First February 2017 dispatch

Hey Mon !! IT’S FRIDAY ! The weekend is looming, an unexpected change of plan(s), chilling weather and it’s ALL GOOD. A shot of Religion, quality time to reflect & good vibrations, an open mind and a clear head … do we, IOW YOU (or moi) need better reasons to celebrate ? The spin is next …

So the golf outing was ppd & rescheduled. Sad to say but the weather was just too cold to chase the white, dimpled spheroid this day. Clay & I bounced emails mid-to-late yesterday and were in COMPLETE agreement to try again another time.

My original plan was Mass as it was First Friday and I set the alarm earlier than necessary because I retired early the night before and did not wish to rush around like I was going to work or some other such silly appointment. This worked out well as I got a shower & cleaned up in a cooler cloud. Only slightly uncomfortable but bearable.

HOW COOL IS COOL BEFORE IT GETS TOO COLD FOR THE ROW OGO ?

I had 12C crib side, 14 downstairs so bearable and now fully ‘acclimated’ thank you very much. IF there was anyone else here, I would be hearing complaints but as it is, none. It truly is DIVINE at such moments Fans.

I suspected something was up as I approached Saint Michael’s & I was right. The Mass was moved from the chapel to the main body as it was a special Holy day I was not aware of until a bit later. There is a proper name for the main body of the church area but it escapes me and I fear now such a delay would cease this effort so I am pressing on.

For the condensed version, Saint Blaise (I BELIEVE the pronunciation is blaze) for all you good Catholics that are unaware, missed Mass, the wannabes or even the Lesser Christians for that matter, is the Patron Saint of wild animals and those (or them) with throat maladies. After the Liturgy, there was the Blessing of the Throats. I recall this vaguely from my youth as this Holiday certainly fell on a Sunday at one time or another and we had throats blessed. I can’t imagine Mom taking all of us to a secondary ‘Holiday day of Obligation’ if it weren’t a sin of some sort. Anyway, I digress rapidly.

I was reflecting on the episode this past week of Cedric, the Cedar Waxwing. Due to popular demand, a contest was held and the winner for 'name little bird' contest was Cedric. Congrats to Stella from Browndale, PA and she wins a night for one at the cloud. All inclusive.

Father Sal gave a kicking Homily. Very short (hip, hip) but right on target. He said that every time you (me OR you or WE) come to Mass or go to communion, we heal our Souls. This was profound, refreshing and staggering when you think about it. People that fail to go to any sort of organized religious activity MISS THIS. Completely & entirely.

In the words of John L Stephens, I consider them invaliditos. Invalids. Their votes don’t count. Their souls are incomplete. Their opinions & reckoning are secondary but will be dealt with.

After Mass, I stopped at Minuteman Press (MMP). I had to check & bust on Jose & Krystal about the projects I dropped off earlier in the week. Not that I need them yet, I told them so, but I was in the area (hood) and decided to stop in to see if there were any questions and/or status.

No issues to report but I should look for something next Tuesday. I smiled and was thinking of Wimpy who would GLADLY pay you Tuesday for a hamburger today.

Time out of this chronology for today's or better said the cocktail of the momento. Sipping a thimble full of pomegranate infused tequila from a very cool little cordial glass probably from the 18th century. Very dainty & delicate but at the same time very manly. Just a little tart but nice. It am thinking it could even be cranberry infused tequila.

WOW! WHERE DOES ONE GET SUCH AN AWE-INSPIRING BEVERAGE OGO ?

Mexico.

Were it illegal, it would be contraband, but you can get it at the aeropuerto, duty-free no less.

On the last trip to burn the remaining pesos I was wondering thru duty-free and the associate axed if he could help me find anything so I remembered from the last time the very cool bottle of the pom-teq so I axed, and he took me right to it. I bought this bottle and while the bottle label had changed, it was still cool and the product was still stellar.

Perfect sipping AND with the nutritional value of the pomegranate, what COULD be better ?

So my next stop was Office Depot. I had a letter on a stick drive that I needed printed and an extra copy to send to the Feds (Dept of Treasury/IRS) which was such a small tranny the lady, a fine tattooed & pierced gal, didn’t charge me for it. I must have been resembling a destitute homeless person & she was taking some pity. Said it wasn’t worth swiping the card for $0.30. OK Baby. That works for me.

From there I motored across town to Sprouts for supplies. Fans, never, EVER go grocery shopping when you are starving or even hungry. I needed three (3) things. Only two (2) actually but I ended up going back and getting a cart and tossing the reusable bag in the cart and nearly filled it up.

THERE HAS TO BE A STORY THERE OGO.

Correct-a-mundo.

Pilsner Urquel was on sale. I saw the price & immediately assumed it was a four (4) pack. Closer review revealed it was in fact a six-pack. Into the cart. Stella Artois (SA) was marked down a buck. I saw a commercial with my buddy Matt Damon and his water conservation group has teamed with SA on a project to bring fresh water to underdeveloped peoples. Water is basic, poor people can’t help it or improve this condition much, if ever or even at all. So I SUPPORTED it with this purchase.

I DO support worthy causes.

I also bought a grande Modelo for breakfast & the ride home.

You know how that first cold swig goes down on a hot summer day after mowing the lawn and how you the second one just doesn’t repeat that sensation ?

Well, this marketing venture CURED that little issue.

I bought shrimp for rev.2 of the eggplant-shrimp-pepita marinara recipe I am working on. A little lobster tail (7 oz) in case the world ends later in the evening or perhaps the new dish will be revisited as eggplant-seafood-pepita marinara (rev.1).

Which drove me to an idea for a sci-fi theme/plot. This average guy goes grocery shopping, makes a mockery of his short list and buys all these exotic items like (or just in case the world ends tonight) and guess what ? IT does end.

He has all this marvelous stuff and rather that rationing it straight away, he gorges early and eventually starves to death in a world with no people.

YOU’D BETTER STOP & GET OFF THE SAUCE OGO. JUST SAYING.

I am afraid you are correct. A fire would be nice, I need to paint some fish & other items. I bought a large head of green cabbage to make slaw for Gary’s stupid bowl party and I have to make that in advance to drop off BEFORE the game and BEFORE reporting to work so my scheduling skills are going to come into play any moment as well as my fire making skills.

The briefest of updates … blossoms of Dracanae still holding tightly closed. The purple martin house project has turned into yet another project sent from hell. The more I am learning the WORSE it is getting AND I still feel an inner Spiritual lift just knowing I helped Cedric get his feet back under him and wings working to live another day and be free.

Life is good Phans. Enjoy it, live LARGE.