More First Ladies Tales
It's surprising at the number of First Ladies who not only knew each other, but whose lives intertwined. Eleanor Roosevelt and Lou Hoover played cards and entertained one another. Lou Hoover and Grace Coolidge were close. Grace called Lou '"Lily of the Valley" and Lou called her "Bleeding Heart" which sounds a trifle catty somehow...
During WW2 years, Edith Wilson and Mamie Eisenhower supported events for the Red Cross which had a new volunteer, a woman named Pat Nixon.
Bess Truman organized Spanish lessons in the White House for her friends which included Mamie Eisenhower. When asked by a reporter, if she'd learned to speak Spanish, Mamie replied, "Heavens, no! We just talked!"
When the Trumans were moved to Blair House doing the rebuilding of the White House, Bess had to divide the traditional Congressional wives luncheon into several smaller groups. Among the ladies in the A to F group was a new arrival to Washington named Betty Ford. Despite Jerry Ford being a Republican, Betty enjoyed and admired Mrs. Truman.
Almost exactly a year after Lady Bird gave birth to Lucy, her second daughter, Pat Nixon had Julie, her second daughter. No word on whether baby gifts were exchanged.
Eleanor Roosevelt and Edith Wilson were what today be called "frenemies." They each respected the other, but Edith was stubbornly opposed to allowing her name to be linked to various of Mrs. Roosevelt's causes.
It's nice to read that these women had friendships with each other and often crossed party lines to do it. Washington, DC, really is a small town in some ways. Although there was no picket fence around the White House for them to chat over on Wash Day.
Friday, February 28, 2014
Thursday, February 27, 2014
Richie Makes the Paper. Again!
Richie is not one to keep his mouth shut instead of complaining. Most recently the local news has been screaming about the drought here. We are being urged to conserve water at all costs.
Meanwhile another war is being waged on our front -- the California bullet train from Los Angeles to San Francisco - duration of the ride? Three hours. At the moment it is projected to cost $68.5 billion and be finished in 2033.
Since one can fly from LAX to SFO in less than an hour, I fail to see the advantages of the bullet train, but I have kept my mouth shut. Not so Richie:
Daily Breeze, Wed., 2/25/2014
Use the bullet train money on desalination projects
Dear Sirs:
Everyone is talking about the drought, but is anyone doing anything to correct it? No. There is, however, lots of talk about the bullet train and how much it will cost.
Take that money and use it for desalination plants. What is more important - a high-speed rail or drinking water and enjoying the fruits and vegetables the water allows?
Sincerely, Richie Murphy
Meanwhile another war is being waged on our front -- the California bullet train from Los Angeles to San Francisco - duration of the ride? Three hours. At the moment it is projected to cost $68.5 billion and be finished in 2033.
Since one can fly from LAX to SFO in less than an hour, I fail to see the advantages of the bullet train, but I have kept my mouth shut. Not so Richie:
Daily Breeze, Wed., 2/25/2014
Use the bullet train money on desalination projects
Dear Sirs:
Everyone is talking about the drought, but is anyone doing anything to correct it? No. There is, however, lots of talk about the bullet train and how much it will cost.
Take that money and use it for desalination plants. What is more important - a high-speed rail or drinking water and enjoying the fruits and vegetables the water allows?
Sincerely, Richie Murphy
Wednesday, February 26, 2014
The Car Book
I keep a book in Richie's car so that if he suddenly says, "Oh, I need to run in there" and I don't want to go, I've got a book with which to amuse myself.
Right now, it's "First Ladies, the Saga of the Presidents' Wives and Their Power, 1798 to 1961" by Carl Sferrazza Anthony 685 pages (hefty) William Morris No price given on this soft cover book.
Grace Coolidge's husband fired her married Secret Service man after they set out for a 15 mile walk and didn't return until five hours later at 2:15 p.m. well after lunch. Calvin was so upset and angry that he finally sent out a search party which ran into the surprised hikers just as they were emerging from the forest.
The story put out to the press about the Secret Service guy's sudden disappearance was that he'd been given more responsibilities and a raise elsewhere. Six months later, Grace wrote the couple without bothering to tell Calvin and they all reconnected. When the wife later opened a restaurant, Grace was one of her first customers.
Lou Hoover went 'way beyond the borders of Iowa where she had been born. She and Herbert (aka "Bert") honeymooned while en route to China where they were caught in Tientsin when the Boxer Rebellion broke out. She went to the hospital every day to help treat the wounded. A geology expert, she had worked in China, Burma, Tasmania, the Suez, Egypt, New Zealand, France, Italy, Japan, Australia, Russia, England and Belgium. She was said to be fluent in four languages.
She refused to attend any party where illegal alcohol would be served. It was Prohibition then.
She created the first official presidential retreat on the Rapidan River and named it "Rapidan."
To Be Continued
Right now, it's "First Ladies, the Saga of the Presidents' Wives and Their Power, 1798 to 1961" by Carl Sferrazza Anthony 685 pages (hefty) William Morris No price given on this soft cover book.
Grace Coolidge's husband fired her married Secret Service man after they set out for a 15 mile walk and didn't return until five hours later at 2:15 p.m. well after lunch. Calvin was so upset and angry that he finally sent out a search party which ran into the surprised hikers just as they were emerging from the forest.
The story put out to the press about the Secret Service guy's sudden disappearance was that he'd been given more responsibilities and a raise elsewhere. Six months later, Grace wrote the couple without bothering to tell Calvin and they all reconnected. When the wife later opened a restaurant, Grace was one of her first customers.
Lou Hoover went 'way beyond the borders of Iowa where she had been born. She and Herbert (aka "Bert") honeymooned while en route to China where they were caught in Tientsin when the Boxer Rebellion broke out. She went to the hospital every day to help treat the wounded. A geology expert, she had worked in China, Burma, Tasmania, the Suez, Egypt, New Zealand, France, Italy, Japan, Australia, Russia, England and Belgium. She was said to be fluent in four languages.
She refused to attend any party where illegal alcohol would be served. It was Prohibition then.
She created the first official presidential retreat on the Rapidan River and named it "Rapidan."
To Be Continued
Tuesday, February 25, 2014
Utah's Official State Snack Is - Jell-0!
So says Food and Wine with no further explanation when it arrived yesterday.
***
Jim Meehan, owner of Manhattan's PDT, explains why he and others serve $15 "craft cocktails." Basically, it's to p ay the rent in a better part of town than the local steel foundry.
He tells us that he started with a paper menu and $11 cocktails. But then he replaced the pleather seats with real leather and bought new oak tables... and then he switched out the paper menus for leather-bound ones that cost him $50 each -- and then whines that they lose two every week because people keep them! I find no sympathy for him in my stony, little heart. No one held a gun to his head and made him upgrade.
And I can't believe the Mafia is making him buy hand-carved ice (At $1 a filled glass) from an ice sculpturor either.
He remarks, "I'm lucky; I run a small, specialized bar in a big city, so it doesn't have to appeal to everyone." Translation: "This town is fulla suckahs and more are flying in every week" O P.T. Barnum, what have you wrought?
Locally, Hudson House served a $12 Bloody Mary, but: it came with a pair of enormous grilled shrimp on a skewer across the top of the glass. Made for a great appetizer.
***
An Irish guy named Cathel Armstrong has written "My Irish Table" and Food and Wine excerpted three of his "rules" -
1. For people who like onions - chop up an entire yellow onion and 1/4 cup chives and mix with six hardboiled eggs for egg salad sandwiches.
2. Save the leftover mashed potatoes! Add an egg and some flour, mix well and make potato pancakes. This is not exactly brain surgery...
3. Before you put the "lid" on an individual pot pie, turn a ramekin upside down on the meat-vegetable mix and then put the lid on. This is said to keep the pastry from "drowning" in the bubbling liquid.
Now that you've eaten up the leftovers and saved some pennies, either fly to NY for a $15 drink or buy a box of Jell-0 and salute Utah!
***
Jim Meehan, owner of Manhattan's PDT, explains why he and others serve $15 "craft cocktails." Basically, it's to p ay the rent in a better part of town than the local steel foundry.
He tells us that he started with a paper menu and $11 cocktails. But then he replaced the pleather seats with real leather and bought new oak tables... and then he switched out the paper menus for leather-bound ones that cost him $50 each -- and then whines that they lose two every week because people keep them! I find no sympathy for him in my stony, little heart. No one held a gun to his head and made him upgrade.
And I can't believe the Mafia is making him buy hand-carved ice (At $1 a filled glass) from an ice sculpturor either.
He remarks, "I'm lucky; I run a small, specialized bar in a big city, so it doesn't have to appeal to everyone." Translation: "This town is fulla suckahs and more are flying in every week" O P.T. Barnum, what have you wrought?
Locally, Hudson House served a $12 Bloody Mary, but: it came with a pair of enormous grilled shrimp on a skewer across the top of the glass. Made for a great appetizer.
***
An Irish guy named Cathel Armstrong has written "My Irish Table" and Food and Wine excerpted three of his "rules" -
1. For people who like onions - chop up an entire yellow onion and 1/4 cup chives and mix with six hardboiled eggs for egg salad sandwiches.
2. Save the leftover mashed potatoes! Add an egg and some flour, mix well and make potato pancakes. This is not exactly brain surgery...
3. Before you put the "lid" on an individual pot pie, turn a ramekin upside down on the meat-vegetable mix and then put the lid on. This is said to keep the pastry from "drowning" in the bubbling liquid.
Now that you've eaten up the leftovers and saved some pennies, either fly to NY for a $15 drink or buy a box of Jell-0 and salute Utah!
Monday, February 24, 2014
I Say! Do Join Me For Breakfast!
Richie found a little book "The London Ritz Book of English Breakfasts" by Helen Simpson and I'd imagine it is out of print as it was written in 1988.
The Ritz Hotel from which the recipes ostensibly came from, has been a luxury hotel since April 24, 1906 when it opened as the first big steel-framed building in London. It's 133 rooms/suites range in price today from 435 to 1,800 Pounds. (Keyboard doesn't have the pound sign.)
For years visitors have complained about the quality of Brit-prepared food, but today's is getting some rave reviews. I think people finally welcomed new chefs and new flavors. British kitchens are in full canter now. I picked two of the "ancient" foods as a matter of interest.
CHASSE (French for "Hunt" and may be a reference to Hunt Breakfasts at places like Downton Abbey.)
1 large or two small onions, sliced
2 T butter
2 T bacon fat
3/4 lb. of tomatoes, skinned
5 oz. slice of cooked ham
1 lb. of potatoes, boiled and diced
1/2 cup shredded sharp Cheddar cheese
A pinch of apple pie spice (!)
Fry the onions in the fats. Chop the ham and tomatoes into small pieces and add to the onions. When everything has browned, toss a dash of water in the pan and add the potatoes. Just before serving, stir in the cheese and the apple pie spice. Said to be good on its own or with poached eggs on top.
Scotland is justifiably proud of its distilled products, but this seems A Bit Much - Whiskey sauce for the morning's oatmeal!?
WHISKEY SAUCE
1 stick of butter (4 oz.)
3/4 cup of sugar
1 egg beaten
6 T Scotch whiskey
Use a heavy pan to stir the butter and sugar together until the butter melts and the sugar begins to dissolve. Stir in the egg and keep stirring, never allowing it to boil. Take the pan off of the fire and let it sit until it's tepid, then stir in the Scotch whiskey. Serve in a tiny pitcher with the oatmeal.
Talk about kick-starting the day ...
The Ritz Hotel from which the recipes ostensibly came from, has been a luxury hotel since April 24, 1906 when it opened as the first big steel-framed building in London. It's 133 rooms/suites range in price today from 435 to 1,800 Pounds. (Keyboard doesn't have the pound sign.)
For years visitors have complained about the quality of Brit-prepared food, but today's is getting some rave reviews. I think people finally welcomed new chefs and new flavors. British kitchens are in full canter now. I picked two of the "ancient" foods as a matter of interest.
CHASSE (French for "Hunt" and may be a reference to Hunt Breakfasts at places like Downton Abbey.)
1 large or two small onions, sliced
2 T butter
2 T bacon fat
3/4 lb. of tomatoes, skinned
5 oz. slice of cooked ham
1 lb. of potatoes, boiled and diced
1/2 cup shredded sharp Cheddar cheese
A pinch of apple pie spice (!)
Fry the onions in the fats. Chop the ham and tomatoes into small pieces and add to the onions. When everything has browned, toss a dash of water in the pan and add the potatoes. Just before serving, stir in the cheese and the apple pie spice. Said to be good on its own or with poached eggs on top.
Scotland is justifiably proud of its distilled products, but this seems A Bit Much - Whiskey sauce for the morning's oatmeal!?
WHISKEY SAUCE
1 stick of butter (4 oz.)
3/4 cup of sugar
1 egg beaten
6 T Scotch whiskey
Use a heavy pan to stir the butter and sugar together until the butter melts and the sugar begins to dissolve. Stir in the egg and keep stirring, never allowing it to boil. Take the pan off of the fire and let it sit until it's tepid, then stir in the Scotch whiskey. Serve in a tiny pitcher with the oatmeal.
Talk about kick-starting the day ...
Sunday, February 23, 2014
Position Available: Ad Copywriter for Marijuana
Our Colorado correspondent, "Mad Mike of the Mountains," sent us some facts on the legal rules and a current price list. He has not been able to personally visit these emporiums (allergies) but thoughtfully included the Marijuana Menu of an establishment there.
The Rules: You can legally have one ounce in your possession. You can grow up to six plants. You can buy one ounce a day (don't reach for your wallet yet.) You can only smoke it in your home or backyard. Airports have "amnesty boxes" for your personal disposal. No names are taken, you just discreetly add to the collection.
The flyer for a store that gives no address or phone number divides the types of cannabis in three categories - Sativa, Hybrid and Indica. A star next to the item indicates it is in-store the day you received the flyer. Descriptions of the 39 types sold read like the wine list at a tasting dinner.
"Bubba Kush - 100 per cent indica. Very calming and strong with body soothing effects, helps address insomnia." Insomnia was absolutely not a problem for most of the people I used to know who smoked dope. They all walked around half asleep -- on a good day.
The prices for one ounce of Sativa or Hybrid are $350/ounce or $45 for 1/8th of an ounce. Indica is $400/ounce or $55 for 1/8th of an ounce. A handwritten note across the top of the flyer reads "Pricing does NOT include tax of 32 per cent." Trust me, you won't be a dope addict for long.
Sativa
Durban Poison 100% sativa Strong and energizing sensation with the well-known (?) Durban aftertaste.
Green Crack 100% An amazing body buzz, great for anxiety relief
Island Sweet Skunk 100% Great for depression, stress. Makes you feel very energetic and euphoric. (Ed. note: Might be a good idea NOT to drive after using it.)
Hybrid
Moby D 70/30 sativa dominant Good for stress, lack of appetite, pain, depression and fatigue. A euphoric, creative and focused high. (Ed note - Yeah, right!)
Indica
FU Cali 100% indica Strong smell and equally strong high. Works well for aches, pains and migraines.
Grape Ape 100% indica Smooth and fruity taste with a euphoric high and strong body relaxation effects.
Mad Mike reports that there are legal pot stores "all over." Have decided that any trip to Colorado is fraught with peril - remember the old Country and Western ballad "Asleep at the Wheel"?
The Rules: You can legally have one ounce in your possession. You can grow up to six plants. You can buy one ounce a day (don't reach for your wallet yet.) You can only smoke it in your home or backyard. Airports have "amnesty boxes" for your personal disposal. No names are taken, you just discreetly add to the collection.
The flyer for a store that gives no address or phone number divides the types of cannabis in three categories - Sativa, Hybrid and Indica. A star next to the item indicates it is in-store the day you received the flyer. Descriptions of the 39 types sold read like the wine list at a tasting dinner.
"Bubba Kush - 100 per cent indica. Very calming and strong with body soothing effects, helps address insomnia." Insomnia was absolutely not a problem for most of the people I used to know who smoked dope. They all walked around half asleep -- on a good day.
The prices for one ounce of Sativa or Hybrid are $350/ounce or $45 for 1/8th of an ounce. Indica is $400/ounce or $55 for 1/8th of an ounce. A handwritten note across the top of the flyer reads "Pricing does NOT include tax of 32 per cent." Trust me, you won't be a dope addict for long.
Sativa
Durban Poison 100% sativa Strong and energizing sensation with the well-known (?) Durban aftertaste.
Green Crack 100% An amazing body buzz, great for anxiety relief
Island Sweet Skunk 100% Great for depression, stress. Makes you feel very energetic and euphoric. (Ed. note: Might be a good idea NOT to drive after using it.)
Hybrid
Moby D 70/30 sativa dominant Good for stress, lack of appetite, pain, depression and fatigue. A euphoric, creative and focused high. (Ed note - Yeah, right!)
Indica
FU Cali 100% indica Strong smell and equally strong high. Works well for aches, pains and migraines.
Grape Ape 100% indica Smooth and fruity taste with a euphoric high and strong body relaxation effects.
Mad Mike reports that there are legal pot stores "all over." Have decided that any trip to Colorado is fraught with peril - remember the old Country and Western ballad "Asleep at the Wheel"?
Saturday, February 22, 2014
The Not-Very-Smart Sparrow
We have a pair of hummingbird feeders out on the balcony. We do a good business with hummingbirds, but there is a sparrow who visits and tries in vain to drink their sugar water. He/she doesn't realize that humminbgirds have long beaks for a reason - to suck up the last bit of nectar in a flower - which is why their feeders are so very different.
The sparrow's beak is 'way too short, but undeterred He/she keeps coming back. It's really funny to watch it trying to get a foothold on the perches - He/she has much bigger feet than a hummingbird!
What prompted this was that movement outside the office window caught my eye and it was said sparrow, perched cockily on a branch of the avocado tree looking in at me. I could swear He/she winked as if to say, "Today I'm gonna nail it! Better buy more sugar!"
The sparrow's beak is 'way too short, but undeterred He/she keeps coming back. It's really funny to watch it trying to get a foothold on the perches - He/she has much bigger feet than a hummingbird!
What prompted this was that movement outside the office window caught my eye and it was said sparrow, perched cockily on a branch of the avocado tree looking in at me. I could swear He/she winked as if to say, "Today I'm gonna nail it! Better buy more sugar!"
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