May 8, 2012
All Things Taurus – Part 3
Several weeks ago I attended a riveting lecture by several scientists from the Monell Institute titled I SMELL YOU SMELL as part of the Philadelphia Science Festival. The Monell Institute is the world’s only independent non profit scientific institute dedicated to basic research on taste and smell. As a five planets in Taurus woman, smell ( and taste) are crucial to me. When I was little girl, I wished I could be the fairy of good smells. I’d wave my magic wand and make everything seem wonderful like fresh flowers. The lecture took place in a darken cabaret room at the Society Hill Playhouse. Three scientists talked about the power of smell and how it relates to relationships, attraction and illness. I ‘ve always been fascinated by the subject of pheromones. I learned that everyone’s scent is different. No two people smell alike. Our personal scent is like a fingerprint. It doesn’t change due to diet or hygiene. The scientists debunked the myth that a certain perfume or oil with attract a man ( or woman) to you. Maybe that’s true but I have been in some situations where the lack of hygiene has definitely a repellant. Smelling good has always been important to me. My favorite soap is Santa Maria Novella’s Melograno soap. Melograno is Italian for pomegranate. This soap is triple milled and is so gentle. You can use it on your face too and it last much longer than regular soap. Made by Florentine Monks for 600 hundred years, Santa Maria Novella products are a personal favorite. Heavenly!
From smells to tastes. The last few months I ‘ve become obsessed with the Korean dish- Bibimbap dolsot ( also spelled bibimbop). Bibimbap dolsot is basically a hot rice dish with meat and veggies. My obsession with Bibimbap began when I first had it at Giwa in Center City ( Philly). I had an OBE ( out of body experience) after eating it for the first time. I’m not joking ! I literarily got high and was floating out of my body for several hours after I finished eating. I tried the dish at several other restaurants in Philly after Giwa. There are many more restaurants I need to try bibimbap from , but so far Giwa is the best. The dish is served in a cast iron deep bowl which arrives all steamy and popping. The popping sound is from the bottom layer of rice cooking and getting brown and crunchy. A sauce made with red pepper paste ( called gochujang) is mixed in the dish as you eat it. As most of my readers know, when I get a idea into my head, especially when it comes to making a certain dish, I must make it and make it right. For several weeks I just thought about bibimbap. I looked online and at H-Mart for the same cast iron bowls I was served Bibimbap in at the various restautants. H-Mart does sell these outrageously heavy stone bowl for around $30 a piece to make bibimbap. But I ‘m a cast iron woman. I finally found a food blog that mentioned cooking bibimbap in a cast iron skillet. Hallelujah! I combined several bibimbap recipes and then altered them further. I have made this dish 3 times so far. Once with rib eye steak ( traditional). One with Chicken and once with pork. The first attempt with rib eye steak remains my most successful attempt. I was able to get the rice on the bottom crunchy. One of the ways in which my bibimbap differs vastly from the bibimbaps I have eaten in the restaurants & the recipes I found on line is my compulsion to season each component separately. Sadly, this need to have more flavor resulted in severe rice failure on my second and third attempts at making the dish ( the goal being a crispy crunchy layer of rice at the bottom of the pan). I put butter and Swanson flavor packets ( chicken and vegetable) in the rice water right before cooking the rice. The rice was bursting with flavor but I realized the butter made the cooked grains too moist to cook effectively . Egg was served on top of the Bibimbap when I ate it Tampopo ( raw which cooked as the veggies,rice and meat steamed) and Koreana ( cooked over easy) but not at Giwa. I decided to top my bibimbap with organic duck eggs I bought at the farmer’s market. By using duck eggs instead of regular eggs, a deeper depth of flavor was achieved. I also altered the sauce made with the gochujang by adding fresh grated ginger, more sesame oil and more sugar than the internet recipes listed. And while I have written previously about my attempts to become vegetarian, I have fallen off the wagon. I decided last year that my body functions better on a little meat. I only buy organic meat. Maybe someday I will become a vegetarian but not now.
************************************************************************************************************
In keeping with this theme of this blog of ALL THINGS TAURUS, I highly recommend F for Fake 
(written, directed and starring Orson Welles). Mr. Welles was a quintessential Taurus ( May 6th). The real reason for viewing this “documentary” is not to learn about the famous art forger Elmyr de Hory or see footage of Clifford Irving the subject of the film The Hoax
. The REAL reason to watch F for Fake is the fashions that Orson Welles’s then girlfriend Oja Kodar models as she is portraying the fictitious muse of Picasso. The two minute ”fashion show” features some very incredible clothes. A must rent for any fashionista.
The other Taurus I want to mention in this blog is filmmaker/writer/actor Lena Dunham ( May 13th). I really enjoyed Ms.Dunham’s first film Tiny Furniture 
( 2010) which was an instant hit at the Sundance Film Festival when it premiered. Her current HBO series GIRLS which she wrote,directed and stars in, features some of the same cast from
Tiny Furniture . I find Ms. Dunham fascinating to watch. I thought about why I like her and find her so appealing. The answer was of course, right in front of me. It is the Taurus factor. She is real and unpretentious. She looks like a normal person, not a Hollywood-glammed up movie star. She is a little bit chubby and isn’t afraid to show her body on camera in various stages of undress. She explores relationships and sexuality ( due to the intense simulated sex scene the series airs on Sundays nights at 10:30 p.m. EST). Ms. Dunham’s take on relationships and men is honest,refreshing and of course witty. I heard her interviewed by Terry Gross on NPR ‘s Fresh Air yesterday ( May 7th). Although Ms. Dunham stated clearly that the character of Hannah isn’t her, Hannah does seem to possess many Taurean tendencies ( like eating cupcakes in the bathtub) and being kind of slow to “get it” at times. Now I myself have never eaten cupcakes while taking a bath, but both activities top my pleasure list.
***********************************************************************************************************
More things related to my Taurus:
There are two films both available on dvd which deal with the subject of redemption and forgiveness. I love both these films. The first of these films is Flipped
directed by Rob Reiner based on the popular book Flipped
by Wendelin Van Draanen and the British independent film In a Day
. Both these films deal with the relationship between a boy and a girl ( FLIPPED) and a man and a woman ( IN A DAY). Rob Reiner said of FLIPPED it is the best film he’s directed. I agree with him. The film although it is very Hollywood, is the kind of film that should be shown in school to junior high students. The message of not assuming or making judgements based on appearances is important and crucial. How do these two films relate to Taurus? Well Taurus is a stubborn sign and I have been guilty of assuming and making judgements. My assumptions about Korean food kept me from a world of sensual pleasure for decades. I hope EVERYONE will see FLIPPED. It is a great film for adults too.
Recently, I saw a powerful documentary which lingered in my head for days. Elephant in the Living Room
directed by Michael Webber, follows Officer Tim Harrison as he struggles to deal with the exotic animal problem in Ohio. More and more people in the United States are opting to have wild and exotic animals as pets. This documentary examines this horrifying, sad , shocking and idiotic ( yes I said it) trend. I learned a permit is not required to own an exotic/wild animal in Ohio but you need of course to have a license for your dog. This is one of those documentaries that should be,in my opinion, required viewing to children in public schools every year they are in school( I would say starting with 4th grade children). In my opinion, it is a disgrace that hundreds of thousands of domestic animals are euthanized in shelters every year. Now there is this new problem of wild and exotic “pets”. I feel for Tim Harrison and his heroic efforts to save and place the abandoned and abused exotic wild life that he encounters on his job. I hope this documentary can change the state laws regarding wild/exotic pet ownership.
*********************************************************************************************************
I’ve previously mentioned I how much I love CBS SUNDAY MORNING ( airs Sundays at 9 a.m. EST). It is one of the few art & culture shows on a major Network Channel. I need to mention another fabulous arts & culture show called EUROMAXX ( Highlights). This 22 minute show airs on Comcast here in Philly on MINDTV on Saturday mornings at 7:30 a.m. MINDTV is the local independent Philly cable station. Euromaxx is a German produced show which features what’s hot and happening in Europe. Sadly, I’m either on my way to the gym or farmer’s market or thriftin ( yard sales, flea markets etc.) on Saturday mornings so I often miss this wonderful show. It would be great if MIND TV would air this show on Sunday mornings before CBS Sunday morning.
*********************************************************************************************************
And lastly- Thank you Town & country Magazine for printing my Letter to the Editor (May 2012) regarding the Ali MacGraw cover ( February 2012). Unfortunately, I don’t buy the editor’s response as to why they chose to put a photograph of Ms.MacGraw from 1969 on their cover while inside they have recent photographs of her looking fantastic at 72. I can smell B.S. a mile away. This may be a revelation to some people who think I’m naive. The truth is most of the time I keep my mouth shut because I have never been able to confront a liar and get the truth at the time I was confronting them ( I’m not implying the editors of T & C are liars). These days I bide my time and know that in time, the truth is ALWAYS revealed in almost every situation. That is the epitome of a Taurus being patient!
Tags: Ali MacGraw. Town & country magazine, assumptions, Center City, documentary, duck eggs, Elephant in the living room, exotic animals, Farmer's Market, Flipped, Florence Italy, girls, Giwa, gochujang, H Mart, Hbo, judgements, Koreana, Lena Dunham, monell institute, olfactory, Orson Welles, out of body obe, pheremone, pheromone, Philadelphia Science festival, Philly, rice, Rob Reiner, Santa Maria Novella soap melograno, Smell, Tampopo, Taurean, Taurus, Tim Harrison, Tiny Furniture, Wendelin Van Draanen
Posted in Uncategorized |
April 10. 2012
My blog continues with a focus on Taurus related stuff. Since Venus the planet of love and beauty rules Taurus and I have 5 planets in Taurus in my 7th house of marriage and partnerships, I want to mention some great books about relationships. These books are mostly geared towards relationships between men and women.
The first book I want to mention is A Love Alchemist’s Notebook: Magical Secrets for Drawing Your True Love into Your Life
by Jessica Shepherd. I was shocked,delighted and relieved to finally find this book. This book is the REAL DEAL as it helps the reader on their journey to finding true love. I have read so many crappy self help books targeting desperate women wanting a male loaded with pure bullshit advice. Forget any other book you’ve read and buy this book right now! Love is a journey and sometimes the road is rocky. It is a journey that involves self reflection and honesty. Bottom line, love is an inside job. Ms. Shepherd discusses how so many women just accept whatever male crosses their path for a long term relationship and in many cases marriage. Ultimately accepting whatever crosses your path ends up hurting the woman. Love is not a consolation prize. Relationships are sacred. I personally know of several women who have entered into relationships with men because of convenience. Sadly, these women had low self esteem and really felt like they didn’t deserve to have someone they really liked. Several of these women experience abuse, cheating or major disappointment. Ms. Shepherd lays out the groundwork to change one’s belief and patterns concerning relationships and attraction. I have received a fortune (from a fortune cookie) on several occasions which reads ” Our first and last love is self love”. So True. So True.
Let’s say you are a single woman ( working on self) and of course dating men. This next book
is a wonderful book for the woman who knows a little bit about astrology and isn’t quite sure about the man she is dating.He’s Just Not in the Stars: Wicked Astrology and Uncensored Advice for Getting the (Almost) Perfect Guy
by Jenni Kosarin is a wonderful book for the woman who is dating or looking for love. If you understand the basic planets and can figure out where the man you’re dating has his Sun (easy) and Venus in his chart, you will learn the way he operates and how he views women.I really do believe this book will help women avoid Mr. Wrong.
The last book I want to mention is North Node Astrology: Rediscovering Your Life Direction and Soul Purpose
by Elizabeth Spring M.A. I discovered Ms. Spring on the internet when I was searching for information on Plutonian based relationships ( see my poem “GROUNDHOG DAY” in a previous blog for that relationship). Ms. Spring has helped me understand my problematic Plutonian relationship. I finally bought this book on North Nodes which makes my situation crystal clear ( at least to me). This book is for the person who has studied astrology and has a basic understanding of their own astrological chart. This is a great book which explores past lives and karmic relationships.
***************************************************************************************
Since I’m on the subject of books. Here are two more of my favorite books. One is a children’s book The Thank-You Book
by Francoise. I found this book in a used bookstore many years ago. Francoise ( whose full name is Francoise Seignobosc) wrote and illustrated a number of books that are for both children and adults. THE THANK YOU BOOK is the original book about gratitude. New Age authors are all now scrambling to write and publish books about the subject of being grateful. You only need this book. This is the kind of book anyone of any age can enjoy.
The last book I’m going to mention is another one of my most treasured possessions. Leaves in the Sun
by Yuki was written in 1971 by a young Japanese man named Yuki. The book goes beyond Haiku. With it’s simple line drawings,this book expresses longing,loneliness,hope,joy and love. This book is romantic without being sappy. It reminds me of a good Beatles song you listen to over and over and never get tired of hearing. This book makes my heart soar every time I read it. Both these books make great presents to loved ones of any age or sex.
Stay Tuned for ALL THINGS TAURUS PART THREE
Tags: Astrology, books, Elizabeth spring, Francoise, Haiku, Japanese, Jenni Korasin, Jessica Shepherd, leaves in the sun, love alchemist notebook, men, north Nodes, Plutonian relationships, poems, Poetry, relationships, self love, Taurus, thank you book, women, yuki, zodiac
Posted in Uncategorized |
April 7, 2012
Hi Everyone,
I felt it is time to write a Taurus theme related blog. Jupiter the planet of luck and expansion is in Taurus. I ‘m a Taurus with my Jupiter in Taurus. I ove anything to do with film,food, fashion,art, nature, beauty and the unusual. I think you will find this blog entry funny,insightful and interesting. Also due to the fact that I haven’t written one of my long blogs in a year, I will be writing and publishing several around the same time. This is part one of ALL THINGS TAURUS.
I just finished a wonderful memoir titled The Shocking Miss Pilgrim: A Writer in Early Hollywood
by Frederica Sagor Maas. Ms.Maas recently passed away last year at the age of 111 (this alone would make her note worthy). Ms. Maas was one of the few female screenwriter in Hollywood during the silent era. THE SHOCKING MISS PILGRIM is Ms. Maas’s autobiography of her life from birth to age fifty. This wonderful book chronicles the harsh realities of Hollywood and the film industry in general including sex scandals,corruption and greed. It makes one realize that while time goes on, people are just people. The same things that are happening today happened back then too. Ms. Maas struggled to keep her integrity in a place where morals are not sacred. Ms. Maas’s journey has many layers. On the one hand, it is about Hollywood and the way the studio system used to work. On another level, it is about Ms. Maas’s personal life. Ms. Maas penned this book when she was in her eighties ( third Saturn return). I mentioning astrological terms here because it is interesting to note she met her and married her husband Ernest Mass during her first Saturn return. Changed careers during her second saturn return. Then her late 80s was rediscovered by film historians who encouraged her to write her story (third Saturn return) and it was published. The title of the book refers to the most notable screenplay Ms. Mass wrote with her husband in the 1940s starring Betty Grable. The Shocking Miss Pilgrim (1947)
I have not seen the film but after reading this riveting autobiography, I’m compelled to seek out Ms. Maas’s work. Her account of the depression f is horrifying and heartbreaking. This is a must read for any filmophile. Ms. Maas was not a Taurus but a Cancer ( the two signs are pretty similar).
**********************************************************************************************
On New Years Eve ( 2011- going to 2012), I stayed home and stayed in bed. As I scanned the Comcast Movies on Demand, I noticed a new documentary on Halston Ultrasuede: In Search Of Halston
The cost was $6.99 and I was a little hesistant to download it. I hesitated not due to the price but because I had just seen a very boring documentary on another famous designer ( I won’t mention who). I was reading Cheap Chic: Update
simultaneously as I hit the “buy” button on my remote. Sucking on my favorite Sees Candies Lollypops
, I began to watch the documentary by Whitney Sudler- Smith and for the first ten minutes I thought I had made a huge mistake. Mr. Sudler-Smith seemed to be an imbecile. Here he was lunching with Leon Andre Talley and asking him ignorant questions about Halston which evoked harsh chiding from Mr. Talley. He then was seen in Liza Minelli’s palatial apartment questioning her about her close relationship with Halston. She seemed to be frustrated with Mr. Sudler- Smith’s questions and follow up responses. I was about to turn it off. Thank God I didn’t. Suddenly, Mr. Sudler- Smith switched from clueless to hip and then to fantastic. The tone of the documentary transformed into a dynamic view of the 70s disco era,Studio 54,NYC and Halston’s role in the age of debauchery.
Roy Halston Frowlick was a Taurus ( Born April 23, 1932). He tragically died of AIDS in San Francisco in 1990. His artistic vision drastically changed the fashion world. He was a regular at Studio 54 and best friends with Liza. He brought simplicity to high fashion. His over indulgent lifestyle contributed heavily his downfall. He was a man of excess. I pretty sure Halston was Louis the XIV in another lifetime. I loved the documentary so much that I watched it two more times in the 24 hour rental period. O.k. here’s the thing. Watching the documentary was like taking drugs for me. I don’t do drugs but I have a very rich fantasy life ( obviously!) Unexpectedly it took me back to a place in my head that I hadn’t been to since the age of thirteen. At that point in my life I was obsessively playing the soundtrack to Saturday Night Fever
and dreaming of moving to NYC so I could become a disco queen at Studio 54 ( yes it is funny). Although Studio 54 is long gone, this documentary makes you feel like you were there; even if you weren’t . The dvd version isn’t coming out until May 29, 2012 but you can watch it on demand. Rest assured, I will have my own copy of this incredible documentary to watch over and over.
**********************************************************************************************
It is no secret that I have an addiction to refined sugar. Most Taurus people have a sweet tooth. It is the one addiction I struggled with all my life. I love candy. This past winter, I ended upindulging in too many Sees Candies Lollipops. My favorite is See’s Candies Cinnamon Lollypops
I love anything containing cinnamon. It is a good thing the company only produces this candy during the winter months. I am working on weening myself slowly off refined sugar and candy. I recently purchased Newman`s Own Sour Cherry Licorice Twists
and Newman`s Own Sour Strawberry Licorice Twists
This licorice is fantastic. I wish it didn’t taste so ood but it does. No red dye no. 40. If you feel guilty about eating this candy, just think about the fact the money you spend is helping others.
****************************************************************************************
I recently went on a Dennis Potter binge. Mr. Potter was a Taurus ( May 17th) and a highly regarded British playwright. For decades I heard about his work but had never seen any of his work. I was anxious to iew his two most popular television mini series Pennies from Heaven 
and his most revered work The Singing Detective
(Starring Michael Gambon). I thought PENNIES FROM HEAVEN was incredible. Bob Hoskins is a great actor and this mini series is definitely worth watching. The famous songs featured are all wonderful and from the 1930s. The songs provide the sharp contrast of light to the dark and heavy story line. Several soundtracks exist but this one is the original from the BBC miniseriesPennies From Heaven Soundtrack 
I found THE SINGNG DETECTIVE to be confusing and disturbing. I watched the bonus dvd which featured profiles on Mr. Potter and interviews with him. I figured if I understood the man, I would totally ” get” THE SINGING DETECTIVE . Mr. Potter was a man of many contradictions. Although he was married and a “family” man ( most Taurus people are loyal), he claimed to one journalists to have been with 137 prostitutes. Someone who knew Mr. Potter dismissed this number as being ridiculously high. Mr. Potter seemed to have such a rich fantasy life that he was able to freely explore in his writing. Sadly, Mr. Potter dealt with a horrible debilitating skin disease during most of his life and tragically died of lung cancer at the age of 59.
**********************************************************************************************Can $11 change your life? My life ( or I should say my personal grooming) became a whole lot better and easier when I realized I had been putting up with crappy toenail clippers all my life. I discovered Mehaz Professional Wide Jaw Slant Edge Toenail Clipper
and the difference in clipping my toenails is night and day. These clippers cut through thick toenails and are easy to use. They are great for older folks. Think about how many times in your lifetime you have nought toenail clippers. Three,four or five times? You probably thought they didn’t even work well. This will be the last pair of toenail clippers you ever buy because they WORK and they have a lifetime guarantee. Now I know toes are not part of the body associated with Taurus ( the throat & neck are). But Taurus people continue to struggle and do things the hard way. I spent over four decades struggling to clip my toenails with an instrument that didn’t even work. I have found an easy and helpful product and want to help everybody. Check out my cool merchandise on Zazzle. It is the ultimate Taurus store.
Well this is it for All Things Taurus Part One. Happy Spring Everyone!
Tags: Amazon, Betty Grable, Bob Hoskins, Dennis Pooter, disco, Disco Dancing, documentary, dvd, film, Fredrica Sagor Mass, Halston, Liza Minelli, Mehaz toe nail clipper, Pennies from Heaven, roy Halston Frowlick, Saturday night fever, Sees Candies, Sees Cinnamon Lollipops, Shocking Miss Pilgrim, Singing Detective, Spring, Studio 54, Taurus, Ultrasuede, Whitney Sudler- Smith
Posted in Uncategorized |
Hi Everyone!
I saw some incredible collages by Romare Bearden ( whom I have previously mentioned). He is one of my favorite African American artists. He had influenced my work as an artist. Where did I see his work? A museum? An art gallery? In a book? Nope. In a department store. Macys to be specific. Macys???? Yes.! A few nights ago the Center City Philadelphia Macys hosted a special opening to celebrate Black History month and what would have been Romare Bearden's 100th birthday ( his date of birth was September 2, 1911 so this year he would have been 101. Two of his collages are on view at the Center City Philadelphia Macys until Monday, February 19th and then the art travels to Washington D.C. It has already been exhibited at the New York City Macys. Macys is also having a sweepstakes to win a trip for two to Paris. I applaud the fact that Macys has partnered with the Romare Bearden Foundation to exhibit Mr. Bearden's work. Art and commerce are the perfect marriage. The exhibit also features collage art by other artists who were heavily influenced by Mr. Bearden. Artworks by Juan Sanchez, Arian Huang, Michael Harris, & Tomie Arai were included in the exhibit. For more information about the schedule of where you can see Mr. Bearden's work at other Macy's locations, please visit the Macys website www.Macys.com or the Romare Bearden foundation at www.beardenfoundation.org I have included their website on my blogroll too! And although I mentioned this in a previous blog entry , I will mention it again. Mr. Bearden created mind blowing watercolor paintings for the opening credits of the John Cassavete's 1980 film GLORIA . The watercolor paintings by Mr. Bearden worth renting or buying the film ( although I love the film too- Gena Rowlands deserved an Oscar for her performance in my opinion.
Tags: Black history month, collage, collage art, February, Macys, painter, painting, Romare Bearden, Romare Bearden Foundation
Posted in Uncategorized |
May is my favorite month. I 'm a Taurus and proud of it. I'm so Taurus- five planets in Taurus. To many, that might mean I'm stubborn. I like to think of myself as cautious or slow to change. I can and do change. Recently, I have had a major change of heart about Indian food. I had some unpleasant Indian food experiences when I was young and decided I did not like the spices. Well in the last 3 months, I have done a one eighty and now I am loving Indian food. I mentioned Chana Masala ( Chickpea stew) in my last entry. Tonight I finally made a fantastic mango lassi ( yogurt drink) after three attempts . Mango lassi is a nice love drink. Made with fresh mango & cardamon, I added a dash of Vanilla extract. I also used the plain lassi (base drink) from Trader Joes. Add some sugar and blend for 30 seconds. My next step is going to making homemade chutneys. After years- no make that decades of fearing the idea of gardening, have finally started a tiny herb garden. I 'm always buying basil and it is time for me to grow my own.
After seeing the Korean film POETRY last month ( twice), I started thinking about writing poetry again. A week later I saw a notice at one of the libraries in my area for a poetry slam. In my personal life, I'm dealing with a few people with whom I'm having serious communication problems. I guess I could write yet another letter to the Universe and offer it up as a prayer. Since my art comes from my life and personal experiences, I decided that I was going to write poems instead. I also wrote a poem about my relationship with sugar ( a very dysfunctional one). The event was video taped and is on the internet so there is no point in me hiding what I wrote. My purpose for attending and participating in the poetry slam was to speak my truth out loud and release the pent- up feelings that have festered because I cannot communicate with certain people. I look at the poetry reading as public purging of my personal demons. This is my personal journey with Pluto at the moment. It is all about communication; writing and speaking my truth as a way to step into the light from the darkness. More therapy- awesome! The healing journey continues. Therapy and I get fame too. Definitely a win-win situation ( ha,ha).
It is obvious that I love films ( movies). I like to think it may be for this secret I 'm about to reveal ( although I don't think there really is a correlation) . My paternal grandmother ( whom I named after and died of breast cancer two years before I was born), had someone who was madly in love with her and wanted to marry her. The person was Louis B. Mayer ( before he moved out to California). My grandmother didn't marry him but married my grandfather instead. My grandfather was a French and Spanish teacher at Dewitt Clinton High School in the Bronx. When he passed away in 1974 from a brain tumor, they dedicated a wing of the school in his name. I interacted with my grandfather a few times when I was young. In my opinion, he resembled Louis B. Mayer. Interesting. Speaking of the film industry, I loved the HBO documentary HIS WAY about legendary film producer Jerry Weintraub. The best part of the documentary was the shocking twist about his love life. Mr. Weintraub is a great salesman but his greatest score is definitely his love life. He may be the envy of most men in America. After seeing the documentary I ran to google Mr. Weintraub and find out his astrological sign. He's a Libra so he is naturally very charming and graceful. Libra, an air sign have the gift of gab.
For the following original poems by me here is an Artistic Disclaimer from me, Katie Pfeiffer :
Any resemblance, likeness or similarity to any real or living person or persons is purely coincidental
*****************************************************
GROUNDHOG DAY
Groundhog day
At the post office
Cupid is in the air
Unseen
I feel him
Cinnamon infused
Body,breath & hair
Yet something’s amiss
Squirrels dance in my tummy
I walk out,
Crash into you
My head
Your chest
Here you are
The Karma King
Reawakened
King of Cups & Hearts
Cancer man
Broad shoulders
Brown eyes
Hold my hand
Not a handshake
An electric shock
Pulsates
Thru my body
Angels,flowers and hearts
Swirl around your head
Confused
I unintentionally
Spit on you
Groundhog Day
Just like the movie
Obviously our karma
Isn’t finished
Round & round we go
What’s the lesson?
Still don’t know.
——Katie Pfeiffer
4/21/2011
Copyright 2011 Katie Pfeiffer All Rights Reserved
*****************************
SUGAR
Sugar you are not my friend
You tease and taunt me
Seduce my tastebuds
You promise me energy
But I always end up crashing
Fill me with dreams
But I’m left with empty calories
and body fat
Sugar I love you
Why are you so cruel?
You mess with mind
Appear in many guises
Pastel colors & pretty packages
You lie still
Wait for me
You know I’m weak
Especially during that
time of the month
You know I crave you
You’ve got the power
Chocolate crunchy
Creamy smooth
You are everywhere
but you are nothing
I’m addicted to you
Sugar, you Devil
Why can’t you just
leave me in peace?
I’ve tried so many times
to end our relationship
but I keep coming back
———Katie Pfeiffer
April 20, 2011
Copyright 2011 Katie Pfeiffer All Rights Reserved
Tags: angels, Astrology, basil, birthday, broad shoulders, Bronx, Cancer, cardamon, chutney, cupid, film, flowers, groundhog day, hearts, herb garden, Hollywood, Indian Food, Jerry Weintraub, Kate Pfeiffer, Katie Pfeiffer, king of cups, king of hearts, L.A., Louis B. Mayer, love, mango, mango lassi, May, NY, NYC, poem, Poetry, poetry slam, sugar, Taurus, Trader Joes, Vanilla
Posted in Uncategorized |
The Saturday four o'clock showing of the Korean film POETRY at the Bryn Mawr Film Institute on March 26, 2011 was no ordinary screening to me . By the time the ending credits rolled, I was literally on the floor sobbing the big ugly cry. What was even more tragic than my tears, was the absence of emotion from the little old white haired Mainline ladies slowly walking up the aisle giving me a passing glance of mild disgust. as they teetered past my seat. Maybe they didn't understood the film. I know for a fact the director of the theater didn't. She introduced the film and said that the director ( Lee Chang -Dong) " enjoyed luxuriating in the mysteries of the film". She then corrected that sentence with the statement ,"luxuriate isn't the right word". POETRY isn't about a mystery or mysteries. There was nothing vague or ambiguous about the story. The film is about mysteries being revealed in a major way to the main character- an elderly woman named Mrs. Yang ( played brilliantly by Yoon Jeong-hee). Mrs. Yang has a just one goal- to enroll in a poetry class and learn how to write a poem. Yet if I had to assign an astrological planet to represent this film it would have to be Pluto . I know the idea of writing poetry is very Venuian ( Venus- the planet of love and beauty ) . I mean that's probably what you are thinking. Yet the foundation of Mrs. Yang 's seemingly stable world is on the verge of collapse; a sure sign of Pluto's presence. Pluto is the planet that rules deep and hidden issues. When the reality of these issues ( or secrets) comes to the surface either intentionally or unintentionally, the results are explosive and chaotic. Change arrives. All that was is now swept away in the rage of this planet's destruction. Destruction then clears the debris . The slate is wiped clean. Mrs. Yang's goal to write just one poem opens up a Pandora's box which cannot be closed. I went back and watched the film again a few days later. Unfortunately, the film has already disappeared from the theater ( it was there for only a week) . Lee Chang-Dong wrote and directed POETRY . I consider this film to be a masterpiece. I know it has recently won awards at a few film festivals around the world. I'm not certain of its timing to be considered for next years Academy Awards. It deserves to win best foreign Film. If it were up to me I would give it an Oscar for best film -period. I wept as much seeing it the second time as the first. Days later, the film stayed in my psyche. It unleashed feelings within me that have been buried. Instead of pushing away my sadness, I allowed myself to be. POETRY has become a catalyst for me in many ways, the ripples of which are just starting to emerge. I wasn't surprised to find out Lee Chang-Dong was born on July 4, 1954 ( astrological sign: Cancer). Cancers are one of the most emotionally sensitive signs of the zodiac. Thank you Lee Chang-Dong for changing my world!
And speaking of change, after almost forty years of having an aversion to Indian food, I recently gave it another chance and now I'm a changed woman. Blame my five planets in Taurus ( read: stubborn- o.k. very stubborn) for my slow response to change. Oh sure over the years I have eaten curry rice and curry chicken but no one could convince me to set foot in an Indian restaurant ( until recently). Despite my long standing rejection of Indian cuisine, I have always been attracted to Indian culture. I enjoy exploring Little India in NYC. I was giddy with joy when I discovered A light up Lakshmi ( Laxmi) Goddess Altar that plays twenty Bahjans ( devotional chants) to the Goddess of Love and money in an Indian Bazaar as well as a wall full of exotically scented Indian soaps- Cinnamon, musk and clove for a dollar each. I enjoy watching Indian films ( and I'm slightly embarassed to admit I love Bollywood musicals). Indian textiles, clothing and colors catapult me into a creative frenzy. And I love tooling around in my car chanting ( off key) to George Harrison's Goddess chants; Govinda Jaya Jaya. I'm obsessively addicted now to Chana Masala ( chickpea stew). It is vegetarian, inexpensive, healthy, tasty and I think it may be helping to dissipate my perimenopausal hot flashes. I found a recipe online but have modified it by introducing a can of vegetable broth. I also recommend eating Chana masala like a chutney; thickly spread over a flour tortiilla topped with a fried egg. Heaven ! I'm telling you it is so good.
In addition to Chana masala, I'm addicted to two Indian food products. I can't tell you where I'm buying MAYA KAIMAL SPICY KETCHUP locally because I promised to keep it a secret to the person who turned me on to it ( it is available online). I can only eat this ketchup now; regular ketchup tastes like crap to me now . It is excellent on eggs and french fries and it is perfect on TRADER JOES VEGETABLE MASALA BURGERS ( in the frozen food section at Trader Joes). scrambled eggs with the vegetable masala burgers topped with spicy ketchup= perfect.
Now back to mysteries or rather one mystery in my life which has been solved. Ed Basner, the artist of the small zen rock sculptures ( as I labelled them), contacted me last July. I did my best to solve the mystery myself. I encountered four different people who gave me four different accounts of the mysterious creator. Ed has his own blog and lots of photos of his sculptures. I have put the address on my blog roll. Check it out. He is populating the Mainline with his sculptures. I'm sure everyone living on the mainline has now seen a few of his babies. Whenever I see another sculpture of his crop up in a new location, it immediately makes me smile. Thank you Ed!
Last Saturday ( April 2, 2011), I was lucky enough to see the musical BAT BOY at Villanova University Theater. The play was FANTASTIC and the cast and crew did an incredible job. It was also outrageously funny. I couldn't stop laughing. Michael Kane Libonati 's portrayal of Edgar (Bat Boy) was phenomenal. His singing and acting blew me away. I was inspired to create a couple of paintings. from the musical I have seen several theatrical productions at Villanova. BAT BOY was by far the best and most satisfying play/musical I have seen. The paintings small – 7 x 10 inches. Mixed media- pen and ink on 140 lb. cold press watercolor paper.
Writing continues to be a challenge for me. I have so much to say but writing so much of the time feels like swimming through peanut butter ( extra chunky), congealed from hanging out in the fridge. Oh well.
Hope you all are enjoying the cusp of spring. I'm excited about seeing the cherry blossoms bloom.
Love,
Katie
Tags: Academy Awards, Astrology, Bahjans, bat, Bat boy, bats, Bollywood, Bryn Mawr, Bryn Mawr Theater, Channa Masala, chickpea stew, crying, Ed Basner, George Harrison, Goddess, goth, gothic, Indian chants, Indian films, Indian Food, Indian Goddess, Indian music, Indian spices, Kate Pfeiffer art, Katie Pfeiffer art, Katie Pfeiffer Paintings, Korea, Korean films, Lakshmi, Laxmi, Lee Chang-Dong, Little India NYC, Mainline rock sculptures, Maya Kaimal Ketchup, movies, musical theatre, mysteries. mystery, Oscars Villanova Theater, Pluto, Poetry, spicy ketchup, Taurus, Trader joes Vegetable Masala Burger, Yoon Jeong-hee, zen rock sculptures
Posted in Uncategorized |
Hi Everyone!
I’m excited about the revamping and the updates on the website. Thanx to my wonderful web mistress who understands my vision and was patient with me. A great start to 2011- Happy New Year everyone!
Therapy can be expensive. I think I have discovered a free and wonderful alternative. Although I’m Jewish and have studied Buddhism, I was raised celebrating Christmas. About 10 years ago, I noticed the mailbox for Letters to Santa at one of the main post offices. I decided to write “Santa” a letter about a relationship issue I was dealing with for many years. I felt a sense of relief as I dropped the sealed envelope in the box. I realized a few months ago that the matter I had written about had been resolved. So I decided to do it again. This time, I chose a different location. No not the post office. My letter was totally anonymous. I assume I gave some vastly underpaid employee ( or employees) a voyeuristic thrill into my personal life. As I dropped my letter into the “mailbox” , I felt a sense of relief and “letting go” of the issue. I don’t know when the issue will be resolved. It might take months or years; maybe not even in this lifetime. However.At least in that moment, I felt a sense of relief and feeling better than I used to feel is always a constant goal for me.
Speaking of this past holiday season, I stumbled upon more wonderful art created by children. I was attending the annual Paper, Book & Scissors event at the Central Library in Philly. I wandered into the Children’s library and discovered sculptures based on the characters from the Nutcracker Ballet created by students at the Cecil B. Moore School in Philly. I loved all the sculptures and took a ton of photos. I was a little sad there were two long rows of sculptures on high book shelves that were difficult to look at from the ground. I feel the library should have exhibited them differently but I’m so glad I had the opportunity to see them. I have posted a few on this blog.
I enjoyed the first season the HBO series BOARDWALK EMPIRE . I was especially loving the presence of a store front fortune teller who appeared briefly in one of the first few episodes. However, in the episode which aired October 3, 2010, a fortune teller was featured giving a tarot reading to the character (played by Gretchen Mol ). I screamed out loud when I saw the deck was the Luigi Scapini Medieval Tarot Deck. This deck was created by Mr. Scapini ( a sculptor from Italy) who is very much alive. It came out I believe in 2001. Not during the time period of BOARDWALK EMPIRE . I own this deck and use them all the time. The cards are gorgeous but are not of the right time period. I have uploaded a photo of my Scapini tarot cards .
I just finished reading ” JUST KIDS” by Patti Smith which won the National Book award and is a fascinating account of her relationship with photographer Robert Mapplethorpe before they both achieved fame and success. Ms. Smith’s writing style is so smooth and easy that I devoured it like a box of chocolates. Reading this book made me want to write more. I saw an exhibit of Mr. Mapplethorpe’s photographs at UC Berkeley Museum in the late 80s while I was still in art school. The images were intense, disturbing and haunting.
The 1971 John Cassavette’s film MINNIE AND MOSKOWITZ has been playing frequently on cable. When I first saw the film ( last year), I hated it. But then I watched it several more times and I think this film is brilliant. I love this film for so many reasons. Cassavettes cast his own mother in the role of the mother of Seymour Moskowitz ( the iconic Seymour Cassel) and Lady Rowlands, Gena Rowlands real life mother played her mother in the film. The film is full of humor and Pathos. The funniest scene of the whole film occurs in a restaurant towards the end of the film when the main characters and their mothers all meet each other. The film explores loneliness and the attempts to connect to another person. Mr. Cassavettes focusses on this in many if not all of his films. The characters in this film are carrying heavy emotional baggage. if you keep in mind that they are struggling for freedom from their past ( especially Gena Rowland’s character Minnie), then you begin to see the genius of Cassavettes. His film becomes a therapy session which compels the characters to move forward and conquer their inner demons. It is only then, when Minnie becomes empty that she can let Moskowitz into her heart. On the superficial level I love this film for its small moments of style and fashion. Ms. Rowlands is undoubtedly one of the most stylish women of the cinema. I couldn’t take my eyes off her tiny red rose barrettes, her oversized Italian smokey tinted sunglasses or her black turtleneck sweater and matching cigarette pants that she wore with ease. Her ensemble was very reminiscent of the outfit Audrey Hepburn wore in FUNNY FACE when she did that strange, funny dance in the underground boho cave nightclub in Paris. I also loved the giant eye mural in her apartment and the raven in trees with apples mural in the house the character John Cassavette ‘s character lives in. The final scene of this film is so beautiful that it reminds me of the Sun card of the tarot deck. Celebration with children,love, laughter and happiness in visual motion.
As far as cooking and eating is concerned, this March will mark my first year anniversary of going meatless. I couldn’t give up fish and seafood. I also decided going Vegan was too extreme for me. I’m learning to make peace with tofu. I’m going to be honest. I will never love tofu-ever! I did buy a food dehydrator and have made tofu jerky a few batches using a homemade Teriyaki marinade. It tastes pretty good but not as good as real beef jerky. I have had several dreams of eating Korean fried chicken ( the best tasting fried chicken). When I awoke, my pillow was covered with drool and I felt guilty. My reasons for going meatless have solely been driven by health issues, not politics or morals. I love animals but I will probably eat chicken again at some point in the future and when I do it will be Korean fried chicken. I don’t miss the massive amounts of meat, pork, and lamb I used to eat.
I love homemade Ceasar Salad with homemade croutons. I know this sounds a bit egotistical but my Ceasar salad makes me swoon. One of the issues I was concerned about was using a raw egg in the dressing. Luckily , I discovered an easy way to coddle ( partial cook) the egg to avoid any i possible health concerns. I put the egg in a small ceramic dish ( an individual ramekin or a glass pyrex pudding dish). I then put that dish in a large pot. Meanwhile I bring a large saucepan of water to boil. I then SLOWLY pour the water in the pot until the ramekin and egg are completely submerged. Timer is set for exactly 60 seconds . When you crack the egg, the white will look like it is just starting to form. I add a few dashes of hot sauce into my salad dressing mixture and I use the best bread i can find for the croutons ( from Metropolitan Bakery here in Philly). I usually get a french baguette or sourdough loaf.
Well that’s it for now. I hope to write this blog more frequently.
Santa and Me
Love,
Katie
Tags: Astrology, Audrey Hepburn, Boardwalk Empire, Ceasar salad, children's art, children's sculpture, Christmas, Gena Rowlands, John Cassavetes, Kate Pfeiffer, Katie Pfeiffer, letters, Minnie and Moskowitz, nutcracker ballet, Patti Smith, Santa, sculptures, Sun card, tarot, Tarot. Luigi Scapini tarot deck, therapy, tofu, vegetarian
Posted in Uncategorized |
Hi Everyone!It’s been awhile since I have last blogged. I’m always immersed in seeing plays, art exhibits, cooking, making art, reading, watching films and studying astrology. I have had to decide what would go into this particular blog. Although I titled this blog Play, romp and be happy, I think a better title would be ” WAKE UP CALL!”. Several months ago, I had a serious personal wake up call. Don’t you just love those? First you get hit with a tiny pebble and the it becomes a rock , then a brick and finally a boulder.
I decided one morning it was time for a major life style change. I have made extreme changes to my diet. Although I buy most of my food from the Farmer’s markets ( go local!) and walk almost every day, I knew deep in my heart, I needed to make changes. I have given up meat, coffee, refined sugar and most dairy. I also am working out on a daily basis in addition to walking and biking.
I have been immersed in learning to cook vegetarian gourmet and find food substitutes. Some things food switches have been relatively easy; which brings me to Turtle Mountain.
If I were investing in a food company, it would be Turtle Mountain. Based in Eugene, Oregon ( I used to live there), this company makes the most delicious line of coconut milk based ice cream, ice cream sandwiches and yogurt.
I just bought their coconut drinking milk today and coconut creamer. Their Mocha Almond Fudge ice cream with big chunks of walnuts and ribbons of fudge is as good in my opinion as my former lover, Haagen Daz. Their products are sweetened with agave . They have another line of ice cream which is soy based and many people already know this but their Peanut Butter Zig Zag is like crack and I don’t even like chocolate and peanut butter ice cream.Several weeks ago I saw a documentary film of Outsider artist Purvis Young ( who sadly died at the end of April). The documentary, PURVIS OF OVERTOWN.
Purvis was a self taught artist who lived life his way and did not cater to the art world. His focus was making paintings and helping out his friends and neighbors in the impoverished area of Miami called Overtown. I feel it take courage to follow one’s own heart and path. Mr. Young’s work is amazing. Raw and full of soul and color.
While at the film’s screening, I heard about an art exhibit that was happening at the Russell Byer’s Charter School in Center City.
I went the next day to find an incredible display of artwork by the children at the school. The exhibit was inspired by the Philadelphia Museum of Art’s retrospective of self taught outsider artist James Castle (whom I wrote about in an earlier blog). Led by art teacher Amy Jerrod, the children made their own version of specific works by Mr. Castle- watercolor paintings based on a little girl, cardboard birds and animals, chest of drawers and furniture ( also constructed from cardboard & string as well as handmade books from ephemera and houses from cereal boxes. I consider the exhibit of the children’s art exhibit to be the considered the next step beyond James Castle.
I have included a few photographs I took of the show.Last week I saw the Otto Dix Show at the Neue Galerie( museum) in NYC. I love German expressionism. Especially from the 1920s and 30s.
Dix’s watercolor paintings of prostitutes, sailors and widows are incredible. I liked his watercolors better than his oil paintings.
Also last week I got to see the documentary film EXIT THRU THE GIFT SHOP directed by controversial UK street artist Banksy ( I love his sense of humor). Although this film has a great title, it is misleading as to the nature of the documentary. The documentary chronicles the rise of a French man ( Thierry Guetta) living in L.A. and his rise to fame and fortune in the art world. In many ways EXIT THRU THE GIFT SHOP is in direct opposition to the Purvis Young documentary. Purvis did not care about money or fame. Mr. Guetta’s focus is solely for publicity and money. Because Thierry suffers from what I would consider clinical obsession, I found EXIT THRU THE GIFT SHOP fascinating and hilarious. I was laughing so much I was crying and sweating. There was an older couple sitting in front of me. Every so often the man would turn around and look at me. I was worried he was going to tell me to shut up. At the end of the screening, he turned around and thanked me for laughing. His wife nodded as he explained it made the film even better. I couldn’t believe it. An atypical response from someone on the Mainline! All the laughing, crying and sweating felt cathartic.
Speaking of obsessions, I’m currently obsessed with a few things. I missed the Iris Apfel fashion show at the Met in New York. I love Iris Apfel. She is a style maven. I have a pair of giant round ( prescription) glasses similar to hers which I have only worn out in public a few times. I got snickers and sneers from the young Amish women working behind the bakery counter when I wore them once to the Farmer’s market. I bought them as dead stock vintage on eBAY but lately I have noticed they have developed this weird white ectoplasm which I have tried to remove which various solvents but it keeps reappearing.
Several months ago, I finally finally bought a pair of incredible red, blue, tan and white wide striped vintage 70s Big Smith overalls. The fabric is a very soft cotton and they are very big on me. My friend’s have commented that they look like clown circus overalls. I doubt Mrs. Apfel would think so. She would love them.
I’m patiently waiting for the fashion industry to bring back my favorite piece of clothing- the cotton one piece romper ( or playsuit). I bought one many years ago from a thrift store in Philly that was fuchsia bold white flowers on it, big pockets a big zipper in the front. Total 60s Miami Beach kitsch, I wore it on a trip I won to Hawaii. The romper costs me five dollars and brought me much joy.
Short sleeved and sleeveless cotton rompers ( short length) ( some inspired by auto mechanic jumpsuits) with a front zip and big front and/or side zip pockets will be everywhere in the next year or so. Add to that graphic designs on these rompers inspired by eighties imagery and pop art as well as neon /glow in the dark strips. Jumpsuits- redux will be big also. No I don’t work in the fashion industry. I own a sewing machine that continues to gather dust.
I used to have a copy of a fabulous book CHEAP CHIC by Catherine Milinaire and Carol Troy. It was my fashion bible in the late 70s /early 80s. The soft cover book is sadly OOP and a used copy on Amazon now is around $137.
My major lifestyle change is in full swing ( It has been almost two and a half months now), I’m experimenting with cooking Vegetarian gourmet meals now. I finally tried Quinoa ( pronounced Keen- wah) and liked it. It is the only grain which is also a complete protein, and have dived deep end into eating tofu. I have to be honest and tell you all that previously I was NOT a fan of tofu. In fact I have a magnet on my fridge depicting a 50s style house wife in an apron with the phrase ” TOFU! Looks like wallpaper paste, but tastes much worse! I bought that magnet at Whole Foods and now I’m eating tofu or tofu based products at least four or five times a week for dinner. I still don’t love it, but I’m trying to make peace with it.
I had a Vietnamese tofu hoagie from Fu Wah Market ( in West Philly). The classic Vietnamese hoagie sandwich is called a Banh Mi and many recipes exist on the internet. My version is made with tofu ( not meat and pates) and I start off with a really good french baguette ( from Metropolitan Bakery). I make my own teriyaki sauce and I soak the extra firm tofu for many hours in the teriyaki before dipping it in an egg wash and coating it with seasoned bread crumbs. I then lightly fry the tofu . I also marinate thin strips of carrots and cucumbers in a sweet vinagrette and add tomatoes, jalapeno peppers and baby romaine salad mix ( which has my own special house dressing on it) to the hoagie. The secret to a great sandwich is the bread ( of course) and the fact that every component is well seasoned. Each item in this sandwich is seasoned in a different way so that when you bite into the sandwich, the marriage of flavors comes together.
I’m also loving and I mean loving the tea blend by Divintea called PEACE ON EARTH. As I mentioned in a previous blog that the Good Earth Cinnamon tea was magical, so too is this tea blend. After drinking this tea, I have had some lucky things happen.
Anyway play, romp and be happy! And again I apologize for putting up three of the same photo image and the fact that the paragraphs aren’t showing up in this blog despite putting in the manual html code.
P.S. TAKASHIMAYA- R.I. P. Update- I was in NYC again last week to see THE ADDAMS FAMILY and I thought I would stop by Takashimaya briefly before the show. It has gone out of business ( at least the NYC location). I was sad. Takashimaya to me is like Tiffanys to Holly Golightly. It was one of my many ( thankfully!) happy places in NYC. It was a five floor department store unlike any other. To me, an artist with so many planets in Taurus, it was the ultimate merger of art, culture, luxury and style in one place. I bought this cool umbrella from the store a few years ago with Asian people head drawings. I never use the umbrella for fear it will break. I recently broke my I LOVE YOU Lulu Guiness umbrella. By the way, they were selling a very cool umbrella at the ADDAMS FAMILY show with the characters drawn underneath the umbrella instead of on top. But it was $45. Because I’m always busting up my umbrellas, I bought several recently at IKEA for $2 each.
Tags: ADDAMS FAMILY, art, Banksy, children's art, children's art James Castle, coconut ice cream, divintea, Exit thru the gift shop, film, Fu Wah, ice cream made from coconut, Iris Apfel, Kate, Kate Pfeiffer, Katie, Katie Pfeiffer, neue gallery, NYC, outsider art, overalls, peace on earth tea, Philly, pop art, Purely Decadent, Purvis Young, romper, self taught artist, So Delicious, Takashimaya, the metropolitan museum of art, tofu hoagie, Turtle mountain, umbrellas, vegan, Vegan Ice Cream, vegetarian, vietnamese hoagie, vintage clothing, West Philly playsuit
Posted in Uncategorized |
Tags: Alla Baksanskaya, Bala Cynwyd, Betsy Youngquist, book fair Philadelphia, Book paper and scissors book fair, books, Buddhist, center for the book, Chris Roberts-Antieau, Christine Schukow, collage, crafts, ephemera, Japanese rock sculptures, Jennifer Rosen, kitsch, Lesley Mitchell, library, love tokens, Mainline, Narberth, paper, Philadelphia, Philadelphia craft show, Philadelphia Shell show, prints, Rebecca Kelly, Roberta and david Williamson, sea shells, shell sculptures, shells, signs, spiritual signs, Tara O'Brien, Victorian love token, Wynnwood, zen, Zen rock
Posted in Uncategorized |
Hi Everyone! Several weeks ago while at a local Starbucks, I was looking at their merchandise and saw this cool box of cookies. Initially my eye was drawn the artwork on the box; an owl and a cat. As I examined the sides of the box, I saw it had the famous children’s poem ” THE OWL AND THE PUSSYCAT” by Edward Lear. I was kind of shocked as the poem uses the word ” Pussy” several times. Yes I know back then pussy meant cat and gay meant happy but oh how times have changed. I actually giggle when I hear the word pussy. It does not offend me. But I am surprised there hasn’t been an uproar from some right wing group over the package .
The OWL AND PUSSY CAT cookies are made by Artisan and the exact name for this product is called TWO BY TWO NATURAL VANILLA BISCUITS. They are handmade in the UK in the shape of an owl and cat. I am hooked on these cookies (or biscuits). They are incredible! Two cookies contain about 130 calories and you can taste the butter. But as I always say, “butter makes it better!”
The company has two other flavors- a Toffee cookie and a strawberry cookie which I will be ordering on line. These cookies aren’t cheap. They are about $6.50 for a package of eight but what a wonderful splurge. I LOVE them!
Despite my new found cookie obsession, I have managed through the use of creative visualization and exercise (I kid you not), to lose about 15 lbs in the last 6 months and reshape my body. Slowly, I have weaned myself off soda and have been drinking a tea which is sweet without sugar. GOOD EARTH ORIGINAL SWEET & SPICY HERBAL TEA is a cinnamon lover’s dream. It is sweet from the cinnamon but is also considered a “love” tea because of the herbs and roots in the mixture. I ‘m not claiming this tea will help your love life. I am claiming it is sweet with sugar or artificial sweeteners . There is a GOOD EARTH restaurant in Palo Alto (where I grew up) and they would serve this tea. It is fantastic as an iced tea. Zero calories.
I have been watching episodes of 30 ROCK on dvd and on www.hulu.com. What a great mood lifter. I waited and did not watch 30 ROCK until now so I could fulfill my craving for laughter in one big dose.
My other favorite show is LOVE STINGS SEX DECOY ( Fox Reality). I feel this show is screaming to be re-invented as a gay, campy off -Broadway show. The mother, Sandra Hope and her three daughters are just as questionable ( morally) as the men they are trying to entrap. I’m especially fond of Kashmir, the oldest daughter who is a stripper ( or was). It is raunchy, kitschy and deplorable all rolled into one show. Fabulous!
And last but not least is the show OBSESSED which begs the question who is crazier? the patient or the therapist. In one of the beginning episodes, a young woman is afraid she will hurt someone with her “bad thoughts”. During her “treatment” in therapy, the therapist urges her to pick a knife and hold it against the therapist’s throat. ” Push it against the cartilage.” the therapist says loudly over and over. Then she asks the patient on a scale of one to ten how much she wants to slit her throat. The patient replies “eleven”. I was on the floor wetting my pants. Yes I realize it isn’t supposed to be funny but I told a few of my friends to watch and they were crying tears of laughter. Yes it seems to be the summer of laughter. From pussy cookies to entrapping cheating men, life is good.
********************* ***************** *******************
I have been loving this pasta dish with sausage, cannellini beans (white kidney beans) & escarole. Many versions of recipes of this dish exist . This dish is just as good the next day too. It is the definition of comfort food. I like to make it with spaghetti but I am sure it would be great with linguine too. I personally double the amount of cannelllini beans and escarole because beans and greens are so nutritious and full of fiber. You can make this recipe with half the beans and escarole and it will be great too.
Spaghetti with Sausage, Cannellini Beans & Escarole
*1 lb. spaghetti* 3 cloves of finely minced fresh garlic
*1 lb. Italian sweet, mild sausage or if you prefer turkey sausage or hot/spicy sausage - cut into 1 inch sections
* 1/4 Cup of Extra Virgin Olive Oil + 2 Tablespoons of Olive Oil* 1 Can of Chicken or vegetable broth- (low sodium is ideal)
* 1 to 2 cans of Cannellini Beans ( white kidney beans) drained and rinsed
* 1 to 2 heads of Escarole- leaves washed and plucked off the head. DO NOT DRY THE LEAVES
* 2 Tablespoons sugar*1 teaspoon red pepper flakes*fresh ground black pepper to taste
* approximately 1/4 to 1/2 cup freshly grated Pecorino Romano cheese or any good hard Italian grating cheese
Follow the directions on the box for the pasta. Have the water going for the pasta.In a skillet , saute the garlic in 2 Tablespoons of olive oil on low to medium heat.
As garlic starts to brown, add sausage pieces. Saute until fully cooked on medium heat. Remove sausage after they are cooked .
Return skillet ( do not clean or wipe out the sausage grease) to heat and slowly add the escarole in shifts. It will wilt and cook down. This takes about 5 minutes.
Add beans,olive oil, chicken broth , red pepper flakes and the sugar. Add the sausage and cook for about 10 to 20 minutes.
The longer the sauce cooks the better as the beans will get soft and thicken the sauce. When the pasta is ready, pour the sauce over it, mixing thoroughly.
Add the grated cheese and freshly ground pepper to taste. Serves 4.
Please note: It may seem weird that I added sugar as an ingredient in this recipe but the dish is naturally very salty and the sugar gets rid of the over-salty taste.
***************
O.k. instead of writing a new blog, I am adding on to this one. I discovered a wonderful food truck today while in my old neighborhood of W. Philly. Saturday at Clark Park is the Farmer’s market. I was in W. Philly for business reasons and decided to stop at the FM even though I had already done my food shopping at 2 other FM’s earlier. CPFM is always crowded and so I ended up going around the corner and parking on Chester Ave. I passed by a food truck with about 10 people waiting around. Honest Tom’s Taco Truck is at CPFM every Saturday and they only make one thing: Breakfast Tacos. I ordered one breakfast taco and had to wait almost 15 minutes as the other 10 people were ahead of me. It was FANTASTIC! Everyone else had ordered a double. I wish I had. Scrambled eggs, fresh salsa, fresh guacamole, cheese and crispy roasted potatoes in two soft tortillas. I talked to a few regulars who told me the truck stops serving when they run out of food.
*********** ************ ************ ************ ************ *********
Tags: 30 Rock, breakfast taco, butter cookies, Clark Park, comfort food, cookies, Farmer's Market, Good Earth Tea, laughter, love, love stings sex decoy, love tea, magic tea, Obsessed, obsession, OCD, pasta, pasta with cannellini beans sausage escarole, Pussy, pussycat, Starbucks, summer, sweet, sweet tea, tea without sugar, the owl and the pussycat, West Philly
Posted in Uncategorized |
