Brown pebbly paste of nuts and
fruits. 4. Vegetables other than bitter herbs usually celery or cooked potato
for dipping. 5. Roasted lamb. 6. Hard boiled Egg.
I had the good fortune to attend the RI All State
Band Orchestra and Choral concerts. The Junior All State band played this
following piece. Gently Blows the Summer Wind. Now isn’t that a nice thought! This
might also warm your heart on a cold day in March:
(The
Hopewell Middle Cchool version is pretty darn good too.)
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