Christmas Day Traditions...

Each year we travel to Lindon Wood Farm to share the hospitality of Dennis and Jude. They prepare the courses...usually five...with incredible finesse. Jude, the stealth hosts makes sure our glasses are filled...and all kitchen magic is performed in silence. Dennis is gleeful and clapping can be heard when it turns out well...and choice words when there is a "challenge". It's a beautiful tradition, this gift of hearth and home for those of us who stay in the Village. I do so hope this takes you there

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Christmas Eve....take a deep breath

Incredible gratitude as on this night we settle in at Butch and Nancy's house for Christmas Eve dinner. It's a night of relaxed comfort for those of us who have been rushing about with last minute errands. 

We usually show up in jeans and try desperately to find something festive and clean to pull on over top. 

The table, on the other hand, gets "gussied up" with Nancy's dream china and the Waterford champagne glasses we decided we couldn't live without. 

 








Mother's are always welcomed...and Momma Neese joins us once again.  A maternal presence, reminding us of tradition and sharing stories of their own.  That's the magic of Christmas...that which lingers in the "eves" of our mind...memories that grow brighter on this night of nights.  




Back in the kitchen, Butch fries oysters and creates a mosaic of color with "confetti" rice and fresh snow peas. I love this meal...when you least expect it a plate of country ham appears...just because it's Christmas..and in Virginia that means ham. The fruitcake...dark as night and now taking on a kick, is passed around one more time.
 

At last...it's Christmas, what's done is done...what's not...well, I guess it really didn't matter. 

May each of you...new friends and old, have a blessed day, surrounded by all that makes you joyful. For Christmas is so much more than a day...it is a promise.

Welcome to Candy Land...A Two-Bit-Teena Craft

All down-hill from here

Teena craft night is somewhat of an exaggeration.  While we mean well...it is usually an activity that has less to do with rocks, paper and scissors; and more to do with champagne, wine or beer.  I would say it is best described as organized chaos with all the usual chants and rants plus paper and glue.

 Last year it was all about Turkey-Tater-Tuesday and the crafting of centerpieces reminiscent of our second grade art project complete with russet potatoes, feathers cloth and pipe cleaners. (Did I mention VerDell was a second grade teacher and is most responsible for the organization of this event?)

All in all it is a time for the women to gather and create a memory or release stress prior to departing the Village to be with "real" family.  Lord knows some of us need some prep time for that.

You can never have too much candy...

Tonight's event is dear to VerDell's heart, I could tell as she assured us that second graders have been doing it without Exact-o knives for years and that there was no wrong turn.and no such thing as an ugly candy house.  Hummm....I shall let you judge that for yourself.  

Because all things change...Mr. Claude joined us this year and a good thing too, because that meant Bubba got to "cook" and use his master building skills to assist some who needed more support than others in crafting graham crackers and icing into an abode.

Myra takes the lead in construction with graham cracker siding working out just fine.  I might add she is mighty pleased for a Teena who usually balks at the idea of a "craft".  But there was shopping involved so she was rather content as the candy isle is never far away from...say....a Steinmart.

 La, with multiple cartons of every type of milk one might imagine went "Up on the Roof-Top...Click, Click, Click and did a fine job with those candy canes that that had been in Lisa's office since last year.

Note,  VerDell went with a "chocolate" exterior this year.  She continued to soothed us with her encouragement and assurance that "all candy is beautiful."

I, on the other hand, am not so sure this is working out as I imagined.  My peppermint bark door seems a little uninviting and I did have a little discomfort from the chili I had ingested at the Baked Tater bar.

So after years of rantin' and protestin' the "Candy Land" version of the Friendly Village is complete...and a fine...fine...neighborhood it is!  

The Holiday Edition of the Friendly Village

So let the season begin...the music of laughter, support and friendship, craftin a memory.

A special thank you to Bubba and VerDell for hostin' as we did make a terrible mess.  You are the best and fastest clean-up man alive.

It’s October in the Friendly Village and the active pace of summer is starting to wane. Back are the beautiful deep blue skies and the late afternoon shadows that grow longer as the sun makes its annual migration to the south. It is the season when this part of the world sheds its camouflage and reveals its contours and hidden secrets once again. Each year, we experience this transition as something new yet something comfortably familiar. It is a time for slowing down, reflecting, and savoring the joys of friendships and traditions.

It is fitting that Jene was born at this time of the year for her spirit is so much like the season – warm and genuine and constant and . . . reassuring. As we approach the beginning of this her Jubilee year, I have been thinking about the many memories that have accumulated over time, of how we have settled into a deep and abiding friendship over the course of almost 25 years that I would be lost without.

The fact is, with the passage of time, we often forget the origins of our friendships because they begin to feel as if they have always been with us. But in quieter moments I can still catch glimpses of a time when Jene was an unknown neighbor who lived at the end of the alley. Intriguing she was, what with her Z car and love of sunbathing in the back yard with Lynn Lloyd (ooh, don’t touch ‘cause you might get burned!). And then I can recall spotting her walking down the alley with a Pick of the Chick in one hand and some ‘taters in the other and, as if by magic, a couple of hours later the irresistible aroma of a grill and the sounds of gentle laughter would come wafting in my windows.

It was on just one of those days that I was invited to pass through an often unnoticed door into the magical world of Jene Ormond and the Friendly Village. And over the years, our lives and stories have woven together whether in the ‘hood or on Chili Beach or under the gentle rain of the Magic Mushroom or at Nurse and Zeb’s or Buckin’ham Palace. Places known to others by more mundane names but here reinvented with new names, new meanings, and new traditions. Places where Big Butt Magazine and paintin' bras and alley croquet and wild passion fruit and Rock-a-Hula and home grown weddin's and Fourth of July parking lot concerts and magic noodles and women’s legs so strong they could snap a man’s neck and Winks and a monkey named June Bug and Mr. Claude in a heavenly spotlight singing “Chances Are” while ridin’ an escalator have inhabited our imaginations and local yore for decades.

And I would not trade any of those memories for a king’s ransom because I have loved every minute of the journey and can’t wait to see where the ride takes us next.

So Happy Birthday, Miss Jene! It’s time to pull out your red wig and dancing shoes and head on over to Bubba’s Back Room where we’ll spin some Motown 45s, reprise the farewell tour of Fabulous Neons, and celebrate all that we have become and all that still awaits us!

With all the love,

Mr. Pat

Stronger

Bubba is a man of few words. He and Miss Jene are both powerful forces....kind of a rock meeting a hard place.  Jene is known for her power for healing.  Butch is known for speaking his mind.
One day Bubba had a whopper of a headache.  Jene just wanted to try to make him feel better with her healing touch.  Suddenly Jene's head started bleeding. Butch just looked at her and said, "My shit is stronger than your shit."

'Nuf said.

Okay...Bye-bye!

Supper Club used be a migratory group....each Memorial Day weekend and each Labor Day weekend we would make the journey to Chili Beach.  Members left at various times and in various vehicles....with each person hoping to be the first to arrive.  "Oh....I can leave on Friday evening!"  "I can leave Thursday after work!" "I'm going Wednesday morning."...yadda, yadda ,yadda.

I was never able to leave early as I worked for the public schools and was therefore not allowed to be absent before a holiday unless I was certified to be unconscious and near death at a local hospital.  I always had to leave on Friday after work.

And so it was that Bubba and I left Richmond on a Friday evening heading to Chili Beach to meet "the gang."  We stopped near Benson, North Carolina at the Ole South BBQ for dinner.  When we got back in the car......nothing....absolutely no sound...the car would not start.  Usually Bubba can fix most anything but apparently not this.  He was just stumped. This was in the ancient days .... after telegraphs but before cell phones.... so I went to nearest phone booth which happened to be in a Shoney's.  I called the AAA who promised they would send someone and then called the gang to say we would be a bit delayed.  Jene happened to answer the phone and after I explained the dilemma and she said simply, "Okay, bye-bye."   The manager of the Shoney's overheard the conversation and said, "Well sweetheart... let me just tell you, don't you let anyone around here fix your car.  These people are crooks."

After what seemed to be forever we noticed that everything around us was fixing to close. I journeyed back to the Shoney's to use the phone again.  When the manager saw me she said, "This isn't anyplace for you to be stranded.  Let me lock you up here in the restaurant overnight.  You can sleep on the floor or on one of the tables. You will be safe here."  Now I generally live with a certain amount of paranoia and  as Jene has been known to say....I am particular about the things I choose to fret over.  This seemed to be one of those things.  I phoned the cottage to give the group an update ..desperately hoping  that one of "my friends" would come to the rescue.  Again Jene answered the phone, listened politely and  said, "Okay...bye-bye."

Luckily before the waitress could round up tablecloths to use as blankets.....help arrived.... in the form of tow truck driven by an older gentleman with no teeth and his "rode hard and put up wet" girlfriend.  I sat on Butch's lap in the front seat of the truck for the journey to "the shop."

After a journey to the middle of nowhere we arrived...somewhere.  My only recollection is one light pole and a very angry dog.  Being complete idiots, we asked if there was someplace close by where we could rent a car. Well no....there wasn't.  The gentleman with no teeth offered to let us use his car for the evening and suggested a nearby hotel. 

It was a very kind gesture and I can't say I have ever seen another car quite like this.  Apparently in an effort to improve gas mileage and aerodynamics much of the actual car had been removed.  There was no backseat and very little flooring. Also oil seemed to have been sprinkled generously on everything  in an effort to increase viscosity.

We followed the kind gentleman's advice and arrived at the recommended hotel.  The glass on the office door was broken and the "Welcome" sign directed  us to a "Drive Through" window.  This was also broken and the lady behind the glass seemed to have barely survived a tumble down Mount Everest.  We had a short conversation through a small opening which involved details of a recent robbery and the presentation of our credit card. With key in hand we went to look for our room.

Sure that my dear friends were terribly worried I immediately called the cottage....related the long story of our journey....and the fact that we were apparently guests at the Bates Motel.  Again... Jene  listened politely and said in her sweetest voice "Okay....bye-bye." 

Using all the knowledge that I had gained from watching various cartoons as a child I somehow got Bubba to agree to help me pile all the available furniture in the room against the door.  ...just like you see in the movies and with that we went to bed. 

The morning brought sunshine and blue skies.  We made our way back to our car.  It seems the car blew a fuse.  The people at the shop were very kind and finally we were on our way. 

We expected to see our worried friends anxiously awaiting our arrival......but all that awaited us was an unlocked door and a note on the table.  "We are on the beach! Okay? Bye-bye!"

Well dear friend.....today you can look back at 59 years and just say "Okay bye-bye!"  The new decade will hold many new adventures....and I will always come when you call.....unless of course I am having margarita's or sitting on the beach.  

Love you girl!!

n

Good Things Come in Mini Packages

The Manager, Lurlene, and I were driving together toward a long summer weekend at Nurse and Zeb’s.  Whenever we’ve gone there, the house is crowded, and the crowd is chaotic and fun.  Nurse puts up with a lot from us, and is always gracious.  The weather there reminds me of the weather in the Buffalo area where I’m from:  glorious, cool summers, long, snowy winters, and plenty of wind.

On our way there, we stopped at my mother’s and stepfather’s.  Lurlene was impressed (as is everyone) with my stepfather’s carved working wooden locks modeled after old antique locks.  Each one has a spring mechanism, and a key (which he also carved) that opens the lock.

My mother’s four cats, two of whom stayed hidden, and two of whom were happy to see company, were topics of conversation, as was Busser and his “friend” Jimmy the stuffed monkey (about whom we need say nothing further).

My mother’s paintings, the subjects of which include her cats, were also on display.  The detail she painstakingly includes in her animal and human portraits is rare.  When I see a pet portrait from someone else, it usually looks hastily drawn in comparison.  In her teens in Buffalo, my mother was a student of Laszlo Szabo, an artist who almost never took on teenagers as students.  When her money for lessons ran out, he offered to continue teaching her for free.  She declined (she felt she should pay for the lessons), and now regrets not having continued her artistic training.  Others on the Sicilian side of her family have had renowned artistic careers.

After we left, we had a bite to eat at the Pink Cadillac and took photos posing with Humpty.  Then, on to Nurse and Zeb’s and our crazy weekend of fun.

As we got back on the interstate, we passed a field with what appeared to be a lot of small cattle.  I said, “Maybe they’re miniature cows!”  My mother lives near a large Horse Center and I once went to a miniature horse show there.  They’re so cute; it would be fun to have one in the backyard... if I had a backyard.  So I figured, if there could be miniature horses, then why not miniature cows?

Well, Lurlene could not believe what she had heard.  She made fun of me all weekend, believing I had displayed a truly scatter-brained moment... which I have been known to do.   (Once, when I was in high school, there was a fly on my bedroom window.  I wanted to kill the fly and thought it would be perfectly reasonable to hit with a book... on the window!  It didn’t occur to me until afterward that the window would break.)  Miniature cows!  Who ever heard of such a thing!

Now, keep in mind that this was before the days when everyone takes the internet with them everywhere they go.  So there was no way to prove it while we were there.  But when we got back home, I looked it up on the internet and discovered that there are indeed miniature cows, and they are especially prevalent in Virginia and North Carolina.  I couldn’t wait to tell Lurlene!  Someone ended up eating crow... oops, I mean eating petite filet mignon, and it wasn’t me!

Happy Birthday,

Paul

The Prophet of the Friendly Village

The prophets of old were very wise and had some age on them. Our very own Jene is in the aging process. As  the saying goes ... age, ripen and season.

Did I say ,  "As the saying goes....."?  Miss Jene has give us a lot of advice and sayings to use while we take this journey through life.

"Don't mess with the buzz."

"Why would anyone do that?"

"Do you know how expensive that is?" (Can be used for beer, wine Diet Pepsi, etc.)

Did I say..."Do you know how expensive?" Well she constantly reminds us at dinner of how expensive A1 Sauce is. (A little secret...she makes her own.)

Did you know she will not buy or use the store brand of Worcestershire sauce (She only uses Lea and Perrins.) How many times have I heard "I'm retired and live on a fixed income?  She also told me I need to get rid of the store brand. I quote..."You need to get rid of that shit." A wise woman.

We all know the story of Jesus with the two fish and five loaves of bread. He fed over 3,000. I wonder did Jesus have enough room to seat everyone?  Jene must have helped him.  A tribute to Jene's supervisor (Florence) was given at 27 (a restaurant at Six Street Market).  Jene invited Supper Club (seven showed up.)  Our prophet turned a two top into a table for seven with room to spare.

Remember Christmas Eve at her mother's house. Our prophet gave everyone a line to use when life is weighing you down. ...."Suck around it Grandma!"

Speaking of Grandma...I wonder did she gain a pound or two as she aged? You know where I'm headed with this one....."I'm too pretty to be this big."  I still laugh like a crazy person.

I could go on and on. One last one....can you imagine having to hear about a trip to Boone (usually 5 1/2 to 6 hours) taking 11 hours?? Our prophet came up with a good line....."That's just not right. That is totally unacceptable."

Food for thought....Jene's words of wisdom can make life a lot easier.....

Happy Birthday, Miss Jene!!

Jude

Stories for Teena Lurlene on her 60th!

What an incredible adventure it is to live in the Friendly Village.  One of the pillars of the Village is Teena Lurlene!  She is friends to all, and a true sister to many of us.  She always has a smile, a drink in hand, and a word (or two, three, four…..) of wisdom along the way!

I have traveled a lot with Teena Lurlene and can recount several fun adventures: 

·        Walking through the plaza in Rhoades, Greece, seeing Teena strutting through the middle of the courtyard sporting her new shoes!  She was in hog heaven!

·        In WhoseYourDaddy, Turkey, Teena asked for a henna tattoo of the Om on the back of her neck.  Forgetting to let it dry, she scratched it and then had to have the Om magnified by 10!  She was a good sport, and embraced the goodness the new, expanded Om would bring her!

·        Having Teena speak French to a Turkish taxi driver trying to get extra pay for taking the long way back to the Luxury Liner!

·        Sitting on top of Santorini, Greece, at a small café, Teena and I enjoyed an adult beverage while we watched La and NJRB bobble their way up the mountain on donkeys!!!!  We just giggled!  That is a favorite of mine!

·        Traveling to Boone with Teena, stopping at every little junk store and flea market there was!  A wonderful seven hour adventure assisted by ham biscuits made by Teena to get us through the shopping!!!!

·        Walking through big downtown Blowing Rock, shopping away, to have Teena look at me and declare, “Let’s go home!  I’m tired”!  We went home and she fell asleep on the couch instantly!

·        Being in Myrtle Beach with Teena Lurlene, and watching her literally “walk on water” when a shark came by!!!!!  One minute, Mr. Pat said, “I think it is a shark”!  The next minute, he asked, “Where’s Jene?”  Jene, aka Teena Lurlene, was standing on the beach waving back to us fools who were still in the shark infested waters!!!!

·        Teena Lurlene putting a hex on Marvin and Bubba for messing with her recipe!  Butch paid for it with a trip to the ER!

My tales of adventure with Teena Lurlene could go on and on!  I am so incredibly grateful to have such an amazing woman in my life.  I am a better person for knowing her, and she teaches me every day about unconditional love and beauty!

Happy Birthday Dear One!!!!!!

I love you SOOOOOOOO…….

TDM….. AKA Lushious, Naomi, Darlene, Myrns the Purns

Jene at Chili Beach

For several years the neighborhood group would go to Myrtle Beach for Memorial Day and Labor Day, staying in Momma Neese’s mobile home at “Chili Beach”.  Although it had 2 bedrooms and 2 baths, as well as a large screened porch, with 8 – 10 people the sleeping arrangements were tight and often creative.  We didn’t care – we were at the beach, and most importantly, we were together.  Many wonderful memories (and tales) were created there.

Everyone had their special things – food, beverages and clothes that they were known for at “Chili Beach”.  Jene always took “tongues and garlic cheese” – a favorite with beer, champagne and Mr. Pat’s margaritas – and usually was sporting some new very neon bathing suit.

Jene, known to be a “perky” early riser at the beach (unlike some of us), usually was the first up to make coffee, but was not known to always be the quietest while doing so. It was thought that she was trying to get some other early risers would up with her, while some of us still slept.  One morning, she was up – chirping away in hopes that someone else would get up with her, but no one arouse.  She continued to clang about the kitchen trying to wake some company, with no results.  Finally someone grumpily asked what the @&#% she was doing in the middle of the night.  It seems that Jene read the clock wrong and it was 3:00 or 4:00 AM.  Needless to say, she crept back to bed and whether she slept another 2-3 hours, or just lay there sheepishly, is known only to her.

Happy Birthday!! 

LaNeese Lamay Rayhand

Some Things Never Change

I've been asked to share some memories of a person who is certainly one of the strongest people I know, as well as one of the most sharing, who takes all that life throws at her and laughs it off. She always has a way of making others feel good, weaving her stories and giving us new slogans to live by. I would give her the shirt off my back if I felt she needed it, and all I possess if she asked.

I think these memories are to take the form of a specific memory, a story.  There are so many it's hard to choose just one. Plus, I am not the best storyteller around. I thought I'd share one about a birthday, but there have been at least 220 birthday celebrations since our little tribe has formed a family. Not to mention that any day is a day to celebrate our family. Saturday, Tuesday, Ground Hogs Day....you get it. Mostly we celebrate each other through food and our shared lives, and did I say FOOD!

One of my favorite thoughts comes from one of our early beach trips. There is a photo of it somewhere around the house. I am in it with the subject of this composition and I think two others? We are all packed in the back part of a Subaru station wagon looking like a can of sunburned sardines. (We were much thinner then, did I say FOOD!)  It makes me smile every time I look at it.

Another memory of how good these folks are has to do with me. I was working on learning to play flute. I arranged to hold a recital in my living room. These wonderful people supported me and helped with the food. Did I say FOOD again! As I recall, I sucked as a flutist, but they were there and smiled and clapped and passed the tea and sweets they made for me and my event. Oh, what a joy they are!

Of course we had fun times too! My brother came to visit once and my partner (now ex) was out of town. I hosted a come as you are pajama breakfast. (Gee, imagine that, FOOD again!) These folks raced through my house taking pictures of each other in all the forbidden places. You see my ex partner tends to be a private person about his space. They left the photos around the place for him to find. That was fun! But the best memory of the day was when I went out of the house, I think to take some trash....my sweet brother locked me out of the house in my nightshirt. Of course my tribe played along and as I remember it wasn't really cold and after a bit they let me back in. We all had a laugh. It was a fun time.

I tend to think of many of our times because of a camera. Jene loves her camera and the pictures she takes with it. Well that is when she doesn't leave it behind. She tends to 'help' the not so good ones these days with Photoshop and she deletes the bad or totally unflattering ones. THANK GOD!  She couldn't do all that in the 'old ' days. I think she is still hiding a butt picture of mine in the eaves of her house somewhere.

I could go on and as you can see I don't have a story....I have a lifetime of memories that have become the fabric of my life. And to think it all started (and I well remember it) some 23 or so years ago when my subject walked down the alley and looked over the neighbors fence and asked "Whatcha cooking?" and the very first Supper Club bell rang. I count her as the center of this group and bless her for being who she is. 

The Mayor of Beaverdam

October 22, 2012

Dear Jene,

There is a wide range of public opinion in regards to the value of Facebook as a means to connect to people. My own opinion has run the gamut from complete openness to never again. The one thing I am sure about is that I'm most grateful that it has given me the opportunity to connect with you.  I don't mean to be sappy but growing up you were one of the PVHS girls I admired and wished I was closer friends with. You were something special then but now your are truly amazing and a constant inspiration. I admire your creativity, your full speed ahead approach to life and the love and attention you give those you love. You are a cheerleader of life!

I was so touched that you and Claude came to the Antique Shop that day.  So wonderful to see you. You really made my heart sing when you both came out to Heritage Day. Thank you for your donation, your support and your fabulous, now published, photo of my victory.  It is a  great moment in my life.

I look forward to visiting you and visa versa in the future. Maybe for the grand opening of the She Shed.

Thank you for your daily words of wisdom. I think you speak for a lot of women and Lord knows, we women need to support each other at every opportunity.

I admire you very much and I remain your friend,

Billie

P.S. I think I missed sending you Birthday wishes on your most special birthday.  You are like a fine wine-you only get better with age!

Movin Day

I started writing this...the day they moved...but just couldn't get around to finishing it.  Every morning when I wake up and each night before going to bed, I look out my front door and "check on" this house.

When I bless ours...and ask for safety through the night, I include this house.

There are just some houses...that no matter who has owned them in the past...or has temporary custody of them...they somehow keep the spirit of the cherished friends you come to associate with "the house".  This one, will always be Lynn Lloyd's,  even though there have been four owners since she and Ron left...it's still...Lynn's...her colors, her fence, her patio..remain...there have been few changes.   


I think  houses choose...and release...their inhabitants.  I certainly know mine did.  They keep us for a spell and when the time is right...they release us...to our dream job in another state, or our dream house just three blocks over.  They coddle and nurture us and like the nest they represent...eventually send us on our way.

Who leaves the village...only the guests...the houses live on, keeping the memories and the stories associated with all that was created within.

Best of luck Lisa and Chris on your new home...your dream house!  It popped up when you least expected it...and maybe weren't so sure you were prepared.  Thing is ...you have to go...trusting...and sometimes carrying your heavy... yet happy heart along with you.  I think you have truly found "Lisa's House".  Now it's on to another adventure!

As the crow flies....

How far is heaven?

The Friendly Villager

There is a tradition here in the Village, and that is...no matter what Pat purchases, one of the Neons, or now the Teenas, would get first dibs on it.  We know if "the Manager" purchased it, he had spent a year thinkin' about it and researchin it and makin' sure it was safe.  He always bought big cars too, cars built for haulin the hood to dinner, or the beach, or just about anywhere we wanted to go.  Bein' from Chicago, you also knew he was gonna have something that would plow through the snow or at least a set of snow tires he would dutifully put on in September and keep on though March (now he tells me he just took them off the other day...but that's another story) .  The long and short of it was, his philosophy was that somebody had to have a car big enough to carry us all if need be.  I have a picture of nine of us scrunched in tighter than sardines in the back of La's Subaru, headed to Pawley's Island for dinner, Not pretty let me tell you...but it was more about bein together than bein' comfortable...and in that case "safe". 

But I digress...thing is, The "Friendly Villager" passed from Mr. Pat to me and now nearly 200,000 miles later she has gone to be " rein-car- nated."  Safety first...I couldn't let her back on the road.  She clicked, and thumped and had stopped lockin' her doors on one side.  She didn't like to hold a charge and would even yell at me when I turned on her radio.  Like all women, she ran hot after a certain age and just couldn't get cool.  Time and again I put out to have her cooling system updated..until finally, it just went. 

Her last few years were spent hangin' out in front of the house, acting like a true guardian.  Puttin' up a good front sayin' stuff like, "Yeah, they're home...inside...don't even think about goin' near that house..I'm a car and if I'm here, they're here so back off"!  That's my girl!  She was my "Alpha Car" and I'm so grateful for her miles of laughter, her safe trips to Chili-Beach, Chicago, New York,  Florida, the Easter Shore and Buckin' ham to name only a few.

She has hauled Neons, Teena's, Mullets, Grey Hounds and Grandmothers.  She took Myra and Claude and Momma to the hospital in a very "laid-back and out" position.  We would take her middle seat out, throw pillows on the floor and groove on the way to some ball game or bowling birthday.  She was a trooper..with many names. 

The Manager, liked to to name his cars...like I said, he was both detail oriented and at the same time "poetic".  Loving all things French, he searched for something that would identify this Friendly Villager and represent her purpose...and so he came up with the touching....translation for ten friends...

Dix Amis

Ummmm...need I say more.  What man...in his right mind would have a license plate that reads like somethin' that ain't hittin'?  Unfortunately, I was the one who had to break that one to him.  Seven shades of red he turned and he was no more good...as I like to say.  I don't know what he replaced it with...probably just numbers, but that plate was gone in no time.  I felt bad about that...but somebody had to tell him.

Once she was passed to me, I didn't keep her as clean as the Manager, but I did look after her and she got a new plate...

One Crow

She was good...acceptin' her new role as a work horse and with a shiny new trailer hitch on the back she carried lumber and sheet rock, sofa's and beds, lawn tractors and kayaks.  She still toted Teena's and once raced the Bee to the Chesapeake Bay Bridge Tunnel, on the way home the tunnel police pulled me to the side and suggested I "slow down and have a safe trip home".   I promised to do so....How far is heaven?

She was spunky to the end...she was red!   She went "as the crow flies" here and there and returned home hot and hummin! 

Thank you dear one, well done...until we meet again. 

Dancin with the Deep Fried Demon...Again

It’s just not right to wake up in the mornin’ cravin Sugah Chicken.

There are just some things that are so addictive they make me crazy.  General Tso’s Chicken might as well be crack, cause I would drive over the fool crossin the intersection between me and “Red House” Take Out to get to my fix.

This one dish contains all my devilish pleasures. 

Deep Fried - well...heck yeah!

Sweet – (3/4 cup of sugah goes in that glaze…I saw him throw it in when the wok was hot and I must say that  it was both disturbin’ and titillatin’ at the same time.

Salty, goes without sayin, my hands look like I’m wearin ‘a catcher’s mitt after I’ve finished a single servin and you know I'm gonna have more. (crack) and last but not least...Fire...chili pepper fire in the belly and on the lips..and on down the goozel. 

Maybe I just like things I can’t spell or pronounce…or powerful and exotic men with an Asian flair…maybe all of the above.  All I know is I wish I had never met the General.

 Even when I manage to eat just a single helpin', just knowin’ it’s in the house….I can hear it call my name.  It’s double wrapped and put in the back of the fridge and I can still hear it, it's in the freezer, oh I can zap it in the microwave in a flash…I can hear it outside in the trash, even after I have poured dish washin’ detergent on it to drown it…I can hear it and wonder if the liquid had gotten to the bottom…wonder if I can wash it off.  Wonder if Red House is still open.  It's that bad...that sad.

I have no shame, no control over my  sweet-salty-spicy-deep-fried demons. 

I told VerDell, I know, sure as they placed additives in cigarettes (which I put down without a blink over 25 years ago) there must be something in General Tsu’s Chicken that weakens the mind and poisons the soul.  Don’t get me started...I can't put the bad boy down.

I memorized his faults:  Here's the ugly truth

Nutritional Facts for General Tso's Chicken

 For a single servin, and you know you can't have just one....

•  Calories 434.6
•  Calories from Fat 48
•  Cholesterol 132.2 mg
•  Sodium 1893.0 mg
•  Total Carbohydrate 45.8 g
•  Dietary Fiber 1.2 g
•  Sugars 20.4 g 
•  Protein 41.5 g 

and yet I crave him still!

If you love him...perhaps you can somehow fix him...turn him into someone you would share with others...I know there is a way...but it's always better when it's bad!

General Tsu's Chicken

Ingredients

3 lbs boneless skinless chicken breasts, cut into chunks

2 cups green onions, sliced

8 small dried chilies, seeds removed ( bird pepper or thai chilies are good)

Cornstarch slurry

1/4 cup soy sauce, low sodium preferred

1 eggs, beaten

1 cup cornstarch

Sauce

1/2 cup cornstarch

1/4 cup water

1 1/2 teaspoons fresh garlic, minced

3/4 cup sugar

1/2 cup soy sauce

1/4 cup white vinegar

1/4 cup sherry wine or 1/4 cup white wine

14 1/2 ounces chicken broth ( a can)

Directions

1. Place sauce ingredients in a quart jar with a lid and shake to mix. If you make this ahead of time just refrigerate until needed, shaking it again when you are ready to use it. This also keeps your dirty dishes down.
2. Mix cornstarch slurry in a large bowl- the mixture will be strange but trust me it works. It will be VERY thick almost paste like. Add chicken pieces to coat. Using a fork remove ONE chicken piece at a time and let the excess mixture drip off. YES even though the mixture has a weird consistency it will not stick like paste and the excess will drip off. Add chicken to the hot (350 degree) oil and fry until crispy. Only cook 7 or 8 chicken pieces at a time. You do not want to lower the temp of the oil by cooking too many at a time. You can use a simple cooking or candy thermometer to judge the temp of the oil.
3. Drain on paper towels. Keep warm- I just put them in the oven with the oven off. Repeating until all chicken is fried.
4. In a separate wok or large skillet add a small amount of oil and heat to 400 degrees. Again, a candy thermometer works great. You can fry all the chicken, drain the oil to the desired amount and use the same pan if you like.
5. Add green onions and hot peppers and stir fry about 30 seconds.
6. Stir sauce mixture, and then add to pan with onions and peppers, cook until thick. If it gets too thick, add a little water. The thickness of the sauce should be similar to what you get when ordering this at a restaurant.
7. Add chicken to sauce in wok, and cook until all is hot and bubbly. The quicker this is done the crispier the chicken stays.
8. Serve over rice. (Preferably Bubba's Fried Garlic Rice)

The Fine Line

When I put this up this mornin as a little piece of "wisdom" from the Book of Lurlene, I have to say that I thought it just about said it all.

A couple of hours ago...I was sure that determination, was a virtue while bein' stubborn was just arrogance . 

I admire somebody who has a "stick to it" kinda attitude.  It's about mastery, like knittin' good enough to finish a sweater or  speakin french good enough to order exactly what you want to eat.  But then nobody ever told me I couldn't - or wouldn't ever do those things.  

 Maybe that's the key.
 Is stubborn what happens when folks get angry cause you keep on when they thought you never would or could or should? 


I'm startin' to see stubborn in a different light now...a lot depends on what side of the line I'm on.

Judgin' ....get you in trouble every day of the week!  No question about that!