Sunday, April 27, 2014

Naturally, I Read a Few Books....

I've mentioned that I try to read works by popular writers whose books, for whatever reason, I've missed sampling: this time I picked up a copy of John Grisham's "The Painted House". Though the story is not typical of the Grisham's legal-thriller plot lines, I enjoyed it. Told through the voice of it's main character as he remembers the events of a pivotal summer in his life when he was seven years old, the story made me think of "To Kill a Mockingbird" or "Christmas Story" or William Faulkner's "The Reivers". Populated by a rich array of funny, strange, mean, sad and sometimes frightening characters, the action goes from high humor to to scary and tense scenes; in other words, a very enjoyable book. I read this book on the train during my commute to and from work in the city; as I read, I felt totally removed from my seat on the train and transplanted to a farm in Arkansas in 1952, a part of the sights, sounds and fragrances of a rural life not so long ago.

Saturday, April 26, 2014

The Bacon King and his Product....

Hubsy loves bacon--I guess everyone does, these days. He fabricated a rack and holder system from copper pipe and a regular baking rack to stand on a foil lined shallow jelly-roll pan. This rack is draped with raw bacon. You place the entire contraption in the oven at a low-ish temperature of about 275-degrees (F) for an hour and a half. The grease drains onto the foil, the bacon is crispy and tastes just right. Tho it is folded in half.

Wednesday, April 9, 2014

My Favorite Image from Detroit...

When you think of Detroit, you might recall images of the iconic GM HQ complex downtown. Here is the "flip-side", a scene from the museum campus area. Haunting. Also, there were very few people out walking around, few viable looking shops and restaurants. Sad. Like a typical "Eastern Block" country of the 1970's.

Sunday, April 6, 2014

Remembrance Break...We all miss you, Mother.

It's been 15 years (nearly to the hour) since my Mother passed away. It seems only yesterday and I think of her every day! But here is a cheery photo of her as a pretty toddler.

Wednesday, April 2, 2014

Like Left-Overs from a Lost Era...

vacant landscapes dotted with relics of mansions from the 19th Century. 50 years ago, the area around the museums of Detroit was a genteel, prosperous place. Now it's barely safe to walk around (unless near to campus of Wayne State).

To Remember Dad's 103rd Birth Anniversary, Something Different

 My Grandparents on my Dad's side were both "bonus babies", kids who were born to much older parents, long after they expected...