Category Archives: Uncategorized

What Difference a Day (or two) Makes

There’s an old adage in Western New York that says…If you don’t like the weather, wait a minute. Well these last few days are an example of this. A few days ago the winds were so strong I was nearly blown off my bike (literally), then a couple days ago the temps dipped way belowContinue reading “What Difference a Day (or two) Makes”

Ezekiel Bread…yet another variation

Beautiful isn’t it? It’s a slice of a loaf of Ezekiel Bread I made yesterday and had for breakfast and lunch today. It’s airy but not too airy…firm enough to make a nice sandwich bread but at the same time soft enough that most people–even those used to supermarket bread–would enjoy it. You can seeContinue reading “Ezekiel Bread…yet another variation”

Here’s Something I Don’t See Everyday

I’ve heard on many occasions that we have falcons living in the City of Buffalo but never saw one first hand…until now. These pictures were taken from the kitchen window at my place of employment which overlooks a garden. It’s a Peregrine Falcon (I think) and seems to have been looking for something to eat…gladContinue reading “Here’s Something I Don’t See Everyday”

Lent (bread recipe)

100% Whole Wheat Bread (made with four ingredients) To read the entire post regarding making whole wheat bread with just four basic ingredients, click here. Makes 2 loaves 2 cups whole wheat flour1 cup water2 teaspoons instant yeast————————4 cups whole wheat flour2 cups water————————3 teaspoons instant yeast3 teaspoons kosher salt In one bowl make aContinue reading “Lent (bread recipe)”

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 (#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 (#396)…and a quick comment

Things on the bike (above)…A gym bag full of wet clothes, a 4lb bag of dog food, and 3L of red wine. Below is a self-portrait of sorts…I took it yesterday as I coasted past a particularly reflective stretch of windows in an office building downtown. I wasn’t going to post it (never really caredContinue reading “Things That Can be Carried on a Bike (#396)…and a quick comment”

(more) Fortune Cookie Philosophy

More accurately, for me, this should read: You should be able to undertake and complete anything you want to and put your mind and heart and soul to. And if the first 50 years of my life are any record of this…I would have to agree. Click to read a few more. Urban Simplicity.

Five Quotes from Thomas Merton

Monk, activist, writer, poet, and artist, Fr. Merton was a true renaissance man. He was friends with Thich Nhat Hanh, and the Dalai Lama, and a contemporary of Martin Luther King, Jr. Before his untimely death he penned a huge number of books pertaining to spirituality, poems, artwork, and an incredible and moving autobiography. HisContinue reading “Five Quotes from Thomas Merton”

And Now For Something Really Interesting…

I have long been interested in the history of the bicycle. I’ve also been to California numerous times, though never to Los Angeles. And quite frankly, I would never think of bicycle history and Los Angeles in the same thought. More likely, and this is stereotyping (please, Los Angelers, don’t send me hate mail), IContinue reading “And Now For Something Really Interesting…”

The Miracle of Controlled Spoilage (or, the art of live foods)

Fermentation. That, of course, is what the title of this post is referring to. Every culture has their versions, and things you may not think of as fermented are in fact just that…beer, bread, yogurt, sour cream, buttermilk, wine, and of course all sorts of  vegetable pickles. My favorite is kim-chi, or Korean style sauerkraut.Continue reading “The Miracle of Controlled Spoilage (or, the art of live foods)”

A View From My Handlebars, a Couple Thoughts, and a Self-Portrait

There’s an old saying that I suppose could be used in many regions but it seems especially pertinent in Western New York, maybe you’ve heard it before…If you don’t like the weather, wait a minute. About 72 hours ago it was in the single digits Fahrenheit, then yesterday it warmed up to spring-like temperatures andContinue reading “A View From My Handlebars, a Couple Thoughts, and a Self-Portrait”

Things That Can be Carried on a Bike (#390)

$132.72 in groceries, sundries, and dog food (and four slices of pizza), in a cardboard box and soda crate from  three separate stores.   Urban Simplicity.

Mini-Cargo Bike

Well, after the recent spate of frigid and snowy weather I finally worked–a bit–on my winter bike…the Mundo, I’ve concluded is not meant for riding in extreme snowy and icy conditions. I hadn’t ridden this bike in likely 8 months and have to admit I don’t take the best care of it…it is, after all,Continue reading “Mini-Cargo Bike”

La Luna

Technically, the moon was full two nights ago but I took these last night when it was waning (it still looked pretty full to me). I have always been drawn to a full moon…not sure why, it just fascinates me looming so large in the sky. Anyhow, last night I was out on the MundoContinue reading “La Luna”

Isaac’s Mexican Shrimp Recipe

My teenage son came to me and asked how to make a Mexican shrimp recipe the other day. I was a bit surprised…he was, after all, not simply asking what there is to eat (or why there’s “nothing” in the fridge) or what time dinner is ready. I’m joking, of course, I feel blessed toContinue reading “Isaac’s Mexican Shrimp Recipe”

Interesting Old Bike

I love old bikes…especially those that are still in use. This is an example; I came across it locked to a stand in Greenwich Village last night. In a city like New York you see plenty of old bike leaning around (probably less likely to get stolen than a shiny new one), but what caughtContinue reading “Interesting Old Bike”

Things That Can be Carried on a Bike (#386)

A cardboard box containing three loaves of just-baked and still-warm Ezekiel Bread (I let them cool off on the ride home…9F/-12C outside as I rode home). Two plastic dough rising buckets (one my way to work this morning one held the bubbling Ezekiel biga and the other its autolyse). For Ezekiel Bread Recipes, or forContinue reading “Things That Can be Carried on a Bike (#386)”

Spiced Brown Rice and Beans with Venison and Broccoli

I remember hearing the statement–and I’m paraphrasing, I’m sure–that if you teach a person to play a song they can play that song, but teach them to play the instrument and they can play many songs. The reason I mention this is that this is just another example of an endless number of dishes thatContinue reading “Spiced Brown Rice and Beans with Venison and Broccoli”