Albert Einstein (14 March 1879–18 April 1955)
“Life is like riding a bicycle. To keep your balance you must keep moving.”
“I thought of that while riding my bicycle.”
Things That Can be Carried on a Bike (#408)…and what I made with it
A basket full of fresh vegetables, which I turned into a hearty chicken-and-vegetable soup/stew with Near East spices.
Foggy Morning: four photos and a few words
This morning was unusually foggy…it gave everything a sort of misty appearance. I caught veiw of the crow in the treetop (pictured above and at bottom) and snapped a few photos.
Sometimes a Book Finds You…
I love books and bookstores. When I travel I make a point of visiting used and/or independent bookstores in that city. And I really do believe that books sometimes find you…that they are placed before you for you to find and hopefully read. The book above is a good example (and more on that in a minute) but the one that stands out in my memory was one that found me when I was living in Poughkeepsie, NY. It was the mid 1980’s and I was a student at the Culinary Institute of America (CIA), and was walking down the street on a sunny Spring day when I quite literally tripped over a book…yes it was laying there in the middle of the sidewalk. I picked it up and it was a well-worn copy of The Prophet, by Khalil Gibran. At the time I was not familiar with either the book or the author but was intrigued and kept it and read it. Later I was surprised to learn that we–the author and I–share the same ethnic heritage. Since then I have collected more than a dozen of Khalil’s books (though I haven’t read them all). But I believe that original one–which is also his most famous–found me. Anyhow, back to the book pictured above. As mentioned in an earlier post, I was in Toronto this past weekend with my son, and was in Seekers Bookstore on Bloor Street (which is one of my favorite Toronto bookstores). I have had an interest in Mysticism for many years but do not know anything about Kabbalah (who am I kidding…I don’t know much about anything). Anyhow, I was flipping through the above said book, and read a bit on cause-and-effect, but thought the book was a bit pricy at $9 (CAD), considering its condition. I liked what I was reading but thought I could probably find a better deal on Amazon (I didn’t) or just download it…so I put it back on the shelf and began looking at other books. At this point I was standing near the counter and heard a person ask another (who I’m assuming was the owner of the bookstore) how business has been. He went into a somewhat long dialog on how bad it has been, that even with a mild winter business was poor. Sometimes, he went on to say, that an entire hour would go by and not a single customer will come in, and then when they do they just browse and leave. Between the big chain bookstores and the Internet, he said, he felt his store was dying a slow death. I felt like he was speaking to me though my back was to this person. To cut to the chase…I took the book back off the shelf and purchased it. I love used bookstores and don’t want them to disappear; I felt good to support this one. This book–like the aforementioned title–most definitely found me…I had no choice but to purchase it.
Things I’ve Carried on a Bike
These photos are a couple years old…it’s evident because I didn’t have the front bread rack on the Mundo yet. I came across them tonight while looking for another photo. These were originally part of the Things That Can be Carried on a Bike series, but when I saw it tonight I thought I’d share them again in the event you haven’t seen them yet. I was catering a dinner at the church of which I am a member and carried all the equipment I needed on a bike. I still remember the looks I received as I pedaled and clanged down the street like some sort of wares salesman from a bygone era…
Beauty in the Mundane…four photos of cabbage
Deep-Dish Pizza with a Whole-Wheat Seven-Grain Crust, Five Vegetables, and Three Cheeses
Deep-Dish Pizza with a Whole-Wheat Seven-Grain Crust, Five Vegetables, and Three Cheeses…that’s a mouthful if I ever heard one (pun intended). This is yet another variation of pizza that I made tonight for dinner. The vegetables (onion, pepper, carrot, cauliflower, and broccoli) were cooked aglio e olio style before being placed on the dough. The cheeses I used were cheddar, mozzarella, and Parmesan. When I shaped the dough I formed a sort of ridge around the edge to hold all the ingredients (yum!). Anyhow, for a recipe for the seven-grain bread (with photos and directions), click here. To see how to cook vegetables aglio e olio, click here. For additional pizza recipes, click here.
A Sign of Spring
Besides the temps being springlike today, I saw these flowers poking through the soil in my neighbor’s yard. Beautiful aren’t they?
Instructions for Life
Somewhat recently I posted the Holstee Manifesto, this is along those same inspiring terms. There are plenty of versions of this floating around the Internet, but I came across this one at the blog of Elena Levon. This states that the list was penned by the Dalai Lama. I’m not sure if it is but it’s a group of inspiring sayings nonetheless.Click it if you need a closer view.
Dusk
I was at my desk working this evening when I glanced out the window and saw this view…breathtaking. And knowing that at dawn and dusk when you see the light just right it is fleeting and you only have a few minutes to see it and/or capture it with a camera. I was already in my lounge pants (aka pajamas) but I grabbed my camera and stood on the front porch and took a few photos…not caring what the neighbors thought (they’ve seen me do weirder things). If you look closely in the bottom photo (click either for a larger view) in the center of the sky but slightly to the left, you can see Venus and Jupiter already in view. To see better images of them, and a bit more explanation, click here.
A Couple Bikes and a One-Man-Band
I took a day trip with my son to the vibrant city of Toronto. It’s a mere 100 miles / 160 kilometers from my home and a very simple drive (granting you don’t get stuck in rush hour traffic). And every time I go there I realize getting there once or twice a year is not nearly enough. I was window-shopping for another bike (yikes…more on that in a later post) and stopped at three of my favorite Toronto bike shops…Curbside Cycle, Sweet Pete’s, and The Urbane Cyclist. Anyhow, here’s a couple photos of bikes and a bicyclist I saw today. The top is a photo of an old delivery bike leaning against an ornate rickshaw-style trike on Queen West. And the series below are of a guy we saw in the Kensington Market (actually we heard him before we saw him). He has a small amp hanging from his handlebars and a microphone strapped to his face. There’s also a small bongo somewhere, a series of harmonicas, and 3 or 4 tambourines. In the first of the three pictures you can see that he saw me take his photo. He started to slowly pedal toward me as he sang and clanged away. I thought for sure he was going to ask for money. He didn’t. He simply wanted to play his music and get his photo taken. I shook his hand (while he continued to sing and play) and he slowly pedaled away. It’s things like this that really make my day…people quite literally living outside the box that society tells us exists (but I think it only exists if we allow it).
Vintage Food Posters
I enjoy vintage food posters in the same way that I do vintage bicycle posters. What I find interesting (one of the things I find interesting) is that the information they state is still mostly relevant today. You’d think we’d have learned by now. Anyhow…just thought I’d pass these these on.
Five Quotes from Jack Kerouac
Image found here.
Jean-Louis “Jack” Kerouac
March 12, 1922 – October 21, 1969
I can say with all seriousness that the first time that I read On The Road, and later The Dharma Bums, it changed my life; changed my way of thinking. I was in college at the time (culinary school) and my mind and soul were like a sponge…ready to accept and absorb anything worthwhile that passed before me. Though I haven’t read his books in a while, Jack Kerouac’s writing has lit a fire in me that still burns. Thank you Paul Ryan for introducing me to him.
“The only people for me are the mad ones, the ones who are mad to live, mad to talk, mad to be saved, desirous of everything at the same time, the ones who never yawn or say a commonplace thing, but burn, burn, burn like fabulous yellow roman candles exploding like spiders across the stars.”
“One day I will find the right words, and they will be simple.”
“Live, travel, adventure, bless, and don’t be sorry.”
“My fault, my failure, is not in the passions I have, but in my lack of control of them.”
“Great things are not accomplished by those who yield to trends and fads and popular opinion.”
OK…I know I said five quotes, but here’s a couple more.
“The best teacher is experience and not through someone’s distorted point of view”
“Life must be rich and full of loving–it’s no good otherwise, no good at all, for anyone.”
To read more in the Five Quotes series click here.
Things That Can be Carried on a Bike (#407)
Two portions of seafood and vegetable fried rice. I made this for staff lunch today and it was so good I brought a few leftovers home for dinner. To see the basic recipe being made click here (I also added curry spices to this recipe).
Four Photos of Snow and a Few Words
Well, today is still in line with the wacky weather we’ve had recently…warm-cold-warm-cold. Two days ago the high temp was in the mid 60’s F. Today I woke and it was about 20F. Anyhow we had a small amount of snow–and likely because of the easy winter we’ve had this year–it seemed novel to me; beautiful. These photos were taken about 8am, just before I left for work. My favorite is the one above…a closeup of larger pieces of snow with a single picture-perfect snowflake.
Potato Bread with Cheddar, Beer, and Onion (recipe and photos)
The below recipe is one that I’m working on for an article for an upcoming issue of Artvoice magazine, it’s about cooking with beer. The only liquid in the pictured bread is–you guessed it–beer. The recipe does not contain 100% whole wheat flour as when I write for paid publication I tone it down a bit on the “whole wheat thing“…some but not all I’m sure share the same affinity as I for entirely whole wheat recipes (but this can easily be adapted to using whole wheat with any of the recipes on this blog). If you are interested in more beer-inspired recipes I’ll link the article when it comes out next week. Anyhow, it’s a pretty straightforward recipe and the bread is super delicious. Enjoy.
PotatoBread with Cheddar, Beer, and Onion
Makes two loaves
2 medium potatoes, peeled and diced
4 cups beer
2 cups whole wheat flour
1 large onion, peeled and minced
1 tablespoon caraway seed
2 tablespoons yeast, divided
3 large eggs
4 cups unbleached bread flour
1/4 cup unsalted butter, melted
2 teaspoons kosher salt
2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
Combinethe potato and beer in a small pot, bring it to a boil then lower toa simmer. Cook the potato for about 15 minutes or until very soft,allow to cool to room temperature. Transfer the beer-potato mixtureto a medium bowl and stir in the whole wheat flour, caraway seed, 1tablespoon of the yeast, and 1/2 of the minced onion. Allow thismixture to ferment for at least an hour at room temperature. Transferthis mixture (the pre-ferment) to the bowl of an upright electricmixer fitted with a dough hook. Add the eggs, bread flour, andremaining tablespoon of yeast. Runthe mixer first on low speed, until it gathers the ingredientstogether, then on medium speed; knead the dough for about 6 minutes.Then add the butter and cheese; knead the dough for another 2minutes. Transfer the dough to a lightly oiled bowl or rising bucket,cover it and allow the dough to ferment for 60 – 90 minutes. Thengently press the dough down and allow it to ferment another 30minutes. Divide the dough into two pieces and shape it into loaves.Sprinkle the remaining minced onion on the top of the loves and rollthem gently, pressing the onion into the dough, then place them inlightly oiled loaf pans. Preheat an oven to 425F and allow the doughto ferment and rise for about 45 – 60 minutes. Bake the dough forabout 30 minutes. When it is initially placed in the oven spritz theoven with a little water, lacking a sprayer toss a few ice cubes onthe oven floor to create steam. Rotate the loaves after 15 minutesand spray the oven again. The bread is done when it is golden brown,the onions are browned, and sounds hollow when tapped with a finger.Remove it from the oven and their pans and transfer it to a wirecooling rack or clean towel which has been folded to doublethickness. Allow the bread to cool 15 minutes before slicing.
Things That Can be Carried on a Bike (#406)…and a quick comment
On the bike…A canvas bag containing a book and an extra camera, 3 liters of red wine, a gym bag containing wet clothes, and two slices of spinach pizza.
A quick comment…I had mentioned yesterday regarding the wacky weather and how it was supposed to warm up today, well it did…and did it ever. I believe the high temp today was something like 62F/17C. As I pedaled and coasted home from the gym tonight it felt like a balmy summer’s eve…OK maybe not balmy, but it certainly was warm and nice; the air felt warm on my skin as I coasted home. And on my way home I couldn’t help think how wonderful it was to be on a bike and in the open air. After leaving the gym I stopped at three stores, and the entire trip–including the gym–was about (I’m guessing) 3 miles/4.8 kilometers. And as I coasted down my favorite hill (very minor hill…you likely wouldn’t even notice it if in a car), which is the last stretch before I approach my street, I had the full moon on my left (pictured above and below) and Jupiter and Venus to my right (for pictures click here). I really felt like continuing on for a warm evening ride…but alas, I had some things to tend to. And besides…I had to eat the pizza and drink some wine.
To see more in the things-on-a-bike series, click here.
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 below freezing, and now they are rising again. Yesterday the high temp was something like 19F/-7C and tomorrow it is supposed to be sunny and 61F/16C. The above photo was taken yesterday; the below today. Weird. Sorry…just thinking aloud (via my keyboard).
Bicycle Ambulance
By now you, the reader or visitor to this blog, know that I am a proponent of bicycles as a utility machine, not just a weekend toy but a serious piece of equipment that can carry you and all your stuff where it needs to go. I believe that bikes are utilitarian, and in the past have posted not just them carrying your everyday stuff, but also about fire fighters, soldiers, mail carriers, police, all sorts of delivery vehicles, and even a pedal-powered camper (caravan to my EU friends). Well this may be the most important…the bicycle as an ambulance. The above photo is from WWI and looks to be two tandems carrying a gurney in the middle. The below three are more modern. Just below is a London ambulance bike, which enables care-givers to get to those in need in traffic-clogged areas. And the two below are images from Africa, using a trailer as a human powered ambulance.
A few years ago I was on holiday in NYC and was walking through Times Square at night. Traffic was at gridlock and there was an ambulance in the middle of it with its sirens blaring and lights swirling. Drivers seemed to be doing their best at letting it through but there was nowhere for them to pull over. I can remember peering, from the sidewalk (pavements), into the ambulance and seeing a lot of movement…all I could do was say a silent prayer for the people inside, for both the patient and the workers.
I’m an optimist (finally) but also a realist. If I were in a life threatening situation and a traditional ambulance could reach me would I choose a bicycle version instead…of course not. But if a team of health care workers could pull me ten blocks to a hospital by bicycle instead of being stuck in traffic, or a person on a bike could bring me the proper medical care…hell yes, I’d welcome a bike. The bike ambulances in Africa (bottom two photos) really seem the most practical. If I had to make a choice between being carried or struggling to walk to a clinic or ambulance in a rural setting I would without doubt choose a bike trailer. And the most moving part (moving as in emotional, not motion), I think, is the thought of the bicyclist pulling a person on one of those bike ambulances…talk about precious cargo.
To read more about the London Bicycle Ambulances, click here.
Urban Simplicty 
