Savannah

Georgia was the first "vaca" we have taken together in quite some time, that was purely for pleasure. We went to stay with old friends to celebrate Marg's birthday and their wedding anniversary. We spent 4 1/2 days with them talking, eating and doing a lot of touristy type things. Savannah is a really nice city that has a tremendous amount of history, and is seeing a lot of redevelopment/historic preservation of its buildings.

Brunch @ Husk

Rainy beach day

Tug on Savannah river

River walk to museum (old power plant)

Random building downtown

River walk

Random street scene downtown

Random street scene downtown

Random street scene downtown

Inside of old power plant that is now a museum

Part of exhibit

Inside of old power plant that is now a museum

Beethoven sculpture

Inside of old power plant that is now a museum

Talmadge Memorial Bridge (B&W)

Tourist sightseeing ferry, paddle boat

Overall it was a good time for all of us, lots of catching up, talking and spending quality time with friends. Nice thing was that the TV was never even turned on...

W

Being released from jail...

     After a period of over 10 years, I finally have healthcare insurance again. Healthcare that I can afford, and that will help me stay healthy. When the ACA came about, it pushed me out of the marketplace because I could not take on the extra expense. 

    To afford the ACA, we would have had to spent more on healthcare than we did for our monthly house payment. Living on a semi fixed income, well where was that extra money going to come from? It don't grow on trees...

    Shame on the person that thought up and pushed through the ACA, and then they had the audacity to fine me, because I could not afford the Affordable Care Act. What a crock of shit, for 3 years I paid that penalty because it was cheaper than the ACA. It was added to our tax burden because I was in a group of Americans that were in no man's land. Not poor enough, and or did not earn enough income to pay the premiums.

    Well after applying for and failing in 2021, I have now been able to receive health care through the same government I am disillusioned with. Because of our income level, I can now receive healthcare with incredible features. No monthly premiums, $5 copays, and so far all my prescripts are free, with  $1000.00 max yearly out of pocket, 35 paid chiropractic visits per year, and I don't know what else yet.

    Yesterday, I went to the first doctor visit I've had in over 10 years, and boy howdy I went for the whole tamale. Blood work, EKG, Covid test, meeting with the doctor to set up future tests and to see specialists. She wrote me 4 prescripts that will cost me zero! For over 10 years I've had to buy my prescripts from Canada, since I could not afford US prices, thanks again ACA.

    As I was leaving after my doctor's appointment I felt a new bounce in my step, one that had disappeared sometime ago. I no longer had to worry that if I tripped (I do this a lot, got big feet) and hurt myself, I would not have the healthcare and or money to fix my injury. There was hope again, I could start to lead a more normal life again and not have that dark cloud of "no healthcare" hanging over my head. In a way it feels like I have been released from jail (no, I have never spent time in jail...). Basically I have a new outlook on life, or the light at the end of the tunnel is not an oncoming train.

    Think about how my wife now feels, and what she went through for 10+ years, knowing that we can now afford and get the care that I need, even if I trip over something...

    Even though my plan is paid for by the government, I still have no faith in them to do the right thing. In a way I'm getting back the penalties I was forced to pay, for not being able to afford, "The Affordable Care Act".

    What has kept me and my wife going, was our faith in God and that He would protect us and provide for our needs. Today I am proof positive that He did exactly as He promises.

Wow, thank you Lord...

W

A grain of sand

...by itself is infinitesimal, although once the grains are combined they can stop a 500,000 DWT (deadweight tonnage) seafaring ship. The same goes for technology, as one grain bonds with another, it eventually becomes an impenetrable barrier. Blocking us? no stopping us from interacting with our fellow human beings.

One man's idea/vision can start the cascade, similar to grains of sand...

Reading a book (an actual book, you know with paper pages) can be one of the greatest joys in our lives. In the past, you would go to your local library and interact with the staff. Learning of interesting new books, or maybe becoming excited with the knowledge of a dusty unheard of jem, stacked in a corner that the librarian had recommended. 'Cause, well you know, if you're a librarian you love to read. Otherwise why would you be working in a library? 

Using the card catalog was touchy feely and somewhat exciting as you learned the Dewey Decimal System. Fingering your way through all the cards in search of your next treasure. As you are searching, standing beside you was another avid reader, searching for their next gem. Perhaps they even share your interests, and maybe you both open up a dialog about why you read, and what you have read.

Or maybe you had a friend that owned a used book store? and loved to talk with you about your joys and passions. They would then take the time to help you build your own library. Yes your own library, one that fills as many walls, shelves, table tops, and stacks on the floor as you can muster up.

Interaction

Self

Fellow human being

Is there any enjoyment in the fact that you talked with someone? Learning about them, maybe even laughing with them about common interests, beliefs and or likes/dislikes?

Yes

Interaction

Fellow human being

Today, more and more people type into their favorite form of technology, and search digitally for what interests them. 

Interaction

Self

Technology

You are locked into your private little world that is infinite. What ever you can think of is accessible. Though you do not have the interaction of another human being, just you alone and tech.

Interaction

Self

Technology

You are locked into your public/private world that is infinite. Whatever you can think of and or talk about with another person is infinite. 

Interaction

Self

Fellow human being

The book

Has mass

Has weight

It has a feel, a smell, sometimes maybe a look of wear. Possibly a food or coffee stain, a dog eared page (bad reading etiquette, bad bad bad) maybe someone wrote in pencil their initials, and when they read it (poor reading etiquette) or the grammar corrections made, (hopefully in pencil) by someone who lacks self esteem and wants to prove they are better than the editor/writer... What a book has that you can see and feel, is social interaction with other people from the past. 

Technology

No mass

No weight

It really has no weight, it's in the "cloud"...There is no history of another human using this e-book, other than the reviews. There are no stains, dog eared pages, nothing to hold onto and touch as you turn a page. Holding a tablet or phone and brushing your finger across the screen is not the same as holding a book.

Reviews

In a library, book store, and or talking to another avid reader, you discuss the book you want to read and or have read. Social interaction, not a review that you read on your device.

Once

You would have to go to the librarian at the counter. Handing her/him the book you wanted to check out; they would remove the checkout card from the book, and then hand stamp the return date. You would sign the card, the librarian would then put the card back into the sleeve (inside the cover) and off you went. Curiosity would lead you to look at the checkout card, wondering if you would recognize someone from your community that might have your same interests.

Interacting the whole time and learning more about a fellow human being. Once you read the book, or maybe you did not finish the book, you took it back, handed it to the librarian at the counter. They would check the card inside to make sure it was returned on time and off you went. If it was late, well you had to pay a fine, usually pennies...

Today

The process of actually checking out a book and returning the read book has been changed forever by technology. Your book that you reserved online is on a shelf, saved and marked alphabetically by your last name. You then take the book to a self check out computer. The technology scans your library card, the book, and askes if you want a receipt, all by touch screen. Social interaction, none... Then to return the book, once you're notified electronically that it is due, you just drive by and drop it in a slot with no interaction.

How has technology made reading a book better?

How has A to Z forever changed how human beings interact?

Is all technology good and needed?

Is going onto the internet to find something to read best?

The movie Logan's Run comes to mind. This was a cult classic from the mid 1970's. During a scene an old man (Peter Ustinov) was talking with Logan about books in a world that was overtaken with technology controlling every part of people's lives. Logan (Michael York) figured out how to break through tech and regain social interaction with real human beings...

W

Goodbye Uncle

You're not welcome at our table anymore.

For over 40 years you had joined us at our table.

A table that enjoyed each other, talked and ate wonderful foods.

So many times I would look for you in the grocery aisles, so easy to find.

I saw a person, a trademark, a desired addition to our family meal.

We always welcomed you into our home.

We gave you a special place at our table out of respect.

Goodbye Uncle, you're no longer welcome.

As you have now caved to the sickening, "cancel culture."

I never see a color, I see a person, I see someone that is welcome at our table.

Until now. 

You canceled me because you caved to a sad and lost minority.

One that does see color, not the person. 

Shame on you Uncle...

W

Emma Stevens - Blackbird by The Beatles sung in Mi'kmaq

Dew drops and reflections

Late last year I bought a used Canon DSLR camera in hopes that I could figure out how to use it, and well start taking pictures again.

Below is a combilation of some of my "macro" (close ups) of dew drops in our back yard, enjoy...

  

W

  

Ice Crystals

Sometimes I am amazed by what I can find around the house to take pictures of. As I continue to educate myself on how to use my new/used camera, I'm always looking for something to shoot...

Yesterday I was finishing up my mushroom base/consomme project and came across these fascinating ice crystals on top of my sliced mushrooms that I was flash freezing.

  And the money shot.

Pretty cool...

W

Black Garlic (Black Gold) Part 2

 It has been 2 months since I ventured into the realm of "Black Garlic". Overall it has been an eye opening effort, having forever changed the way that I'll cook. Everytime I use this wonderful elixir my taste buds do the happy dance. I have recipes that I've been making for years and by adding the black garlic in some way the dishes are transformed. 

Marg is my sous chef, taste tester and she will comment when she notices a change. It has repeatedly been the addition of the black garlic. As simple as adding black garlic infused olive oil into my normal egg salad and wow the flavor profile changes into something totally different. Giving off a richness that is hard to describe...

As I'm now starting my third batch of black garlic I wanted to share my discoveries about the second batch. I used what is called "Elephant Garlic" instead of normal garlic. This garlic (head) is the size of a baseball-softball and the cloves have a more subtle flavor than normal garlic. 

After fermenting them for 2 weeks I did a test and stopped the process early. The individual cloves had a rich crude oil color and the consistency was pliable enough to thinly slice with a razor blade. The oils in the cloves ran like molasses when stored and left a residual in the bottom of the container. The heads that I stored (complete), weeped their oil into the skins that  will later be used when making my mushroom base/consomme.

My first use of the Elephant Black Garlic would go on a homemade pizza. I prepared the black garlic by slicing a clove with a single edge razor blade (thinly) and then put the slices on a lightly oiled (black garlic infused EVOO) gluten free crust I was preparing. Oh boy can you say yummy! Another recipe to share...

W

 

The Dream

There I was concerned for my safety, he was an immediate threat. What could I do? watch and learn... He was menacing, dangerous and a threat to the people I was near. 

I knew I'd never been in this place before and understood that it was another dream.

They were a large Italian family living in a classic expansive home with a lot of heavy antique furniture. The feel of the home was comforting, although the sense of foreboding was almost overwhelming. 

Why? 

Then I saw him with precise and controlled strokes, carving something into the side of the bureau in the bedroom. The knife he used was short with a heavy curved blade, something like you would use to skin an animal.

As I watched silently pondering his actions I could tell that I was a spectator, part of my dream. As he finished, turned and casually left the room he looked over his shoulder. 

I contemplated, was he here for me?

Looking at the carving I could not make out the elegant script. Going into the bathroom I found a washcloth, moistened it and returned to the carving on the bureau. Wiping the moist cloth across the aptly skilled carvings the inscribed words popped...

"It all starts today"

Was the carving from an accomplished craftsman or a killer? 

Yes, I am consciously aware that this is a dream although I'm trying to stay in control of the story line in my subconscious. 

Moving forward into the initial interaction with the matriarch of the family. 

As I'm explaining to her what I've seen she immediately starts to reach out to the "family". As they start to gather one man questions her as to who I am, and the matriarch subdues him trusting in what I've told her. 

Calm she is, strong and concerned. It appears as I look at the faces around me that the patriarch has not been contacted yet. I can see the concern in the matriarch's eyes, although she hides it well from her gathering family. 

I go back to the bureau and attempt to take a picture (on my phone) of the carving. My desire is to text it to the patriarch. I'm surrounded with an overwhelming sense of obligation. Repeatedly my picture attempts fail, I can not get the phone's camera to work. Moving ever so slightly towards an angry frustration I again consciously alter the dream and get the camera to work. 

Next I'm in a large (almost) warehouse size room, that's nicely furnished with elegant antiques. The protagonist family member is at me again questioning my loyalty? Anew the matriarch steps in and talks with me and looks at the photo I am texting to her husband. Once again concern flashes in her eyes, though none of the family can see this. She continues to talk reassuringly to each of the family members present.  Kind of cool how this one woman can keep a family at ease, in the middle of a crisis even when she doesn't yet know the possible outcome. 

Slowly I awaken and as with any dream that needs to be remembered I play it over and over again in my minds eye, saving what appears to be important.

Memories from some of my dreams date back over 40+ years. Although it is said that you can not remember dreams and or interact with them as they are happening. Well this is not true, both are possible and sometimes quite enjoyable.

A few days later as I'm cruising through my phone I click on the pictures icon on my phone. As I'm looking through them I see something surreal, the picture of the statement carved into the side of the bureau...

Makes you stop and ponder....

W

Black Garlic (Black Gold)

During an average month I will scan 100+ recipes and cull a few and give some of them a try. If any of these make it out my printer or maybe a bookmark in one of my cookbooks, then they stand a strong chance of making it into my "test kitchen".

Once in a while a recipe will really strike a chord with me. This time the winner was "Black Garlic", it even sounds cool! 

Fermentation (low and slow) has always intrigued me and when I came across this concept I thought; "I've gotta try this"! 

"Black garlic is a type of aged garlic whose browning is attributable to Maillard reaction rather than caramelization"

I have a deep set fondness for low and slow. The preparation, anticipation, wait, smells, and the final reward make me complete. The appreciation of finding a new way to cook, possibly off of the beaten path? or a forgotten style of cooking is my reward. Adequate to carry me forward into a new day, or maybe another gastronomic event.

After completing my initial research into Black Garlic it showed promise, or maybe an assurance of reaching a new culinary level. I am always searching for the ever elusive nirvana moment that only truly remarkable food can produce.

Traditional recipes for black garlic showed that you need to ferment it at a very low heat, for a long period of time. After reading various recipes I came across one for using a rice cooker to "ferment" the garlic, intriguing! As I am an avid rice cooker chef, this recipe was a no brainer. My rice cooker "coconut Pancake" and "Ham Stock Grits" are becoming legendary, at least in Marg's mind...

The process of making rice cooker Black Garlic is actually quite easy. Although you'll need to have patience as it takes up to 3 weeks to get the desired results. 

Black Gold!

To get started I used standard store bought raw garlic heads and found that 7 (average size heads) would fit in my 5 cup rice cooker perfectly.

I used the "steamer" rack to keep the garlic off of the pan and closed the lid and set the cooker to warm. Nothing else is added to the cooker, just the raw garlic with the outer skins intact (brushed to remove any dirt).

Next take a look at your calendar and count out 21 days then sit back and wait, and wait and wait.

*Please note, each rice cooker is different, check results after 10-14 days. Remove one clove from a head and check doneness, then decide how long to finish cooking. Experiment with your cooker(s) and types of garlic then adjust times accordingly.

 

The various rice cookers I use (5 cup and 10 cup versions) are the simple "warm and cook" style. Meaning that the cooker only has one button that switches from warm to cook, nothing else. These cookers make excellent rice (other than brown rice), grits, gluten free pancake and gluten free cakes. They have also proven to be very reliable over the years.

During the first week of my latest culinary journey our garage smelled like an Italian heaven. The unbelievable bouquet of garlic was impressive if not overwhelming. 

Thus the main reason for putting the cooker in the garage. The cooker vents and well you know garlic...

After around 10 days the aroma in the garage started to change, altering slightly in a pleasant aromatic way. The garlic essence started to mellow, barely giving off a hint of this wonderful spice. The scent took

on a slightly sweet impression, easy like a really good Aceto Balsamico.

As I got closer to the 21 day finale my desire to open the cooker increased, I just wanted to take a peek, okay patience my friend.

The grand reveal just happened to be on my brother Steven's birthday. This was not planned just happened, so I am dedicating the results to him, love you bro!

*Please note, each rice cooker is different, check results after 10-14 days. Remove one clove from a head and check doneness, then decide how long to finish cooking. Experiment with your cooker(s) and types of garlic then adjust times accordingly.

Marg & I were giddy with anticipation as we went out to the garage to see if I had laboured long enough and produced something remarkable, or maybe it was a bust...

Here are the results:

Our surprise turned into joy as we sampled the first fruits of my labor. Each of us tried a small portion of one of the cloves and our first impressions were like; "WOW, this is amazing". The flavor profiles were off the charts, still a hint of garlic but at a much deeper level. There was also a sweetness present that can not be described, though it compares to Balsamico. The texture of the cloves were somewhat chewy almost like a licorice, though firmer.

Cleaning the skins off the cloves was somewhat tedious, yet needed and worth the effort.

We even tried using a toothbrush (new), nevertheless your fingernails work the best. Once you are done with the clove cleaning your fingers look like a mechanics that had been working on your car for hours...

To test the "Black Gold" I finely chopped a couple of cloves, mixed in some dried chopped regular garlic and soaked them in EVOO (olive oil) for an hour. I then used this in the caramelization of 1/2 a white sweet onion, putting that over a grilled marinated Beyond Beef patty (you can use regular beef) served with mashers and homemade mushroom gravy.

Here's the kicker, the mushroom gravy was made by cooking raw mushrooms (in water only) and the removed skins from the finished (21 day old) 

black garlic. Resulting in an amazing base for my mushroom gravy.

The outcome of these efforts was way beyond what I had even imagined. Marg & I looked at each other smiling as we ate, then discussed what we had experienced once we were done. 

The Black Garlic had changed my life, the onions I had cooked were probably one of the best things we've ever eaten. The flavors were magical when combined with the patties, mashers, and the mushroom gravy.

The moment was carried over into the gravy because of the base being made with the skins of the garlic. The skins had absorbed an ever so subtle hint of the black garlic.

 

This was a true nirvana moment.

In the next scheduled batches to be made I'll try using Elephant Garlic heads and a little less time. Using the larger heads (I hope) will change the flavor profile and produce a larger quantity of the Black Garlic or should I say Black Gold.

 

As I am writing this I still am concerned that I will not be able to recreate what changed the way I cook and enjoy food from this day forward...

W

P.S. I'll just have to try this recipe again, and again, and again.