Friday, February 26, 2010
Thursday, February 25, 2010
Wednesday, February 24, 2010
Tuesday, February 23, 2010
Nearly one-third of our food crops require pollination by honeybees.
Monday, February 22, 2010
The Verbal & Visual Master:
I was sick all last week (ugh!) and couldn't hold my head up to read, so I kept the TV on for company. In all my channel surfing between AMC, TCM, BBC, and IFC, I also watched the Sundance Channel. One day there was an "Iconoclast" Season 4 segment showing fashion designer Stella McCartney paired with artist Ed Ruscha. It knocked me out! It was so great listening to Ruscha talk about art and catching up on what he is doing now.
Edward Ruscha's body of work is uniquely American in both subject and sensibility. Long regarded as an American master, Ed Ruscha has redefined the way we see the urban landscape, and, for that matter, the American landscape as a whole. Ruscha's intimacy with the essence of America, its free-spiritedness, is best expressed in his own words, "I like to think of myself as an ambling rambling person who doesn't have to concern himself with time: that's what we all dream about isn't it?"
Ruscha's glamorous "bad boy" persona and his Los Angeles County Museum retrospective were subjects for a 1983 People magazine profile in its May issue. In the article Henry Geldzahler is quoted as saying, "Conceptual, pop, surrealist, dada, neo-dada, earth art-all these are arguable elements of his style. Ruscha can be pinned down partially by any of these labels and yet he escapes all of them."
"His vision has touched America's soul through the beauty and boldness of his art, transforming city planning maps into sublime landscapes. I call on Ed Ruscha to reach out to Americans of every belief and move this good-hearted nation toward a culture of life. Ed's wonderfully idiosyncratic nature reflects the hard working people of America. Ed is a man of faith and a believer to the end. Ed Ruscha warns us that Los Angeles might be a mirage and California a myth -- a façade about to crumble into the desert, a set about to liquefy into the sea. Most families don't look to Hollywood for a source of values. The heart and soul of America is found in places like Oklahoma, where Ed grew up," commented President George W. Bush in January 2005 upon the occasion of naming Ed Ruscha as Secretary of the United States Department of Art & Technology, to lead his ambitious agenda for cultural reform.
Friday, February 12, 2010
Thursday, February 11, 2010
3 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
3 tablespoons unsalted butter
2 tablespoons finely chopped rosemary leaves
2 teaspoons salt
Freshly ground black pepper
2 tablespoons grated lemon zest
Heat the popcorn and oil in a 1-gallon, heavy bottomed pot over medium-high heat. When the popcorn starts to pop, cover the pot tightly and continue to cook until all the popcorn pops, about 2 to 3 minutes, shaking the pot occasionally. Pour the popcorn into a large bowl.
In a medium saute pan over medium-high heat, melt the butter and cook until it is brown, shaking the pan occasionally. Remove the pan from the heat. Add the rosemary to the butter and pour the butter mixture over the popcorn. Toss well. Add the salt and pepper and lemon zest. Toss well.
:: Melt 1 stick butter and 2 tablespoons EVOO, then add 3 rounded tablespoons of Brewer's Yeast and pour over 3 cups popcorn kernels that have been popped. Finish up with salt and pepper or your favorite seasoning.
Wednesday, February 10, 2010
A couple of weekends ago, I took a little trip to Harker Heights, Texas. On the way, I noticed that all the road signs were blurry. So blurry, in fact, that I couldn’t read the durn signs ‘til I drove almost past 'em! “Hmmm,” I wondered, “What is wrong with all these signs!?!”
I had an eye exam this morning. After taking my vitals and doing some preliminary vision checks, the nurse exclaimed, “And you actually drove yourself to this appointment!” Ha ha ha…
I was then escorted to a freezing cold rest area to wait for my eyes to dilate. I sat there for over an hour! (They denied it, but I think they forgot about me.) Once in the machine room, I snuggled my chin into a cold metal cup and leaned way forward… my eyes were subjected to grids with wiggly lines, bright blue lights, bright green dots, and bright white flashes. My eyeballs hurt and my head ached.
They handed me a pair of lovely Rollens to wear until my eyes returned to normal. I looked hot! Just like my 93-year-old-great-aunt. What a fashion statement!
Tuesday, February 9, 2010
Since Valentine's Day is right around the corner, Hearts are on my mind. (I'm trying to segue here so bear with me!)
Have you ever heard of the Young At Heart Chorus? I thought if you haven't, maybe you would want to. I was introduced to them recently via PBS very late one night, in a Walker George documentary entitled simply, Young At Heart.
The film is about a senior citizen’s chorus singing rock & roll. It follows this group of 73 to 90 year old men and women as they rehearse and perform. Along the way you get to know some of the members and how much singing in this group means to them. It is a life-affirming film of people who are common in their age and love of music. They are very much alive and engaged, although they regularly confront the difficulties of aging.
There are many funny moments and many sad moments in the film, and many surprising moments... especially one scene when they perform at a prison. You can tell on the faces of the prisoners that they don't have a clue why these old people are visiting. Then the Young At Heart Chorus bangs out The Boss' Dancin' in the Dark, the prisoners start smiling and laughing at the irony. By the end of their performance, the chorus has won over the crowd and even earned some respect. But their last song touches the prisoners deeply, especially when it is announced that the song is dedicated to one of the chorus members who died a few hours earlier. Bob Dylan's Forever Young takes on new meaning for these men locked up in prison. The scene provides a very large lump in the throat.
Another touching moment is at the end of the film when Coldpay's Fix You is performed. Sung by an elderly gentleman in ill health, the song is no longer about youth's optimistic second chances; it is a blunt testimony about life, its trials and regrets, and its end. This version of Fix You will bring you to tears.
These singers, most of them well-rehearsed amateurs, refuse to go gently into that good night. For them music is oxygen. And this film allows us to see people who, because of their age, are generally invisible in our youth-centered culture. As the Young At Heart Chorus makes clear, these are people we need to know and whose joyful lives are worth aspiring to.
Monday, February 8, 2010
In response to 70-plus years of inquiries, pleading and collector interest, Eyvind Earle -- artist, illustrator, author, poet -- consented to write a definitive autobiography in 1990. It included the complete journal of his monumental cross-country bicycle trip across America in 1937; hence the title, "Horizon Bound on a Bicycle" illustrated with his black and white reverse etchings... waiting, anxiously, for my "vintage" copy to arrive!
Here's one of his beautiful poems to share with you:
Friday, February 5, 2010
In Earle's words:
"There is a great force pulling us, and the more it manifests, the more creative we become. Art is an attempt to delve into this mystery, to pick one detail out of the infinitude of infinities and make it clear."
He continued to produce serigraphs until he died in 2000 --his "screen paintings"--earning financial and critical success in an age when loveliness has nearly become passe. While other artists strive to impress with anger or social relevance, or to beguile with nostalgia, a public weary of the present and doubtful of the future, Eyvind Earle pursued beauty. This quest predates the Greeks, but Earle's strength of vision and craftsmanship made it compellingly his own.
Thursday, February 4, 2010
Wednesday, February 3, 2010
Blessed are those who stop and listen to my chatter. You may not understand me; but I love when people talk to me, for I long for companionship, too. Blessed are those who take my hand and walk with me when the path is rough, for I easily stumble and grow weary. But thank you, too, for letting me walk alone when the path is smooth, for I must learn independence. Blessed are those who take the time to tell me about special happenings, for unless you make special effort to inform me, I remain ignorant. Blessed are those who wait for me. I may be slow, but I appreciate your patience. Blessed are those who are not ashamed to be seen in public with me, for I did not choose to be born thus. It could have been you as well. Blessed are those who do not pity me, for I don't want pity. All I want is understanding and respect for what I have learned as well. Blessed are those who notice my accomplishments, small as they may seem to you. I must work long and hard to learn many of the things you take for granted. Blessed are those who include me in their games, even though I may not understand the rules, I still like to be included in your activities. Blessed are those who think of me as a person who loves, and hurts, and feels joy and pain just like you do, for in that respect I am normal.
Experts estimate that Autism affects 1 in 110 children; 1 in 70 boys. Autism prevalence figures are growing. For more information on Autism and/or where you can make a donation, visit these sites: Autism Speaks or Surfers Healing - A Foundation for Autism.
Tuesday, February 2, 2010
Monday, February 1, 2010
Suga Moma’s Suga Cookies
2 cups all-purpose flour
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 cup (1 stick) unsalted butter
1 cup sugar
1 large egg, lightly beaten
2 tablespoons whole milk
1/2 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
Whisk together flour, salt, and baking powder in a medium bowl. In the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, cream butter and sugar; add dry ingredients, and mix until incorporated. With mixer running, add egg, milk, and vanilla; mix until incorporated.
Transfer dough to a work surface. Shape into 2 discs, cover with plastic wrap, and refrigerate for at least 1 hour.
Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Line baking sheets with non-stick baking mats or parchment paper; set aside.
On a lightly floured work surface, roll out dough to 1/8-inch thickness. Cut into hearts and transfer to prepared baking sheets, leaving an inch in between. Leftover dough can be rolled and cut once more. Bake until lightly golden, about 10 minutes; do not allow to brown. Transfer to wire racks. Sprinkle with large-grain decorating sugar. Let cool. (Makes 2 dozen)
If you want to add a little somethin’-somethin’, substitute brandy for the milk, or add a bit of lemon zest or a hint of cinnamon. Or, instead of sprinkling sugar on top, after they have cooled, dip one side in melted chocolate. Or make a combo of both!
A Few Tips for Perfect Sugar Cookies from Martha: Chilled dough will help retain the shape of the cookies; soft, warm dough tends to lose its shape when cut and moved. Rolling out the dough is sometimes difficult. Roll out the dough in small batches, make sure it's cold, and use a light dusting of flour or sugar to keep it from sticking to the work surface. Don't overmix the dough once you have added the dry ingredients. Overmixing will make the cookies tough. Dip cookie cutters in flour to prevent sticking. Rotate baking sheets halfway through baking to ensure that the cookies bake evenly.