12-2 (4/3/25 ) -- Cultural Food & Music

Today is Shrove Tuesday and in some places it is called Mardi Gras. I have enjoyed my trips to New Orleans in the past and would love to go again. The food and the music are out of this world. Cajun and Creole cooking mix European with Caribbean, African and Indigenous cuisines. A food tour of the French Quarter provided historical origins of several dishes. We sampled gumbo (my fave), muffuletta, po' boys, Calas (rice fritters made for breakfast from leftover rice from the day before), and some cocktails unique to the city. Conference meals included bread pudding in many iterations. Even the phone book had a recipe in the city pages. Items I tracked down were fried catfish, jambalaya, red beans and rice, and crawfish boil. We toured the restaurants where bananas foster and oysters Rockefeller were developed. It was a great place to have a conference about food and society.  

Today I planned to make red beans from a recipe that I adapted to get close to the New Orleans version I sampled. I got busy with something else and will need to make that tomorrow. I did make pancakes for supper, though. <smile> One song has been on my mind for a couple of days now -- a song that makes me want to get up and dance. It reminds me of the Cajun music I heard when traveling. I guarantee this one will make you move. Just go with it. Keep safe. Enjoy! 

Down at the Twist and Shout -- Mary Chapin Carpenter 

12-1 (26/2/25) -- Stress Reminder

Yesterday I woke with the opening bass line of a song repeating in my head. It was just seven notes, but the rhythm was unmistakable. I instantly knew the bass player and the band involved, but for the life of me couldn't get the song name to come to mind. So, I reverted to asking Mr. Google and after a few minutes, I had my answer. It is interesting to have the largest encyclopedia in the world right at our fingertips, eh? 

The song dealt with emotional aspects akin to anxiety. Now why would my brain choose to pick that seven notes to let me know that I am carrying some stress around with me? Was is trying to tell me something or simply acknowledging what I've known for some time. I will admit that this message made me smile. Listening to the full song helped me to relax and move forward with my day -- a day filled with errands and meetings. Luckily the weather was pleasant and dry for a change, so no weather conditions to interfere with the ability to drive and walk were present today. I am very ready for the precipitation events to stop freezing and becoming snow or freezing rain. The ice on the ground has been treacherous. 

The song for today may create an earworm with its intro bass line. I enjoy the collaboration of the band with a solo artist. The video is a bit avant garde which one would expect from this solo artist. <smile> Keep safe. Enjoy! 

Under Pressure -- Queen & David Bowie 

11-262 (1/12/24) -- Begin Anew

This is where it all started -- beginning with December holiday posts. As many of you may have noticed, blog posts have been missing for the past few of months. I've been carrying a lot recently and the blog was the place that provided a bit of give in my days. That said, I have made notes for some days over the past weeks and plan to get some of those posts up. It won't be like a usual catch-up where all days are covered. Instead, I will post for some individual days and other posts may deal with weekly themes.  So, bear with me as I work my way back to posting. So, with the decision to bring others along for the ride again -- I will start with today. <smile> 

I went to convocation for the first time in a long while. A good friend received an award for outstanding teaching. The university installed a new Chancellor in Mila Mulroney and an honourary doctorate was awarded to a hip hop artist whose 40 year career has been instrumental in changing the course of music history in Canada (as stated in the conferral of the honourary degree). Of course, part of the lyric of the first major hit by this artist spoke to me -- "Just let it slide, y'all"  -- something I am striving to do. Enjoy! 

Let Your Backbone Slide -- Maestro Fresh Wes 

11-261 (16/9/24) -- Relaxed & Low Key

We had a low key day -- very relaxing. We did some shopping and other errands. Lunch was at a local restaurant -- fun food and time to visit. We spent some time on campus where my dear met some of my colleagues and friends. It was late afternoon, so several had headed home already, but we did see a couple. Supper was simple and low key -- leftovers. It was all Italian food -- ravioli and fresh sauce from yesterday as our appetizer and my baked ziti for the main. It was all so very yummy. We are certainly all about the food <smile>

I am reminded of a song when I think of relaxing music and lyrics. This cover is by a group that began in Toronto when I lived there eons ago. I had an apartment on the 7th floor with a balcony that looked out over the west of the city. It was quite relaxing to stand there after dark and watch the lights and the sky. Here today, we spent time looking at the sky after dark. a calming process.  Keep safe. Enjoy! 

Up on the Roof -- The Nylons

11-260 (15/9/24) -- Celebrate!

What a wonderful day. Today was sunny and warmer than the past two days have been. It was a very pleasant day for a birthday. <smile> We went for a walk along a path that was new to us both. It felt good to get out in nature and breathe the fresh air. I liked the metaphor of walking a new path. I challenge myself to do new things during the next year -- matching the number of new things to the number of years at my birthday. Not all new things are chosen by us -- some fall into our lives. All are things that help us learn and grow. We just have to remain open to  those lessons. 

Supper was wonderful. My dearest friend made fresh tomato sauce and served it with spinach-cheese ravioli. Very yummy. Of course there was cake for dessert complete with a candle and the singing of the birthday song. It all made me smile. 

The day was a delightful celebration. One song came to mind while thinking through the day, so it is shared here tonight. Keep safe. Enjoy! 

Birthday -- Beatles

 

11-259 (14/9/24) -- Moon Light

Today we headed out for some groceries and then for a shorter walk in the cooler air with northerly wind again. This weather reminds us that a seasonal change is in the offing. To offset the colder feel to the day, the night brought the most amazing full moon and bright stars. The moon lit up the patio in a way that made me think I'd left on the outside lights. The living room was lit well, too. The light felt peaceful and calm. I'm so glad I didn't sleep through this event. 

I share a song that came to mind while staring at the moon. It has a rhythm and melody that sound like the calmness I felt looking at that sky. Keep safe. Enjoy! 

Moonglow -- Tony Bennett & kd lang

11-258 (13/9/24) -- Time Together

We went out to our favourite restaurant for an early birthday dinner tonight. The appetizer of seared tuna and spicy tuna tartar was a-maz-ing. I could have eaten a couple of those for the main course.  We also had mozzarella and pesto fritters served with a bit of  red sauce (I'd like more of that sauce). The main courses were superb, as always. I had a curried vegetable and shrimp entree and my friend had the sausage gnocchi. These were highlighted with a great malbec. Needless to say, we were rather full, so we opted to take dessert home with us for another day. <smile> 

During the day we did a short walk in the cooler air with a gusty north wind. The days are to get warmer -- if not down right hot -- for the next few days. I enjoy wearing sandals so the warmer days will allow that again, along with being able to wear my favourite skort <grin>. 

The day was filled with fun and happy feelings. It brought a song to mind that spoke about our outdoor activity today. Keep safe. Enjoy! 

Walking on Sunshine -- Katrina and the Waves