Oh man!!!! I find myself ranting and raving about Monsanto and like minded corporations on Facebook. It all of a sudden hit me that i have kept my head buried in the sand and figured the powers that be would not let that horrible corporation do the dirty deed of artificial food letting. GMO's
I'm not sure of all the technical stuff all i know is i have heard and read that the administration headed by President Borak Obama and the congress, passed a bill that is set in stone and will allow Monsanto and corporations like it, continue to buy up land all over the world and plant Genetically Modified Organisms. We are doomed!!!! May be i should say our future generations are doomed. I did hear that one country, Hungary, is burning all Monsanto crops.
The bees are dying, the birds are disappearing, animals and fish are dying mysterious deaths, and so what are our future generations going to have as food sources. I don't know the answer, all i know is i am disturbed and my normally complacent demeanor has been riled.
The other thing that bothers me is the rest of the world, yes the world, is up in arms and continues to protest the planting of crops. A demonstration was held last week involving the rest of the world--did we hear much about it, was it given much press other than a slight mention---NO.
I am an Obama person. I voted for him, i like him, i can excuse some of the criticisms against him, but i cannot forgive his passing of this recent legislation that is allows the planting of gmo products.
The world will not forgive either.
WHAT is going on and WHO is behind all this? It's certainly not just one man in one minute of time.
Thursday, May 30, 2013
Monday, May 27, 2013
Last Dinner With My Cousin--At Least This Trip
Two topics of conversation are always discussed when ever two or more people gather to chew the fat at any time or any place in New York City. One is apartments---"Do you know of any cheap apartment for rent"? "Is your apartment under rent control". "I'm looking for a short lease--know of any?" "I saw a for sale sign for a place on 46th between Ninth and Tenth" Or the ultimate, "What do you pay and is it rent control".
The other topic, and one that happens in an apartment, during a party, on the street, in the ladies room, anywhere is "Where are we going to eat". "Do you know of any new place to try that's inexpensive" "Where's a cheep place to eat." "What kind of food do they have". The questions go on and on and sometimes start again even after seated, if the lighting or vibe or crowd doesn't look "right". Here we go---moved again.
My cousin has been here from California to attend the Natural Foods Culinary Institute. She's a California gal for sure, and she's a real trooper. She found a tiny apartment on the upper west side, for the duration of the four month curriculum. She got on the subway every morning, spent the day in school, came home on the subway, studied and then the next day started the routine all over again.
We hadn't seen each other for many years and although we are 20 or so years apart and knew each other when we were much younger, we celebrated our reunion with a great anticipation of spending time together and catching up. Ya right!!!!!
It's her last week and she's through with her testing and we decide to have a celebratory early last dinner before she left. I have been at the Institute a couple times, once for a beautifully prepared brunch and then again for a dinner put on by the group of students that included my cousin. Other then another time she was at my home we haven't had much time together
I arrive around 5 pm and finally see her temporary New York home which has been mostly already cleared out. She has to leave to go back to her home in Tahoe and fulfill her intern duties as part of the culinary degree. She has kindly filled a couple bags of kitchen things that she doesn't' need, for me to take home. She has also offered to go home on the bus with me to help carry, as they are heavy. No car!!!!!
We decide after much discussion, to try the place right on the corner that not only my daughter recommended but that is always busy and I'd heard good things about so it sounded like a good bet. The place is beautiful and even though they didn't have room out side we decided inside would be fine. We were ushered to a table way in the back right next to the restrooms. No way. The vibe was also off so we decided to leave.
OK now where do we go???? Sue checks her phone to see what might be recommended in the hood and we decide on another Italian place within walking distance. We were seated outside and the vibe was right and the menu looked reasonable enough so finally we had found our spot.
We decided to split three dishes--a salad--some pasta--and a steak. We placed our order and explained what we wanted to do. Cool! The delicious bread was served along with a faboo olive oil and we were ready to chow down. First came the salad with two plates. My cousin ordered and glass of wine and we began. The salad was quite tasty but before we were even finished the waiter took the salad away and immediately returned with both the pasta and the steak special. Woe! what happened why are we being served both at the same time and where were the extra plates. The pasta which looked delish was cold, the steak that we ordered medium rare was so well done there was no pink at all. This is not good. We called over the waiter and told him about the discrepancies in the meal. Both the salad removal too soon and the cold pasta and well done steak. OK-- the steak went back but was returned not more then five minute later. The meat had been cooked on one side turned over and with the cow still mooing sat heavily on the plate. Sue cut into it and it was more then blood rare. Yuk!!!----We need to see the manager. My diplomatic cousin was firm but polite and explained the situation and the manager listened and of course apologized several times. After many minutes of a discussion re culinary experiences and some mutual acquaintances on the west coast my cousin explained that she would gladly pay for the wine but that we would not be staying. He asked if he could make it right and we said no thank you. He then said "it's on me then" and we boogied out of there.
Now what do we do. We still have not eaten. OK, so we decide to go pick up my new treasures at Sue's place and grab a cab to my place down a mile or so to Hell's Kitchen where i live. There is a restaurant that i took Sue too when she first arrived and she and i both like the place so we go to my apartment, sit a spell, call, and they are full but if we wait a bit there will be room.
I just happened to mention my favorite place across the street Zuni's. Simple but good food and good atmosphere and great wait staff so Sue says, "that's where i want to go" So once again we go in search of food.
We hit the jackpot. The meal was fabulous and not only did we enjoy every bite, we were entertained by some darling girls from Germany who were eating after a concert given at another venue and chose to entertain the wait staff with a song as a thank you.
Our long and involved evening ended with the magic that only New York can provide. A fabulous meal with a lovely dear cousin and some unexpected music from some young German Frauleins.
So if you expect to visit our fair city anytime soon, be sure and brush up on apartment and food information. I guarantee the subject will come up. And if you're lucky you'll be able to share an unforgettable dining experience with a much beloved cousin and friend like i did.
The other topic, and one that happens in an apartment, during a party, on the street, in the ladies room, anywhere is "Where are we going to eat". "Do you know of any new place to try that's inexpensive" "Where's a cheep place to eat." "What kind of food do they have". The questions go on and on and sometimes start again even after seated, if the lighting or vibe or crowd doesn't look "right". Here we go---moved again.
My cousin has been here from California to attend the Natural Foods Culinary Institute. She's a California gal for sure, and she's a real trooper. She found a tiny apartment on the upper west side, for the duration of the four month curriculum. She got on the subway every morning, spent the day in school, came home on the subway, studied and then the next day started the routine all over again.
We hadn't seen each other for many years and although we are 20 or so years apart and knew each other when we were much younger, we celebrated our reunion with a great anticipation of spending time together and catching up. Ya right!!!!!
It's her last week and she's through with her testing and we decide to have a celebratory early last dinner before she left. I have been at the Institute a couple times, once for a beautifully prepared brunch and then again for a dinner put on by the group of students that included my cousin. Other then another time she was at my home we haven't had much time together
I arrive around 5 pm and finally see her temporary New York home which has been mostly already cleared out. She has to leave to go back to her home in Tahoe and fulfill her intern duties as part of the culinary degree. She has kindly filled a couple bags of kitchen things that she doesn't' need, for me to take home. She has also offered to go home on the bus with me to help carry, as they are heavy. No car!!!!!
We decide after much discussion, to try the place right on the corner that not only my daughter recommended but that is always busy and I'd heard good things about so it sounded like a good bet. The place is beautiful and even though they didn't have room out side we decided inside would be fine. We were ushered to a table way in the back right next to the restrooms. No way. The vibe was also off so we decided to leave.
OK now where do we go???? Sue checks her phone to see what might be recommended in the hood and we decide on another Italian place within walking distance. We were seated outside and the vibe was right and the menu looked reasonable enough so finally we had found our spot.
We decided to split three dishes--a salad--some pasta--and a steak. We placed our order and explained what we wanted to do. Cool! The delicious bread was served along with a faboo olive oil and we were ready to chow down. First came the salad with two plates. My cousin ordered and glass of wine and we began. The salad was quite tasty but before we were even finished the waiter took the salad away and immediately returned with both the pasta and the steak special. Woe! what happened why are we being served both at the same time and where were the extra plates. The pasta which looked delish was cold, the steak that we ordered medium rare was so well done there was no pink at all. This is not good. We called over the waiter and told him about the discrepancies in the meal. Both the salad removal too soon and the cold pasta and well done steak. OK-- the steak went back but was returned not more then five minute later. The meat had been cooked on one side turned over and with the cow still mooing sat heavily on the plate. Sue cut into it and it was more then blood rare. Yuk!!!----We need to see the manager. My diplomatic cousin was firm but polite and explained the situation and the manager listened and of course apologized several times. After many minutes of a discussion re culinary experiences and some mutual acquaintances on the west coast my cousin explained that she would gladly pay for the wine but that we would not be staying. He asked if he could make it right and we said no thank you. He then said "it's on me then" and we boogied out of there.
Now what do we do. We still have not eaten. OK, so we decide to go pick up my new treasures at Sue's place and grab a cab to my place down a mile or so to Hell's Kitchen where i live. There is a restaurant that i took Sue too when she first arrived and she and i both like the place so we go to my apartment, sit a spell, call, and they are full but if we wait a bit there will be room.
I just happened to mention my favorite place across the street Zuni's. Simple but good food and good atmosphere and great wait staff so Sue says, "that's where i want to go" So once again we go in search of food.
We hit the jackpot. The meal was fabulous and not only did we enjoy every bite, we were entertained by some darling girls from Germany who were eating after a concert given at another venue and chose to entertain the wait staff with a song as a thank you.
Our long and involved evening ended with the magic that only New York can provide. A fabulous meal with a lovely dear cousin and some unexpected music from some young German Frauleins.
So if you expect to visit our fair city anytime soon, be sure and brush up on apartment and food information. I guarantee the subject will come up. And if you're lucky you'll be able to share an unforgettable dining experience with a much beloved cousin and friend like i did.
Saturday, May 11, 2013
The Bonus Gift of School. My Mother
Interesting thoughts have invaded my mind since starting the short term writing class at Hunter. My mother has been on my mind. Quite fitting since tomorrow is Mother's Day.
My daughter told me recently that she senses her gramma Rita by my side through this new adventure. I was taken aback as my mom (Rita) and i were not close. Even after her death, i have not felt close to her. My pop is a different story. Daddy has been my guide in a very personal way since his death. He has seen me through some rough spots and guided my journey. I speak to him almost daily and he answers.
Mom tried i think, but her way and my way clashed for some reason. It was hard for her to express love. My siblings and i agree that mother was not as affectionate as dad. In fact she could be cold. I'm realizing she maybe didn't know how.
People loved my mother. I often heard, growing up, that she was the best nurse in the whole Rogue Valley. She was an RN who loved her job so much that she even volunteered at the nursing home for years and also would administer to the migrant workers, every summer, who came to pick pears. I never felt she neglected us, but i can't quite put my finger on my moms lack of warmth.
My writing class however, has awakened in me memories of my mom and writing. She loved to write and always had beautiful stationery and the perfect pen. She also had beautiful hand writing. She would often decorate my birthday cards and envelopes with lovely detailed artistic script like calligraphy only it was mom's version. I am sad to say that with all my moves, any cards that i had kept are gone. She always insisted on correct grammar and proper spelling. I do remember many times her pride in my writing papers that occasionally got A's or B's. The only A's i would really ever get.
My writing class, with the perfect instructor, has been such a gift in so many ways. I am learning new ways of construction and am hoping to be able to put them to use in my blog and maybe more. My daughters gift to me was a reminder of my mother. I notice a certain new feeling settling in that just might be my mother standing at my side.
"Move over pop, you have company".
My daughter told me recently that she senses her gramma Rita by my side through this new adventure. I was taken aback as my mom (Rita) and i were not close. Even after her death, i have not felt close to her. My pop is a different story. Daddy has been my guide in a very personal way since his death. He has seen me through some rough spots and guided my journey. I speak to him almost daily and he answers.
Mom tried i think, but her way and my way clashed for some reason. It was hard for her to express love. My siblings and i agree that mother was not as affectionate as dad. In fact she could be cold. I'm realizing she maybe didn't know how.
People loved my mother. I often heard, growing up, that she was the best nurse in the whole Rogue Valley. She was an RN who loved her job so much that she even volunteered at the nursing home for years and also would administer to the migrant workers, every summer, who came to pick pears. I never felt she neglected us, but i can't quite put my finger on my moms lack of warmth.
My writing class however, has awakened in me memories of my mom and writing. She loved to write and always had beautiful stationery and the perfect pen. She also had beautiful hand writing. She would often decorate my birthday cards and envelopes with lovely detailed artistic script like calligraphy only it was mom's version. I am sad to say that with all my moves, any cards that i had kept are gone. She always insisted on correct grammar and proper spelling. I do remember many times her pride in my writing papers that occasionally got A's or B's. The only A's i would really ever get.
My writing class, with the perfect instructor, has been such a gift in so many ways. I am learning new ways of construction and am hoping to be able to put them to use in my blog and maybe more. My daughters gift to me was a reminder of my mother. I notice a certain new feeling settling in that just might be my mother standing at my side.
"Move over pop, you have company".
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)