Author: Allegra

Born when atmospheric carbon was 316 PPM. Settled on MST country since 1997. Parent, grandparent.

Another day without beer

I haven’t had any beer in three days.  I think this is the longest I’ve gone without drinking beer for at least three years.  Somehow going to Ontario made me less susceptible to its bubbly siren song.  I certainly have noticed now that I am drinking coffee as an occasional stimulant and  much less beer that my digestion is better than it has been in years.

Last night I cooked roast beef and home made gravy, side of horseradish, potatoes and onions done around the roast, peas and carrots, broccoli and spinach and brussels sprouts, yorkshire pudding (one recipe yields 12 pudding-lets) and others had ice cream for dessert but I skipped that part.  I had a wonderful time preparing it and eating it, and watching Paul, Jeff, Katie and Keith demolish it.  Frankly I think Katie enjoyed it most.  She’s trying to cut sugar out of her diet and her eyes lit up when she saw all the vegetables.  As Catherine said, at this time of year the produce in Canada is quite astonishing.

Today I have many ugly tedious chores to perform, a list of which would likely be more detail than any sane reader could bear.  I hope to squeeze writing down one song in there… I am also hoping to listen to the two albums Dave gave me all the way through.  And more Homicide… we’re close to the end now.  The show ran 7 seasons and it’s been my constant companion for months now.

He should be glad he didn’t find it in France.

And now for something completely different.

Ten reasons I love Val Kilmer.

1.  He once punched out Tom Cruise.  (On the set of Top Gun).

2. Madmartigan in Willow.

3. Jim Morrison in the Doors.

4. Ray Levoi in Thunderheart.

5. Doc Holliday in Tombstone.

6. Heart heart heart Chris Knight in Real Genius.

7. He named his kids something reasonable.  Jack and Mercedes are sane names, in my view.

8. He THOUGHT about running for Governor of New Mexico and decided against it.

9. He helps with wildlife rehabilitation.

10. He’s slept with Joanne Whalley, the lucky dog.

Stockholm Lisboa Project

Here’s the link.

I just cleared the door from the concert… I have only one word.  Go.  If you ever have a chance to see them, go.  Their musicianship; their cameraderie; their joy in performing; their choice of material; their glorious singing voices…..  When Lianna first opened her mouth to sing she was standing in the audience not five metres from me and I thought an angel had dropped out of heaven to sing.

Kopper, mil beijos for thinking of me, it was frikkin great.

Back home

I made waffles and strawberries for breakfast.

I have a very long list of things to do and zero desire to do any of it.

Kopper and I are off to a show in North Van tonight.  She has a clothing swap at her place today as well, which is very good of her and her housemate… it’s a community building thing.  I need to get rid of some clothes myself now that I’ve brought more into the house, but once again that would involve working.

At some point Jeff and I will step out into this dreadful rain and get some carpet and some computer stuff.  Possibly also some food.

Take a Nap (the last choon).  I put percussion in (basic 2-3 rumba rhythm).

Margot is in her teenaged years now.  She’s being very naughty and a hog for the wrong kind of attention. I’ve been playing with her as much as I can.

Sundry and various

I have returned to the land of my furball, who trotted to the door as soon as I came in at 11:15 am yesterday. I did laundry and lazed about.

Paul was providentially making a pork roast for the masses and me, Keith, Kate, Tom, Peggy, Jeff and Paul all sat down at a table yesterday and pigged right out.  It was a succulent roast, and in addition to being highly edible, prevented me from having to actually, you know, like, cook on my first day back, although I did do the meat for tacos tonight.

Prior to inviting us over he said on the phone, “You sound really tired; you should take a nap.”

I was laughing as I hung up the phone.  So I wrote a song.  It’s a vaguely Latin sounding thing which is supposed to have mariachi style brass. (Added later…. it’s E B7 which is according to the magical internet – is a simple latin chord progression. )

There are friends

We run to when

We’re looking for advice

And the quality may vary

But the concern is nice

There are friends who give us

A verbal kiss

Others deliver a slap

But I like my friend Paul’s advice

When he says TAKE A NAP

Take a nap, dear

You know that you will feel much better

Have a glass of water first

Maybe put on your favourite sweater

This go go go

This rush rush rush

It’s a capitalist trap

If you want your life back

Prove it:

Take a nap.

I know you can’t hear it, but the mariachi brass is very nice.

Yes, Catherine’s many forays into Mexican and Central American food during my stay left a big mark on my psyche; I’ll be shopping today for ingredaments for the feast this evening.  I detect a trip to Granville Island Market in my future.  I can hardly wait to try my tortilla press.  And there is nothing in the fridge.  No beer, no milk, little veg, no leftovers; I have my work cut out for me.

I’m trying not to drink alcoholic beverages on Wednedays and Sundays; Dave fed me beer on Wednesday so I skipped last night.

I suppose I should talk a little more about my vacation. More:

Continue reading Sundry and various

the green cave

The vines and the tree growth are so lush in Catherine and Colin’s back yard that they don’t have to hang curtains in the bed room.  It’s lovely waking up with the filtered green light.

I miss my guitar.  I miss my bro.  I miss my kitty.

Jeff reports Margot is independently going through the cat door which installed after I flew out here.  He also apologizes in advance for any lapses which may have taken place in her grooming; I’m sure it will be fine.  I hope she still recognizes me.

Stupefyin’ fowl

What a stupendous dinner Catherine cooked us.  In no particular order, fresh free range turkey larded with herbed sweet butter and lemon zest; roast carrots and parsnips; home made gravy; home made cranberry chutney; smashed potatoes; mixed fungus lightly sauteed in butter; spinach; bread rolls; two different kinds of dessert, one being bread pudding (walnut and raisin bread) and the other scratch made pumpkin pie which is really squash pie and you should have smelled the kitchen when Catherine was grinding the spices, both dishes with a side of whipped cream, did I mention gravy?, three beers (over the course of the evening), and an amazing squash and saffron rice casserole, except the squash was the container, and it looked like it had dropped in from Mars for the evening.  No stuffing; Catherine said that it was a food safety issue, but I still think I’ll stuff my next turkey because I do make good stuffing if I do say so myself.

In a pleasant state of repletion, I now seek shelter in my comfy bed.