First Green…First Signs of Spring

This took me by surprise today. It was a beautiful day–the nicest yet. The sun was shining and about 50F. It seems like I haven’t seen sun like this in a very long time. Anyhow, it was trash day and as I put the can at the curb I thought I’d rake a few leaves and other debris that was hidden under the recently melted snow. And there it was…the first signs of spring. A large leek that I didn’t pick last years was coming up again, and multitudes of chives were pushing up through the still-cold soil. I love the Italian word for Springtime…Primavera, or First Green. This truly is the first green of the year and it looked beautiful. What amazes me every year is that these things survive and they know just when to come back. I mean really, these plants have shallow roots and grow way above the soil’s frost line, yet they survive year after year. And they know just when the time is right to push through the soil and reach for the sun. Everyone has the right to their own beliefs and it’s little things like this that truly strengthen my faith in the Divine. I’m sorry Mr. Darwin, but I do not believe that we are here simply because of a series of refined evolutions (though I do believe that science, evolution, and creation are not only compatible but intertwined). Call it what you will: God, the Divine, Higher Power, or even Quantum Mysticism, but I truly believe that there is a power greater than we can image that is within everything and that we live within It. You only need to look to nature for proof.

>First Green…First Signs of Spring

>

This took me by surprise today. It was a beautiful day–the nicest yet. The sun was shining and about 50F. It seems like I haven’t seen sun like this in a very long time. Anyhow, it was trash day and as I put the can at the curb I thought I’d rake a few leaves and other debris that was hidden under the recently melted snow. And there it was…the first signs of spring. A large leek that I didn’t pick last years was coming up again, and multitudes of chives were pushing up through the still-cold soil. I love the Italian word for Springtime…Primavera, or First Green. This truly is the first green of the year and it looked beautiful. What amazes me every year is that these things survive and they know just when to come back. I mean really, these plants have shallow roots and grow way above the soil’s frost line, yet they survive year after year. And they know just when the time is right to push through the soil and reach for the sun. Everyone has the right to their own beliefs and it’s little things like this that truly strengthen my faith in the Divine. I’m sorry Mr. Darwin, but I do not believe that we are here simply because of a series of refined evolutions (though I do believe that science, evolution, and creation are not only compatible but intertwined). Call it what you will: God, the Divine, Higher Power, or even Quantum Mysticism, but I truly believe that there is a power greater than we can image that is within everything and that we live within It. You only need to look to nature for proof.

Je Suis Sans Ma Bicyclette Du Monde (Mundo)

Yup…it’s true, I finally sold the Mundo. The above photo is the bike with its new proud owner (he was nice enough to let me take his picture). The bike will now traverse the streets of the beautiful and bike-friendly city of Toronto. I’ve been trying to sell it for a little over a month, and I have to say that when I finally did it was somewhat bitter sweet…I really liked that bike; it might have been my favorite thus far. The good news is that it went to a good “bike home.” The new owner has years of biking experience and multiple bikes, including a sort funky homemade long-john cargo bike. The bike is in good hands. But it’s still odd to be sans Mundo. I’ve been riding my old Trek (aka, the mule) since yesterday. While I like this bike also (it’s my all around-everyday-hauler-winter bike) it just seems so…well, short. I had a slight panic attack today when I wondered what I would do if I found myself in need of hauling something substantial (egads!). But I did hear from Ben at Yuba Bikes today that my new v3 Mundo was finally picked up by UPS, so I should receive it in a week or so…I’ll keep you posted.

>Je Suis Sans Ma Bicyclette Du Monde (Mundo)

>

Yup…it’s true, I finally sold the Mundo. The above photo is the bike with its new proud owner (he was nice enough to let me take his picture). The bike will now traverse the streets of the beautiful and bike-friendly city of Toronto. I’ve been trying to sell it for a little over a month, and I have to say that when I finally did it was somewhat bitter sweet…I really liked that bike; it might have been my favorite thus far. The good news is that it went to a good “bike home.” The new owner has years of biking experience and multiple bikes, including a sort funky homemade long-john cargo bike. The bike is in good hands. But it’s still odd to be sans Mundo. I’ve been riding my old Trek (aka, the mule) since yesterday. While I like this bike also (it’s my all around-everyday-hauler-winter bike) it just seems so…well, short. I had a slight panic attack today when I wondered what I would do if I found myself in need of hauling something substantial (egads!). But I did hear from Ben at Yuba Bikes today that my new v3 Mundo was finally picked up by UPS, so I should receive it in a week or so…I’ll keep you posted.

A Delicious Pauper’s Dinner

 As is often the case in my house, dinner time rolls around and I look in the fridge to find only a few meager things…tonight was no exception. But one of the (many) good things of having worked for years as a professional cook is the ability to make something really good out of even the simplest ingredients. Anyhow, after a quick scan of the fridge and cupboard, this is what I came up with: a little brown rice, vegetable broth, a few vegetables, and a can of beans.

I have to be honest and say that after cooking rich and somtimes elaborate meals on the job these simple ones are the meals that I truly crave. Anyhow, this is how I made it:

I first cooked the rice in vegetable broth with couple dried chilies, sea salt, and a little turmeric.

While the rice was cooking I diced the vegetables, drained the beans, and minced a couple cloves of garlic (I always have to have garlic). Then I sauteed the vegetables in virgin olive oil.

When the vegetables were translucent but not browned, I added the garlic, a little toasted cumin seed, and the beans. After a minute or so I added a little broth to de-glaze the pan, and folded in the rice.

Topped with a nice sized dollop of plain yogurt and drizzled with Sriracha it was delicious. With a side of whole grained bread and a perfectly ripe pear I couldn’t ask for a better meal.

>A Delicious Pauper’s Dinner

>

 As is often the case in my house, dinner time rolls around and I look in the fridge to find only a few meager things…tonight was no exception. But one of the (many) good things of having worked for years as a professional cook is the ability to make something really good out of even the simplest ingredients. Anyhow, after a quick scan of the fridge and cupboard, this is what I came up with: a little brown rice, vegetable broth, a few vegetables, and a can of beans.

I have to be honest and say that after cooking rich and somtimes elaborate meals on the job these simple ones are the meals that I truly crave. Anyhow, this is how I made it:

I first cooked the rice in vegetable broth with couple dried chilies, sea salt, and a little turmeric.

While the rice was cooking I diced the vegetables, drained the beans, and minced a couple cloves of garlic (I always have to have garlic). Then I sauteed the vegetables in virgin olive oil.

When the vegetables were translucent but not browned, I added the garlic, a little toasted cumin seed, and the beans. After a minute or so I added a little broth to de-glaze the pan, and folded in the rice.

Topped with a nice sized dollop of plain yogurt and drizzled with Sriracha it was delicious. With a side of whole grained bread and a perfectly ripe pear I couldn’t ask for a better meal.

Isaac Looking Cool with My 1990 Raleigh Technium

This is my teenage son with my 20-year-old Raleigh hybrid. We dragged out of the basement, pumped up the tires and tuned it up a bit. I haven’t ridden this bike for a couple years. For years this was my main bike; I must have logged thousands of miles on it. I took it for a quick spin and remembered why I liked it so much…it is quite the ride. I’m glad that Isaac wants to start using it.