Friday, June 08, 2007

Drinking from a Mason Jar

Yes, I'm a faithful Mason Jar drinker. Everything tastes better in glass (or ceramic). Plus, with a Mason jar, you have a lid to keep everything contained. It ain't fancy, but it's functional and woodsy, and that sorta folksy appeal is quite popular in many eating establishments I have visited across the country.

Why should you shy away from your old standbys? Paper cups impart an odd flavor and odor that I have never appreciated, even when wax-dipped (ala' Dixie Cups). Metal cups can oftentimes get too cold, and then too warm when enough direct heat (from your hand or the sun) is applied. Plastic is, well... plastic. Plastic can never be cleaned 100%, and odors tend to linger in plastics forever. Wooden cups are alright, if you like the taste of wood (many do not, but it's great for Saki).

This weekend I sat in the patio with some just-picked strawberries, Meg Schwemp* and Mason jars filled with iced tea for each of us. The tea was chillingly cold, and it took the sting off of the late evening heat. The glass refreshed my reaching fingers as much as it soothed thy lips. When I placed the jar down, there was that friendly clink as it touched concrete. The world felt so right in that simple exchange between me, a 70s songstress and perfectly-housed cold beverage.

Go Mason and you'll get a drink as God intended it to be.

*More about this weekend later. I promise!

Thursday, June 07, 2007

A Song in My Heart

Well, gang, the weather has been picture perfect these last few days. Got another squash blossom in and the breezes are mild. What's not to be happy about?

I just procured a mint copy of the Stan Boreson Trio's "I Love Seattle" / "Grateful Message" (Pledge of Allegiance). It's yellow vinyl. My daddy gave me a copy as a child, and the 45 RPM was always so dear to my heart. Somewhere along the line, I lost my original copy... so this new one is a welcome addition back into the fold.

Though it's scarcely a huge favorite in most American households, I adore chicken gizzards. My lunch for today features gizzards cooked down in a rich tomato sauce, which will then be tossed with fresh pasta. Topped with chopped chives (fresh from the garden, of course), I can't imagine anything that would better compliment this Thursday.

Speaking of noodles, the Old Spaghetti Factory in Hollywood will be closed down in two weeks. I personally recall it as the place where I had a foot-long hair in my Mizithra and brown butter pasta... but it also has deeper meaning. That's where the Cauliflower Alley Club had their weekly meetings for years. CAC founder Mike Mazurki, Maria Bernardi, Gene LeBell, Count Billy Varga and others really tore that place up. With the closing, a chapter of Los Angeles and wrestling history ends. So I'm going to take a few snapshots to remember the old girl before she goes off to eternal pasture.

My old friend Meg Schwemp, famous for the hit "Love in the Living Room," will be visiting this weekend for an old-time pluck and jam session. She still has it, for the record, and I could easily see her having a comeback. He new material is more modern than you ever would imagine.

Be well, my friends.

Wednesday, June 06, 2007

Back Here... Again

Note: This message is technically from yesterday... but I figured you wouldn't complain, considering my last post here was two years ago.
The past few days have been sad, uplifting, glorious and confusing. Then again, is anything less expected in my life?

First off, the wrestling world lost Portland icon Sandy Barr. Sandy was the main referee for promoter Don Owen when I watched Portland Wrestling/Big Time Wrestling, and would occasionally don the tights. He was a big part of what made me love Northwest wrestling.
I spoke with a few of Sandy's friends and wrestling brothers this weekend. All shared stories with me. This gave me a chance to hunker down with my old pal Playboy Buddy Rose for a time. It's sad that it takes something like a death to bring folks back together... but it certainly was fun chatting with Buddy again. It has been a while.

Buddy has his biography coming out later this summer, written by Matt Farmer. I know it will be sensational. Copies will be sold at Wrestle Fan Fest at the Cow Palace in San Francisco, October 18-21. Suffice to say I will be there, and I hope you will be, too.

Speaking of wrestling, Percy Pringle III's Gulf South Wrestling has closed down. In its place is Percy Pringle Promotions. Why was this done? Friends, everything has a reason... and this is all for the best, I can assure you of it.

Got a huge pile of vinyl this weekend. No matter what changes take place, I will never stop listening to my LPs. They are worth keeping folks, for the sound quality cannot be topped! New members of my hit parade: Samantha Sang, Nicolette Larson, Freddie Hart and others. And I got a sparkling copy of Melissa Manchester's solo debut. My word... she's just sensational. I have long regarded "Midnight Blue" as one of the great modern pop songs.

New summer albums of note: the return of Nick Lowe with At My Age. Nick is one of my total faves, and you can hear samples of this soon-to-be-released gem. The latest from Maroon 5, It Won't Be Soon Before Long, in my estimation will yield the biggest hits of the summer. I have a love-hate relationship with Rufus Wainwright, but I will plug his new album, Release the Stars, because real talent cannot be denied.

Okay, friends... I need to eat some eggs. Be well.