Sunday Paper

Do any of you read the paper? I mean, get the paper delivered and read it? I bet some of you get the paper daily. I've been reading online for years now, but would still occasionally walk down the street, mostly just on Sundays or days off, to buy the paper. Considering how many are evaporating right before our eyes, and the fact that i actually like the Dispatch, we decided to try it out for 10 weeks. It's nice to have a giant paper on your doorstep on Sunday morning. One of our local papers, the Athens Messenger, interviewed me and Gerry Thursday about my Ohio Statehouse project... but i can't access it online without "registering." Argggh. Oh well, i have a real copy of it.

I read THIS over at Will's blog this morning, and was really moved by the Linda's Ronstadt's remarks to Congress. I do have to say though, when things like Ronstadt's words are not in the Sunday Dispatch, how relevant is it? I mean, if this isn't news, what is?

J'aime Montreal

There are so many reasons i love this city.

Brunch Menu #44

1. Excellent use for leftover Shrimp & Grits: Shrimp and Grits pancakes topped with poached eggs. Yuuuuummmmmmmmmm.

2. Shape cold blobs into pancakes, dust both sides in flour to help bind, and fry in a tiny bit of olive oil till golden on each side.

3. top with 2 poached eggs, dollop of butter, a little fresh ground salt and pepper.

Now i'm ready to go do pine bark, manure, the wheelbarrow, and see if i can sketch design #67 for the deck, fence, gate... whatever (to ennable an addition of a dog to the household).

Happy to say i'm pretty much over the horrible sore throat and congestion that hit me last Monday night. It was awful and had me waking up in the middle of the night thinking i was going crazy... but by thursday i was feeling better and now seem to be over it, thankfully.

Surely It's a Typo??

Go HERE and click on the EXHIBITION link. Look at the list of student work represented in the exhibition at right, scroll down to the 1980s, and find yours truly, CYVN. Wow. I'm flattered that my work is in the Georgia Tech College of Architecture's Centennial Exhibition; have to admit i'm also a little curious to know what it is, and scared to death to SEE what it is!

Roast Chicken & cetera

First to report on is the lovely roast chicken Steven made earlier, with scallions and szechuan peppercorns and other delights.. we braised some green beans, made a 3 minute gravy, and yum yum yum. Ate it right off the platter and threw the bones on the floor!



In other news, the volleyball stud puppy that lives with me received his sexy up-to-the-knee sox and volleyball sneakers the other day, courtesy the Brown. He's getting ready for the Friday night ritual VB games at Athens Middle School in town... not sure yet if we'll walk down there and i'll go see a movie or not yet... hmmm. Decisions decisions. But seriously, isn't it great how he'll cheese for the camera?

Vermont :: Live Free or Die?

That's not the title of a new Charles Busch story. No. I'm sure by now many of you know of what's been brewing in Vermont this week.

Yesterday Vermont Governor Jim Douglas announced that he will veto a gay marriage bill if it passes the Legislature. The marriage equality bill passed in the Senate and is expected to pass in the House as well. He calls this veto a personal decision. Whatever. Seems more like bigotry to me. Stand up and speak out. Call his office today at (802) 828-3333 and tell him that separate is never equal. I'm making my call in few minutes while i have some lunch downstairs.

My New Favorite 15 Minute Comfort Food Supper

So, who doesn't need a supper that really only takes 15 minutes or so, yet totally nurtures the comfort yin we all sometimes need at the end of a having to be inside an office on a lovely spring day?? What's not to like about brevity at time like this? (I'm talking to you Ina!)

We are having lovely, creamy, supple Shrimp and Grits tonight. With a little added green, it's a balanced meal in a bowl. (Be sure to notice the groovy late 70s homemade kitty cat potholder in the background. MEOW! Thanks Mom & BC!)



First, make 4 servings of some good quality grits (otherwise known as Polenta in civilized circles).



This brand'll do you proud every time (does anyone get the Loretta Lynn reference?? probably not.). Bob's Red Mill is my favorite. It seems to not be overprocessed and infused with petrochemicals, like everything else at Kroger.



Next, french one small onion. Sautee in some olive oil for 2 or 3 minutes.



Add some peeled, clean, fresh shrimp.



Sautee...just for 45 seconds or so.



Deglaze with a healthy dose of the white wine of your choosing.



Now, the grits should have cooked for 5 minutes or so. Turn them off and add them to the pot.



Add a cup or so of milk.



add some chopped fresh Kale. I love the slight bitterness of Kale, but i'm sure other hearty greens of your choosing would work as well... such as collards or turnips. I turn the heat OFF at this point. The dish is hot enough to wilt the kale, but not fully cook it, which is nice.



Add another splash of wine if the consistency is too thick! Or if you are worried all the alcohol evaporated...



Now for the yummy parts. Add a big ol' blob of real butter, and a glob of cream cheese if you have some.



Some fresh-grated Parm too.



Isn't that lovely? Stick to your ribs goodness... with time for communing with the birds later.



Not those kinda birds! I'll be communing with this bird.

Marketing Maneuver

For Sioux City, Iowa. SUX is the airport code. No kidding.

Our Mountain House... in Detroit??

Tyree Guyton’s Heidelberg Project? $100 houses? Matthew Barney’s “Ancient Evenings” project? Crazy artists taking over slums abandoned by corporate American waste and greed?

What do all the above words have in common? Detroit, i tell you. Where a house can be had for $100 these days (i'm still skeptical about that). Where the nations artists are flocking to make their way, make a statement, and live cheaply and in a new way.

I just read THIS op-ed piece in the NYT from a couple of weeks ago about it all. Seriously Steven, maybe we should buy a mountain house in a Detroit crack hood? Or, at least go for a visit and see what it's really like. You think there are entire streets covered with stuffed animals like this?

Get Up in your Right Pit, and Blast It!

OMG. Double Pits to Chesty?? Is THIS homoerotic as hell or what?? Rev it up.