Author Archives: Joe

This is beautiful…

This happened the other day right here in the City of Good Neighbors. I find it interesting that there is so much bad news reported in mainstream media every single day yet good things like this barely make the cut. Anyhow, I hope you watch this, it really is beautiful; a man reacting to hisContinue reading “This is beautiful…”

Things That Can be Carried on a Bike (#540)

A few groceries. A gym bag full of wet clothes. The rear wheel off my Torker Cargo-T (having a spoke replaced at the local bike shop), and also general maintenance…a cold, windy, rainy day is a great bike repair day. Urban Simplicity.

Lentil Soup with Vegetables and Lebanese Spices

This is a variation of my more traditional Lebanese Lentil Soup recipe; in this version I added many more vegetables. This is super easy to make and yes it tastes as good as it looks. The vegetables I added are simply suggestions (it’s what I had on hand), use whatever you like. This is easilyContinue reading “Lentil Soup with Vegetables and Lebanese Spices”

Sometimes I Gotta Use My Feet…

If you’ve been to this blog before then you know that I like to ride bicycles as transportation. A lot. And I often comment on how much more a person sees while on a bike rather than being stuck in a plastic and metal shell more commonly known as an automobile. Many of my photos,Continue reading “Sometimes I Gotta Use My Feet…”

Squawkin’ for Momma, and What are You Lookin’ at? (and other things)

(More shameless self-promotion…sorry in advance.) So I know people view this little blog from all over the globe, but a few do view it from the very same city in which I reside. So if you happen to be in Buffalo, NY  during the month of November I’m just saying that these are two (outContinue reading “Squawkin’ for Momma, and What are You Lookin’ at? (and other things)”

The View from My Handlebars…

I had to be at work a little early this morning. It was cold–the first really cold morning of the year–probably about 30F, and not a breeze in the air. It felt good; crisp. And then as I rounded the corner and faced east this was the view in front of me as the sunContinue reading “The View from My Handlebars…”

Things That can be Carried on a Bike (#539)

A camera bag. A book bag. Two large boxes containing smaller boxes of food on its way to a local food pantry. A third box containing a gallon of olive oil, 5lbs of whole wheat flour, a dough rising bucket, and three freshly baked loaves of Ezekiel Bread. Urban Simplicity. 

Le Pain d’Ezéchiel (bis)

I haven’t posted this recipe in a while, but it is still my favorite bread, and is in fact still the #1 reason people visit my little blog. To read my views on this bread, click here. For pictures of it being made and additional directions, click here. Whole Wheat Ezekiel Bread Makes 2 orContinue reading “Le Pain d’Ezéchiel (bis)”

Five Quotes and a Video from Lou Reed

Photo found here. Lewis Allan Reed March 2, 1942-October 27, 2013   We lost one of rock and roll’s great writers/musician/poets today. Click here to read his obituary. “I think that everything happens for a reason, everything happens when it’s going to happen.” “I don’t believe in dressing up reality. I don’t believe in using makeupContinue reading “Five Quotes and a Video from Lou Reed”

Two delicious but unrelated recipes…

At some point I’m pretty sure I’ve posted both of these recipes in the past, but not in quite some time. Anyhow, I had to make these yesterday at work for two separate events and thought I’d re-post them. What’s interesting, I thought, is that while neither of these recipes are remotely related to oneContinue reading “Two delicious but unrelated recipes…”

The View from My Handlebars (on the first really chilly evening of the season)

I had stopped out for a few drinks with a friend after work this evening. And afterwards was hesitant to run some intended errands, not only because of the beer consumption but mostly because of being ill prepared in dress for the chilly weather. Anyhow, I am really glad I did (as I usually amContinue reading “The View from My Handlebars (on the first really chilly evening of the season)”

It’s amazing what a little oil and garlic can do…

Okay. So you’re likely wondering what’s with the picture. Right? It’s not much to look at, and what is it anyhow. Simple…spaghetti squash cooked with aglio e olio, or with garlic and oil (and a few other things. As simple as this photo looks the squash is bursting with flavor. It’s amazing what a littleContinue reading “It’s amazing what a little oil and garlic can do…”

Things That can be Carried on a Bike (#534 & #535)

#534…A canvas book bag containing a variety of things. A camera bag containing a camera and an extra lens. Three cardboard tubes containing ten newly printed photos. #535…A plastic dough rising bucket. A canvas book bag containing a variety of things. and a cardboard box containing two freshly baked loaves of whole wheat bread. UrbanContinue reading “Things That can be Carried on a Bike (#534 & #535)”

A poem about eating popcorn…

Eating Popcorn in the East Village Drinking beer in a small East Village bar I met an attorney From Australia An Australian esquire Emma That was her name She seemed sad and arrogant at the same time They are one-in-the-same, I suppose Then I left After too much beer I needed to pee Then IContinue reading “A poem about eating popcorn…”

Five or Fourteen Quotes on the Golden Rule…

I find this amazing…that the Golden Rule (or the Original Truth), which of course is a blueprint on how we as humans should treat one another, is said across the board in every religion, faith, and non-faith. While the actual words that are said may change, these all still say the same thing…be nice toContinue reading “Five or Fourteen Quotes on the Golden Rule…”

A few links and a few words regarding them…

Image found here. Okay. So I’ve gotten better at this over the years. Not great, but better. What I’m talking about of course is self-promotion. This said, I thought I’d share a few links that are directly or indirectly associated with this blog. But this also requires a really brief description. This blog (urbansimplicity.com) isContinue reading “A few links and a few words regarding them…”