More Prattle from Povey

As your mind turns to Christmas, or to the birthday of a dear friend look at this website https://www.darkforestusa.com Click on "My Story", and then to the superb products. N.B.   I know and respect Jeff.  He grew up in Pittsfield MA  where he and his family were members of the Parish I served -  St. Stephen's.

                                                    Linzer Cookies by Sarasota's Mama G ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- The Birth Of Linzer Cookies  Johann Konrad Vogel was well-known for mass producing the tarts across Austria which were later brought to America by the German travelers. The bakers moved on to create cookies after the mass appeal of linzer tarts. Now, you may wonder what is the difference between the torte and the cookies? Well, the dough of eggs, flour, sugar and butter followed course along with some almond flour added to it. This dough was rolled out into sandwiches where two cookies were placed on top of one another. The top cookie was cutout so that the jam or preserve could peek through it. This was referred to as the Linzer eyes.

 

  Fava Beans  (a.k.a. Broad Beans). My local vendor (Yoders) of Fava Beans (in the Pod)  is closed for the season. They  will be closed until the snowbird Amish and Mennonites return at the end of the year.  Oh dear - no Broad Beans? Ne'er  mind.   I've found an on line vendor of frozen de-podded and peeled Favas

  Step one was when I remembered that I have an electric skillet -  so much better than the range top for temperature control. My meal started with some cut up Delicata Squash simmered slowly in vegetable stock. When it softened I added some frozen corn. That being cooked I looked into my pantry and saw some Bow Tie Pasta.   That'll work I said. I added some veggie stock so that the Farfalle would become al dente. The food needed "something more"..  Thank goodness for a small can of Trader Joe's Beef chili.  That did the trick. You make it up as you go along!

 

What in the blazes!  A display set up on October 23rd 2023 at a house in a  neighbouring street.  

  And then there is this.   Back at home this morning after our walk at Bayfront Park. I  sit down to spend a few minutes outside my front door. I take Zion's leash off.  I whisper "you can sit down now".  He does. The air is sweet and cool. The morning mist has lifted.   A Hawk calls out  from a tree down the road.   The Squirrels play "dare" in the street,  and chase each other up and down the trees. We hear the gentle traffic rumble from a distance. The story goes that John Wesley visited an old widow in her humble cottage.  They sat by the fireplace.  Wesley asked her what she did when thus seated.  She replied "Sometimes I sit and think, and sometimes I just sit". "Just Sitting".  (Meditation?).  A treat for Z and me this morning.

  If you like Bangers and Mash try this  Banger with mashed Delicata Squash ( "tarted up"with butter and honey); served with the Irish brand ( Bachelors) baked beans in tomato sauce.

  My chiming mantle/table clock is under repair because its spring broke. I took it to the Clock Gallery (Bee Ridge Rd) on 9th October. The estimated completion date is three to four weeks from then.  (Clock repair is painstakingly meticulous). Oh how I miss the sound of  the marking of the quarter hours, and the time chime on the hours.

  HAMMING IT UP Those who know me well will know that I make a weekly pilgrimage to Geiers German foodstuffs store and to  Mama G's German Bakery Today 20th Oct 2023 I was at Geiers Of course I bought some of their great "English Bangers"  Would you believe it, a German company in Sarasota FL which makes English Bangers - as good as you can buy anywhere. I was looking for a particular German Ham but it was nowhere to be found. So I settled for Bauerschinken.  It's pretty darn good. I took my purchases back to the car and to the ever patient Zion. I ruminated for a while, then returned to the store.  The same Clerk waited on me. I said "I have a question" and pointed to a place in the cold meats section.  My question was about the absent ham. I did not have to ask it.  The clerk said  Hessischen Ham  She read my mind. She explained that this particular ham was being cured in their "hammery"; and that she did not know when it would be market fit and

  ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Prologue I cancelled my AMEX Gold Card/Delta Sky Miles Credit Card today.  I've held it since 2016. It promised to grant Delta (my preferred airline) SKY MILES.  They have been slow to accrue because due to Covid and other factors. I've taken few flights in recent years.  The 'Sky Miles" I've earned seem expensive when set down against the annual charge of $99. BUT   (you say)  If you used the card for everyday and ordinary purchases you'd earn Delta Sky Miles in abundance. True enough but there's no such thing as a free lunch. Someone has to pay. "Someone?"    It's your local small/local/indy business.  Every time you use your Credit Card to do business with them they face a processing fee from the Duopoly (Master Card and Visa) YES INDEED if you use a Credit Card when shopping locally you are cutting into the margins of 

  Queen Margrethe of Denmark at the eighteenth birthday celebrations  for  her grandson Prince Christian. Margarethe is utterly gorgeous.  I'd love to have a cup of tea with her, and listen to her many stories

But of course.  I am an old man. An old friend has returned to my life.  It's called Sacroiliitis - an inflammation of  this fixed joint.  Because the joint is fixed there is no possibility of a surgical fix. The intense pain interferes with my walks with Zion.     Walk, Stop, Rest.  Walk, Stop, Rest. Z. is so patient with his old man Papa. ASAP  I will get a cortisone injection from my Orthopedist. If past patterns are to be trusted such an injection should be good for a pain free year. In the interim "Aleve" should mitigate the pain.

  City Island  (within Sarasota's City Boundary) is the green bit which sticks out into Sarasota Bay. If you have been a tourist you most likely have been there for the Mote Marine ecological boat trip, and the Mote Marine Aquarium.   Zi and I were there early today. Not the greatest of photo's, but what do you expect from an ageing  i-Phone!                                                         Towards the Ringling Bridge                             Mainland in the East                             Sailing Squadron Masts                                             Lonely Mooring Paper?   Scissors?    ROCK!                                  Morning Waterfowl                                Dark Clouds in the East                           Choppy Waters at Bird Key Park                           City Island from Bird Key Park

                                     It's the fat which makes the flavour Westphalian Schinken (I think)

  https://youtube.com/shorts/w-MKB5-UGlg?si=nKHexypuK733-bil

  This is the first thing to be seen upon entering my home.  It is on the wall immediately opposite the front door, 'Twas given to me many years ago by a Jewish woman who was a regular volunteer at St. Stephen's Table; a twice weekly community meal at St. Stephen's Parish, Pittsfield MA I sometimes think that I should place it on the inside of my front door so that peace is on my mind as I venture forth into the troublesome world.

  The Bristol Avon in its tidal gorge under the Clifton Suspension Bridge The Hampshire Avon in Salisbury The Warwickshire Avon in Stratford on Avon. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Why the "River River"?  Simply because the word Avon has its roots in a Celtic word meaning River. The Celtic word finds its roots  in the Welsh Town of  Aberavon/ (Welsh: Aberafan)  

  I was at the Office of my Dermatological Surgeon ( Dr. Meghan Bogart) this morning. She wanted to make sure that the MOHS surgery on my left ear lobe had healed well.  It had! She is cool! The bonus is that the office is just across the road from  https://geiers-sausage.com What a great place with wonderful hams, brats, kielbasa etc. This German based business has a generous nod towards wonderful English Bangers ( which they make locally). They are wonderful and all but irresistible. I did not resist this morning! Note the slogan! ------------------------------------------------------------------ The Office                                          Dr. Bogart.

  I was at my local W-lgreens Pharmacy this early afteroon to buy some Dry Mouth lozenges (essential for use with my CPAP machine);  and some Fish Oil supplement capsules. The Pharmacy counter was quiet, so I was able to sign up for, and get the latest anti COVID injection. It helped that the Pharmacist du jour (M-rcia) is a great fan of  Zion.  After I received  the painless shot she took a photo' of Z to send to another of Zi's W-algreens Pharmacist fans; one M-lissa. As we were leaving  the store the Cashier uttered words of admiration about Z and ventured that he is the store mascot!

                                                                   Christopher Columbus

  Butternut Squash Soup by Pacific Foods; with Fuji Apple added by me.

 

  Salad greens, hard boiled eggs, and crispy bacon  - with a toasted sesame dressing. (Air Fryers make the almost perfect crispy bacon)

 Caesar Frank's "Panis Angelicus"  as sung by a 96 years old former operatic star. Get your tissues out! https://youtu.be/Nw2LaPyn3Oo?si=A9AmiQBlX207_yVR

  Dr. Melissa Gilliam will lead Boston University as school's first Black and first female president and this President Gay, new Harvard President  holds up the ceremonial keys at her Sep 29th  inauguration. and then there's this  (aargh!) Republican Political Hack Richard Corcoran elected as President of  New College of  Florida

 

  Now here is an unforgettable name for you. I have no particular interest in General Horrocks except that his surname is unforgettable. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Brian_Horrocks

  I got to be "povey silly" about the ban on horseplay. I looked again at the sign and noted this: "Enjoy the park at your own risk" What in the world does it convey or mean?