Monday, April 26, 2021

National Pigs in a Blanket Day

 National Pigs in a Blanket Day - April 24 


Pigs in a Blanket: photo by Cliff Hutson
Pigs in a Blanket: photo by Cliff Hutson


What's in a name?


When I think of "pigs in a blanket" my first, and only, thought is of breakfast sausages wrapped in pancakes. This is one of my favorite breakfasts, which I like to douse in boysenberry syrup, as opposed to the usual maple.

However, it turns out that National Pigs in a Blanket Day is a holiday celebrating pork sausage (or hotdogs) baked in pastry.  It seems that many versions of this dish can be found through out the world, but is far from the top of my list of things to savor.

Clearly, that is just me. A quick search of the inter webs came up with almost no mention of the pancake version. Live and learn.




Monday, April 19, 2021

Bicycle Day

The First Trip


A Bicycle: photo by Cliff Hutson
A Bicycle: photo by Cliff Hutson


On April 19, 1943, Albert Hofmann, a chemist working in, Basel, Switzerland, ingested 250 micrograms--of a compound derived from the ergot fungus. He soon felt so disoriented that he rode his bicycle home, where he experienced effects of lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD). This first acid trip is now commemorated as “Bicycle Day”, on this date each year, after that bicycle ride home.


Change Your Mind


Trippy Saddle: photo by Cliff Hutson
Trippy Saddle: photo by Cliff Hutson

LSD and other psychedelics have had a bad rap for many decades and their use has been seriously suppressed for decades. Some of us aging hippies feel that LSD was banned more because of its threat to the established social order than for reasons of physical or mental health. And, in "How to Change Your Mind: What the New Science of Psychedelics Teaches Us About Consciousness, Dying, Addiction, Depression, and Transcendence", by Michael Pollan, the author argues that psychedelic-aided therapy, properly conducted by trained professionals may be personally transformative, helping with everything from overcoming addiction to easing the existential terror of the terminally ill. 

The book is an informative, yet entertaining, mix of science, medicine, and memoir and I highly recommend it to anyone interested in the human mind and the exploration of consciousness.


Save the date


Giro della Valle del Conejo


Ride as much or as little, as long or as short as you feel. But ride.” – Eddy Merckx

A day about actual bike riding itself, June 21, 2021, is World Bicycle Day has been designated by the United Nations to spread consciousness about the benefits of using the bicycle in order to promote health, better environment and sustainable development by bringing people together for a common cause.

If you are up to it, celebrate International World Bicycle Day with a ride.


 








Monday, April 12, 2021

National Grilled Cheese Sandwich Day

  National Grilled Cheese Sandwich Day 


Grilled Cheese Sandwich: photo by Cliff Hutson
Grilled Cheese Sandwich: photo by Cliff Hutson

April 12 has been set aside to observe National Grilled Cheese Sandwich Day in the US of A. As this sandwich will go well with everything, soup, salad, corn chips, or what have you, why not go ahead and have one to mark the occasion?


Simplicity Itself

Really, all that is required for a classic grilled cheese is white bread, butter and Cheddar cheese slapped together and heated in a nonstick pan. (Although, as can be seen in the accompanying photos I am fond of using a grill pan.) Just proceed as follows:

  • Spread one side of a slice of sandwich bread with butter 
  • Place bread buttered side down with cheese on top in skillet
  • Butter the another slice of bread and place on sandwich buttered side up
  • Cook until crisp and deep golden brown, 5 to 10 minutes per side
  • Flip sandwich back to first side to re-heat, about 15 seconds
  • Serve


Variations


Grilled Cheese with Tomato: photo by Cliff Hutson
Grilled Cheese with Tomato: photo by Cliff Hutson

There are various ways to to add a little pizzazz to the basic sandwich. An easy one would be to use mayonnaise instead of butter to coat the bread. The bread can also be changed out, I like to use sourdough.  And, an additional filling such as tomatoes, vegetables, or a meat can be a plus.


Grilled Jarlsberg & Turkey Sandwich: photo By Cliff Hutson
Grilled Jarlsberg & Turkey Sandwich: photo By Cliff Hutson


Although, now that I think about it, my Grilled Jarlsberg & Turkey Sandwich could arguably be called a Turkey Melt instead of a grilled cheese.


Save the Date



Bologna Sandwich: photo by Cliff Hutson
Bologna Sandwich: photo by Cliff Hutson



You should plan ahead to make a bologna sandwich for lunch on October 24 as it is National Bologna Day.  

Monday, April 5, 2021

Reading Log: March 2021

 The books that I finished reading in March 2021


March 2021 Books" photo by Cliff Hutson
March 2021 Books" photo by Cliff Hutson



"Why We Sleep," Matthew Walker, PhD

"The Zombie Survival Guide," Max Brooks

"Nick: a Novel," Michael Farris Smith

"City on the Edge of Forever," Peter Lunenfeld 

"The Day of the Locust," Nathanael West