swt61

Well, I'd heard the same story, but something I didn't know was that they recorded an album in the seventies. It was all pop songs. The album was pushed by Linda's manager at the time. They had it ready to go, but neither Linda, Emmylou or Dolly felt it was right. So they decided to shelve it. The 87 album cemented that decision in all of their minds.

So, we finished the shelf install last weekend. Linda was in really good spirits. She was like a kid with a new toy when we finished. It made me feel great to make her happy! She then invited us into the living room for homemade lemonade. I started talking about music, and I think I threw her for a loop with my knowledge of musicians and music history. I told her that the first time I'd actually seen her on TV was on Dolly's show in the 70's. I was a young teenager and Dolly had Linda and Emmylou on her show. I was amazed at their harmony! They did several old country standards and it was magical. She was surprised that I even new of that appearance, and happy to hear how much I had liked it. She then gave me the greatest gift she could ever have given me. We sat and talked about music for nearly 3 hours. She told me about meeting Emmylou first, through Grahame Parsons, then her and Emmylou meeting Dolly together. We talked about Jackson Brown, and him introducing her to Glenn Fry and Don Henley. About her telling them to form their own band. We talked about her youth and her Mariachi history. I think that she enjoyed revisiting the past as much as I enjoyed listening to it. She kept being surprised at my knowledge and set a few of the stories I'd heard straight. I had one of the best times of my life!

I just found this funny...

I was a weird little kid. No surprise there. As a youngster and up until present times, I loved things kids weren't supposed to like. Spinach and liver are good examples. The only two people in my family that liked liver were myself and my Mother. Especially chicken livers! One day back in the 70's, my Father took my Mother to a new restaurant for lunch. She noticed on the breakfast menu a chicken liver omelet. She intended to go back and try it sometime. One day it was just her and I running errands, and she remembered this restaurant close by. We both had the chicken liver omelet and both loved it. I have no idea why I haven't recreated this omelet to date, but today is the day! Delicious!!!

I first saw this video in 1992. I was in WalnutCreek, CA killing a few minutes before going to work. My best friend and roomate, and then boss, Paul came down the stairs, saw tears streaming down my face and thought something terrible had happened. When I explained it was this video, he basically mocked me for being such a sensitive baby. The funniest part of that interaction was that he was a tiny, effeminate, obviously gay man, whom I had physically come to his aide several times when homophobic "tough guys" had threatened him. But that all being true, his 115 lb., nelly frame was absolutely right about my extreme sensitivity. I cry at sad TV commercials. I have no problem jumping into a group of assholes bullying some smaller guy, but show me a puppy getting a vaccination shot and I'm wiping the tears away. Anyway, more than 30 years later and this video still has me attempting to divert rivers of salty tears. There are reasons of course. I've been in that hospital room many times, holding the hand of a friend that wasn't going to make it. And I've also been the Son of a macho, Texan that wanted all of his Sons to be exactly like him. Then later in life he was cheerfully cooking breakfast for boyfriends that had stayed over. Pretty surreal when you grow up thinking that if he ever found out that I was gay, he'd walk away from me without ever looking back. Watching children grow up must be a magical thing. But watching your Father grow up into a caring, accepting human being is also pretty great. Oh yeah, this was about a music video...

Happy Birthday!

A few years back I discovered a newish country singer named Charlie Crocket. I've become a big fan, and today I went to see him play at Stern Grove Festival in San Francisco. It's an outdoor, kind of natural amphitheater. Nicki Bluhm opened for him and both artists were great. It was a long day but well worth it!

Another batch of chili. This one I'm taking to work tomorrow. This is my 7 qt. Dutch oven, so it's a big batch. If I haven't posted my recipe before: Dice two bell peppers (red & orange), and a medium yellow onion. Sauté in a lg. skillet. Set aside in 7 qt. Dutch oven. Brown 2 1/2 lbs. of ground beef in same skillet, salt and pepper to taste. Use slotted spoon to separate ground beef from rendered fat. Place ground beef in Dutch oven. In sauté pan add 16 Oz. can of diced tomatoes of choice, one jar of fire roasted salsa, small can of tomato paste, 16 Oz. Red wine, 1 tablespoon of Worcestershire sauce, tablespoon of minced garlic, spices ( I use Carroll Shelby's chili seasoning). Cook over medium heat until hot and well mixed. Add to Dutch oven, along with 1 can of pinto beans and 1 can of Black beans. Mix well and simmer covered for 15 to 20 minutes. If needed mix masa flour (included w/ chili seasoning) with 1/3 cup of water. Stir into chili, recover for additional 5 minutes. This will thicken the chili nicely.

Good riddance Lindsay, hopefully more to follow!

Be forgiving. Life is hard in the hood!

My relationship with my own Father was certainly complex, but we did have some really in depth conversations in my adult life. I cherish those, because I do feel as though I started to understand him better. I'll never forget the worst times, but I've long since forgiven them. Luckily before he passed. I will never have the chance to use what I learned to do a better job at parenting, but it's quite apparent that you absolutely did! So sorry for your loss Todd.