Monthly Archives: February 2012

Things That Can be Carried on a Bike (#401)

A jar of peanut butter and a jar of grape jelly…staples in my household. Good thing I was riding a bike that has the ability to carry 440lbs/200kg. To read an article I wrote–some years ago–on the peanut butter and jelly sandwich, click here. To see some of the other things I’ve carried on myContinue reading “Things That Can be Carried on a Bike (#401)”

A Solitary Walk (Playing with Angle and Light: Three Street Scenes)

I like to walk; it clears my head. When I’m on a bike I have to pay attention to my surroundings but when I walk I can do just that…walk. Tonight I had some thoughts that were troubling me so I thought I’d go for a brisk walk on this chilly (32F/0C) and wet FebruaryContinue reading “A Solitary Walk (Playing with Angle and Light: Three Street Scenes)”

Stuffed French Toast is Anything but "Lost"

Pictured on this post is a breakfast I made for my son (and a friend) and it’s his favorite…French Toast. I’ve posted numerous pictures and versions of this simple but delicious recipe in the past (click here), but what sets this one apart is that the toast is stuffed. As usual, I used homemade wholeContinue reading “Stuffed French Toast is Anything but "Lost"”

A Few Buildings

One of the (many) things I enjoy is walking around cities and looking at the architecture…and this is true for my own city as well…I rarely tire of it. For being a small city, Buffalo has an impressive history with equally impressive architecture…these photos are just a smattering of it (I could fill pages). Anyhow,Continue reading “A Few Buildings”

Things That Can be Carried on a Bike (#400)

Front Rack: A canvas bag containing, two books, an iPhone, a camera, and two sets of allen wrenches. Rear Carrier: Two plastic buckets; one containing a whole-grain pre-ferment (biga), and the other an autolyse, which later became the bread pictured below (click here to see how to make it). Whole Grain Bread Makes 2 loavesContinue reading “Things That Can be Carried on a Bike (#400)”

The Man Who Lived on His Bike

This short film (3 minutes) is excellent. I loved it. Whether you ride a bike or not it will undoubtedly make you smile…and  the music is good, too. Here’s a description from the author: I love being on a bike. It helps me feel free. I get it from my dad. After 382 days spentContinue reading “The Man Who Lived on His Bike”

Three Photos of Water and a Few Words to Describe Them

Top to bottom…a railing I had my bike locked to, the top bar of my Mundo, and a railing on my porch. Click any photo for a larger view. Urban Simplicity.

Buffalo Soldiers

Well first off, the title of this post has nothing to do with soldiers in the city where I was born and live, Buffalo, NY.  It’s referring to the Twenty-fifth United States Infantry Regiment, also known as Buffalo Soldiers, which was at the time a racially segregated regiment. I’ve posted the above picture before andContinue reading “Buffalo Soldiers”

Five Quotes That Inspire Me

“Strive not to be a success, but rather to be of value.”  —Albert Einstein “A life is either all spiritual or not spiritual at all. No man can serve two masters. Your life is shaped by the end you live for. You are made in the image of what you desire.” —Thomas Merton “Non-violence beginsContinue reading “Five Quotes That Inspire Me”

Things That Can be Carried on a Bike (#399)…and a quick comment

Things on the bike…a gym bag containing two swim suits, two towels, and two pair of swim goggles; and a canvas bag containing a book, magazine, and camera. A quick comment…That’s my bike parked about 10ft from the door to the health club of which I’m a member. Being Monday I almost drove…my street hasContinue reading “Things That Can be Carried on a Bike (#399)…and a quick comment”

The Times They Are A Changing…

I’ve posted this short video before but recently came upon it and it seems as fresh as when I first saw it, so thought I’d re-post (for those who may not have seen it initially). I originally came across it at the excellent Toronto based blog, The Urban Country. It’s only a minute long andContinue reading “The Times They Are A Changing…”

Broccoli and Bean Curd

Broccoliand Bean Curd with Ginger, Garlic, and Hot Peppers Yield:4 servings 4tablespoons soy sauce 1tablespoon cider vinegar 1tablespoon sugar 2tablespoons cornstarch 4heads broccoli, cut into florets 12ounces firm tofu, sliced into 1-inch pieces 1cup vegetable oil (for frying) 1small onion, sliced 1red bell pepper, julienned 2cloves garlic, minced 1tablespoon minced ginger 1teaspoon crushed hot pepperContinue reading “Broccoli and Bean Curd”

Consider the Wing

(The following recipes and portions of the text have previously appeared in both Buffalo Spree and Artvoice). In the same way that New York Stylepizza is known simply as pizza in Manhattan and French fries arecalled fried potatoes (pommes frites) in France, chicken wings inWestern New York are of course simply wings, not “Buffalo-Wings.” ByContinue reading “Consider the Wing”

Five Photos of Snow and Cold

As mentioned in a previous post, we got a good taste of winter last night and today…frigid temperatures and a fair amount of snow. I wasn’t out a great deal–just enough to enjoy it–but I did snap a few photos. Even though the above photo was the last I took I chose to place itContinue reading “Five Photos of Snow and Cold”

Shrimp Fra Diavolo

This is by far one of my favorite seafood/tomato sauce recipes. It’s easy to make and really delicious…and it has an interesting history also. To read more about it’s origins, the reason certain ingredients are included, or to see photos of it being prepared, click here. (And no, to some of the squeamish readers whoContinue reading “Shrimp Fra Diavolo”

Things That Can be Carried on a Bike (#398)…and a few comments on my city-boy quadrathlon

Things on the bike (below photo)…$69.32 of groceries. A few comments…The photos are in chronological order of my ride today and the day itself. Last night the temperature plummeted to sub-freezing and we’ve also gotten a significant amount of snow…only the second time this winter. This is usually the norm for this part of theContinue reading “Things That Can be Carried on a Bike (#398)…and a few comments on my city-boy quadrathlon”

Things That Can be Carried on a Bike (#397)

A canvas bag containing a camera, cell phone, and a book. Five boxes (one is a box-within-a-box); one of which contains two hand-cranked pasta machines (on the front rack), and the other four are empty (need them for some things around the house). Urban Simplicity.

Kibbeh (Lebanese Meatballs)

Kibbeh is a Lebanese recipe that comes in many shapes and forms, but if you’ve ever discussed food with a Lebanese person you know that the discussion always comes back to kibbeh. I’ve mentioned before that I myself am Lebanese-American (half, actually, on my dad’s side) and grew up eating this dish. It is basicallyContinue reading “Kibbeh (Lebanese Meatballs)”