Baby-Grand Art

It's time to take these stunners down and make way for new holiday art from our Baby Grands. Not to worry... our display door shall not remain empty 
for long! 

♥A♥G     ♥H♥C

Julia Art

Cousin Bonnie told me that her elderly friend, Julia, continues to create art, employing ever-fresh ideas. She recently used grape stems as a brush and cherry/berry juices as her medium. I thought of her today. 

What fantastic "paint" this pomegranate juice would make for creating the design within the fruit. Then, there's the bonus of its antioxidant-laden contents. Ah, the power of suggestion. 

Thank A Vet 'n' Bring 'Em Home♡

Fans Divided

"You are entitled to your opinion, but...." 
Infamous words; would you agree? Yes, there are those fanatics in certain celebrity camps who attempt to shove personal opinions down the throats of others, all under the guise of passivity. In reality, it's clearly passive aggression being executed. Dare to disagree? Disparaging remarks and revelation of your once-private identity will follow, for all the virtual world to see.

So happy that I removed my voice from such communities. Still, I read, and it is appalling to witness the acerbity that crosses Internet paths, directed towards those who continue to opine in an honest way.

Long story short? I don't like Mr. D's new album, "Dreams", and will not be purchasing it. Period. After almost five successful decades in the business, it is clearly his right to record what he pleases. Somewhere in the depths of CMI, I spoke to that subject. Having said that, I assert my right to subscribe to only the 
music I love. There is plenty of that, for which
 I am grateful. Period.

Innuendo

"The Good Wife" took on multiple themes, last night, in an exceptionally powerful episode that rose above the show's norm for excellence. Guest Michael J. Fox played an attorney in the throes of Parkinson's. Without the need to suppress his true-life symptoms, we were allowed into his reality. Script-wise, he demonstrated the power of mind over physicality. His line-of-the-night to our 
Wife Alicia, his opposing counsel, was 
 "...you are new math to my trigonometry."  

In the political arena that is part of the plot, another incredible message was being driven home. We can all relate well to the digging up of a candidate's "dirt" and the resulting perceptions construed to do damage. 
Powerful stuff, herein.

There was more; it was an intense hour. The episodes are sequential. Still, I'd recommend the viewing of this one. It's easily Googled... and a new fan just
 might be born.

Farm Stands In Fall 'n' Portobellos

Daily market shopping is highly recommended by any chef worth his salt. Unfortunately, it's not a practice conducive to many lifestyles, my own included. When possible, though, it's fun to find treasures-of-the-day and go from there, in planning a dish or two. Such was my good fortune, today. Our local farm stand had an abundance of appetizing fruits and veggies on display. All the bin apples were priced fairly at only 69 cents per pound. I love to mix varieties for the best side dishes or pies. Gigantic portobellos and bright red peppers tempted me, as did the mangoes, avocados, pomegranates and squash of every variety. Even a basil plant found its way to my cart. I could easily be a total vegan... are you reading, Joe? 

Here's my concoction, using two mushrooms:

End Result

Remove stems, peel, clean and chop. Clean caps carefully, removing black gills and trimming around the rough, usually-damaged edges. Spray with EVOO.

Roast two red peppers - peel, seed and toss into Cuisinart with two wedges of Laughing Cow; whirl. (For the record, ricotta cheese is the absolute best when creamed with the peppers... next time.) Add chopped stems to this mixture and divide onto inner sides 
of each cap.

Generously top with crumbs that include bread of your choice and sun-dried tomatoes (link). Gently press crumbs into pepper layer. Top with chopped scallion whites and garnish with greens; season with pepper and oregano, if your crumbs are unseasoned. Spray with more EVOO. Bake at 375 degrees for about
 half an hour. 

Please be reminded that anything goes!

 Buon Appetito. 

Nepotism At Its Very Best

 Show me a boomer who has never watched "Sea Hunt". Who knew, way back when, that Lloyd Bridges was having such a blast in his chosen profession? Enough so, claims his son, that he pushed the delight upon his kids.

Jeff Bridges was on Larry King, the other night. We watched. We liked. Well, of course - we're fans - but it's more than that. Yes, he mentioned two new movies for 2011. More importantly, he's involved in ending childhood hunger. Beyond that, he's encouraging commitment in marriage. "How do you stay married for so long?" asked the once-philandering host, in referencing JB's 34-year union (a rarity in Hollywood). "You don't get divorced," responded JB, with that incredible twinkle in his eye. He then shared a technique that works for problem solving in 

his own relationship. 

I've not stopped thinking about how much enjoyment we derived from this candid, casual man; and I wanted to know more about the mother behind him.  Dorothy Bridges was quite the woman. I've read some of her poetry. For sixty years, on every Valentine's Day, she wrote a love poem to her husband; they are compiled here. Yep, behind every good man lurks a good woman.

JB possesses endless talents. Check out his wonderfully creative website, and be sure to link around. You'll find his own awesome music and that of Levon Helm's, his compelling children's hunger info, a link to "MOM", and endless points of interest. The man is an overachiever. 

Ah, thanks, DB and JB; you've helped me to find my mojo.

       Color Me Inspired.

Floating

This lonely oak leaf against today's brilliant sky is my best offering... sigh. It was a quiet day at the Rio.

"Music Is G-d"

A few minutes with amazing Survivor Alice Herz-Sommer has enhanced my perspective in an indescribable way. There shall soon be a film released about her life; and there is a lot of footage to be found on YouTube, by Googling her name. Unfortunately, I cannot link from here to the movie trailer. Thanks to CMI friend, PV, for the priceless introduction to the lady who says, "Music is G-d." 

Where Have All The Flowers Gone?

Last Weekend, Stone Ridge, NY

It occurs to me that my camera has collected dust, this past week. Nature is in hiatus. The rains came. Deer have disappeared into the woods, having heard the warnings of practice shots. Bird feeders have not yet been filled. There are no blossoms to be found.

Color Me

Writer's Block

What To Say?

Score One

For 2 Dads 'n' Philly - NY*NEWS Photo

So glad that our guber-natorial race is history. 

This NY TIMES article is interesting, in its detailed description of our new Governor's hobby. There's a little inside humor herein, relating to car fetishes of several enthusiasts I know. Hey, if it's therapeutic in helping Mr. Cuomo to deliver NY from dire straits, I say,
"Go fix a piston."

A Gigantic Win

Keepin' My Eye On Tim -
Congratulations, SF Giants!

November Miracle?

Enter November. 
Two dear friends of CMI, whom you've met on many occasions, can sure use some blessings and miracles. Please link to...

CousinGina and SweetChildMichelle. Each has experienced devastating news in the discovery that
 they are no longer in remission. 
Please pray for them. 

Super Mario Said It Best

Contemplative Super Mario

The flurry of events that was Hallowe'en was enjoyed by kids of all ages. At the end of the day, after we returned from our upstate children and grands, our locals came for some trick-or-treating. Sometime after Super Mario had shed his coat and hat, it began to snow. He excitedly ran out the front door, with not enough warmth for the 30-something temps, proclaiming,

"It's snowing! It's a miracle." 

Looking So
Grown-Up

Brian quickly grabbed him in for the addition of his jacket. I lifted its hood. Pushing it away, Mario gleefully said,

"No, G'ma! I want to feel the miracle on my head."

Frosting...

Thus was this children's holiday. Here's to the next round. We're doing well, if we keep the miracles alive for our babies.

                               I love them all. ♥

...Ghost Cupcakes