swt61

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.

It's a heartache!

Did you see the picture? Of course they were that good! Are you really Doug trolling us?

A little while back I posted somewhere on here about a very exciting project. Some of my work at a San Fransisco book store just happened to have been noticed by Linda Ronstadt and her longtime friend and carpenter. That carpenter happens to live in Fairfax, and is a regular customer of mine at the lumber store. Once my name was mentioned by the store owner ( this owner has become a great friend, and I've now done two of her homes, and her book store), this carpenter said " wait, I know him. He works at Fairfax Lumber. " Long story, still long, he talked with me about collaborating on a large set of bookshelves for Linda. Linda's health isn't great, and that has affected the scheduling of this project. However, we are now into this project. I have not yet met Linda personally, but we have started working on the shelves at Andy's shop. He took great measurements of the space. Usually the sign of a good carpenter, and I'm sure he is. But for me the most difficult part of the project thus far has been slowing him down. He wants to hurry through and get it done. I want to build the best shelves that I can build. Time, though maybe an issue in the long run, isn't really an issue now. She's not pushing this to be quick. Money clearly isn't an issue, so I think I'm winning this little battle. I've made it clear that I'm not interested in blowing out some average shelves. I want to make something that I'm proud of, especially considering the client. We've spent two whole days working together in Andy's shop, and I think he's starting to get it. He's around 80 years old and I'm very respectful of my elders, except when it comes to sacrificing my quality. We will continue working tomorrow and I'm guessing about two more weekends. Then most likely at least 1 day of install. That's when I'm going to meet Linda. That'll certainly be a fun day for me. As most things concerning music or movies, my trivia knowledge is vast. Ask me something about anything important and I'll come up blank, but ask me about a music or movie artist and I can talk forever. This is even tenfold for me on Linda, because the Laurel Canyon crowd, and the beginning of the Southern rock genre really peak my interest. All of the crossovers of the people of this era are just fascinating to me. Linda met Graham Parsons early on, who I consider the Father of this genre. Graham discovered and then worked with Emmylou Harris, another favorite singer of mine. Linda met Emmylou and Dolly Parton at different times, and then introduced them to each other at lunch one day. They of course started harmonizing on favorite songs, and were so impressed with the melding of their voices that they decided to create music together soon. Soon turned into more than a decade, but the results were phenomenal. Linda was also a guest on the Cher show back in the 70's, and started a lifetime friendship. I being a gay man of course adore me some Cher! And anyone who is an Eagles fan owes something to Linda, because she had a lot to do with putting that band together. I could go on and on, but I'm hoping that I can reign it in a bit on the day I meet her in person. Although I doubt that I'll be successful there. Anyway, this project is coming to fruition, and what a way to crown a career that I have deeply loved for over four decades now. This will be a story that I will, well I guess I'll have to tell your Grandkids about it, because I won't have any, but I'm sure that I'll have to be told to "shut up about it already ". I will certainly try to take pictures upon install. More to come later.

Such a great day. The best group of people. I think Rini and Dorothy made some new friends of my coworkers.

Got up around 6:30 and made a batch of chili. Al's Sister Rini and Neice Dorothy and myself are making chili dogs, smash burgers, corn on the cob, potatoe salad, fruit salad, some type of blueberry angel food cake with mascarpone whipped cream, blueberry custard pie, watermelon and who knows what else? A few of my coworkers are coming by to join in the feast.

It's coming through on my end Knucks.

Oh boy. Big changes. There are sub forums that I can't find. If only I had echo location. I'm sure I'll get used to it.

I always forget how squeamish heteros can be.

I do like Bocote wood, but I'll pass.

But you're European, it could be important!

But that information could be valuable! 😝

I can always count on you for more information than I ever wanted to know.

Your urine is going to smell atrocious for a month!

. I didn't. Now I'll hunt it down.