The lives of Boomers can be defined by chapters of music. In the first chapter, just after the war, America wasn’t sure in which direction music should proceed. There were crooners like Sinatra and Bennett as well the remnants of the Big Band Era. Country stars like Hank Williams, Patsy Cline and Teresa Brewer had frequent hit songs as chart toppers, so it was a mixed bag of musical … [Read more...]
Pizza Muffins
I tried a fun dish for the family I cook for. I know the kids like pizza – who doesn’t? So, I tried something called Pizza Muffins, basically a mini pizza in a muffin tin. I used the extra-large size muffin tins, but you could use the regular size. I also had my first experience with making my own pizza dough. In the past, I have either bought the pre-made pizza crusts or the pizza dough in a can, … [Read more...]
DOMA Korean Kitchen
We went out to eat recently with my daughter, Laura, and her friend Rene. They asked us to join them at a Korean restaurant on the Downtown Mall. I’m not crazy about going to the Downtown Mall, but I had heard that this restaurant, DOMA Korean Kitchen, was very good, so we gave it a try. It is very good. I enjoy good Chinese food. Korean is similar, but different in many regards. For … [Read more...]
Sharp Knives with Sharpal
Knife sharpening is not one of my skills. My Daddy could sharpen knives. About once a month, he’d go to the kitchen sink, get out his worn-down whetstone with a red handle and methodically sharpen each knife in our kitchen drawer to a scalpel-grade edge. If you reached in the knife drawer and weren’t paying attention, you’d come out with a handful of blood. He could sharpen knives. I can’t - … [Read more...]
Irish Potatoes
My Grandmother, Mama Ida, rarely used the word “potatoes.” Rather, she always said “Irish Potatoes”. I didn’t think much of it until a few weeks ago when I was in Wal-Mart and needed some potatoes. While poking around, I saw a 5-pound bag of White Potatoes. Maybe this is what Mama Ida meant by Irish Potatoes. White Potatoes. My recent potato buying experience has been limited to – in no … [Read more...]
One That Got Away
Donald Taylor sent me this picture of an albino deer near his home in North Garden. By some miracle, the pure white animal made it through the hunting season, and also avoided a deadly encounter with a natural enemy, such as a coyote or bobcat. White deer lack natural camouflage and stand out (except in the snow) and are easily identified by hunters and predators. Albinism is … [Read more...]
A Fallen Sparrow
He didn’t make it. He was a male house sparrow. I found him in the yard. No ruffled feathers, so he didn’t die in a skirmish with a hawk or a cat. Rather, the winter was too much. He was weakened and died. When you consider what birds must go through to last even one night in the bitter cold with the ground covered in ice and snow, it’s a wonder any of them make it. Nature is a cruel … [Read more...]
Cold Water? Who Cares?
Cold water? The bass don’t seem to mind a bit. Bags weighing 22 pounds won events at both Anna and Buggs. The water temps at both lakes are in the low 40’s. That usually slows things down, but not the bass. Crappie, either. At Buggs a winter crappie event was won with 12 pounds for a 7 fish limit. They fish are deep at Buggs, but they’ll eat if you can reach them, The yellow perch run is also … [Read more...]
Remembering White Buck Shoes
In 1956, a fellow named Elvis Presley released his version of Blue Suede Shoes, originally recorded by Carl Perkins. Soon after, Pat Boone, a handsome young crooner began wearing white buck shoes on stage and screen and every young man wanted a pair. In 1957, I begged for and got a pair of spiffy white buck shoes, despite the warning from my parents that they would be difficult to … [Read more...]
A “Slap Ya Mama” Catfish Fry
One of my daughter’s friends, Rene Fay from New Orleans, gave me a box of Slap Ya Mama Cajun Fish Fry mix for Christmas and I knew immediately what would happen next. A catfish fry at the Brewer house. Fresh catfish are hard to beat. They are raised in small farms and delivered to grocery stores fresh and ready for the frying pan. They are usually, but not always, available in the Kroger’s … [Read more...]
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