Author Archives: Joe

Something I saw while riding a bike today…

H.H. Richardson Complex, or more commonly known as the old section of the Buffalo Psychiatric Center. Straight out of an Alfred Hitchcock movie, right? It’s actually not as creepy looking in real life…more impressive than creepy (ok, at night it still is pretty creepy). After years of vacancy and neglect it’s finally being refurbished againContinue reading “Something I saw while riding a bike today…”

Five or Eleven Quotes from Ram Dass

Photo Credit. Ram Dass Born, Richard Alpert, April 6, 1931 “The quieter you become, the more you can hear.” “The most exquisite paradox… as soon as you give it all up, you can have it all. As long as you want power, you can’t have it. The minute you don’t want power, you’ll have moreContinue reading “Five or Eleven Quotes from Ram Dass”

A few views from my handlebars…

 Another incredibly beautiful evening to be on a bike. It was crazy busy today at work facing the stove so it felt especially good to be out in the open air. These photos are in chronological order from top to bottom; I shot them about 15 minutes apart. The above one is facing east andContinue reading “A few views from my handlebars…”

Things That can be Carried on a Bike (#526)

A camera bag, a book bag, and a cardboard box containing 10lbs. of whole wheat flour, a pound of yeast, 2 quarts of milk, and 5lbs. of dog food. Urban Simplicity.

Pesto!

Pesto is similar to sofrito in that it is both an ingredient and a stand-alone recipe. It can be eaten as is–as a dip or spread–or added to recipes as a flavor enhancer. The word loosely translates from the Italian as “pounded,” because this was originally made with a mortar and pestle. But with theContinue reading “Pesto!”

Sometimes I just gotta use my feet…

If you’ve been to this blog previously one of the things you know about me is that I like to ride bikes. A lot. But sometimes nothing will do except using my own two feet and walk. Today was just that day. Autumn is my favorite season of the year and the weather here inContinue reading “Sometimes I just gotta use my feet…”

The Overview Effect…

You’ve likely seen this by now as it has been floating around cyber-space for a while. I really think it is worth the time to watch. I found it incredibly moving; inspiring. In one sense it made me feel small (in a good way) and in another it made me remember how incredible connected weContinue reading “The Overview Effect…”

Things That can be Carried on a Bike (#525)…and a few things I saw along the way

On the bike…a cardboard box containing other boxes full of food on their way to a local food pantry. A few things I saw along the way…the Bubble Man of Allen Street doing his thing, a random door covered in graffiti, and a truly incredible autumn sky. Urban Simplicity.

Morning and Evening…the view from my handlebars and front porch

It’s incredible to think that these two photos were taken a mere 11 hours apart and on the same day. It was/is a beautiful autumn day. The above photo was taken on my very short commute to work at about 8am and the below photo was taken from my front porch about 7pm. I justContinue reading “Morning and Evening…the view from my handlebars and front porch”

Sofrito!

Sofrito is both an ingredient, a seasoning, and a recipe all by itself. It is a simple method of simmering onion, peppers, garlic, and tomatoes in olive oil. But the flavor it imparts can be transformative to a dish. The key here is long slow cooking…it really brings out the flavors. But is often theContinue reading “Sofrito!”

Five or Eleven Quotes from Yusuf Islam (formerly Cat Stevens), plus a song and its lyric

Yusuf Islam  (born Steven Demetre Georgiou; 21 July 1948) “Communal well-being is central to human life.” “Ever since I became a Muslim, I’ve had to deal with attempts to damage my reputation and countless insinuations seeking to cast doubt on my character and trying to connect me to causes which I do not subscribe to.”Continue reading “Five or Eleven Quotes from Yusuf Islam (formerly Cat Stevens), plus a song and its lyric”

Scampi!

This is a simple but classic dish. Make this at home in minutes and save lots of money from what you’d pay in a restaurant (but then you have to wash the pans and dishes). Anyhow, this is really simple and truly flavorful. If you’ve never made this recipe before I hope you give itContinue reading “Scampi!”

Harvest Moon…

This is the view of the harvest moon from the end of my street in the middle of a medium-sized city on the eastern side of America. I find it really interesting and truly amazing that no matter what part of the globe you are reading these words sometime within a 24 hour span youContinue reading “Harvest Moon…”

Before the party…

I was the first one in the kitchen today. This is not always the case but it was today. I enjoy it; I find it soothing. It was a busy day today–I knew this before I arrived–but in the early hours of this hundred-year-old kitchen by myself I find it tranquil. And as usual, IContinue reading “Before the party…”

Two Views from My Handlebars…

 It was such a beautiful autumnal day today…cool and not a cloud in the sky. Idyllic. A great day to be out on a bicycle. I took these photos as I rode to-and-from the health club this evening. Urban Simplicity.

Things That can be Carried on a Bike (#523)…and a random photo of a sunflower.

On the bike (and in the trailer)…groceries, sundries, dog food, and a gym bag. Urban Simplicity.

The Supper of the Lamb…Robert Farrar Capon

Photo Credit.   Robert Farrar Capon October 26, 1925 – September 5, 2013 “Let me begin without ceremony. In addition to one iron pot, two sharp knives, and four heads of lettuce, you will need the following.” The above sentences are the opening lines of Robert Farrar Capon’s book, The Supper of the Lamb. IContinue reading “The Supper of the Lamb…Robert Farrar Capon”