As our favorite celebs get older, a consequence is that they sooner die. So now we add to the list Meatloaf, but not meatballs, and not just that post-holiday dish that uses a bit of creative seasoning and has one fashioned from the other, (and make note of that).
Meatloaf makes me think back to my college days, in the heyday of the Rocky Horror Picture Show that had the singer slam through the castle doors on his motorcycle — we in Wisconsin hope it is a Harley. A full-frontal even with all the trappings played out at, of all places, The UW Marathon Center campus. (They started the midnight show earlier than that).
I went to the event with a couple of other people, and the main get-up-and-do-the-dance that is described with left and right footsteps shown on screen force was Kay Gruling, who I also knew from high school days. The elongated stage area was big and so were the sheer number of dancers Kay dragged out there. But Tony K. was not into being hit with rice-a-roni, thrown in and around the audience at times that were called for. And Kay went on to be a doctor, but not the Dr. Frankenfurter who was the real star of the show.
And that classic song Paradise by the Dashboard Light, a place we all go, for several years running was a duet at the weekly Jeff Loven show, with Tracy as his muse. They didn’t miss a note.
And also, sad to say, another recent death is that of the guitarist for Bad Company. His birthdate came out in the press, all the way back in 1935! Look how old that makes him, and did he stay Firm as the followup band by that name that had the lead singer of Bad Company, but sans their strummer, replaced by Jimmy Page of Led Zeppelin fame, who at 77 is a full ten years older than the original player. (I never thought of them as being a Supergroup, as they were dubbed).
Christmas comes again, so here I go again. First with another joke about all those in-laws out there. You know the ones? We all have them, don’t we all? Annoying and beyond?
Got the last-minute invite to join THAT family for not only Christmas Eve, but an overnight, and Heaven Help Us if its till New Year’s. So what do you make sure you grab on the way out the door?
Your heart medication. You may need it. Make sure you take some for the next day, too. And dare I say it, add a bit more for unrelenting stress? A little dab will do ya, (or that was for hairline not heartbeat). Or is that enough?
For for more on a slightly less traditional Christmas? Where is someplace we all go? Or maybe just might like to in order to get away? One of my ADHD bartender friends, aren’t they all, did just this, in a real role reversal. The family did not care for, or understand, her decision.
But first back up. Where on the bar scene can you find a closing of 2:30 a.m. at the earliest for all of the big four — two eves and two days. That’s right, T-Buckets as you meander toward Somerset, and that seems fitting, is open that late on Christmas Eve, even, and Xmas Day, and News Year’s Eve, way back further on the clock, and day too. And you get that extra half-hour, or more, because all four holidays fall on a weekend.
You can guess what my server friend did back on the first of those holidays.
Which brings me to a further point. This does indeed serve a purpose, for those who have no family in the area and can’t travel, but nobody really wants to be on the back side of the bar on this night. The guys will take the shift and be macho about it, but you can tell they would rather be elsewhere. But I have made it a point that if I am in that can’t-travel situation, I will take just a minute and say a fond Merry Christmas and even the thus accompanying condolences, to a fave bartender. And they might get a bit misty-eyed. This harkens back to the days when Ziggy’s was actually Pudge’s and they were, somewhat famously, open 365. Or maybe for myself, that local Kwik Trip tonight? Have to check their schedule.
Lastly, back at home in Merrill when I was a child, there was a neighbor lady nurse who was stuck at home alone each Christmas Eve — their shifts never end either, can’t hop a plane. She would come over with a plate of cookies and say hello, maybe a bit tearfully, and make it a holiday. She was typically invited in, but said oh no I couldn’t, you are all with your family, and deferred.
Don’t do that to yourself. If other options evade you, go to T-Buckets and share one and some holiday cheer with the bartender. After all, there are there for the need for such a service …
More of the flood that there can be when there are dead-defying occurrences, this time figuratively.
Alas, would the semi-annual Flood and Frost Your Nuts runs be held, with re-construction of their entry points ruling the roost?
The latter run has been cancelled for this fall, as per the owner of the Mallalieu Inn, from whence the motorcycles would come and go and then come again, with the featured starting point the parking lot of the veritable inn and the two blocks of street in front of it. The east side of that street, right next to the main drag, is still either dug up and plagued by big road-work signs. The Mallalieu also has for the time-being postponed its very affordable and famous — I think I can say that — traveler steak special with sides made fresh on the grill each Wednesday evening. No word on when it will be revived, but very unlikely before Halloween.
“It’s just crazy out there,” said the owner, in a statement that was an understatement.
The run would have been this coming weekend, and also at risk is the Flood Run, usually held the week before. Last Saturday there were a few brave cyclists who risked an at-times bumpy run over the bridge and through the construction zone and detour and slow-to-a-long-stop-and-then-crawl traffic. Hopefully crews with cranes will right the ship, to invoke another form of travel, in time for the Unfrost Your Nuts companion run in April of 2022, (we feel compelled to mention the year in this case).
Three other local eateries have succumbed to the road work and also, mainly, the pandemic. Questions have been floated online about when the reopening of Mama Maria’s in North Hudson and Mallard’s in Bayport will take place; few answers were in short order forthcoming. It may be that no one out-pizzas the hut, although yes, Pizza Hut is not operating right now, with its sign and all that remains of it, sadly, looking like the barred view of a jail cell with only the cables still in place. It also now shows mostly untrimmed vegetation.
Some roads lead to injury, not the near-death of local businesses and their offerings. The Las Vegas Raiders were dealing with more than the imminent Jon Gruden resignation, as turf toe raised its ugly head and kept two players on the questionable list for Sunday football. That meant there were only 238 healthy toes being ready and able to take the field amongst the usual LV starters, reports another publication that has a distinctive multi-fold readership, The Nevada Gambling and Podiatry Journal. What did the sideline reporters have to say, concerning if these two would see any action at all? What happens in or to Vegas, stays in Vegas. On the “out” list was S. Harris. Not the Viking Harrison S. Not rock bassist Steve, rather a pair of defensive safeties that make up the S.
Where has the poison summer gone? Taking the form, in final fashion, of the temptation caused by a said-to-be gorgeous Minnesotan at Lakefront Park sporting a bathing suit even though we are now in October. Alas, one piece not two.
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The game is on soon, and the heat is on. How will it play out in real time, not the two-minute-drill that can take ten minutes if on the actual clock? We will see. Here’s what to watch for when watching:
– Aaron Rodgers and Big Ben meet for the first time since a Super Bowl barrage, although both have more than one look-alike at Dick’s Bar. What’s in a (last) name? Suffice it to say this is a Double R. Like the birthdays hawked on a sports bar sign, Roy and Ruby. Same day or at least week. So step aside, Kozy Korner, if only for a moment.
– Tom Brady says the way his transfer to Tampa Bay was dealt with was “perfect.” Local servers used to say “no worries,” and one just did to me, but it is now retro back to “perfect.” And Big Bill says Brady could possibly play until 50. So take heart Packers and Rodgers fans, for many mores seasons of wins that are not for the faint of heart, like last weekend. But you know the Patriots will have something more to say about his longevity come this weekend’s historic, by all accounts, matchup as you know they will be coming after him. So a heart attack with Gisele may not be what does him in.
– Will Urban Meyer finally win a game with his new Big City team, Jacksonville. He has an 0-4 start. Life in the NFL might be tougher than at his former football factory, Ohio State. Don’t don’t say that to my in-laws, huddled around the tube for every game in their Buckeye attire, with all eyes on another title run, even after being transplanted to the Twin Cities.
As far as concerts that indeed go on, or do not go down, one could say that even these days The Song Remains The Same. Just the circumstances play out differently, as far as who indeed plays.
For starters, the CNN mega-concert with dozens of name bands was to mark the quasi-official reopening of New York City, and one could argue that it was done too soon or too late. It turned out that because of Hurricane Henri, and likely to some degree the virus also, the show never went on — even though Anderson Cooper hung in there until the bitter end to see if he could see it come to fruition. A postponement or delay, as opposed to pure cancellation. It turned out to be the latter. but this ended up being the queen of dead air for a few hours — Anderson, you could have at least played your air guitar. As it was, this big music fan and thusly chosen for the gigless gig, was very disappointed, but it gave him the chance to Wanna Be A Rock Star and interview the acts that could not play, except for that set of impromptu gigs that were done somewhere between the backstage and the dressing room.
So, for much of the evening Anderson was on camera to the right, with an empty stage shown to the left, filling that time by asking many more questions than you normally have time for when a journalist. This was an attempt to save the concert that had been pumped by CNN for days, even featuring a New Year’s Eve-style, many hour-by-hour countdown. He as wowed by Barry Manilow who said all this was playing out to be great anyway, as he got part of his set in. There was some of this before the rains came. But I have to say, if Barry is the standard …
And that stage looked like one I saw at a Mayhem death metal concert. Tall and dark and grim, but with dark blue lights rolling across the top and a bit of actual lighting sprinkled in. And in the Big Apple, a few hardcore fans filtered in also. But there would be nothing that would rock you to the core, as Springsteen was the hardest rockin’ act that was on the bill. But the winner take all, or most, of the night was Mother Nature because by the near-end toward the news hour, the announcement was made that the headliners and others would not go on. Patti Smith was the one who evoked that nature reference.
More soon on other acts, this time mostly local or regional even if that means its presented later, who did get to fit the bill and went on despite similar circumstances with the weather, and on top of that the pandemic too. How dealt with by Jeff and Vox.
OK, this is sports by the numbers, a followup on all those 40-points-plus performances in the NBA Finals, not to mention the pursuit of Perfect 10s in the Olympics:
– All this percentage-based jokestering started when QB Tom Brady made a funny while being feted at the White House, saying that only 40 percent of people were of the belief that his team, the Buccaneers, had won the Super Bowl. And of those, only half had it as Gospel. (OK, I added that last part).
– So, here goes more. The color commentators on major network(s) had it that the Bucs as they spelled it, minus the K obviously, could go far in the playoffs. Only 43 percent of people listening made that name distinction. But a full 97 percent from Milwaukee were well aware. That number dipped to 83 percent when you get as far out as Hudson, (and we think we’re so astute here).
– Analyst Charles Barkley early on, when the Bucks (got it right this time) were down by a 2-0 factor, said they still could go all the way. A full 17 percent agree with him — and almost half think he has a psychic advisor — an initial number that is small because of our relatively small population base here in the Midwest. The percentage that agreed with him dwindled to single digits out on either coast, and when we are talking Phoenix itself, dropped to a rate that is statistically insignificant (love that phrase). But among those who follow the money, the hundreds of dollar bills, as in bucks, that were dropped for effect on the TNT studio, three-quarters are dream believers.
– That crazy-eyed man, who goes by the name of Portis, was thought by 54 percent of those polled (yeah right) to be a better fit with the WWE that he has signed onto, than the NBA exclusively. But only 32 percent thought he was as crazy eyed and could be played out as such, as Hulk Hogan. But the Hulkster is taking dance lessons from Portis, 15 percent believe, based on his now-even-more-famous jaunt down the length of the side of the court that got him a technical, even though the ball went out of bounds off a Sun.
– Then, 77 percent said that Chris Paul was a little too muscular and heavy to be a quick guard. But that number reverted when they saw him toss in a fallaway shot over that much taller Greek Guy. And how many thought that Booker wrote the book on looking like a cocky punk, even if he can’t help it, as he has had that smirk grilled into his face for an entire playoff season? Scratching triple digits as a percentage.
– On the flip side, Drue Holiday was thought be 81 percent to be making a cool style statement with his carefully-crafted dreaded locks and white headband, that sometimes got him confused with Portis. But only 17 percent thought he had a crack at a GQ cover. And who is their bigger Midwest head case, this side of Randy Moss? This one is split between Lopez and Tucker.
– But now to the Olympics. Twenty percent agree with me that the newest sanctioned sport, with trials only here in the Midwest, should be righty-lefty synchronized bowling, on adjoining lanes if I have to spell it out for you down south, and that’s a full 63 percent.
– They wanted to play, rather than the National Anthem for winners of U.S. and British gold, and factoring in the virus factor, the song by Blue Oyster Cult, “there goes Tokyo, go go go Godzilla.” Half off you believe me, the same half who bought the previous paragraphs of B.S. Cheers. Joe.
Of dad, you did it again. That is Mr. Dad, garnered all the attention in the way you might of seen with a certain Ms. Garner. And now we are ebbing closer to July Fourth, and dad will be their too, with chest out if it does not lead to a heart attack aided and abetted by too much meat and potatoes and gravy.
So, here are some observations from the music scene, and that would have to be classic rock, or maybe dad’s favorite and also the fave of the state, since its been dressed up as he official dance tuneage via tuba of Wisconsin — the polka.
The sign says the name of the business is Dad’s Mustache. The other part of the sign is for a psychic shop. So when he going to go there to finally trim off that “soup-sifter?” Only the soothsayer across the hall in that strip mall knows for sure, and she’s not saying unless all the kids, and his wife, team up to pony up a bunch of dough in order to sooth their minds, about the about-face.
Down the road about the distance dad said he had to walk in winter with snow drifts almost as high, to get the that half-room (or so he says) schoolhouse, is a place called Mob Pizza. Dad has tales about that too, although he never did actually stare down Dillinger or Capone, while up north of here, over that last slice. (But if it were JUST pepperoni and sausage, and not all that funny stuff …) And back in Hudson there is the Mob salon, back to that mustache thing, where it could be The Mob Rules, back in Dio Days, when all the band members had not only long hair, but almost as long a ‘stach.
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They say hope springs eternal, season reference, and the time for that season including there nature of being political, spirituality based in this time of renewal, the way that plays out in various holidays with the greater need that is out there, and maybe they are all linked to each other — and not just an internet term.
I must segue to a new friend who was playing on the jukebox mongo metal songs. I liked her choices and told her so. The bottom line? The lady’s name is indeed, Hope, and there just has to be some irony there. No Dark Side Of The Moon, too light in tone, but Pink Floyd is deeply troubled right now about the death at the hands of police by someone with that surname. But springing, again that term, from all this is “hope” that sometime soon, with the attention being given, we will all just find a way to get along. Until then, The H word — Local H and remember them? — is the buzz word that keeps on popping up and thus keeps itself at the forefront, making us revisit its merits. Buzz words, in reality are are just that, but this one today is far more poignant and pervasive, and thus tells the tale.
So, what follows is a listing, somewhat chronological, of the way that buzz word that is Hope has been referenced by name these days in places like a whole variety of social media outlets. And if even they can win the game, there is indeed hope.
My aunt Marian, who has her own concerns to worry about but still has kept me in mind with some of the current challenges in my life, sent a specialty Christmas card labeled on the front and center on its cover, A Christmas Hope, and may it linger long within your heart. The salutation “Sincerely” underscored the point. A solicitation to benefit those in far greater need, from the Salvation Army, used that very hope word to end its long, prime sentence and reinforce the pitch and the need for it. This was a followup to a similar request at Thanksgiving, but the sheer need a month later had evolved even more, and the ante was upped and the word hope was invoked, where it had only indirectly been present in November. In a second plea, in reverse order of sentence structure, was the request from Second Harvest Heartland. “I’ll give hope to hungry …” And for their third go-round, there was the charitable option provided by a “Hope Box label.”
But all charity does not have to start with home. A man who is transient and has been aided in various but small ways by HudsonWiNightlife, has now ended up in Vegas! Again, there has to be some irony there. But it’s not always, what happens in Vegas stays in Vegas. A holiday card trying to reach him came here, in North Hudson, with a message of hope, from the Vegas Strong Resiliency Center. I’m guessing that more and more these days, their dance card (and other card games) are full. Could it be, as sung by Steely Dan: No black cards will make you money, so you hide them when you’re able. But in the Land of Milk and Honey, you must put them on the table. But no, oh no, neither the Vegas Resiliency Center, or HudsonWiNightlife, or even one of my fave downtown bartenders Terry, wish to judge.
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So here goes my more extended spiel on legendary rock music, the harder the more insightful, as concerns Good Friday/Easter. And I will now try to localize all this lyrical analysis, as believe it or not, most of these guys have played concerts right here in St. Croix County, and there is much more of this type of content coming from me once the Music Is Here Again. But for the moment, I refer to another classic song, although lighter in tone, “The three men I admire most, the Father, Son and Holy Ghost, caught the last train for the coast, the day the music died.”
Ozzy Osbourne as the Prince of Darkness? That’s so much crap built up by the mainstream media — that’s not us — although the singer and composer plays along with it to laugh at himself and if people don’t look deeper, they won’t get it. Ozzy has replied to such accusations via his music not interviews, (check out Rock ‘N’ Roll Rebel). He got the ball rolling on the spiritual side, although a bit dark, to be presented in a quasi-religious way, with his classic song Ironman. It is about a messiah who returns to earth to right the ship by taking to task those who did not help him when he was first here and among us — Judas Priest reference also — and the religious leaders and their false piety really get raking over the coals in Black Sabbath songs. But to all you literalists out there, this is a parable, not a statement of historical or religious fact, about what we should get a race for screwing up the gift of free will. There are unmistakable references to other Biblical parables such as the Good Samaritan story, “we’ll just pass him there, why should we even care?” And also the ascension: “He was turned to steel, in the great magnetic field, when he traveled time, for the future of mankind.”
But the upshot about the Christian holiday upon us: “Vengeance from the grave, kills the people he once saved.” In short, God is not to happy with us right now. But this song is straightforward, while its sequel Bark At The Moon, is a much more complex tale about the descent into hell: “Years spent in torment, buried in a nameless grave, now He has Risen, miracles would have to save …. They killed and buried him alone … and thought his timeless soul had gone …” You get the picture.
(The video shows Ozzy hamming it up like only he can, as a mad scientist, and running downward deeper and deeper into a cavern) Again, you get it. But not all do. A pastor friend of mine and I discussed this song between sets at a rock band playing at the old Dibbo’s, and he thought this was a representation of some sort of demonic folklore. Maybe it is both? But again to such literalists, you have to take into account the liberties of artistic freedom. Christ was in the grave only three days, we are told, not years …
Bands playing such themes were countless when OzzFest came rolling though to Somerset, just up the road, each summer. You didn’t get top billing on the main stage unless you had such spiritual things to say. And on the way back to the freeway, Ozzy and the guys were known to have stayed overnight at the bigger Hudson motels — mixed messages about if any rooms got trashed. I apparently had a handle on such things, in my reporting for major Upper Midwestern newspapers, as I rose to a first name basis with Ozzy’s publicist in New York, Ada Adame. (I actually saw a music commentator online recently by that same uncommon surname). We would reconvene each June for what would be happening in July. but when Sharon took over things and all became corporate, even thought she probably saved Ozzy’s life, and the relationship died off on the vine. Sharon, thusly, has been labeled online as possibly the most polarizing figure in metal history.
And all of course, is not in a name. The old band that surged forward when metal was put on the map in the mid-1980s, W.A.S.P., has been rumored to be short for We Are Satan’s People. Again, so much crap. One of their biggest hits was Golgotha, you may recall that was the hill where Christ met the final part of his fate, and the chorus was short but telling, “Jesus we need you now.” Interestingly, the figure on the cross in the video is shrouded in dark gloom, so you can’t be sure if it is Christ or one of those crucified alongside him.
This brings me back full circle to Dream Theater. So if you are starting to thing like I and other metalheads do, what might you say to the idea that “seas rise and then fall again,” could be loaded with sexual imagery, or could seem to be a slam of Herod and Pilate and the Roman Empire that would not stand the test of time. And lastly, the reference to the lowly sparrow and his next meal, which just to clue you in, seems to be referring to those who should not worry about the trials in their lives, because God will take care of it.
With that, no more dark theology, but since it is now time for sunrise services and then egg hunts, Alleluia.
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The challenges to the presidential election are very much waning, but the flags that fly and send home a message on these themes are still out and about, and the sheer volume of their presence waxes and wanes with the season, but as always it comes down to the fact that it’s their size rather than their numbers that matter. And in a big yard, the message can be overt even though that big accompanying sign with few words, just last names, might be well away from the sidewalk. Foot-high DTs and MPs. However, there were neighbors whose candidate lost out, where the signs were already on election night tucked away in the garage — until we presume four years from now. Or maybe two, but I digress.
The flags that remain, along with banners that speak the same, tend to be bigger and bolder, and they can still be noticed because they can approach the length of a bed-sheet — Donald you gotta have A Whole Lotta Love for that reference — and the more Republican that is the sponsor, the more they loom large, tend to stay put and thus have staying power (is this a last act of defiance?) They can now even be found flying in new places, such as their pole being thrust into the trunk of a tree, and to get that insertion on an oak is a tough haul. Christmas decorations took precedence for a while, like on a neighbor’s house where a full thirty feet away from the holiday-themed doorway, at the far corner where the siding headed toward the back yard, has been propped the Old Glory pole, but only in recent weeks.
With recent snow, an older gent was shoveling off each of the 15 stairs leading to his deck, with The Stars And Stripes watching over him. Passing-by was a truck that was not a Dump Trump vehicle, but still sported flags and messages, although more like those Packer things on a plastic handle that are the size of a large working man’s glove A far cry from some of the big flag on each corner of a payload, including the blind spot, four-by-fours that reined before rains turned to snow.
Others were flagged even more often, such as the case when a homeowner was taken to task on social media locally for flying the flag up-side-down. Also a target was Gov. Walz, and the writer, in turn, was chastised by another writer asking that civility rein. Eggs that are sunny-side-up these days do not merit as much attention. Another head-turner, this time at a local shop, featured not a white elephant but a blue one! The marquee at Casanova Historic Liquors has featured different variations on the same sentiment: Hip sip hurrah, for both the election FINALLY being near and the New Year EVEN MORE FINALLY in the books to bury 2020.
And there is a time in the season for all things, and they show by the number of high-flying flags that could be seen erected, almost overnight, at some junctures. They appeared en masse in mid-August, moreso than even had been their Fourth of July presence. After Labor Day the spike continued, and reappeared right after Halloween was gone. Now, it is common to see big flags flown in big groups, as it would seem many same blocks of neighbors are like-thinking. Also appearing late and being taken down early were those blue banners big on befriending marginalized groups of every race or creed or color or gender or age … Hey, they used more words to describe it than I just did.
As far as the KQ metal and other music mania as it concerns Christmas covers, it will as you would know from the holiday I just mentioned go on for a few more days. So what’s old gets really old. So I hope to refresh it by having a metal-head holiday classic changed up and taken to a new level (yeah right).
Anyway, here goes my take on “Santa Claus” the remake of Iron Man by Black Sabbath. The deeper you go in, after a starter opening quote, the more of it is original to me, as that is kind of a obligation for such things (sorry Ozzy).
How much does he weigh, how do the reindeer pull his sleigh.
How long’s the fruitcake been, may have to notify next of kin.
Santa’s gig is clear, he only works one day a year.
Have to string for AP, don’t fret Mrs. Clause, you’ll have your spree.
The other 363 to hit the beer, as UC money will cover it dear.
Down the chimney he gets stuck, so he screams what the (censored).
Merry Christmas from old Joe, Xmas gifts mean no money to blow.
(I”m sure Ozzy would give his British accent turn to “been,” ala the fruitcake).
A final happy holidays. Just make sure to “share” the Yuletide joy. JW
And now a final thought, based on a thought from My No. 1 fan, who thought this post was “A-Mazing.” A little known fact. It was “a-maze” of corn of the ancient Mayans, not Iowans, that gave Santa the idea way back when to go for such treasures worldwide and pad his coffers, in order to feed his reindeer. Am I getting too squirrely? Now I have to blip back and add this verse: “Heard Rudolph got together with Prancer. Did they produce a Tiny Dancer?”
Hey This Is Christmas And What Have You Done? Or do you still have to do. Since the Taste Great,
Less Filling meat-and-more dish rules what the “roost” will be, so we’ll lead with that tip or two, then
quickly revert to different takes on grazing food, which may be what the old and not so old kids focus
on prior to gifts being opened, and the bird is still is the oven. And if you are someone pressed for
time, as say your classes are finally done — whether in the classroom or done remotely, possibly he
same difference, might make you so accessible that it bites into time even more, as where the calendar
falls might make this late this year … Or there is that one last work project that extends into Christmas
Eve Day, then here you go, with what you already have in-hand and sort of heavy on the snack end,
make the most of it without really purchasing anything and still rock your party.
And then for other side of eats. Flavor up your chicken breast with chopped coconut and mint leaves,
and apply maple syrup or other such sweet but dark brown flavors, as they are quite a few, to taste.
With green beans, you may make it holiday happen by taking bits of candied nut from that fruitcake
and sprinkle them on top, or go a different direction and put on crumblings from bacon or part of your
Christmas ham.
Little wieners can leap to new heights when you take the little Vienna ones, lightly pickled in a can for
as little as 43 cents, and touch it off with other flavors such as light BBQ sauce, the relatively tangy
kind. Stick a toothpick through and maybe stuff some bacon between. (Adjust with a dollop of a
differently spiced sauce). And since this is Christmas, I have to reference the classic Grinch tale, which
makes a big deal out of roast beast — and it probably was already aired all over the Old School TV a
couple of weeks ago, as We All Go and push the holidays forward. Is there no such animal? Try out,
just to be different, venison dishes or Bison as there are local farms with this that probably could use
your financial support, (even think antelope), or even all kinds of other game that does not always,
depending on how you prep it, taste gamey — there are a boatloads of opinions out there about the
different nuances. Check them out on the Internet.
Stuffing can be dribbled onto many meats, as well as green beans, or even a bit on corn or some
combinations of them with mixed veggies. Note that the Stovetop brand has the smallest cubes and
more dust.
Corn flakes and many other cereals — of course Chex and various toasted Ohs — can be sprinkled
across entrees and also used as part of a trail mix. Mix and match or take it half and half, and even in
quarters of a bowl, along with mixed nuts or tortilla chips — and mix together all different spiced
flavors of the latter, as there are many available even last minute and in the same section of aisle at
most stores.
Get the kids involved, as I always say, with choosing the mixture you’ll make with various pasta
shapes, and hot peppers in red or green salsa, or a kind that’s largely clear, then add in sliced bell
peppers and onions, as there are four of each kind, carrots, green beans and corn for a differing taste.
Stick in not only peppers of various types, but all things Italian as far as sauces and sausage into
medium or large pasta shells, the type of which type will determine the exact ingredients and how they
are sliced.
Try out tapioca pudding, whether small pearl or otherwise sized, with red or dark berries of various
types along the rim. And what else, not a fruit I don’t think, could be placed around the edges of an
entree? Various flavors of Ramen noodles, just a bit with the perfect sauce of your choosing sprinkled
across the top, and here are the big four, beef (get the primo but most pricey meat-flavor involved),
chicken, pork and shrimp (this is where you can let your very creative juices flowing, and almost all of
them will have some merit, think all kinds of Asian. If you need a boost in your mostest, check out the
big Asian foods truck that is always out front of Dick’s Bar at closing, for ideas, but maybe not at the
appointed 2 p.m. time slot we have become used to).
Cole slaw can use all kinds of various veggies, again be creative and it doesn’t have to be green, and
variety can be served by making its presentation half and half between sweet and sour dressings (and
yes that’s two ot them).
On regular salad, too, chefs can dump in all kinds of veggie, meat and cheese toppings, (check the
back of your crisper drawer), and on a different course, even some fruits that are apples and oranges
and other of that round large shape, or pomigranite. And only need a touch of a meat to flavor it out,
but not more than an ounce or two, try the good old Buddig packets. And if you are that mentioned
college student on limited means, (can you say the loans you may have out?), this might be the best
use of that money the parents are sure to give you.
<Spice, spice baby, and for older boys and girls>
Here is the other side of the story, as far as holiday cookies and the like, which you might be pressed
for time to do in advance, here is a flavorful pick and choose guide.
Allspice is the holy trinity of spices, as useful as oregano, which goes with all kinds of things.
Cardamon is present behind the scenes of all kinds of teas and other drinks.
Cloves can often be found in “leather studded” hams, and you know the guys from Judas Priest likely
love that.
Peppercorns can be as popular as well, hot peppers, although the heat is not on as consistently.
You can be working with a thick sauce in the following case, so some mixing of stuff can bring just the
right heat to the taste. If you have a Christmas birthday, a true gift might be the free bottle of sauce
that is offered at Buffalo Wild Wings (you likely will have to produce ID, even if you did at the door).
My favorite servers recommend something along the lines of Caribbean jerk sauce, which when mixed
with water — or something else — produce just the right level of zing. And you can share this gift with
a friend.
Saffron can be used in drinks such as wine, not just foods.
The guy (we’re obviously assuming that) who wrote online about star anise, might have gotten the
words transposed, as it also appears under various names. That does not necessarily mean the
different names reflect different tastes.
Vanilla bean we assume is like vanilla extract, where it pumps up the volume on alcohol level to close
to a 50 percent level, and it may even be covered by EBT. If you have the right dessert recipe, it may
be a cool party on the government dollar.
Mulling spice is sort of a hodge-podge of great tastes — not unlike when I reviewed the Black
Crowes in a Somerset concert and they were half standard rocking out, and half a mix of all different kinds of folk with odd-ball-for-a-rock-concert instrumentation — and the spice starts with Golden Milk from what we assume was a red-hot momma.