Obama - Si se puede

Well...I don't want to do any chicken counting...but I am getting very hopeful about the election. I know I need SOMETHING to be hopeful for.

The Peace Poem

There's a name for war and killing
there's a name for giving in
when you know another answer
for me the name is sin
but there's still time to turn around
and make all hatred cease
and give another name to living
and we could call it peace

And peace would be the road we walk
each step along the way
and peace would be the way we work
and peace the way we play

And in all we see that's different
and in all the things we know
peace would be the way we look
and peace the way we grow

There's a name for separation
there's a name for first and last
when it's all for us or nothing
for me the name is past
but there's still time to turn around
and make all hatred cease
and give a name to all the future
and we could call it peace

And if peace is what we pray for
and peace is what we give
then peace will be the way we are
and peace the way we live

Yes there still is the time to turn around
and make all hatred cease
and give another name to living
and we can call it peace

Ike

Wow it's pretty amazing what nature can do. At this time last week I was preparing to "shelter in place" as Ike bore down on Houston. The morning was sunny and beautiful, but as the day progressed the skies darkened and the wind began to pick up. I had gotten all the suggested supplies, batteries, bottled water, canned goods that didn't need to be heated to be eaten, books to read, matches, candles, and so on. As the evening progressed the winds picked up. I chatted online with my friend Charles and we commented on the wind and the reports about the storm surge flooding to our south. At around 12:45 I heard a loud BOOM!!!! A transformer had blown and I was plunged into darkness. I started text messaging Charles to continue our conversation. Suddenly I heard sirens, and not long after found out the historical restaurant Brennan's just 6 blocks away was in flames. It burned to the ground in 20 minutes, a great loss to Houston.

I finally went to sleep around 2am and slept through the worst of the storm. My apartment's walls are incredibly thick so I didn't hear anything. I awoke to a dark day with fits of rain and wind. I peeked outside to see the building was still standing with minimal damage, but a tree was in our parking lot. Luckily no one had cars parked under it.

Saturday night Charles, Nancy, and Rich came over and we pooled our frozen and refrigerated items together for a strange potluck. I grilled chicken and we sat outside on my patio in candlelight. On Sunday, I spent most of the day outside reading. Without power, my apartment is dark even during the day! Sunday night we all gathered at Nancy's she didn't have power but her gas stove and oven was working so we had another hot meal. Monday I got power back! We opened YA briefly and fed hungry kids sandwiches and bottles of water. The power at YA probably won't be back on until late September. We are in a commercial area and no residences are on our grid so we are low on the totem pole for it to be turned on.

I am now on the hunt for internet, I won't have mine restored for a few days at least, a small sports bar, Jakes Philly Steaks has a great connection and no one really knows about it. The owners are really nice and welcoming. I can see myself hanging out here a lot.

I am posting a couple of photos one is of the tree in my parking lot and the other is a shot of one of the buildings downtown that was heavily damaged.

Basil Gimlet

This is an amazingly refreshing drink. The lime and basil and gin blend into something really nice to sip on a warm summer evening.

OPAL BASIL GIMLET

2 oz. good gin
half a lime
1/2 oz simple syrup
5 basil leaves

gently muddle basil, fresh lime juice and simple syrup in a mixing glass with a wooden muddler. add ice and gin. shake vigorously and then strain into a martini glass. garnish with a basil leaf.

quarenta y tres

Playing around with an online business card

Sad Pookie

Pookie missing Charles...

Saffron

Went to an incredible restaurant last night called Saffron. Moroccan food. We sampled a number of things on the menu including incredible sausage, tagines, and a raisin and goat cheese dish that was addictive. I'm definitely a fan!

http://www.saffronhouston.com/