There's a moon out tonight...

I you haven't been outside tonight, you should go. There's a nip in the air and you won't need a flashlight. Wear a warm jacket and gloves. Ear muffs if you've got 'em. When you get back, have a nice cup of tea or cocoa.

The fabulous dinner

My wife and I had a debate about the cost of the wine I was to purchase for the evening's meal. I said "It doesn't matter. You're cooking it. Why waste money." "The recipe calls for Pinot Noir" she said. "Get Pinot Noir." "OK", I said. "But believe me it's just a waste of money." "Pick out a nice label", she said.
I buy wine according to the label design. You're going to have to look at the bottle, so why not have something aesthetically appealing. I love the label of the Red Bicycle (bicyclette), a french Merlot--I think. They didn't have a Pinot Noir so I chose a rather attractive bottle from Smoking Loon Wine Company in Napa, California. Then I found a less expensive Australian wine for myself. Kelly's Revenge is a Shiraz with a delightful fruity flavor with just a suggestion of spring rain and orchids blowing in the breeze. I'm making all that up. The label says:

"Had a hard day? Stress getting to you? Packed full of ripe berry fruit flavours, this big Shiraz is perfect at the end of a long day. Kick back, relax, forget about the pressures and take revenge with Kelly. It's all about you now. Are you up to it?"

As I was leaving the store, I noticed they had this little bar set up with Absolut vodka bottles and tiny plastic cups. A very happy young woman called out to me as I passed to ask if I'd like a little sample. Now, I can't remember the last time I had vodka or scotch or any of the stronger stuff, but heck. "Why not" I said. "It's peach flavored Absolut with peach schnapps", she said, as I turned back the wee cup.
"Peachy, isn't it?" "Yes", I replied. "Very peachy."

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The coq au vin was the best I've ever eaten. Really. Probably had a lot to do with the wine. Just the aroma wafting from the kitchen as it slowly simmered while I sat pecking at this keyboard, wine glass at my elbow, and listening to death cab for cutie that my eldest boy thought I would like.







Summer Skin
He was right. I liked them well enough to go to YouTube to hear more. What's in a name.

The last time I made coq au vin, the recipe called for whole chicken pieces--I think it must have been James Beard or Julia Child--whereas the Cook's recipe uses boneless parts. Man! What a difference. Not only is the taste superb, it requires a much shorter prep time.

Coq au vin

I just sneaked a peek at the magazine my wife is reading. She went out shopping and left it open on the sofa.

The article is about and includes a recipe for coq au vin, which explains why she asked me to pick up a bottle of red wine. No beans and rice tonight.

There used to be a very good French restaurant on 8th Avenue in NYC called the Coq au Vin.


Well, I finished washing and putting away the dishes and after I finish this I'll
get to the laundry.

I bought a shoe box full of old photos at a yard sale a few summers ago for a couple of bucks. They just looked interesting. I don't understand why anyone would want to part with such great photos, I suppose of their family, but I love them. Here's just one. I post some others on another day. I'm impressed with the simplicity, composure and directness of the subjects in this and in all the others.

Park and call

Detroit's horizon expands.

And did you hear about the cell phone they have for dogs?

The Man

The Man with Samuel L. Jackson and Eugene Levy "One guy walks the walk. The other talks and talks."




I'm not trying to make excuses, but I got the movie only because I like Samuel L. Jackson. I didn't pay money. I got it from the library. And Eugene Levy is a very funny guy. Relationships are what make a movie for me and Jackson and Levy do establish a nice bond by the end of the movie. Levy seems like he must be a real sweetheart in real life. And the scene in the airport where...but wait a minute. I don't want to give away the ending. Levy in particular made the movie OK for me. I could have done without the "language and rude dialogue". It would have been a better movie without it.

Today's walk

Remember when geese got out of town for the winter?